Once Lost Lords (Royal Scales, Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

didn’t settle for the shake,
pulling in instead for a shoulder bump.
    “Welcome back. Heard you were back in town under another stupid
name.” His hand gave a wave towards my front door. “I see
you didn’t bother to move.”
    “Been hiding.” I said.
    “I heard that too. Someone called in a disturbance and said a
large man with a busted nose had accosted an elf over gambling
debts.” Daniel’s grin was barely visible against the
violent morning light.
    “Someone called huh?” I hadn’t even noticed the
blond was an elf. He had a lot of matted hair covering his discerning
features.
    “Yeah, man, they sent me down here to bring you in for
disturbing the peace.”
    I took a final bite and let out a muffled “Bullshit.” He
laughed.
    “Don’t shoot the messenger!” Daniel said.
    “How about a friend?”
    “Don’t shoot them either. Besides, you know I was kidding
man.” Both his hands went up in an insincere surrender.
    “That elf would never call,” I said.
    “Those types never do. And you don’t exist on paper, man,
remember?” His accent killed me every time. Surfer cadences
rang through his speech. No amount of suit could bury the dude
lurking below. “Little Julie dropped a line when you got back.
I tried to pop in last night but you’d already taken off, so I
asked where you were.”
    That made sense, when he talked to Julianne she must have informed
him last night’s apartment dweller was elven. Well at least
that cleared up which one he was from the picture. This series of
events bothered me. First I see my ex, sort of, and managed to
survive the night. Now one of my few friends shows up.
    “No files in four years?”
    “Not a peep, man, thankfully. I’ve been keeping tabs on
bulletins that might match you over the years. Nothing, nowhere.
You’ve been a ghost.” The admission made me feel
accomplished. I had intentionally 'disappeared' for the last few
years.
    “Anyway, what’re you up to today?” Daniel asked.
    I looked up at the sky then said, “Before sunset? Nothing
really”
    “Sunset?” He put a few things together. “Still
avoiding Kahina?”
    “Wouldn’t you?”
    “Oh, man, I’d move out of the Western Sector all
together, if I had a choice and pissed that woman off.” Daniel
was a Sector agent. He didn’t get to leave without a damned
good reason.
    “Not moving. All my stuff is here.” I shrugged.
    “Right, that collection you’ve been building since we
were kids.” There was a hint of resigned amusement to his
words.
    “I’ve got more to sort out still.” During those
wandering years, the hoard had only grown in size.
    “I’ll believe it if I see it.”
    “Maybe.” Like hell would I let him downstairs. Friendship
didn’t go that far.
    “Listen, man, I’ve got some time and cold cases. I wanted
to ask over beers, but that idea’s busted. You able to help?”
    This exchange wasn’t new. Favor for favor. When we were
younger, a lot younger, he handed me one of the files that had
stumped him. I managed to provide tips that went places. Occasionally
he grabbed another set to consult me on. Daniel had gotten promotions
and commendations because of our deal.
    “Knew this wasn’t a social call.” I pretended to be
grumpy.
    “I know, man, I’d drop by for just drinks, but crime
never sleeps. My next few assignments are shaping up to be huge. If I
can find a place to start.” Daniel shook his head.
    “Anyway, thought maybe you’d help me find some of these
people as an in with this assignment.” He didn’t need to
explain it. Crummy’s missing files included all sorts; long
lost children, runaways, murderers. Often my involvement was limited
to a direction and letting him know which ones were dead. There were
only a handful of trackers in Western Sector and Daniel worked every
resource he could.
    But we were friends.
    “Sure, I’ll try.” I didn’t mention money. I
would take cash for finding and collecting debts, or a reward for
recovering