A Name Like Karma, page 14
part #1 of The Secret Gods Series Series
"I'm not," Storm simply states as he walks right up to me, placing his hands on my face and pressing his lips to mine. Nothing about the way he kisses me is simple. His lips devour mine with enough passion to set the world on fire, and his dominating kisses make me forget there is a world altogether. Just as I go to press myself into his body and slide my hands onto his face, he pulls away, stepping back and leaving me in a breathless, confused state.
"I..." I start to speak, only to have no clue what I should say to him. I'm not immortal, and he is, meaning there is no chance for us to have a real future. This is just torturing each other...and I want more.
"Tell me you still want to be friends, and I will be the best fucking friend you've ever had. I won't ask for more even if it kills me. Say nothing, let me leave this room and take you on a date tomorrow. We will be so much more than anything you could imagine," he tells me. Any words get frozen in the back of my throat as Storm walks to the door, slowly opening it and looking back once at me. The look is possessive, sexy and right now, I realise I'm in for a whole world of trouble with Storm. The kind of trouble that is only going to break my heart, but I know it will be damn worth it.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
"If sexy Storm or Killian or even Seth doesn't want to devour you tonight, then something is wrong with the world," Jade remarks, and Coxen nervously coughs from his place at her side. His arm is wrapped around her waist, and it only makes me grin, remembering Jade sneaking into my room last night to tell me excitedly all about her and Coxen. They even say the L word now, and Jade said she never told a guy that before, let alone after only knowing him a month. Even though it's only been a month, it feels like so much longer than that. Our little makeshift family works in a very strange way. Killian, Storm and Seth have some kind of bromance going on, even though none of them admit it. Coxen and Jade are cute together and make sure we all eat together and get along. Hell, it somehow works.
I haven't told Jade about the kiss with Storm yesterday because I haven't even admitted it happened to myself yet. The lines of friendship are seriously blurry with Storm, Killian and Seth. The tension is hard to ignore. I've found the most attractive men in the world, who are also smart, brilliant and make me laugh. These men are something of dreams, and I live with all three of them. I can hardly remember any of my exes now. They are a blur, and every moment with my gods is clearly plastered in my mind forever. Wait, not my gods. My is not a word I should use to describe all three of them.
Storm is possessive in his nature, and if that kiss was anything to go by last night, he isn't giving up on me. Killian is teasing, the complete opposite to Storm in a way. I never know if he is this flirty and teasing with everyone, and if he means it all or not. Seth I just don't understand, and I doubt I ever will. The way he looks at me sometimes, all dark and moody lust, makes me want to kiss him. I doubt he really wants to kiss me though. I'm pretty sure he just about tolerates me. Either way, I can't have them all, that would be insane. I don't even wash my own clothes right, Jade has to fix it for me. I can’t imagine the mess all four of us would make. I shiver from the thought alone. "Hey, where did you go?" Jade asks, snapping her fingers in my face.
"I just miss my closet of heels," I lie. Well, it's not totally a lie, just more of a big avoidance excuse. "I have some beautiful green shoes that would match this dress perfectly." The dress Storm got me fits me like a glove, the lace goes all the way down to my feet and sways as I move. I’m in love with this dress and the soft, shimmery material it is made from.
"You know what I miss from the outside?" Jade says, nodding her head for us to walk down the corridor. "Hamburgers. Juicy steaks. Bacon."
"Same. Oh, and peanut butter," I reply, wishing I made my jar of peanut butter last longer than the few days it did.
"I've never tried these things, but the way Jade explains them makes me want to one day," Coxen adds in. His grey hair is styled, and he is wearing a black suit that makes him look smart.
"One day, I'm going to show you everything out there. We will get out," Jade says to Coxen, and they kiss as we get to the top of the stairs. I step around them, walking down the stairs to see Storm, Seth and Killian waiting at the bottom of the stairs. They each look as handsome as the other, and it has quite the impact to see all three of them together, looking at me the way they are. A flush burns on my cheeks as I walk down, needing to do or say something awkward to get their gaze off me.
