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

Confusion blossoms across his features and Abigail ignores it. Instead, she points at the body before her. “You must find a way to get my body into the catacombs. Once inside, I will walk you through my entombment.”

He blinks away the tears still falling. “But if I am to bury you, how will you be able to—”

Rage suddenly blossoms in her essence and she quivers violently. “I will never return. Do you not see? I have been damned, Warren. Cursed, by you, to remain as I am before you. Now, do as I ask, or we shall suffer a worse fate.”

The vision ends abruptly, and I bend over, gasping for air.

Why did she show me this? Is she trying to tell me she’s losing control? That she is the entity going rogue?

If so, what in the hell am I meant to do about it?

Chapter 9

Seeking Answers

After last night’s revelations, I barely manage to pay attention to classes. Even the presentation with Wade goes by in sort of a blur. Until now, it never really occurred to me to wonder if Abigail should still be here. Once I got past the initial disruption of her being a part of this house in the first place, it all just sorta felt…normal. It didn’t even cross my mind that maybe she never got the chance to cross over. Or that she might still want to.

I vaguely remember her saying something to me when I first entered the resurrection chamber. She wanted my help releasing some sort of binding, but I couldn’t deal at the time. Everything was too new.

Could she be growing restless because I haven’t helped her yet?

“Well, that went considerably better than I expected,” Wade says, sliding his backpack over his shoulder and walking over to me.

I blink up at him. “Huh?”

“You know, the presentation we just did not more than fifteen minutes ago. On the Fates…” he says, chuckling. “Ring any bells?”

“Oh, yeah. Right?” I say, nodding and scooting out from my desk. “Sorry, I was just so relieved to be done, I kinda zoned out the rest.”

That part is true. At least now my forced togetherness with him has come to a close. Maybe now I can spend some time trying to sort out my brain.

“Funnily enough, I did notice you were off in another land.” He grins, then winks in one of his trademark moves that still sends my heart racing. “Where were you just now, anyway?”

I sigh heavily, walking out of the classroom with him in tow. “I don’t know. Home stuff, I guess.”

“Everything okay? You haven’t had any more ghost attacks or anything, have you?” he says, alarm flushing his features.

“No, not really…”

He arches an eyebrow.

“Well, I mean, my backpack did a disappearing act last night. Then reappeared in my bedroom. So, I guess there’s that,” I say, making a face.

“Nothing else, though? No more explosions or…”

I shake my head. “No, nothing like that.”

“Good,” he says, exhaling loudly.

“It’s just been…tense. My dad’s supposed to be back sometime today, though. So, I’m going to drill him about what’s been going on. With any luck, I’ll finally get some answers.”

“Need any backup?” Wade says, his eyebrows knitting together.

I shoot him a sideways glance as we turn down the hallway leading to the commons area. “No, I’m pretty sure I can handle my dad.”

With everything going on, part of me wishes I could just give in to what he wants and say screw it all. As much as I love him, and I really do—I don’t want him throwing his life away for me.

Walking up to one of the large, plush chairs, I set my backpack down and take a seat.

“I bet it will be a relief to finally get some answers,” Wade says, dropping into the chair beside me.

I scratch at my temple. “It all depends on how many answers I can actually get out of him.”

“Good point. Well, the offer still stands. I know how intimidating it can be to talk to a dad,” Wade says, smirking sheepishly. “Plus, I’d still love to finally get to meet the guy.”

My eyebrows flick upward and my lips tug down. “Oh, right. You never got to meet him…”

Instantly, my heart constricts and a wave of guilt rolls through me. For as many times as Wade’s been at the manor, my dad’s been MIA. While it would have been nice to introduce them, now it just sorta feels…awkward.

Wade shoots me a sideways grin. “So, what do ya say?”

I scrunch my face. “I dunno…”

“Come on, Autumn. You can just introduce me as a friend,” he says, frowning. His eyes reflect that aura of hurt just bubbling under the surface, but he holds it together pretty well. “I mean, that’s what’s holding you back, right?”

“Wade…” I begin, trying to sound reasonable.

He swipes away my comment with a stroke of his hand. “Nah, it is what it is right now. I get it.”

I chew on the side of my cheek. He gives me the puppy dog pout and I can’t help but crack. “Fine. But just for a little while. Okay?”

He tips his head. “Deal. Wanna head out now and see if he’s there?”

I shrug. “I suppose.”

“Okay, go home and check. If he’s there, text me and I’ll meet ya. I’m gonna swing by my place and change quick.”

My gaze follows the length of his body. He’s wearing ripped up jeans, a black Pink Floyd t-shirt and his leather jacket. Nothing too crazy.

“Why do you need to change?” I ask, quirking an eyebrow.

His dark eyebrows furrow and his silver eyes glimmer. “You let me worry about all that. I’m not gonna show up looking like a ragtag misfit or something.”

“He’s not gonna care—”

“Shhhh. Just go with it and let me do my thing,” he says, holding a hand out in front of him.

I snicker to myself and stand up. “If you say so.”

He grins broadly. “See ya in about an hour?”

I