Rather than going straight to Blackwood Manor, I find myself driving the country roads in admiration of the changing season. There won’t be much time left before the leaves are gone completely and snow will blanket the ground. Wade doesn’t seem to mind as we drive the winding and twisty roads, hand in hand.
However, before long, I’m well out of my comfort zone for knowing how to get back home and the sun’s light has completely faded from view. I pull over to the side of the road.
“Everything okay?” Wade asks, speaking for the first time in a while.
I nod. “Yeah, just got myself a little lost. I was too busy admiring the leaves. Just need to get a little digital direction.”
Dropping Wade’s hand, I pick up my phone, and press the Maps app, so I can follow the GPS home. How people ever found their way when all they had was a paper map, I’ll never know.
Wade smiles and pats my leg.
Within seconds, the application pinpoints my location, and the fastest route home. Luckily, we’re not too far out. Only another twenty minutes or so. As I shift into drive and look out over the road, I see a woman walking along the side. Partway on the road, partway on the shoulder, she moves with a strange sort of limp. Her outfit is odd—a mixture of old and new. She’s in jeans, but her coat flows behind her like some sort of grayish hooded cloak.
Sweeping my gaze up and down the street, there doesn’t appear to be any houses nearby.
“Where did she come from?” I say to Wade, as I tip my chin toward her.
“Who?” he says, looking around. When his gaze lands on her, he quirks an eyebrow. “She going to a renaissance festival or something?”
I shrug. “Your guess is a good as mine.”
My eyebrows tug in and I drive forward slowly. As I come up next to her, there’s something strange, an energy rolling off her in waves. It doesn’t feel right at all.
“Can you feel that?” I whisper, shooting a look at Wade.
“The creep-me-out vibe?” he asks, returning my gaze.
I nod.
“Yup, getting that one loud and clear. Maybe we should just keep going.”
“Do you think she’s okay?”
“She seems like she knows where she’s going. But I’m not sure we really want to stick around,” Wade says, raising his eyebrows and shivering.
I shrug, realizing he’s probably right. But I need to at least check on her. Rolling down the window, I call out, “Excuse me. Are you okay? Do you need a ride?”
Wade’s wide eyes turn on me.
“What?” I say, sheepishly.
The woman continues to walk, not even giving me a glance over her shoulder.
“Hello?” I repeat.
I continue to troll along, following the woman for a moment, until she comes to an abrupt halt. Goose bumps flash up and down my forearms as I realize where we are. We’re at the location of Cat and Colt’s accident.
My headlights cast a warm glow on the pavement, but I know what the dark stain is that the woman is staring at. Cat’s blood is still evident, but it has turned a darker color, no longer the vibrant red it was days ago. Small fragments of their SUV are still scattered about, but for the most part, whoever came out to clean up the mess did a good job.
I turn to Wade, unsure if I should tell him where we ended up.
The woman stands in the middle of it all, her head down, hood up, and feet in the exact location the SUV had landed.
Taking a deep breath, I put the vehicle in park and reach for the door handle.
Wade grabs hold of my right hand, pulling me back into my seat. “Do not go out there.”
I take a deep breath. “It’ll be fine. I need to know if she’s okay. I don’t know why, but this is something I have to do.”
“Then I’m coming with you,” Wade says, kicking open his door and exiting before I can. I open my door and follow after him.
“Excuse me, can you hear us?” he calls out. “Are you all right?”
The woman doesn’t acknowledge him at all. Walking up to her, I reach out to turn her around, but my hand goes completely through her wrist and I nearly stumble over. Wade catches me and pulls me back.
As the woman turns around, a haunting remnant of Cat locks eyes with me. Where her dark brown eyes should be, there’s nothing but a strange white haze.
Stumbling away, I cover my mouth to hold back the scream of surprise. Cat should be at home and in bed. Not here—not where I found her. And not a ghost.
Instantly, the specter is in my face. Her wide, white gaze pleads with mine. “Sinner,” she shrieks.
Then, she vanishes before our eyes.
Keep reading! Continue with Book 2: Soul Legacy Now!
Soul Legacy
Chapter 1
Loose Ends
After everything we’ve been through, why this?
“You can’t be serious, Wade. Everything is almost done here at Mistwood Point and you’ll be free to move to Windhaven. We have more than enough room at my dad’s house. Why on earth would you want to get an apartment?” I say, combing my fingers through my hair.
Wade sets down the cardboard box, letting it teeter precariously on top of a small stack of others just like it. “I know you don’t get it, and to be honest, it’s hard to explain. I guess after everything that’s gone on, I just don’t think I’m comfortable with that. It’s not you, not at all. This whole thing with my grandpa, going through all of his belongings and life history—it hit me harder than I expected, and I just need some space alone to think.”
My heart skips a beat, practically plummeting into my stomach.
Alone.
Not a good sign.
Taking a deep breath, I pinch the bridge of my nose. This is also about the conversation with the man at the cemetery last fall. I know it is.
“Wade, is there anything you want to tell me? Anything that’s been on your mind since…I don’t know, your grandpa’s funeral?” I ask, once again trying to open the door that will allow him to be honest with me.
