14. Amanda

Marinas face brightened. Is your husband like me?

The humans working on the ship were compelled to keep the identity of immortals a secret, and since Jasmine was there, Marina couldnt say anything that would indicate they were different in any way.

Amanda laughed. No, hes not a cute blue-haired young woman. He used to be the antagonist in our story, but he switched sides, and now hes devoted not only to me but to everyone I care for as well, and he will fight his former brothers with everything he has to protect me and mine.

I see. Marinas eyes dimmed. So, hes like you.

Amanda nodded. Fierce and protective, she added for Jasmines benefit.

The woman had been watching their exchange with curiosity in her strangely colored eyes, and Amanda had a feeling she knew more than she was letting on.

Jasmines talent with card games was uncanny.

So far, she had beaten Amanda in every game, and Amanda was starting to get suspicious. She had an excellent poker face, with even other immortals having a hard time guessing the strength of her hand, let alone humans.

You both look formidable, Marina said. It was nice chatting with you, ladies, but I need to go. She turned to Jasmine. Thanks again for the dress.

No problem. If you need another outfit, come see me. I dont have any more evening gowns, but I have a couple of short, fancy dresses that will look great on you.

Thank you. Marina smiled. I might take you up on that offer.

After the girl left, Amanda turned back to Jasmine. Its so sweet of you to offer Marina your clothing.

Jasmine shrugged. Im not invited to the weddings, so all my party dresses are going to waste. Im glad someone gets to enjoy them.

Im sorry about that. Amanda lifted her cards. I wish I could invite you, but the amount of paperwork you would have to sign wouldnt be worth it. Confidentiality is paramount in our business.

Jasmine believed that the cruise was a Perfect Match company retreat and that the couples getting married were success stories of the companys matchmaking algorithm. It was a good cover story, and Amanda had no problem using it. As someone who worked in the human world, she had to lie more than she cared to, but at least it came easy to her.

Did you meet your husband in a Perfect Match adventure? Jasmine asked.

Amanda smiled behind her cards. Im not at liberty to say, but I can tell you that the circumstances of our first meeting were extraordinary. Dalhu kidnapped me.

Horror filled Jasmines eyes. He did what?

Damn. Amanda had forgotten what had almost happened to the woman. Her so-called boyfriend had sold her to a cartel boss, and if not for Margo and the clans intervention, she would now be in the scumbags bed, probably drugged within an inch of her life.

It wasnt like that. Dalhu was very respectful, and he didnt do anything I didnt agree to. He just wanted me to give him a chance, and since I considered him my enemy, I wouldnt have given it to him under normal circumstances.

What kind of enemy? Was he working for a competitor?

Yes, but I really cant say more about it without revealing things Im not allowed to.

In a way, it was true. Navuh and the Brotherhood were competing with Annani and the clan for control of all humans, so technically, they were a competitor.

Jasmine pursed her lips. All this confidentiality business is so frustrating. She looked at the back of Amandas cards. Are you going to make a move?

I thought it was your turn?

No, its yours.

Amanda looked at the cards on the table, back at the ones she was holding, and then sighed. I can only add this one here. She put the card down.

Jasmine smiled. I win again. She put down a series of three and added two after the one Amanda had just added to the series.

Jasmine won just as easily playing rummy as she won playing poker. With her skills, she should have been loaded, but she didnt strike Amanda as rich. She was down to earth, laughed easily, and was friendly with everyone.

What a surprise. Amanda put the rest of her cards down and leaned back in her chair. Have you ever been tested for paranormal abilities?

As Jasmines smile turned into a grimace, the golden flakes in her eyes started swirling. The fact that Im good at card games doesnt mean that Im using any unnatural means to win.

Amanda let out a breath. There is nothing unnatural about extrasensory abilities. They are rare, and those who are not gifted are sometimes jealous or afraid of those who are, but thats like vilifying people for being extraordinarily good at math and science or sports.

The flakes in Jasmines eyes stopped swirling, and her smile returned. The problem is that there are many people who are good at sports or science, but as youve said, freaks are rare.

Amanda huffed. I object to that term. I happen to be a neuroscientist, and I research paranormal abilities. I would like to test you for telepathy and precognition.

Usually, people were excited when she told them what she did and that she suspected they had hidden talents, but Jasmine looked like shed bitten on a lemon.

How do you perform your tests?

At my lab, I have equipment that projects random images, but I can do it here with these cards. If you correctly guess which card Im holding more times than is statistically expected, that will indicate that you have precognition ability. The more correct guesses, the stronger the ability. As for telepathy, I will hold an image in my head and have you guess what it is. Both are simple tests that can be performed anywhere.

Jasmine leaned back and crossed her arms over her chest. What happens if you confirm your suspicion that I have some paranormal ability?

It could mean that she was a Dormant, and Amanda would send immortal males her way to assess affinity. She would also get Lisa to sniff her out and maybe even Syssi to see if her foresight would kick in. If Jasmines abilities were marginal, she could also bring Mia over and ask her to sit near the woman to enhance her performance and make sure that the test results hadnt been a fluke. But all of that needed to happen without Jasmine being aware of the others role in her testing.

I will invite you to come to my laboratory in the university and test you further. Ive been researching the subject for many years.

Jasmine was still regarding her with suspicion in her eyes. And what then? Youll report me to the government so they can use my so-called talents to spy on their enemies?

Aha, so that was why Jasmine was so skittish about admitting paranormal abilities, and it also reinforced Amandas conviction that she had paranormal talents and was afraid of the implications.

I assure you that I will never report you to the government or any other organization that might want to exploit your talents. You will appear in my research as subject number X, and your name will not be mentioned.

Jasmine still didnt look reassured. I will want that in writing before I agree to participate in any test.

No problem. You can draft an agreement, and Ill sign it.

Not good enough. Im not a lawyer, and I wont know how to close all the loopholes. But since you are working for Perfect Match, you must have access to their nondisclosure paperwork, true?

Amanda nodded.

Can you get me a copy?

Toven could probably print it out for her, but it was no doubt specific to the Perfect Match experience and would not assuage Jasmines fears.

I can, but I doubt its generic enough to cover what you need.

Ill just use it as a base. Jasmine shrugged. Or we can scrap the whole idea and just keep playing cards. She collected the discarded cards and started reshuffling them. For every time you win, I will perform one test. Deal?

It could be so easy to get into Jasmines head and win every time, but that would be unethical. Amanda wanted to win the womans trust the normal way.

Ill play another game with you, but since we both know you will win, I will not make that deal with you. Ill get you the paperwork you asked for, you will craft an agreement you are comfortable with, and Ill sign it, provided that you dont ask for anything crazy.

Jasmine arched a brow. Like what?

No clue, but Ive learned from my brother to read the small print of every contract I sign.

Thats good advice. Jasmine shuffled the cards with a professional magicians flair. Lets play.