“Well, yeah. But totally intriguing. I don’t have internet, so it’s one of the more exciting things I’ve heard around here,” Chelsea says, laughing softly.
“Why do you think it was kids?” I say, circling back around to her original thought.
“Because the bodies were missing and they were both new graves. The earth was probably way softer, making it easier to dig up. I mean, do you know any kids willing to go out of their way to work? Especially for a practical joke or whatever they thought this was…”
“Maybe they were robbing the bodies. Sometimes people get buried with things,” I say, trying to make sense of the vandalism.
“Nada. Neither one was buried with anything of value. The police wondered the same thing, according to Sheriff Gordon.” She leans in, covering the side of her mouth with the back of her hand. “He’s my cousin.”
“Creepy,” I say. “The grave robbing, that is. Not that the sheriff is your cousin.”
Wade chuckles and nods.
“Well, he’s pretty creepy, too. But yeah, they’re at a bit of a loss. Should be interesting to see what happens when they find out who did it. Well, anyway, I didn’t mean to stop you,” Chelsea says, shooing us with her hands. “Go, go. I can see you were heading off somewhere. Hopefully, more exciting than this place.” She smirks.
“Thanks,” Wade says, tipping his head. “Let us know if you hear anything else, though.”
“Oh, trust…if I hear anything, I’m coming straight for you,” she laughs, wandering off down the hallway.
Again, a twinge of jealousy writhes its way into my abdomen. I twist around and start heading for the door, completely willing to brave the insane cold to escape the frigid feeling in here.
“Hey, woman. Hold up, would you?” Wade says, chasing after me. He slides his hand into mine and pulls me back as we get to the door. Without a word, he opens the door, so I can go through first, as always. The insanely cold air thrusts its way into the hall, making me shudder, but I ignore it.
“Thank you,” I say, releasing his hand and sliding it along his waist as I go by.
He shudders. “Now, that, you can definitely do more often.”
A smile spreads across my lips, melting some of the concerns. “Come on, mister. Let’s get your money over to Ms. Cain.” I tip my head toward my vehicle and start to race him. “I’ll drive.”
“I can hardly wait for the onslaught of elation to roll off Ms. Cain. It’s bound to be epic,” Wade says as he gets inside Big Blue.
I snicker under my breath and put the vehicle into drive.
The trip to Windhaven Academy takes less than five minutes from Wade’s apartment. Had the day been warmer, it would even have been a nice walk. The parking lot is devoid of the usual hustle and bustle of student cars since the semester doesn’t start until Monday. Instead, a small huddle of SUVs and Cadillacs in the faculty lot are the only clue the school has people inside.
“At least this should be fast,” I say, pulling up as close as possible to the front door.
“I’ve seen Ms. Cain in action. When she’s behind that desk of hers, nothing moves fast,” he says, reaching for his handle.
I nod. “You’re not wrong.”
We make our way to the enormous school entrance as quickly as possible, but as soon as it’s within reach, Wade stops to look up.
“Cool gargoyles,” he says, pointing. “Never noticed those before.”
My gaze follows his fingers and I smile. There are multiple gargoyles on the building, if you look close enough. But the ones he’s pointing to are griffins, with what looks to be a large piece of rope dangling from their beaks.
“Pretty awesome, right?” I say, shivering from the cold.
He reaches for the door handle, nodding. “For sure. Come on, get inside before you turn into an Autumncicle.”
As we step inside the school, the floor squeaks with each of our steps, clearly newly polished in preparation of Monday’s fresh arrivals. Everything about the building sparkles, from the banisters on the large stairway to the windows and walls.
The door to Ms. Cain’s administration office is wide open. As we enter, she looks up slowly, taking her time to cast her gaze out over the dark-rimmed glasses.
