Emily never expected her grandfatherâs funeral to change everything. Returning to her familyâs ancestral estate an ethereal white stone castle. Emily is thrust into a world of ghosts, secrets, and powers she never fully understood. She has always sensed the supernatural, but the death of her grandfather awakens something stronger within her.
As Emily reconnects with her extended, eccentric family, she starts to unravel the history of the Lavake bloodline. She is haunted, literally by her grandfatherâs ghost, who warns her that not everything is as it seems. With the help of her witty cousin Jeremy, who shares her abilities, and her supportive boyfriend Billy, Emily uncovers evidence of a long-buried family truth: their line is descended from powerful beings.
Tensions rise as distant relatives arrive from Ireland some helpful, some hiding dangerous agendas. The sudden appearance of Audrey, Emilyâs great-great-grandmotherâs spirit, brings a chilling warning: someone is after their family's legacy, and Emily is the key.
Haunted by visions, stalked by secrets, Emily must embrace her powers, her heritage, and her courage before everything she loves is lost. Set against a richly imagined ancestral home and filled with heartfelt emotion, humor, and suspense,
Emily never expected her grandfatherâs funeral to change everything. Returning to her familyâs ancestral estate an ethereal white stone castle. Emily is thrust into a world of ghosts, secrets, and powers she never fully understood. She has always sensed the supernatural, but the death of her grandfather awakens something stronger within her.
As Emily reconnects with her extended, eccentric family, she starts to unravel the history of the Lavake bloodline. She is haunted, literally by her grandfatherâs ghost, who warns her that not everything is as it seems. With the help of her witty cousin Jeremy, who shares her abilities, and her supportive boyfriend Billy, Emily uncovers evidence of a long-buried family truth: their line is descended from powerful beings.
Tensions rise as distant relatives arrive from Ireland some helpful, some hiding dangerous agendas. The sudden appearance of Audrey, Emilyâs great-great-grandmotherâs spirit, brings a chilling warning: someone is after their family's legacy, and Emily is the key.
Haunted by visions, stalked by secrets, Emily must embrace her powers, her heritage, and her courage before everything she loves is lost. Set against a richly imagined ancestral home and filled with heartfelt emotion, humor, and suspense,
Chapter 1
Here and Now
Itâs such a chilly morning on the way to school. I keep looking at the leaves that had fallen to the ground. Then I witness the wind picking them up and blowing them into a whirlwind of shapes that catch my eye. They seem to dance around as if to entertain me or to get my attention. Raising my eyes, I see my destination ahead: the old high school that was built in the 1930s. The outside was very simple, red brick and stucco. Inside, the classrooms were drafty, and you could pretty much hear everything going on in the street.
When hearing the bell as I am crossing the road, I realize Iâm running late. I rush to the schoolyard, seeing other kids running behind and beside me. Suddenly I feel a strange gaze from someone staring at me. I stop and pivot around. I look around to see no one.
Yet, I feel like I am not alone, and become uneasy about my situation. I run to the school doors, which feel so far away. Still, I continue to get closer, seeing my breath in the cold air as I reach the steel doors. I feel my hands on the cold brass handles as I pull them to open, but they wonât budge! Theyâre locked! Becoming scared and frustrated, I say to myself, âHow could they lock the freakinâ door? I just seen the other kids get in!â
I sense a mysterious entity coming closer. With force, the doors swing open, revealing my boyfriend, Billy, holding them as I run in. I quickly go past him, and I step into the school foyer with such fear that Billy becomes worried. Grabbing my arm gently, he lets go of the door; it slams shut behind him. Concerned, Billy asks me what is wrong. Heâs looking at me, noticing the stress on my face and seeing that Iâm wheezing. I look back and tell him, âI felt someone looking at me and I could feel them getting closer!â
Billy stares at me with a confused look and tells me, âEmily, your imagination is as bad as when we were little. We are seventeen now, you need to let it go. As seniors and almost adults, letâs make the most of this year.â
I try to calm myself down by taking a deep breath and knowing full well that I canât let him know the extent of the things I feel. I am just glad to be in the warm building of my school.
Billy and I are the same age, although he will be eighteen in a few months; I must wait nine. We have been dating for the last year and a half. Heâs tall, with blond hair and blue eyes, and heâs the quarterback. Heâs popular, but he will stand up to protect anyone from being bullied.
