Spellcaster

Six months earlier in Spokane, Washington, Paisley Hallistar’s magical abilities emerge on her 22nd birthday, marked by recurring erotic dreams about a warlock. Witches and warlocks attend college after their powers bloom to find their magical specialization, or affinity. Affinities usually align with one of the five elements: fire, water, air, earth, or metal. The rarest affinity is the spellcaster, who can access the energy of the world itself.

Paisley’s mother, Beth, a cautious and formerly powerful witch, brings her an acceptance letter to Weatherstone College, the most prestigious magical university in the US, where Paisley’s father Tom is a professor of fire magic. Paisley is excited but insecure, as her affinity remains unknown. She wonders if there is a crystal affinity, as she obsessively collects crystals, a trait she shares with her maternal grandmother, whom she has never met. Her father and her four older siblings—the twins Jenna and Alice, and the middle siblings Trevor and Jensen—arrive to celebrate her admission.

On her first day at Weatherstone, Paisley and her father arrive on campus through a magical portal. As they walk to the administrative office, Tom shares school history, including its founding by necromancers. Inside, an administrator named Ms. White gives Paisley her welcome packet.

Ms. White mentions that Logan Kingston, a powerful spellcaster and son of community leader Rafael Kingston, is transferring to Weatherstone and will also teach. Alarmed, Tom declares that Paisley cannot attend and immediately tries to take her home.

Outside, Paisley demands an explanation. Tom reveals that he and Rafael Kingston were once best friends. Eighteen years ago, Rafael’s wife, Isabel, died in an accident while with Paisley’s mother, Beth. Rafael blamed Beth, and the two men swore a blood oath. Tom fears Logan will seek revenge on Paisley because of the feud.

Paisley begs to stay, promising to be careful. Tom reluctantly agrees to let her settle in while he consults with Beth. He warns her to avoid Logan and stay away from Nightrealm Hall.

Tom walks Paisley to her dorm in Florence Wing, where her mother once lived. After claiming the room, she explores the simple space, which has a view of the apothecary forest and the graveyard. Before leaving, Tom casts a protective spell on the room. Alone, Paisley examines her school-issued supplies until her four siblings arrive.

Paisley’s siblings crowd into her room, and she explains the Kingston history. Her sister Alice recalls that Paisley and Logan were inseparable as children and that he was fiercely protective of her. Her brothers vow to confront Logan if necessary.

They agree to attend the welcome ceremony together. Walking through the residences, they pass a curtained-off corridor leading toward Nightrealm Hall. Two warlocks emerge from it; when Trevor confronts one, Paisley finds herself face-to-face with Logan.

Logan ignores her brothers, speaking directly to Paisley, calling her “best friend” (38) and referencing an old bond she does not remember. The encounter unsettles Paisley and infuriates her brothers. The siblings continue to the welcome assembly, where Headmaster Gregor, a powerful necromancer, emphasizes that the school will not tolerate magical attacks between students. Afterward, they attend the welcome feast before Jensen walks a tired Paisley back to her dorm.

At two o’clock in the morning, Paisley wakes from another erotic dream, this time with Logan’s face vivid in her mind. Restless, she goes to the communal bathroom and discovers a witch named Annabeth magically attacking another witch, Belle.

Paisley intervenes, punching Annabeth, who flees. Paisley helps Belle, a water elemental whose father serves on the High Council of Magic. Belle explains that the assault was retaliation for her father’s political decisions. Grateful, Belle offers to walk with Paisley to class, marking the beginning of their friendship.

In the morning, Paisley meets Belle, who guides her to a breakfast cart. They run into Trevor, whom Belle recognizes as a famously popular warlock. They continue to Elemental 101, where their professor, an air elemental named Professor Damone, seals the doors with magic and begins the first-year session on testing for elemental affinities.

Professor Damone directs students with known affinities to designated groups, and Belle eagerly joins the water elementals. Paisley and other unaffiliated students receive trays of items to test their connection to earth, water, fire, metal, and air. Paisley feels nothing from earth or water and only an uncontrollable flicker from fire and metal. Professor Damone’s personal test for an air affinity also yields no response. The professor reassures Paisley that her affinity will emerge when she is ready.

After class, Paisley and Belle discuss her lack of elemental results on their way to the History of Necromancy lecture. In the hall, they see Marcus Lofting, a fellow first-year and powerful student, just as Logan arrives. Paisley briefly explains the dangerous history between their families to Belle. The instructor for this class, Professor Jones, lectures on Weatherstone’s necromancer founders, two witches who were chased out of England. After class, Marcus approaches Paisley, remarking on her undeclared affinity. With Belle’s encouragement, Paisley considers him as a possible romantic interest.