Page 22 of Dark Horizon New Dawn

She gaped at Margo. "The same Perfect Match Virtual Adventure Studios that are running commercials on all the channels?"

"Yeah. I hope to get a job as a beta tester for their adventures. But this isn't the time to get excited over virtual reality. We need to figure out how to keep you safe first."

"What if I come to stay in your room? You could hide me."

"Not a good plan. First of all, my roommate won’t be leaving until tomorrow, and secondly, a lot of people saw you and me talking and drinking together. My room would be the first place your boyfriend would search." Margo scratched her head. "I can get you a cheap Airbnb somewhere in town. Or even better, I can ask my friend to book it, so it won't be under my name. You can hide there until the ship arrives. But first, I need to call her to see if getting you on board is in the cards."

"Thank you." Jasmine leaned over and took Margo's hands. "I promise to repay you and your friend every penny once I get back home."

Margo needed to call Mia without Jasmine listening in, but was it wise to leave her in the suite and go make the phone call from her room?

On the one hand, it would be better if Margo wasn't there when the boyfriend returned, but on the other hand, she was afraid to leave Jaz alone. Then again, what could she do to help her if the guy decided to abduct both of them and sell them?

She wasn't some ninja fighter, and besides, if Alberto was a thug, he was probably armed.

"I'll call my friend from my room. In the meantime, I suggest that you go back to the bar where you will be surrounded by people. I'll find you when I'm done."

Jasmine nodded. "I need to shower and change first. But as soon as I'm done, I'll head to the pool bar."

Margo pushed to her feet. "Don't take too long."

"I won't."

14

KAREN

Karen sat in front of a mirror and regarded her freshly cleaned face. She looked her age, not younger and not older, which was an improvement over the tired and washed-out look she'd been sporting lately.

It was the venom's effect.

Lifting her hand, she feathered her fingers over the spot where Negal had bitten her. She didn't remember the bite because he had thralled her to ignore him when he had done it, and there was no sign left of it, but she could feel its phantom echo on her skin, a prickling that was most likely psychosomatic.

Since she had no memory of the bite, all she had to rely on was what she'd heard from others, and her imagination.

In the mirror, she saw Gilbert walking out of the shower with a towel wrapped around his hips, looking absolutely perfect. The few pounds he'd been carrying around his middle had disappeared, and he had gained muscles even though he rarely visited the gym.

He smiled at her through the mirror. "Anything?"

She knew what he was asking about and shook her head. "I feel exactly the same as I did before the bite."

Well, that wasn't true. She felt invigorated, which she'd been told was one of the residual effects of the venom.

When Gilbert's venom glands and fangs became functional, she would be able to enjoy these wonderful effects daily.

If she survived.

Heck, if she survived the transition, she would become immortal, and she wouldn't need the energy boost that a venom bite provided. The other benefits were more than enough to look forward to, though.

She vividly remembered the string of orgasms and euphoria that had followed and the psychedelic trip that had lasted for hours.

In her case, it wasn't a question of whether she would enter transition. She was a confirmed Dormant. The question was whether she would survive it.

Letting the towel drop, Gilbert gave her a great view of his ass as he walked toward the closet. "I know better than to offer a little hanky-panky when you are getting ready, but in case you are randy…" He looked at her over his shoulder with a hopeful expression on his face and shook his ass. "Cheryl has the kids in her bedroom, and you know how good the soundproofing is here."

"I do, but I also know our kids. Idina could burst in here at any moment. Besides, I do need to get ready."

He sighed dramatically. "We can lock the door…"

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