Fate Chose Them All

Chapter 3 - Cassandra

After filling in Bit on everything that had happened since she dropped me off at Wisteria, an odd glimmer appears in her eye. I can't help but squirm uncomfortably at her scrutiny as I eat my tomato soup and grilled cheese. This dining hall is like an upscale cafeteria, only the food is far more divine than I believed school food could be.

"I bet one of them believes you to be their Mate, although, it's hard to tell which one. Milo is a dragon shifter and Wayland is a wolf shifter, so they would both act territorial around you." Bit takes a sip of her plasma-filled drink as she taps her chin thoughtfully. "Or, maybe, they both see the hot, innocent freshman and both want a chance in your pants before anyone else," she shrugs but winks playfully.

"Uh, I don't want that," I shake my head, but something inside me disagrees with my words. I would honestly love them both in my bed, maybe even at the same time. Woah, what is with these thoughts? I shake my head more, as if that will erase where my mind is going. "Wouldn't they have said something if I was one of their Mates?" I whisper my question, fearful of anyone overhearing this conversation and putting in their two cents.

"Well, remember how I said your smell was subtle, like almost not there at all? Maybe that has to do with what you were telling me about with your locked up magic. Maybe you are one of their Mates, but it's hard for the wolf or dragon to know for sure right now." Bit set down her empty drink, dabbing her mouth politely with her napkin. "Oh, speaking of, you did magic? How? Can you do more?" She leans in all excited, but knows better than to draw attention to the matter. A witch not manifesting her magic by my age is like a vampire who didn't grow their fangs by fifteen, or so Bit says. With her fangs, came all her other vampy abilities, although, I know mine won't be all at once like that.

"I don't know. I was annoyed and frustrated and wanted the man out of my doorway. The next thing I know, some kind of force flew from my hands and into his chest. I think it was telekinetic magic, but I'm not one hundred percent positive. I think I need to take Opal's advice and ask my advisor about setting up private tutoring." I absent-mindedly swirl my spoon in what remains of my soup, wishing for the answers I've been searching for my whole life.

"I can take you to your advisor's office. Then, I can have your full attention for tonight's mixer. Come on," Bit grabs my hand and pulls me away from the table. She leads me out of the dining hall and to another imposing building on this large campus. This one appears to be in the style of some Gothic castle. "This is where all the faculty offices are. Their living quarters are a different building on campus, although, they cloak it." She gives a little pout, and I can't help the snort that comes out of me.

"Oh, was there a teacher you were looking to get revenge on or sleep with?" I ask, not hiding my curiosity to the question.

"There are plenty of professors here that I wouldn't mind doing either, but it doesn't matter, since I don't know where they live." I shake my head at my new friend, loving her honesty and positive demeanor. Bit was like the breath of fresh air I didn't know I needed so badly. Don't get me wrong, I always knew I wanted a close girl friend, I just didn't know how good it would feel to actually have one.

She stops us outside one of the doors on the first floor. The placard reading Ms. Revisham. Bit gives me a thumbs up and leaves with a little wave. Having already agreed that we'd meet back up in my room after I was done here, I wasn't worried about how I would find Bit again. I give two soft knocks on the door and hear an accented voice inviting me in. I open the door, and take in the white furnishings. This room seems to contradict the very building we're standing in. An older, plump woman sits behind her desk, skimming through a stack of files on her desk as I walk in.

"Um, hi, Ms. Revisham?" I stumble over her nane a bit, not wanting to mispronounce it.

"Yes, and you must be one of my freshmen. Come in, come in. Take a seat," She gestures to one of the modern chairs in front of her desk, and I move to claim one. "So, which of my students are you?" she asks as she begins to finger through the tabs on the sides of her folders.

"Cassandra Ivy, but everyone just calls me Cass." I sit and wait as she finds my file and opens it in front of her.

"Yes, I see. Our scholarship student, from the Sacred Meadows Coven. Orphaned and raised by your coven leaders, Eric and Shailene Carpathia. Ivy given as your surname since no one knew yours. No magic listed on here, but surely you've manifested some ability by now. And, you have a fairly light class schedule, no specific magic classes, due to the unlisted gifts. Is that why you're here?" Ms. Revisham asks, all business like. I squirm in my seat, knowing I'm going to have to explain all over again.

"Kind of. You see, I never unlocked my gifts. I can feel them there, but have never been able to reach them. Well, until earlier today. I think I telekinetically pushed someone out of my doorway, but if also felt like forced wind. I'm not really sure, and I haven't done anything else. I was hoping, upon advice from my house leader Opal, that I could get like a tutoring class added to help me unlock my magic better?" I speak the words as fast as I can, while trying to be as honest as possible. I can feel the scrutiny from Ms. Revisham without looking too closely at her.

"I'm glad you came to me about this on day one, Miss Ivy. I wish I would have know sooner so as to better set-up your schedule, but let me see what we can do." She flips through various papers, murmuring to herself about this teacher or that slot, all while I sit nervously and wait. "Take this," she rips a piece of paper from her notepad and hands it to me. "Take this up to floor four and find Everett Damascus. You'll have him for History of the Supernaturals each week, but I'm hoping he can help with finding out how to unlock suppressed gifts. I'd like to see you again in a couple of months to see how progress is going. Good luck, and welcome to Silverleaf University." With that, I was dismissed. I stand with my mouth agape before collecting myself and making my way up to the fourth floor. I hope this Everett Damascus knows his s**t, otherwise I'm screwed.

When I get up the first flight of stairs, something feels... off. I don't know how to describe it, other than every hair on my body is standing on end. I don't know whether to move slower or faster in this situation, so I keep going at the speed I was before. I swear I see shadows moving everywhere I look, and I try to stay away from them. They seem to move in closer or faster, or both. Oh goddess, am I going crazy already. I trip on a stair, and a shadow wraps around my arm.

Mine. Mine. I found you. An eerie hissing reverberates throughout my entire body. I can't get this shadow off me as it squeezes tighter. I'm coming sweet Cassandra. You were hidden, but you never stopped being mine. I don't notice the tears streaming down my face as I try to pull away from yet more shadows latching onto me.

"Lux discuteret te," a voice breaks through the hissing in my head, and the shadows final retreat. Strong firm arms scoop me up like I weigh nothing, and cart me away. I hear a door click, but my mind is still too muddled. "Aradia," he whispers, pushing my sweaty hair from my tear-stained face. "Don't worry, I'll protect you," his soothing words coat my body like a balm. My eyes flutter open, just enough so I can see who my savior is. A face the appears to be carved my Michelangelo himself stares back down at me, and despite his cold skin, his eyes are full of warmth and... longing?

"My name is Cass," I manage through a strained voice. "Not Aradia."

The man blinks as he stares more deeply into my eyes before gasping, "You're my..." Then it all goes dark.