The Change (Unbounded)

by Teyla Branton

  Ava had hinted at something similar, but I had trouble believing either of them. I didn’t have too much confidence in my potential—law school was only one example of my failures.

  “Saturday morning we’re flying to New York to deliver software to a company in exchange for something they’ve developed,” Stella said. “You’ll be coming with us. We need an Unbounded they don’t recognize.”

  “But I don’t know anything about it.”

  “By Saturday you’ll know enough.”

  “Why don’t you just e-mail or Fed-Ex the program to them?”

  They shared an amused glance that irritated me. “Too risky,” Stella said. “We must be sure they fulfill their part of the bargain. I can’t give you details now, but suffice to say, it’s to our good fortune that you’ve joined us at this time.”

  I hadn’t actually “joined” anything. Not of my own will. But already I could tell that these people excelled at using whatever—or whoever—was at their disposal.

  Standing, I paced a few steps under the pretense of stretching. They didn’t move to stop me, and my gaze shifted to the automatic doors. If I made it outside before they stopped me, I could get away and call my family. I could be safe in Tom’s arms, this nightmare behind me.

  Yet what if everything they’d told me was real? What if I was different? Special. Not the ordinary middle child in a family of overachievers. I’d seen the video. I’d watched my burned body heal, felt my body absorbing that sticky gelatin and the clear substance in the IV bags. My two most notable scars—on my thumb and my eyebrow—were gone, and more miraculous, my arm regrown.

  I ran a hand over the stubble on my head, abruptly feeling naked and exposed. Vulnerable. I didn’t know how much more strangeness I could take without losing it.

  Stella made a sympathetic noise in her throat. “Your hair should grow back pretty fast now. All the curequick will affect that, too.”

  “Only as a side effect of your entire body speeding up to make repairs,” Cort clarified. “Give it another few days, and it’ll look like any short haircut.”

  “Meantime, I have something you could wear.” Rising to her feet, Stella motioned me to one of the large metal lockers against the wall. Numerous pieces of clothing hung inside, some obviously period pieces. She laughed when she saw my wonder. “I’m a bit of a packrat. I keep them here so my husband doesn’t—” She broke off, the smile vanishing, and I knew I’d learned something about her. Stella was married, and not to an Unbounded. Did he know her true nature?

  That made me wonder how it would be telling Tom. I wondered if he’d believe or if I’d have to cut myself or something to prove it. Yet wasn’t the accident proof enough?

  Stella took out a red-and-black checkered hat, a thing I’d never be caught dead in before, but I let her put it on, and when she angled the mirror on the door to the locker so I could see myself, I decided it looked good. But the short hair reminded me of the accident, the terror I’d experienced, and what I’d lost. Who I’d lost.

  The now-familiar pain exploded in my chest, and for a moment I was stunned at its magnitude. My heart, apparently, was one thing they couldn’t fix with any amount of protein concentrate. I struggled for breath, struggled not to collapse to the floor and curl into a fetal position. “I have to see Tom,” I said, forcing the words between clenched teeth. “His sister, she was in the car. She’s dead. He grew up in foster homes until she found him. He doesn’t have anyone else but me.”

  Because I’d been trying not to repeat mistakes that had caused me so much embarrassment and pain in the past, he’d barely met my family. They had no idea how I felt about him—which I guess put them about even with me since I didn’t quite know how I felt either.

  “I know. He’s holding her funeral tomorrow.” Stella’s eyes showed pity. “Yours is tomorrow, too.”

  I whirled then and started for one of the huge automatic doors. I was leaving, going back to Tom and my family. That was more important than any secret software or Unbounded struggle for control. Afterward, I would return to learn more—on my own terms, and not as their prisoner. Because a part of me desperately wanted what they were saying to be true. I wanted to be someone. To make a difference as I hadn’t attempted doing since leaving college.

  Stella didn’t move to stop me, and Cort only kicked his feet up on one of the computer desks and leaned back, his hands folded over his stomach. I received a brief impression of somber amusement and hoped that didn’t mean all the exits were locked.

