Strings of Fate

188- Backrests and basements

I consider this new information for a few minutes while Bellamy eats another serving of eggs on toast. Actually, he seems really hungry. Did he wait for me to eat?

“Cheryl being able to avoid your commands is… inconvenient. But I suppose if you’re going to go around killing and kidnapping, it makes sense that you would practise something like that. Plus obviously she taught Tristain some weird tricks too.” I think aloud.

“What do you mean by that?” He pauses eating. I tell Bellamy how everyone was frozen in place at Megan’s wedding. Much like Cheryl was, at least they were until I interrupted. Bellamy looks fascinated and pleased.

“Well, people did report being frozen in place, but I didn’t realise that you were the one who freed them, although it does make sense. You should be able to order them around the same way I do, we are equally dominant after all. It just might take a little practice.” He considers. I scrunch.

up my face.

“I’m not sure I want to be able to boss people around.” I admit. He shrugs.

“You don’t have to. It’s up to you to use it or not. I generally will try not to force people to do things, but situations like Cheryl are different. Dominant Shifters, and apparently you, have the ability but it’s mostly intended so that we don’t have to fight weaker individuals. The dominance thing is sort of like skipping the argument or physical fight that might result from it and getting to the end result which is the dominant Shifter winning.” He says I roll my eyes at him.

That doesn’t make sense at all. I couldn’t win a fight against anyone.” I point out. He shrugs.

It would be interesting to see how some of my other non–Shifter friends fit into the hierarchy. Harry for example. He loves challenging people, particularly those who come across as authority figures. I should get him to test it sometime. Actually, I should update him and Amber on what happened last night. Although I suspect Amber already knows. Maybe I should tell Cam too since we’ve kind of dragged her into it all. I just wish we had better news. I know we caught Cheryl, but Kiara is still missing and captured by… whoever the partner is. Actually, taking Cheryl might have upset the partner. This

is at my side. He cups his hand

deep breath and tell me what’s wrong.” He says gently, coaxing

The more I think about it the worse it gets. The more awful the outcome gets. I think I’m shaking, I’m just

already dead.” I whisper in horror. He immediately

You have a connection to

1/2

Backrests and

night. For the first time in ages.” I tell him. Bellamy keeps his expression calm but I can see that he’s paled a little. He’s acting confident for my sake, but he isn’t

doubt you would remember even if you did dream. I literally carried you to bed. I’m sure that when you try again you’ll be able to see her.” He assures me. I move so quickly it shoves my seat

I know she’s alive. That we didn’t make things worse for her.” I declare. Bellamy nods his acceptance and gets me a glass of water which he

that I’m still looking for her. I can’t make myself less stressed, so I start with the things that I can control. First my breathing. Taking deep measured breaths until my lungs no longer feel like they’re closing up. Next I work on relaxing my b*dy. Resting my head back against the bed, focusing on each b*dy part in turn. until I feel the tension bleeding away. Only then, do I turn my thoughts to Kiara. I try not to think about my worries for her. Just the things I know for sure. How her hair and eyes look. Her mark, her magic and connection to me. The soft sound of her small voice. As I focus, other things start to come to me, the aches in her b*dy. How she feels cold and hungry. She has a headache and her throat is scratchy and dry. Everything smells unpleasant and she wants a bath. Lastly I start to feel how she does. Scared, lonely, exhausted, but determined she hasn’t given up. I can’t help the gasp of relief I let out when she finally comes into my view. She looks much the same as last time. The bruising on her face is nasty, but she doesn’t have any new marks. At least not anywhere visible to me. She is sitting with her legs. pulled up to

again. I’m not sure though… I- I think something happened. One of the mean ladies has been yelling a lot. She came down here and she broke a

her and she