Strings of Fate

Strings of Fate

Cam 9- Exes and expectations

I intended my refusal to be angry, or at very least louder and more demanding. Instead it comes out almost as a plea. My heart is racing. What if he doesn’t stop? Incubi aren’t exactly known for their self control. Or for respecting boundaries. Harrison freezes in place and stares at me with a furrowed brow. It’s like he doesn’t understand what just happened. I suppose he isn’t used to being rejected. I doubt it happens to him all that often. At least not when he’s making an effort and blasting people with his magic the way he is with me. His grip on me softens and I know he’s about to release me when my phone starts to ring loudly. He tightens his grip again for half a second then releases me entirely. I step away to check my phone, trying to shake off the tight feeling in my stomach and the part of me that regrets leaving his

arms.

A glance at my phone tells me it’s my mother calling. Ugh. Dealing with her is hard enough, I’m not doing it in front of Harrison. I decline the call. It immediately starts to ring again. I sigh, switch my phone to silent and drop it face down on my work bench. I’ll just let it go to

voicemail.

“Who is it?” Harrison asks curiously.

“No one. Don’t worry about it.” I step around him to recover my partially completed potion. My phone starts ringing for a third time. Vibrating loudly against the table. I pretend not to notice. I breathe a sigh of relief when it finally stops vibrating only to tense up again when a series of text messages start coming through. No doubt my mother berating me for ignoring her and for just about every other life choice I’ve ever made.

“Are you sure it’s nothing? Sounds like someone is really desperate to get ahold of you.” Harrison comments, reaching towards my phone. I slam a hand down over it before he can

touch it.

“I said it’s nothing. Which means it is none of your business so back off.” I tell him aggressively. He frowns.

“You don’t want me to see…” He states thoughtfully, his expression changes and he glares at my phone.

“It’s that other Incubus, isn’t it?” He demands. I roll my eyes.

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9- Exes and expectations

with the conversation. Actually, I just want him to leave. I’m tired and I want my privacy so I can deal with my mother without judgement or pity. I put my phone in my pocket so he won’t try to pick it up again.

suspiciously.

are you hiding your phone?” He points out. I feel it ringing in my pocket again. and I snap.

this call.” I insist, moving to open. the door. I wait by it, gesturing for him to leave. A hurt expression crosses his face and I feel a twinge of guilt which is quickly crushed by the feeling of my phone vibrating in my pocket again. I cross my–arms over my chest and glare at him. His expression changes to one of anger and I can practically see steam coming from his ears. He stomps out of the room in what has to be the most abrupt movement I’ve ever seen from him. Leaving no space for regret, I close the

stopped ringing when I pull it out of my pocket but I know it

Sweetheart, why aren’t you

I have something important to tell

the phone. You’re an adult,

ANSWER. YOUR. PHONE.

are still a member of this family and that means being available when

consequences.

grandmother is

her health.

2/4

9- Exes

enough healing potions and remedies around that I don’t think anyone in my old coven has been unwell a day in their life. I caught a cold a few months ago and without access to the family grimoire it took me two days to figure out how to make the remedy in the right dosages. All I can say is I had never realised that being sick was so uncomfortable. Like I didn’t think it would be FUN but a stuffy nose is somehow worse than all the headaches or sprained ankles in the world. My phone starts ringing again. I stare at it for three whole rings before forcing myself

I answer blandly.

I don’t know what you thought you were doing but you need to prioritise your coven

anymore. I left, remember?” I remind her. She snorts