Strings of Fate

10- Incubi and intimidation

Bellamy, once again offers me his arm. I take it and allow him to lead me out to the front of the building where a Shifter man waits patiently. He is dressed in jeans and a dark shirt, much like Shaun and Aaron. He is quite tall and bulky, if he weren’t so p

polite he would probably be intimidating. He has chocolate brown hair. His eyes are brown too but seem tinted orange so they don’t quite look human. He is well built and if I do say so myself, quite attractive. “This is Darrien, Megan’s guard.” Bellamy says quietly. The guy is cute, but what really catches my attention is the red thread connecting his heart to Megan’s. Interesting. I go out of my way to smile at him and shake his hand. Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

“Hi, I’m Ryann Gale. You’re Darrien right? It’s nice to meet you.” The man smiles kindly and mumbles a quiet greeting. I can already see that he is the gentle giant type. Although I wouldn’t put it past him to be seriously scary if someone threatened Megan. He assesses met with his eyes, as if determining if I am a threat before shaking my hand. He then steps back. to allow Megan to say her farewells. I notice his eyes follow her. So the lack of interest is not on his end then. I figure Megan is the oblivious one in this relationship. Or lack of relationship as it may be. My thoughts are interrupted by shock when Megan grabs me and pulls me into a quick hug.

“I have my engagement party in a week, I plan to go shopping tomorrow morning. Want to come with me? It will give us a chance to get to know each other a bit better and I can start answering any questions you have about Shifters.” I eagerly accept her offer.

“Cool, I’ll text you details after class. See ya!” She hops into the passenger seat of the car and. waves out the window as she and Darrien drive away.

“Well that was interesting.” I comment to Bellamy. He raises an eyebrow. I shake my head.

“Don’t worry about it. I shouldn’t have said anything.” He

groans.

“You’re going to be like this a lot aren’t you? It’s going to drive me crazy keeping those promises I gave.” He sighs.

“Well, there’s not really anything else to be done today and it will be getting dark soon. Can I give you a ride home?” he offers. I hesitate before realising that I don’t exactly have any other options. I nod. Bellamy offers me his arm yet again. I stare at it.

10- Incubi and intimidation

“Why do you keep offering me your arm like that? Shaun did it too. I can walk on my own.” I point out. Bellamy seems surprised.

“You don’t know a lot about Shifters do you?” I shake my head. He takes my hand and places it over his arm.

“When a Shifter offers their arm to escort you, it is also offering protection. It is an assurance that you have nothing to fear and you will be protected as long as they are accompanying you.” He explains. I frown.

“Why would I need protection?“I question. Bellamy shrugs.

“You probably don’t, but the gesture means that if you should need it, you have it.” he points

out.

“Why does Megan have a guard? you seem to walk around without them.” I ask.

“It would seem weak for an Alpha to walk around needing protection. But it also seems weak to not provide protection for one’s family. Megan has only one guard and honestly she can take care of herself. Darrien knows this, he is more for show than anything else.” I think for a

moment.

“I’d still bet he could do some serious damage if you made him angry.” I comment. I can feel Bellamy shake as he laughs.

“You would win that bet.” We reach the end of the street part of the compound and there seems to be an area that has been designated as a parking lot. He pulls keys from his pocket and the lights flash on yet another fancy looking car. A dark blue one this time. I hop in the passenger seat as Bellamy takes the wheel. Bellamy reverses out of the park and heads to the gates. We have just reached the main road when it occurs to me how hungry I am and that I have nothing to eat at home. I probably have enough to get a cheap takeout.

“Hey, can you drop me at that diner down the street from my house? I got kidnapped and missed my lunch break.” I say pointedly. Bellamy groans again.

“You’re not going to drop that are you?” he questions. I shrug. We drive in silence for a few minutes until Bellamy parks the car in front of the diner. I climb out the car and am surprised

10- Incubi and intimidation

to see him doing the same.

“What are you doing?” I question.