Then there is me. Iâm average height, brown-headed, with hazel eyes. As a Principalâs Honor Roll student, I usually keep to myself, but I can admit Iâm a nerd. I might not look like it, but I am. I also play varsity tennis, and I try to get along with everyone, but sometimes I can be closed off.
As we walk to class, we hear the sounds of shoes squeaking on the tile floors as kids rush by or just goof off. As I glance out the windows of the school hallway on the second floor, I still can feel the eyes of something mysterious looking up at me. I keep thinking, âWho or what is it?â
We walk away and head to our first class. As the school day drags on, the classes feel never-ending, as always, but thank God for 3:30 p.m. and finally breathing a sigh of relief.
When I walk out the main doors, I head down the sidewalk so I can wait for Billy to meet me. Luckily, I see an empty bench in front of the school, so I walk to it and sit down to wait. I see friends and say hi to them as they pass by, and then I just watch the kids going to their destinations. Dazing out, I look to my right and there is Billy, walking towards me.
I always catch a ride with him after school. We donât live very far from each other. His Mercury Cougar, a 1968 model, is candy apple red with tan leather. He restored it with the help of my father. Thatâs where he got the car; he bought it from my father before he turned sixteen. My dad was happy to sell it to Billy because it was also my dadâs first vehicle. My father and Billy get along very well; they bond over cars and the same cold case shows.
On the ride home, the engine keeps getting louder with every push of the gas pedal, and the ride also seems bumpier than normal. Maybe I am just more sensitive today. I keep looking out the car window and canât shake the feeling of being constantly stared at. No matter where I go, it continues to follow.
Billy turns right onto my one-way street, which is lined on both sides with fully grown locust trees. As we get closer to my house, we notice there are a lot of vehicles parked in front of it, and all along both sides of the road. Iâm confused about what is going on and imagine the worst. Billy wants to get as close as he can, and then I notice a spot for Billy to parallel park next to the curb, four houses down from mine. Billy takes my hand, which is resting on my leg, causing me to jump. Turning to look at him, embarrassed for being so jittery, I shoot him a quick grin. While still holding my hand and apologizing for scaring me, he asks if he should come in with me. Heâs noticing a look of concern in my eyes. I nod my head yes.
Billy gets out of the car, shuts his door, and walks to my side. I reach for my backpack, placing my arm through the shoulder straps and sliding it up to my shoulder. Billy opens the door for me and extends his hand, helping me out of the car.
We step onto the sidewalk, heading towards my home and becoming nervous as we get ever closer. We creep slowly, taking small steps. I nonchalantly count every locust tree we pass, keeping my mind busy so I wonât think about what we are walking into. When we reach the walkway to my house, I keep thinking: âwe walked too fast,â not wanting to go in.
We face the house, looking at this Italian-style home with beige stucco and stones that my parents built over three years ago when we moved to this town. We stare at the front door, worrying about what is waiting for me inside.
We walk up to the arched walnut wooden front door, open it, and cross the threshold into the foyer. When we step on the blue and gold porcelain tile, we instantly smell my momâs favorite scent, lilacs and vanilla. She has always used it in her wax melt pots, which she has throughout our home.
Curious, I look around the corner of the foyer, gazing into the living room to see my parents, grandmother, aunt, uncle, and cousins. They are all in the living room conversing with each other. My mother sits in her favorite wing chair by the baby grand piano that she would play now and then. She looks up, spots me in the foyer, jumps up, and quickly walks towards us. When she reaches me, she grabs and hugs me with tears in her eyes. As she pulls away, just for a moment, she wipes tears from her eyes and clears her throat.
She looks at me and tells me that my grandfather has passed away. The shocking news is a lot for me to hear, but I try to force back the tears as Mom tells me she loves me. She hugs me once more before she lets go of me to hug Billy. She asks him about his well-being, and says sheâs glad heâs here. Mom walks by me once again, looking at me with a smile. She fixes my wavy hair, which always falls in my face.
I try to pull myself together while looking at my motherâs tear-filled eyes. I want to ask about his passing, but I am too scared to say anything. Luckily, Billy asks before I can. âWhen did it happen?â Grandpa had been battling a horrible flu, which I thought had gotten better. I didnât realize he had gotten worse!
