Rebel's Karma

by Rebecca Zanetti

  Karma couldn’t speak. How could they joke about the atrocities that were going to be inflicted upon her? She wanted to rail at him, to yell and maybe attack. But why invite more pain? Oh, she’d been in the presence of power before, but the Kurjan generals paled compared to this leader. Primitive power cascaded around him, dancing through the room, no doubt coming directly from him.

  Benjamin nudged her. “Go with Emma and get things started. We need sleep.”

  Dage lifted one very dark eyebrow. “That’s fine, but I’d appreciate it if you came with me, Benny. Garrett is already in my den, and we need to have a discussion. If nothing else, I’d like to know why he looks like he hasn’t slept in months.”

  Karma fought to keep her face calm. If Benjamin deserted her, she would be truly alone. Where could she run?

  Benjamin rolled his eyes. “Fine. Let’s get this over with, but I’m not telling you a thing about the Seven.” He patted her arm. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  Confusion blanketed her. Why was he planning to return to her? Were the experiments on her to last several days? Maybe to see how fast she could heal herself? That made a sick kind of sense. She didn’t look at him. Instead, she straightened her posture and followed Emma through the doors, hoping to find an escape route.

  Though she didn’t know how to fight, she could run. Somehow.

  Her hopes were crushed when she walked inside a serene room that included a luxurious examination table, machinery on every granite counter, and what looked like a circular glass shower in the corner. Two guards stood at attention at the far door, both armed and huge.

  There would be no escape.

  Emma walked over to the shower. “This is what we call Grumpy Gus. It’s a brand-new design, and the sensors have the ability to detect tracing powder, explosives, tracking devices, and any other threat to the area. If anything is detected, don’t panic. It wouldn’t be unheard of for the Kurjans to have placed a tracker inside you or to dust you with the tracking powder.”

  Karma faltered. “Grumpy Gus?”

  Emma sighed. “Yeah. No matter how often I tinker with it, Gus still makes the weirdest clunking noise while working. This won’t hurt. Just hop inside.”

  Karma looked at the guards, who were staring straight ahead, not at her. Taking a deep breath, she strode up the rubber incline and inside the glass cylinder. Her stomach lurched.

  “All right. Just hold still for a sec.” Emma took a tablet off the counter and tapped on it.

  The glass circled around Karma, enclosing her, and then reopening. It all happened so quickly she didn’t have time to panic, and the clunking noise wasn’t so bad.

  Emma smiled. “Hey, we didn’t find a thing. The Kurjans must’ve had no clue Benny was coming for you.”

  Not true. Not even remotely true.

  Karma strode back into the room, her head reeling. So the Realm hadn’t been able to find it. Interesting. She tried to keep her posture upright. “When do I see the queen?”

  The two soldiers looked her way and then went back to attention.

  Emma laughed, the sound tinkling. “Karma, I’m sorry. I should’ve been more clear, I guess. I am the queen.”

  Chapter Five

  Benny tipped back the very excellent Scotch he’d talked the king into handing over before agreeing to talk. “I do like the good stuff.”

  “I’m aware,” the king said dryly, also pouring a drink from across the table. He looked at his brother. “Would you stop frowning?”

  Talen kicked back and crossed his muscled arms. “This is my default setting.”

  His son snorted from next to Benny. “Oh, that’s for sure.” Garrett swirled the liquid around in his own glass.

  Benny rolled his neck, double-checking that the bullet holes in his nape had healed. Though his torso had been made into a solid shield during the ritual that had made him a member of the Seven, his neck had not. He’d been shot way too much lately. He wanted to concentrate, but his attention kept wandering back to Karma. Should he have stayed with her? Emma was a sweetheart, and he’d figured the two of them would get along and maybe Karma would relax. “The queen knows to go easy tonight, right?”

  Dage looked at his wristwatch. “Yes. I gave her an hour for preliminary work and then told her it was time to sleep. The woman would completely forget about the world and get lost in her research if she could. Even forgets to eat.”

