The Windhaven Witches Omnibus Edition : Complete Paranormal Suspense Series, Books 1-4 Carissa Andrews (the beginning after the end read novel txt) 📖

but she could still get lost. The tunnels of the catacombs are like a maze—and for good reason. They’re magickally protected to keep out those not graced by death’s gifts,” I say, floating my gaze around the group. “If anyone goes in who’s not worthy—they can be lost forever, or find themselves in some form of Purgatory.”

The tension that descends is thick, and everyone has the same air of restlessness. We know we have to make a move, but we don’t want to make another mistake. Not even Dominic. Nearly losing Wade was bad enough.

“But wasn’t Cat in the catacombs last semester?” Wade asks. “Maybe Dominic is onto something here.”

“Not exactly. Remember, that was her Fetch. It was just a piece of her that had splintered in her resurrection,” I say, flicking my gaze over to her. “Technically, she didn’t even have physical form. So...”

“But now that the Fetch is a part of Cat, wouldn’t that mean she could still enter?” Colton asks, his jaw hardening. He leans back, pressing the side of his head to the wooden pillar keeping up the porch roof.

My forehead creases. “Both have obviously been touched by death. Cat, because she literally died, and Wade because…” I flick my gaze to him, and he stares back at me with wide eyes. “Well, you know.”

“Huh?” Blake says, quirking an eyebrow.

But the rest of them all nod their heads knowingly.

Cat’s face scrunches and she walks over to me. Then she reaches out, taking my hands in hers. “I never did get to say sorry for everything that happened. I didn’t know I was…broken. I never would have done any of those things she—”

“I know,” I say, squeezing her hands. “None of that matters right now. What matters is you’re here and helping me to set some things right with my dad. So, thank you.”

“Always,” Cat says, bending forward and wrapping her arms around my neck.

I close my eyes, wrapping my arms around her waist and leaning into her embrace. This semester has been so hard, and I didn’t realize just how much I missed her bright, bubbly presence.

“Do you think Abigail is okay? I mean, with the Lemure in charge of things over there, does that mean he’s overrun her?” Wade asks as he paces in front of the porch. “And if she’s okay… Do you think she could help us? Maybe distract him for us?”

My eyebrows rise, and I step away from Cat. “Honestly, I don’t know. She was the one thing holding him back. But I haven’t seen her since last night. It’s safe to assume he’s done something to her.”

“How was she able to contain him before?” Diana asks, leaning against the railing of the porch. “From what I understand, a Lemure’s energy is a lot to bear. Especially once they get going.”

“It is,” I say, thinking back to the recent experiences. “I’m not sure what she did, but I think they’re on a more level playing field.”

“What do you mean?” Wade asks.

“It’s like they’re on the same energetic plane or something. It’s easier to interact with each other than it is with us. Anytime they have to manifest or expend a lot of energy in the physical realm, it tires them out. But whenever I’ve astral-projected into the catacombs, Abigail has always seemed more vibrant, more real to me. I don’t know. Maybe this just sounds stupid.”

“No, I think there’s something here we can use,” Diana says, her blue eyes going distant.

“If you were to astral-project, would you be able to reach out to Abigail? Connect with her somehow to coordinate a plan?” Cat asks, walking over to the steps and taking a seat.

I walk a few feet away, thinking. “I could try. But even on the best of days, she doesn’t always come to me when I summon her. I wish there was just a way I could get through to my dad. Help him realize—” I press my fingertips to my lips as if they just spoke the secret we’ve been searching for.

Turning around, I catch Diana’s eye. Slowly, she smirks at me.

“I could astral-project into the house and summon the Lemure,” I say. “He’s been trying to maintain his hold on reality to protect me. He might be deteriorating now, but his energy is tied to me. When he realizes I’m there, he’ll want to connect. Then we could send Wade and Cat into the catacombs while he’s distracted.”

Speaking the words out loud sounds even crazier than they sounded in my head.

“I don’t know about this, Autumn. How do you know it will work?” Wade asks, clearly not convinced. “I mean, you’ve never astral-projected from this far away—let alone do something like this.”

“What other choice do we have?” I ask. “It may not be the best of plans, but at least it gives us a chance. We can’t just sit around here and wait.”

“From what you’ve said, even for a ghost, Abigail is powerful,” Dominic says, “But if you’re right and the Lemure has overpowered her—what makes you think you stand a chance?”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence, Dom,” I spit back.

“It’s not that. It’s just—” he stands up, scratching at his forehead. “Look, I don’t want you to get hurt. The astral realm isn’t one to take lightly. I’ve tried to master it and it can be…” He glances down at the ground. “It has its own set of challenges.”

Wade takes a step forward, his voice deep with worry. “Like what?”

“Like, she could get trapped,” Dominic says, making a face. “If the Lemure gets ahold of her and doesn’t let her go—” He shudders away the remainder of the thought.

“What happens then?” Wade presses.

“To us, she becomes a vegetable. But to her consciousness—she’s in whatever hell the Lemure can conjure for her,” Dominic says grimly.

“Then I make sure that doesn’t happen,” I say, straightening my shoulders. “My dad needs me. We don’t have any other choice. So here’s how this is going to go down…” I pause, waiting for