Page 80 of My Instant Karma

I hand Evan the book from Carmen’s shop. “It talks about a lot of stuff, and I haven’t read it all, but I think we should contact Death.”

“Why would we do that?” Evan narrows his eyes.

“And how?” Dante asks.

I shake my head. “I should talk to Death and ask him some questions.”

“Very sexist of you to think it’s a dude,” Kurtis says snottily.

“Good point.” I smile. “Askthemsome questions.”

“What kind of questions?” Evan flips through the book.

“Well, seeing as Karma is an offshoot of Death, maybetheywould know how to get out of our contract.”

“Ifwe can get out of our contract.” Evan sounds hopeless.

“Dying might be the only way out,” Dante adds solemnly.

“I considered that,” I say, “I’ll discover the consequences first,beforeI mention you three.”

“No!” Dante yells. “You can’t risk yourself like that.”

I reach out and hold his hand. “Karma is coming within a week, which probably means one of us is beingsentaway, never to be heard from again. It’s most likely me.”

“We don’t know that,” Dante argues, but when I say it’s going to be me, I feel the ring of truth inside the words.

“I think it is, but even if it’s not me now, it will be one of us at some point.”

“She should do it,” Kurtis states firmly.

“Why are you jumping on board with her now?” Dante snaps.

“Because none of us are happy.” Kurtis sighs. “I kind of hope itisDeath coming for me next, but if there is some way out…”

“Then I’ll find it,” I say with a certainty that I don’t truly feel.

“There’s still the issue of making contact,” Evan says, ever the leader. “Do you know how to do that?”

“I have some ideas. The first thing to try is prayer.”

“Prayer?” Dante repeats with more than a little doubt.

“Well, if you want to get a god’s attention, it’s rumored to be an old standby.” I shrug. “At least it’s a first step.”

“But what if you don’t get his—theirattention?” Dante asks.

“I will have to take more drastic measures,” I whisper.

Dante understands what I mean, his fists pumping at his side in frustration. “No.”

“What?” Kurtis asks.

Evan answers, “She means to court Death.”

“Huh?” Kurtis asks, then catches on. “Oh… shit, no. There’s no guarantee you will survive a near-death experience. I mean, with my death, you were the only one there, right? I didn’t see Death, did you?”

“Was it only me here though?” I frown. “I can’t be sure I was the only soul with you. I was kind of panicking when I killed you.”

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