  Garrett leaned forward. “Yeah, but she told me she’s close to a cure for human cancer. That’s impressive, Uncle Dage.”

  Talen shook his head. “Even our blood won’t cure human diseases. I admire her for trying, but I just don’t see it happening.” His golden eyes softened slightly when he looked at his son. “I hope you’re staying longer this time. Your mother needs your attention, and I have to remind you that she’s an empath. Whatever is going on with you needs to be addressed.”

  Benny remained still. He’d been worried about Garrett for a while, but he hadn’t pushed to find out what was wrong with him. Perhaps he should have.

  Dage smiled, and determination filled his eyes. “In fact, I’d like to offer you a job, nephew.”

  Benny stiffened. Dage always tried to learn the inner workings of the Seven through Garrett, but he didn’t speak. Garrett was an adult and had been for quite some time. Hell, the kid was an adult even back when he should’ve been a kid. The mantle of responsibility had landed heavily on him from day one, and becoming a member of the Seven was only a slice of his destiny. Even Benny had figured that one out.

  Garrett took a drink of his Scotch and rubbed the whiskers across his chin. He looked twenty-five or so, and he would for a long time—although stress lines from lack of sleep definitely spread out from his eyes. “That’s kind of you. What’s the job?”

  Benny cocked his head. Just how old was the kid? Mid-thirties, maybe? God, that was young.

  Dage watched him carefully. “For the last three years, after other species learned about the Seven and how you all perverted the laws of physics and our people, I’ve been balancing our allies and enemies like an insane juggler. The shifters are closer than ever to coming after us, and the witches are one explosion away from blowing up my headquarters. I need a liaison between the Realm and the other nations, and I’m asking you to serve.”

  “It’d be an honor,” Garrett said instantly. “My status as one of the Seven might not be well known, but most species have guessed it. Are you sure you want me?”

  Benny sat back. “You have other vows, my friend.”

  Tension rose in the room instantly.

  Talen leaned toward his son. “I want to know all of it. Now.”

  “What do you know?” Benny interjected, trying to protect Garrett from facing off with his father. Their relationship was excellent, and it often made Ben miss his own father. He didn’t want the kid to suffer because he was a member of the Seven. “You come clean first, Kayrs.”

  Talen turned deep golden eyes toward him. The predator inside him was closer to the surface than in most immortals, and he did nothing to hide it. “The seven of you violated every physical law of this world, bonded your torsos into solid shields that can’t be penetrated, and then created a prison world in some other dimension to keep an ancient Cyst captive.”

  Garrett grimaced. “Not in another dimension, Dad. The physicist we work with is really cranky about that. We move through dimensions to this place, but it’s part of this dimension.”

  “I don’t give a fuck,” Talen said evenly, green sizzling through the golden hue in his eyes. “Now the two who were supposed to guard him, our ancestors, are back here. So I’m guessing this guy is going to return, too, and I want to know everything about him so we’re ready to fight when he arrives.”

  Benny sighed. “You already know what we know. His name is Ulric, he’s the ultimate Cyst, and he violated the laws first
by making his entire body impenetrable. He did so by killing and using the blood of more than one hundred enhanced females. He wants all such women and girls dead, which is why we banished him. I think the Kurjans plan to save only the ones they want.” His hypothesis made sense—although he was missing something. He’d always felt that.

  “Is he back?” Dage asked.

  Benny shook his head. “Not yet.”

  “Tell me about the final ritual,” Dage said, his chin down.

  Garrett didn’t flinch or look away from his uncle. “The final ritual involves the members of the Seven, the three female Keys, and a location we haven’t yet found. It’s where we kill Ulric, by using the blood of the Keys. That’s all I know.”

  Not true. Benny tried to look casual. Garrett had left out the most important part of the story: that little Hope Kayrs-Kyllwood was the Lock. Something none of them understood. She was the only female vampire to have ever existed. Considering she was Talen’s granddaughter, his only one, telling him the full truth would make enemies of the Realm and the Seven. For sure.

