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

everyone’s total attention. “The remains will be at the catacombs soon. Colton will let everyone know when they’re in place. Cat and Wade, I need you to get them to the central chamber. You’re the only ones who can do this besides me. I’ll astral-project to draw my dad’s attention until I know the remains are safely inside. From what I understand, having the remains in the catacombs should weaken the Lemure enough for me to join you. Then, you wait for me. Everyone else—I want you to stay here. And stay safe.”

“How will we know if your distraction is successful?” Wade asks, his jaw set. “I won’t leave you to fend for yourself if it’s not even working.”

He’s clearly not happy about my plan.

I lift my gaze, sweeping it from Dominic to Diana. “We have two powerful psychics here. I’m pretty sure they’ll be able to work it out.”

Wade’s mouth snaps shut. He knows I’m right. Diana was even able to get Cat and Colton back here in the nick of time. She knew they’d be needed before I even did.

Turning to Colton, I ask, “How long do we have?”

Colton closes his eyes and drops his head in concentration. “Minutes maybe. He’s almost there.”

I nod, brushing off my jeans. “Good. Then, it’s time.” I step away, looking for a comfortable place to sit. My eyes lock on a set of Adirondack chairs facing the water and take a couple steps toward them.

Wade grabs hold of my wrist, pulling me up short. “Are you really sure about this?”

I look into his scared eyes and exhale. “I’m not sure of anything. But I know I have to make this work. For my dad…and for you. It’s our safest bet. I refuse to send you into this unprotected. If astral-projecting might give you a chance, I have to try. Plus, it’s a helluva lot safer than if I were to go in this form,” I say, sweeping my hands down my sides.

“Not the way Dominic tells it. Besides, I’m not worried about me,” Wade says, pressing his lips tightly.

“You should be. This is your one life and I won’t let it end early because you chose to be with me. I won’t let your dad be right,” I say, bending in and brushing my lips to his.

“You seem to forget this is your one life, too. I swear, you have some sort of death wish, woman,” he says, swallowing hard.

I pause, taking a moment to think about his words. “Maybe you’re right. Death does seem to follow me around.” Slowly, I look up into his worried eyes and smirk.

“This isn’t funny,” he mumbles.

“I know,” I whisper, holding my chin up.

He places his hands on either side of my face, drawing me to him. His lips press down, making my skin buzz and my pulse quicken. As he pulls back, he whispers, “You better be damn careful.”

“I will. Now, go. I need to concentrate. Get Cat and be ready to leave as soon as Colton gives you the signal. I promise, I’ll join you as soon as I can,” I say, pressing my forehead to his.

He nods, placing one last kiss on my lips before turning away from me.

"All right, ladies and gentlemen, showtime," Dominic says, rubbing his hands together.

I sweep my eyes over the group one final time. Everyone is here for me—for my family.

I hope I don’t let them down.

Hopefully, it goes the way we want, but if it doesn't, it won't be for lack of trying.

I continue to the Adirondack chairs in the middle of the yard and take a seat, resting back. The view is of the pond, but it’s more obscured than my view. There are a lot more trees and plants growing wild between here and the shore. In the distance, though, I can still make out my house.

Taking a deep breath, I lower my shoulders, trying to get into a more relaxed state.

I've only ever done this while inside the resurrection chamber, and never in search of something that could tear me apart.

God, I hope I can reach the part of my dad that's still human.

I hear footsteps come up behind me, crunching in the grass.

Diana kneels down beside my chair and pats my arm. "This is a brave thing you're doing."

"Thanks," I mutter. "I don't feel all that brave."

She locks her piercing blue eyes with mine, holding them until I squirm in the seat. Then, her eyebrows knit together, and she says, “Bravery often masks itself as uncertainty. At least in the beginning. It isn’t always easy to do the right thing. Especially when it means advancing through the unknown.” Standing back up, she pats my shoulder as she walks away. “Good luck, Autumn. I’ll be watching from this side and keeping a close eye on you.”

I stare out into the pond, not really looking at it, as I listen to the sound of her footsteps make their way back to the group.

Colton’s words, though distant, come to me loud and clear. “He’s at the catacombs.”

Exhaling slowly, I lean my head back and close my eyes.

It’s time.

Chapter 29

Splintering

I inhale slowly, listening to the sounds of my friends chattering behind me as some of them gear up to leave. Their words blend together, then fade out as I focus on the sounds of the pond creatures. Frogs sing at the edge of the water and various birds call out to each other somewhere in the distance. I let their songs settle my nerves and calm my brain until I lift up and out of it all.

My consciousness spreads out, blanketing the space around my body until I completely separate from it. Unlike my other astral attempts back at the house, there’s no distinct direction to follow, no pathway to take that will guide me. Instead, I float upward like a balloon no longer tethered by its string.

At first, it’s disconcerting, but I can’t help but be in awe of the beauty in colors from