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“Yes, Karma,” I say obediently, then she disappears.
I glance out the window and see it’s morning now. Dante and I are both still dressed in our fancy outfits for Instant Karma’s dinner. I turn to Dante. “I’m going to change my clothes.”
He nods, and I rush into my room. Picking up the first thing I see, I throw on my new custom T-shirt and comfy jeans. Karma didn’t say it was a formal meeting. I look in the mirror, expecting to look like death warmed over, but I’m fresh-faced, and my hair doesn’t even need to be brushed.
When I come out of my room, Dante is waiting for me with a wide smile on his face. I look down at his shirt and laugh.
We both have on shirts that read, “Karma made me do it.”
I guess we both remembered I wanted to put that on a shirt.
I grab his hand, and we race downstairs and into the dining hall.
Everyone’s in there—all the other agents, the support staff, and even Evan and Kurtis.
I rush over and hug them both as tightly as I can.
“You’re here?” Evan asks as we disengage.
I’m about to answer when OG Karma suddenly appears.
“I’m sure all of you are wondering what happened,” Karma says. “Last night, Death vanquished Instant Karma in retribution for claiming his territory. I am Original Karma, and I’ll be running things from now on.”
There’s a murmur of excitement and confusion.
Original Karma stares at all of us in turn. “Most of you need to heal from the damage your soul accrued while you worked for Instant. I will aid you on that path. I will keep many of you as agents, but not working deeds to cause harm. Instead, you will help maintain balance in the universe.” Karma nods toward me. “However, Tessa will work for Death. She will remain here with you while Death trains her in the new position.”
“Death?” Chara asks. “And you are Original Karma?” Her voice conveys she doesn’t believe anything that’s going on. “And Instant isdead?”
“It’s true,” I say. “I witnessed it.”
There’s another rumble of voices, mostly muttering to themselves.
“You need not worry,” Karma goes on. “I will ease you into the new way. Your contracts for Death to retire you will be delayed until the timing of what would have been your natural demise before Instant Karma interfered with your lives.”
Another wave of confused mutterings fills the room.
“Yes, she manipulated events to gain your employment,” Karma explains. “All you need to know for now is that I will be back after I have met with the other instant karma agents around the world and informed them of what has transpired and what to expect moving forward. Please, take a few days to relax.” With that, Karma disappears.
Evan shakes his head. “That all was verydeus ex machina.”
“Wearedealing with gods.” I shrug. “They knew they needed to clean up the mess they allowed to go on for too long.”
“Careful,” Kurtis warns. “They might decide your insolence won’t be tolerated.”
“They know it’s true. Instant killed my mother and manipulated me for years. I don’t know what she did to get all of you here, but it sounds as if she did something to all of her employees.” I take in a deep breath. “I’m just glad you all survived.”
“It’s thanks to you,” Dante says. “Death and Karma might not have had mercy on us if it wasn’t for your petitioning them to do it. I will have to lavish you with my appreciation many, many times.”
I flush, my cheeks heating.
“I should start right now,” Dante whispers in my ear, and the heat from his body warms me in all the right places.
“But not righthere,” Kurtis grumbles, “because I won’t avert my gaze if you get naked and get busy.”
I giggle as Dante pulls me out of the gathering and up to his room. As soon as he shuts the door, he claims my lips and pins me against the wall. His hands are everywhere, and I’m wondering if he has grown another pair.
“Dante?” I whisper.
He pauses and gazes into my eyes.
“Thank you for loving me,” I say, happy tears forming.
With his thousand-watt smile, he says, “It was your karma.”
THE END
