Strings of Fate

Strings of Fate 165- Research and reason Once Collin hangs up I sit there for a while in a stunned silence until Bellamy decides it’s enough. He spins my chair to face him and moves in close to me.

“What are you thinking? Talk to me.” He demands.

“I'm not even sure. It’s a lot all at once. | don’t think I'm ready to process the information aboutjust yet. Can we focus on Kiara?” | ask mildly. Bellamy looksover closely for a minute, examining my face, probably looking for any sign that I'm not coping. When he decides that I'm alright, he gives a single nod.

“Okay. Well in that case. What have we learned about Kiara and how can we use it?” Bellamy directs the conversation. I'm grateful for the prompting because my mind is still reeling and | need the help to focus.

“Well, we know at least part of what her magic does. We know that it is connected to mine, sort of, and we learned that IF my magic is due to this Ananke person, goddess, thing, then my visions of her are likely because she is misusing her abilities and going against fate. But that ‘s probably not intentional.” | try and reason things out but it’s definitely awkward. I'm more thinking aloud than anything else.

“If the person or people who took Kiara are intentionally trying to mess with fate, then that would also explain why they're trying to harm you as well. | do wonder why someone would be so angry with fate.” Bellamy muses. His tone gets grumpy when he brings up the threats against me.

“They have something against fate, or something against me. Or both. | can’t imagine that a nine year old did anything to make someone homicidal. Then again, | don’t know that I've done anything either. And who hates Fate that much? It’s not like it’s personal. Fate screws everyone over occasionally. This is kind of an extrreaction.” | point out. Bellamy nods.

“Hmm, yes it does seem a little overboard. I'm inclined to think that the psycho isn’t aiming to bother fate but rather is aiming for someone else and is using fate, or their knowledge of fate to do it. Or it could just be a coincidence and the effect on fate is because they happen to be using Kiara who is one of literally four people that we know of who can actually affect fate that way.” 1/4 DU ULIC LL Bellamy shrugs.

“I don’t know. Addie and Collin were both pretty upset too. Addie confessed to knowing one of the victims personally and you didn’t know any of them. Maybe, like Kiara, they were hoping to use you to hurt someone or to get to one of the others, then they changed their tune and decided to use Kiara, either because her particular magic abilities align better with their goal, because as a child she is easier to control and manipulate or even more likely, because you're protected and the psycho couldn't get to you easily.” Bellamy is the thinking out loud now. | sigh heavily.

« one “None of this helps us work out who we're looking for or gives us any idea where to find them. | do think you're wrong about one thing though. I think whoever it is has something againstpersonally.” | admit. Bellamy frowns.

“What makes you say that?” he asks, his voice dark.

“The victims. Other than Kiara’s parents who were killed to get to her, all the victims have been young women about my age.” | point out. Bellamy shoves his chair back, gets to his feet and starts pacing.

“Maybe. But it’s possible that the killer just has a type and you fit it too. Maybe you were meant to be a victim but they couldn’t get to you.” Bellamy’s logic isn’t bad, but I'm not convinced. Still, I think he needs the hope that maybe psychos aren’t going to keep coming after me. But I'm not that optimistic.

the “Sure, maybe. It's possible. Can... Can we ask Alex to maybe try to research Ananke? | could try to do it myself, but | suspect he would do a much better job. He really is a wonder on the computer isn’t he?” I ask.

“Of course, feel free to ask him whenever. I've told you before, you don’t need my permission to ask the Shifters to get things done.” Bellamy reminds me. | shrug.

“I don’t know, what if he was too busy or you had already asked him to do something. He's too nice to say no if | asked him a favour, | don’t want him overworking himself or falling behind on work you've given him because I'm oblivious to what tasks he usually does.” | explain. This tit’s Bellamy’s turn to shrug..

2/4 165- Research and reason “Just ask him if he’s busy. As long as you make it clear that you legitimately want to know, he should tell you. If | ask anyone to do anything super urgent or important, I'll let you know.” Bellamy promises.

“Okay, in that case, I'll text him now.” | send Alex a message but | feel a little bad. I'm taking advantage of the fact that the Shifters all seem to be willing to do things for me, but I'm reluctant to offer them my help. Previously | could convince myself it was fine, it’s not like they were ASKING for my help. Except that’s really not true anymore. Based on Shelly's email, they do want my help. My eyes are drawn to the screen of Bellamy’s computer which is still open to the email program now that the video call is over. | can see Shelly’s message just sitting there in the inbox, waiting for a response. | hesitate for a second.

“Hey Bellamy?” | ask nervously. He returns to his seat beside me.

“Yeah?” He sits and waits patiently forto spit it out.

“What Shelly suggested in her email,trying to help sof the Shifters who aren't comfortable talking to you. Is that something you want?” | ask. Bellamy looks atspeculatively.

“That depends, is it something that YOU want?” He turns the question back at me. | roll my eyes.

“That's entirely unhelpful. | asked you first. | want to know how you feel about it.” I insist.

“I want you to do what you're comfortable doing. Yes, | would appreciate it if you were able to take on the job and yes | think you would do a great job of it. But | don’t want you doing it just because of what I think.” He answers diplomatically.

“So you agree with her suggestion.” | sum up.

“I think that the job is yours when you're ready for it. If you want to start off slowly and in a less official capacity | don’t see any problem with it.” “Okay. Could you email her back then? Maybe you could give her my phone number and tell 3/4 165- Research and reason her it’s okay for her to share it around a little? | don’t really feel comfortable with anyone approachingdirectly yet. At least not until the psychos get caught, being approached by strangers is just a little too intimidating forat the moment. But I... | could try to help. them.” | explain. Bellamy beams a smile. Before | can even blink he haulsout of my chair and into his lap, wrapping his arms around my waist. He spins the chair so we're both facing the computer.

“Email her yourself. It would be better coming from you.” He cuddles into my n*ck and his words are a purr. Or is that an actual purr? He is happy. | type out a response to Shelly and even sign my own nat the end. Before | hit send though, Bellamy stops me.

“You're sure?” He confirms. | nod and hit send.

“Yeah, | mean it's not technically admitting that we're together... technically.” | reason. Bellamy laughs and | can feel his breath in my hair.

“Our relationship is going to be the worst kept secret in the compound. In fact, it probably already is.” Chapter Comments Madalaine Rodrigues POST COMMENT | think Ry is the one to grow up. 23 yrs old and not ready for anything. tto put on your big girl panties, not just preach it to...

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