My mother took my hand and informed us he had passed in the night and thatâs all she really knew. My grandmother had been staying at my auntâs house until Grandpa got better; we didnât want her to catch the flu as well. When looking at my mother, I can see that she clearly is trying to focus on keeping herself together. She kisses my forehead and tells me she is going to order dinner and have it delivered. She smiles as she lets go of my hand and goes on her way to make some phone calls. As she walks away, she leaves the scent of her Chanel #5 perfume lingering behind her.
Upon turning around, I gaze at Billy standing behind me and see him filled with so much compassion. He grabs my shoulders with both hands and pulls me into him, holding me. Feeling the warmth of his arms and chest through his lettermanâs jacket makes me happy that he is here with me. I wrap my arms around his waist.
With Mom leaving to order food and not being ready to face my family, I tell Billy to go upstairs with me to my room to drop off our stuff. We make our way up the staircase, climb each step while hearing the family chatter on. As we get to the landing, we go into the short hallway that I share with the guestroom and the bathroom.
I place my hand on the crystal doorknob, turn it, and open the door. A figure catches my eye. I look straight ahead; I canât look away from what I see. Itâs my grandfather who has just passed. He is translucent. He stands by the double french doors that open onto my balcony to the back of the house.
I become obviously scared, Iâm not sure whether I should be frightened or happy. I notice he is looking at Billy and me, smiling at us with his powerful grin. His smile always put me at ease, and even after his passing, it still does. I was extremely close to my grandfather; I have always had feelings about people and places that I couldnât explain. Grandpa would always listen to me, being nothing but supportive, although he is my first ghost.
Just seeing him standing there as I walk into the room is interesting to me, but it is extremely cold. I am thrilled to see him, but I am still in shock that I actually can. I look at my grandfather, who is wearing his brown dress slacks and his short-sleeved button-up shirt. I think about how he had always looked his best. I want to hug him and tell him how much I love him, but as I get closer, he simply nods his head, winks his green eyes, and disappears into a mist. I am not sure how long I stared or how long I was in my room, but Billy is confused and checks to see if I am okay.
I begin to cry; knowing that he had come to see me and tell me he loved me in his own way. That wink was all I needed to know that he would always be there.
Taking a deep breath and pulling myself together, I sigh and look at Billy. I know he knew I had seen something. Even though I coolly tried to play it off, he knew. While he stares at me, he gives me a caring smile; we drop our backpacks onto the floor and he takes out his hands. I place mine in his as he pulled me into him again and holds me tightly. I feel a few tears roll down my cheeks. I know I am emotionally strong and can handle myself with the events that have just unfolded. I am a confident person. My parents raised me to need no one, but the extra support is very welcome.
As we walk down the steps of the curved staircase, family members meet us with an onslaught of affection. I notice more family and friends have shown up since we went upstairs. They try to console us and make us feel better, but all we want to do is run away. There is nothing like feeling as though you are being trapped and corralled like cattle while being passed from one relative to another. I do take a little enjoyment in knowing Billy is not safe, as he is getting the same attention and handling it better than I am. He has always been more sociable than I can ever imagine myself to be. He has always been a part of my life since we were little, although we didnât start dating until we were juniors.
Even then, I felt like we were too close for comfort, but it seems to have been the best thing. He lives in the same area where the family castle is, and our parents are very close. When we moved to where we live now, his family also moved there not long after. Our dads are in the same business of managing oil wells. There had been another opening when my dad got his job. He proceeded to tell his boss about Billyâs father and helped him get the job.
Billy knows everything about me, and I know everything about him. He truly is an amazing guy and comes from an amazing family. I know high school romances fizzle out, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. I try to focus on the here and now.
I look at everyone in our home, seeing the faces of relatives, some of whom I knew, and some I hadnât seen in years. I truly love my family. We are a bunch of Irish and mixed heritages, a smorgasbord of different backgrounds. We have every hair color, skin color, but every one of the family has green eyes, except for the spouses that are married into the family. It seems to be a dominant gene in our family. Iâm the only one who has hazel eyes, and my cousin is more original; he has one eye that is hazel, and the other is green.
