Fate Chose Them All

The drive from the airport to Silverleaf University was longer than I anticipated. This cab is going to eat through almost all the money I have on me. It doesn't help that it smells like cheese either. It would have taken exactly five minutes if Eric and Shailene had agreed to portal me here, but, in their words, that was a waste of power reserves. Of course, that hasn't stopped them from portaling to Europe for vacations, but I wasn't really all that surprised. They bought me the cheapest seat on the cheapest flight, gave me nothing else, and that was that. I mean, I wasn't expecting a going away party or anything, but one of them seeing me off or wishing me luck would have been nice. I don't know why I was expecting so much, they've never shown any love toward me. I am an orphan. Eric and Shailene are the leaders of the coven I've lived in my whole life. They couldn't tell me anything about my parents except that my name was given to me by them. For a long time, they questioned whether or not I was even a witch, since my powers didn't manifest. If not for the note that was left with me on their doorstep, I might believe it myself. Please, watch over our Cassandra. Nourish her life with love and protection. She isn't safe. She will be hunted for her abilities. Don't let them find her. Shailene began to say things to me about how my parents would be so disappointed in how wrong they were about me. I still question what they thought I would be capable of that I was ever in danger. Something inside me feels unleashed though, like my powers are locked away somehow. Silverleaf University feels like it might be last resort. Something tells me I'll find the answers here. I hope I find some answers here. "Cash or card?" The taxi driver asks through the divider. I look at the fee on his dash, and inwardly groan. "Cash," I answer grimly as I fish out the bills from my wallet. I hand over what I owe before getting out. As soon as I grab my bags from the trunk, the cab driver leaves me. Silverleaf University, the name glitters in an arch over the open gates in front of me. The campus looks busy with other students's arrivals. Longing sweeps through me as I witness the families that came to see their children off to higher education. Shifters are unexpected as they have that whole pack lifestyle thing. Witches have coven members that are practically family, I just was unlucky in that regard. Vampires, as far as I know, have broods on occasion, but many lead a more solitary lifestyle. Fae I'm a little less sure about, but I'm pretty sure those families are big and close like shifters. All in all, it seems I'm the lone witch on drop off day. Maybe I'll make friends though, and this loneliness will be gone. As soon as I walk through the gates, I feel the tickle of magic against my skin. Figures they would have protection spells on a magical campus. I heave a sigh as I adjust the bag on my shoulder. Hopefully, by the end of my time here, I could do a spell or two. I glance around for signs indicating where I should go on these expansive grounds, trying to ignore that continuous pang of jealousy in my soul at all the proud smiles and tearful goodbyes. "Hi, do you need help?" A peppy voice interrupts my thoughts, and I have never been so thankful for an abundance of cheer. "Hi, yes. I'm Cass, and I'm looking for Wisteria Hall." I hold out my hand to shake the girl's, and she beams brightly back at me. "Oh, a witch! How exciting! I'm Bit, and I live in Verbena Hall." Bit took my hand in both of hers, shaking it enthusiastically. "Weird, I can usually smell a witch right away, but your smell is so subtle," she openly inhaled with her head coming in closer to mine as if that might help. "If you didn't scent I was a witch, then how did you-" "Wisteria is where the witches and warlocks reside," Bit cuts me off with the answer I was seeking. "Verbena is for us Vamps. Shasta is for the Shifters, therefore the largest since there are so many varieties. Freesia is for the Fae, and the smallest since so few come here." She loops her arm in mine as she lists off the different buildings and leads me toward Wisteria. "Why do they divide everyone by race?" I can't help the shock in my voice at the question, but I can't understand why the living situations wouldn't be more integrated. "Really?" She snorts, as if my question is ridiculous. When she sees the serious expression on my face, hers softens. "Well, I don't know what they taught you at that coven you grew up in, but tensions can get pretty high between all the species. We are mixed and mingled all day long, but at night, there is something inside that feels safer when you're resting among your own kind. It's the school's way of keeping the body count down," Bit winks, the only indication to tell me she's joking. "But seriously, we may all have super healing, but keep us locked up together too long and that