Seduced by My Childhood Sweetheart’s Brother
Chapter 163

163- Diaries and death

“What can you tell us about Atropos?” I prompt.

Well, she is usually considered to be the oldest of the fates. I’m not sure how anyone would know thatkind of thing, but that’s what the stories I was told said. It doesn’t really matter anyway. So, as I said,Atropos is the fate who controls the manner in which someone dies and cuts the string that representstheir lifespan. Basically if our fates represent the beginning and middle of life, Atropos represents theending. I don’t really know exactly what abilities your Kiara has but it probably involves knowing howpeople will die. Maybe when? You would really need to ask her for the specifics.” Collin suggests. Itense up. I was so interested in hearing about this magic that for a minute, I forgot the reason I startedlooking into it in the first place. I must have stayed quiet too long because Bellamy responds for me.

“Kiara is missing. She was kidnapped several days ago. We have reason to believe that she is stillalive. We thought maybe she might have been taken for some of her magical abilities. But since wedon’t know her race and we didn’t know anything about her magic, it makes it very difficult to work outwhat that might be. We’re hoping that some idea of her abilities might lead to information about whyshe was taken and then hopefully who took her.” He explains it calmly, but he takes my hand and holdsit tight so I know he isn’t as unaffected ast

he sounds.

“Oh no, the poor dear!” Addie looks distraught. I can tell she really is the kind of person to care a lotabout others. Collin looks sad but thoughtful.

“You said you have evidence suggesting that she is alive. Might I ask what kind of evidence?” He isdefinitely the logical, analytical type.

“I… I’ve had dreams about her. I’ve never even met her in person but every time I sleep I see her.That’s why I have to replace her.” I try to speak clearly, but my voice wavers and I sound broken, even tomy own ears. From the looks of sympathy on everyone’s faces, I look as terrible as I’m feeling.

“So you’re an Oracle then?” Addie asks and I shrug and shake my head at the same time.

“Not really? I have magic but I don’t usually see visions, not until now. I see threads of fate. too, butwhat I see is people’s relationships. The ones they’re destined to have. Their red

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thread connecting them to their soul mate, a blue thread for friendship, black for enemies, stuff like that.I can also see if they have already met that person.” I explain. If Addie looks interested, then Collinlooks FASCINATED.

“Now that’s interesting. So if you touch someone you can learn a lot about their future.” He

sums up.

“Not quite. I don’t have to touch someone. I see them all the time. In fact I can’t turn it off. I walk intothings a lot. It’s very distracting.” I admit. Addie lets out a snort of a laugh.

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“I ca

can see how that would be difficult. I can’t imagine seeing with my magic all the time. Doesn’t it getoverwhelming?” She asks. I shrug.

“Sometimes, but I don’t know any different. What’s it like to look around and not see them?” I turn thequestion back at her. A bemused smile crosses her lips.

“I see your point. You mentioned you have also had visions lately?” She asks and I nod.

“Yes. I never have before though. My magic is recorded as unknown and I’ve never met anyone withthe same magic as me. That’s my second reason for contacting you guys. Your magic is the closestI’ve ever seen to my own. I was hoping you might be able to help me figure out more about myself.That’s not exactly my priority right now though. I want to replace Kiara.” I quickly add at the end. I actuallyfeel a little guilty for even worrying about my own. curiosity when I have a little girl to replace.

“Hey, no. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to know more. Besides, figuring out your visions mighthelp us replace her.” Bellamy answers my thought. Apparently he can read my mind now. That or I’m justreally obvious.

“Curiosity should always be encouraged.” Collin remarks. But he seems distracted, staring off into thedistance like he’s deep in thought. All of a sudden he stands up, I can see his button up shirt and hischair being shoved away behind him as he walks away from the camera.

“Uhm… okay?” I sit there awkwardly.

“That’s one way to end a conversation.” Addie jokes filling the sudden silence.

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“Do you think he’s coming back?” Bellamy wonders aloud. I’m spared having to answer by Collinreturning, shoving his keyboard aside and thumping what looks like a very old, leather. bound book

onto the desk in front of him. The book lands so hard that his camera shakes and makes him go allblurry for a moment while it adjusts.

Welcome back.” I remark. Collin grins at me.

‘Sorry about that. I just remembered something I read once and I thought I should share.” His eyes aregleaming with excitement. I get the impression that people don’t often come to him with obscureresearch questions and he is entirely thrilled about it.

“So, this is an old journal. It belonged to my grandfather. Given the Banshee’s extended. lifespan, itwas written approximately five hundred and fifty years ago. There are a few entries I think you will replaceinteresting. He pulls out a pair of reading glasses with bright red frames and slides them onto his face,pushing them up his nose and adjusting them. He clears his throat and begins reading.

I’ve been having visions again. Of a man dying well before his time. But I don’t think I care anymore.Since my dear wife passed I don’t see the point anymore. I knew her life would be cut short and Ithought I had accepted it, but when the time came I found that I was not prepared. Life without her isempty and if someone as pure as her has to die then why should I go out of my way, travelling far frommy home and my children just to save someone else. Everyone dies, some people die young. Why ishe worth saving? Why should he get more time when she didn’t? The fates are cruel and unfair and Irefuse to let them force me from my home. I know that life is short and I intend to spend the rest of mytime with my children. Perhaps I will be able to fill the hole that my dear Katherine’s death has left in mylife.

Collin pauses to turn the page.

“That’s so sad. The poor man seems so broken.” Addie comments on a sigh. I nod my agreement. I’mnot totally sure what I’m supposed to take from the story though. Collin turns. a few more pages thenstarts reading again.

“I have been a fool. Tonight a woman came to me in my dreams, although calling her a woman doesnot quite do her justice. Upon seeing her, I fell to my knees. I believe she must be a goddess. Shelooked at me with fury in her white eyes and I found I could not meet her gaze. She demanded to knowwhy I was ignoring my duties as a representative of fate even

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though her daughter had been sending me visions for months. I told her that I didn’t want to have toleave my life to save someone else. I told her that life is unfair and that without my wife there is no pointto it.

“You see the span of a person’s life. You knew how much time you had with this woman and still youchose to love her. Would you give up that time to avoid the heartbreak now?” She demanded. I told herthat I would not give up time with my dear Katherine for anything.

“So why would you take that time from someone else when you have been tasked to save it? Noteveryone can be saved, not everyone should be. Living too long can be just as painful as having yourlife cut short. If you do not help this man you will regret it. I control a person’s destiny and I havedecided that the man you are seeing is destined for your own daughter. If you do not save him then shewill never experience a love like you shared with your Katherine.” Her words were like a knife to mychest. I had not considered that refusing fate would hurt my family. I knew in that moment that I hadmade a terrible mistake.