"Why is your friend in bed, passed out?" he asks. I just turn and wave my hands in the air, making it clear we have bigger problems. Mads being passed out really isn’t on the top of our list of problems right now. "Right, doesn't matter. Just tell me what happened, because Damien and Hugo are distracting the justice twins with mum and dad, but I don't have long. You don’t have long."

  "I had a karma job today, and I googled him to find out he has this posh club not far from here. So, I took Mads there for a night out, and now I'm sure the place is owned by gods. Anyway, that doesn't matter. I thought the guy was human and sensed he was fearful of water. I used this stupid charm mum got me today, and it created green lightning. The next thing I know, water is pouring out a hole in the glass ceiling, mixing with the lightning and killing the human. Only he wasn't human...and I fucking killed him by accident. Oh my god, they are going to send me to that correctional facility that no one ever comes out of," I gasp as I finish blurting out the story, panic making it damn hard to breathe. I cannot live in a prison full of gods for the rest of my life. They throw all the bad gods, the monsters of the world into that place, and I wouldn’t survive a day. My attitude in life is to run away if things look difficult or impossible to survive. That place would make my life motto pretty shite.

  "No, they are not going to blame you for this. The higher god had bad karma coming his way, god or not. I mean, it was an accident, and they have to see that. We will get a meeting with the higher gods on the island to fight your cause. You just need to make sure the twin gods of justice don’t catch you before then," he tells me, walking over and pulling me into a tight hug once again. “I won’t let my sister face a life sentence in a hell hole. None of our family will let that happen.”

  "If the higher gods will even see you. They don’t listen to anyone. I might as well walk myself to the prison," I mutter, pushing away from him because he is going to make me cry. Tears aren’t useful right now, and I never cry.

  "There has never been a higher god killed before. I thought it was impossible to kill them, but here we are, and that has to be addressed. I won't let you get blamed for something you didn't even know was possible. Look, that bag is filled with clothes to last a while, some daggers, food and anything mum thought you’d need. The daggers are my magic ones I gambled for years ago. No matter how you throw them, they will always hit their target,” he tells me.

  “That’s incredible. You hid those well,” I reply, and he grins. “Thank you,” I add.

  “They might give you a chance, and it’s all I can do right now. You need to use human transport and no magic, so they can't find you. I know the gods of justice can track powers. Travel to Dover, get on a ferry to London, then a ferry to France and disappear for a while. You know that place in the south of France we went to when you were seven?" he asks, and I nod, remembering it well. "Go there, and stay there. We will fix this and come find you."

  "What if you can’t fix this? I killed him, and there will be punishment for it. Accident or not," I say, feeling more panicked than I ever have. "Who was he? He said he was looking for me before the lightning struck." Peyton might not say it, but I see the confusion turn to apprehension that spreads across his features.

  "I don't know who he was, but the gods of justice are on the war path," he warns me, and I know that isn't a good thing. I met one of them once, but that wasn't a good night, and it isn't going to get me any favours. No, I'm going to have to think outside the box to survive this and avoid them. If I can get to France, untracked, then I can hide in there for a good amount of time. The place we went to as kids had no signal, and it has a natural barrier against magic in the mountain. I will find a cabin by the mountain and hide.

  "Watch her for a second while I get dressed," I tell Peyton, picking up the bag and going into Mads's bathroom. I peel the wet dress off, chucking it into the sink with my other non-broken heel. The poor things. It's such a shame, they were damn nice heels. I quickly pull out black leggings, my favourite top and my leather jacket. I also find warm socks and my only pair of black army boots that have a tiny heel. Mum must have packed this bag, it is pretty efficient. I put my hand in the bag to see what else is in there only to flinch when something softly bites my finger. I widen the bag and look in, seeing Kit the little shite in there, licking his lips.

