Casters Book Two: Shadow Caster

Chapter Thirty Two

"So what's with all the new faces?" I ask at breakfast the next day.

"Oh yeah, I guess you wouldn't know." Bastion says.

"Know what?"

"Belmore has a transfer program, it's very competitive. Every year students from a bunch of other Caster schools compete to get in. During the winter break is when they start arriving because it's the easiest transition period. Most of the students are gone and they get to explore the campus without being crowded." Ro explains.

"Wait, I think I did hear Asherah mention something like that before," I say.

"There are always interesting characters that arrive," Nerissa says.

"I find it fun." Darko shrugs.

"I was originally a transfer." Bastion says.

"You were!?"

"Me too," Wieland speaks up.

He's been quietly eating with us. I didn't want to push him to talk considering this is his first time out of his room since... the incident.

"What! How come I never knew this? What schools did you guys come from?" I lean into the conversation.

"Agison, elementals in training." Bastion supplies.

"Pretty elite school for elemental magic users." Ro points out.

"Yeah, but I didn't just want to be surrounded by only elemental magics. I wanted to see it all." He explains.

"My school wasn't that prestigious, just a regular Caster school. Fraklin Caster Arts. It's pretty average." Wieland says.

"Lots of students from DonCaster usually transfer over in this time. Mostly Psy Casters but there is sometimes the rarity." Nerissa says.

I look around to the cafeteria which is almost back to full capacity which is surprising since most of the students are gone already. And the ones that aren't gone leave first thing next week. Ro, Bastion, and Wieland leave on Monday.

Dariyah slides in right next to me and sighs.

I eye her in confusion before Vega slides in on the other side of me and I tense up.

"Told you," Dariyah sings to Vega.

I quickly get up to leave.

"Emery wait, just talk to me!" Vega chases me.

"What happened? I hear Nerissa ask.

"She finally found out Vega was cheating on her." Dariyah supplies.

That stings.

So they all knew.

"Wait," Vega grabs my arm.

I sigh and turn to her.

"Please, just..."

"Just what?" I ask.

"Don't do this. Don't leave me. I need you. I love you." She pleads.

"Can you please just take her back already; she was whining like a baby all night," Dariyah says.

Vega glares at her.

"I just need to think," I pull my arm away from her.

Vega's hand reaches for my neck, and she notices there is no necklace there. I avoid her gaze.

"I'm sorry I hurt you." She whispers.

I sigh and look down.

"Talk to me," she begs.