Clan and Conviction (Clan Beginnings) Read Free

with.”
    Gelan blinked, shocked.  “After only a week?”
    “He applied to come here and we had the opening.  He comes highly recommended and has been awarded several commendations.  His record is exemplary, and he’s certified ready to move from the regular enforcement team to partner an investigator.”
    “That’s good.” 
    Gelan was still stunned to already have another partner in place, one from outside the precinct.  He felt a bit of a relief, however.  Going from a team situation to a partnership involved a long certification process.  He’d already checked on the men available here.  No one from the precinct had gotten any closer than halfway through the process.  It had worried Gelan as to his chances to continue the Delir case as its lead investigator.
    Utta switched on his desk com and spoke.  “You can come in now, Enforcer.”
    Gelan recovered from his surprise and asked, “Where’s he in from?”
    “Northwest Mountain Territory.”
    Gelan was newly startled.  “That’s where I got my start in law enforcement.”
    Before he could pursue that thought, Utta’s door opened and Gelan’s new partner walked in.  Gelan’s shock tripled.
    Half a dozen years had not changed the Nobek that Gelan stood up to face.  His eyes were still sharp, the jaw still strong, the face still somehow both wild and stern.  His handsome features were broader and less refined than Gelan’s aristocratic, almost haughty good looks.  The other man’s sudden smile was as predatory as ever, making something slam hard in Gelan’s gut.  Only the hair had changed, the sides shaved away to leave a long mohawk strip that trailed down his new partner’s back.
    Gelan could feel his own delighted grin stretching across his face.  “Nobek Wynhod.”
    Wynhod looked him up and down, his hunter’s smile growing.  “Dramok Gelan.  It is good to see you again.”
    Utta looked from one to the other, his expression turning suspicious.  Gelan thought his supervisor had to detect the almost intimate familiarity the two looked at each other with. 
    The elder Dramok addressed Wynhod.  “You didn’t tell me you two know each other.”
    Wynhod shrugged, his gaze only releasing Gelan to offer a respectful bow to Utta.  “You didn’t mention his clan parentage or where he hailed from.  Gelan is a rather common name.  I didn’t assume it was someone I’d worked with before.” 
    Gelan had to restrain a snort.  Wynhod knew where the Dramok had transferred to and had no doubt guessed who he was being partnered with.  The Nobek had just wanted to see the shock on Gelan’s face. 
    Besides, they had done a lot more than work together once upon a time, something Utta didn’t need to know about.  Gelan had no doubt the head investigator would think twice about making former lovers working partners.
    Damn, Wynhod looked good.  He seemed bigger and stronger in his red-trimmed armored gray formsuit than he had the last time Gelan saw him.  The Nobek stood a few inches taller and he had at least 25 pounds on Gelan, who was no lightweight.  Wynhod’s sleeveless formsuit, perfect for the summer months that were now upon them, showed off his broad shoulders and swelling biceps to advantage.  Gelan thought about all the times those arms had clutched around him and swallowed.  He wondered if Wynhod had found a clan.
    Having to concentrate to keep his tone steady, Gelan asked, “What has it been, six years?”
    “Seven.”  That almost feral smile reappeared on Wynhod’s face.  That smile said he remembered everything, not just how many years had elapsed.
    Utta interrupted their reunion with business.  “Enforcer Wynhod has already been briefed on the case, but of course he’ll want to hear your take on it, Gelan.  You’re hereby off leave.”
    Gelan didn’t know what made him happier:  being free to pursue the Delir case or seeing his former lover in the flesh once more.  Utta had partnered them, no