Page 6 of Spellcaster (Weatherstone College #1)

As the four of them crowded into the room, I expected the space to feel smaller, but it just felt cozy. They spread out and

examined my room like they didn’t all have an identical one of their own.

“Pais!” Jenna crowed, my class schedule that I hadn’t had a chance to even look at yet in her hand. “You’ll be down in the

forest for Animal Studies and Their Magical Properties next week. Still my favorite class and professor.”

Jenna was in her fourth year and all but specialized now. She didn’t have to take any classes not related to her affinity,

and it was clear she missed many of her old professors.

Jensen peered over her shoulder. “Hel yeah, you’ve got Elemental Water 101 tomorrow. That’s my favorite class. It’s basically an hour to swim in the lake and bond with water.”

No surprise that was his favorite class. Meanwhile I had zero desire to get into a lake in January. Those with water affinity

could heat the particles around them by vibrating the water, but I would freeze my tits off. Jensen must have noticed my concern,

and as the sibling I was closest in age with who knew me almost as well as I knew myself, he reached out and patted my shoulder.

“The professor will heat the water for you.” He looked at the schedule again. “You’ve got Professor Mordock—he’s awesome and

taught me so much. You’re in great hands.”

Jenna nodded. “Very good hands. This is a great array of classes to help you figure out your affinity. Do you already feel more in touch with your energy here?”

“I actually do,” I said with a shrug. “But since there’s a chance I might not be able to stay, I’m trying not to get my hopes

up.”

That got their attention. Trevor left the window, where he’d been checking out my view, Alice jumped up from my bed, where

she’d been declaring mine was softer than hers, and the other two pushed in closer, my class schedule forgotten.

Trevor stood close to me, arms crossed over his broad chest. “What are you talking about, Paisley? Why the Hel would you have

to leave?”

Since I’d already decided I might need their support if the decision didn’t go my way. “When Dad was getting my paperwork

in the office he received a message from the headmaster about a new student...” I told them everything Dad had said to

me, finishing up with the tragedy that tore apart families who had been friends for decades.

No one interrupted me, and it was clear by the furrowing of brows and confused expressions that none of them were particularly

familiar with this part of our family history.

“So that’s why Mom never uses active magic,” Jenna said softly, her expression thoughtful. “Now that you’ve brought it up,

I do kind of remember the Kingstons, but clearly Mom and Dad kept the part about the weird death and blood oath from us.”

“I don’t remember them at all,” Jensen declared, sounding pissed. “How old was I when this all went down?”

“Five or six,” Jenna said, eyes glazing as if she was doing the math. “Paisley was even younger.” She turned to me. “Do you

remember them?”

I shook my head. “I honestly didn’t remember them at all until Dad started to explain the situation. Then I had this flash of a dark-haired, golden skinned boy standing over me in the park. It happened when he said the son’s name—Logan.” I shrugged. “I could be making it up though.”

Alice cleared her throat, looking uncomfortable. “You’re not making it up. Logan looked exactly like that, and you two were

inseparable. Even though he’s Trevor’s age, he just gravitated toward you and was überprotective.”

“Even against us, right?” Trevor said, brow furrowing. “Little shit was always sneaking Paisley away, and beating us up for

teasing her.”

“Yep,” Jenna and Alice replied together.

I had no true recollection of Logan Kingston, but there was a twinge in my chest at the thought of his protectiveness. It

didn’t correlate with Dad’s fears that he was going to attempt to murder me on the daily.

“What do you think Mom will say?” Trevor asked, looking between me and Jenna. “And do we think Paisley should leave Weatherstone for her safety?”

Jensen snorted. “No fucking way. She should be afforded the same education as the rest of us. Why would she even be in more

danger than us? It’s not like the vendetta is just against her. It’s all of us Hallistars, and I for one am ready to beat

the fuck out of this asshole if he steps near my sisters.”

Jensen was huge; both of my brothers were just like Dad. One dark-haired, the other light. There was no denying they could

be intimidating in a physical fight.

Unfortunately for them, this wouldn’t be that.

“He’s a spellcaster,” I reminded them. “From a family of spellcasters. I think we should consider now that he might be the

most powerful warlock in this school.” I included the teachers in that assessment.

Both of my brothers shrugged because they were also arrogant warlocks. “We’re powerful too,” Trevor drawled.

“Against all except a spellcaster,” I bit out. This idiot was going to get himself killed trying to play hero.

“This is all moot if Mom and Dad decide she shouldn’t stay,” Jenna muttered. “We need a plan. A way to convince them that

between all of us, we can keep Paisley safe until she discovers her affinity and can manage her magic well enough to protect

herself.”

Jenna always had our backs, while also strongly encouraging us to stand on our own two feet. As the oldest, she was a typical

type A personality, practical, driven, and super successful in every endeavor. As the baby, I was more of the dreamy crystal

collector, but the drive was there now. I wanted Weatherstone, and I would fight for it.

“Because this story involves Mom’s history, I actually have no idea what decision she’ll make,” I admitted honestly.

