“But, Mom, it says I don’t have to pay for it—you don’t have to pay for it. I can go for free,” I repeat, stressing the part that immediately lightened an enormous burden I’ve been carrying around.
“You can’t go,” she says slowly.
“What are you talking about? Of course I can. They want me there,” I sputter, scooting my chair back.
“Everything comes at a price, Autumn. Including this. You might not have to pay for it, but trust me, it will have a cost. Besides, how do you think you’ll fare in a school with supernaturals? Have you even given any of this some real thought?”
“It doesn’t matter. I’ll figure something out. And what about this?” I say, pointing to the line about the gifts my lineage brings. “Any idea what this means?”
The blood drains from her face as she looks up, but she shakes her head a second too late.
“I don’t have any idea what they’re talking about,” she says, her eyelashes fluttering.
I narrow my gaze. An awkward silence stretches out between us. There’s more going on here than meets the eye.
“Mom, if you’re keeping something…” I warn.
“Young lady, I don’t like what you’re insinuating. I’ve put a roof over your head. I’ve given you everything—”
“That’s not what’s in question here. Answer me. Do you know something about this? Do you know what they’re talking about?” I sputter. My heart threatens to burst out of my chest and I can’t believe any of this is happening. Especially now.
Something resembling defeat flashes through her eyes, but she exhales slowly. “I wouldn’t blame you for wanting to be closer to your dad. Maybe that’s why you applied. Things haven’t always been easy here,” she says, ignoring the question.
“Mom, I’m not trying to get closer to Dad. I haven’t even talked to him for over a year. He barely shows an interest in my life. This is something else entirely. I don’t know what happened or why they think I applied…and you’re not answering my question,” I say, my fingers tapping nervously at the paper.
“It says here that you sent in a thoughtful application. So perhaps we both have things we’d like to gloss over,” she says, arching her eyebrow high.
“Ugh, you’re ridiculous. You know that, right? I’m not a child, and I don’t need your sideways answers.” Snatching the paper back from her, I fold it up and stand to slide it in my back pocket. “You know what? I just…I’m an adult now and I can make this decision with or without you. I’d just hoped you’d be a little more objective and less…you.”
I wave a hand dismissively, putting an end to the conversation as I head for the front door.
“Where do you plan on going?” she asks, shooting her chair back as she stands.
“Doesn’t matter,” I say. “Don’t bother waiting up.”
I walk out, closing the door harder than I meant to.
Truth is, I don’t have a clue where I’m headed. I just know I need to get out of here so I can think for myself. Mom’s always tried to steer me toward a reasonable direction, and I can’t fault her for it. But when life hands you something this big, you at least have to consider the possibility.
Regardless of the decision I make, there’s no doubt my life is about to change in a major way and I’m not sure I’m entirely ready for it.
Chapter 2
And Then There Was an Angel
As I walk down the darkening streets, I try to shake off the conversation with my mom so I can rely on my own intuition to be my guide. The twilight streets and moonlight have never steered me wrong before, but I don’t know if they’re strong enough to tell the truth right now. On one hand, I don’t want to go to Windhaven as a knee-jerk reaction, but at the same time, everything inside me is screaming that this is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for. But can I really trust it?
The cool, crisp air assaults my senses, helping me snap out of my funk. I tip my chin upward, gazing at the full moon as I zip my jacket.
Is Windhaven this beautiful? Would I like being there this time around?
It’s been thirteen years since the last time I was in Windhaven. I was seven, going on eight, and living at my dad’s house in the woody outskirts. He wouldn’t even let me leave the gigantic house to play outside in the courtyard. Forget talking to the neighbor kids or interacting with anyone besides him. I don’t remember where my mom was—I think it must have been during the separation. What I do know, however, is I was not fond of the experience.
I haven’t heard from him once in a year, which is surprising. He’s typically made a pretty big deal about my birthday at the very least. Maybe he’s just been giving me some space now that I’m an adult? However, he always had an open-door policy. Or so he said. I suppose I could always reach out to him to see what he thinks of this situation. He might have some insights that could enlighten all of this. Communication is a two-way street, and I’m just as much to blame for our lack of contact at this point.
“Are you really considering this, Autumn?” I say, pulling my insanely curly hair into a ponytail as I walk down the sidewalk. “What about Mom?”
My gaze expands out to the space in front of me and I walk on autopilot. Tears of confusion and agitation threaten to spill from the edges of my eyes but I can’t let them get to me. Part of me agrees with my mom. Who am I to think I could attend Windhaven Academy? I’m just an ordinary girl. On the other hand, there’s a part of me that would have killed to go there when I was younger. And if I’m truthful with myself, there’s still a part