may not matter." I let her explanation settle in my mind. I didn't know any of this. Maybe that's really why Eric and Shailene never kicked me out because as witches and warlocks, we're stronger together. That didn't mean they couldn't openly resent my presence, of course. I bite my lip as I think about my unhappy family situation for the umpteenth time. It could have been worse. It also could have been better. "Here we are!" Bit stops us outside a red brick building covered in ivy and flowers. Every room seems to have a balcony, and I can see students already fixing plants, amulets and other things out on theirs. "This is where I leave you. I hope we can be friends and hang though." I can't help but return her smile. "I would love that," I answer honestly. I was hoping for friends, and Bit seems like an excellent choice. "Yay!" She claps excitedly as she bounces a little. "I'm a sophomore, so we probably won't have many, if any, classes together. We can still study and eat together though. And, of course, go to every party!" She practically squeals that last bit. "Have you found your Beloved yet?" "My what?" I balk at her question, wondering if she has me confused with someone she knows who has like a boyfriend or something. "Your Beloved. Oh, um, shifters call them Mates. Fae call them Inamorato/Inamorata. Witches and Warlocks call them Twin Flames." She ticks off her fingers as she goes through the list of what I now realize are your Fated. "Oh, oh gosh. No," I can feel my cheeks heating up at this question. No one has ever looked at me before, romantic or otherwise. I don't want to say that out loud though, so I just bite my lip. "Good! Then we can be looking for ours together at tonight's welcome mixer! Or, have fun with some sexy non-Fated person to tide us over until the real deal." She winks and begins to walk off. "I'll see you in the dining hall for lunch! We can talk outfits!" And just like that, I have my first girl friend. The smile doesn't leave my face as I enter Wisteria Hall. There's a desk near the entrance where a girl and a guy standing behind it and seem to be flirting. There's another girl walking up the stairs, her trunk floating behind her as she climbs. Oh I hope I'm not too far up. "Well, hello there. Welcome to Wisteria, the best house on campus!" The guy behind the desk shoots me a dazzling smile. The girl seems to be eyeing me up. "Um, hi. Thanks," my voice cracks slightly, and I'm mortified. "What kinda power do you possess so that we can properly place you?" The girl, who seems to be all business suddenly, holds up her clipboard and pen. My stomach drops at her question, my face losing color. "Oh, um, I don't actually know. My gifts seem to be taking their sweet time manifesting," I try to laugh off my humiliating confession, but I cast my eyes back toward the stairs, not wanting to see the horrified reactions on their faces. "That's funny babygirl, but we actually do need to know. Can't put fire starters on the same floor as green thumbs. There would be chaos." The guy leans on the desk now, staring me down with a flirtatious smile. I look down at the floor now, ashamed of myself. "I really haven't manifested yet. My gifts are like, I don't know, locked away or something. I mean, I can feel them there sometimes trying to get out, but nothing has worked before." I admit softly, tears brimming my eyes. The two behind the desk are quiet, and I chance a peak up at them. It's not horrified looks, more like curious ones. Maybe sympathetic. Somehow, that feels worse. "Okay, well, we will put you on the healer's floor then. That will be safest until we know what kind of magic you can wield. Do you have any private classes set up yet on your schedule?" The girl, who seemed to soften, was writing something on her clipboard. "Just basic classes so far." I answer meekly. "Okay, what was your name?" She asks looking up over her clipboard. "Cassandra Ivy, but everyone just calls me Cass." She nods as she writes my name and pulls out a key. "Alright Cass, you're on the second floor. I'm Opal and this is Zion, we are the house leaders. If you ever need anything, please don't hesitate to ask. We both live on this floor, and are the only ones down here. I would talk to your advisor about who might best help you in some private tutoring to help coax your magic out. Who knows? Maybe just being in a new environment and surrounded by so many different supernaturals will bring it out in no time!" She smiles with a little more enthusiasm, and the guy mirrors it. I can tell they mean well, although are clearly looking at me like an injured puppy. "Thanks. That's my hope too." I take the key and make my way upstairs. Thank the Goddess I only have to take one flight. "So far, things are looking up!" I whisper to myself to pep up. Who knows, maybe Opal is right. The thought brings a warmth to my chest as I open the door to my room. Home sweet home.