  "Really? Now is the time you decide to leave your spot under my bed?" I complain to him, knowing he can't reply or speak English, but I have a funny feeling he understands me all the same. I shake my head and see the daggers in the bag, knowing it's best I keep them in there for now anyway. There is also a big wad of cash, a snack box and a jar of peanut butter in the bag. Mum knows me so well, and I’m going to miss her the most. I do the bag up and pull out my fire charm, which looks like a little flame, and set the dress and heels on fire in her sink. I run back into the main room, seeing Peyton talking quietly to Mads as I grab my other heel and run back to chuck it in the fire. When I come back in, Mads looks totally freaked out, and Peyton has gotten off the bed to stand a good distance away.

  "Madison knows you have magic, not what you are," Peyton points out the obvious. "I hadn't gotten around to explaining everything. In my defence, it’s hard to explain, and I’ve not told anyone before in detail."

  "Karma...you moved us like a friggin’ wizard. What have you not told me? Why is your older brother here?" Mads rapidly asks. I go to walk to her, wanting to tell her everything because I hate the panicked and betrayed look she has, when Peyton catches my arm, and he shakes his head.

  "I need to get back, and you don't have all the time in the world to tell her. They will come here next, I'm sure of it. Mads is your only friend," Peyton points out.

  "Not my only friend," I mutter, needing to argue my point. I’m not a total loner. Most of the time. Humans and people in general can be hard to make friends with.

  "Only friend," both Mads and Peyton say at the same time. It's creepy as they turn to smile at each other.

  "Look, you have ten minutes, then the bus will be outside. I googled it for you when I broke your phone. I will dispose of your bag," Peyton snaps out of gazing at my bestie to tell me.

  "Not my phone," I groan, and he just raises his eyebrows at me, letting me know he has a damn point that I need to stay away from technology. I've heard the rumours one of the justice twins can find anyone through it. "You should go back home, but tell mum I'm okay. That this isn't her fault, because I know what she is like. I also need you to come back and keep an eye on Mads. I won't have enough time to make sure she can handle the truth." Peyton nods once and pulls me into a tight hug, kissing the top of my head.

  "I wish I could do this for you. It isn't fair it's you," he quietly says.

  "I will be okay. I'm crafty enough to keep myself safe," I remind him who his sister is.

  "I know," he says, letting me go and stepping back. "Whatever happens, we will get you out of it. This was an accident. Love you, sis." Peyton disappears into a puff of green dust, making the floor of the apartment look like a leprechaun threw up all over it. Mads crawls to the other end of the bed, letting out a little screech.

  "I'm a goddess of karma, and so are all my family. The powers run in my family, and the world is full of many different types of gods and creatures. I'm still your best friend, and nothing has changed there," I swiftly tell her, knowing that I can’t stay here much longer. I didn’t want to explain my life to her like this, nor tell her the world is much bigger and more magical than she could ever have imagined without showing her how amazing it can be. This will just make her nervous of me and the world, which I’d never want.

  "This is a lot to take in, Karma," she says, still looking fearful. "Why are you in trouble? Did you kill that guy? Is that why you had to move us here and show me your secret?"

  "The man was a god, a higher god, and I wasn't meant to be able to kill him. It's complicated, but it was an accident. I have to go on the run now, and I won't be able to see you for a long while. Peyton will keep you safe, I promise," I say, wanting to hug my friend but knowing she isn't at that point yet. She might never be. "I don't have to warn you not to tell anyone, do I?"

  "I won't tell anyone your family’s secret, Karma," she says, and I believe her. Not that I have much choice. I walk to the door, pausing with my hand on the door handle to look back at Mads.

  "You need to pretend you weren't with me tonight and clean up all this dust. You didn't see anything, and you talk to no one but Peyton about this. Understood?" I ask her, trying to be firm but my voice catches. Mads is my best friend, and I feel like I’m the shittiest person in the world for dropping this on her and leaving. Mads slides off the bed and runs to me with her arms open. I happily accept her hug, knowing I'm going to miss talking to her every day, and I’m so glad she even wants to hug me. This gives me hope, which I damn well need.

