Seduced by My Childhood Sweetheart’s Brother
Chapter 167

Strings of Fate

167- Risks and requirements

Bellamy and 1 head to the bar, just the two of us. Megan did complain about being left behind. until Ireminded her that we’re meeting Dr Dae’s unknown contact and we don’t want her to refuse to speak tous because we brought extra people along, although if the contact IS Cam like I’m hoping, then I doubtthat will be a problem. Megan wasn’t thrilled but agreed that it wasn’t worth the risk. We arrive atWitches Booze about five minutes before eight and settle in on a couple of barstools, Bellamy moveshis over a little so he can sit shoulder to shoulder to me, not comfortable with me being anything morethan an arms length away.

“Ryann right?” Cam approaches me and drops two drinks off in front of Bellamy and I, ones that wedidn’t actually order. Mine is a blueish colour with swirling glittery patterns in it. I hold it up to the lightand watch it swirl.

“Yeah, and this is Bellamy. Are you who I’m here to see?” I ask. Cam nods firmly, her blonde wavesbouncing around her head.

“Yep. I am a little confused though. Ella told me that she was sending the two feline Alphas to meet me.Him I get.” She nods her head at Bellamy.

“But you’re not even a Shifter, are you?” She raises an eyebrow and I shrug.

“It doesn’t seem to matter. APPARENTLY being a Shifter isn’t actually a requirement for the position.” Iroll my eyes so she can see my opinion of it all and she grins at me.

“Are you gonna try that?” She gestures to my drink. I peer into it before shrugging. I don’t think shewould try to hurt me. Harry likes her, and I trust his judgement, as skewed as it is sometimes. I pick up

my drink, and without hesitation, take a sip. Bellamy seems more wary but follows my example andsamples his drink. His eyebrows raise in surprise and he immediately takes another sip. His drink isdifferent to mine. A kind of goldish colour. I’m surprised to replace that my drink doesn’t really taste likealcohol at all. It’s nice, kind of fresh. It makes me think of mint ice cream but without the ice part.

“Well, that answers that, you’re either very brave or very naive to drink something with no idea what itis.” Cam says seriously. I laugh and her serious expression breaks.

167- Risks and requirements

“Or I’ve just decided to trust you. This is nice, what is it?” I ask curiously. I might want to order itsomewhere else sometime.

“It doesn’t have a name, I just made it up. I’d tell you what’s in it, but then you wouldn’t have a reasonto come back here and that’s no way to get more business.” She jokes and I laugh again. Cam is reallyfunny. I’m looking forward to spending more time with her. Bellamy seems weirdly relaxed. He’s leaninginto me and has slung an arm around my waist. He is practically nuzzling my hair.

“Uh, Bellamy? What’s going on?” I try to pull away a little to see his face but he clings on.

“Is he drunk? What was in his drink?” I ask Cam and she grimaces.

“Sorry, I’ve been working on drinks to chill out specific magics. This was one for feline Shifters. I musthave overdone it with the magic infused catnip.” She shrugs awkwardly.

“Give me a minute and I’ll make him something to sober him up. He’s not drunk exactly. His reflexesand mental state are unaffected, it just makes him feel more… mellow. But I think I overdid it. I justthought he was a little strung out.” Cam dashes off and starts mixing together random items from

behind the bar. I have no idea what is in most of the bottles but whatever, I trust her not to poison us. Inthe meantime, Bellamy shuffles in closer behind me

and k*sses my n*ck.

“Bellamy!” I object and I can feel him chuckle against my n*ck.

“Sorry, sorry. I just can’t bring myself to worry about anything right now.” He sighs into my hair. Wow,did that drink pack a punch. I get the impression that Cam would be a very. dangerous person to pissoff. Harry really is fearless to constantly antagonise her and then drink whatever she hands over.Bellamy just apologised without a thought, I know she said the drink wouldn’t affect his mental state,but Bellamy this relaxed is almost creepy. It would be sweet if it happened naturally, or maybe if he tookthe drink knowing it would happen. But as it is, it’s just weird. Cam returns with a drink in a shot glassthat is totally clear. I’m not sure how that happened because I swear she was pouring in something reda minute ago. I

decide not to question it.

“Well here you go, hot stuff. Down your shot.” She hands it to Bellamy and after a glance at me and mynod, he downs it all in one go. He wrinkles up his face but within moments of

167- Risks and requirements

finishing it he straightens his shoulders and returns to sitting on his bar stool rather than hanging off ofme.

“That was… interesting. I would prefer you didn’t do that again. Although I suppose it might haverecreational uses. Or medicinal for Shiters with anxiety issues.” he contemplates out loud. I don’t think

he’s really annoyed that it happened. Actually I think he rather enjoyed it.

“Yeah, as I said, sorry about that. I’ll adjust the recipe. Maybe half strength next time. Or do it as asmall shot glass rather than a full drink. Thanks for being a good sport. It’s hard to replace people to testdrinks on, particularly spelled ones.” She explains. Bellamy frowns.

“Do you often spell people’s drinks?” he asks. Cam shrugs.

“Only the ones I give away for free. I’m not licensed to sell spells or potions. But there aren’t any rulesagainst giving them away. I only do that for people I think need them. Promise it’s not as creepy anddate–rape–y as it sounds.” She holds up a hand in a gesture to show she means no harm.

“If you need Shifters to try potions like that, just let us know and we can arrange something. While Idon’t appreciate being drugged without my knowledge, I can see its potential uses.” Bellamy offers.Cam grins happily.

“Awesome, I will totally take you up on that. Ella gives me enough information to work on the theory,but she refuses to test them.” She pouts.

“Ella?” I ask.

“Dr Dae.” Bellamy confirms. I know that she has a first name, but I can’t imagine ever using

1. it.

“Ah, right. So is that how you know her? Researching potions together?” I ask. Cam flushes red andstares at her shoes.

“Not exactly. Ella got called out to assist a Human guy who wouldn’t stop vomiting, she realised that hehad been… dosed… with something. She tracked it back to me. She was all ready to report me, but

she gave me a chance to explain. I caught the guy dosing a girl’s drink so I figured I’d make sure hewas too incapacitated to hurt her while giving him a taste of his

167- Risks and requirements

own medicine. I promised it would wear off in twenty–four hours and showed her the potion I made tocounteract the drug the girl was given. She decided not to report me and we got to talking about someof my more… unusual potions and their potential uses. The rest is history I guess. I make her potionsand she helps me research how potions will potentially work on. different types of Shifters. I don’texperiment on them though, promise. Well… not unless they cause trouble in the bar.” Her tone isprotective. Yeah, I wouldn’t want to mess with Cam’s bar. I’m about to start asking the questions Iactually came here for, but I’m distracted by a flash of bright red hair that I recognise.

“Amber?” She bounces over and drops into the seat beside me.

“Excellent, I’m not late.”