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

older graves. They look totally different in the semi-daylight, but still have an air of mystery and romance to them. In fact, as the sun sets low behind the trees, the air of mystery is heightened.

Brushing my hands along the older tombstones and statues, I can’t help but wonder how we lost our desire to honor the dead with more than a flat slab of rock. We used to take more care—put more effort into honoring the love we shared for a lost friend or family member.

I edge my way to the place where I first met Wade and take a seat. Charlotte’s grave looks the same—aged and worn, but still beautiful in its etching.

“Well, Charlotte, we meet again,” I say. “A lot has changed since the last time I was here.”

A single red rose sits beside the tombstone, perhaps left by family or someone like me who admires the past. I study the markings and small ornate sculptures along the outer edge of her headstone. She must have been a prominent woman in the town to have such a beautifully crafted piece.

When I was last here, I had no idea I had powers. No idea I could resurrect the dead or see them. I just…felt called to be near them. That was all.

I suppose it’s why I wanted to be a forensic scientist, too. Death is a part of me. It’s engrained into who and what I am.

Death is my gift. Or is it life?

Perhaps it’s a fine line to tread.

Even though I’m convinced I did the right thing with Cat, I have this innate urge to bury the gift of resurrection. Because really, who should ever have the power to decide who lives and who dies? Who should have the right to play God and alter the fate of another?

What if I altered the future by saving her?

My gaze falls to the rose. It reminds me of the first time Wade was at Blackwood Manor and the vase of roses shattered to the floor. Wade and I had been on the verge of taking things to the next level that day.

Sighing to myself, I place my fingers on my lips. I don’t know how to tell Wade about Colton’s kiss, but I know it’ll have to be done soon or he’ll think I was keeping it from him. Which I suppose I have been. But not for my sake—for his.

My eyes flit to the headstone again and I read its inscription: May the Angel of Death Lead Thee into Paradise.

I truly hope on the other side is paradise. Knowing that would make it easier to let go. Picking up the rose, I spin it between my thumb and index finger. As I do so, a tiny red thread drops to the ground. Curious, I pick it up. It’s no longer than two or three inches, but the center is frayed and looks like it could snap in two at a moment’s notice.

I know the feeling.

I set the rose and string down, letting them rest beside the headstone.

“Good talk,” I say, patting Charlotte’s grave as I stand back up.

The sunlight is nearly gone, and only bright-red tendrils slip through tiny cracks between tree trunks. Making my way back to the columbarium, I continue to take in the names of people around me, wondering what their lives were like and how long it’s been since anyone visited them.

As I make my way into the newer part of the cemetery, I’m pulled up short when I realize Wade isn’t where I left him—and he isn’t alone. Yards away from the columbarium, he stands with his back to me. His arms are out wide, flailing about in the air, as if he’s passionately describing something.

I edge closer, trying to see if I can get within earshot. As I do, I notice the man he’s talking to isn’t a stranger. He’s the man who billowed out of the black smoke and collected the souls at the site of Cat and Colton’s accident.

“What the—?” I say, narrowing my gaze and creeping closer. I stop a few meters back, shrouding myself behind a large oak tree.

“It is forbidden, Wade. You know the consequences if you—” the other man says.

Wade counters. “I don’t care what you say. I’m not like you. It could be a full lifetime from now before I ever have to—”

“The duration of your human existence doesn’t matter. The fact is, she breaks the laws balancing life and death. Her kind is in direct opposition to what it is we’ve been put here to do. You know this,” the man says.

My eyes widen and I take a step back.

Are they talking about me?

“You don’t know that. She can see the dead, that’s true. But she might not be a necromancer,” Wade retorts.

“Has she not told you of her friend, then?”

“I—what are you talking about?” Wade says, clearly flustered by the question.

I bite down on my lip and curse myself for not having been honest sooner.

“We are done here. Talk to her and see for yourself,” the man says. “Then, end this charade. This forbidden relationship will only end badly. Should the Moirai catch wind…”

“They won’t,” Wade says, taking a step forward.

“You don’t know that. If they do, hers will not be the only thread they cut loose.” Before Wade can say anything in response, the man vanishes into his billow of black smoke.

Chapter 30

Sinner

Straightening my shoulders, I move around the large oak tree and make my way over to Wade as nonchalantly as possible. Before I jump to any conclusions, I’m going to need to hear what he has to say. Besides, I’m acutely aware he’s not the only one who’s been keeping secrets still.

“Hey, who was that?” I ask as I reach him.

Wade spins around, eyes wide. All the color has drained from his face and it takes him a moment to recover. “I, uh—that was no one. Just some guy who was looking for the caretaker.”

I narrow my gaze