Night Witch (Weatherstone College, #2)(31)

I knew because I’d googled them and found out they were the go-to for microchips, making them integral to the creation of computers, cars, home appliances, cell phones, and much more.

“All a front for their underhanded and shady practices, right?”

No one made it to billionaire status without some corruption.

“Goes without saying,” Haley said, sobering. “I asked Noah if Logan and he were the muscle for Rafael, and he didn’t deny it. I really, really don’t like Rafael.”

“Bastard must have loved the day his son’s magic bloomed and he was a powerful spellcaster,” Sara drawled as we joined the masses entering the school. “Imagine having that extra power at your fingertips to control.”

It was hard for me to believe that Rafael had always been an evil megalomaniac—Dad wouldn’t have been best friends with someone like that, but there was no denying who he was now.

“Has anyone heard from Belle?” Haley asked when we reached the front steps, pausing behind the dozens of other students already dragging their bags inside. “I’ve been texting her for days.”

“She called me on my birthday.” I hefted my bag up the steps to reach the front hall. “She said she’d been in India with her mom for most of the break and then got really sick and couldn’t stare at her phone without vomiting. I don’t know.” I shrugged. “She’s been acting weird since the end of freshman year.”

“Super weird,” Sara said, her tiny nose wrinkling in annoyance. “I don’t like it. Especially after the way her father spoke to you. He’s been in her ear for months now, and I’m worried about the Belle we’ll get back.”

“There’s no way Belle would turn against Paisley just because her affinity isn’t following normal protocols,” Haley said, shaking her head as if it was beyond reality. “No way.”

Haley’s optimism was lovely, but I didn’t feel the same way. Just thinking about Belle had an unsettled sadness whirling inside me, so I changed the subject to our classes for this year.

“I think the only class we’ll share now is History of Necromancy,” Sara said, air swirling around her as she called her element.

“You might share more with me,” I said. “I’ll be taking a wider range as a ‘spellcaster.’”

“Right right,” Sara said, bopping her head. “Yep, you’ll be in everything except specific necro subjects.”

“I’m looking forward to finding a familiar,” Haley, our nature sprite, said with a happy sigh. “I’ve been dreaming about it. Imagining what incredible little soul I’ll get to share my life with.”

“Still jealous,” I grumbled, dragging the wheels of my suitcase toward the next set of steps.

Haley managed to smile even as she struggled to get her bag to the top. “Didn’t get your kitty over the break?” she huffed.

Not unless a brief encounter with a mountain lion counted. “Nope. I was too busy having a midlife crisis twenty years before my time.”

The girls shot me looks of sympathy. “There’s plenty of time for pets,” Sara said, patting my shoulder. “We have more important animals to worry about.” Somehow, I knew she was referring to the warlock variety.

By the time we made it through the Zoo and to the halls with the dorms, exhaustion pressed down on me. I hadn’t been sleeping well again, but this felt deeper than that. My excitement over being here was fading into a weariness that I hoped would vanish with one decent night of sleep.

“I’ll see you guys at the welcome ceremony,” Haley said when we parted ways. “I need a nap. Dad didn’t have a great night last night.”

Dropping my bag, I reached out and pulled her into a one-armed hug. “I have some cash saved from my job that I can put toward a healer,” I said to her. “Now that Dad’s back here again, and the twins are out making their own money for the coven, money isn’t that tight at home. I’m happy to share everything I have.”

Sara nodded. “I’ve got a small savings that is all yours, babe.”

Haley’s eyes filled with tears as she sagged against me. She’d been working to hide her own exhaustion with her dad’s accident hurting her family in many ways. He’d been the main breadwinner, and Haley and her mom had to pick up the slack.

“I love you both so much,” she sniffled. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your offer, but it’s okay . . . Dad’s mostly on the mend, and Mom just got a raise at her job, so we’re doing better. But thank you.”

“Let us know anytime.” I gave her one final squeeze, and she kissed my cheek and then Sara’s before she strolled down the hall to her room. Sara waved as she headed off to her dorm as well.

We were all in Florence Wing, one of the five halls in the pentacle that made up Ancot Residences. Belle was the closest to me—I could see her room from mine—but her door was firmly closed. When I knocked, there was no answer, so I carried on to my room.

I pressed my palm against the reader, and it clicked open. After dragging my heavy bag inside, I left it standing near my desk and crashed onto my neatly made bed.

The scent of lavender filled my senses from the thorough magical cleaning everything would have had just before our arrival. I gave myself ten minutes to exist in the joy of being back here, before getting to work unpacking and organizing for the new school year.