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139- Seduce and shrug-off
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Strings of Fate 140- Sugar and spoons
Sometimes I hate being right. When the dream-vision thing starts, I expect it to be much like all the others. I watch Kiara cry herself to sleep, or lie there in a zombie-like state. Occasionally she wakes up and moves around, but not a lot changes. I thought the fact that things rarely changed was a bad thing, but now I’m starting to think I should have prayed for things to stay how they were for as long as possible. Kiara is curled up on herself clearly trying to block everything out, then I see her get yanked up by her right arm, yet again interacting with invisible people. She begins shaking her head, her hair flicking around her ears as much as it can given how matted it's gotten. I can see tears running down her face. Her mouth is moving and given the amount of energy she’s putting behind her movements, she’s yelling. Damn it I wish I could read lips. I can make out one word though. ‘NO’ She is yelling and arguing against something. Someone is pulling her by the arm and she is p
Strings of Fate 141- Wake-up and wittness
“Oh shit Bellamy I’m so sorry. Was the woman a feline Shifter? It was a woman again, right?” I confirm. Bellamy gives a solemn nod. “Was she someone you knew well?” I ask, almost afraid to hear the answer. Bellamy shrugs.“I’ve met her, I’ve met most of the local feline Shifters. She didn’t live here in the compound. She has a large family and they run a moving company on the other side of town. They live down that way. I think the last time I saw her would have been Megan’s engagement party, and I don’t think I said more than two words to her.” Bellamy looks guilty. Clearly he is blaming himself for something. “This isn’t your fault, you know.” I tell him, running a hand over his arm in an attempt to soothe him. Bellamy shakes his head.“I’m Alpha, so I’m responsible for her safety, even if she doesn’t choose to live here. I should have made sure all women who are the killer's target type came to the compound, or assigned them guards, or SOMETHING.” He reasons. I
Strings of Fate 142- Shampoo and spending
I keep myself angled to the wall, my back to Bellamy. Okay so showering in underwear might be a little weird, but it lets me feel a little less exposed while still attempting to be brave. Not that I’m particularly aiming for anything intimate right now. Nope, not at all. I feel dreadful and miserable. But I want to be clean and I want Bellamy with me. Okay, maybe I also want a distraction. Nervous and overly self conscious might not be the best feeling, but it’s better than the alternative. Bellamy seems kind of speechless, which is funny since he was the one who started trying to undress me in the first place. I glance back over my shoulder and find that he is staring a hole through my back. “Uh, Bellamy?” I ask hoarsely. Turns out vomiting is hell on your throat. Actually my mouth tastes awful. “I’m not totally sure what I’m supposed to be doing. Well, I don’t know what you want.” He admits. “Well, right this second, I’d like you to pass me the mouthwash.” I answer,
Strings of Fate 143- Moving and managing
I scroll through my contacts, dial Maggie’s number, then wait anxiously for her to answer. It rings so long that for a moment I think she isn’t going to pick up and I’ll have to try again later, but in what I imagine is probably the last ring before it goes to voicemail, she answers just in the nick of time. “Hello dear, I’m just working on a new scone recipe. So let me know if you can’t hear me well. I’ve got you on speaker. But there’s no one else here so you can speak freely.” She says cheerfully. “Oh, cool. Your scones are always amazing. Actually everything you make is amazing. Before I get into the reason I called, how are you? How have you been?” I don’t want her thinking that I only call because I need to know something, she is my friend after all. “Oh sweetie, I’ve been alright. Logan is having a few issues at school though.” She adds. I frown. “How can he be having issues? He is so smart and well behaved, honestly he is practically the perfect child.” I
Strings of Fate 144- Celebrate and catch-up
“Okay.” I answer simply.“Okay?” He asks.“As in you’ll quit your job and work here instead?” he clarifies. I nod firmly. My decision made. Bellamy picks me up by the waist and swings me around. I squeal in shock. “Bellamy!” I laugh. He places me back on my feet and leans in to give me a quick kiss.“Thank you.” he says sincerely. “You don’t need to thank me. You offered a fair compromise that we can both live with. All I did was meet you halfway.” I remind him. He shakes his head stubbornly. “No, you can argue all you like but we both know that realistically I am the one getting everything I want. I’m not giving up anything.” He points out. I shrug. “I can’t promise this arrangement will last forever. Once the killer is caught I will in all likelihood want to get another job. I’m still not sure I feel right living off your income. But if I were to go to work, I suspect you would send so many guards that paying them would cost several times more than