“I’m hungry. Besides, I promised to see you home. So that’s what I am going to do.” he informs me. I roll my eyes. He steps forward and once again offers me his arm. It seems a little more significant now that I know what it means and I appreciate the gesture as more than just typical politeness. I place my hand on his arm and let him lead me inside. The diner is a small place. It is owned by some rich Sorcerer who is never around, so for the most part it is run by his niece. It is for Magics only (his rule), but despite the racism which really can’t be avoided in a city like this, it’s not a bad place for a reasonably priced meal. Bellamy and I sit across from each other in a little comer booth area. It’s the kind of place where you choose what you want, then go up and let the counter know and tell them your table number. The place is too small to justify hiring waiters and waitresses so there aren’t any. I decide on a pasta dish and an orange juice. Bellamy wants a steak. I go to stand but he waves me off.

“I’ll order, you sit.” I roll my eyes. He’s nice to me now that I’ve agreed to help him. He makes his way up to the counter.

“Ryann?” I hear a male voice from somewhere to my left. I turn and see a man, someone I vaguely recognise from the orphanage I grew up in. Harrison? I haven’t seen him in years. We spent time together as kids but lost touch as we reached our teenage years, it’s a pretty typical occurrence with Inccubi. They don’t tend to have a lot of friends as teenagers. Women either date them or hate them and men are either jealous or they’re competition. Since I never wanted to date Harrison and didn’t want to grow to hate him, I distanced myself. I’m not sure he even noticed.

“Harrison?” I stand up to greet him and as he drags me into a hug I am reminded of how touchy feely Inccubi can be. He runs his hand up and down my back gently until I pull away. Harrison is the typical tall, dark and handsome guy. He looks like a movie star and is used to women falling at his feet to please him. Silly girls, while it’s true that Inccubi are into seduction, what they enjoy is the chase. Giving an Incubus what he wants is a sure fire way to make sure he never calls you back. Resisting Inccubi is something that most girls struggle with, the same way men struggle to refuse a Succubus. Their magic is geared towards seduction. They can make you relax or feel excited on a whim and often

do. Having grown up around both Inccubi and Succubi, I am pretty much immune to them at this point. Seeing their threads helps. Even they have a soul mate. It is much easier to resist their seductions when I can see they’re meant for someone else. As I pull away from Harrison he gives me an

easy grin.

“You haven’t changed Ry. Still keeping everyone at arms length.” He observes. I laugh at him.

“I know better than to taunt an Incubus Harrison.” I remind him. He sighs.

“Don’t I know it.” I return to my seat. Harrison decides to sit where Bellamy had been sitting only a moment ago. He reaches across the table to hold my hand. I don’t pull away, it would only encourage him to chase after me.

So, how have you been, Ry?” he asks. I open my mouth to respond when Bellamy returns. He looks angry and is glaring at Harrison with his arms crossed over his chest. I pull my hand.

away.

“Bellamy, this is Harrison. Harrison, this is Bellamy. He’s Alpha of the feline Shifters.” I introduce them. I am forced to move over a little as Bellamy slides himself into the booth beside me since Harrison is in his seat. Harrison looks bemused.

“Running with Shifters now are you Ry? I have to say that’s unexpected. Too good for us Inccubi. now?” he jokes. I roll my eyes at him. Bellamy leans over to speak in my ear.

“Is the Inccubi. bothering you? I can make him leave.” He offers. I shake my head.

“Thanks but no thanks. I’m used to Inccubi. Besides, Harrison here is like the older brother I never wanted. Aren’t you Harry.” Harrison collapses back in the seat in fake shock.

“Brother? Oh you wound my pride. How will I ever face my fellow Inccubi knowing I have been friend– zoned, no brother–zoned if there is such a thing.” he whines. I giggle.

“I’m sure you’ll be fine.” Harrison catches Bellamy’s glare and stands from his seat. He pulls a card from his pocket with his number on it and hands it to me. I slip it into my phone case to keep it safe.

“Well, I know when I’m not needed. So I will be on my way.” he eyes me speculatively.

“I might have been wrong before, maybe you aren’t keeping EVERYONE at arms length. Not. that I blame you, he is a bit of a cutie isn’t he.” He glances pointedly back and forth between

myself and Bellamy. I open my mouth to object but Bellamy speaks before I can.

“Have a nice evening… Harrison.” he grinds out awkwardly.

“You too Alpha kitty. Take care of Ryann for me!” Harrison gives a cheeky little wave before leaving us be.