52. Margo

Margo sat on the barstool next to the counter, feeling stupidly happy but also terrified that her happiness would be temporary.

She was in love with Negal, and he was in love with her, but if she didnt transition, it would all be lost because Kian would demand the removal of all her memories regarding the secret world of gods and immortals, including her and Negals love for each other.

Negal didnt need to obey Kians orders, though. He wasnt a member of Kians community, and he could do as he pleased. Well, he answered to Aru, but she had a feeling that Aru was more flexible than Kian.

Would Aru allow her to retain her memories and tag along with them to Tibet even if she was just a plain human?

Would Negal?

If he really loved her, he would.

What are you frowning about? Negal pulled a skillet out of the cabinet.

She leaned her elbows on the counter and braced her chin on her fist. Would you keep me with you if I didnt transition?

He froze with the skillet midair above the stovetop. You are transitioning. I have no doubt about it.

Margo rolled her eyes. I love your optimism. But what if I dont? Will you let Kian erase my memories of you and try to forget about me?

Negals eyes blazed with inner light. I wont, he hissed. I cant. I love you too much to let you go. He shuddered. But if you dont transition, nature will eventually take you from me. He shook his head. Lets stop with the depressing hypotheticals because, one way or another, you are going to transition.

Margo chuckled. Is there another way? Other than the fun way?

My people can probably turn anyone immortal, but I dont have access to their biotech. One day, in the not-too-distant future, human science will catch up, though.

Its possible. She sighed. But I doubt it will happen during my lifetime, and even if it does, it wouldnt be widely available to anyone who wants it. As much as immortality appeals to me, Im terrified of what it would do to my world. The consequences can be catastrophic.

Negal put the pan on the heating element. Two things would have to happen simultaneously with turning all humans immortal. Birth rates would have to plummet, and interstellar travel with colonizing capabilities would have to be developed and deployed. Otherwise, you are right. The consequences would be disastrous.

Margo sighed. And to think that I was so happy only moments ago. She looked at the skillet and searched her mind for a different topic to talk about. We could get breakfast in the dining hall, or we could go up to the Lido deck and get a drink.

Negal huffed. This early in the morning? No way. You need to eat something healthy to replenish your energy.

It was sweet how much he wanted to take care of her, but given his cooking skills, she would have preferred to eat elsewhere. Then again, he would be offended if she said so, so maybe she should pretend like she loved whatever he made.

Was that the right thing to do, though?

Partners, lovers, shouldnt lie to each other, not even little white lies said out of love and not malice, but the truth should always be wrapped in a lot of love to mitigate the sting.

Why? Negal lifted a brow. You dont like my cooking?

She smiled. I love everything about you, and I know that you will be amazing at anything you put your mind to. Therefore, Im more than willing to be the taster of your culinary experiments.

Shaking his head, Negal rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. I stopped listening after you said that you loved everything about me and that I would be amazing at anything I do.

Margo laughed. You heard the rest. Dont pretend that you did not. She leaned over the counter. Did I offend you with the remark about your culinary skills?

Not really. I appreciate your honesty.

Good. She gave him a bright smile. If I dont criticize anything, you wont believe my praise when its actually deserved.

His eyes glinted with amusement. True that. He opened the refrigerator, and pulled out a stick of butter, a carton of eggs, and a pack of sliced bread. So, lets hear that praise.

Margo knew what kind of praise he meant, but she pretended innocence. You are a great storyteller. She tried hard not to laugh at his disappointed expression.

But then he shrugged and dropped some butter into the hot skillet.

The story we came up with last night could make a great addition to the Perfect Match virtual adventures. It has romance, mystery, and supernatural elements. Naturally, we would have to change the names, but other than that, its good to go.

Margo huffed out a breath. I didnt even get the job offer yet. Everything is in a state of flux. I want to transition and have a long and happy life with you, but I would be lying if I said that I was excited about trekking through Tibet or any other remote place in search of the missing pods. I would much rather sit in an air-conditioned space and brainstorm ideas for new Perfect Match adventures with Frankie and Mia, participate in test runs, and then come home to you in the evenings. But we cant have all that we want, right?

For a long moment, the only sound in the living room was the sizzling of butter in the skillet.

Im sorry, Negal eventually said. I wish I could join you in the immortals village, but thats not possible even if I didnt have to leave on the mission.

Why not?

Its complicated. He turned around and broke two eggs over the skillet and then two more.

Is it a secret? Margo asked.

Not from you. He scrambled the eggs with a fork. My people dont know about the immortals. They are not supposed to exist. Aru, Dagor and I can be tracked by the patrol ship, and we dont want to lead anyone to the immortals village.

Margo frowned. How are you being tracked?

Implants. Negal pulled out two plates and put them on the table. The clans doctors might be able to remove them, but then our commander would assume that we are dead, and thats not something we want or can do at the moment. In the future, though, that might be an option.

She nodded. As long as there is a way out, the situation is not hopeless, right?

True. He put half of the scrambled eggs on her plate and half on his. After we find the pods, we might be able to stage our deaths and get free, but its also possible that the trackers cant be removed. We wont know until we get scanned, and even then, I wouldnt trust the crude equipment they have here. Our technology is so advanced compared to what humans have that even the best scanners might not locate our trackers.

Is it possible that trying to remove the implants would cause them to explode or harm you in any way? When Negal looked surprised by her suggestion, Margo rolled her eyes. Dont tell me thats never occurred to you.

It hasnt, but the truth is that I havent given removing the trackers much thought before I met you.

He didnt sound like it was something he wanted to do, and she couldnt blame him. Negal and his friends had family on Anumati and its colonies, and they didnt want to be forever cut off from them, which would happen if they faked their deaths. The only transportation method that could get them back home was the Anumati patrol ship, which was due to pick them up in five hundred years or so.

It was so far in the future that she shouldnt worry about it, but she still felt a tightening in her chest at the thought of being separated from Negal.

Im going crazy. She pushed her fingers through her hair. This is only our third day together, and Im already so in love with you that Im worried about us separating half a millennium from now. Provided that she transitioned and got to live that long; she decided against adding the qualifier.

There was no reason to upset Negal. He was so convinced that she would transition that he got angry every time she mentioned the possibility that she wouldnt.

He leaned over the counter and took her hands. You are not crazy, Margo. I feel the same about you, and you know why?

Why?

Because we are fated for each other. Thats how it works when you meet the person the Fates have chosen for you, and last night solidified our bond. Thats why Im convinced that you will start transitioning soon and that you will do so successfully.

Margo swallowed. I hope you are right.

Negals confidence in her impending transition was infectious, and Margo wanted to believe that he was right, but she couldnt ignore the odds that were stacked against her. She had no paranormal abilities, and the supposed affinity immortals felt for Dormants wasnt something she could quantify or rely on as proof of her genetics. She hadnt mingled extensively outside her immediate circle. Aside from the time spent with Negal, Frankie, Mia, and Jasmine, she hadnt even attempted to make new connections.

There was the undeniable bond with Negal, but was that enough to prove that she was a Dormant?

I know I am, Negal said. And speaking of transitioning, would you mind if we stopped by the clinic to check on Karen before going ashore?

Margo wasnt sure that she wanted to get off the ship and endure the humidity and heat of the streets of Mazatlan, but she was curious about Karens progress.

I would love to visit Karen. I want to know how shes doing.