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

Taking a deep breath, I unlock, then push open the front door. It creaks loudly, echoing into the main entryway, announcing my arrival.

Surprisingly, light filters into the entryway before I even flip the light switch. Setting down my backpack next to the staircase, I walk into the dining room, following the light.

“Hello?” I call out.

I wasn’t expecting anyone, but Dad could be home, for all I know. That would be a relief.

As I enter the kitchen, James looks up from the stove. “Ah, Ms. Blackwood. I was hoping I’d catch you this evening.”

“I—uh, I was kinda hoping I’d run into you, too,” I say, smiling.

“Yes, your note. You’ll be pleased to know I’ve been in contact with your father and he plans on returning tomorrow,” James says, stirring some ground meat in a pan.

“That’s fantastic. I have a few…uh, questions I really need to ask him,” I say, trying to sound nonchalant. “Whatcha making?” I hop on the counter beside him, wrapping my hands around the edge of the granite countertop.

“Breakfast burritos. Your father said you used to be fond of them as a child, so I thought I would whip up a batch to put in the freezer for you. They’re far healthier than those toaster tarts and Red Bull,” he says, shooting me a sideways glance. His soft brown eyes sparkle with a certain knowing that only wisdom in age brings.

“You’re not wrong,” I say, grinning.

It’s actually nice to have someone else in the house—someone who doesn’t bring any baggage. I didn’t realize how off I’ve been, being here all alone.

“Everything all right, Ms. Blackwood?” James asks, quirking an eyebrow.

I blink away, realizing I must have been staring. “Yeah, sorry. I was just thinking…”

“Anything I can be of service with?”

I think on that question for a moment, then hop down. “Well, maybe, actually. You haven’t… Do you ever sense something odd in this house?”

His eyes meet mine with a surprising level of guardedness and I chew on my lower lip. “How do you mean?”

It occurs to me, he may have no idea about the Blackwood family abilities, let alone the haunted nature of this house.

My eyebrows knit together. “Do you ever feel like there’s something here? Like a presence?”

James shuts off the burner and turns on another one. He walks to the refrigerator and pulls out the eggs. “Every now and again, I do get the distinct impression we are not alone inside Blackwood Manor. But from what I understand, that is to be expected.”

“You mean Abigail?” I say, narrowing my gaze.

He nods curtly.

“Yeah, I don’t mean her, actually,” I say, scrunching my face.

James turns to me, his eyes clouded with concern. “Would this have anything to do with the mess in the study?”

My mouth pops open and I nod. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I should have told you—”

He waves a hand dismissively. “It’s quite all right.”

“I was going to clean it up this weekend. I’ve just had so much on my mind.”

“It is all taken care of,” he says turning back to the stove and cracking a number of eggs into the pan. “But to answer your question, yes, I have felt at times the energy of the manor take on a more…ominous vibe. I had hoped your father could explain it to me but we seem to be missing one another in person as of late. You know, when your father hired me a number of years ago, I was under the impression it would be him and I as the only living souls wandering these halls. It’s been ever so pleasant to have you here,” James says, reaching out and patting my leg.

“Thank you,” I say. “I just wish he’d be here more often, too.”

“Oh, I do agree with you on that,” he chuckles, adding in some cut up sausages into the egg mixture. “He’s always been very busy. Trying to occupy his time and keep his mind away from his worries.”

“He was lucky to have found you,” I say. “Where did you two meet?”

James looks up, his eyes distant for a moment. “Well, I’ve known your father for a very long time. In fact, your grandfather and I were childhood friends.”

“Really?” I say, surprised I hadn’t thought to learn more about James sooner.

“Oh, indeed,” he says, nodding. “Charles and I got into plenty of mischief. Granted, he more than I.”

I drop my gaze to my knees and grin.

“It’s always a bit strange to be the mundane human in the mix of very gifted individuals. But your grandfather never made me feel less-than. I suppose, this was passed down to your father,” he says shutting off the burner and readying the tortilla shells. “When my wife Beverly died, I was at a bit of a loss. Your father gave me purpose again. Even if it was only merging our loneliness so neither were truly alone. Besides, once you’re taken in by the mystery of Blackwood Manor, any chance to come back is a second chance at unraveling it.”

“I guess I can attest to that,” I say, nodding. I pause for a moment, thinking about his life and how it must have been for him, being friends with my grandpa, being around this world, but not having any special powers of your own. “Well, I need to get some homework done. Thank you for doing this and talking with me. We should do it more often.”

“No trouble at all. Have a lovely evening, Ms. Blackwood.”

I hop off the counter and walk to the door, but turn back and say, “Call me Autumn.”

James smiles in return. “Goodnight, Autumn.”

Smiling to myself, I walk out into the hallway. When I get into the main entry, I walk past the large staircase and down the hallway that leads to my bedroom.

If James has felt the energy of the manor shift, too, then it must be more of a problem than I thought. There’s a good chance when Dad gets home, we’ll have to perform a banishing