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

Wade clears his throat, walking back to the columbarium. “Er, yeah. I think I’ve seen him around town before.”

Following behind him, my heart clenches at the lie. Maybe if I come clean, he’ll feel open enough to do it, too.

“So, I have something to tell you…” I say.

Wade runs his hand along the backside of his neck and turns to look at me. “Okay, what is it?”

“The other day, when you called me about your grandpa…something happened.” I search his eyes, hoping to see some glint of emotion, maybe guilt, for having just lied. But all that’s reflected back at me is curiosity. I look down at my shoes and clear my throat. “I, uh—I think I’ve finally gotten a good grip on my powers.”

Wade’s eyes widen and he takes a step closer. “That’s fantastic, Autumn. Why didn’t you tell me sooner? This would have been good news…”

I shake my head. “Not exactly. I guess I can say I’d rather I didn’t have to practice the way I did.”

“What do you mean?” he says, narrowing his gaze and taking a seat on the granite bench. He pats the spot beside him and I sit down.

“Well, Colton and Cat were in an accident…something ran out in front of them. They swerved to miss and…” I turn to face the columbarium and my words drift off.

“And?” he presses.

I press my palms together and slide them between my knees. “Cat died.”

“What?” Wade says, indignantly. “And you didn’t tell me? This whole time you were here when—”

I wave a hand. “She’s fine.”

“Jesus Christ—say that part first, would you?” he says, clutching at his chest and walking away. I follow behind him, reaching for his arm and spinning him around.

“There’s more to it, though,” I whisper, biting on the side of my cheek. “I’m the one who brought her back.”

Wade’s inhale is sharp and I see the recognition in his eyes. Recognition he was hoping wasn’t true. “Like, you gave her CPR?”

I press my lips tight and raise an eyebrow. “You know that’s not what I meant.”

Wade shakes his head. “But you…you can see the ghosts. Abigail—”

I shrug. “I know. For some reason, I can do both. I don’t understand how it all works. I just know Cat’s alive because of what I did.”

Wade’s hands fly to his head and he rakes his fingertips through his hair. “This is—bad. Really bad.”

“Bad? I thought you were excited for me to figure out my powers,” I say, trying to coax him along.

His eyes flit back to me and he nods. “You’re right. It is. Totally. I just mean…” His eyebrows tug in and the lines across his jaw tighten. “How horrible for Cat. And you. That must have been terrifying.”

I stare at him, shocked that when faced with the truth, he still isn’t willing to open up fully to me.

My heart clenches and my gaze falls to the ground. Leaves billow past in colors of brown, gold, and red, and I can’t help but wish things were as simple as their lifespans. Leaves bud, grow, and eventually wither and die. They fall to the ground without holding on to what once was. Instead, they just…let go.

Nodding, I finally say, “Yeah, it was pretty bad. I can’t say I’m in any hurry to use that power again. You know?”

Taking a deep breath, I return my gaze to him. If he can keep secrets of his own, maybe I should keep a few of my own. Like Colton’s kiss…

Wade steps forward, wrapping his arms around me. Melting into his embrace I close my eyes.

“If there’s anything I can do, let me know,” he whispers, stroking my hair.

“There’s nothing to do. Cat will heal…” I say. “She is healing. In fact, everyone’s surprised at how fast she’s getting better.”

Wade doesn’t say anything at first and when I look up, his facial expression is contorted with worry.

“What is it? What’s wrong?” I say.

Wade shakes his head and forces a smile. “It’s nothing.”

“Are you sure, because it kinda seems like something.”

“I’m just—worried for you is all. Necromancy is a big deal. It’s not a power that’s easy to shoulder,” he says.

“I don’t have to do it alone. I have you,” I say, watching his every movement.

Holding still at first, he finally nods. “You do,” he whispers.

“Then that’s all that matters. Come on, let’s go for a drive. We’ve been trapped in this town for the past few days. I think we need some time away from all of this. Let’s go back to Windhaven for the night. I’m sure the estate stuff can wait until another day,” I say, dropping my arms so I can slide a hand into his.

“I like the sound of that,” he says, trying to force his lips into a smile.

“Good, because you don’t get a choice,” I say, turning on my heel and leading the way back to Blue.

We both climb into our seats, but Wade stares at the columbarium in silence.

“Do you need more time?” I ask, my hand poised on the keys in the ignition.

He shakes his head. “No, I’m good. There’s nothing left for me here.”

My heart breaks a little for him, knowing that whatever is going on must be tearing him up inside. I just wish he’d let me in…

Slipping the car into drive, I pull out of the cemetery and out onto the road. I turn on some music and lower the windows to allow the scent of fall to wash away the lily fragrance still lingering in the cab of my vehicle.

We drive in silence, each of us wrapped up in our own thoughts and worries. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in all of this, it’s that we should hold tight to those we love…not push them further away. You never know when your time together could be cut short.

The farther north we drive, many of the trees still hold tight to their leaves. It’s like a resurrection