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151- Push and pull
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2024-10-29 19:42:56“This is definitely not working out how I planned. You weren’t supposed to be worried about it. Just the opposite. I was trying to make you more comfortable by backing off a bit.” Bellamy explains. I frown.
“I never told you to do that.” I comment quietly. He shrugs.“You don’t have to tell me. If I think you want something I’m going to do my best to give it to you, even if in this case it means giving you… less.” He tries to explain.“But… I don’t want you to… I mean. I never meant for you to… UGH I don’t know how to say this!” I complain. Bellamy lifts his eyes to meet mine.“You don’t want me to back off? But you always seemed… uncomfortable.” He points out.“I know that! But it doesn’t mean you needed to stop. I WAS uncomfortable, some of the time at least. But I’m awkward and anxious and terrible at dealing with new things. I was always going to be uncomfortable! We discussed this the day after Megan’s wedding. I can’t tell you what is okay. But I will alRelated chapters
Strings of Fate 152-Touch and Taste
Bellamy’s response is to grin while holding eye contact, he pulls his shirt off over his head in one smooth motion. I can’t help the squeak that escapes me as my eyes drop to his chest and abs, then back up again to his face. Why is my automatic reaction to think I need to close my eyes? I’m fairly sure that me looking away was not his goal when he removed his shirt.“Uhm…” I stare. Okay, is this better or worse than looking away? Bellamy reached out to take my hands in his.“Just relax. Don’t worry so much.” He says gently, lifting my hands and placing them on his chest. He reached around me and pulls me back up to straddle his lap again. I’m at least thirty percent sure that he chooses to sit this way because it’s easy for me to get away. He’s telling me to relax but I suspect he overthinks things just as much as me. At least he does afterwards. Bellamy leans in to kiss me again, successfully silencing my thoughts.I have no idea how long later, I feel Bellamy’s hand o
Strings of Fate 153- Resolve and reality
I resist the urge to hide my face in the pillows, and I suspect Bellamy knows, because he just grins even harder and leans in to kiss me lightly on the nose. In an attempt to avoid my embarrassment, or maybe just to pretend it doesn’t exist, I cast around for another subject, any subject other than… foreplay. “You know, I really needed the night out tonight. Thanks for helping make it happen without complaining. Or at least with minimal fuss. I really needed the distraction. And thanks for putting up with Harry, I swear he grows on you.” I promise. Still feeling awkward, I sit up to avoid Bellamy’s gaze and flick off the lamp leaving us in complete darkness before laying back down, still facing Bellamy. I don’t want to see anything, somehow things are less embarrassing in the dark. I can’t see a thing in this blackness, but he can, and I want him to be able to see my face and understand that I mean it. I really do appreciate his attempts to accept Harry. Incubi don’t tend to ma
Strings of Fate 154- Rumours and realisations
I spend half the morning annoying Bellamy by pacing the house anxiously and staring at the phone waiting for the Magic registration offices to call. They should call today, right? Well, at least I think Bellamy would be annoyed if he was paying any attention to my pacing at all. What is he doing anyway? My nervous anticipation would probably drive him crazy if he weren’t busy with something himself. He’s been glancing over at the front door every ten seconds since breakfast. At first I assumed it was because my pacing is annoying him, but now I’m thinking he’s waiting for someone. Are we expecting guests that I’ve forgotten about? Actually, no. He looks far too eager for us to be having guests. Bellamy only ever looks that eager when… well when I arrive if I’m totally honest. But I’m already here so I know he isn’t waiting for me. My question is answered when Aaron, Darrien and a woman I’ve never met before turn up at the door with a few boxes. Oh, my stuff. I was so eager for the p
Strings of Fate 155- Sisters and similarities
