15. Negal

Negal arrived at the Lido deck half an hour early, ordered a drink, and secured a table. Margo had said coffee, but if he ordered it now, it would be cold by the time she arrived.

Did Bob even serve coffee?

As Negal looked around to check if anyone was drinking hot beverages, he saw Karens twins and her little girl arrive at the pool deck with Darlene and Eric, who were carrying a bunch of pool toys.

Why were the kids with their aunt and uncle? Gilbert had said that Kaia was watching them.

He rose to his feet and walked over to where the family had settled down by the pool.

Good morning. He smiled at the little ones, who were peering at him with curiosity in their eyes. Are you going swimming?

I am. The little girl lifted her arms to show him the pink floating devices she was wearing. Uncle Eric is going swimming with me. She waved a dismissive hand at her brothers. They dont know how to swim. They can only float on their ducks.

Negal shifted his gaze to Eric. Youre a brave male taking on these three. Instead of asking if everything was okay, he asked, Where are their older sisters?

With Karen, Darlene said quietly. Gilbert is freaking out, and they are keeping him company.

Negals gut twisted. Is something wrong with their mother? he asked in a whisper that was audible only to immortals.

Karen lost consciousness early this morning, Eric whispered just as quietly. Her blood pressure is elevated more than it normally would be for this stage of transition, and Bridget is a little worried.

Gilbert was probably too distraught to remember that hed promised to contact Negal if Karens situation changed.

Shes going to be fine, Darlene said. Bridget is watching over her. Besides, she was given the best kind of venom. She winked at Negal. Premium stuff. Not the diluted kind that I got. Still, I made it just fine despite that.

Negal was sure that Darlenes grandfather had something to do with her successful and easy transition. Toven had given her a transfusion of his blood, which compensated for Maxs weaker venom.

Then again, Darlene was close to the godly source, and she would have probably made it just fine even without the gods intervention.

I should go visit her, he said.

Eric clapped him on the back. Maybe later. Right now, its pretty crowded down there.

Right. Gilbert and Karens older daughters were there, and the ships clinic was small.

Negals main reason for visiting was to give Karen a boost with an injection of his blood, and he couldnt do that while she was surrounded by her family. Not unless he thralled all of them, and he would rather not do that if he didnt have to.

Uncle Eric. The little girl tugged on Erics hand. Come to the pool with me.

Yes, munchkin. Eric bent down, lifted the child, and put her on his shoulders. See you later, Negal. He walked over to the shallow end of the pool, where he could wade in without having to jump or use the stairs.

When Darlene led the little boys and their floating ducks to the water, Negal turned around and walked back to his table.

A few minutes later Margo arrived, looking fresh and beautiful in the colorful sundress shed gotten the day before.

He got up and greeted her. You look lovely this morning. He kissed her cheek.

Thank you. Her gaze roamed over him. So do you.

Hed put on his best pair of jeans and a white, button-down short-sleeved shirt. After all, this could count as a date, and hed dressed with care to honor his partner.

He pulled out a chair for her. Im not sure Bob is serving coffee, but Ill ask.

Its okay if he isnt. She smiled up at him. I just want to be with you. It doesnt matter what beverage we consume.

What would you like if coffee is not an option?

A ginger ale would be refreshing. In fact, I prefer it to coffee.

Coming up.

When Negal returned a moment later with a frosty can of ginger ale and two packs of pretzels, he saw Margo watching the children playing in the pool with a smile on her beautiful face.

Do you like children? He put the can in front of her.

Who doesnt?

He chuckled. Youd be surprised how many people dont want children around. They are messy and noisy.

Shrugging, she popped the lid and took a small sip. I love the sounds of children playing, but I have to admit that I hate it when they cry or whine. Whose are they?

These are Karens kids.

Her eyes widened. The Dormant whos transitioning right now?

She lost consciousness this morning, and her older daughters are with her and Gilbert, so their aunt and uncle are taking care of the little ones. Negal raked his fingers through his short hair. I plan to visit her later. Would you like to join me?

Perhaps he could somehow use Margo to distract the family while he gave Karen the blood transfusion.

Probably not a good idea since he couldnt tell her why he needed her to distract them. Dagor would be a better choice, and he also knew where to get syringes.

He needed to call him.

Margo frowned. Are you close friends with Karen?

Was there a note of jealousy in her tone?

He was Karens inducer, which was more than a friend, and yet he didnt know the woman well. At some point, he would have to tell Margo about what he had done, but not yet.

Im a friend of her mate, Gilbert, and his brother Eric, who is the one playing with the little girl in the pool.

He seems good with kids. Margo opened the bag of pretzels. If you want me to accompany you, and if thats okay with Karens family, Ill go with you to visit her. They might not want strangers to hang around her during a time like this.

Im sure its okay with them. Negal needed to tell Dagor to get a syringe for him and to come over as well, and he didnt want to do that in front of Margo.

She was sharp and observant, and she might put two and two together.

He rose to his feet. If youll excuse me, I need to visit the bathroom.

Of course. Margo smiled up at him. When do you want to go visit Karen?

Eric had said that he should wait, but Negal didnt want to take the risk of delaying the blood transfusion. If he waited for the right moment, he might be too late.

When I get back if thats alright with you.

Of course, it is.