“Oooh, do tell. Anything has to be more exciting than changing a grown man’s diapers.”
“Where do I even start?” I say, pulling my legs up and crossing them on the bench. “I still feel kind of out of place. So that doesn’t help.”
“Still no hint on what kind of powers you have, huh?”
I shake my head, looking back out over the courtyard, “Not even the faintest.”
“Dang.”
“I know, right? Then there’s this weird chick. I mean, she’s great, actually, but…” I trail off, thinking about how Cat reacted to the back of Big Blue.
“But?” Wade urges.
“Well, she lives on the other side of our pond, I come to find out. That was actually kind of exciting, but she acted really strange when she saw the etching on my vehicle.”
“Strange how?”
I think back to her expression of rage. “Well, at first, she seemed pissed. Which makes no sense to me. But then she got really skittish and made an excuse to run off and get her brother.”
“How do you know it was an excuse?” he asks, his voice soft as he urges me through the conversation.
I let my gaze drift to the outer courtyard. “Just a feeling, I guess.”
“Well, give it some time. I’m sure if there’s anything to it, it will all come out. Any more news on the missing kids?”
“Not really. But they do think there’s a creature involved. So far, they don’t know what kind, but I did hear rumors that this has happened before. So, that’s creepy.”
“I’d say. Hey, speaking of creepy… Have you raced around the house yet, looking for a doorknob or key to that hidden door in your room?” he asks, laughing softly.
“No, not yet. I just got home and talked to Dad for a bit. He wanted to know how things went, too.” I sigh quietly, trying to decide whether or not to tell Wade about what I saw from the top of the stairs.
“You should be exploring the rest of the house to hunt for them. If it’s going to be a while before we know what powers you have, I gotta at least satiate my mystery seeking by knowing what’s behind that door.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” I say, floating my gaze to the tattered wallpaper. After the weird vision in the entry, I can’t say opening a hidden and locked door is the first thing I want to do alone. I’ve seen enough horror movies to know that’s never a good idea.
“What are you waiting for? The mystery would be killing me,” he chuckles.
“What are you talking about? It’s already killing you, nutball. Besides, this incredibly sweet guy called me, so I figured I’d answer the phone,” I say, leaning back in the window seat and grinning.
“Very true,” Wade says. “I regret nothing.”
My lips curve upward. “Well, I probably should get going, though…”
“Already?” Wade says, a hint of shock in his tone.
I sit up straighter. “I’m sorry, did you have more you wanted…? Oh, I should have asked you about your day—”
“No, I’m totally teasing. Go, go… But if you do go exploring, call me if you find anything.”
Standing up, I nod. “You will be the first to know.”
“Excellent,” he says. “So, can I call you before bed tonight?”
“Of course.”
“Until then, beautiful. Talk to you soon.”
Before I can respond, the call ends and I pull my phone back, gaping absently at the picture of the Mistwood graveyard I have as my background. My teeth dig into my lower lip as my gaze drifts from my phone to my backpack. My eyes linger there for a moment, then they flit out to the courtyard and other areas of the house.
“Eh, a half-hour looking for the doorknob wouldn’t hurt,” I whisper to myself, flitting my eyes to the garden, where my dad should be. “It’s not like I need to open it, even if I do find it.”
I stand up, thrusting my phone into my pocket. Without another thought, I walk out my bedroom door. Even though I live here, at least for now, it feels like I’m sneaking about. Dad never said I couldn’t explore, but it sorta feels like an invasion of privacy. Like I’m in a big hotel and I’m entering into other guests’ rooms.
As if carrying themselves, my feet move of their own accord, and I turn to the right and follow the rest of the hallway. The space continues with the same grandiose architecture—high ceilings, ornate carvings and curving and embellished trim work. Some of the windows even have stained glass that casts a colorful glow into the space.
Practically tiptoeing down the hallway, I reach for the first door handle to the room on the right. The door is unlocked, and I open it. Inside, the room is dark and dusty, with white sheets covering the furniture. Along the left wall is a massive fireplace that looks as though it hasn’t seen a fire in a century.
