Page 93 of Dark Horizon New Dawn

Kalugal smirked. "Given that I don't have my own cigars, we will have to include Kian, but I'm sure he would enjoy a philosophical and historical discussion. In fact, we should include him regardless of the cigars, or he will think that I'm trying to pump you for information." He leaned toward Negal. "Which I totally am. I'm very curious about those colonies, the law-abiding and the lawless, but I don't mind Kian hearing about it, too." He frowned. "I hope it will be okay with your boss."

"I don't see why not. Aru would most likely love to join."

"Excellent." Kalugal clapped him on the back. "If my former brethren leave us alone, and we are not under attack tomorrow, I will organize a get-together in my cabin."

"Thank you. I would also love to hear about how you escaped the Brotherhood and what motivated you to do so."

"Oh, yes." Kalugal's eyes clouded over. "That's not nearly as interesting as your tale." He turned toward the staircase. "I should check on Modana and his men before we leave."

Talking with Kalugal had an oddly calming effect on Negal. Or maybe it was the fact that Margo wasn't near. He was different around her, and he didn't like that mindless version of himself.

It could be the protector in him that had surged to the surface because of the potential crimes that might have been perpetrated against Margo and Jasmine. It was hardwired into every male god to treat females with the utmost respect and never assume their favors, but even gods sometimes deviated from their genetic programming because not everything could be determined genetically. Free will existed, and fortuitous accidents happened, for better and for worse.

The other thing that could be responsible for this psychosis was the thought that Frankie had planted in his mind about Margo being his fated mate. Logically he knew it wasn't true, but a small part of his heart, a remnant from his youth, hoped that she was right and that he could have his happily ever after like Aru and Dagor.

It was just the placebo effect.

Margo was pretty but not exceptional, and the fierceness he'd seen in her photo was not as evident in person. He'd caught glimpses of it, but it was by no means as potent as he'd imagined.

Still, he couldn't ignore the fact that he wasn't attracted to Jasmine, who was as beautiful as any of the immortal females and could even rival some of the commoner goddesses, especially since her type of beauty was unusual on Anumati. Normally, he would have zeroed in on a stunning beauty like her, and the fact that he hadn't was significant.

Taking one last look at the opulent dining room, with its glass-top table, white leather chairs, and a chandelier that looked like a glass sculpture, Negal turned on his heel and headed toward the staircase. He was glad to leave the symbol of wealth purchased with blood money, but he wasn't sure he was glad to return to the cruise ship. To preserve his sanity, he might be better off renewing his trek through Tibet on his own.

68

MARGO

When Margo and Jasmine entered the cabin, Jaz walked over to the bed and sat down. "I miss the rush of euphoria. I've never felt so good in my life." She sighed. "It's going to be rough, you know. Have you ever seen anyone withdrawing from heroin? It's brutal."

"How do you know it was heroin?" Margo collected her purse and checked that everything was there.

Jasmine shrugged. "I don't, but what else would he use? I had a friend who got addicted, and she went through hell trying to quit."

"We will get through this together." Margo walked over to her and offered her a hand up. "We should tell Kevin to search Alberto's pockets and his cabin for your passport and credit cards."

Jasmine's eyes widened. "Of course. Why didn't I think of that? If I can get my stuff back, I can book a flight from Puerto Vallarta back home, and I don't need to hitch a ride on your cruise ship."

Margo should have been happy to get rid of the competition, but she wasn't. She'd grown attached to Jasmine, and she didn't want her to go. "Are you in such a rush to get rid of me?"

"Of course not." Jasmine wrapped her arm around Margo's middle. "You are my best friend." She leaned her head on Margo's shoulder, which couldn't be comfortable because she was half a head taller. "You have your besties waiting for you on board the cruise ship, and I know that I'm going to be jealous because you will no longer be mine."

It was probably the drugs talking because they hadn't known each other long enough to become best friends, but Margo was touched, nonetheless.

"Oh, Jaz." She patted Jasmine's head. "I will always be your friend. You can be the fourth member of our group."

Jaz lifted a pair of hopeful puppy eyes at her. "Do you mean it?"

"Of course. Imagine how much fun we are going to have when we are not being drugged by Alberto the scumbag or about to be sexually assaulted by vile cartel bosses."

A shiver rocked Jasmine's body. "It's just now starting to sink in. I didn't have much of a life to leave behind, but it was infinitely better than what was waiting for me with Modana. In a way, I'm grateful for the drugs. This would have been harrowing without them."

Margo had a feeling that Jasmine was starting to crash after the high.

She was feeling some of that, too, but it hadn't hit her as hard yet. It just felt like a low after a high, kind of like the way she felt before and after attending her favorite rock group's concerts.

Maybe that was why she'd been so taken by the pretty-faced guy. She had been still riding the high, and now that she was starting to come down, Negal would no longer look as beautiful and angelic to her.

When they got to the top deck, Negal had his back to them, and as he turned to look at her, Margo was proven wrong. It felt like being hit in the chest. He was even more stunning than she'd remembered.