“Coxen and Jade are making out up there, we should just go without them,” I explain, but it takes a while before any of them reply to me. Of course, it has to be Seth that is sarcastic first.
“You sound jealous, Karma,” Seth remarks.
“No, why would I be?” I ask.
“You tell me,” Storm replies before Seth can, and I turn to see he has a flirty smile to go with that comment. Seth clears his throat, and Killian just looks between Storm and me, not seeming impressed. Nope, this is more awkward than I was going for. I shake my head before pushing through them and making my way to the door, feeling them close behind me. I don’t get brave enough to look back once until we get outside, and Storm is the last out, closing the door behind him.
“I thought we could take the easy route down,” Storm loudly says, coming over to us.
“Which is?” Seth asks just before Storm pulls out three glowing pink stones. They look like the glowing purple flying gemstones, or that’s what I have decided to call them, but these are pink instead.
“I think I’d rather walk than touch one of those magic gemstones again,” Seth plainly states, whereas Killian holds out his hand.
“Well, these are the opposite to the purple ones. Just live a little for once, Seth,” Storm says, throwing a stone at Seth who has no choice but to catch it. Killian takes his stone, winks at me before running and jumping off the bridge in one smooth motion. I run to the bridge, looking down to see Killian gently floating down past the bridges, swirling pink magic glowing around him. Seth mutters something about proving a point before leaping off the bridge, leaving me alone with Storm as he floats down.
“Where is my stone then? I only see three,” I ask, placing my hands on my hips.
“You’re coming with me, little Karma,” he replies, and I widen my eyes. I see that as being more than a little dangerous. Storm doesn’t care one bit as he steps closer to me, picking me up, and I’m forced to hold onto his neck in case I fall. Storm walks us back to the ledge before stepping off it, and I gasp as my stomach has butterflies from the drop until we begin to slow down as we fall. After a while, I can open my eyes, and I find Storm smiling down at me, like there aren’t other things to be looking at. It’s quite beautiful all around us from the pink magic, but I barely notice, because Storm’s eyes are beautiful too.
“Is the creature I met in the lake with these gems created by your family?” I ask him, feeling curious.
“Yes. She is the last living creature. Many died within the first ten years,” he tells me. “I know it is a harsh way to introduce people into this prison, but she is a fair test. I’m sure she is immortal, though we don’t talk. She hasn’t eaten me though.”
“Does she have a name?” I ask with a chuckle. I’m pretty sure not being eaten by someone isn’t a good way to judge a friendship.
“No, at least she never told me of one,” he explains to me. “These stones litter the beaches of my old home. They make me miss it.”
“Tell me what it looks like, what you loved the most about it,” I ask him, and without thinking of it, my fingers stroke his hair as he talks, and his eyes close for a moment.
“The shores are filled with a multicolour of stones, hidden in the sand while the red water of the sea brushes against them. The sun shines bright all year round, making the stones glitter and shimmer in the prettiest way. I never thought I’d see that bright, beautiful light again, but then I saw your eyes on that first day. That moment you told me I’d never need to push you, your eyes shone bright with how brave you are. You reminded me of home in that moment, Karma,” he tells me. Our feet touch the ground as I stare, speechless, and my heart feels warm in a way that almost makes me forget the world as Storm lowers me down onto the ground.
“Can I steal Karma for a dance?” Killian asks, his hand going to my shoulder, and in a moment, the entire world comes back in a flash. There is soft music in the background, people laughing, and the sounds of children playing nearby. It smells like cooking, but I can’t tell what, and there is also a sweet smell in the air. When I look away from Storm to see Killian, I spot the eight or so children near us who are laughing and chasing bubbles that an old lady is making appear from her hands. It’s magical to see, and I can’t help but smile.
“I’d love to dance,” I tell Killian, even though he and Storm are tensely staring at each other. It doesn’t take much to see jealousy there, especially with how Killian is always flirting and Storm kissed me yesterday.