  Of course, Benny would trust Garrett with his life, but not with Hope’s destiny if the girl was meant to be a sacrifice. The soldier definitely had his own motives for joining the Seven. That showdown was probably coming soon.

  Dage studied them. “What aren’t you saying?”

  Garrett shrugged. “Nothing. You either trust me or you don’t.”

  Nicely done. Benny relaxed. The kid could play poker with the best of them, and he also knew when to count on family. “I notice the demon leader isn’t here right now.”

  Tension and power emanated from Dage as he spoke. “The demon nation is in peril. Half of them want to withdraw from the Realm because of you degenerates, and the other half want to stay in. Zane is juggling as much as I am right now.”

  Zane was the leader of the demon nation, and his youngest brother, Logan, was a member of the Seven.

  Benny sighed.

  “Exactly,” Talen agreed grimly.

  * * * *

  Karma sat on a very soft blanket on the examination table, her legs dangling off the end, safely covered by her long skirt. The news had made her lungs seize as if she’d been trapped in a basement. The world closed in, but she kept her expression placid. Her stomach cramped. Emma was the queen? Why would a queen be wearing worn clothing and working after midnight? Did she have such a compulsion to cause pain that she couldn’t sleep?

  The queen tapped on her tablet and then pulled a chair closer, sitting and resting the tablet on her lap. “If you consent, I’d like to ask you questions and then take some blood. I’ve never met a Kurjan Soti, or mate, and I’ve never studied the blood of one.” Her eyes gleamed.

  Karma fought a shiver. What sort of game was this? She studied the female, acutely aware of the two armed guards against the far exit.

  The queen sat back, studying her. “You have every right to refuse, but I’m hoping you won’t. I’m so close to finding a cure to many human diseases, and every iota of information helps.”

  Karma’s mouth opened slightly, and she shut it instantly. This did not make sense. Why the falsehood?

  The queen tilted her head. “Are you all right?” Concern softened her voice.

  Karma tried very hard not to move. This was a trick, and she couldn’t be taken in by it. Or was she supposed to? Were the Kurjans watching yet? She couldn’t tell. “I am fine. Please commence your tests.” Were the Realm soldiers going to witness her humiliation and pain? She wouldn’t scream or cry, so they would be disappointed.

  The queen pursed her lips. “I thought we’d talk, but I can take blood first if you’re worried about it. A lot of people don’t like needles. Benny is terrified of them, although he puts up a good show of being irritated instead.” She chuckled and walked gracefully to the counter, opening a drawer and taking out a kit. Then she approached. “Are you sure you don’t mind doing this tonight?”

  Karma turned and looked at her. “Would that matter?” She failed to keep the desperation from her voice.

  The queen retreated a step. “Of course it would matter. It does matter.” She pushed the kit across the counter and returned to sit on her chair. “I’m not an empath, but I can feel that you’re frightened even though you hide it well.”

  Was that the test? Had Karma passed it? She waited for the next move.

  The queen frowned. “I know we’ve just met, but you can talk to me.”

  Karma kept her hands together. “What do you wish to discuss, Your Royal Highness?” Her tone remained neutral.

  The queen chortled. “Your Royal Highness? For goodness’ sake, please do not say anything of the sort in front of my mate or his brothers. I’d never live it down, and I have enough nicknames, thank you very much.”

  Nicknames? Karma looked at the soldiers and then the female. “Then how are you addressed?”

  The queen sighed. “Please, call me Emma.” She also looked at the soldiers. “Hey, guys? Would you please guard my precious body from the other side of the door? We want some girl time here. Grumpy Gus confirmed that Karma doesn’t have weapons of any kind on her body.”

  Girl time? Was that when the needles came out? So the queen wasn’t worried about Karma fighting back if the soldiers were out of the room? “Are you trained that well, Your…Emma?”

  The soldiers instantly exited through the double doors, which shut quietly.

  “Trained? What do you mean?” Emma asked.

