Page 74 of My Karmic Destiny

I grit my teeth. “No. You can’t. It isn’t the same and you know it.”

I swallow down my rage when I realize he doesn’t want to hurt me. Perhaps, if I can get him to see my side, he’ll help me.

“I understand why you prefer the dream world,” I say softly, gazing into his strange dark orbs for eyes. He’s so close, it makes me nervous. “But I’m human… well, mostly human. I belong in the physical world.”

“You all belong to me for a third of your life spans, so you belong here, too. Every time you sleep, I’m there, watching over you.”

“But that isn’t enough, is it?” I ask. “That’s why you want me to be aware and be your companion.”

He turns his head, not looking at me anymore. “I don’t have the one thing you all have a chance to find.”

I place my hands over his, which are still cradling my head. “What’s that?”

“Love.”

Does he expect me to fill that role for him?

“Hypnos, you must realize I can’t offer you that. My heart belongs to them.”

His attention snaps back to me, his grip on me tightens to the point of being painful. I’m afraid for my life as I watch the grief pass over his face.

His forehead drops to mine, his shoulders curling in. “I know,” he breathes out, barely audible.

“Please, help me.” I beg. “Please, stop her before she ruins everything I love. Before she fucks up the world.”

His hands fall away, and I drop to sit on the edge of his bed. He paces away from me, his fingers raking through his glossy black locks.

He’s beautiful, but he’snot mine.

“She’s out there,” I say, as if in a trance. “Your love.”

He spins and races toward me, excitement and fear warring in his eyes. He falls to his knees in front of me, but we are almost the same height now since he’s so tall. “Truly? Your ability tells you this?”

I nod. Then close my eyes to see if there is anything else I can see that might convince him to help us. “I see long, straight hair—dark, like yours. A dreamer? But I also feel she’s in danger. Instant Karma will come for her. For this woman’s special power.”

“My mate has power?” he says in awe. “And Instant will harm her?” Then he narrows his eyes. “Are you fucking with me?” he growls.

“No.” I shake my head in earnest. “You must know I get more visions when I’m dreaming. It makes sense I would see her while I’m here, and withyou.”

“Swear on your soul… your mates’ souls, that you speak the truth about this supposed mate.”

“I swear on the souls of my loves and my own that what I say was shown to me just now.”

Hypnos jumps to his feet and paces again. His giant wings twitching as he thinks.

He turns to me and opens his mouth to speak, but before he can, the temperature of the room plummets and we both shiver with cold.

I recognize the sensation.

Death.

“Am I dying?” I clutch my chest, as if the heart beating in my chest is real.

“No, I don’t think so. But Deathishere.” Hypnos stares into the distance. “I’m going to allow him into my realm, but make sure he understands I’m helping you now.”

“You’re going to help?” I ask, feeling a bit of hope.

He nods curtly.

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