Stepping tentatively into the room, I lift one of the sheets. Underneath is one of the most beautiful loveseats I’ve ever seen. Its decorative pattern woven into the red fabric, ornately carved woodwork, and curves make me wish I lived in a different time.
“Wow,” I whisper.
Moving on, I go through similar rooms, all with their own furniture buried under sheets and covered in layers of dust. But room after room, nothing stands out in terms of a doorknob or key. If anything, they’re devoid of any extra embellishments beyond the furniture. In addition, none of them seem to have a doorway that resembles the one that was hidden.
In some ways, it’s strange to think only one man lived in this massive house all these years. Of course, now there’s the two of us, but…why would anyone need so much space? Why not just sell it and get a boatload of money?
As I reach the end of the hallway, I stand at the large picture window at the end that faces out to the pond. The view of the pond isn’t obscured like it is from my bedroom and I could see myself coming down here to study from time to time. There are so many rooms to be searched and I’m not closer to finding anything useful. Besides, it’s pretty evident that if there was a doorknob or key—it’s been deliberately hidden or lost with time.
Shaking my head, I whisper, “I should just head back…”
“Ah, there you are,” Dad says from behind me.
The sudden, abrupt interjection makes me jump. I clutch at my chest, bending forward. “Oh, my god, Dad. You scared the daylights out of me.”
“Sorry about that. I went to your room to let you know supper was ready and you weren’t there. So, I went looking for you. I didn’t mean to startle you,” he says, quirking a finger over his lips and trying not to laugh.
“I—I hope you don’t mind me exploring a bit. I just figured I’ve been here a while now, but I don’t think I ever really got used to it.”
“I don’t mind at all. It’s your home, too,” he says, a sense of nostalgia lingering in his gaze as it goes slightly distant.
“Thank you, I appreciate that. You know, you’re so different than I remember,” I say, pressing my lips tight. “I mean, I hope that doesn’t sound rude…”
“Don’t worry about it. I get it. You were a seven-year-old girl who only wanted to watch TV and play near the pond unsupervised,” Dad says. “Things were different then.”
“You know, you could have trusted me to stay out of trouble, instead of locking me in my room,” I say, holding his gaze. “Even if you and Mom were fighting, or whatever was going on…”
Confusion flitters across his features and he takes a seat in one of the arm chairs beside me. “Autumn, I never locked you in your room.”
“What do you mean? Of course you did. I only got to leave for meals. It was torture,” I say, my eyebrows tugging in.
“Is that what you think was going on?” Dad says, shaking his head. “No, sweetie. That was you. After the…accident, the only way I could coax you out of your room was with food. There were even plenty of times when you wouldn’t come out for that, so we had to bring your meals to you. Your Mom and I—”
I snicker. “What on earth are you talking about? Accident?”
Dad’s eyes narrow. “Are you—you’re not serious?”
“Dad, honestly, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Rubbing his fingertip across his lips, Dad’s eyelashes flutter furiously. “You know, dinner’s getting cold. I think we should get moving so we can enjoy it while it’s still hot,” he says, abruptly standing. “Hope you like barbecue ribs.”
“I—yes. I do, but Dad, what in the hell are you talking about? I’m so confused. You need to stop and tell me what’s going on,” I demand, crossing my arms.
Sighing deeply, Dad waves a hand dismissively. “It’s nothing, honey. I’m probably just the one getting confused. Let’s get a bite to eat. James will be devastated if it gets cold. We can chat more about everything after we’ve had some food.”
Swallowing hard, I nod. He may think I’ll let this go, but he’ll be sorely mistaken. I do have a bit of Mom in me, after all. But I do have enough of Dad in me to know when to find the opportune moment. “All right, I’ll be right there.”
“Okay, sweetie. Don’t be long. I’ll tell James to get everything dished up.”
“Sounds good. I’ll be right behind you.”
