Christmas Witch, The Gift of the Angels

By theresa Pelegano

Jessica Winters is an awkward teen. She always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and bad things happen. Bullied by other kids for her appearance, she clings to the few friends she has. Nick Claus has always been protective of Jessica. Since she arrived on campus and Nick’s archenemy started to pick on her, Nick had her back. There was something else that tied these two together. They quickly discovered the reason they were at Breyerton Academy together may be more than just a coincidence. When evil arrives at the school, the truth is revealed. Forget everything you think you know about Santa Claus; this changes everything.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers USA
• Release date: Aug 31, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463302477

theresa Pelegano

Theresa Pelegano lives in West Springfield, Massachusetts with her husband, Shawn and her two children, Saraphina and Johnny. She is a graduate of Westfield High School, Holyoke Community College, University of Massachusetts, and Oklahoma City University School of Law.

Book preview

Introduction

Breyerton Elite Academy School, lies nestled in the Canadian mountains. The school looks like a winter ski lodge. There are ten buildings: the administration building, auditorium, library, dining hall, three buildings with classrooms and the boys’ and girls’ dorm buildings. Each building looks like a large log cabin which blends in nicely with its surroundings. The tall pine trees hide the school. If it were not for smoke coming out of chimneys from the fireplaces, you could fly over in an airplane and probably miss it all together. The school had an excellent reputation for its scholastic achievements but the student body was really a dumping ground for parents who wanted the picture of a family but not necessarily children in their home. The difficult terrain to the school made it ideal for parents who did not want their children to feel they could travel home often nor would they have to travel to see them.

John Amos, the school’s Headmaster, sat at his desk. John was a tall man with salt-pepper hair that he grew a bit long. His glasses were often found sitting on the edge of his nose. He seemed to have an endless supply of plaid blazers to wear. His daughter often told him he trapped himself in a 1960s

department store when it came into fashion and never left. It

was clear he tried to keep his life simple because he managed everyone else’s life on the school’s grounds. His office was always in perfect order. He had a way of doing things his way and no other.

Miss Amy Pearl, the school’s Head Housekeeper barreled into the Headmaster’s office. The door flung open and startled the Headmaster. Miss Pearl was a short, round woman with

rose-colored cheeks and short, very curly red hair. Her cooking skills were tolerable but she became flustered easily. A trait which is difficult to manage in a school setting, with kids always causing trouble. A look of panic and concern overwhelmed the elderly woman’s face. It was clear she ran from the kitchen hall to the administrator’s office by the way she was out of breath and clutching her chest. Headmaster Amos, have you ever heard of this happening before? She gasped for air in between words still trying to catch her breath. No, he replied, This is most unusual. The leader of the school stood up and started pacing behind his desk. His arms

behind his back.

Are we sure she is coming? Miss Pearl asked.

Quite sure. Sitting in a chair in front of Headmaster John Amos’ desk was a tall, slender woman with long black hair, pulled into a bun, and wired glasses upon her face making her presence known. Miss Pearl looked quite shocked to see her indeed. I would not be here if she was not coming. The woman looked at Miss Pearl with familiarity and superiority.

Miss Pearl could not believe her eyes, Janine Forest! She

proclaimed. They sent you to watch over her?

Obviously, she replied. Miss Forest had perfectly straight posture, shoulders back. She always held her head high and her chin in the air. Picture the most uptight, strict, and high and mighty woman. That’s Janine Forest. She spoke slow and clear and you heard each syllable, in every word, she would say.

Miss Pearl who still looked confused required further response from the woman. Yes. Janine answered with an annoyed tone. She will be arriving any minute, Miss Forest stated. Miss Pearl became even more worried grabbing the back of the Queen Anne chair in front of the Headmaster’s desk as if to brace herself from fainting. She was startled by a man, popping out from the chair, not realizing he was in the room.

This is insane. It goes against every rule we have heard. She’s arriving in the middle of the year and with no explanation. The tall scruffy-bearded man jumped out of the chair next to Miss Forest. It was Thomas Hopkins, the Boys

Dorm Supervisor. Mr. Hopkins had a deep Scottish accent that bellowed and always made him sound angry, even if he wasn’t. A useful tool when overseeing a group of boys. He was tall and thin, his dark hair had some signs of grey just around the ears. His appearance often seemed thrown together. Besides the scruffy beard, his shirt was often untucked. His hair clearly not brushed and he always seemed unraveled. We were already given the task of protecting one! Now two! And the only reinforcement they send is her! Mr. Hopkins pointed to Miss Forest who looked quite mad at the remark. Mr. Hopkins instantly knew he had overstepped and lowered his head in embarrassment, Forgive me. It’s the situation, not you Miss Forest. Miss Forest accepted the apology with a nod.

Miss Pearl let a gulping sound escape her throat. Two of them in the same location at the same time. What could this mean? Why would they do such a thing? It’s unheard of! They are both only eight years old and to put them together so young. Why?

My boy is showing superior skill already but bringing this girl here. Mr. Hopkins again looked at Miss Forest for

forgiveness.

Yes, replied the Headmaster. It is unheard of but there must be a reason. Our job is not to question what that reason is but to do our job. After all they are certainly better judges of what is right then any of us. The others nodded in agreement at the statement. Miss Forest will become the new Girl’s Dorm Supervisor. We will have to explain the disappearance of Miss George to the students.

She is already gone then, Miss George? Asked Miss Pearl. Miss Pearl liked Miss George, who was about her age, she was good at her job and she liked to play cards with her. Something she doubted Miss Forest would do. She was sad to see the woman leave.

Yes, replied the Headmaster.

The girls will not be happy about not being able to say goodbye. They’ve grown quite fond of her, proclaimed Miss Pearl.

Oh don’t worry about that Miss Pearl. It’s already taken care of.

The Headmaster answered rubbing a crystal on his desk. It looked like a paperweight but it was clear the object had other significance.

The others nodded in understanding. The Headmaster dismissed them from his office to return to their duties

Chapter 1

Seven Years Later

Sitting by a fire knitting with a bunch of other girls, Jessica Winters could hear the boys playing rugby outside. The knitting assignment was part of an art class but Jessica despised it. She did not consider making a scarf art. However, the boys

had to make one too, so that was funny. The look on their faces

when they were handed knitting needles, just picturing it again, made Jess smile. The weather was changing from fall to winter here and the students always became restless during this time. The thought of being cooped up for winter made them antsy. The school organized a winter dance to occupy the students during this time, as well as