“Ah, Mr. Hoffman. So delighted to see you. I take it this means you have some good news. Should I start jumping for joy?” Ms. Cain says, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
Wade nods, pulling out the cashier’s check from his pocket and slides it across the space between him and Ms. Cain. “Well, it’s good news, depending on how you look at it. But I have tuition covered.”
She tips her head in acknowledgement. “Very well. Thank you, sir. I’ll make sure your hold is lifted and you can continue on with classes as planned, come Monday morning. Do you require another copy of your schedule?”
“No, I’m good. I have it memorized already,” he says, smiling broadly at her.
“Do you, now?” she says, quirking an eyebrow, clearly impressed.
“Yep, sure do. It wasn’t that hard. There’s only six classes to keep track of.”
“You should teach that trick to your fellow classmates,” she chuckles. “The sheer number of lost students I’ll have to deal with this coming week already makes my head hurt.”
“Well, you’ll have one less to contend with. Have a lovely day,” he says, laying his sweet on thick.
Ms. Cain smiles. “The two of you as well. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.”
I cast a quick wave at her, and her smile twists into a smirk. Walking out behind Wade, I bump my shoulder into his. “What was all that?”
“All what?” he asks, arching an eyebrow and walking out the door.
“You sure impressed Ms. Cain back there. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her quite so…happy.” I narrow my eyes at him, unsure that happy and Ms. Cain belong in the same sentence.
He raises his eyebrows and shrugs. Leaning in, he whispers. “I learned a long time ago, you can never be too nice to the administrative staff. If they like you, doors open that may not have existed. They are the eyes and ears of their establishments, but everyone overlooks them.”
My mouth drops open, and I stop my descent down the snow-covered stone steps. “Ah, that makes total sense. It’s always been uncanny the way that woman can memorize people’s names and faces without even having met them.”
“Maybe that’s her gift,” Wade says, matter-of-factly.
I halt my progress to Big Blue, blinking back surprise. “You know, she’s always seemed so mundane. It never occurred to me that she might have a special ability, too.”
“She works at a supernatural school, Autumn. I think it’s pretty safe to say everyone who works here has some sort of gift,” Wade says, winking at me.
My heart beats faster and I reach for his hand.
Suddenly, the Lucifer theme song goes off, and Wade pulls up short, reaching for his phone in his back pocket. He eyes the phone number, raising an eyebrow, then eyeing me.
After a moment, he raises the phone to his ear. “Hello?”
His expression flits from confusion to concern as he swaps the phone from one ear to the other.
“Are you…are you sure?” he says.
Silence follows and I shiver in the cold, swapping which leg I put the most weight on. My gaze falls on Blue, just a few feet away, but I don’t dare leave him standing here alone because he doesn’t look thrilled. I wish I could read minds or hear what’s going on with the other end of the call.
Wade’s silver eyes darken, and he meets my expectant gaze. “Okay, thank you for letting me know. I appreciate it.”
He hangs up the phone, staring blankly at me. The edges of his jaw tighten and release, but he doesn’t say anything at first.
“What is it? Is everything okay?” I finally ask, unable to stand the suspense.
Wade’s nostrils flare and his black pupils consume nearly all of the silver lining. “Not really.”
I exhale a billowing
breath. “What’s happened?”
His eyebrows crumple inward and he stares absently at the phone in his hand. “Someone’s broken the door on my grandpa’s columbarium and stolen his cremains.”
Chapter 5
Rumors On The First Day
This new semester is already tainted by torment. Wade and I spent so much time apart last year, and now that we’re finally together, living in the same town and going to the same school, in some ways, I feel more distant from him than ever.
He spent the entire weekend going back and forth to Mistwood Point to figure out what to do with his grandpa’s columbarium and talking to the police. As much as I wanted to go with him, he insisted this was something he had to do on his own and I know it’s tied to the strange conversation at the graveyard. I just can’t prove it.
Now, here we are, first day back at school—his literal first day at Windhaven Academy—and I have no idea where he is.
