Imprisoned Gods - G. Bailey Page 0,32

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.

10

It’s strange how different the city looks as it races past the bus window. The night feels like it’s been stretching on into eternity, and in spite of how much I usually love the crowded streets and old buildings of downtown Dublin, I’m left with a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. Sighing, I let my head drop back against the bus seat, watching as the ever busy city passes me by. This is the third bus I’ve been on tonight, and I’m already tired of having to rely on human transportation. I’d give anything to be able to transport myself to the south of France, but Peyton had a point, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep the twin gods of