I had no true recollection of Logan Kingston, but there was a twinge in my chest at the thought of his protectiveness. Itdidn’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 dowethink 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 moredanger 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 beatthe 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 couldbe 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 themost 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 thatbetween all of us, we can keep Paisley safe until she discovers her affinity and can manage her magic well enough to protectherself.”
Jenna always had our backs, while also strongly encouraging us to stand on our own two feet. As the oldest, she was a typicaltype A personality, practical, driven, and super successful in every endeavor. As the baby, I was more of the dreamy crystalcollector, 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’llfight 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. Weshould 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 wantsdecent seatsin 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. Justbecause 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 Jennashit 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 donotneed 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 therewith his sarcasm and lack of giving a shit. Meanwhile, you’d catch me constantly telling everyoneno 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 penstoday.
Alice linked her arm with mine. “We’ll show you the quickest way back to Writworth.”
Bywe, 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 thedoors held hues of gold as well. “Wow, this is as nice as Florence,” I noted, looking around as my shoes sank into the thickpile. 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.”
