Rules of Fate

Chapter 10 - It just gets worse

I left Zach's apartment and took a cab to the delivery depot Scott worked at. For once I'd worn sneakers knowing I'd have to run after him when he was doing his deliveries. The depot as usual was heaving with activity. The messengers mingled around waiting for their next delivery. I went into inconspicuous mode and leant against a wall, well out of the way. I could make out Scott's figure several feet away, laughing and chatting with his colleagues. I checked out his thread and smiled with relief. It was OK, no changes I could detect.

Using second sight I checked out the general tapestry of Fate threads in the building. They were weaving perfectly, no discrepancies...yet. And more importantly, no golden threads from other Fatelists. I had heard that Fatelists' threads were bog standard until the Society found and trained them. Only then did they get their characteristic golden hue. But even as bog standard threads, their levels of power could be detected by an experienced Fatelist. Not that I was a very experienced Fatelist, but I should still be able to pick out a powerful thread if the rogue returned.

I kept my eyes peeled. I was not going to be the reason for Scott becoming a victim of a rogue Fatelist's boredom. I couldn't if I wanted to progress up the Society ladder and become a problem-solver. I concentrated on Scott, laughing to myself as he told his jokes. He really was an OK guy, but nothing special. Why was the rogue after him? I sighed inwardly, I just couldn't figure it out, but I sure as hell was going to try and find out.

͏

Five days later it happened again. That tingling feeling coursed up and down my spine like an electric current gone berserk. We were at a party...correction...Scott was at a party and unknown to him I had come as his plus one. His friend circle included some high risers and one of them was celebrating a promotion or a deal, I forget. I was slouching in a corner of the large room sipping my drink half-heartedly while the party goers danced in front of me to some music I would happily have consigned to the banned list.

In order to be inconspicuous I had had to dress the part, so here I was, dressed in a black dress for possibly the third time in my entire life and the experience was as I had expected...totally not worth my while. But I was resigned to my fate, no matter how unwillingly. Scott had landed himself a blonde and I yawned yet again as they sailed past. He must really like blondes, I thought, my tired eyes though barely open, following him round the dance floor.

I hadn't heard anything more about the ripples from anyone and Zach was, as far as I knew, still researching them. No matter who I asked about the rogue Fatelist, no one could give me any answers and I had had to cool down my investigation when Ethan had raised a questioning eyebrow at me a few days ago. Attracting upper level attention wasn't a good idea, in fact it was a one way ticket to...I shuddered, I didn't want to think about it too closely.

It was nearing one o'clock and a few people were leaving when I realised that Scott was walking out of the party too, bimbo firmly attached to his arm. I followed at a respectable distance, wondering how I was going to squeeze into the back of the taxi with them without being noticed. At the sidewalk the bimbo tripped and fell into the road, laughing in a giddy way that clearly announced how drunk she was.

Before anyone could react a speeding car flew round the corner, headed straight for her. That's when I felt that surge of power hitting my nerves like a bolt of lightning, springing them alive. Before my astonished eyes the driver of the speeding car miraculously twisted the wheel at the last second and slammed into a nearby tree, slumping over the wheel unconscious.

'Wow that was close!' someone yelled as several people raced to the car to check on the driver who was starting to regain consciousness.

'You are so lucky Daphne,' another girl told the bimbo who was being helped up by Scott.

Luck? I wasn't so sure. I checked second sight with everything I had. Every thread was scrutinised minutely for traces of power or manipulation, but I couldn't detect anything except when it came to Daphne and the driver. Both threads were still vibrating from the tweaking they had received.

Unfortunately the entire tapestry was out of control; threads were interacting in odd ways and the ripples were starting to be felt. They weren't as great as the ones in the cafe but they were there alright. I could see fates changing to compensate for the intrusion and I cringed. I couldn't believe it; it had happened again on my watch. I could almost hear Mags' yelling, Malcolm's stern words and feel Ethan's disapproval. I knew I would be pulled up for this one sooner or later and again I wished the earth would just swallow me up and be done with it.

I watched Scott steady the girl, make sure she was alright, reassuring theother girls clustering around her. Ishook my head wonderingly. He was socool and collected. It figured, hedidn't know what I knew. If he did, hewouldn't be that calm. He would be likeme, a nervous wreck, only one question constantly hammering away...why me? Whyme?! I followed them in a daze as Scottfinally managed to hail a cab further down the street. I slid into the backseat, no longer caringwhether or not the bimbo could feel me. She was too drunk anyway to notice. My mind was now firmly on the ripples and how I was going to come out ofall this in one piece.

Hey guys, if you like this story please leave a review!! The whole book is now on Amazon and is free to download for a limited time. Would love to know what you think!! Thanks!!! You can also follow me on Instagram

Click on these links to get your copy now:

www.amazon.com/dp/B07QMJSXN9

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07QMJSXN9