His silver eyes widen, and he blinks back surprise. Holding very still for a moment, his gaze turns downward and his jaw clenches. “I—not really. I mean, I know I’ve been a bit off. It’s just…losing everyone who’s related to you, it kind of cuts a hole, you know? I need to make sure I’m in a good place for us.”
I nod, trying to ignore the sinking feeling. “I get that.”
There’s a ring of truth to his words, but I can sense there’s so much more in the undercurrents of his thoughts. Why won’t he open up to me?
I narrow my gaze, watching his movements.
He fidgets with the lid of the box, refusing to look back up at me. “Besides, after taking care of everything here, the last thing I want to do is bring you down before the new semester starts. Getting some independence again will help me get grounded, literally.”
“I understand wanting space and independence, and I’m trying to be supportive of whatever you need. It’s just—there’s plenty of space at the manor. Take a whole wing, if you want. I don’t mind,” I say, standing up and walking over to him. I place my hand on his upper arm, hoping he’ll hold me close.
He twists around, wrapping his arms around me. “It’s not that simple, Autumn. I wish I could explain it in a way that makes sense for you, but it doesn’t even fully make sense to me. You’ll have to just trust me. This is for the best.”
“It doesn’t feel like it…” I whisper, blinking back tears.
“Hey, don’t be sad. This isn’t goodbye. Not at all. I’m moving closer, remember?” he says, tipping my chin up to look at him.
I nod. “I know.”
His lips curve upward as he traces my eyebrow with his pointer finger. “This will work out really well, you’ll see.”
He places his chin on the top of my head and we stand in the middle of his grandpa’s living room, both of us refusing to make a move. There are so many unanswered questions and feelings of upheaval.
I know I’m
going to have to ask him outright about what I saw at the graveyard, but I need to build up the courage first. It’s been weeks, and neither one of us have brought it up. I had hoped by now he would have opened up to me on his own time. Instead, I’ve had to go into research mode, trying to figure out who the man was. Of course, with absolutely no luck whatsoever.
“Wade, I need to ask you something…” I begin.
His gaze lifts to mine, but the moment is broken by a knock on the door. He holds up a finger. “Hold that thought, okay?”
I exhale, letting my shoulders relax.
Wade shoots me an apologetic look and walks to the front door.
“Can I help you?” he asks, standing in the doorway with one hand resting on the frame.
I crane my head, trying to get a better view. A short man with a dark comb-over and navy-blue suit stands in the doorway. It’s not the man from the graveyard, but his appearance screams “official business.”
“Mr. Hoffman, good. I was hoping you’d be here. I’ve been trying to get in touch, but you’re a difficult man to get ahold of,” the man says, pulling his briefcase forward and clutching it to his chest. “We have a date for the official reading of the will.”
Wade nods, sweeping his right arm out to allow the man inside.
The man tips his head and steps into the entry, then walks to the living room. When he sees me, he smiles and says, “Ma’am.”
“Please, it’s Autumn,” I say, holding my hand out.
He takes my hand, giving it a good shake. “David Moore. Mr. Hoffman’s estate attorney.”
“Nice to meet you,” I say, shooting him a genuine smile.
Wade steps around Mr. Moore and cleans off the small coffee table in the middle of the room.
Taking the hint, the lawyer drops his briefcase and clicks it open. Inside is a large manilla envelope, which he pulls out, and then snaps the case shut.
“Here are the details. The closing for the house is set for the first Friday of January, and we will go over the reading of the will two weeks from then. All of the location details are in the envelope, as well as the information we’ve received from your grandfather and you. I’d like for you to review it to make sure there’s nothing we’re missing,” he says, handing Wade the packet.
Wade clears his throat, swallowing hard. He takes the envelope and drops his arm to his side without even looking at it.
“Okay,” he mumbles.
Mr. Moore’s lips press tightly, and he attempts a smile. “I truly am sorry for your loss, Wade. Your grandfather was a good man. I thoroughly enjoyed our talks through the years. He was very fond of you.”
“Yeah,” Wade says, biting on the inside of his cheek.
The awkward silence fills the space between them, and I step forward. “Is there anything else he needs to take care of? Or is that all?”
Mr. Moore takes a step back and shakes his head. “No, that’s all for today. I just needed to make sure in person that Mr. Hoffman was aware of these final details. Thank you both for allowing me to take the time. Have a nice night.” He pats Wade on the shoulder and turns back the way they came in. Wade doesn’t move a muscle. Instead, his forehead is scrunched in thought.
“Here, I’ll show you out,” I say, stepping around them both and leading the way.
I open the door and smile as Mr. Moore steps out onto the front steps. He nods but continues on his way. When he’s gotten into his black Lexus, I close the door and turn back to Wade.
“Everything okay?” I say, entering the living room. Wade hasn’t moved from where I left him.
He flings the packet onto the coffee table and nods.
“You knew this was coming, right? I mean, isn’t this what you wanted?” I ask. “To finally have it all come to a close?”
“Yeah, it is. It’s just…strange, you know?” he says, trying to smooth out the pained expression that’s taken over his features.