  "I got it. You keep your arse safe and away from whoever is after you. We both know you wouldn’t kill anyone on purpose. Also, you should take this," Mads says before she rapidly lets me go and runs to her kitchen, opening the drawers until she finds a card and gives it to me. It's a bus pass, something very useful.

  "Thank you. I love you like a sister, you know that?" I say, pulling the door open, because if I don’t now, I won’t be able to make myself leave.

  "Yeah, I know it, even if you are a damn goddess. I should have known with your looks and good luck," Mads says with a laugh, following me out the door and holding it open. "Wait, does your goat really talk? I swear every time I used to walk past him, he would call me fit."

  "Yeah, he talks," I laugh with her, knowing Michael couldn't have kept his mouth shut. "His name is Michael."

  "It’s relieving to know I wasn't making up being hit on by a goat in my head, to be honest with you," she says, and I can't help but chuckle as I pull the other strap to the bag over my shoulder.

  "I will see you again, won't I?" she asks.

  "I can't promise that. This is serious, Mads. They don't give second chances, and they will lock me up," I explain to her. "But I'm going to try and make it out of this."

  "You're Karma Maria Kismet. If anyone can escape the god law or whatever you call it, it is you," she says and rushes to hug me once more before stepping back. I lift my head high, trying to keep her words in my mind as I run down her corridor and towards the stairs. Let's hope I can run away long enough for my family to help me, because I know if they throw me into the correctional facility, I won't ever see the light of day again.

  Chapter Nine

  Resting my head back on the seat of the third bus I've been on tonight, I watch the busy city of Dublin pass me by. I’ve never caught buses before, and now I know you have to read the signs near the stops to know where you are going instead of just expecting it to go there eventually. I glance outside the window, looking for any signs that I’m being followed, but nothing looks out of the ordinary. I’m close to where I need to get to anyway. I know there is a portal in a pub on the edge of the city, an illegal portal that some old god set up and forgot about. I’m pretty sure the portal was there before they built the pub around it. The portal goes to London, which would be a good start in escaping Ireland at least and making my way from there.

  I thought about using Peyton’s plan and getting a ferry over to England and then working out a way to France, but then I thought everyone would do that. I have to think outside the box to survive, that’s my motto for the moment. The gods of justice can't be too far behind me now anyway, and somehow they always catch whoever they are after. I just have to hope the pub owner will let me travel through the portal without too much of a high cost. I've heard he always wants a steep price, and I don't exactly have time to go and get gold right now.

  The bus stops, and I quickly look outside to see empty, creepy looking streets and not much else until the sound of laughing teenagers fills my ears. I turn to see three of them climbing onto the bus, bottles of beer in their hands as they start checking their pockets for money. I never had that innocence growing up, worrying about partying and bus money. I was busy training with my parents like Damien is, and Mads was just the same in a way, but she was struggling to find work and keep a roof over her head. From the look of sick on the one guy’s leg, I’m sure I didn’t miss out on much. They pay for their tickets and choose to sit at the back, laughing about pointless teenage stuff as I look around, knowing the next stop is mine anyway. I climb out of my seat, pressing the stop button and then slowly walking to the front of the bus, waiting next to the door.

  "A young lady like you shouldn't be out at night all alone, miss," the bus driver says as he slows the bus down to a stop. I turn and look at the middle-aged man in his work uniform. He has a kind smile that reminds me of my dad and big eyes that are concerned for me. I can’t think about my dad, not without worrying about how panicked he must be. Dad doesn’t like mum stressed or any of his kids in trouble. Today is definitely going to cause big problems.

  "Don't worry about me; I can handle myself," I reply to him, but he still looks apprehensive as he presses the button for the doors to slide open after he stops the bus. I wave at him before jumping off the bus, ignoring his sigh as he closes the doors behind me. I wait at the bus stop as the driver hustles off, leaving me on the busy street, the dark clouds hiding the stars, and the moon occasionally peering out to make the street brighter. There is a row of pubs here, all of them filled to the brim with drunk people who are either laughing, shouting, or drinking more. I glance down the street at the only semi-quiet pub on the row, the one that looks hella creepier than the others. The one I need, funny enough, as I peer at the sign. The Swanky Swan Pub.