I look around, smiling. I have always been proud that our family dipped their toes into different gene pools. The primary source of our family pride is our Irish heritage. My grandfather would always talk about how his grandfather was born there and came here with his wife and daughter (who was my grandfatherâs mother). He wouldnât talk much about the family castle that was back in Ireland. All I really knew was that when my great-great-grandfather, Eddie Lavake, came to the US for business reasons, he was so lost in this country. Most people were, and he wasnât exactly a well-traveled man. But he ran a successful farming industry.
While thinking about family and losing my grandfather, I suddenly feel a poke in my side and hear, âHEY! Snap out of it, cuz!â
I turn around and look at my cousin Jeremy with angry eyes. As I rub my side where he poked me, I raise my voice to him: âJESUS CHRIST! What is wrong with you?â
âIâm sorry, Emily, you look like youâre lost in your own thoughts,â Jeremy states, showing no remorse for what he had just done.
âIâm sorry, is that a crime now? Or do you just enjoy picking on me?â I ask in a snarky tone. I feel like I am ready to slap him for scaring me.
âI donât think itâs a crime, and yes, I do, thank you for asking!â Jeremy says, smirking.
Giving him a look and a half smile, I go back to looking at the crowd. I am holding my green Stanley mug filled with Pepsi. In moments like this, I need caffeine.
Jeremy is tall, with mocha-colored skin, and has one green eye and one hazel. He is very much a character. My momâs sister Karen and his dad Greg were high school sweethearts and an extremely amazing couple. They are an example of what I want to have when I get older: an amazing relationship and friendship. My aunt has always been my role model; she is funny, quick-witted. And, well, her son didnât fall too far from that tree. They are the sweetest people, and I am proud to have them as family.
Jeremy is the cousin I am closest to; heâs a year and a half older than I am, and we have always had each otherâs backs. When he came out to the family, I was right there, front and center. I couldnât have been prouder of him.
He whispers to me while we stand next to each other, looking at the crowd. âCan you believe weâre related to these people? Some of them havenât changed their wardrobe since the 70âs, and Iâm sure they're wearing diapers.â I quickly let out a loud laugh that came out without even trying. When I realize what I have done, I cover my mouth shocked. Now the family is starting to stare. Knowing that their eyes are upon me now, I suddenly feel another reason to slap Jeremy. I try to avoid his face because I donât want to give him fuel for the fire.
Even though I try to hide my horrified expression, Jeremy notices and moves away from me, shouting while pointing at me: âI donât know her. I think sheâs ill. Is there a doctor in the house?â He glances around and continues. âNo? Itâs no wonder this family is crazy. We've never been diagnosed.â
I feel someone walking up behind me and realize it is my Aunt Karen, Jeremyâs mother. She raises her hand, smacks him across the back of his head, and tells him, âNot every family get-together needs you to be performing!â as she looks at him sternly, but with a grin.
I look at my aunt, smiling. I am amazed at how she can put Jeremy in his place. She could always get the best of anyone who thought they could pull one over on her. She has the mind of a genuine genius and a style like my motherâs â classy and ever in fashion, but also never a snob.
Jeremy stares at his mother. âBut Mom, how would my public feel if I didnât perform? Are you willing to disappoint them?â He puts his hand on his chest just to be dramatic.
Aunt Karen states, âThey will get over it. Now cool it, bozo! I brought you into this world and Iâll take you out.â
Jeremy throws his hands in the air, then brings one to his chest again and the other with the back of his hand on his forehead. He says, âMy mother, disappointing the masses, so cruel!â He looks at her with one eye open, while she looks one more time at him, then grins and walks away. It is the grin that mothers give when they're about ready to strangle you.
As my aunt walks away, I turn to look at him, âSo, tell me Jeremy, how has your mother not drowned you yet?â
Without missing a beat, he says, âIâm her baby, she would miss me. I am the light of her life.â He chuckles as he puts his arm around my shoulder. âBut let me tell you, I know where she hides the bodies, if you know what I mean.â He raises his eyebrows at me.