I nod. “I can imagine. But this is good. It means the end is near and you’ll be able to move on with your own journey. You’ve done a lot these past few weeks. I’ve been impressed by how you’ve known exactly what to do. I mean, if it were me, I’d still be fumbling.”
“I had to learn quickly, I guess. Grandpa was pretty specific on what he wanted. It made it easier,” he says.
“So…what’s on your mind, then?” I say, walking around so I can be in his direct line of sight.
His pupils dilate and he attempts a smile. “I’m just a little worried to find out how it all is going to look, you know?”
“Why?”
“Grandpa had a lot of additional help these past few months and any inheritance I get is supposed to cover my tuition at Windhaven Academy. But I know end-of-life help doesn’t come cheap and the county will want to recoup the cost. So…”
“You’re worried you won’t be able to swing it?” I say, finishing his thought.
He nods, screwing up his lips.
“That, I totally get. There’s no way I would have been able to pay for Windhaven Academy, either. But surely with the sale of the house and everything, the funds will cover most of it, right?”
Wade shrugs. “Maybe? I mean, I sure hope so. If not, I have no idea what I’m gonna do.”
Walking over to him, I wrap my arms around his waist. “If it comes to that, we’ll figure it out.”
He chuckles softly. “You don’t owe me anything, Dru. You need to worry about you. This semester is going to be amazing for you. Especially now that you know more about your powers.”
My lips curve upward at his pet name for me. Maybe he’s coming back around?
“It’s not about owing anything. It’s about taking care of each other. That’s what we do, right?” I say, giving him a squeeze. “Besides, it’s going to be incredible having you at the academy. I’ll be able to show you all of the cool places and I’m excited to see what kind of abilities you might possess. It’s almost like our roles have reversed.”
Wade places his hands on my upper arms, pulling back from me. “I wouldn’t get your hopes up. There’s a good chance my gifts won’t manifest at all.”
I snicker. “What are you talking about?”
Shaking his head, he takes a step back. “Sometimes they skip generations.”
“Well, wouldn’t you want to know for sure before going to Windhaven Academy? I mean, why work on developing powers you don’t know if you even have?”
“You tell me? What was the allure?” he says, raising his eyebrows.
I take a step back and nod. “Point taken.”
“Look, my family’s gifts often lie dormant until triggered. I don’t know when, or if, they will come. But what I do know is that I need to learn more about how to manage them if they’re triggered. I can’t do that anywhere else. It’s not like I have any family members left to ask,” he says, frowning.
“Good point,” I whisper, considering his words. “Wade…this might not be the best time to ask, but I need to know something. It’s been on my mind for a while.”
He runs a hand through his hair and takes a seat on the arm of the sofa. “What is it?”
I swallow hard, wringing my hands in front of my body as I search for the right words. “Look, I probably should have brought this up sooner, it’s just…”
“Spit it out, woman. The suspense is killing me,” he says, concern painting his tone.
“The day we buried your grandpa, I saw you talking with someone,” I say, beginning to pace.
“Right, the guy looking for the caretaker?” Wade says, nodding.
I stop pacing and turn to him. Pinching my face tight, I say, “Mmmm… It kinda seemed like you two knew each other.”
His eyes narrow and he tilts his head. “Autumn, I don’t know what to tell you.”
I double-take, stumbling backward. “I swear I heard him arguing with you.”
Wade stands up, his eyebrows tugging in, but he doesn’t respond.
“I’ve seen him before,” I say. “He
spoke to me when I was at Cat’s accident.”
“How do you know it was the same guy? I mean, there are lots of—”
“He billowed in from some sort of portal and…took the souls from the Vodník’s jar. He’s not just a person, he’s something else, but I don’t know what. When he left after the conversation with you, he vanished the same way. I know it was the same guy,” I say, jutting out my chin.
“Okay? People get around, especially travelers, if that’s what he was. So, what did he say to you?” Wade asks, his face still stoic.
“He told me he’d be back. And that I can only meddle for so long…”
For the first time, his face flickers. “Well, that seems ominous. Did he tell you why? Or who he was?”
“No, but he knew I was a necromancer before I did. I mean, before I ever used my powers to save Cat,” I say. I watch his mannerisms closely, but Wade remains an unreadable statue. My shoulders drop and my eyebrows tug in.
Why is he lying to me? What on earth is he hiding?
Chapter 2
Witching Stick, Take 2
A snow-covered Windhaven Academy looms in front of us and despite its serene appearance, anxiety can’t help but make a home in my mind.
The last time we tried to attend a Witching Stick orientation day, the school was in total chaos. Intellectually, I know this is a new day—a new semester. But a part of me is still on edge, like something could go sideways at any moment. If for no other reason than the weird vibe growing between Wade and me.
I’d thought we’d be growing closer by the time he moved here. Not the other way around.
“You ready to head inside?” Wade asks, putting his Impala in park.
I turn to him and chuckle softly. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”
“It’s just a school, right?” He shrugs, then quirks an eyebrow. “Besides, it’s not like I haven’t been here before.”
The Windhaven Witches Omnibus Edition : Complete Paranormal Suspense Series, Books 1-4 Page 25
