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

later… But just know that I’m very proud of you, Autumn,” he says, smiling awkwardly. It’s pretty clear giving compliments isn’t his strong suit.

“Thanks,” I whisper.

“Her parents will need to know about what’s transpired here. They’ll all need to contact the Academy to lean on their magical support while she heals,” Dad says. “Make sure she doesn’t exert herself or try to get up. Her body won’t be ready for that.”

“Okay. I’ll make sure it gets done,” I say.

“Good. I’ll give you all some space. If you need me, I’ll be around the house,” Dad says, leaving my side to make his way upstairs.

Standing back, I breathe a sigh of relief and take in the scene. Abigail is no longer with us, apparently having better things to do with her ghostly time. The pentacle in the center of the room is already starting to fade into the sandy floor from the back and forth motion of our footsteps. Even the magic keeping the flames lit is beginning to dwindle as the light in the space dims.

“We might want to think about getting everyone upstairs,” I say, turning to the twins. “Cat needs to rest, and we’ll have to have a word with your parents. They’ll need to know.”

Colton’s face drops, but he nods. “That’ll be a fun conversation.”

“But a necessary one,” I say, walking over to them.

“I suppose you’re right,” Colt says, gingerly pulling away from Cat as he stands up. “Autumn, you’re amazing. I hope you weren’t offended that I didn’t call you. I mean, I just—I know you weren’t really sure about all of this and I needed help fast.”

“Of course not. I’m just glad it all worked out.”

“That makes two of us. Thank you again,” he says, pulling me into his embrace. A masculine, earthy scent permeates my senses and suddenly, the energy between us shifts, like an electrical current suddenly switched on.

Just like before, strange blue and orange flames lick at my arms where his touch lingers, and the hairs on the back of my neck rise. I pull back, peering into the depths of his dark-brown eyes as anxiety unfurls in my gut.

His eyes take on more seriousness as wrinkles in his forehead emerge. Racing his tongue over his lips, Colton’s eyes fall to my mouth, and he inhales sharply. As if moving in super speed toward me, his mouth suddenly bears down on mine, taking my breath away.

When my brain catches up, I push him back, cutting off the kiss. I take a step back, covering my lips with my hands.

“I—I’m so sorry, Autumn. I shouldn’t have…” Colton says breathlessly.

I shake my head, turning away from him. “No, you really shouldn’t have.”

Sucking in a jagged breath, I shake away the tendrils of panic welling inside me. Wade was right.

The elation from Cat’s resurrection begins to dissipate and all I can think about is what happens now?

How do I deal with Colton going forward? And worst yet, how am I going to explain everything to Wade?

As if on cue, my cell phone rings in my pocket, making me jump. Fumbling for it, I pull it out, and stare at Wade’s face smiling back at me. My heartbeat thumps loudly in my ears and debate on whether or not to answer it.

I’m a big girl. I can do hard things.

I straighten my shoulders and tap the button. “Hey, handsome. I was just—”

“Autumn, can you come to Mistwood?” Wade’s voice is gruff, and I can tell instantly something is wrong.

Stepping away from everyone, I swap the phone to my other ear. “Of course. What’s happened? Is your grandpa—?”

There’s a long pause and just before I pull the phone back to see if he’s still on the line, he whispers, “He just died. I don’t really want to be alone right now.”

Chapter 29

Circle Back Around

Funeral homes give me the creeps.

“Have I mentioned how much I appreciate you being here, Autumn?” Wade asks, taking a seat in the front row of the chapel.

I smile softly, sitting beside him and resting my hand on his knee. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

His lips curve, but the smile doesn’t really make it to his eyes. Through all of the arrangements and conversations about his grandpa’s life, Wade’s never broken down. He’s been very matter-of-fact, despite the grief that’s so evident in his aura. I wish he’d open up more, even if it was just with me.

My eyes flit to the urn in the middle of the table in front of us. “Is there anything else I can do?”

“Come with me to the cemetery, I suppose,” he says, clasping his hands in his lap.

“Are you sure you don’t want an actual service? I mean, we could put this off and let his friends and your family—”

Wade chuckles, shaking his head. “The funeral director keeps asking me that. All of his friends are long gone and I’m all that’s left of our family. So…”

“There’s no real point. I get it,” I say, squeezing his knee. “Well, when you’re ready, I’m with you.”

“Thank you. Do you mind if we wait here for a few minutes?”

“Of course not.” I lean into him and rest my head on his shoulder.

We sit in silence for the longest time, only listening to the sound of the clock ticking on the wall. It’s almost like a metronome, keeping the pulse of life for those still living.

The funeral director quietly walks up to Wade and kneels down next to him in the aisle. “I do not want to rush you, Mr. Hoffman, but light is starting to dwindle. If you’d like to bring your grandfather to the columbarium, we really should be heading out in the next fifteen minutes.”

Wade’s dark eyebrows tug in, but he nods. “We can go now. I guess I wasn’t paying attention to the time.”

The funeral director tips his head, standing back up, and making room for the two of us to leave the chapel. Wade breaks from the aisle, walking up to the urn