I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t curious. Of course, he could tell Dominicus to fuck off, which would do wonders for our new friend’s already high opinion of him, I was sure.

If he answered, it wouldn’t even have to be a lie. All he had to do was tell us how Karma fell for him.

Which, to be honest, I wanted to know anyway. Call me nosy, but they seemed like such an…odd pair. Karma was full of life, playful, and had a wicked sense of humor. Time, on the other hand, was… well, the opposite. The living embodiment of grumpy, with a generous side of biting sarcasm.

Leaning forward, I kept my eyes fixed on him as he considered Dominicus’s question. To my surprise, his gaze shifted to me. Seeing my barely contained interest, he raised an eyebrow, ignoring Dominicus entirely.

“Why are you so interested in this, Nikolas?”

Only then did I realize I’d leaned too far forward, my curiosity getting the better of me. Heat crept up my neck, and I shrugged, forcing myself to sit back.

“It’s not everyday you get to hear about the person Karma herself chose. Besides, you already know most of the story behind her choosing me.”

He huffed. “Yes, most of it.”

No need to elaborate on what part he didn’t know—namely, the adoption and the messy lead-up to it. I’d told him everything I could. He’d have to ask Karma herself, when she woke up, why she’d suddenly decided adopting a grown ass man was a good idea.

Not that I didn’t appreciate the vote of confidence. Younger me would’ve given anything for someone to want me. But the spirit of Karma herself? That was beyond anything I could have dreamed.

Too bad her offer came a few decades late… and she forgot to clue her husband in.

I pushed the thought aside as Time sighed. “Fine, though I fail to grasp why this would interest you.” He straightened. “I stepped in on a woman’s forced marriage. She had no interest in the man and she was quite vocal about her displeasure.” His expression darkened. “The husband was… not going to take no for an answer.”

It didn’t take a genius to piece together what he meant. Frothing rage boiled in my veins. “Why that sick piece of shit.” The words slipped out before I could stop them, but Time only nodded, approval flashing briefly through his stony expression.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“Indeed. Fortunately, I arrived in time to stop anything worse.”

The tight knot of unease in my gut loosened. At least Karma hadn’t endured that. No one deserved such horrors, least of all someone like her.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Dominicus relax, relief softening his stance. “I’m glad she escaped unscathed. That’s… rare in such situations. I can see why Karma noticed you. Thank you for sharing.”

Time leaned back against the tree with a grunt. “It is hardly sensitive or dangerous information.”

Maybe not, but it did humanize him in a way I hadn’t seen before. Up to now, he’d bounced between insufferable boss and barely tolerable flatmate.

This felt…different.

Before I could stop myself, I blurted, “What about the woman? Were you friends, or was that your first time meeting her?”

The idea of anyone forcing Karma into an arranged marriage was laughable, but then again, they weren’t the only spirits. I’d have to ask which one orchestrated it later… so I could avoid them.

Or desecrate their temple. I’d decide en route.

Time opened one eye, confusion mingling with wariness in his gaze. “Why are you so interested?”

I shifted, uncomfortable under his stare, even without the unsettling otherworldly aura. “Because we’re stuck traveling together, and I’m naturally curious. It’s one thing to help a friend, but helping a stranger? That’s different.”

The real question remained unspoken: Did you know Karma before that?

His eyes glinted, understanding the unsaid.

He sighed, a tired smile softening his features. “That was my first time meeting her. I will never forget the fire in her eyes as she stood up to that neanderthal of a man. He should count himself lucky he backed down when he did. Karma would have killed him otherwise, as she should.”

Dominicus frowned. “Spirits can’t kill mortals. What do you mean?”

Time stiffened slightly, and the significance of Dominicus’s question dawned only when Time responded. “Ah, I misspoke. My apologies. This exhaustion is clouding my mind. I meant the woman I saved looked ready to kill him.”

That seemed plausible enough, and Dominicus nodded, accepting the explanation. I might’ve done the same if not for the alarm bells ringing in my head.

Time had lied.

He’d been talking about Karma, and she had been ready to kill the man. That wasn’t alarming on its own–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 to the Inbetween or become untouchable.

Time didn’t react to my thoughts, despite them screaming inside my head, and it struck me: since taking human form, he hadn’t responded to any of my thoughts.

On one hand, hooray for the return of my privacy. On the other…

We were stuck with no privacy and I had some questions for him now.