  Next to the huge outer doors, I spied a smaller one with a regular knob. I angled toward this, praying it would open. It did. In a second I was through and hurrying over a cement loading dock that connected to the parking area by means of a concrete ramp.

  It was early evening, as far as I could tell, and the day had been a hot one even for early September. Heat radiated off the parking lot, the hot air rising in visible distorted waves. In every direction I saw buildings and cement, and only one road leading away. Though no people were in sight, the honk of a horn and the racing of distant engines were welcome sounds after the isolation of the warehouse. I might have to walk some distance before I knew where I was, but with the stolen cell phone, it would be only minutes before Tom was on his way to me. I quickened my pace.

  A rush of air blew against me, and a man stood in my way. He was tall and tanned and muscular, and his black hair was longer than I generally liked on a man, yet it fit him perfectly. Power poured off him like the heat from the tarmac. By the hard lines of his square jaw and his determined stance, I knew he wasn’t there to wish me well in my bid for freedom.

  I TRIED TO MOVE AROUND him, but he stepped in front of me again. He was closer now, his wide shoulders level with my eyes, his muscles tight under the navy T-shirt. I let my eyes trail downward, taking in hiking boots and faded jeans that he filled out to good advantage before moving back to his tanned face. Despite my irritation, I couldn’t help but stare. If Stella could possibly have a male opposite, this man would be a good candidate for the job. His face wasn’t as perfect as hers but it was attractive in a rugged, compelling way, the bronze skin marred only by beard stubble.

  “You’re Ritter, I take it.” I didn’t hide the bitterness in my voice. He certainly wasn’t the overweight Laurence, whom I’d presumably have the chance of outrunning.

  His face twitched in what might have been a poor attempt at a smile. “Ava wants you to stay here.”

  “Ava doesn’t own me.”

  Irritation echoed in eyes so dark I had to call them black. “Sometimes people have to be protected from themselves. So they won’t do something stupid.”

  I searched for something to say, and Cort’s comments about Ritter’s hatred for the Emporium came to mind. “Oh, but wouldn’t that be Emporium rhetoric?” I said it mockingly because I had no idea really who the Emporium was, except what the others had told me, and for all I knew they were making everything up. I was pleased to see Ritter flinch.

  “Stay put before you get us all killed.” The confident way he spoke told me he wasn’t accustomed to being disobeyed.

  I turned and went the other way, sprinting now. But somehow he was there before me, blocking my path. I ran into him before I could halt my momentum. Strong hands grabbed my arms. I beat at his chest. “Let me go!”

  His hands tightened on my arms, his fingers biting painfully into my skin and bringing my struggle to a quick end. “You’ll have enough time to act like a mindless idiot later,” he gritted. “You aren’t starting tonight.”

  “What kind of monsters are you? My family thinks I’m dead! Do you know the pain they’re going through?”

  His face was expressionless. “Right now the only thing I care about is that you’re wasting my time.”

  “What do you care about your precious time? You’re Unbounded, remember?”

  “Am I?” He lifted one dark brow.

  More mind games. I yanked myself from his grasp and lurched into a run. I hadn�
��t gone five steps before he blocked my path again, one strong hand gripping my arm, his mouth twisted in a grim smile. It was no use. He was too fast. I’d never seen anyone move the way he did. “How?” I asked.

  “Years of practice.”

  “See? Unbounded.”

  He shrugged. “You’d better go inside.”

  “Or you’ll make me?” I didn’t know what had overcome me. Usually, I wasn’t into confrontations—or hadn’t been since law school. In my family, I was the peacemaker, the one to smooth everything over. The one who felt guilty when she didn’t deliver what her parents expected. What was happening to me?

  I didn’t want to change. I wanted to remain who I’d always been. I wanted my life back.

  My turmoil must have shown in my face because Ritter’s grip loosened slightly on my arm and something akin to pity chased across his face. “It’ll be okay.”

  “It’s not okay!” I went up on my toes to shout as close as I could to his face. With luck someone in the neighboring buildings would hear and come to investigate. “I want my family. I want Tom. I want out of here!” Tears came then, the flood I’d been holding back. I felt the fabric of my heart rip, a small hole becoming as large as the missing pieces of my life. What if they meant to keep me from my family forever? I started to slump to the ground, my hands coming to my face to block out this whole terrible nightmare.