I pull out my phone, staring at the lack of notifications, and sigh. Do I text him again? Or do I just go on with my day and hope he catches up with me?
I’ll give him a few more minutes.
Shaking my head, I take a seat on the stone steps in front of the school. Then, I spend the next five minutes fiddling with my phone, swapping it from hand to hand as I cast my gaze over the sea of students and their rides.
“I heard there was another robbing in a town south of us. Mistwood something or other,” a dark-haired girl says to a small congregation of others as they make their way up the steps.
The rumor mill has already started. I don’t know why I’m so surprised. Even supernatural people are still people.
Flipping my phone over, I check on the time. “Dammit,” I mutter under my breath.
Standing up, I flip open my messages and shoot Wade a final quick text.
Heading inside. Hope everything’s okay. Find me when you get a free minute. <3 Dru
I shut off the screen and cram it back into my pocket.
Inside the school, I catch snippets of multiple conversations, all centered around the grave robbings. Seems like everyone finds the act completely fascinating—or appalling. But either way, totally of their concern.
I shake my head, making my way to Intermediate Spellcasting alone. Thankfully, a semester in the building has made me as adept at finding my classes as Cat was on the first day. When I turn the final hall, there stands Wade outside my door, a single red rose in hand. His grin stretches from ear to ear as I approach.
“I thought you were never going to get here,” he says, handing me the flower and kissing the side of my face.
I shake my head, holding the flower close. “I was waiting for you outside.”
“Yes, but that didn’t fit into my plan of surprise.” The creases in the corner of his eyes deepen as his smile widens.
“You are a pain, you know that?” I say, shaking my head. “I have to get to class now and I totally missed you. I was hoping to have more time with you this morning and now you’re going to be late.”
He shakes his head. “No, I’m already here.”
I snicker softly. “You don’t have Intermediate Spellcasting.”
“You’re right, I don’t,” he says, narrowing his gaze. “I have Spellcasting Basics.”
I tilt my head, confused.
“It’s taught in the same classroom. Remember what Mrs. Arlo said at the Witching Stick? The classes are tailored for each student’s level?” he says, smirking. “Yeesh, at least I paid attention.”
Blinking back surprise, my mouth drops open. “Oh my gosh, you’re right.”
Wade tips his head to the doorway and holds out his elbow. “So, would you do me the honors of sitting next to me?”
“As if you’d be able to have it any other way.” I loop my arm through his and together we walk inside.
Throughout the day, Wade and I end up having three of our six classes together, despite being taught at completely different levels. From class to class, I can’t help but be awestruck as I look around the room, wondering what each student is actually hearing and how it’s different from what lessons are being taught to me. It’s brought a whole new level of fascination to the school and the way it operates.
On the strange side, I haven’t seen hide nor hair of Cat and Colton, but it could just mean we have completely different schedules this year. Or perhaps, Cat needed to take an additional day or two to rest. It wouldn’t be unheard of after all the exertion she must have expelled as tour guide.
When we reach the end of the day, Wade and I meet up in the commons to compare first-day notes. Unfortunately, his outgoing and easy attitude has vanished, replaced with his more withdrawn persona.
“Did school not go well?” I finally ask after ten minutes of silence, sitting together in the commons.
Wade glances up. “I—yeah, sorry. Was thinking.”
“I noticed,” I say, tapping the armrest on my chair. “Anything you want to talk about?”
His eyebrows tug in and he leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Have you been hearing things? About me, I mean?”
Surprise flashes through me and I shake my head. “No. Why?”
He rubs his hand across his mouth. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m being overly self-conscious, but I swear, I feel everyone’s eyes on me. Like they’re judging me for something, and I have no idea what.”
“That’s ridiculous. No one here knows you,” I say.
He nods. “Right? That’s what I keep telling myself, but I swear, there’s a vibe…”
“I’m sure it’s just first-day jitters. I felt the same way last year.”
