“Cat has nothing to do with any of this. I haven’t done anything wrong. This wasn’t me—”
However, a seed of doubt blossoms in my abdomen.
Could I have done this? I’ve even had my own doubts about her…
Diana’s eyebrow arches upward, as if she hears every word in my mind. Then, she leans in close to me. “Autumn, you’re gifted—naturally so, in fact. I’ll give you that. Your powers have a greater capacity than you’ve even begun to test. It’s almost as if you’re afraid to. Why?”
I blink back in surprise.
I’d never even looked at it that way. Instead, I sorta feel like I don’t have control of what happens. Abigail, the resurrection chamber, the revenants… I’m in reaction mode without a chance to be proactive.
Diana’s tongue flicks across her lower lip and she turns to Wade. “So, you’re also in the epicenter of all of this, Mr. Hoffman. What about you? Anything on your mind?”
His face again drains of color and he shakes his head. “No, Autumn’s right. We have no idea what’s causing any of this. We just want it all to be over.”
Silence expands between the three of us as Diana watches every movement Wade makes with rapt attention. “I’m not entirely certain why you’re shrouding yourself with so much…mystery. But I’d be careful if I were you. It could be your undoing. I should know.”
“What on earth are you talking about?” I say.
“Nothing you need to worry your sweet little head about,” she says in the same kind of tone a grandmother uses when trying to appease a young child. “All right, let me be frank with you guys. You are both adorably oblivious to what’s actually happening. It was clear from the moment I walked in this epicenter of hormones and magic, but even more so now that I’ve had some time in your energy. The problem is, the real world likes tangible proof. It’s a bummer, I know. And so far, I can’t offer them anything yet. I don’t know who the real culprit is. For whatever reason, they’re seriously shrouded. Like there’s another energy blocking my way.”
I lean back, breathing a sigh of relief. She doesn’t think either of us did it.
“What do you need from us?” I say, tapping the edge of the table.
“I need you to cooperate with whatever comes your way. I can’t protect the two of you if you’re not willing to work with me,” she says. “I need total honesty among everyone. But right now, you both clearly have some secrets and, while it’s none of my business, I’m gettin’ the vibe they’re at the heart of the matter here. So, I’m going to give you a couple of days to communicate and clear the air. In the meantime, I’ll do more digging. See ya around, kiddos.”
I turn my gaze to Wade, my eyebrows tugging in.
What secrets does she mean?
My eyes widen and I turn back to her. Did she pick up on Colton’s kiss? Oh, god…
“Needless to say, don’t go anywhere. We’re not done here, not by a long shot. Mkay?” Diana says, grinning like a mad woman as she stands up.
“I’m not going anywhere,” I say, jutting out my chin.
“That’s good. But I mean both of you.” Turning on her heel, she walks away from the table. Her blond ponytail swings around, bobbing along as she walks.
Wade and I exchange a significant glance.
“Oh, and by the way,” Diana says, turning back around, “you might wanna ignore that. It’s not good news.”
Wade’s eyebrows tug in. “Ignore what?”
Suddenly, the sound of ringtones erupt across the cafeteria.
Chapter 17
Speak Your Truths
It’s amazing how quickly tides can turn. I’m starting to get whiplash from it all, to be honest.
If I thought things couldn’t be worse, I was certainly fooling myself. It was better when Wade was more upbeat and I had become the magnet for rumors. We’d almost forgotten about the video at the cemetery in Mistwood. After his confession to the police, we were both kinda hoping it would go away—or wouldn’t be as bad at the very least. But, as promised, the video was released to the whole school and went viral in minutes.
Sitting on my bed, I glance down at my phone, watching the video of Wade toppling the tombstone for the umpteenth time. It was cut close in such a way that it looks like he was just there to damage property or desecrate bodies. Of course, that’s pretty much what everyone has assumed, too.
Now, no matter what we say or do, Wade and I are both the center of suspicion with the entire student body. Even with this psychic chick, Diana, supposedly on our side, it hasn’t saved us at all. In fact, I haven’t heard a word from her since.
So much for her protection.
On the other hand, though, I’m beginning to think Diana’s right about one thing. Maybe I don’t really want these powers of life and death. When I was a kid, I wanted to fly, or turn invisible, walk through walls, or maybe have the ability to conjure portals. Hell, Cat’s ability to summon fire would be better. Not necromancy. Not the ability to talk to the dead and stop them from crossing over. As much as I hate to admit it, I don’t really think anyone should have the power to decide who lives and who dies.
Fighting the urge to be sick, I can’t even begin to imagine who could possibly believe Wade and I would desecrate graves or damage headstones on purpose. Especially for the fun of it.
The video comes to an end and I tap out, staring at my phone’s home screen.
Suddenly, a text message comes in from Mom, making me jump. I tap the message