Once everyone leaves, Bellamy pulls me aside to talk.“Ry, I didn’t mean for Rio to find out about us like that. It was an accident. I was just trying to be considerate. I guess I didn’t think it through as well as I should have.” His tone is apologetic. I sigh.“I know that Bels, It’s not your fault. I’m not mad. Accidents happen.” I reassure him. He looks relieved, then contemplative.“You didn’t have to tell her the truth.” He remarks. I roll my eyes. “Sure I did. I said I want to keep things to ourselves, that doesn’t mean I want to outright lie to people. Rio already confirmed that there are rumours and eventually, I suppose we will confirm them.” I think aloud. Bellamy smiles happily.“Good. I wouldn’t enjoy having to hear you deny that you’re mine.” He hugs me tightly and I poke him in the ribs. “Maybe you’re mine.” I tease and he just laughs.“Of course I’m yours. That was implied.” He assures me. “Good.” I pull back.And thank you by t
Strings of Fate 156- Information and introductions
The files that Joshua sent me are actually fairly straight forward, mostly because there isn’t all that much to them. Kiara’s file just includes her name, Kiara Anne Brooks, her age, nine, a picture of her mark and a label which says ‘Sister of fates. One of three.’ Leave it to the MRO to make something unique and interesting sound like it’s being checked off a list. Her race is blanked out since I wasn’t approved for that information. It also lists her parents as her next of kin and their contact information. This is clearly going to need updating. “We should find out if Kiara has any other family. We’re going to need to contact them when we find her.” I declare firmly. Bellamy nods.“I’ll get Alex to look into it. If anyone can find that information it’s him.” He promises.“Thanks.” “You know, for a minute there on that phone call I thought you might be one of these sisters of fate. But if there are already three I guess not, huh?” Bellamy comments. I sigh.“
Strings of Fate 157- Organising and ordering
Bellamy reads over the emails I wrote and without saying a word, hits send on each one. “Bellamy! You didn’t even fix anything!” I object. “That’s because there wasn’t anything that needed fixing. Have a little faith in yourself sweetheart. You’re doing well. Oh and I see you’ve been organising too. I’ll do my best to follow along with your system. It will definitely help. Thanks.” He adds.“I have no idea how someone as obsessively organised as you can have such a chaotic mailbox. It must be the only disorganised thing in this house. Other than Megan’s closet that is.” Bellamy laughs. “Maybe. I clean and sort things to avoid thinking about work. Sorting my mailbox would be a dreadful combination of the two and the exact opposite of relaxing. I am completely happy to hand the task of sorting it to you.” Huh, I hadn’t thought of it that way. I guess as someone who has to make a lot of important decisions that affect other people’s lives, there would be something sa
Strings of Fate 158- Panic and passing out
I should have known better than to hope I would actually get some rest. I don’t think I even remember anymore what it's like to just have a regular dream. Instead I’m stuck in these nightmarish visions of Kiara. The only thing that makes them even remotely bearable is my hope that they will provide some kind of useful information which I can use to find and rescue her. The moment I see the look of dread on Kiara’s face, I know that tonight is going to be another bad night. There is nothing I can do to help her right now other than sit through it with her. Maybe if I focus hard enough she will feel it somehow, the same way I can feel her. I just wish I could tell her that she isn’t alone, that there are people looking for her. Tonight is one of the worst nights, because rather than screaming, crying or fighting, Kiara looks like she is begging. The way she drops to her knees and grabs out, it looks like she is tugging on someone’s hand or clothes. Even worse is when she falls backwar
Strings of Fate 159- Lectures and letting go
Bellamy answers the door and leads what has to be the smallest Shifter woman I have ever seen, through to his office. I follow along and make myself comfortable in my usual recliner. Bellamy sits behind his desk and gestures for the tiny woman to take a seat across from him. She glances curiously at me and Bellamy notices her eyes drifting towards me.“Shelly, this is my friend Ryann. Ryann, this is Shelly.” He waits as I give an awkward little wave and Shelly gives a half smile.“Ryann is here because it might be a little more comfortable for you if there is another woman present and my sister is currently unavailable.” Bellamy explains my presence. Shelly’s eyebrows fly up and she considers me for a moment before turning back to Bellamy. “Thank you Alpha Kane, that’s very… considerate of you.” She turns back to me and gives me a proper smile this time. Huh, seems like she actually does want me here. Fancy that. I thought she would be uncomfortable with a stranger here
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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
