74. Margo
Margo tried to listen to Tovens conversation with Kian, but her mind was racing, her stomach was roiling, and she had trouble following what was being said.
Lying on the couch with her head nestled on the throw pillow, she fought to keep the dizziness at bay as her thoughts spun faster than the ships propeller.
Everything felt surreal, like a nightmare she couldnt wake up from.
Her family was in danger, but instead of rushing to them, she was stuck here, feeling weak, helpless, and useless. Not that she could have done anything to protect them from immortals with mind-manipulation abilities, but she might have made it in time to get them out before the Doomers got to them.
Time is of the essence, Toven said, ending the call. Kian is on his way, he announced.
Everyone else in the room had probably heard both sides of the conversation thanks to their freakish immortal hearing, but Margo was still human, and shed only heard Tovens side, and not all of it, mostly because her mind was frazzled, but also because Gabi and Aru had arrived while hed been on the line, and shed gotten even more distracted.
What did Kian say? Margo asked.
Toven put the phone in his trouser pocket. Lets wait for him to get here. He was already on his way while we talked.
The doorbell rang a moment later, and when Dagor opened the door, Kian walked in.
Looking around the room, he smiled. It looks like a god convention in here.
Margo couldnt help the half-hysterical laughter that bubbled up from her queasy-feeling belly. It wasnt even all that funny, but she was at her wits end, and those ends were completely frayed.
I was on my way to visit Jasmine. Kian glared at Toven. But then you called with all kinds of suggestions, so I had to make a stop here to convince you not to get involved. You are too valuable to risk for such a minor operation.
Tovens expression turned thunderous. Mias grandparents are in their Arcadia home, exposed, and I dont need your permission to go ashore and fly home to check on them.
Kian didnt back down. Turners people are going to take care of them and Frankies parents. He looked at Negal. You, Dagor, and Aru can volunteer, though. In fact, you should check flight availability and book seats just in case. I hope there will be no need for you to go, but if something goes wrong and we need to rescue family members, your thralling ability over immortals will be helpful.
Toven pulled out his phone. Im checking available flights for the four of us.
I need you here, Toven. To secure the ship, Kian added.
No, you dont. You have Kalugal and your mother. Between the two of them, they can thwart any Doomer attack. Stop coddling Annani. You are doing her a disservice.
For a long moment, Kian gaped at the god as if he couldnt believe anyone dared to talk to him like that, but then he shook his head and turned to Frankie. We dont think your parents are in danger, but we sent a team to sit outside their house just in case. He shifted his gaze to Mia. The same is true for your grandparents.
Frankies eyes widened. I should call them.
Kian raised a hand. Dont. You will just scare them, and if the Doomers are monitoring them, their phones are being tapped, and your call will alert them that we are onto them.
I can call my cousin and have her go over to my parents house, pick them up, take them for a ride, and tell them whats going on in the car.
You could do that, Kian agreed. But I suggest waiting for the teams to arrive at their designated locations and reporting to us before doing anything that could potentially sabotage them. He glanced at his watch. Their ETA is less than an hour. He lifted his head and looked at Margo. Im positive they will arrive in time to get your family out and relocate them to the cabin. You have nothing to worry about.
When someone told Margo that she had nothing to worry about, her response was usually the opposite, which was what was happening now.
A lot can happen in an hour. Margo swallowed the bile rising in her throat. And in the meantime, theyre sitting ducks. I dont want to wait that long. Frankies cousin Angelica lives less than a fifteen-minute drive from my parents. She can get to them before Turners people. I should have asked Frankie to call her as soon as you told me about the Doomers.
Kian shook his head. I didnt want to worry you with hypothetical scenarios, but the Doomers might already be in your parents or your brothers house, waiting for your return so they can interrogate you about us. If Frankie sends her cousin, they will apprehend her as well and have one more hostage to negotiate with.
Margo hadnt thought about that scenario, but now that Kian had painted that picture for her, it was the only one she could see. She wanted to scream, but instead, she bit her tongue until she tasted blood.
This was her fault. She had poked her nose in where it hadnt belonged, got herself kidnapped by a drug lord, and brought this danger to her familys doorstep.
The guilt was suffocating in its intensity, and suddenly, she couldnt breathe or see through the dark spots multiplying in her field of vision. The world tilted and spun as the voices around her faded into a distant buzz.
Dimly, Margo heard someone call her name but couldnt answer because she was spiraling into a black abyss.
Awareness returned in sluggish increments. First, there was touch, Negals fingers brushing against her cheek. Then sound, the low murmur of concerned voices. Finally, after a gargantuan effort, Margo managed to crack her eyes open just a sliver and squinted against the too-bright lights.
There you are, Negal breathed. As his handsome face swam into focus, the relief and love shining in his eyes made her heart twinge. You scared me, Nesha, he whispered.
Sorry, she croaked, wincing at the dry rasp of her throat. How long was I out?
Negal helped her sit up just enough to sip from a glass of water. A couple of minutes, but it felt like an eternity.
Margo glanced around at the worried faces of her friends and their mates, but Kian was gone.
Where is Kian? she asked.
He called Bridget to come check on you and then went to see Jasmine. Negal smoothed her hair with such tender fingers that tears pricked her eyes. He said that as soon as Turners people check in, he will let us know.
Margo wished she could close her eyes, and when she opened them again, everyone she loved would be safe.