Page 79 of Dark Island: Rescue

The attempt at humor was met by a weak smile from Sofia and a wince from Spencer.

"How long do we get to stay in these apartments?"

The implication of the question was obvious. Those who didn't transition would be compelled to silence and most likely sent back home.

Lokan wasn't happy with that decision. Humans were already living in the village, those that the Kra-ell had enslaved and who had chosen to live with their former masters rather than live in Safe Haven. The paranormals who didn't transition should be given the same choice.

It was true that their circumstances were different, and that, unlike the former slaves,they could have normal lives in the human world, but they had seen too much and had been exposed to too much to be satisfied with that.

"I don't know," Lokan admitted. "I'm not the boss."

Spencer shifted his gaze to Carol and lifted a brow.

"I'm not the boss either, but the idea is that those who don't transition will go home. Don't you want to do that? You have enough money saved up to provide you with an easy start."

"We can't go back," Sophia said quietly. "How can we go back and pretend like that's all there is? And what if I'm a Dormant? It's unfair that the only options I have are to either leave Spencer and hook up with an immortal or not even try."

It was unfair, but then life was fair only in fairy tales.

Spencer shook his head. "I don't want you to give up your chance for me. You will never forgive me. I can live with you hooking up with an immortal."

She cast him a sad look. "And then what? I turn immortal, and you don't? How does that work?"

Lokan walked out of the room, leaving the couple to talk, and wrapped his arm around Carol's shoulders. "Let's go home."

She looked up at him. "You mean the penthouse."

"Where else?"

Carol sighed. "We are such nomads. The apartment we shared in Beijing still feels most like home to me, but our house in the village is a close second. The penthouse is more like a fancy hotel suite."

27

AREZOO

Arezoo's phone buzzed just as she was finishing cleaning up after dinner. She wiped her hands on her apron and pulled out the device, smiling when she saw Drova's name on the screen.

"Hey," Arezoo answered, wedging the phone between her shoulder and ear as she continued drying dishes. "How's island life?"

"Boring as hell without the little tyrant," Drova said in her usual dry tone that could mean any sort of mood. "Kian and the others left yesterday. Now there's nothing to do but watch construction workers and compel hard-headed Russians."

Arezoo chuckled. "Who's the little tyrant?"

"Allegra. She's a bossy little thing but oddly entertaining. She kept me busy. Now I'm so bored that painting my nails seems exciting."

"You hate painting your nails."

"Precisely." There was rustling on Drova's end, likeshe was moving around. "So, tell me something interesting. What's new with you? How's the engagement going?"

Arezoo felt heat climb up her neck. This was the opening she'd been both hoping for and dreading. "I owe you a big thank you."

"For what?"

"The e-book you sent me." Arezoo lowered her voice even though she was alone in the kitchen. "The shifter romance."

"Oh?" Interest sharpened Drova's tone. "You've read it already?"

"Twice."