Strings of Fate by Kit Bryan
Chapter 262

Strings of Fate

Cam 19- Bills and backup

In the end, it takes another twenty minutes until I’m completely closed up and ready to head home. The place is already clean since I was avoiding Harry so awkwardly earlier, but it takes a few minutes to finish counting the till, put the money in my safe which I keep locked physically and with a magic lock, much like my potion storage shelf. I’m the only one who can open it. I spoke to my co–owner about it when setting it up and he agreed that the additional safety of a magical lock was worth giving up his own access. I don’t think he even lives in town so he has no reason to be here in the first place. Lastly, I finish locking up the building.

“You left the lights on.” Harry observes. Moments later, they all –

eyebrow. I grin back.

off and he raises an

“I had a slow night so I rigged a spell. Once this door gets locked for the night the lights will turn off as long as there is no one left inside the building. It’s not perfect, but it means I don’t have to worry about forgetting a light and driving up the electric bill.” I explain.

“You can do that?” Harry asks dubiously.

“Sure, there are a lot of things you can do with magic. But a lot of them aren’t available to the public because they would be too expensive. Like the spell I did on the power. It wasn’t that difficult, but it took hours. Can you imagine what it would cost you to get HOURS of a Witches time? They charge an arm and a leg for potions that they can make in bulk which

take only an hour to make. Unless they charge thousands of dollars an hour which realistically noone is actually going to pay, a spell like that just isn’t going to make them any money. So it isn’t advertised. People don’t think to buy something they don’t know is possible or don’t imagine they can afford. You should visit a coven house sometime. I swear those places are so jam packed with spells that if you took the magic out they would all come tumbling down.” I joke as we walk, Harry seems cheerful, swinging his arms as he walks.

“That’s surprising. Witches make all magic seem so difficult and out of reach.” He comments.

1 roll my eyes.

“LEARNING magic is difficult. It takes years of practice and experiments to figure out the exact way to make something work, why do you think Witches are so protective of their grimoires? It’s much easier to learn how to do something if you have a step by step guide. But

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Cam 19- Bills and backup

once you know what to do, using magic is as easy as breathing. The hard part is knowing what the end result of a spell will be. It’s why I prefer potions. I can measure them out and plan them carefully. Spells are a little more unpredictable. I like to stick to tried and tested spells.” I explain.

“Somehow that’s even more surprising. Given how much you like to experiment. How many untested potions have you fed me so far?” He asks with a cheeky smirk.

“Technically none. At least none that I didn’t try myself first. I might not react the same way you do since I don’t have the same system as you, but I can at least be sure that nothing I give is harmful. I’m not that cruel.” I insist.

“I never thought you were. Although I am a little concerned at the implications that you’re testing random potions on yourself. You don’t do that on your own do you? Like you at least make sure there’s someone around to call for help if something goes wrong… right?” He

demands.

“You’re not going to tell me I shouldn’t be testing them on myself?” I had this argument with my family many times. They used to insist it was too risky and that I should just pay someone desperate to try the potions for me. I never felt right about taking advantage of desperate people that way.

“Nah, you care too much to let anyone else test a potion if you wouldn’t even test one on me. But surely you don’t test them alone… right?” Harry actually sounds really concerned. I never used to test them alone. My mother didn’t agree with my choices, but she was still there in the end to bail me out if something went wrong. I never realised how reassuring that was

until I was on my own. Not that I let it stop me.

“Well… not anymore. But I’m careful. I keep the hospital on speed dial and make sure there are various healing potions around that have been thoroughly tested.” I answer. Damn it, I sound like I’m making excuses. I sort of am, I know it isn’t safe to test potions alone. Harry walks beside me in silence for a minute before he says anything.

“Well, in that case, I’m saying not anymore to YOUR not anymore. Next time you decide to do something reckless, I’ll be your back up. Okay?” He demands.

“You promise you won’t try to stop me?” I ask, strangely nervous about his answer. I feel like

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me.or

he’s judging me, or maybe I’m judging him?

“I’d never try to stop you. You’re the expert, not me. But I do want to make sure you’re safe.” He states firmly and I can’t help but smile. That was the answer I wanted to hear. Maybe being friends with Harry will work out alright after all.

I’m actually a little surprised when we reach my home. Mostly because the walk didn’t feel as long as it usually does, particularly after a night as long as this one.

“Well, good night Harry.” I say awkwardly.

“Night Cam, I’ll see you tomorrow. You’re working right?” He confirms.

“Uh, yeah…” I trail off. He frowns.

“Is something wrong?” He asks, tilting his head in confusion.

“No, not at all… just… you’re not going to ask to come in, or make some joke about taking me to bed?” He makes constant innuendos, although I have to admit he’s behaved himself remarkably well on the walk home. Harry raises an eyebrow.

“Would you let me in?” He asks pointedly.

“No.” I answer immediately.

“That’s what I figured. I enjoy asking you questions though and I’d hate to disappoint so I will ask if you will go on a date with me?” He doesn’t seem overly optimistic. I don’t think he’s actually expecting me to say yes.

“No.” I respond. I might be friends with him now, but I still don’t think dating him is a good idea. I like him and I think it would break my heart if he turned out to be anything other than what he says he is. He might be infatuated with me now, but it won’t last, particularly if I give him what he wants. He probably just enjoys the challenge. So for the sake of being friends with him, there is just no way I can let myself have any other kind of relationship. I don’t explain myself though. I learned the hard way that if you give a reason then it allows someone to argue with you, it’s much harder to disagree with an outright refusal. Harry doesn’t ask either. He just waits for me to unlock my door, says goodnight then goes on hist

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merry way, strolling like he hasn’t a care in the world and looking entirely too cheerful for a guy who was just blatantly rejected.