Page 4 of My Instant Karma

She raises a graceful eyebrow, silently commenting on my bluster. “InstantKarma, to be more specific.”

Despite my nerves, or maybe because of them, I burst out in laughter. When she looks like she is about to dish out some instant karma on my ass, I stop and shake my head. “I just didn’t think that was a real thing, and a person—”

“Oh, I am real and different from Original Karma.”

“Right.” I think back to my brief interest in Zen Buddhism. “Because karma is about not learning from our mistakes.”

“Exactly.” She purses her lips. “However, the majority of people in this worlddon’tlearn from their mistakes, so I came into being to make the lessons a bit clearer and more direct.”

“This is truly fascinating stuff, but what does it have to do with me?”

“I can’t single-handedly enact all the justice for misdeeds, so I have an army.” She waves her graceful hand, gesturing vaguely out the limo’s window.

“You have an army?” I ask, confused. “To dole out justice?”

“How do you think it gets done?”

“I don’t know. Cosmic shit?” I shrug. “God?”

“Goddess, and Iamthat…cosmicshit,” she says, her dislike for my label obvious.

“You are a goddess?” She nods, and I continue. “I still don’t understand why you stopped time and allegedly saved my life. Am I supposed to be an instant karma lesson for someone else?”

“Yes, in a way. I am offering you a job.”

I choke on my own spit because I’m suave like that. “A job?” I sputter.

“To be my feet on the ground, enacting justice to those who deserve a kick in the ass.”

I stare at her. This has to be a joke. “How does this work, exactly?”

“I have teams throughout the world, people who owe me for saving their lives, and they make sure justice is served.”

“A job would imply money. Do I get paid for this service?”

“Food and housing will be provided, as well as a modest stipend and access to vehicles. When you prove your worth to me, you will enjoy an expense account set up for special missions that require a bit more…finesse.” The limo stops at the curb outside my apartment, and she asks curtly, “Do you accept my offer?”

Thisis a lot to process. “Can I think about it?”

“No. Either you accept now or—”

“Will I die if I leave without accepting?” I glance out the window to see if anyone is waiting to murder me. This could all be a setup—her setup. If Karma wants to fuck with me, then this would be a great way to do it. Give me an ounce of hope and then crush me. It isn’t like life hasn’t done that to me before.

“If you leave without accepting, then the outcome of your death is likelyunavoidable. However, no future event is ever one hundred percent certain,” Karma explains. “I have altered the timeline a bit, but probably not enough to ensure your safety.”

“So unless I want to die, Ihaveto accept.” I glare at her. “Is this how you get everyone to work for you? Coercion?”

“That, and the understanding that your fate after death will shift. You have racked up some negative karma points lately. Consider this a way for you to work them off.”

“So… it’s community service?” I quip.

“Exactly!” Karma grins. She knows she has me.

My shoulders droop in defeat. “What now?”

“Is that a yes?”

“Yes. I will do your bidding,Goddess,” I reply with a bit of a bite.

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