“Storm, can I borrow you a second?” Vivian interrupts the staring contest, and I glare at her as Killian takes my hand, pulling me away. We pass Seth who, to my surprise, is making gold glitter butterflies appear out of his hands, and they mix with the bubbles that the children are running through.
“I didn’t know Seth was such a softie,” I remark as we pass through people.
“I suspect there is a lot you don’t know about Seth, angel,” Killian tells me as we get to the dancers. Like we have always danced together, Killian sweeps me into his arms and sways us around to the soft beat. “You look enchanting tonight, Karma.”
“Really?” I ask him, keeping my eyes firmly locked on his. Though Killian’s eyes are darker than Seth’s, they still look like pits of gold dust that are so magical to gaze into. My green eyes must be dull in comparison.
“I wish you could see yourself how I see you. If we met before here, I think I would have broken every single one of the laws for a moment with you,” he tells me, before twirling me around and pulling me back to him. Killian is a good dancer, he knows how to move his body and control mine almost effortlessly.
“Maybe it was a good thing you kidnapped me in the end then. I’ve grown to like you a little bit,” I admit, and he laughs. God, I love his laugh.
“I’ve grown to like you a little bit too,” he softly remarks, leaning down and kissing me. I freeze in unexpected shock. Killian softly explores my lips as I arch myself into his touch, loving how he feels. My hands slide into his hair as he groans, pulling me closer, and I happily sink myself into him. Kissing Killian feels like finding a new home. Cold drops of water splash down on us, breaking us apart as we hear thunder rattle in the dark cloud that has appeared above us. Killian swiftly moves me aside just as Storm slams into him, smacking him to the ground as the rain harshly pours down on us all. Seth wraps an arm around my waist, stopping me when I try to run towards Killian and Storm, who are intent on smacking the shit out of each other. The cloud flashes white lightning across it, highlighting Killian’s face as he punches Storm, sending him flying across the ground.
“Let me go, Seth!” I demand.
“No, you could get hurt,” Seth says, shaking his head as Jade gets to us. Lifting one sharp nail, she places it under Seth’s neck, and he gulps.
“Let her go, Seth. They won’t hurt her, and she can handle herself. You can’t hold her back, if you care, you will have to help her,” Jade says. Seth mutters something about stubborn women as he lets me go, and I don’t think as I run, jumping between Killian and Storm. I place my hands on their chests as they stare at each other, blood dripping down their faces, and they both heavily breathe which I can feel under my hands.
“Enough! Don’t do this over me. Please,” I say, but neither of them says a word. Suddenly an alarm blasts out in the prison, the noise vibrating off the walls almost. What the hell is going wrong now?
Chapter Thirty
"What is that alarm?" I ask. My hands slide down from Killian’s and Storm's chests because the blaring alarm has distracted them for a second. I look up to Storm for answers, and he holds a hand out for me as the rain stops and the cloud disappears. If this is how powerful Storm is with his powers weakened in this place, god only knows what he would be like on the outside. Feckin’ hell it would be crazy to witness.
"The alarm means the doors have been opened," Storm answers, still sounding furious.
"Finally," Seth states, before running off towards the door with Killian fast behind him. I instantly try to follow them, only to have Storm grab my hand, stopping me.
"Let them go and stay here with me. They will only get you killed, and we won't ever be able to see each other again," he pleads with me, and it just about breaks me to hear him ask me this. His hair is soaking wet just like mine, but it suits him. His thick eyelashes drip droplets of water down his cheeks and to his lips. Everything about Storm is made to perfection, and he is right, I could stay here with him. I would be happy for a long time, and I have no doubt Storm would love me even when I got old. But that isn’t the future I feel is fated for me. I know deep down that I have to follow the twins. I have to escape here.
"They are our friends...and I have a life outside. A family," I tell him. This is my only chance to see my family and Mads again.
"So do I...but my family will kill you for even knowing about me," he warns, his voice is desperate and pleading. "I can't let you go and die."