  As if I weighed no more than a bag of salt, Ritter picked me up, slung me over his shoulder, and stomped back to the warehouse, barely halting to fling open the door. I struggled half-heartedly, but it did me no good. Every part of him was solid as if he’d been working out for years.

  Probably centuries.

  I hated him. I hated all of them.

  I closed my eyes, forcing away the tears, already angry at myself for giving into despair. No. I would not give up. I’d find a way around whatever Ava chose to put in front of me, especially this block of human stone.

  “Sheeze, Ritter.” Stella looked up from her computer screen, once again wearing her headset. “I hate to remind you, but that sort of behavior went out of style centuries ago.”

  He set me down, his eyes running over my body. “If you ask me, there’s something to be said for throwing them over your shoulder and doing with them what you will.”

  Stella snorted. “Barbarian!”

  Ritter bent and scooped up the hat that had fallen from my head when he let me go, and I caught a gleam of a gold chain previously hidden under his shirt. There was a fluid magnetism in his movement and for a moment all thoughts of escape deserted me. Our eyes met, my furious gray ones to his cold obsidian. We were standing close—too close. At that moment I became aware of him, not as an obstacle, but as a man. A living, breathing man with more confidence and sexuality than I’d ever encountered in anyone before. The power I’d felt from him outside drew me in, beckoned me to touch. I couldn’t breathe.

  A flare of something in Ritter’s eyes. What? I couldn’t say. It didn’t matter. I despised him and everything he represented. I needed all my energy to get back to Tom and my family.

  “This isn’t over,” I muttered. Even so, it was all I could do to step away.

  He gave me a mocking smile. “I’m sure it isn’t.”

  Cort, his feet still ensconced on the desk next to one of the computers, cleared his throat before adding his two cents, “I think you’ve met your match, Ritter.”

  “Shut up,” Ritter growled.

  Cort laughed. “You’re just mad ’cause she’s not batting her eyes at you like every other female you meet.”

  “Shut up both of you.” Stella was staring at an e-mail. “Listen. This morning in New York there was another attempt on John Halden’s life.”

  Ritter swiftly made his way to her computer, bending over with his hands on the wide desk, his face moving only slightly as he read the words. I couldn’t help but notice what a striking couple Stella and Ritter made, both so attractive and completely sure of themselves. There was an easy familiarity in their manner toward each other, and I wondered if they’d ever been romantically involved.

  I didn’t know why I cared.

  “I should have been there.” Ritter threw me a look of disgust.

  “You were needed here,” Stella said.

  I debated whether or not to make a dash for the door, but given his uncanny speed, I doubted I’d succeed. Besides, curiosity burned inside me. I went to stand between Stella and Cort. “Who’s John Halden?”

  “The world’s richest man,” Cort answered. “Though you’d never be able to track all his companies to him. We keep tabs on him through several of his employees. Pass him technology when we need to. He has a huge network.”

  I was beginning to understand. “You use him to develop Unbounded inventions. ”

  “He’s currently our main contact.” Stella sent a quick reply to the e-mail as she spoke, though her hands weren’t touching the computer. Her uncovered eye was slightly out of focus, and I could see movement through the lens of her eyepiece. “From time to time, Halden comes up with technology on his own as well. He’s the man we’re going to see in New York.”

  Ritter glanced at Stella. “What have you told her?”

  She calmly removed her headset. “Only that we need her to go with us, and that Halden has come up with a program we must have.” She looked away from Ritter to meet my gaze, rolling her eyes where he couldn’t see. “Anyway, in exchange for Halden’s software, we’re giving him a virtual reality program I’ve designed with some help from my counterparts in New York, London, and Italy. It’s going to make Halden’s company a fortune in video games alone.”

  I felt a distinct disappointment. “More video games. Isn’t that the last thing people need?”

