Strings of Fate

Strings of Fate 180- Increase and interactions We all sit there in horrified silence, no one quite knowing what to say. Finally, Harry is the one to speak up.

“Well, they don’t look EXACTLY like you. They all have long, black hair. Your hair is blue. Although it does look black. unless you're in the daylight. They also all have blue or grey eyes, your eyes are very different, so they couldn't match that...” He trails off, his false optimism fading as he reasons away his own arguments. His face falls as he gives up trying to reason away what we all know.

“It's all about you, every threat, every murder... they're all directed at you. Even when they couldn't get to your anymore, the threats didn’t stop. They just chose a different way of threatening you.” Darrien states the obvious.

| feel sick. All these women, Kiara’s kidnapping. All because someone hates me? Someone who didn’t even make enough of an impression forto know who they are, wantsdead. What could | have done? Up until a couple weeks ago | was a waitress! | only started actually interacting with people when | met Bellamy and Megan. My horror has got to be showing on my face. Bellamy starts running a hand up and down my back to soothe me, but it isn’t working very well. Mostly because he is just as tense as me, probably more so.

use he is “We need to increase your security.” He mutters into my car. | frown. Really? | already don’t leave the house and spend pretty much every second of the day with him. What more does he want? “Aaron, | will need you to start spending your days here until further notice. You need eyes on Ryann unless directed otherwise.” He pauses before his next order. | can see a slight hesitation.

“Darrien... | want you here for nights. Since you're already with Megan for days you can take one of the spare rooms. Sleep at night but be prepared for emergencies. Megan sucks in a breath, | can’t tell if she is pleased or horrified. Darrien nods grimly, but | can see a hint of satisfaction in his face. Probably that he gets to stay close to Megan at night. I think | understand Bellamy’s hesitation. He would probably have liked to have someone other than the guy who is hitting on his sister staying with us, but he also knows it would drive Darrien insane and | know he trusts Darrien to keep Megan safe and to help keepsafe. It probably would have been better if he had paused to ch*ck with Megan how she feels about the arrangement, but given how upset he is right now, | doubt it would change his mind either. Still, I can’t help but raise a small objection.

“Are you sure that’s necessary? | mean, is it fair to Darrien and Aaron?” | ask quietly. All the male Shifters at the table turn and stare atlike I've asked a stupid question. Their faces screaming of course it is!‘ Harry just shrugs at me. Not helpful. Cam is staring pointedly at the floor, then the ceiling. So basically, anywhere but at me. Right, so no help there. | try Megan but she just crosses her arms and stares at me.

“Don’t look at me, | agree with them, Suck it up princess. We all want you safe.” She insists. | sigh and look for aid elsewhere. Who is left? Amber meets my eyes briefly then just rolls her eyes.

“Don’t worry so much hon, | don’t think this will drag out much longer. Everything ends eventually. But there really is no point fighting this right now.” She reassures me. | sigh and relent.

“Fine. But | think this might be a bit much. | mean, the psychos sentletters and trashed my place. They had plenty of chances to get toearlier and they didn’t. What's changed?” | question.

“You weren't scared at first. If they're trying to hurt you, it makes sense that first they would want to frighten you, psychological torture before really coming after you.” Shaun tellsgently, clearly trying to soften the blow.

The room falls silent again, like everyone is trying to givetto process this information, which | appreciate. | 1/3 180-Increase and interactions notice Cam shuffling around in her seat, checking her phone.

“Cam? You okay?” | confirm. She shrugs.

“I know this is important, and | feel like a jerk for bringing it up right now. But | kind of need to leave. | have a shift at work in less than an hour. | can call in sick if you guys needhere for something, but I'm not totally sure why | was invited to this meeting in the first place. | already answered all your questions about magic.” She says awkwardly. | ch*ck the ton my phone. It's practically dinner talready.

“Oh, I had no idea the time. Of course you should go to work. As for why you're here. You're smart and we like you. We're pretty desperate, so the more the merrier.” | explain. She flashesa surprised smile.

“Thanks | guess.” She gets to her feet. Harry looks back and forth between myself and Cam looking torn. He is clearly trying to choose between staying here to helpand chasing after Cam. Before he comes to a decision, Amber intervenes, “Mind givinga ride hon your way? | won't be needed for any more of this conversation and | don’t need to be here to hear about it anyway. They'll figure it out without us.” She says confidently. Cam agrees and Megan sees them both out. Shaun stares after Amber anxiously. She doesn’t really look anything like me, so it's not likely the psychos would cafter her, but if | am the target then maybe my friends are at risk.

“Shaun, could you please make sure Amber gets hsafe for me? Cam, did you want an escort too?” | suggest. She shakes her head.

“Nah, my bar has a lot of wards and safety charms in place. Plus, | know a ton of defensive and offensive magic.

If someone comes forit will be the last thing they do.” She answers confidently. Yep, Cam is a little terrifying.

Shaun jumps to his feet, seemingly pleased to have an excuse to look after Amber. He doesn’t even look to Bellamy to confirm my directions this time. Just follows Cam and Amber to the front door.

“As for the rest of us, we need to figure out who has an issue with Ryann.” Bellamy declares. | frown.

“Didn’t we already do that earlier? Make a list of people who might have problems with me? Alex looked into them didn’t he?” | confirm with a glance at Alex who nods.

“You made the list?” Harry asks. | nod that | did.

“Well that’s your problem then. Babe, you're pretty damn oblivious sometimes. | doubt you would notice if someone hated you unless they outright stated it.” He informs me. | want to be mad, but he’s kind of right.

“Okay, so let's try something different. Let's make a list of every unpleasant interaction you've had.” Darrien | shrug.

suggests.

“Sure | guess, but you don’t mean EVERY interaction right? Like, not my whole life.” | remind him. Bellamy is the one to answer.

“No, that might be a bit much. Let's start with the interactions since you metand go from there. Since the killer has been targeting Shifters, it’s likely that the interaction was related to us somehow. If we can’t find anything promising we can go back further.” He decides. | agree and take a deep breath as I try and think of all experiences from the last few months. This is going to suck.

miy worst 2/3