Imprisoned Gods - G. Bailey Page 0,83

I destroyed the place, letting the people free, and called my siblings in to explain to them how wrong it was what they were doing. I planned to help them, teach them right from wrong somehow. Our parents created peace, and that is what we needed to carry on, or we risk the entire world. I thought that they understood, that they listened to me, but I was wrong. So fucking wrong.

“They found unbreakable chains, the only thing in the world that can hold a higher god down, and tied me up after a long fight I almost won. I let them win because I couldn’t kill them. I should have killed them, I know that now, but back then, I saw them as my only family left. They threw me in here with all the creatures, gods and humans they had messed with and said I betrayed them. They built the prison with their powers to keep me in, and the only thing they left me with was that painting as a reminder. This place is their grave of secrets, starting with me."

"What crazy assholes," I blurt out. "You brought them up when you didn’t have to, and they betrayed you. Not the other way around."

"They don't see it that way. I've heard nothing other than their cruelty over the years in here, and I know there isn't much left of the siblings I grew up with," he despondently tells me. "And a sick, crazy part of me still wishes my siblings weren't completely lost."

I freeze, my whole body filling with cold fear as I suddenly realise I killed one of Storm's brothers, the brothers he clearly loved at some point and wishes were good somehow. Looking up at the painting, I see the higher god I killed almost instantly and know now why he looked familiar. That’s why Storm’s last name was familiar to me: it was the same as the Karma job on my hand.

"It's okay, you know? My fucked up past isn't something to get upset over," Storm says, moving his hand to my shoulder and gently stroking my back. When I look back at him, I want to tell him everything and hope he can forgive me. It was an accident...but he might not see it that way. A deep part of me isn’t ready to lose my friendship or whatever this is between Storm and me. I also don’t want to tell him something so terrible when he is trapped in here forever. He clearly has suffered enough. I keep my selfish lips shut, even when I know it’s going to destroy me not to tell him.

"You're immortal," I decide to say instead, because I need far more of this drink and a bucket of courage to tell him the truth right now.

"Yeah...it comes with more problems than it is worth at times," he replies.

"You really shouldn't ask me on a date," I blurt out. “I mean, the justice twins are immortal, so you should date them really.”

"They aren’t my type or gender, darling. I know this is complicated between us, but hell, for once, I want to do something reckless and crazy just because I want to," he says, reaching up and tucking a little bit of my hair behind my ear. "And trust me, I want to spend time with you, my little Karma."

"You're going to break my heart; I know it and so do you," I gently mutter, knowing it's true, and hell, so does he. I'm going to end up like Vivian at this rate.

"Maybe, maybe not," he replies, before pulling away and standing up off the sofa, clearly done with this conversation. "Night, Karma."

"Night, Storm," I reply, drinking some more of the bottle he left with me, before putting it on the floor. I curl up on the sofa, looking up at the painting which I now know haunts more than just me.

28

Seth

Eating my final slice of toast, I look up as Karma laughs at something Killian said to her, and I somewhat envy how he can make her laugh so easily. I stare around to see Coxen and Jade talking quietly together, touching arms every so often when they think people aren't looking. Storm buggered off this morning, and I hate how trapped we are in here unless he can take us with him. I think I could deal with the fact we are stuck in this prison until someone comes for us, but fuck, I can't deal