Strings of Fate 145- Menus and mischief
Harry sends through the address of a bar slash pub type of place and tells me that he will be there at six. I pass the information on to Bellamy and Megan and she contacts Darrien. Megan then insists on dragging me upstairs and picking out something cute to wear to dinner. When I object, she reminds me that it’s not like she’s getting to go out much lately and to let her have this. I give in. I know when to pick my battles and this one isn’t worth the energy. If she wants to pick out my clothes and put my hair in some overly complicated twin braids, then I’m happy enough to go along with her. I have to reluctantly admit that it is kind of fun. I do find myself about ready to poke Megan with a stick though when she rejects five outfits for herself in a row. “Is there a reason that you’re freaking out and have suddenly become completely incapable of picking so much as a pair of pants?” I demand, hands on my hips. We’re literally just going to a pub with friends, I’ve never seen h
Strings of Fate 146- Brats and bartenders
“So, how are you all enjoying playing house? I think I might be a little jealous, living all by my lonesome.” Harry says, his tone full of false sadness. Megan rolls her eyes. “Liar, you love living alone.” She accuses. Harry shrugs.“True, I have always enjoyed my bachelor pad. No women.” He jokes. Darrien raises an eyebrow. “I doubt that.” he mutters grumpily. Megan elbows him and Harry just winks. “I prefer not to bring women back to my place. Too much chance of them finding their way back again. It’s better they don’t know where I live.” he comments. This time, both Bellamy and Darrien look at him in disgust. Shifters apparently aren’t into that whole lifestyle. I suppose it makes sense. They mostly live in large family groups. Bringing home a different woman every night probably doesn’t work as well when you live with your parents, grandparents, siblings and other relatives. I decide to intervene before the guys decide they hate Harry before they know anythin
Strings of Fate 147- Drinks and disgust
A general understanding seems to come over Bellamy and Darrien, suddenly the two men are waving Harry away to go order the food and drinks. Apparently they’re eager to help if it means having Harry flirt with someone other than Megan and I. Although Bellamy does try to give Harry a credit card to pay for the meal. Harry waves him off and insists that he can afford to shout everyone dinner and that this one is on him. Bellamy reluctantly gives in, not wanting to make a scene. It’s kind of funny. Bellamy is the Alpha at the table, but I don’t think anyone can really tell Harry what to do. He isn’t one to listen to anyone’s orders. Megan and I both crane our necks trying to see Harry talking to the bartender, Megan actually stands up to see better.“I can see her!” She says excitedly. Not even pretending to be subtle, I also stand up and peer over towards the bar. Harry is talking to a woman with blonde hair that has adorable beachy waves. If they’re natural I might have to hate he
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Strings of Fate 203- Beads and bonding
“Well, I think that it might actually be nice having an extra person around the house. Extra security and company. Besides, you spend most of your time here anyway. Might as well save you the commute. That is, as long as no one else has any objection?” I say pointedly looking at Megan. Sure, Bellamy could object but I already know that he won’t. Megan briefly makes eye contact with me, gives a slight nod, then finds something to stare at on the ceiling. She is clearly trying to look like she doesn’t care but she is blushing bright red. True to form, Darrien is watching her closely trying to work out how she really feels about my suggestion. Realising that she isn’t going to provide any input, he decides to push it a little. “Megan? I would like to hear your opinion. I am still courting you and I don’t want to screw anything up by making a decision like this without your input.” Darrien says clearly. His voice is mostly calm with just the slightest hint of anxiety as he monitors her r
Strings of Fate 202- Calories and clothing
I wake up late in the morning, it might even be early afternoon. I wriggle around a little which prompts Bellamy to do the same, he is apparently already awake. He raises a finger to his lips to shush me before I speak and I can see why. Kiara is still sleeping, lying in the bed between us. She is still loosely holding onto my arm, even in sleep. I slowly disentangle myself from her light grip and slide out of bed. Bellamy follows, clearly doing his best not to jostle her and wake her up. She definitely needs the sleep. She was restless for a good part of the night and almost definitely was having nightmares, but she seems like she’s sleeping soundly now. My own sleep was blissfully quiet. No visions or anything thank goodness. I’m looking forward to having several weeks of steady sleep and so help me if anything tragic or dramatic happens for the next few weeks then whoever is responsible should probably be terrified of me. We step into the hallway to talk without disturbing Kiara.