Two guys enter the commons, view the two of us, and stop. A tall, lanky brunette leans over to his blond friend and says, “That’s the one.”
Wade frowns, his jaw clenching.
“Hey,” I say, standing up. “You got something to say?”
The shorter blond steps forward, tipping his chin toward Wade. “Yeah, why would you do that to your grandpa’s grave? Cold, man.”
“Yeah, like, I can’t say I like my grandparents either but that’s brutal,” the other one says.
Wade’s gaze narrows and before he can retort, the two guys twist around and head back the way they came.
“What in the hell?” I say, returning to my seat.
Wade’s expression darkens. “Ah, they think I’m the one robbing graves. Excellent.”
“No, I’m sure that’s not…” I begin.
“You heard them, Autumn. At the very least, they think I damaged my own grandpa’s columbarium. What in the actual hell? I thought when you went to a college people were meant to be smarter or more mature. It’s like being in high school all over again,” he says, leaning back in his chair. He blows out a long breath and looks up at the ceiling.
“Why on earth would anyone even tie those two things together? Your grandpa was cremated and the graves here were full-on graves with coffins. It makes no sense. The MO doesn’t even match,” I say, walking over to my chair and sitting back down.
Wade shrugs. “Probably because the two police teams feel like there are similarities.”
“What?” I say, twisting to face him better. “There are?”
“Yeah, that’s what they told me this weekend when I was in Mistwood. Magical signatures were found at both places, but that’s as much as they know. Something about needing to bring in a special team to determine what kind of magic so they can clamp it down and figure out who it’s tied to.”
“Do they think you were involved?” I say.
Wade snickers. “I hope not. I don’t have any magical abilities. At least, none that have surfaced yet. They’re checking with the academy to verify, though. So much for being on Ms. Cain’s good side.”
My gaze falls to the ground. “Damn.”
“Regardless, that obviously doesn’t stop the gossip from spinning out of control. God, I wish I had a way to throw this all back in their faces. It’s ridiculous.” Wade runs
his hands over his face. “One of the cops did say they thought it was similar to something that happened thirty some odd years ago. So, with a little luck, they’ll be able to trace it back. Unless of course they think this is a copycat situation.”
“Well, if it happened before, maybe we should take a trip to the academy library. Last semester, when I was trying to get clear on what was happening to me, going to the library was the only thing that kept me sane. Even though it didn’t really feel like it at the time. I know it’s a different library, but what I was searching for wasn’t magical—at least, it didn’t start out that way.”
Wade quirks an eyebrow skeptically. “Why the library? There is this huge information superhighway called the internet. It also has the added bonus of not needing to be around people.”
“Yes, but the supernatural underground isn’t always broadcasting all of its news on the World Wide Web, he who wishes to hide,” I say, smiling. “Besides, I could call Cat and have her meet us. She might know—”
Wade shakes his head, raising a hand. “No, I’d rather not involve Cat if we can avoid it.”
I clamp my lips shut and nod.
“I didn’t mean to be so abrupt. I like Cat, I really do,” he says, backpedaling.
I wave a hand in front of me. “Don’t worry about it. I get it.”
“All right, if you think we could dig up something…” Wade’s face scrunches. “That was not a Freudian slip. I swear it.”
I chuckle. “You don’t have to convince me, Wade. I know you wouldn’t do anything like this.”
He lets out a sigh of relief. “Good. I’d hate to think this sort of bullshit could shake your confidence in me. I just can’t even believe it, you know?”
Standing up, I take a seat on his lap and wrap my arms around his neck. “I’m not a rumor girl. This doesn’t shake my confidence in you. Not even a little bit. I know you, Wade Hoffman. But I wish you would open up to me more. We need to get on the same page again. So, come on, let’s go see if anything like this has happened before. If magic is involved, we should be able to find something.”
Soul Legacy: A Supernatural Ghost Series (The Windhaven Witches Book 2) Page 4
