Page 19 of Dark Awakening: Hidden Currents

"I will."

When Jasmine closed the door behind her, Ell-rom leaned over Morelle's hand and kissed the back of it. "I think I love this woman, and I can't wait for you to meet her."

Morelle's expression didn't change, but he imagined that her lips quirked up slightly in a ghost of a smile. It wasn't true, but it made him feel good to believe that it might be.

"I have news," he continued. "Annani's children and grandchildren are coming to meet me tomorrow, and I wish you could be there. So far, everyone has been so kind and welcoming to me that I don't expect anything different from those I haven't met yet."

The only response was the continued beeping of the machines, and Ell-rom sighed, running a hand over his face. "I'm struggling, Morelle," he admitted quietly. "There's so much I don't understand about myself, and there's something wrongwith me." He leaned closer to share his shameful secret. "I can't stand the sight or smell of blood. The very thought of it makes me ill. And that's a problem because I can't bring myself to bite Jasmine, which is expected of me. Both Kra-ell and gods bite, but it's even more important in the culture of the gods and their hybrid descendants. No immortal female would accept me if I can't deliver a venom bite, but in Jasmine's case, it is even more crucial because it is necessary to activate her dormant godly genes. Unless I can bite her, she can't turn immortal, which means I can't keep her."

Ell-rom's grip on Morelle's hand tightened. "I need to find a solution and get over the aversion. I need to talk to Julian about it, but it's so embarrassing to admit that I'm incapable of something that every adult immortal male can do."

He was silent for a few moments, just watching Morelle's breathing. "I don't spend nearly enough time with you, and I feel bad about leaving you so soon, but I really need to talk to Julian."

Morelle was spending most of her days alone, without anyone talking or singing to her like Jasmine had done for him. Was it any wonder that she was still in a coma?

He was failing in his brotherly duty. He should make an effort to be with her more often and bring Jasmine with him to sing. Or perhaps he could sing her a song?

He didn't remember any, but he could improvise.

"I wouldn't know where to start. It would be better to just turn on the television for you. We could place the teardrop near the speaker so it can translate for you. Maybe hearing different voices and different stories would help. What do you think?"

As always, there was no response, but Ell-rom liked to imagine that somewhere deep inside, Morelle could hear him. "I'll talk to Julian about it," he promised. He stood up. "I have to go now, but I'll be back after I'm done talking to Julian." He leaned over her and kissed her forehead.

14

JASMINE

Jasmine stepped out of the elevator into the vestibule at the penthouse level, her mind racing with thoughts about Margo's message. Lynda had finally scheduled another lunch date with her ex, and it was time to implement the plan of showing Rob his fiancée's true colors.

As she opened the door and stepped into the living room, the floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a panoramic view of the city still took her breath away. She paused for a moment, marveling at how quickly this place had become home, and then made her way to the kitchen to brew fresh coffee and check the fridge for something to munch on.

She'd eaten lunch less than an hour ago, so she wasn't hungry, but she was nervous about what she and Margo were going to do next.

After getting the coffee machine going, she pulled out her phone and texted Margo.I'm here. Where are you?

The answer came a moment later.I'm in my room. I'm coming out.

Smiling, Jasmine put the phone back in her pocket.

By the time Margo walked into the kitchen, she had two steaming mugs of coffee and a plate of cheese slices ready. "Counter or living room?"

Margo thought for a moment. "Terrace. It's nice and cool by now, and there is barely any traffic on the weekend, so it's quiet."

"Lead the way." Jasmine handed her one of the mugs and carried the other and the cheese plate out onto the terrace.

They sat at a small bistro table facing the plexiglass railing, their backs to the sliding doors.

Margo smiled. "I can imagine Kian and Syssi sitting out here when they had just met. It used to be his place, you know."

"I know." Jasmine took a sip of the coffee, but it was still a bit too hot for her taste. "They are all coming here tomorrow; the whole family wants to meet Ell-rom. Are you going to be here?"

Margo shook her head. "Negal and I have planned a trip to the mall, and Frankie and Dagor are coming with us. Aru and Gabi are meeting her family in a restaurant in one of the clan's hotels."

Jasmine wondered if anyone had told them to find other things to do while the family was meeting Ell-rom. "I hope you were not told to make yourselves scarce."

Margo chuckled. "We were informed that Kian was commandeering the place for lunch and that we were welcome to congregate at the other penthouse."

"I'm sorry." Jasmine winced.