Lethal Engagement (An Unbounded Novella) by Teyla Branton

would have known that you would introduce Patrick to his fiancée?” Susan gave a dry chuckle, her seriousness finally giving way to a smile. “But if that’s what it took to bring you back to the States, then I’m doubly happy for him.”
    Patrick took my hand and stared lovingly at me. “Life is pretty amazing sometimes.” He held my hand until the cook left, then stood and reached for Lucinda. “I’m glad we thought to tell her that you and Mari are friends.”
    Lucinda leaned toward him, offering her face for a quick kiss. “I already ate, so I’m going to my room to wash my hair and change for the school visit. I overslept this morning.”
    He squeezed her hand. “Hurry back.”
    Keene was already at work on the food, and Patrick watched with amusement as we used both food-testing methods Cort had given us—one an electrode of sorts that tested the entire surface, and one that mixed small samples with a chemical. The food was clean.
    “Like I said, Susan’s been with me for a long time,” Patrick said. “She’s had plenty of time to poison me, if she’d wanted.”
    “She’s probably not the only one with access to the food.” Keene busied himself putting away the equipment.
    “She does have an assistant now, an agent provided by the Secret Service, and she’s responsible for every bit of food brought into this house.” Patrick forked up a bit of egg. “Almost seems easier for me not to eat.” He was right, since we didn’t need to eat to survive, but not eating would raise more red flags.
    “Then I wouldn’t get bacon,” I said, taking a healthy bite. Keene grinned at my enjoyment, and for a moment things were okay between us.
    After breakfast, our luggage arrived from the plane, brought by two white-liveried men, one of whom shook shaggy black hair out of his eyes as the Secret Service frisked him. Jace was obviously enjoying his own disguise, and he joked with the agents, who surprised me by cracking smiles. Soon, Jace and Cort were joined by a beautiful, very dark black woman with long, tightly curled black hair pulled into a ponytail. Her ugly uniform couldn’t hide a figure that would be noticed anywhere, being so close to the world’s ideal of the perfect female form: tall, long legs, overly slender torso except for the ample bustline, and a splendid, perfectly-shaped rear that made all of the Secret Servicemen look more than twice.
    I recognized her at once, but waited until she carried one of the thoroughly searched suitcases upstairs to my suite before I hugged her. “Noah! I didn’t know you’d be here!”
    She laughed. “I’m the one who set up the house for Cort and Jace. I came with them to see you.”
    “I’m glad you did.” I hadn’t seen Noahthea Westmoreland since our last op in New York, three months ago. Unlike most Unbounded, her gift wasn’t viewed as useful in the battle with the Emporium, but I secretly envied it. Noah had the most beautiful voice and for over a hundred and fifty years had regaled music lovers all over the world under several different identities. When she sang words, her audience felt them. When she mourned aloud, they cried. Her joy brought people to new heights. Listening to her sing was an experience I never forgot. I wished we weren’t fighting the Emporium so that we could cultivate more talents like Noah’s that lifted people, instead of trying to breed combat Unbounded destined to kill and maim.
    “I was so glad when you and Keene accepted this op,” Noah said. “I’d considered asking for the job”—she shook her head—“but you know how useless I am at protection.”
    “Yeah, but you would have had those reporters eating from your hand once they heard you sing.”
    She laughed and even that was musical. “Thank you for saying so.”
    Patrick had risen from the sofa to greet Noah as well, and now he hugged her. “You have to say hello to Luce before you leave. She should be out soon. She just went to get ready for an