Nodding to himself, he turns quickly and heads down the hallway. In his absence, I’m left with the disorienting sense he’s one more person who’s hiding stuff from me.
Shaking my head, I look out one last time over the wooded space. My eyes scan the landscape, hunting for something, anything to clue my mind in on what he was talking about.
Making a face, I rest my gaze on the shimmering surface of the pond.
Could I really have locked myself in my bedroom and just…forgot?
Chapter 13
Holy Hell—It Was You!
Before I moved to Windhaven, the biggest mystery in my life was whose grave was I sitting next to. There are so many strange things that have happened since I moved here, and it’s making my head spin.
When I pull into the parking lot for school the following day, I spot Colton and Cat right away. I straighten my shoulders and try to act totally normal. Between my own inner confusion and their strange behavior, I just gotta find some common ground.
“Hey, Autumn,” Cat says, waving as I get closer. Her smile is broad and open, like nothing strange happened at all yesterday.
Colton briefly smiles, but drops his gaze to his feet. His left hand reaches up, running across the back of his neck. “I uh, I gotta go,” he half-whispers. “See ya later, Cat.”
Without so much as a hi to me, he stomps off.
My eyebrows rise on their own accord. He’s one of the stranger people I’ve met, for sure.
“Okay, see ya, Colton,” I say, mock-waving. “Yeesh, still haven’t had the chance to introduce myself properly to him.”
Cat shakes her head, chuckling under her breath. “He’s socially inept and not super good around the opposite sex.”
“You aren’t kidding,” I say, watching him enter the school. “Though he seems just fine with you.”
“I’m not dating material,” Cat says, giving me a knowing look that stops me in my tracks.
“Uh, what?”
“He’s not gonna date his sister. That would be gross,” she reiterates.
“Oh, yeah, that would be super weird…” I say, my voice trailing off.
I make a mental note to mention Wade when Colton’s around.
Shaking it off, I turn back to Cat. “So, ready for class?”
She gives me one of her broadest smiles, wrapping her arm around my shoulders. “Sure am.”
Cat leads the way, giving me clues and tips on the best way to get through the school to various classes. Different routes we hadn’t tried the day before. As we turn the last corner to Intro to Essential Life Energies, I’m bowled over, landing hard on the tiled floor.
“Ouch. Watch where you’re—” I begin.
Hovering over me is a tall, slim guy with white-blond hair. Instantly, I know it’s the same dude who carved up my car.
“You…” I say, my breath a rushed whisper.
Taking a step back, he quirks an eyebrow like he’s God’s gift. He smirks and I have the sudden urge to kick him in the shin while I’m down here.
“You know Dominic?” Cat asks, offering me a hand to get back up.
“You wanna explain how we know each other?” I ask, glaring into his crystal-blue eyes.
Widening his stance, he adjusts the collar on his leather bomber jacket. “Sorry lady, I think you must have me confused with—”
“Like hell I do,” I interrupt, brushing off my ass. “You’re the jerk who keyed up my car.”
“Wait, what?” Cat says, flitting her gaze back and forth between us.
“Yeah, this is the guy who carved veritas vos liberabit on the back of my damn car,” I spit, jabbing a thumb his direction.
“Dom, was that you?” Cat sputters, her lips making a large o.
He holds his hands up. “I have no idea what this crazy chick is talking about.”
“Oh, don’t be coy. You know damn well you’re the one who did it,” I fire back.
People disappear into the classrooms all around us, pretty much announcing it’s time to get our collective asses to class.
“It’s been real, but I gotta bolt,” Dominic says, grinning like the psychopath he is. He sidesteps the two of us and continues on his way.
“Come on, Autumn. We can deal with this later,” Cat says, grabbing me by the arm and dragging me along to our classroom.
Dominic winks at me—a move that instantly reminds me of Wade. My cheeks burn in anger and I have the sudden urge to go back and punch him in the nose.
“It was him… I know it was,” I begin.
“Okay, okay. We can sort all of this out later,” Cat says, pulling me behind her.