  It felt odd being up on the table while the queen sat on the chair a foot or so below. “Do you think I’ll be that easy to subdue?” Karma had never trained to fight, but even a trapped kitten could claw deep enough to draw blood.

  Emma took in a breath and then exhaled slowly. She held up her hands. “All right. I think we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot.”

  Karma frowned before she could stop herself. What in the world did that mean? “The wrong foot?”

  Emma pressed her hands on her jeans. “It’s an idiom. Okay. I hope you don’t believe the guys when they complain about me chasing them with syringes. They’re all just a bunch of babies.”

  Karma jerked. Had the female just called her soldiers “babies”? Her eyes widened. “You truly must be the queen.” Yes, she had doubted it for a few moments, just because of the woman’s clothing and casual attitude. “Nobody else would dare say such a thing.” Even so, the king would most certainly not appreciate such talk. But he wasn’t there, was he?

  Emma curved her lips. “Such a thing? You mean calling them babies?”

  Karma slowly nodded.

  Emma snorted. Very unqueenlike. “If they don’t want to be called babies, then they shouldn’t act like such dorky wimps. I mean, seriously. They have you thinking I’m a wild woman with syringes. You’re actually afraid to be in here. Props, by the way. You totally look calm and in control. It’s impressive.”

  Karma couldn’t find a response. None of this was making sense. “I have heard the legends about you.”

  Emma perked up. “There are legends about me? Like what?”

  “That you like to conduct…experiments.” Karma’s stomach cramped.

  Emma’s brow smoothed out. “I do. I’m always experimenting. Dage says I’m obsessed, but he’s just as busy, so pot and kettle, you know?”

  The woman was talking in riddles. So much for the legends being false. Mayhap the female was insane, which would explain her cheerful attitude while discussing torture. Karma pressed a hand to her forehead.

  “Oh. Benny said you were hit in the head. Do you have a headache?” Emma stood, her face softening.

  Before Karma could answer, the door opened, and a tall teenager hurried inside. He looked to be about sixteen or seventeen, and he had huge hands, but he was gangly. Maybe he was younger than that. His black hair was cut short but still curled over his ears and managed to
spike up in several areas, and his eyes were an intense blue.

  “Mom,” he burst out, handing her a notebook. “I think I solved the Terevosky Equation. What do you think?”

  Emma took the notebook. “Hunter? Manners. Karma, this is my son Hunter, who should be in bed. Hunter, this is Karma.”

  Hunter smiled but didn’t approach. “Oh. Hi. Nice to meet you.”

  Emma manacled the kid around the neck and yanked him close for a hug. She had to lean up to do it, but he let her move him. “Why aren’t you in bed?”

  He frowned. “Because I was solving the Terevosky Equation.”

  Emma smiled. “You’re the smartest fourteen-year-old on the planet, buddy. But even you need sleep.”

  “Good point.” The door opened, and the king stood in the entryway. “You’re done tonight, love. Let’s get some sleep.”

  Emma shot him a look. “Fine.” She turned and smiled at Karma. “We can pick up again tomorrow, if you want. Benny will show you to your rooms.”

  Benny poked his head in, pushing the king out of the way. His gaze narrowed, and then his body relaxed visibly as he caught sight of her. He grinned and motioned her toward him. “Hey, darlin’. Looks like you survived just fine. Let’s get you away from the needles.”

  “For now,” Hunter muttered, earning a look from his mother.

  All of these people were crazy.

  Chapter Six

  Benny led the way to the rooms he usually occupied when he visited the Realm, opening the door of the suite and allowing Karma to precede him inside. “I think there should be clothing for you in the master bedroom, should you want to shower and change.” He followed her, letting the door shut. “I hope this suite is all right with you.” He looked at the spacious living area with the stone fireplace and thought it was nice.

  She partially turned, her long skirt and ruffled blouse making her look like a lady from years gone by. Her hair was still in the bun, and her face pale; the topaz of her eyes glowed. He’d love to see her in a bikini at the beach, with all of that smooth skin on display. The female was lovely—the very definition of the word. “I don’t understand,” she said.