70. Kian

Kian stifled a chuckle.

Negal was still a rookie when it came to relationships, and he had a lot to learn about what triggered women.

Im sorry if I offended you and made premature assumptions, Negal said. Can we at least agree that if you transition by the end of the cruise, the plan we discussed is the one we will follow?

As apologies went, Negals was so-so, but Margo seemed like a down-to-earth kind of girl who didnt usually blow things out of proportion. Perhaps if she werent so worried about her family, she would have let Negals offense slide.

Margo let out a breath. You are lucky that I love you too much to let you go, or I would have sent you to Tibet alone. I hope my transition starts and ends soon so I can accompany you without causing additional delays.

Kians heart swelled with emotion, but he kept his expression schooled. Perhaps Syssi was right, and he was a romantic at heart, because Margos grumpy but heartfelt response touched him.

Negal lifted Margos hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. I am incredibly fortunate, and I thank the Fates daily for you.

She cast a sidelong glance at Kian. How long will the job offer hold? Is there a chance I will still get it after Negals mission is done?

Kian didnt have the heart to tell her that it might take centuries for Negal and his team to locate all the missing Kra-ell pods. Im not in charge of the Perfect Match studios, but Syssi and Toven are, and Im sure they will find a spot for you upon your return. I expect the company to grow exponentially over the next decade, so there will be plenty of job openings at any given time.

Thank you. Margo put a hand over her chest. Its good to know that I will have a job waiting for me no matter when I return.

Turner cleared his throat. Congratulations on your newly formed bond with Negal, and best of luck on your transition. Now, lets get back to the issue of Jasmine and her family. He trained his gaze on Margo. Do you know where they live?

Margo canted her head. I think she told me that her father and stepmom live in New York, or maybe it was New Jersey. I dont remember. Shes not close to them or her stepbrothers, though, and she rarely sees them.

Any siblings other than the stepbrothers? Kian asked.

Jasmine didnt mention any, so I assume there arent. Her mother died when she was five, and her father married a woman who had two sons.

I dont think that we have anything to worry about with regard to Jasmines family, but I will send Kri to talk to her. Kian pulled out his phone.

Turner lifted his hand. Perhaps send someone else. Kri deserves a day off after her wedding.

Shamefully, Kian had already forgotten that Kri had gotten married the day before. You are right. Ill send someone else.

Typically, he would have called Onegus and asked him to send a Guardian to question Jasmine, but he didnt want to interrupt the chiefs bachelors party again.

We can talk to her, Negal offered. We can explain whats going on and why we need information about her family, without mentioning immortals and Doomers. We can then send the details to Turner so he can inform his people.

If I allow you to do that, you need to come up with a good cover story. I dont want her to know more than she already does just from being exposed to the rescued women.

At the end of the cruise, you are going to thrall her memories away anyway, so I dont know why its important to keep things from Jasmine, Negal said. But if you tell us what we can say to her and what not to, we will make sure to follow your instructions.

Kian sighed. This particular story will leave an impression that will haunt her in her dreams, but you are right. In the end, it doesnt really matter.

Was Jasmine tested for immunity? Turner asked. We need to make sure that shes susceptible to thralling before we let her know too much.

Kian nodded. Kri tested Jasmine, and according to her, the woman was easy to thrall.

Jasmine might be a Dormant, Margo blurted. Frankie and Mia think so. She has two indicators. One is her uncanny ability with card games, and the other is how quickly I took a liking to her, and that doesnt happen to me often. In fact, its very rare. I dont connect with most people. And its not only me. Mia and Frankie also felt an affinity with her. She chuckled. Its kind of ironic that I am considered a potential Dormant just because Im friends with Mia and Frankie. I dont have any paranormal talents, and Jasmine has that and the friendliness factor.

My sister and wife reported similar experiences with her. Kian cast a glance at Turner. Maybe we should send some of the unmated guardians to talk to Jasmine.

Have you seen her? Negal asked.

Just a peek or two through the surveillance feed. She seems confident and outgoing. Quite charming, I must say.

The feed had shown him a woman who moved with ease and confidence, smiled a lot, and laughed with ease.

She is a beautiful woman who knows how to use her looks to her advantage, Negal noted.

The comment intrigued Kian, not because Negal thought Jasmine was beautiful but because hed noticed that she used her looks to her advantage. Perhaps I should visit Jasmine myself.

Personal observation could provide him with valuable insights that surveillance and secondhand reports could not. If there was more to Jasmine than met the eye, he needed to know what it was.