“How do you know that guy? He’s such a jerk,” I protest in her wake.
“Later,” she says, rushing into the classroom.
We take our seats just in the nick of time, but she turns to me and says, “If it was him, we’ll get this all sorted out, okay?”
“Sure,” I mutter, trying to seem more upbeat than I actually feel.
Cat nods. “Look, I know I was acting a little weird yesterday. I hope I didn’t—"
“Don’t worry about it,” I mutter, swiping my hand in the air. “I have bigger things to worry about.”
“Good. I mean, not that you have other things going on. It’s just that… I’m really worried about this water creature thing. I was a kid the last time something like this happened, so I don’t remember much, but I do remember it was terrifying there for a while.” She shoots me a significant glance.
“Don’t worry about it. I totally get it,” I say, pulling out my notebook and pen.
She sucks in a ragged breath, nodding to herself, and turns to face the front of the class.
We spend the next hour, sitting in silence as Mrs. Karlgaard discusses the Root Chakra and its effects on the way our powers manifest and why it’s the gateway for everything. Cat even gets to show off her ability with fire, as Mrs. Karlgaard uses her as an example of how to connect to your source of power. While the discussion has its fascinating moments, my mind doesn’t stray far from Dominic and how I can make him pay for the damages to Blue.
The bell rings and I’m the first one up—ready to bolt out the door and interrogate Cat some more. Cat’s quick too, as she grabs her bag and chases after me. When we get out in the hall, Colton joins us. His hands are in his pockets, and his eyes are still cast to the floor.
“Hiya g-guys,” he mutters.
“Hi Colton,” I say, tipping my chin upward and extending my hand. “I’m Autumn, by the way.”
“Yeah, I know who you are,” he mutters without looking up.
“Okay, good.” I nod to myself, pulling my hand back, and turning to his sister. “Cat, you gotta explain the guy from earlier. How do you know him? How can I find him? He’s gotta pay for the damages to my vehicle.”
&nb
sp; Cat pulls up short, staring me in the eye for a moment before sighing loudly. “Look, Autumn, I get it. I would be pissed, too. But I wouldn’t go after Dom. He’s not the kind of kid you want to mess around with. He’s popular and rich—not to mention he’s got some mental powers that could cause some serious problems down the road if you get on his bad side.”
“Popular and rich. That explains the idiotic, entitled behavior then,” I say, rolling my eyes. “I don’t care who this guy is, or thinks he is. I want to know why the hell he would do that to Blue and I want him to pay for it. If he’s got money, he should be able to afford it, right?”
“Dominic won’t confess,” Colton says, raising his intense, dark eyes to mine for the first time since we met.
“Uh, okay. I don’t know why that matters. Maybe it’s time someone teaches him to take responsibility,” I say, crossing my arms.
Cat rolls her eyes. “Yeah, okay. I know you’re new and all, but that’s…”
“…not wise,” Colton finishes.
My nostrils flare. “Why is everyone protecting this asshat?”
Colton and Cat exchange a significant glance.
“Oh, fine—yeah, yeah. I get it. Autumn’s an outsider, so why bother filling her in. You know what? Whatever. I’m outta here,” I say, turning on my heel.
The farther away from the two of them I get, the more panic begins to build in me. Not only because of the odd exchanges and bizarre attitudes, but also because I still have no idea how the hell to get to my Powers & Technology class. Cat brought me the other day and I totally wasn’t paying enough attention. I’ll be damned if I give them the satisfaction of knowing that, though. Instead, I find a quiet offshoot and quickly pluck the crumpled map from my backpack and try to orient myself.
“Ah, so you like dark, quiet halls to yourself?”
My head jolts up, and I come face-to-face with Dominic’s flashing blue eyes.
Thoughts tumble around in my head like one of those BINGO letter pickers.
“You know, if you wanted to be alone with me, you coulda just asked,” Dominic says, taking a step closer like a predator on the prowl.
The Windhaven Witches Omnibus Edition : Complete Paranormal Suspense Series, Books 1-4 Page 11