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 at least as angry as he ever looks. Is he avoiding looking at me straight on? Darn it. He IS upset with me. I guess he didn’t appreciate being ordered out of the room. But the place was on FIRE. There was no point in both of us being there. I expected him to march right up to me, but with a glance at Kiara he stops a fair distance away and then just stands there, ramrod straight back and arms crossed over his chest. Yeah… I’m going to have to do something about him. Megan and Shaun have moved on to comforting the Shifter woman who was being held hostage at the house. I call out to Megan.

“Megs? Make sure she has somewhere safe to stay.” I remind her. Megan gives a casual wave as if she had already considered that. The Shifter woman sends a watery smile my way. She’s not had a great night and now half of her home is burned up.

“Kiara? Can I sit you in the back seat of my car so I can get dressed? We can put the heater on for you?” Bellamy suggests gently. She turns to look at me and I nod.

“I’ll come sit with you.” I promise. She nods her consent and Bellamy carefully lowers her into the back seat of the black car. She slides along the seat to ball herself up against the far side car door and I move with her placing myself in the middle seat. Kiara moves from against the car door and instead plasters herself to my side. Bellamy steps away and grabs something from the boot of the car, new clothes I assume. When he returns, he looks a little odd. His face and arms are absolutely filthy with ash and soot, but his blue shirt and black track pants are immaculately clean. They look very out of place. Ugh, we all need to get cleaned up. Every single one of us is a mess, although Kiara is definitely the worst. She looks like she hasn’t gotten to clean herself up since she was taken. She is still wearing her ratty old pyjamas. Bellamy doesn’t get into the car with us, instead he kneels down by the open car door.

“Kiara? I promised we wouldn’t take you anywhere without your permission. Would you like to come back to where Ryann and I live? We can get you some food and a bath. We will probably have to have a quick talk with some police but we will try and get it over with as soon as possible. He promises. Kiara nods and Bellamy moves into the driver’s seat. I assume it will just be the three of us going since we’re still keeping the others away from Kiara which is why I’m shocked when Aaron climbs into the back seat beside me. Kiara whimpers and moves away from me and Aaron to press her back against the car door.

is my good friend and he also works as my personal b*dyguard. It’s his job to keep me safe. He will help keep you safe too. I know he looks kind of big and scary but he’s really not. I trust him completely and totally so you can too.”

Kiara is silent because she isn’t talking. Aaron is usually silent, but this is different to usual. Usually he responds non–verbally and I can see his attentiveness and interest. Right now it feels

1/2

and

is pointedly ignoring me.

okay?”

coldly. Ouch, yeah he’s

Are you mad at me Aaron?” I demand.

that he is less angry and more concerned. Aaron really is a giant teddy bear after all. Bellamy glances

because

a short nod.

I ask. Aaron turns his head towards me a little and narrows his eyes. Right… Well, I don’t know

I really do appreciate. everything you do for me and I will do my best to be more respectful of that in the future. Also I promise not to stay in a burning building without you again, next time

tell