  I remember Peyton telling me about this place, but I've never actually been. The name is sure memorable though. He came as a teenager with some of his mates, and that's when he found out about the portal because he went through it when he tripped over as drunk as a bat and then ended up calling mum and dad for help from London. In just his underwear, as the guy that owned the portal took his money and clothes for payment. I smile, just remembering him hobbling up the stairs, covered in dust and dirt as we all laughed. That is Peyton’s past though, and no matter how much I wish it, mum and dad can’t just come and save me from this.

  I walk across the street, ducking and moving between drunk people until I get outside the pub. I avoid the hostile looks from the old couple sat on a bench outside before I push the door open and walk in. Ignoring the heavy smell of stale beer and cigarette smoke, I walk across the plush, red, patterned carpet to the dark wood bar where there are three men sitting enjoying a smoke and beer. They don’t even look my way, completely happy to enjoy their drink, and I don’t blame them. I’d like to be them when I’m older, just happy sitting with my drink in a random pub. Now, I got to worry about staying alive somehow. I slide into one of the seats, waiting for the old man with long grey hair and a mischievous grin to come over to me as he dries a glass with an old tea towel.

  "You don't look like my usual clientele, lassie," the man says, his thick Scottish accent hard to miss.

  "You don't sound like the common Irish riff raff you'd expect to find in here," I respond, and I can see I’ve earnt his respect in a matter of moments.

  "You have some balls, little girl; the rumour about redheads and their fiery attitudes must be true. What drink can I get for you?" he asks, putting the glass down underneath the bar.

  "Surprise me," I say with a big grin that makes him laugh as he goes off to make me a drink. I could certainly use one, and I need to get the bartender to like me. I pull my bag off my shoulder and place it on the empty stool next to me before opening it up and pulling out some cash. I grab a handful of nuts from a little bowl on the bar and chuck them in my bag for Kit, hoping that will keep him happy for a little bit. I do the bag back up before putting it back on just as the Scottish dude brings me a purple cocktail with a little umbrella cocktail stick in it. Cute.

  "Thanks, you can keep the change," I say as I offer him the money, and he smirks as he takes it off me, sliding it into his blue apron.

  "Thanks a bunch, lassie. Now, why are you here?" he bluntly asks, getting straight to the point before I can even sip a little bit of my drink. I like this dude, shame he is a million times older than me. I bet he was cute when he was younger.

  "I want to use the portal for one trip. Tonight…like right now," I tell him.

  "My boss will want a price for the permission to use it, goddess," he replies, crossing his arms and making it clear he knows exactly what I am, though he feels human to me. "A price that isn't gold." He moves his eyes to my necklace, seeing all the charms. Dammit, that's not what I want to give up. I hold up one finger and lift my foot up, unclipping the anklet of spare charms and holding it in the air. As much as it hurts to give it up, I need to stay alive more than I need it right now. I can always come back when I’m proven innocent and get it back. At least I will have my necklace either way.

  "Will this do? They are all magical charms. Rare ones," I say, holding the anklet in the palm of my hand. The bartender picks it up, scrolling through the charms before clicking his tongue. “One of them turns anything into pure gold. It’s a useful charm.”

  "I think it will, but charms only work depending on how strong the god is. A weak god would be able to do nothing more than turn a grain of rice gold. I will take it to him and find out if he is interested, lassie," he says, telling me something I really didn’t know about charms before. That’s interesting when I think of the lightning bolt charm and what I managed to do. I don't really have any choice but to smile and nod, letting him go off through a door behind the bar. I look at the cocktail, knowing I'm not going to drink the mysterious concoction, but at least it is pretty.