Chương 63: 063

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious about how they'd met. Karma and Time were so… opposite. Karma was vibrant—playful, sharp-witted, alive in every sense of the word. Time, on the other hand, was the embodiment of perpetual irritation, his sarcasm honed to a biting edge. I leaned forward without meaning to, eyes locked on him as he considered the question. When he noticed my barely contained interest, one eyebrow arched in silent challenge.

"Why are you so interested in this, Nikolas?" Only then did I realize how far I'd leaned in. Heat crept up my neck, and I shifted back, forcing casual indifference I didn't quite feel.

"It's not every day you get to hear about the person Karma herself chose," I said with a shrug.

"Besides, you already know most of the story behind her choosing me." He huffed.

"Yes. Most of it." I didn't elaborate—and neither did he. He didn't know why Karma still wanted to adopt me, long after I'd proven I could survive on my own. I'd told him everything I could. If he wanted to understand that part, he'd have to ask Karma himself when she woke—why she was still determined to claim me despite the inconvenient fact that I wasn't a child anymore. Not that I didn't appreciate the sentiment. Younger me would've given anything for someone to want me. But the Spirit of Karma?

That was far beyond anything I'd ever dared to dream of. Too bad her offer came a few decades too late… and her husband wasn't exactly thrilled about it. I shoved the thought aside as Time sighed.

"Fine. Though I fail to grasp why this interests you." He straightened slightly.

"I intervened in a woman, my future wife's, forced marriage. She had no interest in her intended husband and made her displeasure quite clear." His expression darkened.

"The man was… not inclined to accept refusal." I didn't need him to spell it out. Rage flared hot and fast in my chest.

"That sick piece of shit," I muttered, the words escaping before I could stop them. To think, there were spirits out there who'd do such a thing. Time nodded once, approval flickering briefly across his otherwise stony face.

"Indeed. Fortunately, I arrived before anything worse occurred." Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. The tight knot in my gut loosened. At least Karma hadn't endured that. No one deserved it, least of all her. From the corner of my eye, I saw Dura relax as well.

"I'm glad she escaped," she said quietly.

"That's… rare, in situations like that. I can see why Karma noticed you." I inclined my head toward Time.

"Thanks for sharing." He leaned back against the tree with a grunt.

"It is hardly sensitive or dangerous information." Maybe not. But it humanized him in a way I hadn't seen before. Until now, he'd oscillated between insufferable authority figure and barely tolerable flatmate. This felt… different. Before I could stop myself, I blurted, "What about your wife? Were you friends before that, or was that your first time meeting her?" The idea of anyone trying to force Karma into an arranged marriage was almost laughable. Almost. Spirits weren't all alike.

I'd have to ask later which one had orchestrated it. So I could avoid them. Or desecrate their temple. I'd decide on the way. Time opened one eye, confusion mingling with something warier.

"Why are you so interested?" I shifted under his gaze, unsettled even without the weight of his otherworldly presence.

"Because we're traveling together, and I'm curious. There's a difference between helping a friend and helping a stranger." The real question lingered, unspoken. Did you know Karma before that? His eyes glinted, comprehension dawning. He exhaled, a tired smile softening his features.

"I had met her before. Briefly. She cursed me, much as you did during our first meeting." A faint chuckle escaped him.

"I'll never forget the fire in her eyes when she stood up to that neanderthal of a man." His expression darkened again.

"It was shortly after that encounter he attempted to force the marriage. He should count himself fortunate I intervened. Karma would have killed him. As she should." Dominicus frowned.

"Spirits can't kill mortals. What do you mean?" Time stiffened, just slightly. I caught it only because I was watching him now.

"Ah," he said smoothly.

"A misstatement. My apologies. Exhaustion clouds the mind. I meant the woman I saved looked ready to kill him." Dominicus accepted it with a nod. I might have too, if the alarm bells in my head hadn't started screaming. Time had lied. He'd been talking about Karma. She had been ready to kill the man. On its own, that wasn't troubling, good for her, honestly. But spirits couldn't be killed. Which meant the one who'd tried to force her into marriage had been… Mortal. How?

How could a mortal do that to someone as powerful as Karma? She should've been able to vanish into the Inbetween. Become untouchable. Time didn't react to my thoughts, not even a flicker, and the realization hit me hard. Since taking human form, he hadn't responded to my thoughts at all. On one hand, finally, some privacy. On the other… We were trapped together with no privacy of the physical kind, and I suddenly had a lot of questions for him.