Night Witch (Weatherstone College, #2)(43)

He steered me toward the buffet before he answered. “It’s our mess, Paisley, and in my opinion, the danger is the same whether they know or not. It’s better that they’re informed, especially if we need to protect you.”

I’d been trying to protect them, but in the process had hurt those I loved the most. Mom was doing what she felt was best in pretending none of this was real or happening, but I couldn’t hide myself the same way. Not any longer. “You’re smarter than you look,” I said with a laugh that could easily turn into a sob if I didn’t reel it in.

If I wanted to get through this next conversation, I couldn’t start crying yet.



* * *




“Fucking Hel, Paisley.” Jensen stared, his bite of steak on his fork forgotten as he gaped at me. “How could you not tell us this over winter break?”

We’d secluded ourselves at a table right in the back corner, which was just large enough to fit me, Logan, Jensen, Trevor, Noah, Tobias, Sara, and Haley. For the last twenty minutes, in whispers, I shared everything about my affinity and what I’d been through, including what we’d found out from Gran’s letters. I even mentioned Belle and my suspicions that her father was the one who tried to get Dad fired and the rest of us thrown from Weatherstone.

As truth poured from me, I felt lighter.

And terrified.

My powers had caused a death at the school, and I was waiting for the person who would judge me for it—who would believe me to be the monster, rather than the creatures I’d accidentally called here.

“Mom never said a word,” Trevor growled. “She’s just been making you suppression potions and icing the rest of us out. Why would she keep this from us? We’re the only ones to trust with this fucking information. We’re your family.”

“She’s scared,” Logan said with a snap. He’d been tense since I’d started speaking, and I got the feeling he was worried about their reactions and how it would make me feel. “The only real information she has about this affinity is from an ancient book that detailed how every other witch like Paisley was murdered, and panicked letters from her mom listing the ways to keep herself and her daughters safe should one of them have the same affinity. You need to cut her some slack.”

“So . . . is Mom a reaper too?” Jensen asked in a tone so low we almost missed his question. His gaze darted to Logan. “Did she call the monster that killed your mom?”

The whole table fell silent, and I couldn’t bring myself to look Logan’s way. “From what she’s told me,” I whispered, my chest aching, “she’s an elemental. She said she has a theory about what happened that day, but it wasn’t the time to go into details while trying to keep me safe.”

Logan touched my arm and drew my attention. Bracing myself for whatever expression I’d face, I was relieved to see him looking as he always did. “Breathe, Precious,” he murmured, running a soothing fingertip along my neckline. “I don’t blame your family for her death. Just like I don’t blame you for that student’s death. You did nothing wrong.”

That was a subjective viewpoint, but it helped ease up the pressure in my chest.

Trevor let out a heated huff of air. “Belle’s dad is going to be a problem. We need to deal with him before his next attempt to take down our entire family.”

We all fell silent again, and I wondered if the tension and unease I now felt was somewhat directed at me. “I’m sorry to have brought you all in on my mess,” I mumbled, feeling the full force of my guilt.

“None of this is your fault,” Haley said fiercely, reaching out for my hand. “I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, this is the fault of the magical community. They chose fear, killing off the witches like you in the past. If you were aware of your affinity, trained like the rest of us, none of this would have happened. You don’t deserve this, and the cycle has to end at some point. Maybe it ends with you.”

Trevor shoved his empty tray away. “I think you need to learn to control your affinity, Paisley. The secret can’t stay that way forever, especially with an elder already suspicious. You have no choice but to embrace your affinity and educate yourself, and we will stand by you. We’re all powerful, and we have respect in the community.”

“You’re not powerful enough to take on the entire magical community,” Tobias said stiffly, though he cast me a softer smile. “Not even if the whole school stood with Paisley.”

“She won’t know until she learns how to control her affinity,” Sara said, taking a sip of her soda. “How do we know that her affinity isn’t a fundamental part of our magical world? Maybe we’ve been missing a large piece of the puzzle for decades. The spellcasters are still causing issues in Europe. Paisley might be able to kick a spellcaster’s ass, knocking them down from their perceived place at the top of the hierarchy.”

Logan, Tobias, and Noah exchanged a loaded stare, and I was struck with another suspicion. “Does Rafael have anything to do with the unrest over there?” I asked the trio, who were far too good at concealing their thoughts.

“Let’s just say, it’s furthering his interests,” Logan said. “That many spellcasters in one place, using their magic to battle . . . The overflow of energy is ripe for the taking.”