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

understand the beauty mortality possesses. You have already been gifted mercy in this duality, but you do not even see it for what it is. You yearn for something you can’t possibly understand and demand to defy it. How incredibly petulant.”

“Mercy? To grow old and die while your brother—your twin—can live forever? That’s not mercy—” the Fetch begins, but stops short at the murderous look on the face of Wade’s dad.

“Child, if anyone knows what mercy is in this regard, it’s me. But if you believe you know better…perhaps we put it to the test. Perhaps immortality is just the punishment you deserve,” he says, placing an enormous hand atop Wade’s head.

Wade’s body again drops to his knees as his Dad’s entire appearance transforms before my eyes. Dark wings sprout from his back and his skin turns a dark shade of gray. His eyes glow like embers on a fire as he’s suddenly clad in a pitch-black robe. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he was a Dementor from Harry Potter—but they never had wings. Then, in his free hand, a scythe the color of blood materializes from the center of his palm outward. It glows brightly, emitting a repeating pulse of white and gold light.

Without a single word, Cat’s Fetch is thrust from Wade’s body. It lingers just outside, staring slack-jawed at the frame she just inhabited. Then, with a wave of his grey hand, the Fetch dismantles itself like burnt leaves floating on the wind. Pointing his scythe at the dancing orb of particles, Wade’s dad redirects it all out the tunnel exit.

Horror and fascination threaten to consume me. Every cell in my body is suddenly alive with a deep, powerful knowing. I cover my mouth, squelching the need to cry out. Wade’s father is no Dementor…

He’s the Angel of Death.

Slowly, he turns his glowing amber gaze my way. Then, raising the hand from his son’s body, he curls a finger in the air, summing me forward. I take a tentative step out of the shadows, my entire body jittery in the movement. However, Wade’s soul moves past me, cutting off my advance. Relief washes over me at first, but it’s quickly replaced by dread.

“Wait,” I cry out, coming to my senses. “Please, don’t hurt him. None of this was his fault.”

Wade’s soul turns back to me, shooting me a lopsided grin. “I got this, Dru. And a little piece of advice… Don’t ever bargain with him. It never ends well.” Turning back to his father, Wade’s soul moves forward until he comes to a stop just behind his lifeless, kneeling body.

“Do you see now?” the Angel of Death says, his voice a deeper, scarier version of itself. “The affairs of life and death are not to be trifled with.”

Wade’s soul nods. “I never doubted you on that.”

“Then why?” his father asks, slowly transforming back into his human form.

I can barely imagine a place in this world where the Angel of Death even needs to ask a question like that.

“You already know why,” Wade says softly, looking back at me.

Inhaling deeply, Wade’s dad turns his gaze to the ceiling, as if asking for help from God. “There are millions of women—millions yet who have powers. Of all them who exist in this world, why would you choose to love…a necromancer? She defiles everything we stand for—everything we vow to protect and uphold. Is this a rebellion thing?”

Wade actually has the guts to snicker.

His father peers through his eyebrows. “You know the rules, Wade. One day soon you’ll be taking your place by my side and you’ll have to do what I do. You’ll see all I see… I wish I could show you just how wrong it is. How wrong her kind is… Necromancy is a power that should never have existed.”

“What’s with all this her kind, your kind bullshit? She’s a good person. Her heart is in the right place. She didn’t ask for this gift—it’s how she was born, for fucksake,” Wade says, moving away from his body and his father. “You know what, if you’re going to anoint me early, then just do it. But regardless of when, I’ll still run things the way I see fit.”

“You won’t be allowed to stay with her,” his father growls, stepping forward. “You will have duties to perform.”

I swear, even the torches dim under the intensity of the anger bubbling to the surface.

Wade drops his chin to his chest and turns back around. “Isn’t that what you want? For me to give up everything the way you did?”

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Wade’s dad sighs heavily. “You know why I had to… If I could have stayed longer—”

“But you didn’t, and you took Mom down with you,” Wade spits. “And I’ve been here to pick up the mortal pieces alone. So forgive me if I don’t give a damn about the legacy you want to impress upon me.”

His father’s face crumples, but his jaw sets. “I will not help you again. Death follows this one like the plague.” He raises a finger to point at me and I jut out my chin. He ignores it and turns back to Wade. “Next time, no more games. No more defiance. You will take your place.”

“Fine,” Wade mutters under his breath.

“And I will not allow you use our assets to help—”

“I said fine,” Wade repeats, practically spitting venom back at his dad.

“Wade—” I start, taking a cautious step forward. “Please be careful.”

Wade shoots me a sideways glance and holds out a hand, telling me to stay back.

His father turns his penetrating gaze on me. Despite looking so much like the man I love, a terrifying shiver races up my spine and I clamp my mouth shut.

Sighing heavily, he extends a hand summoning Wade’s soul. His spirit sweeps forward as if being sucked forward without his consent. Then, with the flick of his dad’s wrist, Wade’s soul is thrust back inside his body.

Instantly, Wade crumples over, sputtering for air and