Harsh Lessons by L. J. Kendall Read Free Book Online Page B

doors into the pool room, then dived from the edge, plung ing deep.
    But even as she held her breath, stroking through the caressing and enveloping water… from the next room, the Black Magic Bar called to her.
 

Chapter 6 
    A week later, Emma tossed her hand luggage onto the bed in her rooms in the Department.  Un-kinking her tense shoulder muscles.  Successes like today's were to be savored: Mother and Father had reserved ten days to complete the infiltration of Newtopia's Brazilian embassy, and she'd managed it in less than one.  She allowed herself a small smile.  Not bad, if I do say so myself. And yes, the size of Newtopia's investment in the Antarctica project was simply mind-boggling: far beyond what the consortium had needed for re-icing the continent.  She wondered what Eagle suspected.
    A shower and then dinner called, in that order.  Undressing, she dug her toes luxuriously into the soft carpet.  «Shower» , she ordered via her link, then stretched and stood, padding into her en-suite and considering dinner as she went.
    Inlays of mother-of-pearl winked at her through the steam as she slid the glass door aside and stepped under the welcoming, cleansing stream with a sigh.  « Pulse surge » , she ordered, turning her back for the massaging spray to ease a tension knot.
    She wondered how the new recruit was going.  Perhaps Leeth might enjoy sharing dinner with her?  Some female company would be nice.  A smile quirked her lips: it would also be a chance to discuss the disappearing chocolate.
    A little later, she left her rooms, accessing the security cameras until she spotted someone underwater in the pool, long black hair fanned out around a slim body.  Wearing no swimming costume.  And no one pulled her up for it.  Poor kid .  Emma didn't even want to imagine the sort of mission they were obviously grooming the child for.  The depressing thought only reinforced her decision to invite her to dinner.
    Leeth surfaced with a splash, lungs bursting, holding dice aloft triumphantly.  Five!  She'd been lucky, though: they'd landed in reverse order, so there'd been no need to retrace her route.
    As she shook the water from her eyes she saw Emma standing at the poolside.  She swam over, propping her forearms on the cool tiles, panting.
    'Diving for pearls, Leeth?' Emma asked with a smile, brushing a lock of auburn hair back under a little black beret.
    The girl grinned back.  'Kind of.  It's a game I invented.  You toss in a bunch of dice, and collect as many as you can in one breath.  But you have to pick them up in the right order.  It's fun – do you want to try?'
    'Another time.  I actually stopped by to ask if you'd like to join me for dinner.  Unless you've already eaten?'
    'I'd love to!  I did eat, but it was a couple of hours ago.  What time is it now, ten o'clock?'
    'Nine thirty eight, actually.'
    Emma saw Leeth's eyes dart to each of her bare wrists as if looking for a net-link, before frowning and pursing her lips determinedly.  Trying to work out how most of us are always so certain of the time?   Emma had the distinct impression Leeth didn't know they were augmented.
    Almost, she considered letting her in on the small secret.  But what'd be the fun in that?
    Leeth shook water from her face.  'Sure, that'd be great!  Now?'
    Emma shrugged elegantly, pleased if a little surprised by the eager response.  'I'm starving.  Can you be ready in fifteen minutes?'
    Leeth tilted her head to one side as if puzzled by the question.  Instead of answering, she opened one fist, dropping a small handful of bright red dice to clatter on the stone tiling by Emma's feet, then diving to the bottom at the pool's edge.  Swimming a few meters along the wall, she turned, then launched herself up and out, landing on her feet; water cascading from her skin.  The whole thing had been a single flowing movement, and Emma stepped back, stunned.  Surely it wasn't possible for someone to simply jump