Casters Book Two: Shadow Caster

Chapter Twenty

Finding a way to get away from Vega to go on my secret mission with Nerissa is proving to be almost impossible. After the showcase, I said bye to my mom and brother and they promised to bring my Christmas gifts next time they come to visit me in a week or so. Then Vega and I regrouped with our friends and we all hung out for a bit.

Of course, Nerissa and I kept eyeing each other and the time. When it was time to go to bed Vega told me she'd get showered and changed and meet me at my room. I told her it was okay, that I wanted a night alone, but she took it personally, and now she thinks I'm mad at her for the whole outing me to my family thing.

Which was an understandable accident, and I'm not even mad.

Ugh.

'Just, lie to her or something, we are going to miss it.' Nerissa text me.

'I'm trying!'

She sends back a facepalm emoji.

If only getting rid of Vega were so simple, how can I turn her away after she said all that stuff to me the other night? She'd think I hated her. Which I don't! It would only make me feel bad.

I don't know what to do.

Maybe I should just tell her.

I sigh and eye the door as Vega cracks it open and peeks inside to see if I'm asleep by now.

When she sees me, she has a sad puppy dog face.

"I'm really going to have to get that key from you." I outstretch my arms to her.

"Never," she giggles before leaping into my arms.

"I'm never going to get personal space ever again am I," I say.

"Not so long as I'm around," she kisses me.

"You are ridiculous," I sigh.

"Why aren't you changed?" she asks.

"Emm, I err um, want to go for a walk."

She eyes me.

"Fine! You caught me, Nerissa and I are going to do some investigation."

"Emery! I told you just to drop it." She glares at me.

"She's convincing!" I defend myself.

She sighs.

"I am only doing it to prove she's gone off the deep end. It will only take us half an hour tops. Can you just wait for me?"

She pulls free from my arms and crosses her own.

"Vega," I pout.

"Only if you tell me what exactly you two are going to investigate. You should have told me, I could have gone with you."

"I don't want you to come, it's silly. Really. Nerissa just thinks Lorelei is suspicious. But I don't think she is, I mean I used to, but not so much anymore." I shrug.

"So what?"

"We are going to spy on her, but we are probably just going to find her and Cyrene doing the dirty and leave," I lie.

She frowns at me.

"Please, I have to. Nerissa is relentless. I'm just doing it so she'll stop. She even started investigating her own parents, she's that paranoid."

Vega sighs.

"I promise to be fast, I swear. I'll even text you updates. Just wait for me." I stand up and grab her hands in my own.

"You should have told me," Vega says in disappointment.

"I wanted to, Nerissa is the one who thinks we can't trust anyone."