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

“Well, what in the hell are you waiting for? We don’t have all damn day. Come on, guys. Clock’s ticking.” She holds out a hand as if I could reach it from where I’m standing.

I nod, leaning against the stone wall as I begin my ascent. The stairs feel oddly secure despite not being attached to anything that supports them on the one side. But the steps with the missing treads are a pain. Cat and Dominic follow me, taking their time and maneuvering with care. Dominic has his arms locked beneath Wade’s as he carries his upper body, while Cat carries his feet. My legs are wobbly, but I push myself through until I reach the doorway. Diana latches a firm grasp around my forearm as I extend my hand to her.

She pulls me into my bedroom, which looks again like it’s been tipped on end. There’s broken glass, wood, and items scattered all over the place. My bed is cattywampus, resting on its side against the window seat, and there’s an enormous crack down the wall behind me.

To my left, Colton stands completely still, his arms raised out in front of him and fingers splayed. His eyes are a bright, glowing white, without a single hint of the normal deep brown.

“Coming through,” Dominic calls out behind me.

I step out of the way, rushing over to Wade as they enter the room with him.

“We need to get out of this house. The manifestation is only being held back by Colton. As soon as he lets go, the Lemure will resume its destruction,” Diana says, tipping her head toward the door. “Let’s get the hell outta here and assess everything when we’re at a safe distance.”

Dominic nods his head and starts walking toward the door. Cat keeps up the pace, making sure to keep Wade’s body somewhat level.

“Autumn, follow them. Colt and I will take up the rear. He has to pull his power back very slowly so we can all make it out with the least disruption,” Diana says, raising an arm and pointing to the door.

Trembling, I nod my head and do as she says. Everywhere I look, things are smashed and strewn across the floor. It’s as if all of the previous construction work and cleanup has been completely erased. Rushing to catch up, I walk beside Wade’s body, holding onto his right arm as it drapes over his torso. My eyes are drawn again to the sickly color of his complexion, and I hold back a sob.

Please don’t be…

I shut down the thought, darting ahead of Dominic, so I can open the front door. I step over a broken vase and pry the door back. Dominic treads carefully, making sure not to trip or drop Wade’s upper body. Whenever possible, he pushes debris out of the way so Cat has an easier time focusing on the path ahead.

Once they go through, I leave the door open wide and follow after them.

The man who was with Diana last semester—Blake, I think his name is—gawks at us as we rush out of the building. His arms open wide as his dark, penetrating eyes look straight through the three of us, searching for something else.

As Diana and Colton make their slow exit from the building, he races past us and up the steps toward them.

“What in the actual fuck, woman?” he sputters, wrapping his arms around Diana. “Why can’t you just stick to our plan?”

She chuckles softly, pulling back from his embrace. “I don’t know what you were so worried about. It’s not like I can die, Blake,” she says, patting him on the chest.

“Regardless, I can. I just about had a heart attack out here,” Blake shoots back.

“So dramatic,” Diana says, running a hand along his jawline.

My eyes widen and I stop to gape at them. “Wait, what? You’re immortal?”

“Later,” Diana says, placing her hand on my shoulder as she walks on by and heads to the black SUV parked on the drive.

“Autumn, can you get the door?” Dominic calls out, tipping his chin to the back door of his red Honda Civic.

I scramble around them, pulling the door open and rushing around to the other side. Sliding into the backseat, I help take Wade’s body. Half pulling him across, Dominic helps Cat feed him into the back seat so he rests across my lap.

The irony of this situation isn’t lost on me.

Shuddering away my trepidation, I run my hand over his forehead.

“I’m here, Wade. I’m right here,” I whisper.

Once Wade’s fully inside, Cat closes the door and races over to the black SUV. She opens the back door and reaches for Colton, whose eyes are still white and face expressionless. Her hands guide him to the seat and Colt disappears inside.

Dominic, on the other hand, hops into the driver’s seat and starts the engine. Leaning out of the window, Blake does some sort of hand signal to follow them and he gets inside. When everyone has taken a seat, the black SUV spins its tires, propelling the vehicle forward.

As they do, the front door to the house slams shut. The stained-glass windows along the outer edge shatter, speckling the ground with multicolored glass.

“Go, go,” I cry out, knowing just what my dad’s capable of doing—even outside the manor.

Dominic doesn’t waste a moment. He puts his foot down and the Civic jolts forward as he races after the others. The smell of burned rubber filters through the air, thankfully taking over the smell of blood momentarily.

Exhaling a jagged breath, I blink back tears as I run my fingertips across Wade’s forehead repeatedly, pushing back any stray hair.

“How is he?” Dominic asks, his tone painted with worry.

I look up, catching his gaze in the rear-view mirror.

Shaking my head, I say, “I don’t know.”

“Is he—”

“I said I don’t know,” I say, louder this time. “My hands are shaking too much to find a pulse.”

“Sorry, it’s just that...” Dominic slams the butt of his hand on the steering wheel. “This is