Strings of Fate 201- Touch and trust
I cross my arms in irritation. “Kiara would never! How would she even do that? She’s just a kid!” I object. Dr Dae rolls her eyes at me.“Oh calm yourself girl. I’m not saying she chose to murder anyone. I assume that she was forced to comply somehow. You’ll have to ask the girl when she’s ready to talk. As for the how, the child is a Reaper.” She says it as if it’s obvious but it really isn’t. I know that Reapers exist, but they’re the kind of Magic that most people have heard of but no one has ever met. I suppose Kiara’s dad must have been a Reaper too and why the MRO was so secretive about her markings. Most people are kind of scared of Reapers, they’re kind of the boogeymen of our society. Mostly because they can kill on a whim. All it takes is one touch and they can free your soul from your body. Obviously with no soul you die, and I guess your soul moves on to wherever souls go when you pass on. I suppose that a Reaper would make sense for the representative of Atropos. Her add
Strings of Fate 200- Healing and hunger
Since Kiara probably isn’t up to braving the stairs and she really doesn’t want to be carried around everywhere, we decide to ask Dr Dae to come up to the bedroom. It’s actually kind of weird having so many people in here. Bellamy is a fairly private person, he doesn’t generally invite people to hang out in his… our room. Dr Dae shuffles in clutching her usual bag. I’m surprised that Bellamy isn’t carrying it for her because it looks kind of heavy, but I suspect that she wouldn’t hand it over anyway. I immediately greet her.“Thank you so much for your help. Your contact has become a great friend and she’s a huge part of the reason we were able to find Kiara here.” I nudge Kiara gently with my elbow and give her a little smile. She looks very small and delicate in the oversized, mismatched clothes with her hair dripping down her shoulders. She’s so pale that the bruises on her skin stand out and look even worse than they actually are. Dr Dae gives me a half nod of acknowledgement then
Strings of Fate 199- Clean and covered
We all turn to face Alex in confusion. I glance up at Bellamy to see if he has any idea what’s going on but he looks just as lost as the rest of us. I continue to stroke Kiara’s hair trying to keep her calm. “Explain.” Bellamy says firmly. Alex flushes red under the attention of everyone in the room. “Uh, well. I assisted Miss Gale in updating her registration with the MRO, and uh, since her position is one of… well almost authority, over the fate’s representatives the updated registration reflects this. So she should be able to make decisions about Kiara’s care like an Alpha would for their Shifters or like a Coven leader would for their Witches. Admittedly it’s a very small group of Magics, but according to the Magic Registration Office, she is in charge of it.” He explains, his voice starts off weak but gets stronger as he becomes more confident in what he’s saying. The police seem a little stunned but I guess Alex isn’t technically wrong. If Kiara were a Shifter, her Alpha would
Strings of Fate 198- Stolen and sure
When we pull up to the house, there’s a police car waiting. There are two cops standing by it, one looks bored and irritated and the other has a fake ‘customer service’ type smile plastered on his face that I know well from experience. Yeah neither of these guys want to be here. They’re probably pissed that we made them come down here. Not to mention uncomfortable being in the Shifter compound. Non-Shifters aren’t invited here often, although I suppose that isn’t exactly true anymore with all our new friends stopping by regularly. Standing beside them looking awkward and uncomfortable is Alex. I bet they’ve been taking their impatience out on him. I narrow my eyes at them and prepare myself. One snotty comment and I am going to tear into them, it’s been a long night. Bellamy parks the car and I wait for him to get out. He speaks with the police briefly and Alex escorts them inside the house. Bellamy returns and opens the door next to Kiara. “Hey, can I help you get inside? The police
Strings of Fate 197- Leaving and leaning
As we step outside, I’m confused to find that I actually have no idea where we are. I really was just running and following the tracking spell. I don’t know how far I ran. It’s a good thing the others are here to bring back the cars because I would be wandering all night trying to find my way back. I’m also fairly sure that I left my phone in the car when I jumped out in a hurry. Kiara clutches my hand tightly as the cars pull up on the street in front of us. “Megan, Darrien. You stay here and speak to the police when they arrive. Direct further questions to me. Shaun, you stay with them too.” Bellamy directs as Shaun hops out the car. At Megan’s insistence he stays a good couple of metres away from us.“Yes Alpha Kane.” He responds cheerfully. Aaron and Rio also climb out of the vehicles. Rio stops to chat with one of the other Shifters whose name I still don’t know. Aaron immediately approaches me. Actually a better way to phrase it is that he storms over. He looks almost angry. Or
Strings of Fate 196- Rescue and retreat
Darrien is the closest to her and he sees her at the same time I do. He takes a step towards her and she whimpers in fear. He freezes and backs away slowly, trying not to startle her. I gesture for everyone else to stay back and take a few steps closer. I stop a good metre away from the little table and then slowly lower myself to the floor. Kneeling down so that I can see her properly. Kiara is covered in soot and I can see little trails of tears smudging around on her face. She is still crying and whimpering. I am careful to keep my voice gentle and calm. “Kiara?” I call her name. She doesn’t answer or look up, but her whimpering quiets a little and I can see her tensing up like she’s listening carefully. “Kiara sweetheart. You’re safe now. You can come out. We can get some something to eat, you can have a nice bath and some clean clothes. How does that sound?” I try to sound soothing. Her crying stops and she looks up at me with wide, teary, red-rimmed eyes. She doesn’t
Strings of Fate 195- Smoke and smothering
Look, I’m no fighter and the Shifters move way faster than I can even properly process in this stressful situation. I watched the Shifter woman leap towards the redhead (I have got to learn these people’s names!) and the next thing I know, both women are screaming and the living room is lit up with blue flames that are steadily growing. I watch as Shaun and Darrien leap at the Shifter woman and help her tear off her burning shirt. Bellamy takes the chance to shift and a few moments later his large black cat form is launching towards the Witch in an attempt to knock her down. He pulls back at the last second as flames light up in front of him, spreading and essentially splitting the room in half with us on one side and the Witch on the other. She’s completely trapped, both by us and the fire which is steadily going out of control. There is smoke in the air making it hard to see what’s going on and the smoke in the air is making it difficult to breathe. My throat is so dry and my lung