"I've run from everything, from everyone. If I have to run from you so I can see my family and get the justice I deserve, then so be it," I tell him, even though I know it’s hurting him to hear it. I never wanted to hurt him.
"What did you do? You never told me, and if it's bad enough that they locked you in here and threw the justice gods in here with you, it must have been bad," he asks, and I so wish he hadn’t decided now was the perfect time to ask this question.
"I killed one of your adoptive brothers," I whisper, the words blurting out from my lips as tears stream down my cheeks. Storm stumbles back, letting my hand go as shock and disbelief shine in his eyes. "It was an accident...and I don't understand why it happened. I'm sorry." Storm stands so still, and it breaks my heart when I take one step back. Then another. My heart and body fight me as I turn around and run across the bridge. Tears roll down my cheeks as I leave him, as running from him is likely the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
Leaving the bridge, I run down the steps, tripping on a few and managing to keep myself running until I get to the ledge at the bottom. I run across it, seeing gold light flashing from inside the room, knowing something is wrong. I skid to a stop as I get into the circular room with the tunnel on the other side. Seth and Killian are standing side by side, slamming gold waves of power into a man in a cloak who is stood still. The power isn’t touching him, and he doesn’t even seem to be noticing it. The cloaked man turns to me, like he can sense I’m here.
“Karma. Just who I came to get,” the man says, his voice and accent unfamiliar to me.
“Who are you?” I ask, gaining the attention of the twins now as they spot me.
“Leave! Now, Karma!” Seth desperately demands, sounding like he actually cares for me. Killian looks at me for a second, his eyes pleading with me to leave.
“No,” the cloaked man states, and with the wave of his hand, green energy swooshes out of his hand, destroying the twins’ magic like nothing. I scream, running towards the twins as the wave of green energy heads towards them, but I’m too late as I know the power is going to hit them first. It’s going to kill them, I feel it. In the blink of an eye, Jade recklessly runs past me and jumps in front of the twins, taking the full force of the green energy blow. All three of them fly in the air, smacking against the ground as they slide to a stop. I run over to Jade who is face down on the dirt when I get to her. I turn her over, a cry catching in my throat when I see all the blood on her chest and the burns.
“M-my friend. T-tell her it was the higher g-god. P-promise me,” Jade asks, gasping for each word. My hands feel the hot blood pouring onto them as I try to cover her chest up with her coat. I don’t have a clue what I’m doing, but I can’t let her die.
“I promise. You rest now, it’s going to be okay,” I tell her, sounding more calm and less panicked than I feel. I know deep down I won’t be able to save her, but I am going to try. I’m going to desperately try.
“The ch-charm boosts y-your own powers. I rememb…er.” Her last words echo in my ears as her dead eyes just stare at nothing, and her hand falls ever so slowly out of mine. Jade is gone, and nothing but pain controls everything now. It floods me, the grief and shock feeling like they will break me. I glance up as the twins’ bodies shake from the buzzing green energy flickering around them…and I know they must be dead too. He killed them all. A scream unlike anything I’ve ever done leaves my lips as I rise up. The world seems to start going green, but I just barely notice through the pain and anger. My hands lift on their own, and it’s then that I see green lightning flickering and swirling around my arms. I don’t question the power, I don’t think of anything but revenge.
“Oh, aren’t you powerful? So beautifully powerful. It’s a shame we have to leave now.”
“No,” I respond, not really hearing what he says as I step forward, the ground crackling from the lightning that surrounds my body with each step. I feel powerful, broken and lost…but more determined than ever. I’ve run from everything my entire life…but I will not run from this. He killed my friends. He killed my gods. My justice twins are lost, and he will pay. I pull my hands back before rapidly pushing them forward. Lightning flies out of my hands, straight towards the cloaked man. He only laughs, catching the lightning like a toy, and with a cold laugh, he throws my power right back at me. I cry out as it slams into my chest, and I feel the world falling away. Just as my eyes close, I hear Storm shouting my name…but it’s too late, and I can’t fight the darkness any more. Not even for him.