  Stella smiled. “Oh, but the program has far greater potential than just for gaming. Especially in medical and science applications. Imagine students being right there when a doctor performs an actual surgery, or as scientists conduct a dangerous physics experiment. You’ll be able to experience dozens of scenarios, and that means better training and more lives saved. There are limitless possibilities in all areas of education.”

  My disgust became embarrassment at my ignorance. I needed to remember to keep my mouth shut around these people.

  “Unfortunately, Halden is all too mortal.” Cort gave me a wistful smile. He’d taken his feet from the desk and scooted his chair closer to Stella’s monitor. “Like Archimedes, Gutenberg, Franklin, Jenner, Tesla, Edison, and all the rest we’ve worked with over the years. That means we have to protect him from the Emporium.”

  They’d worked with Thomas Edison? If that was true, it would certainly explain why he’d taken out so many patents. “Why don’t you start a company of your own?”

  Ritter’s eyes narrowed. “Too many want us dead. We have other enemies besides the Emporium.”

  “Ritter’s right,” Stella said. “We’d be too exposed. It’d take all our resources and personnel. This works for now.”

  “Until Halden’s dead.” Ritter’s voice held no emotion, but I received an impression of inner fury that frightened me with its bleakness.

  “Then go save him, by all means.” I waved my arm at the door. “Don’t let me keep you.”

  “Halden will be all right,” Stella said. “Our people were there in time and he’ll be extra careful now for the next little while. He has bodyguards.”

  Ritter snorted. “No match for Emporium Unbounded.”

  “I don’t know,” Stella said lightly. “He’s got access to really good body armor. New design. And our guys are in the wings. Besides, you know as well as I do that we’re grooming someone to run his company when he does die.”

  “If the replacement can be trusted, you mean.” Ritter’s tone implied that such a thing was doubtful.

  Stella folded her arms. “I think he can be.”

  “Regardless, he’s not ready to run the company yet.” Ritter backed away from the computer, his eyes falling on me. “I’
ll be outside in case you decide to run away again.”

  “Wait a minute,” I said.

  He lifted one brow, impatience in the taut lines of his impressive body.

  “How old are you?”

  “Does it matter?”

  Why did the man have to be so difficult? “Humor me.”

  “Two hundred and seventy-three.”

  So, several decades younger than Ava, but older than Stella by nearly fifty years. When I didn’t say anything further, he turned and stalked away.

  “What’s his problem?” I asked the others.

  Cort laughed. “The better question is what isn’t Ritter’s problem?”

  Stella wasn’t amused. “He has a past. Many Unbounded do.”

  “What happened to him?” I was more interested than I wanted to be.

  “It’s his story to share,” Stella said. “Or not.”

  Cort cleared his throat. “Maybe it’s better if she knows the risks.”

  “It’s his story,” Stella repeated.

  “Just tell me already.” I didn’t bother to hide my annoyance at this exchange. How could I learn about the Unbounded if they didn’t give me enough background?

  “Ritter was a kind of policeman, I guess you’d call it.” Cort didn’t look at Stella as he spoke, but I knew he couldn’t miss the way she sat up stiffly in her chair. “One day when he was working, he was stabbed numerous times, which killed him, or so they thought. When his family started laying him out at their home before the burial, his mother discovered he wasn’t really dead but only badly injured and healing quickly.” He glanced at Stella, who relaxed, and I knew there was more, a lot more, but they weren’t going to tell it to me. Even so the story made my irritation at the man subside a notch. Almost dying like that had to affect a person. I knew.

  “Do all Unbounded have such a horrible beginning?” Ava had said something to the contrary, but so far I wasn’t encouraged.

  Stella shook her head. “I was born here in America, the descendant of an Italian Unbounded grandfather and Japanese mortal. As a child, I lost movement in my arm falling from a horse, and when I was suddenly healed as an adult, I thanked God for the miracle. Ava approached me the next day and explained that I was Unbounded and had undergone the Change. My father didn’t have the active gene and was never let in on the secret, so my grandfather and uncles in Italy had asked her to watch over me when I neared the age of Change. I was excited to learn the truth. My parents never knew, though I confided in my younger sister.”