Deja vu hit as my face collided with the stone floor for the second time. Pain flared along the bridge of my nose, and I sat up, glaring at the carpet just inches from my landing spot. It seemed to mock me, and I rubbed my nose with a grumble.

“I could've done without round two of that…”

Time's voice breezed through my mind, nearly making me jump out of my skin.

I control time, not placement. Would you like me to rewind you so you can try again?

His tone was flat, but amusement broke through, betraying his neutral mask. The almost teasing lilt was new, and I leaned back against the wall, poking back lightly.

“Are you feeling up to that, old man? You're sounding a bit winded.”

Not that I could blame him, given the sheer amount of power he'd had to expend to rewind the planet. Still, he couldn't poke fun and expect me not to return fire.

Silence answered me, stretching my nerves with each passing second. Shit, had I offended him?

Before I could say anything else, magic flared around me, and–in the time it took to blink–I wasn't on the floor anymore.

No, I was falling again, the familiar sight of the stone floor approaching rapidly for the third time.

I rolled at the last second, landing face-first onto the lush carpet. It made for a softer landing, but adrenaline ruined any satisfaction. It surged through my veins like jittery lightning, and my heart hammered from the sudden jolt.

Given how tired he'd sounded earlier, I hadn't thought he would actually turn back time just to mess with me. Shoving that down, I took a deep breath and glared, despite Time not being able to see it. "What, are you sensitive about your age? I was joking."

He hummed, amusement heavier in his tone now.

Yes, and I am allowed to respond in kind.

I could practically feel him shrug.

As for sensitivity, I am the oldest of Nexus's spirits, first born of the old gods. There is little that ruffles me.

Holy shit. It made sense that he'd be the oldest entity–spirit or otherwise–still alive, but only now was that truly sinking in. The oldest existing entity on this planet was in my head…and he'd just teased me.

My life was so weird now.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Shaking that aside, I pressed back against the wall again and considered his words. Not easily ruffled? I distinctly remembered being hauled into the air during our first meeting.

“Yeah, you're unflappable alright…unless someone mentions Karma.” I muttered distractedly, taking in the hallways. Silas had come around the corner pretty fast last time, so I'd need to be ready.

Heaving myself up, I found a corner to hide in and listened as Time's voice came again.

Karma is my wife. It is only natural to be concerned over her well-being when a stranger informs me that she is unreachable.

He almost sounded defensive, and I hummed, soothing absentmindedly. “Easy, old timer. I never said it was a bad thing, just a matter of fact.”

Hell, most of the people on Earth could learn a thing or two about healthy relationships from Time and Karma. My past foster placement especially.

Drowning the dark memories before they could surface, I stretched my hearing outward for Silas. When nothing came, I continued, my focus split between him and Time. “She did mention your penchant for fast-forwarding those who insult her. Good for you.”

A beat of silence passed, then he asked, voice light with curiosity.

You aren't uneasy with that?

I snorted. “I like her, so I won't be talking shit.” Thinking back to Karma's warning over his protectiveness, I grimaced and added on, “Though you can probably blame someone from Earth for that whole ‘Karma is a bitch’ saying. Pretty sure it originated on my planet. Sorry.”

Still no Silas, what the hell? Did it just feel longer because I was expecting him, or had I missed something?

Before I could spiral into worry, Time cut in, irritation a low rumble in his tone.

Wonderful. Should I discover who started that nonsense, I will be sure to visit them...personally.

Rest in peace to that idiot when he got a hold of them. I was happy not to be in their shoes.

"If it makes you feel any better, there's a new version of it that's nicer to her. 'Karma's only a bitch if you are.' I prefer it."

It was, at least in my opinion, much more accurate.

Time hummed in approval.

Now that is true. My wife is an excellent judge of character. She never lashes out or dislikes someone without reason.

Thinking back to our first meeting and her immediate dislike of the thug, I smiled. “She clocked the guy who stabbed me as an asshole at first sight, so I'd be inclined to believe that."

Time stayed quiet for a minute, taking that in, before finally he spoke.

Someone stabbed you?

The words dripped confusion, and I sighed. "Yeah, it was...a whole mess."

Between the thug stumbling into my clinic for drugs and Gerald's betrayal, there really was too much to unpack right now. Remembering that Time could hear my musings, I snorted and asked dryly, "What, not calling me a fool this time?"

Dozens of others would in his place. I'd known Gerald for years, known how ruthless he could get over money, but I hadn't seen the betrayal coming. The signs were there. I just…hadn't wanted to see them.

Instead of calling out my naivety, Time sighed.

I didn't say you were a fool; I said you were made a fool of. There is a large difference. As for what happened on Earth, that is hardly something anyone would anticipate. So no, I won't be calling you a fool. Not over that.

Tension I hadn't noticed relaxed out of my shoulders, and I did another visual sweep of the halls. "Well...thanks.”

Before I could come up with something else to say, hopefully something less painfully awkward, footsteps sounded from around the corner, and Silas's voice rang out.

“Search the entire castle, leave no room unchecked. The otherworlder couldn't have gone far from the summoning area. We don't have long before the army is at our doorstep!”

Finally, it was time to get this show on the road.