Strings of Fate by Kit Bryan
Chapter 257

Strings of Fate

Cam 14- Rainbows and ringtones

With assistance from Marie, I sort through the recycling and replace as many empty transparent containers as I can. Including the empty bottles from the alcohol we replace seven which is perfect. I use a bottle of vodka that I replace shoved in the back of a cupboard and split it between the containers and instruct Marie to use some food dye to colour all the containers with different colours. She manages to use some strategic mixing to make a pretty decent rainbow. I top up the containers with water then carefully focus my magic to cast a basic lantern spell. It’s probably one of the first spells I learned as a kid. A lot of Witches learn it young, usually because they’re scared of the dark and it makes a great night light. The spell wears off in a few hours depending on how much magic you shove into it. I set these ones to last maybe four hours if we’re lucky. I don’t want to waste the energy on making them last longer than that, particularly since I’m making so many of them. The spell can be cast

outright, but without a base to attach it to the light disperses very quickly unless you

constantly feed magic into it. The alcohol in the containers should be an adequate base. The water might work, but I’m more familiar working with alcohol so I’d rather use it. Marie. watches in fascination as I recite the simple spell. I don’t make super bright lights, just a soft glow which looks really pretty with the food colouring in it. Again, I could change the colours

something that will do it for me? I cast the spells one by one and Marie puts the lids on the bottles tightly. Our work completed, we load up

our arms and take them to the living room. The look of delight and wonder on Kiara,

and honestly all of the adults‘ faces makes it absolutely worth the effort. I even help out by using the same glue spell that I used when Harry was delivering the potion to stick the bottles up on the fort ceiling. A few drops of alcohol and they’ll come down so it’s an easy enough clean up, but this way there’s not much chance of anyone knocking them over. It’s mor

likely one of the guys will hit their head and smash a bottle, but most people notice a glowing light and can stay away from it… right? The overall effect leaves the entire fort bathed in a soft, rainbow light which is just as beautiful as I was hoping. If I had more time and planned ahead I would have added glitter, or maybe designs on the bottles to cast some decorative shadows or something. But for a fifteen minute, whatever we could replace in the kitchen at someone else’s house project? It turned out fairly well.

with magic, but why waste the energy when we have

We all hang out in the giant, rainbow fort for a while. Harry is still drunk and seems to be having the time of his life, although at random intervals he seems to remember that I exist. and tries to plaster himself to my side. I’ve been avoiding him by sticking close to other people. A few times he’s called out that he needs to tell me something, but I don’t think that he should be attempting any kind of proper conversation in this state so I don’t give him the

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Cam 14- Rainbows and ringtones

chance. At one point while he’s distracted by a movie, I decide that it’s time for me to take my leave. I sneak out, doing my best not to draw attention to myself. The only person who acknowledges my leaving is Ryann who gets up to walk me out. This might be the first time I have ever been alone with her. I contemplate taking the chance to ask her about her own magic. I can see her mark and it is definitely unlike anything I’ve ever seen before, but that doesn’t mean she is capable of doing what Harry claims she can do. It also doesn’t mean that she told him what he said she told him. That he and I are ‘fated‘ and so on. The idea just seems too outrageous. I doubt most Incubi ever settle down with a single partner, and if they were going to, wouldn’t it make more sense that they end up with Humans or Succubi. There aren’t exactly a lot of half Incubus children running around so it can’t be that common. No, the entire idea is just silly. I don’t want to embarrass myself by asking Ryann about what is probably some crazy story that Harry made up as a way to hit on me. I take a taxi home and as I brush my teeth and get ready for bed I replace I’m very contemplative. I ignored it all night, but my phone was ringing for most of the evening because my grandmother has been trying to get ahold of me. Based on her texts it’s just for another attempt at matchmaking that I will

happily ignore. I feel very melancholy when I go to bed. I had a wonderful evening, but seeing how loving and happy the Shifter pack is, my own family seems so cold and distant in comparison. My home seems cold and empty too. It takes me a while to fall asleep and the last thing I remember thinking is that I wish I was part of a Coven that was like their pack.

I sleep late the next morning, probably due to my late night. I’m not hungover because I really didn’t drink that much. I like drinks, but I like making them a lot more than I enjoy drinking them. I’m just getting started with my day when I get a call from Ryann. I almost – missed it since I’ve been ignoring my phone so often lately.

“Morning.” I answer the phone cheerfully.

“Hey Cam. So about that drink you made, the one to get the Shifter’s drunk. Well, the good news is that it definitely worked. The bad news is that the hangover is killer and none of these guys were prepared for it.” Ryann sounds friendly but there is a hint of severity in her tone which tells me a similar incident won’t be tolerated. I rush to reassure her while doing my best to appear confident in my decisions.

“That’s my bad. I really didn’t think it would be that strong. I’ll whip up something to help and send it right over.” That will be a nice way to start my day. I just got a new shipment of some of my depleted supplies and I organised them all yesterday. It will be satisfying to use

some of them.

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Cam 14- Rainbows and ringtones

“Thanks. And maybe no more sneak attack beverages? Just give a little warning. They probably would have drunk it anyways, but Alex is all guilty and embarrassed about getting. drunk in front of his Alpha. I don’t want people feeling bad over things that were clearly not their fault.” I let out a long sigh.

“I understand. I really do. I won’t let it happen again. I didn’t expect Harry to be so… well… you know. He’s a clingy drunk. I should have known better. I will be far more careful in the future.” I mean every word. I didn’t even mean to do it this time! I bought the drinks with. every intention of telling everyone what they were. I just thought I would wait until everyone had finished eating first. It didn’t occur to me when I left the drinks in the kitchen that someone might choose to open them, although it’s super obvious now that I think about it. For a moment I worry that Ryann won’t believe me. That she will decide I’m too dangerous to

have around her family. But thankfully she seems to forgive me.

“Alright, as long as you give fair warning in the future. They really did enjoy themselves. I hope you did too.”

“I did!” I rush to assure her.

“Good. Now I have a party to go clean up after, so I’ll talk to you later. Thanks for coming last night. It was great getting to know you a little better. Bye!” The call ends with a click and I am left sitting there with a silly grin. I go through my phone and change the ringtone for my family members to something different and a little ominous if I’m being honest. Still, now I don’t have to worry about ignoring calls I might actually want to take. I dress in a hurry and head into work then straight back to my work room to get started on a hangover cure. I don’t want to leave my new friends hanging.