WIP Wednesday – Clan Beginnings: Clan and Conviction

The first draft is being written at long last.  Investigator Dramok Gelan lost his enforcer partner in a shootout, and now he’s got someone not so new to him to help him on a deadly case:

            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 gaze to Utta.  “You didn’t mention his clan parentage or where he was from.  Gelan is a rather common name, so 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.  Bigger and stronger in his red-trimmed armored gray formsuit than he had the last time Gelan saw him.  The Nobek was 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.  Partnered to him, no less. 

            He bowed deeper than usual to Utta.  “Thank you, Head Investigator.”  Trying not to sound too eager, he asked Wynhod, “Shall we discuss this over breakfast?”

            “Since I’ve only had one meal so far this morning, absolutely,” Wynhod said, his voice that pleasing rumble Gelan remembered all too well. 

            Gelan chuckled, thinking how he used to tease the Nobek that  nothing standing still was safe from Wynhod’s stomach.  Obviously, his prodigious appetite had not changed.

            They left Utta’s office, Gelan suddenly nervous and excited.  He couldn’t wait to get Wynhod alone and find out how he’s ended up in this territory.  His mood was good in the wake of the Nobek’s appearance, the fury he’d fallen into after Amik’s death lessened.

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