Casters Book Two: Shadow Caster

Chapter Thirty Nine

"We understand your last week has been very eventful, to say the least," Council Woman Redhawk says to me. She's in her late 30's and is a force caster.

"Emery is still recovering and needs more time to heal before continuing her training," Asherah says.

"While we apricate your advice, in Cyrene's absence, Lorelei will take over the main duties in being Emery's mentor." Councilwoman Hecate says, her deep-set eyes are scarier than ever.

"What!?" Asherah and I say at once.

"Trust me, not my idea." Lorelei mutters under her breath.

"I am Emery's legal guardian, why does it feel like I am always the last to know any decisions regarding her well-being!?" Asherah demands.

"Asherah, you are much too busy running this school to concern yourself with one student." Councilman McDonald nervously slicks back his hair.

"That should be for me to decide!" she raises her voice.

I eye her in worry.

"I don't understand why you are getting so mad, we are helping you." He says.

"It's the principal of the matter. Has anyone even bothered to ask Emery what she wants?"

The room goes silent.

"I thought so." Asherah sneers.

"Emery, you seem to be up and running around today. How do you feel? What do you think would be best?" Nerissa's dad asks me, aka Councilman Holt.

Everyone looks at me, including Asherah.

While I do feel much better today, I am still a little tired, plus I could use the free time to do some more snooping around.

"I uh... I'm still pretty out of it. I almost passed out at the Christmas party yesterday and Vega had to walk me back to my room early. I think Asherah is right, I need more rest." I say.

"You see!" Asherah says.

"Very well. It looks like progress will have to be delayed for some time until you are fully well." He relents.

"How is Cyrene?" I ask.

By the way, they all shift uncomfortably and make grave faces, I can tell it's not good. I turn to Lorelei for confirmation.

"She's... hanging in there." She says to me.

I feel my heart tighten in fear.

I can't be around Cyrene until she gets better, I could get the weird virus again. Which I definitely don't want.

"She'll make it, she's strong," Asherah says, but I'm not sure if she's reassuring herself, or me.

"Speaking of, Emery mind telling us how you got that virus. From our reports, you were completely fine in the morning, and then you went missing and they found you passed out. We have done extensive research on this virus and if you had it, you immediately start showing symptoms. So how did you get it from that span in which you were missing? Where were you?" Lysanders Dad, Councilman Hagon asks.

I gulp.

"Well, I was upset because I found out my girlfriend had cheated on me... but that's not the point. I went to find a place for peace and quiet to think. I was sitting on top of the Ash Ruin Dorm building for a better part of the day. But I was getting cold and I heard everyone looking for me so I came down. Next thing I know I'm passed out in the snow." I shrug.

"Hmm," they write that down.

"I don't know how it happened," I tell a half-lie. I technically know how it happened, but I still don't understand what the heck happened.