“It’s an old house. It’s probably just a mouse or bat or something.”
That makes total sense. Not that it makes me any happier.
I shudder and make a face. “Yeah, you’re probably right. I just…”
“What?”
“It sounds completely dorky, but I’ve had a couple of weird experiences since I’ve been here. I guess I’m just being jumpy because it’s all new,” I say, returning my gaze to the screen.
“Weird how?” he asks, quirking an eyebrow.
“They’re nothing, really. Probably just my overactive imagination.”
“Indulge me, would you, woman?” he says, propping up further and allowing the blanket to fall down to his waist.
I sigh internally. A couple more minutes of talking couldn’t hurt…
“Well, when I was upstairs, there was a strange cold pocket that sent a chill straight through me. Dad was there when it happened, and he got really weird. Like, changed the subject abruptly and everything. Then…”
I think back to the voice and I shake my head. It’s ridiculous. I’d sound completely mental.
“Then…?” he prompts.
“It’s nothing really. You’ll think I’m nuts.”
“Woman, I live with a man who thinks I’m my father. I seriously doubt that,” he says, lowering his eyebrows.
“It sounds completely crazy out loud, but before I came in here to call you, I swear I heard a woman’s voice,” I say, scrunching my face.
“Like, your dad has a woman in the house and hasn’t told you?” Wade asks, his eyes wide.
I shake my head and narrow my eyes. “Nah. I don’t think so.”
“Are you sure?”
“Pretty sure,” I nod. “She said, ‘Welcome home, Autumn.’”
Wade’s lips part, then close again. His eyes dart downward as he thinks. “So, what? You think there’s a ghost?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Ghosts aren’t real. But I am a little concerned about my mental health. There’s a lot I haven’t dealt with from my past and I wonder if maybe I’m seeing or hearing strange things that aren’t really there.”
“I don’t think so. I know you’re very science-minded, but you also live in a supernatural world. You’re going to a supernatural school for godsake. Is it really that unheard of to think you might have ghosts?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. Growing up, my mom forbid me to look into the supernatural. She always pointed me to scientific theory and the explainable. It’s part of the reason I wanted to be a forensic scientist. I wanted to be able to understand death, not make excuses for it. Besides, have you ever seen a ghost?” I ask, narrowing my eyes.
Wade shakes his head. “Well, no, but I believe they exist.”
“How can you be so sure?” I snicker.
Wade’s eyes go distant and a thoughtful expression paints itself across his face. “Let’s just say, in my line of work, it’s almost part of the job.”
“That makes no sense,” I say.
“It would if you’ve seen what I have,” Wade says, laughing softly.
“What? What’s so funny?” I say incredulously.
With a mischievous twinkle in his eye, he says, “Maybe you really did move to Hogwarts.”
Chapter 9
The Witching Stick
Extremely loud calls of crows echo from somewhere nearby. My eyelids flutter open and take in the morning light as it streams into my bedroom through the large window. Rolling over to my side, I lazily stare into the blue expanse beyond the glass. Red, gold, and green leaves flutter at the edges of the panes, and a smile slides across my lips. I’ve had a week to get used to this view and it still hasn’t gotten old. Instead, I find each day I’m more and more fascinated by the beauty of this place.
My heart flutters in my chest. Wade will be here soon so we can go to the Witching Stick orientation together.
Despite the craziness from the first night, everything since has been completely and utterly ordinary. If anything, I feel foolish for even allowing myself to get freaked out or think there was something more going on. Instead, I probably just needed a good night’s rest and to get over my anxiety over the move.
Reaching for my phone, I tap to open the text message left by Wade an hour ago.
Have I told you, you're beautiful when you sleep? I’m leaving now. See you soon. xxx
Blushing slightly, my right hand floats to my cheek. I type out a reply quickly.
Hey, Angel. Thinking of you. <3 Drive safe, okay? Can’t wait to see you! PS—> You're cute when you sleep, too. ;)
I hit send, shut off the screen, and clutch the phone to my chest as I fall back into my pillow. A contented sigh escapes my lips and I find myself grinning like a lunatic.
The crows caw again, drawing my attention back to the window.
Throwing my feet over the side of the bed, I cast my blankets aside and stand up. I walk over to the window and take a seat on the large cushions of the window seat. The wind blows against the branches in the courtyard, and for a while, I’m mesmerized by their dance.
In the distance, fog rolls off the pond, reaching its tendrils toward the sky. I find myself smiling broadly but my eyes land on a dark figure standing well beyond the confines of the courtyard. Bending toward the window, I narrow my gaze. As if sensing me, the figure turns toward the house. His face is shrouded by the fog, but it’s enough to make my blood run cold.
Without thought, I head over to my dresser and pull on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt. I throw on a pair of hiking boots, slide my phone in my pocket, and run down the hall. The house is eerily quiet, so I make my way through the kitchen to the closest door I know that leads to the courtyard.
Flinging it open, I race out into the crisp autumn air. The crows continue to call, as if tattling on the intruder and hoping he gets caught.
My heart thumps loudly in my ears as I make my way through the fall splendor. From this vantage point, the pond is
