Page 7 of Bounty Hunter's Match

A muscle jumped in his jaw. “Intelligence gathering.”

“On hand-holding?”

“You’d be surprised how many deals go bad over misunderstood physical contact.” He straightened, and I could breathe again. “Speaking of which - your first client meeting is in ten minutes. A Sylphid named...?” He checked his datapad.

“Aethyra.” I stood, gathering my notes. “She’s interested in a Merrith scientist. It’s... complicated.”

“Because one’s ethereal and the other’s cybernetically enhanced?”

“Because she thinks ‘opposites attract’ means they should try merging their base molecular structures.” I headed for the door. “I’ll have to explain why that might cause problems before she attempts anything... experimental.”

His long stride easily matched mine as we walked through the waiting area. “This is normal for you?”

“Define normal.” I waved to the twins, who were setting up recording equipment near the ceiling. “Yesterday I had to explain to a Thraxxian why comparing his love interest’s bioluminescence to a quantum reactor meltdown wasn’t actually romantic.”

“Even though Thraxxian poetry often uses technological metaphors for-” He caught himself. “That’s not relevant to security.”

“No, but it’s fascinating that you know that.” I shot him a sideways look. “Almost like someone’s been studying interspecies courtship customs.”

“Professional interest only.” But his hand brushed his pocket where the pamphlet was hidden.

“Of course.”

A soft chime announced Aethyra’s arrival. The Sylphid’s form shimmered like heat waves, barely maintaining humanoid shape. Her voice rippled through the air rather than traveling through it. “Ms. Bishop! I had the most wonderful idea about molecular bonding-”

“Inside. Now.” I herded her toward my office before she could finish that sentence where other clients might hear. “Barek, could you...?”

He was already moving to intercept the twins, who had their recording equipment aimed our way. “No footage of client meetings.”

“But the viewers love the weird science ones!” Risa protested.

“Remember the Fungoid spore incident?” Rina added. “That got us ten thousand new followers!”

“And three lawsuits,” I called over my shoulder. “No recordings.”

Their disappointed sighs followed us into my office, where Aethyra was already demonstrating her idea by partially phasing through my desk.

“See? If I just adjust my molecular frequency, theoretically-”

“Let’s discuss less invasive options first.” I pulled up her match’s profile. “Dr. Vren has expressed interest in traditional Sylphid courtship rituals. Maybe start with atmospheric harmonization?”

“But I read that humans believe in ‘following your heart’ and ‘becoming one with your beloved.’” Her form flickered hopefully. “And I thought, what better way to become one than-”

“That’s metaphorical!” I winced as she phased through my favorite chair. “Humans mean emotionally one, not literally merging atomic structures.”

“Oh.” She dimmed slightly. “But the molecular diagrams I sent him-”

“Were very creative,” I said diplomatically. “But perhaps we should focus on getting to know each other first? Before any... merging.”

A soft sound that might have been a quickly suppressed laugh came from Barek’s position by the door.

“The warrior agrees!” Aethyra brightened literally, her form glowing. “Among my people, shared combat is a traditional courtship activity. Perhaps Dr. Vren and I could-”

“No combat!” I held up a hand. “His cybernetics are very sensitive to electromagnetic disruption. Maybe try sharing a meal first?”

“But he doesn’t eat in the traditional sense. His nutrients are absorbed through-”

“Atmospheric harmonization,” I said firmly. “Start with compatible atmospheres, then work up to sharing the same space without phase-shifting through the furniture.”

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