Whispers within | New magic

“Good morning, class,” said Mrs. Windcrest. “Today, we have a new student.” When Amara walked into the classroom, she could feel every pair of eyes on her. It was strange and uncomfortable, but she ignored them and sat in the first empty seat she saw.

Unfortunately—or maybe luckily—that seat was next to the most talkative kid in the class.“Hi, I’m Elaria!” said the girl beside her, smiling brightly.“Hi, I’m Amara,” she replied.“Is this seat taken?” Amara asked.“Nope, it’s all free,” said Elaria.Amara sat down. “So… did you just move here, or did you change schools?” Elaria asked curiously.“Well, I—” Amara began, but Mrs. Windcrest interrupted.“Children, I know having a new student is exciting, but we still need to learn.” “Yes, Mrs. Windcrest,” the class said in unison. Two hours later, the bell rang. “Oh, that’s the bell! See you tomorrow, class! And remember—Friday we have a test, so study!” Mrs. Windcrest called as everyone began to pack up. As Amara was leaving, Elaria asked, “Hey, want to have a sleepover this weekend?” “Yeah! I’ll ask my mom,” said Amara, her face lighting up. “Okay, see you tomorrow!” Elaria said before walking home. Amara did the same. When Amara got home, her mom greeted her at the door. “How was school today, honey?” “Good! Oh—hey, Mom,” Amara said quickly. “Yes, sweetie?” “Can I have a sleepover at my friend’s house this weekend?” she asked, trying not to sound too desperate. She’d never had a real friend before. “Well, it’s only Monday,” her mom said thoughtfully. “If you can pass your test on Friday, you can go.” “Okay, thanks, Mom!” “You’re welcome. Dinner’s in an hour.” The next morning, Amara smiled when she saw Elaria. “Hi, Amara!” “Hi, Elaria. So, what did your mom say?” Elaria asked eagerly. “She said I can go—as long as I pass the test on Friday. I’m really good at math,” said Amara confidently. “But she didn’t even tell us the subject yet,” Elaria pointed out. “Well, let’s hope,” Amara replied. When they entered the classroom, it was completely empty. “Hey, Elaria, do you know where everyone is?” Amara asked. “What do you mean? They’re probably in another class,” Elaria said nervously. “In another class? Why?” Amara frowned. “Maybe there’s an assembly… or a free period…” Elaria said again, but she was clearly panicking. “If something’s wrong, you can tell me,” Amara said gently. “There is something I want to tell you—” Elaria began, but she was interrupted by the intercom. “Attention students: would all kids taking part in Mrs. Ashenfield’s class this period please go to the office.” “I’ve got to go—sorry, Amara,” Elaria said suddenly.

“What? Are you in Mrs. Ashenfield’s class?” Amara asked.

“Yep, sorry! See you later in Mrs. Windcrest’s class!” Elaria called as she ran off.

Amara watched her leave, confused.That was weird. What’s going on?

She decided to go to the office to find out.

“Hello, are you the principal?” she asked nervously.

“Yes, I am,” said the woman behind the desk. “I’m Mrs. Ashborn. You must be Amara—the new student.”

“Yes. I was just wondering—what’s Mrs. Ashenfield’s class about?”

“Oh, nothing special,” said Mrs. Ashborn quickly. “Just… a program some students take.”

Amara could tell she was lying. “Is that so? Well, can I sign up?”

“Uh, well, we’d need permission from your parents,” the principal said, clearly trying to end the conversation.

“I can get it,” Amara said confidently.

“You’d need it by today,” the principal added, sounding nervous.

“I can call my parents right now and have them email you,” Amara said, testing her.

“Oh, I wouldn’t want to bother them,” said Mrs. Ashborn.

“My dad works from home—he can do it easily.”

Just then, the bell rang.

“Oh, there’s the bell! You should get to class,” Mrs. Ashborn said quickly, ushering her out of the office.

What was that about?Amara wondered as she walked down the hall.

When she reached class, Elaria was there, smiling as if nothing had happened.

“Hi, Amara!”

“Why did you run off so fast? And what did you want to tell me earlier?” Amara asked.

Elaria glanced around and whispered, “I’ll tell you at our sleepover. For now, we’re going to be late.”

Amara sighed. She could wait a little longer.

The week flew by. Amara worked hard—studying every night. She wanted to make sure nothing ruined her first sleepover.

Finally, Friday came. The day of the test. She was nervous, but ready.

When recess arrived after the test, she and Elaria sat together.

“How do you think you did?” Amara asked anxiously.

“You’re nervous, huh?” Elaria teased.

“Yeah… if I pass, this’ll be my first sleepover ever.”

“Mrs. Windcrest is giving the tests back after recess. You’re good at math—you’ll be fine,” Elaria reassured her.

When the bell rang, they hurried back to class.

Mrs. Windcrest handed out the papers. When Amara saw her score, her face turned red.

Elaria leaned over. “Told you! You had nothing to worry about,” she said with a grin.

Amara smiled. “Guess you were right.”

That weekend, Amara went to Elaria’s house, practically bouncing with excitement. As soon as her mom drove away, the fun began.

Later that evening, in Elaria’s room, Amara remembered something.

“So… what was it you wanted to tell me?” she asked.

Elaria stood up and closed the door, then the window, then the blinds.

“Amara, I have a secret—and I want to tell you,” she said seriously.

“What is it?” Amara asked, curious.

“I have magic. And… I’m not human.”

Amara burst out laughing. “You’re joking, right?”

Elaria frowned. “You think I’m joking?”

“Magic doesn’t exist!”

But then, Elaria raised her hand—and glowing light swirled around her fingers.

“What the—how are you doing that?” Amara gasped.

“I told you. I have magic,” said Elaria calmly.

Amara stared in disbelief. “Isthatwhat you were doing in Mrs. Ashenfield’s class?”

Elaria nodded. Now it made sense—why the principal hadn’t wanted her to join.

“So… are you a witch, or…?” Amara trailed off.

“No. I’m not a witch. I’m a Cradlekin—half Aetherial,” Elaria said.

That made no sense to Amara. “What does that even mean?”

“I’ll tell you more tomorrow at school during recess,” Elaria said with a smile. “For now—let’s enjoy our sleepover.”

They played games and laughed, but Amara couldn’t stop thinking about it.Magic is real. It’s actually real.

“So,” she asked finally, “are there more people with magic—or just you?”

“There’s a whole community,” Elaria explained. “Murmouers, Veydrin, Cradlekin, Glasswraiths, Thornsleepers, Rendshades, Luminari, Aetherial—and the rarest of all, Veiliborn Paradoxes. No one’s seen those for hundreds of years. All of them, together, are known as the Veiliborn.”

“Wow,” Amara whispered. “That’s… a lot.”

“Yep,” Elaria said proudly. “Here—this book has everything you need to know about the magical world.”

Amara’s eyes widened. The book was huge—almost seven feet tall.

“I don’t think I can carry that, let alone read it!” she said.

Elaria chuckled. “Don’t worry. I have magic.”

With a wave of her hand, the book shrank into a small tablet-sized version.

“Now it’s an e-book,” Elaria said. “It has everything—from magical creatures to the island of Veyora, the island of magic.”