“Hey—hello? Who’s out here?” I call out when I think I’d be within earshot.
I freeze, even holding my breath so I can hear better.
The only response is the growing cacophony from the crows.
Walking out to the small dock area, my eyes sweep across the shoreline, but other than two swans swimming peacefully at the edge, there’s nothing here.
Exhaling slowing, I walk the shoreline to the spot where I saw the figure. Bending down, the grass is flattened and the semi-frozen dew is gone. I glance up, surveying the nearby trees and bushes, but there’s no sign of footsteps having traveled anywhere else. It’s like whoever was here simply up and vanished.
Chills rush up my spine, and my phone vibrates in my pocket, making me squeal out loud. Pulling it from my pocket, I’m relieved to see Wade’s smiling face shine back at me with his call.
“Hello?” I answer, my voice shaking more than I’d like.
“Hey there, beautiful. I think I’m nearly there. You almost ready to head out?”
Clearing my throat, I glance around one more time and walk toward the manor. “Uh, yeah, almost. How long until you’re here?”
“Siri says ten minutes. So, probably five?” he laughs.
“Okay, I’ll be ready. See ya in a few.”
Hanging up, I race to the house so I can run to the bathroom and freshen up.
When I enter the house, Dad is still nowhere to be found, so I beeline to the bathroom. In record time, I’ve done everything I need to do and head back to the front of the manor just as there’s a knock on the front door.
Taking a deep breath, I straighten my shoulders. Suddenly self-conscious, I step back to look myself over in the large entryway mirror, tousling my crazy auburn hair a bit and pinching my cheeks so I don’t look like death warmed over.
Turning back to the door, I fling it open. “Hey there,” I say, unable to stop the massive grin spreading across my lips at the sight of him.
His dark hair blazes with red and gold streaks in the morning sunlight and just seeing him threatens to melt me into a puddle at his feet.
“Wow, this house…it’s something,” Wade says, raising his eyebrows. His eyes sparkle mischievously as he adds. “But if it’s not Hogwarts, are we sure it’s not the Winchester mansion?”
I roll my eyes, pulling him inside. “No, it’s just the Blackwood Manor, smartass. But in honor of your observation, I will say, good pop culture commentary. Did you just watch the horror film?”
“Actually, no. I’ve visited it in person, thank you very much. It’s creepy. And totally awesome.”
“Well, all right, then,” I say, totally impressed.
“Ready to embrace the Witching Stick?” he asks, trying hard not to stare into the depths of the house.
“Sure, but do you want a quick tour before we head out?” I ask, knowing full well what the answer will be.
“Oh, god, yes,” he purrs, relaxing his shoulders and having a look around.
“All right, come on,” I laugh, linking my arm in his. After a quick tour through the rest of the manor, I finally stop outside my bedroom door.
“And this…is my room,” I say, leaning my back against the heavy wood with my hand resting on the knob behind me.
Wade steps forward so he’s directly in front of me. His silver eyes are almost crowded out by the intensity of his pupils. Heat rolls off of him and it takes all of my strength to stay put and not open the door.
“Well, are you going to show me?” he finally asks, leaning in close.
I grin and tilt my head slightly to the side—an offering as I consider.
He takes the hint, gently placing his lips on the space just under my ear. “Pretty please?” he whispers against my skin.
Sighing with contentment and more than a little longing, I twist the knob and open the door. We step in together and he walks into the middle of the space with a certain air of satisfaction.
“So, this is where you spend your time now, is it?” he says, circling the room. He walks over to my dresser, his fingertips grazing one of the red petals from a large floral arrangement of roses Wade had delivered the other day.
“Well, thankfully not as much as I used to, but yes.” I nod.
“Used to?”
“Long, boring story,” I say, waving my hand and trying to avoid casting my gaze to the bed.
Orientation…must get to orientation…
“You’ll tell me, though, right?” he asks, turning back to me.
“If you have trouble sleeping,” I tip my head tersely, “then sure.”
“Excellent,” he says, walking to me and offering up his bent arm. “Shall we, then?”
My eyes fall one last time on my bed and take hold of his arm. With a little less pep, I lead us back to where we started. Wade’s black Impala is parked in the loop, right behind Big Blue.
He tips his chin toward the statue in the middle of the loop. “Interesting decor your dad has there. Don’t you think?”
“I know, right? I kinda like it though,” I say, walking down the steps.
Wade’s eyes flick back to the weeping angel one more time. Then his hand sweeps out toward our two vehicles. “Which carriage would you like to take, my lady?”
I chuckle. “Well, seeing as this is my new town and I need to learn the way, I’ll drive.”
Hurrying out in front of me, Wade opens my door and waits for me to sit down before he closes it. Then he runs back around to the passenger side and hops in.
“Thank you, sir,” I say, putting the keys into the ignition and firing up the engine.
“Of course.” He tips his head curtly.
Placing my phone on the in-dash holder, I punch in the coordinates to get us to the school. Once they’re up, I
