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

worked here. Tall,
huge balding forehead, and thin wire framed glasses. His remaining
hair was uneven and splattered with shades of gray.
    “Oh.” He whispered.
    His size said nothing about the personality. He was quiet. Most
people never knew he was back. The man tallied the bills, figured out
taxes and would slip every fourth twenty under the counter for the
less than legal funds. Half his magic was shuffling money around
without arousing suspicion. There was some muttering.
    “Hold on, Jeff, I’ll be out in a moment. We gotta fix the
records for our little loose end that your friend took away from me.”
Good, she was okay with the situation. An angry Julianne skipped
straight to screams.
    It was hard to keep the world straight when I changed my name so many
times. Not even sure why I did it.
    “You need a big dumb man to protect you tonight?” My
words would carry well enough.
    Julianne came out of the accounting room and walked down the hall.
She looked mildly annoyed but willing to play my silly game.
    “I could put up with for you tonight, but considering you smart
enough to be dumb is a stretch.”
    “Bitch.” Which she was. I smiled a bit, careful to keep
my teeth covered.
    “So you’ve told me, pay’s gonna be low for a night,
though, still okay?” Julianne never stopped moving. Her hands
straightened everything in range while we talked.
    “Fine. Meals this week and the rest towards rent.” I
could use something that didn’t come from a microwave.
    “Deal.” She said.
    Bartering kept us both from worrying about the books. Hamburgers were
easier to write off than cash. Working would keep me busy. Kahina
might leave me be until the end of my shift. If she showed up at all.
    I headed back to my apartment and put on my less raggedy belongings.
Clean clothes that were comfortable enough to swing my arms in. Some
bouncers operated by intimidation factor, others looked deadly.
Sometimes they were sneaky little martial arts majors. Muscles and
size made me the former. The right clothes would help me look like a
wolf or a blood partner. Which I almost had been.
    Kahina hadn’t spoken to me in almost four years and she still
fixated. Vampire studies showed that they kept the same type of
associates their entire lives. Dead comrades were often replaced with
someone of a similar build and personality. Obviously Kahina hadn’t
replaced me.
    Clothing ended up being a tight shirt showing clear muscles on the
chest and arms. Shopping for taller shirts was hard. Jackets were
harder. I donned one of my fluffier coats and a loose pair of pants.
The shirt covered a cross. As long as it was unexposed things should
remain calm. The hint of its form would keep any visiting vampires
mindful.
    Visible threats were all part of a clever facade ensuring a
semi-peaceful existence. If that failed then Western Sector’s
agents would resolve those still standing. Daniel Crumfield was one
of many that forced a fragile peace. Decanters were rare. No one
wanted wars. Hell, we got along as much as we could these last
thousand years. Nearly every city had a substantial percentage of
non-humans.
    Julianne’s bar served all types. Most did. Wolves, Elves,
Vampires, they all migrated across the ocean along with humans.
Imagine, three ships headed for the Western Sector. The bottom cargo
hold would have been dedicated to coffins at night. Wolves would have
prowled up top during the day. Elves took their own ship since
they’ve always been snobs. No one wanted to ride with their
trees anyway. Things were different in the other Sectors. Millenniums
of history and superstition drove the races to segregate.
    At the bar, things were already in full swing.
    “Jeff, you’re on IDs. Get back out there.”
Julianne’s voice kicked me out before I even made it ten feet.
Me, my jacket, and my big dumb persona went to the main door and
carded. It was monotonous work but had its moments.
    A few gaggles of teenagers would try to sneak in.