The Windhaven Witches Omnibus Edition : Complete Paranormal Suspense Series, Books 1-4 by Carissa Andrews (graded readers txt) 📕

Wade’s body stands up, the grimoire clutched in his hands, as a monstrous smile bursts over his ordinarily handsome features. “Finally,” the Fetch says, running a hand along the ancient cover.

“I—I don’t know what to do? I don’t know how to help,” Wade’s spirit says, distressed. “Autumn, what do I do?”

Racing forward, I spring at the grimoire, determined to wrestle it away from the Fetch. She steps aside at the last moment and I narrowly miss. My shoulder hits the side of the catacombs wall and pain shoots down my arm.

“I could really get used to this,” the Fetch says, chuckling, and running her hands up and down Wade’s form. “I can see why you like this…creature. He feels good. Strong… There’s a lot of power behind a male’s body. Who knew?”

“Yeah, well, it’s already spoken for—so get out,” I say, twisting around and lunging for the book again.

This time, I make contact, grabbing hold of either side of the grimoire and tugging with all my might. Wade’s strong hands hold steady, though, clutching at the grimoire as if my actions are nothing more than the feeble attempts of a toddler.

An ominous chuckle erupts from deep inside Wade’s chest as the Fetch snatches the grimoire back. “You don’t stand a chance. This was always my destiny. Don’t you get that? You can take away the revenants, but I’ll still find a way to become immortal.”

“That’s what you want? Immortality?” I sputter. “Why?”

Wade’s silver eyes narrow. “See, this is why you shouldn’t be in possession of this. How long have you known Cat was a Gemini Twin and you never even bothered to look it up… Typical.”

“Then why don’t you enlighten me,” I fire back.

“Let’s just say Colton shouldn’t get all the fun.” Pushing me aside, she tucks the grimoire under her arm and walks toward the tunnel exit. She doesn’t even bother with me, as if she’s realized just how irrelevant I am.

Feeling depleted and utterly defeated, desperation floods my system.

The walls are closing in and I can’t breathe. If she walks out—how will I ever get Wade’s soul back in his body? What if we can’t? I realize now I’m fighting a battle I was sorely unprepared to fight.

One thing I know for sure—I can’t let her take the book... and I can’t let her take Wade’s body…

But how can I possibly stop her?

Chapter 27

Sudden Death

Wade’s soul reaches for me. “Autumn—did she hurt you? Are you okay?” His eyes are deep pools of concern as he places his ethereal hand against my cheek. The coolness of it seeps into my skin, making me shiver.

I shake my head. “No, I’m all right.”

“Good,” he exhales softly, lowering his eyebrows. “How do we stop her? There has to be a way…”

“I don’t know…” I whisper, blinking back tears as I watch his body walk away without him.

Despair washes over me and tears brim in my lids.

Suddenly, dark clouds billow into the circular room, drawing all the energy from the torches and dimming the space. Wade’s dad steps out of the black, billowy vortex, getting right between his son’s hijacked body and the way out.

“Oh, shit,” Wade’s spirit curses.

His father doesn’t say a word to the Fetch, but the impact is immediate. Without a doubt, Cat’s doppelgänger knows this means trouble.

Wade’s body screeches to a halt, cowering and stumbling a few steps back with the book pulled in tightly. “No—no, no, no…”

As if somehow able to grow in size, Wade’s dad towers over his son’s body as he steps forward, extending a hand out in front of him, still in utter silence. His silver eyes flash and his nostrils flare as he waits for the Fetch to do as his suggestion requires.

Instead, the Fetch backs away, clutching the grimoire tighter. “No, no, I need it.”

“Do not defy me, child,” Wade’s father says, his voice thundering through the space with an air of authority that makes my blood run cold.

“You don’t understand, though.”

Wade’s dad rolls his eyes, and with the flick of his wrist, the book flies out of Wade’s grip, landing softly in his father’s arms. Wade’s shoulders drop and the Fetch immediately drops to the floor, kneeling.

“I’m sorry, so, so sorry… Please,” the Fetch murmurs, groveling at his feet.

I narrow my gaze, completely baffled.

What on earth is his dad?

What other powers could he possibly possess that would make the Fetch cower under his presence this way?

“Please—you have to understand. I only wanted what should be rightfully mine,” Wade’s voice quivers as the Fetch tries to reason.

Beside me, Wade’s spirit shakes his head, covering his mouth with his hand. “That won’t go down well.”

“Of all the beings to displace, you chose very poorly,” Wade’s dad says, extending the arm with the grimoire in it. It floats from his hand, landing softly on the pedestal in the middle of the room. As it makes its way to its rightful place, the pedestal vanishes into the floor.

Whatever power it possesses is evidently not an allure for him.

The Fetch stands, looking longingly at it, but turns back to Wade’s dad. “It wasn’t about this body. I just—I needed to do something to stop the necromancer. Surely you can understand. She has the power to ruin everything. Please. Please just help me.”

Wade’s dad takes another ominous step forward. The room vibrates with immense power, radiating from him in waves. In an odd way, it’s as if every molecule gravitates toward him, eliminating even the oxygen from the space, as it gets sucked into his energy.

“You are in no place to bargain, child. You shouldn’t even be here,” he says in a silky cadence.

The Fetch bows her head, agreeing. “You’re right. Absolutely right. I should never have…”

“Just as with necromancers,” Wade’s dad flicks his gaze to me, “Gemini Twins are not to meddle with the natural laws of life and death. They are perfectly balanced as they are. Yet, there is always one of you who does not