Looking back at him with condescension, I say, âAh, the receipts from your guyâs shopping extravaganzas, you mean?â
âYep, those exact ones.â Jeremy nods while he takes my Stanley and takes a sip of my drink. We look towards the dining room and notice Billy getting extra support from the older ladies of the family. This causes us to laugh at his expense. When he hears us, he looks at us and winks continuously for me to save him. I look and smile until Jeremy says, âYou should save your dear boyfriend before the family plans your wedding.â
âOH, LIKE HELL! We are not crossing that bridge yet!â
I become wide-eyed as I think about what he said. I shove my drink to Jeremyâs chest while saying, âWe are way too young and so not ready for that mess.â
Feeling paranoid, I run over to save Billy. I quietly grab his arm and excuse us from the family of older women. We sneak out the back-patio doors, away from the mobs of Billyâs fan club. Shutting the doors behind us, Billy shakes his arms like he has the heebie-jeebies.
âJESUS! That took you long enough! What were you and Jeremy talking about? I feel like I need a shower after all the attention I just got. Those old ladies were feeling my arms. I am glad I never took off my jacket.â
Feeling bad I didnât go over earlier, I reply, âSorry, babe, we were just talking about cousin stuff. If I knew they were feeling your biceps, I would have saved you sooner. Think of it this way; at least you should feel special.â I smile and go to hug him, and he returns the embrace.
He pulls me against him, and my face presses against his chest. I smell his Phantom cologne he wears a lot, and it smells so good. Suddenly, I began to feel that strange feeling again of being watched. I look around to no avail. âIs it Grandpa?â I keep thinking to myself. âIf itâs not, who is it?â
âWhatâs the matter, Emily?â Billy asks as he looks down at me. I am still looking around my yard, feeling cold because I left my coat inside.
I am about to respond when Jeremy swings open the back doors, steps out, and shuts them again. Then he asks, âDo you feel it too?â Heâs looking at me, a little shaken.
Curious, I ask, âFeel what?â I raise my shoulders.
âDonât play dumb with me; you forget we have the same gifts.â As he makes air quotations with his fingers. Clearly irritated, he continues, âYou saw Grandpa, didnât you? And donât even try to lie.â Heâs looking at me sternly.
I reluctantly reply, âFine, I did in my bedroom, in front of my french-doors.â Feeling busted, I feel the need to tell him the truth. âHe smiled and winked at me, and as I got closer, he disappeared.â
Jeremyâs expression becomes irritated. âThen freaking tell me that instead of lying! âCause I already know.â Jeremy is half joking and half upset.
Billy is clearly confused. âYou saw your grandpa when we went into your room? Why didnât you tell me? You know I understand and support you.â
âItâs not something that just rolls off the tongue, not to mention Grandpa was the first spirit I have ever seen. I needed time to reflect. But yes, I will not hide it from you anymore,â I say as I touch his warm cheeks with my fingers.
âThank you,â he states, winking at me.
Just as we are finishing up talking, my mother opens the doors again, looking at us like she has something to say. She is upset and still grieving from the loss of her father. She speaks in a voice that is kind and caring. âKids, we need to plan and get ready to leave.â
We look at her intently. âWhere are we going?â I ask curiously.
âTo the Lavake Castle,â she informs us. She continues, âWe are leaving tomorrow."
The Castle of High Winds is a great introduction to the coming-of-age story of a young girl with a loaded past. Emily has always known there is more to the world and to people than what meets the eye, but when the ghost of her grandfather makes his appearance to her in her bedroom, she recognizes that her gifts may run deeper than initially anticipated.
This is a story of friendship, love, and courage. Where secrets lie uncovered, Emily will face her fears and dive into the unknown with helpful companions who are united by compassion and care. A young adult story with a tone of voice that will make reading easier for younger audiences, this story will be a delight to those who pick it up. This book is perfect for lovers of found family, revealing mysteries, and heart-felt reads.
The Castle of High Winds has the potential to be a truly great series if that is where the author chooses to take it. This is a strong beginning of a story, and the author has developed Emily's character and personality well. Though the tone of the story is younger than what most would consider a young adult book (more-so middle grade language) the bones of the plot are very good and DeSiata has much potential for where her writing can take her.
What would have made the story even more rich is adding more dialogue, showing and less telling of details and events. The story itself is well plotted and structured, adding more sensory details as well as emotional ones scattered in between important dialogue scenes would have aided in immersing the reader even more.
Overall, this book was enjoyable from start to finish and truly is worth the read. DeSiata shows much promise in this tale, and sets the scene for an even stronger and more captivating second installment. Readers can look forward to epic story telling, action packed scenes, and heart warming moments all throughout this book and in the next.