“She’s usually the more flexible parent,” Jensen agreed, “but you’re right about this being a trigger for her.”

Trevor ran a hand through his hair agitatedly. “Which means we have no idea how this is going to play out.”

Alice hugged me suddenly, it was a fierce, firm hug that had me settling against her briefly, soaking up the comfort. “We’ll

fight with you, Pais,” she whispered. “Even if Dad comes back ready to pack your bags and drag you out of this dorm.”

“Speaking of leaving the dorm,” Jenna said quickly, glancing at her watch. “It’s almost time for the welcome ceremony. We

should head to the assembly hall if we want decent seats.”

Trevor snorted, a fraction of his anger fading as he raised an eyebrow at her. “You’re the only nerd who wants decent seats in assembly. Come on, Jen. You’ve got to learn to relax.”

Her glare could have melted the polar ice caps, and Trevor was lucky Morris wasn’t here to throw down. “I’ll have you know that many students like to sit in the prime positions. Just because you want to be the class clown at the back of the room doesn’t mean it’s universal.”

Trevor’s gaze caught on mine, and he shook his head, lips curving into a smirk. He loved all of us equally, but giving Jenna

shit was a favorite pastime of his. I secretly thought she enjoyed it too.

“Morris is going to eat you one day,” I warned him, and it was Jenna’s turn to snort.

“Morris doesn’t eat trash.”

Trevor slammed his hand against his chest, as if mortally wounded. “I’ll have you know, that many a witch has eaten—”

“Shut up,” Alice broke through, voice pitched higher than usual. “We do not need details about your overactive sex life. My goddess.”

Trevor just laughed, enjoying himself immensely, and I was happy to see his annoying personality return. He was always there

with his sarcasm and lack of giving a shit. Meanwhile, you’d catch me constantly telling everyone no worries , which was a blatant lie—all I had were worries. Especially today.

“Don’t stress,” Jensen whispered, nudging me. “It’s going to work out. I can feel it.”

I wanted to trust him, but this was a situation none of us had dealt with before. “Let’s go to the ceremony. I need a distraction.”

None of my siblings were in their uniforms, so I didn’t change out of my jeans and hoodie, enjoying my final hours of comfort.

It felt weird to leave the room with nothing, but I didn’t have a phone or computer, and there was no need for books and pens

today.

Alice linked her arm with mine. “We’ll show you the quickest way back to Writworth.”

By we , she meant Jenna, who was in charge, of course—none of us would fight for the alpha position. In our family, there was a hierarchy based on both birth and power, and we pretty much stuck with it.

She took a right turn into another dorm hall with light golden carpets. The walls were a cream-colored sun pattern and the

doors held hues of gold as well. “Wow, this is as nice as Florence,” I noted, looking around as my shoes sank into the thick

pile. There was a calming element to this hall, and I felt the tension ease in my chest.

“This is Aura Hall,” Jenna said. “Our rooms are just down there, so your dorm is close.”

“And Ember is over there,” Jensen added quickly. He pointed in the opposite direction we walked. “That’s where Trev and I

will be. You know our room numbers, and if you ever need us, just come running.”

Pressing my lips together, I managed not to laugh at how they’d already formed my unofficial security detail. It was annoying

but sweet, and I was well used to it. “I’ve missed you bossy assholes over the last few years.”

Trevor huffed out a laugh. “Don’t hit us with sentimental words like that, sis, we’re all on the verge of tears.”

They weren’t but they were smiling, and that felt almost the same.

We weren’t the only students heading for assembly, and as my siblings closed around me, a few curious glances shot our way.

As frustrating as it was to get the youngest sibling treatment—Weatherstone was supposed to be my first real chance for independence and to find my own power—I’d take it if the

alternative was staying home for another couple of years and delaying my life.

“I won’t go looking for trouble,” I reminded them, “and I have a pretty good head for danger. It’s going to be okay.”

They didn’t argue, but looks were exchanged between Trevor and Jenna, and I sighed internally. I knew that look, and just like with Dad when he made a decision and dug his heels in stubbornly, those two were the same.

In silence, we passed another intersecting hallway, and for the first time there was a barrier. A black curtain cordoned it

off from Aura, as if they were afraid a little sunshine was about to infiltrate their darkness.

As we moved closer, I shifted my position for a better look, hoping to confirm what hall it was. Before I could see anything,

the curtain parted, giving me the briefest glimpse of very dark walls and carpet.

The others weren’t paying attention as two students emerged, but for the briefest moment my body went cold and then so blazingly

hot that I was helplessly fighting flames. My first indication that this wasn’t just a random encounter with students was

when my brothers ground to a halt, and both shifted in front of me.

Dread settled in my gut as I attempted to see around Jensen’s broad shoulders.

“Don’t bring your blood oath here, Kingston,” Trevor rasped. “We have no beef with you.”

My world stopped. The tingles of energy down my spine ceased, and there was not a single sound. But I hadn’t mistaken what

my brother said. Trevor had felt his power and he knew who blocked our path.

Kingston.

Logan Kingston.

Fuck.