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

Wade walks over to the large picture window on the opposite end of the room. “Well, here it is. My first official apartment rented in my own name.”

“Have you never had your own before?” I ask, surprised. “I thought before your grandpa got sick, you were out on your own.”

He nods. “I was, but for the most part, I was too young to have my own lease. So I, uh, just stayed with different people.” He runs his hand along the backside of his neck.

I get the distinct impression he’s not overly excited about the way his earlier years were spent, so instead of pushing it, I nod.

“Feels good…but weird. You know? God, I hope I can find a job in town. My savings won’t last super long. Especially considering tuition. Any ideas on where I could apply?” he asks, turning back to me.

My eyebrows rise and I step into the middle of the room. “Well, there’s the library…or the Bourbon Room. Pick your poison. Food or books.”

He laughs, shaking his head. “Difficult choice.”

I nod. “Right? I guess there’s always the hospital or nursing home, too. You know, if you want to continue your personal care assistant type work.”

Wade’s brows tug in. “Hmmm… Maybe? I am already certified, so there’s that. I’ll have to give it some thought.”

“Sure.”

Suddenly, the theme song to the television show Lucifer bursts out of Wade’s pocket and he reaches for his cell phone. “Hello?” His face transforms from open to faltering in a matter of seconds. “Oh, yes. Um… I’m waiting on the funds to arrive. I should have it for you—” His eyes flick to me, then to the floor. “Yes, yes. I understand,” he says, biting the side of his cheek and kicking at the carpet. “No, don’t do that. I will definitely have it to you by the end of the week. Yes, thank you. I appreciate that.” He pulls the phone from his ear, pressing the red button and cramming the phone back into his pocket. Everything about his energy has deflated.

“Not good, huh?” I say, walking up to him and placing a hand on his upper arm.

He screws up his face and shakes his head. “Not really. They need my first trimester’s tuition by Friday or they’ll have to open my spot to another student.”

“Will you have the money from your grandpa by then?” I say, trying not to sound as alarmed as I feel.

He shrugs. “Probably not.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I dunno. Pull a bank job?” he says flippantly.

“Wade,” I groan.

“Kidding. Well, mostly kidding.” He steps away, rubbing his hand over his mouth. “I don’t know. I’ll have to call the lawyer, I guess? Figure out if there’s a way to speed up the process. If that doesn’t work, then… I’ll resort to plan B.”

“Which is?” I ask, quirking an eyebrow.

His face turns ashen and his nostrils flare. “You probably don’t wanna know.”

Chapter 4

Desecrated

My pulse picks up speed as I slow down Big Blue and pull into the parking lot for Wade’s new apartment building. I hope to God he’s received good news from the lawyer today. If not, I shudder to think of what he’ll try to do in order to make things work. Especially since he seems hell-bent on not accepting help from anyone.

School starts on Monday and if he can’t pay his tuition today, there’s a good chance the school will give away his spot. After everything, it would be devastating for him. Especially to be this close, only to have to wait until next fall—or longer.

I park the car and take a deep breath, grounding myself for what’s to come. I truly sympathize with his plight. If it hadn’t been for my dad’s surprise payment, I never would have been able to make it work. Just saving for the U was bad enough. The stress will eat you up alive if you let it.

It’s freezing outside today. The temps have dropped below zero and even as small of a walk as it is from the parking lot to the front door, the chill can cut right through you. Making a mad dash from my vehicle to the building, I pull my coat in tight and thank the heavens for such warm gloves. The iron handle of the door is likely to remove skin at this temp. Other than the cold, when I reach the front door, I pull it back and enter without any of the previous reservations I had about the building. It’s funny how much a little perspective shift makes such a big difference.

I walk down the hallway, noticing the old-fashioned sconces along the wall. The decorative embellishments suggest they were created in a different era, which makes me smile. Blackwood Manor is full of the same kind of antiquated decorations, and they add to the overall ambiance of the place. I couldn’t imagine it being updated for a more modern look. It would just seem weird. This sort of decor makes me wonder if the same architects designed both buildings, or if the lighting was just the “in thing” at the time.

As I raise my hand to knock, Wade pulls back his door, ready for me.

“Hey, thought that was you,” he says, swinging it open farther. His eyes sparkle, taking the edge off my nerves about his tuition.

“Really? Was I walking like an elephant or something?” I laugh, dropping my arm to my side and walking in.

He chuckles, twisting around to point behind him. “No, I saw you pull in, thanks to the extra large window currently lacking curtains.”

“Ah, I see,” I say, smiling. “Guess we should make a trip to the store to get some of those, huh?”

“Probably wise.” He nods, closing the door with a click.

“So, go on then. What’s the good news?” I say, unable to help myself.

Wade takes a step back, his eyebrows lifting into his hairline. “Well…”

“Oh no, it is good news, right?” I say, my nerves getting