Page 24 of XO Karma

The porch light flicks off, yanking me out of my horny pity fest, and I exhale a sigh of relief.

Finally.

Go time.

Slipping out of the bushes, I ignore the skin-crawling feeling of being watched. Even if I am, my mask will keep them from knowing my identity.

I rush up the front steps, set the open paper sack before the door, and retrieve a metal lighter from my pocket. Flicking my thumb against the flint wheel, a flicker ignites a small paper accelerant, and then I drop it inside. The bag bursts into flames faster than expected. It appears the wood chips were a good add.

I take a photo for punishment confirmation, then sidestep the bag and bang on the door. One. Two. Three. I fly off the porch as fast as possible, sprint to the street, and hide myself behind a car.

Seventeen. Eighteen. Nineteen.

That’s how many seconds it’s been since I alerted the homeowner of their gift. After a minor pyro snafu a few months ago, I vowed to supervise all burnings until the karma receiver doused it. While a requester’s sexually harassing boss was deserving, I didn’t intend to burn down the entire office building. That was a fun one to explain to Liam.

The light flips on once more, relief flooding through me as the door swings open and a shriek floods the air.

The karma receiver has found the fire. Time to get the hell out of here.

My feet pound the ground as I dash up the street, not risking looking back. Shuffles against the pavement echo behind me.

Did they catch me?

Glancing over my shoulder, I see nothing.

No one.

Only a bare leaf blowing across the sidewalk like a tumbleweed in an old Western film.

The familiar thump of feet against pavement quickens, placing enough fear in my chest that I don’t bother looking this time. Instead, I bolt toward home as fast as I can.

Is it Aster?

I don’t stop running until I’m through the front door of the house and slamming it shut.

Did he follow me after our run-in earlier?

That’s not possible. He walked away first after giving me his shirt.

Why is he so charming?

My chest heaves as I lean against the door.

Sweating. Covered in dirt. Smelling like shit.

Nearly caught and/or murdered.

Only two things are on my mind at the moment.

A steaming hot shower, and Aster Blake.

It’d be best if one thought remained separate from the other.

8

ASTER

Lily Huxley is an enigma.