it in any longer.
“Where did you learn to cook like this?” I ask. “And can you teach me? I’ve always been a fecking shite cook.”
“Language,” Ruby scolds me, and I sheepishly grin at her as our brother chuckles.
Our brother.
“I grew up with twenty-four other kids in a foster home near San Francisco, and our foster parents didn’t care much for any of us unless we got them more money…somehow. I taught myself in order to survive and to seem useful to the other kids. I hoped they wouldn’t bully me as much if I could feed them,” he admits with a shrug, and my heart hurts for him. “It worked.”
“You don’t need to cook for me to earn my friendship, you know that?” I ask him, and he shrugs again, his white hair moving with him. “And most likely, they bullied you because they sensed you are different than they are. I had a similar experience, so I became defensive and never let anyone but my best friend get close to me. The last year, I’ve had those defensive walls stripped, and now I can look around me and see that I don’t need to push everyone away. Not everyone is cruel.”
He watches me for a long while, taking in my words. Until I said them out loud, I didn’t realise how true they actually are. “Not everyone is cruel, I can see that. Thanks, Karma.”
“You’re my brother. Another one, and you’re not a dipshit,” I say, and he frowns at me, not understanding. Ruby coughs about language, making us laugh, before Dominic asks me all about my family. By the time I get to Michael, they are in tears with how much they are laughing.
And it’s not just them. For a moment, I’m happy in my prison.
Chapter 6
“Kit, come on. It’s peanut butter...how can you not wake up for that?” I question, looking between the spoon and Kit with some kind of hope. Honestly, I’m starting to really panic and worry for Kit. He shouldn’t be sleeping this long, and if he does wake up, I don’t know if I want him to use his powers again if they are causing this.
“Why are the white star-like things on him glowing?” Ruby asks me, leaning over my shoulder as I sit on the bed. Ruby is right, he is almost giving off his own light in the dim room. Knowing he isn’t going to wake any time soon, I place him on his pillow on the floor and push it under my bed. I cross my legs, eyeing Ruby as she rubs her hands together.
“I don’t know, but I’m worried about him,” I answer, eying my nervous sis. “Out with it,” I gently coax her.
“Neritous…” She pauses, and it makes me smile that she won’t call him her father either. He damn well isn’t. Blood alone doesn’t make you loyal to your family. Everyone has to earn their place in someone’s heart, or at least be there enough to earn the respect of the title. “He had a dressmaker in this morning. I overheard him, and they are making you a dress for tonight. I’m scared, Karma. I’m really scared.” And then she bursts into tears, reminding me of how much she is still a little girl, and no matter how scared I am, I can’t let her see it. I need to be strong for her. I pull Ruby to me, wrapping my arms tightly around her like I can protect her from this insane world of gods. Her cat ears tickle my chin as she calms down, hugging me back just as tightly. I want to tell her it’s all going to be okay, but she is a smart kid. Lying won’t save us.
The truth condemns us. So that’s no fecking use.
And I’m counting on gods I am in love with to save me before it’s too late.
“Why don’t we go and find Dominic? I’m sure we can make a really good meal for everyone,” I suggest, knowing she needs a distraction, and food is always a good idea. She wipes her tears, and her bright eyes stare up at me for a long time. I can only give her a false smile, and I have to hope it is enough.
“I’m not wearing that,” I protest. “I’m no fecking princess. For one, I’d be shite at it, and for two, I don’t want to look after a world. I can barely keep myself alive. How the royals keep