Sedrais Academy

Chapter 5

Aster's heart leaped to her throat as someone caught her wrist. She completely froze, a thousand thoughts rushing into her head. It was several moments before she managed to look, and even more before she realized it wasn't them. But who it was still turned her blood to ice.
"Long time no see, Witchling," murmured the owner of the hand. Aster forgot to be angry. She only stared up at the young woman who held her wrist. At those mirroring emerald eyes that had haunted many of her dreams.
She cursed her uncle for not telling her that she was back. The one who had been a thorn in her side for so many years, and had humiliated her at every turn. Avaraina Kirkhill.
"Aster!" Akelox ducked around the other students to reach her. Avaraina turned, and when Aster too risked a look at him, she saw his face was pale, and he was... trembling? As his eyes met hers, she saw... no, she felt him calming down. Despite wondering why he had freaked out, his presence was exactly what she needed. Even if he annoyed her to death.
Aster pulled her wrist out of the young woman's grasp, and she steadied herself as Akelox came to her side.
Her voice was steady as she spoke. "So you're finally back. What do you want?" She finally found it in her to glare at the beauty in front of her.
"You're still as harsh as ever it seems," Avaraina replied. "And here I was hoping you had matured some."
Aster bristled at the insult, "Maybe if you weren't such a pompous brat, we could have a civil conversation."
Akelox looked between them, unsure of what to do. Aster didn't know either. Especially when Avaraina's wretched smirk vanished, and she bit at her bottom lip. Worry was something Aster had never seen on her face. Something was seriously wrong.
"Aster, can we talk?" Avaraina asked softly.
"We're talking now, aren't we?" Aster lifted her brow. Despite her contempt for the other witch, she wanted her to realize she understood. That she was only joking. She shifted. Avaraina's expression had seriously unsettled her.
Aster watched the tension leave Avaraina's shoulders. Avaraina nodded, and turned to Akelox. Aster felt him stiffen before she looked.
"I take it you are her friend?" Avaraina said. Before he could respond, she continued, "Be good to her. She needs someone at her back." She walked a couple paces, before she stopped. "After school, on the rooftop." And with that, she left, leaving a very stunned Aster in her wake.
"Aster," Akelox said softly. "Who was that?"
"Someone I used to know," she responded curtly. She gave him a look that told him not to push the subject. Fortunately, he listened. Unfortunately, the bell then rang.
"Now would probably be a good time to get to class," Akelox suggested.
"You think?"

~~~

The boy could not remember his name. All he knew was the pain. As he slipped in and out of consciousness, two other names finally came back. Ethel and Aris.