In the future, we don’t choose our mates; Nature chooses for us, and she doesn't make mistakes.. If you don’t pay attention to Nature’s Imperative, you suffer. Aquamarine Davis has an exciting future. The gifted young choreographer is leaving town for a new job when she feels the unwelcome call of the Imperative. Hounded by an intense, biological compulsion to find her mate, Marina reluctantly attends the local mating assembly. Artist Con Montgomery is thrilled that the Imperative finally called! At 32, he believed his time had passed. For years, he’s been haunted by visions of blue which he knew symbolized his mate. The Imperative leads him to Duncan Sinclair, and Con immediately recognizes his future in the smiling blue eyes of this man. When Con and Duncan walked out of the Assembly together, they left something behind: Marina.