Strings of Fate

148-Contracts and confirmation | reach out to pick up the drink and Cam frowns.

“Uhm, can | ask why you're wearing a dodgy plastic bead necklace? It doesn’t really go with what you're wearing.” She asks, gesturing to the necklace Logan gave me.

“It’s a good luck charm from a kid | know. It’s not the prettiest thing but I like it. Although I have been thinking maybe | shouldn't wear it because | don’t want to break it.” | think aloud. Cam looks apologetic.

“Sorry, | shouldn't have said anything. That's actually super adorable. Oh! But | can help. Givea sec.” She disappears through a door behind the bar for a minute and comes back. with a black coffee mug. She places it on the bar. | peer over the rim and see a silverish liquid that is definitely not a drink. I'm assuming it’s a potion.

“Drop the necklace in that for a minute.” I'm a little hesitant, but | decide to do as she asks. | drop the necklace in the potion and it makes an alarming sizzling noise. | watch curiously as the potion swirls around, the silver leaching from it and into the necklace until it is completely clear and just looks like water. Cam fishes the necklace out, dries it on a towel and. hands it back to me.

“There, it should be pretty near indestructible now. No need to worry about breaking it.” She says with satisfaction.

“Woah, thank you so much. But that’s an expensive spell. | should pay you.” | offer. She shakes her head.

“Nope, I'm not licensed to sell spells here. But it's not illegal to give them away. Don’t worry about it. Most of those spells are only expensive because the local covens are greedy old bats who want to hoard all the good magic for themselves. It's not actually expensive or difficult to make in small quantities like this. | make it in bulk and apply it to glasses and dishware. Stops them breaking when idiots get drunk and clumsy. Costs a bit to make so much of it but replacing dishes is way more expensive than you would expect, so it’s much cheaper in the long run.” She explains.” 1/4 148- Contracts and confirmation “That's so cool!” Megan exclaims excitedly.

“But... | need to thank you somehow.” | object. Cam shrugs.

“Consider it my apology for giving you awful drinks. Also a thankyou for delivering my special mix to Harrison.” She insists.

“I don’t know... | would have done that either way just to mess with him” | point out.

“Yeah well, | already spelled your necklace. The spell has already been used up and unless you know how to remove it, you're stuck with it now. So hah. | win. Just take the gift and accept it already!” Megan is snickering.

“She’s got you there Ry.” “That | do.” Cam answers with a grin. She glances over my shoulder.

“And you ladies should get back to your table. Your food will be out in a minute and the men who | assare yours are looking like abandoned children. Lost and uncomfortable. Harrison is likely not helping matters.” She mutters as an afterthought. We all laugh and | thank her again before heading back to the table.

Bellamy sniffs the air curiously as I sit.

“You smell like magic?” he says, his words a clear question. | hold up my necklace.

“Cam made my necklace unbreakable. We need to leave her the world’s best tip because she won't letpay her for it.” Bellamy grins.

“Sure.” “Cam gives away spells a lot. | suspect she’s more powerful than she lets on.” Harry confides. Then with only a moment's hesitation asks another question..

“Ry, what do you think of Cam?” His tone is super serious and very unlike him.

2/4 148- Contracts and confirmation “Uh? She seems really cool?” | answer. Not sure what kind of response he’s looking for. He shakes his head.

“No, | mean what do you REALLY think? About her and| mean?” He pushes. Everyone at the table watchesto hear my response.

“Harry, you know | don't really do that. | don’t like telling people about their fates.” | respond. awkwardly. | expect Harry to argue, whine a little but ultimately give in and accept it. But instead, he whips out an old ratty piece of paper and slaps it onto the table in front of me. It's yellowed and crumpled like it’s been shoved in the bottom of a bag for ages or crushed in a pocket. Harry stares pointedly at the paper. | pick it up and gently unfold it. Bellamy reading over my shoulder as | do. It's an old note written in childish, but neat handwriting.

“I Ryann Gale, promise that | will tell Harry when | see any strings or ties on him with my magic.

| Harrison Zeta swear that | will stop the other boys from being mean to Ryann and will listen. when she asksfor help.

SIGNED- HARRY and RYANN* “You signed a contract?” Bellamy asks, clearly amused. | stare at Harry.

“I can’t believe you still have this! | forgot it even existed.” | exclaim. tell him inn a combination of horror and awe. | remember that Harry and | wrote this contract when we were about eleven. He hadn't hit puberty yet so it was before we started distancing ourselves, but sof the older guys had and they were pretty annoying. | begged him to stay nearby and run interference and offered the only skill | really had available.

“See, you HAVE to tell me.” Harry insists. | raise an eyebrow.

“Do 1? If | recall right it was only a few months after this that you basically ditched me.” | remind him. Harry's face falls and Bellamy scowls at him. He might not like having Harry around, but he’s still offended on my behalf.

“I apologised for that. | was a a stupid kid, | didn’t know what else to do. I'm here now and I've turned up every tyou've neededsince!” He points out.

3/4 “I don’t know Harry... I'm just not sure it's a good idea,” Harry reaches over the table and grabs my hands.

Bellamy tenses up beside me, “Please Ry? | need this. | need to know if it’s possible... forto have someone. You're the only person who has ever thought it might be.” Harry glances at Bellamy and. Then his eyes dart to Darrien. | suspect he’s wishing he had a little more privacy right now. His bright blue eyes are staring into mine with a combination of desperation and hope in them. There's no way | can say no. Besides, he wouldn't be asking if he wasn’t already fairly sure, right? | give a deep sigh and Harry must sense my resignation because he asks again.

“Ryann, what do you think of Cam?” He asks, squeezing my hands fightly, I'm so focussed on Harry, | barely notice the waiter dropping off our food and Bellamy dragging my plate in front of me.

“Oh fine. Yes, | like her very much and | wish you all the luck in the world because you are definitely going to need it to get her to fall for you.” Chapter Comments