Page 35 of Dark Island: Rescue

"Telepathy?" Drova sat cross-legged on the ground. "Are you developing paranormal abilities?"

Arezoo laughed. "Not that I know of."

"How's engaged life?"

"Wonderful." Arezoo chuckled. "Not that anything has changed between Ruvon and me. We are still the same, but now my mother feels entitled to boss Ruvon around. She calls him anytime she needs something heavy moved or when she needs supplies delivered. The poor guy didn't know what he was getting himself into."

"Is he complaining?"

"Not yet. How's the island?"

"Hot. Humid. Full of construction workers who think I'm either a medical marvel or a failed science experiment."

Arezoo was quiet for a moment. "That must betough. Perhaps going there wasn't the best idea. The village is safe and everyone knows you."

"That's the problem. I needed to get away, at least for a little while. Besides, I like being needed, but working with the Saviors or the Avengers was just too depressing for me. I needed a change."

Drova had thought she was tough and could handle it, but seeing the victims broke something inside of her that she doubted was fixable. She was a pureblooded Kra-ell, her people were savage, and killing was in their blood, but human brutality was unrivaled. The level of evil humans were capable of was shocking. No self-respecting Kra-ell would ever target children, and violating anyone sexually was unheard of.

And to think that the immortals thought the Kra-ell mating customs were barbaric. They might be violent and rough, but never nonconsensual or disrespectful.

"Are they working you hard over there?" Arezoo asked.

Drova shook her head to dispel the depressing thoughts. "The recruits don't arrive for another week, so right now it's just watching people make preparations. Exciting stuff. And speaking of excitement, have you and Ruvon finally done the deed?"

The choking sound from the other end was deeply satisfying.

"Drova!"

"What? You've been dating for months, and it has been weeks since you got engaged. Surely by now you did more than kiss."

"We're taking our time."

Drova rolled her eyes. "You're killing me, but mostly you are killing Ruvon. He is desperately in love with you, you're in love with him, and you're 'taking your time'? What are you waiting for, a signed permission slip from the Fates? Or maybe the Mother of All Life?"

"It's not that simple."

"Arezoo, my dear dormant Arezoo. You need to have sex with an immortal to transition. You're engaged to an immortal. That's math even I can do."

There was a long pause. "I want to wait until we're married."

Drova nearly dropped the phone. "You're joking."

"I'm not. I know how it sounds?—"

"It sounds insane. Are you afraid of getting pregnant? Bridget can give you contraceptives."

"I know. It's not that."

"Then what? Are you afraid it'll hurt? Immortal males are supposedly very focused on their partner's pleasure."

"What would you know about those kinds of pleasures? You are a virgin just like me."

That was regrettably true. "I've done my research."

"What kind of research?"

Drova looked around to make sure there was no one within earshot. "Steamy romance novels. You can learn a lot from reading those."