He scowls, though there’s a helplessness in his eyes. “Don’t fuck it up.”
I roll my eyes and tug from his grasp. “See you soon, demon.”
I step through the portal, sending a wish to pop out in the right place to any deities who are listening. I should have told Dimitri about how I used the book to open this thing. And the mess his apartment is in when it didn’t work the first six timesI tried. Half the place has burn marks, and his bed looks like I butchered a dozen geese on top of it. But it worked so he can’t really complain.
At least this time I have some light to show me the way. A path stretches out before me, the shadowy remnants of an ancient forest rising on each side. I didn’t hesitate before, letting the purple floating orb guide me. There’s no orb now, no clear way forward. Just an empty road with offshoots leading into the dark. I bite my lip as I walk along, the only indication of my waning confidence.
Mrow.
“Oh thank fuck,” I breathe. “Here, kitty, kitty.”
I click my tongue, though I’m pretty sure that’s for horses. Either way, the black and white cat with his squished face appears in front of me, and I heave out a heavy sigh. He licks his paw, then springs around. Should I be trusting a cat to lead me through a barren land in a dimension devoid of almost everything including color? Maybe not. But this is Hell and nothing makes sense down here. Actually, nothing made sense at home, either. Life should have been easier, simpler, better. Instead, I was thrust into one subtle trauma after another until life dropped a whole host of boring in my lap.
“Whatever you’re doing, karma, I could really use some good vibes sent my way.”
The cat hisses a second before a loud pop rings through the air. A woman with a rainbow dress and bright green hair drops in front of me.
“Hiya there, witch. Ooh, you are a cutie, aren’t you? So sparkly. That’s a good sign. I can definitely see why he couldn’t let go. Glad I could helpthatlittle problem. Where ya headed? Whatcha doin’? Can I come with? I need a fucking break. Seriously, I’m never cursing anyone again. It’s too much fucking work. Except…if I don’t care about the suffering, I suppose itwould be a really good punishment for some asshats who run their mouths.” She taps her finger on her chin.
“Who—”
She sticks out her hand, then cringes, dropping it to her side. “Karma.”
“Is a bitch?” I blurt out.She scowls, then smirks, and the pieces fall into place. “Oh…oh, you’re…that’s…”
She lets out a short laugh as I point at her. “Glad you could get there. Dimitri’s my brother, and I’m the real Karma. In the flesh. Sort of. Not a bitch.” A contemplative look overtakes her face. “Actually, I am a bitch sometimes, but it’s always deserved. Most of the time. Sometimes not.”
“Wait, what are you doing here?” I ask. “Dimitri could probably use your help.”
“You called. I came. That’s how it works. I ignore the summons half the time, but you’re special.” She boops me on the nose, and the cat hisses again. She hisses right back, then rolls her eyes. She links our arms together and tugs me along. “So, where are we going?”
“Um, to get my sister out of a cage.”
She gives me an impressed look. “Why isn’t Dimitri with you? He’s supposed to…”
“Supposed to what?”
She waves away my question. “Is she in the basement? Or in a realm with a cage?”
“I don’t know,” I mumble.
She waves her hand again, and a swirling vortex opens in front of us. “That’s fine. I can find her. Didn’t realize you two were twins…”
She pulls me into the bright colors, and I squeeze my eyes shut. A wave of cold washes over me and I shiver. When it dissipates, I peek out, hoping we’re not in the middle of a volcano or something. Karma seems a bit flighty, and I doubtshe’d realize I wouldn’t survive something like that. I’m greeted with a large musty room, reminiscent of a warehouse basement. Most of the cages lining the wall are empty.
When I try to rush toward the darkness, Karma digs her nails into my arm. “Wouldn’t do that if I were you. Witches go missing in Hell all the time. It’s why we usually have them escorted or they’re soulbound to someone. I doubt your sister’s accepted her bond yet. Probably waiting for you. Sometimes split souls will do that.”
“Split souls?”
She nods, then grins as she laces our fingers together and skips along. I have no choice but to follow. Even though it’s clear the spaces are empty, I still search them. The farther we travel, the more my heart sinks and the electricity once coursing through my body dims.
We waited too long. Dimitri must have seen Lark last night, thinking it was me. That’s why he kept asking how I got into his room. He didn’t think I came from my house—he thought I was in a cage. And because I was more concerned with myself, I didn’t ask. I didn’t demand he help me look for her. Sleeping with him was more important.
Guilt crashes into me, and my knees buckle. My chest tightens, but the tears won’t come. I cried them all weeks ago, leaving me an empty, selfish shell of a witch. I cared more about hooking up with a demon than figuring out what happened to Lark. I don’t even deserve to be here. She deserves someone competent and committed and loyal. Instead, she got me.
Karma’s face swims into view as my vision tunnels. Her voice calls my name as if she’s miles away. I should tell her to go, to find Lark, yet the words won’t come. I shudder and curl into a ball as electricity sparks from me. If it burns me up from the inside out, I won’t even fight it. It’s an apt punishment.
Strong hands haul me against a hard chest, and I try to shove Dimitri away. I don’t deserve his warmth, his comfort. I fucked up. Over and over again, I fucked up. I let my jealousy override my love for her.
