Huntsmen And Hoods: Grimm Academy Series, #5

By Laura Greenwood

Red Riding Hood doesn't need anyone to save her from the wolf.

 

Red has always wanted to be a Huntsman, and now her dream is about to come true.

 

Between training and proving herself to the other Huntsmen, the last thing on Red's mind is her prophecy. But when a letter about her sick Grandmother arrives, she has no choice but to let it start.

 

With her Huntsman partner's lessons, tracking training, and her former sweetheart on the loose around camp, Red has enough to contend with already. Can Red stop her prophecy from unfolding before it's too late?

 

Welcome to Grimm Academy, where fairy tale characters go to escape their foretold fate.

 

 

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Huntsmen And Hoods is part of the Grimm Academy fantasy fairy tale romance series and is a standalone retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. It includes a fairy tale heroine determined to save herself and a sweet m/f romance. 

 

If you enjoy fairy tale retellings, fantasy academy settings, friendship, prophecies, strong heroines, and sweet romance, start the Grimm Academy series!

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Drowlgon Press
• Release date: Jul 30, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393268734

Laura Greenwood

Laura is a USA Today Bestselling Author of paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and fantasy romance. When she's not writing, she drinks a lot of tea, tries to resist French macarons, and works towards a diploma in Egyptology. She lives in the UK, where most of her books are set. Laura specialises in quick reads, with healthy relationships and consent positive moments regardless of if she's writing light-hearted romance, mythology-heavy urban fantasy, or anything in between. You can find a full book list and more information on her website, or in The Paranormal Council Facebook Group. Happy Reading!

Book preview

One

One look at my schedule and I know I made the right choice coming here. Not that I got to choose. My fate won me a place, and my parents pushed me towards it. I can be bitter about it if I want to be, but I prefer to take this for what it is, an opportunity to become what I've always wanted to be.

A Huntsman.

Leaves crunch under my feet as I make my way down the path which leads to the Huntsmen's training ground. Excitement bubbles up within me, teemed with nerves as I try to prepare myself for the refusal I'm probably going to get. They don't let women in very often. There have been three, ever. I've studied everything about them in the hopes that I can add my name to that list.

Shouts fill the air, along with the thud of arrows hitting their targets and the stench of horses. I breathe it all in. I'm going to make this my life at Grimm Academy. I don't want dancing lessons and learning how to sew like the other girls here. It just doesn't fit with my personality.

Are you lost?

I look up to find a man leaning against the nearest tree, his arms crossed and an air of arrogance around him. I can take him down a notch or two given the chance.

I want to see the head Huntsman, I say firmly, staring straight at the man and not giving in.

You're a woman.

I noticed. I still want to see him, I insist.

Have you got a message? I can take it? He pushes away from the tree and walks towards me.

No.

Then what are you doing here?

That's none of your business, I insist. Are you going to take me to where I need to be? I raise an eyebrow, refusing to let my discomfort show. I'm not going to let him get the upper hand just because I'm a woman.

Sure. But only so I can see you get ripped to shreds, he admits.

I chuckle. Trust me, that's not going to happen.

Ah. You want to be a Huntsman then. He gives me a knowing smirk that I choose to ignore.

I don't want to be a Huntsman, I'm going to be one, I stress.

You've got the cockiness of one, that's for sure.

It's confidence, I counter. I know what I'm good at, and I'll make sure that everyone else does too, I point out. Which way?

I'll take you. That way, you won't be bothered by anyone else thinking you're lost.

If I'm not mistaken, I'd think you were warming up to me, I quip.

Maybe I am. I might be in need of a partner with the ability to actually get stuff done.

What happened to your last one? As little as I want to admit it, walking and talking to him is actually helping, and I'm quite enjoying his company. Though I'm not in any hurry to admit it to him.

He had an unfortunate hunting accident. There's a flippant note in his voice that I'm not entirely sure is fitting with what he's saying.

Are you trying to say you had him killed? I ask. That's not a good way to approach finding a new partner.

He chuckles. No, he really did have a hunting accident. He fell off his horse and broke a leg.

Pity. And shows just how easy a time of it I'll have. I won't be doing any falling off horses in my time here.

Do you have a name?

Doesn't everyone? I throw back.

Clearly you've never talked to Rumpelstiltskin, he mutters.

A half-smile spreads over my face. That's true. I've heard he can be a tricksy one.

That's one way of putting it. That man is always up to no good. He stares off into the distance, almost as if he's remembering something. I wonder if Rumpelstiltskin is supposed to be part of his fate. It's always a miller's girl in the tales I've heard, but that doesn't mean anything. The academy would be very empty if only the most common fate is the only one that can happen.

Any tips you can give me for talking to the head Huntsman? I ask, partly to change the subject, and partly because I can do with tips. While everyone knows about the Huntsmen and what they do, there's no real information on how to become one, or what it's like. I'm walking in blind knowing nothing more than that this is what I want.

Oh no, that's not how it works if you want to be one of us. Amusement shines through every word.

It was worth a try. I shrug. This isn't going to set me back at all. I'm still going to get what I want, even if that's mostly because I'm just determined to make it happen that way.

I suppose it is. He'll certainly like your tenacity. He thinks for a moment. Just don't backchat him too much, and you'll be fine.

What makes you think I'll even try to do that? I ask, turning slightly so I can flutter my eyelashes at him.

He chuckles. Don't do that, either. He'll hate it.

And you?

I don't mind, but only because I know you're doing it to get what you want, and not to try and get me to ask you to prom.

I scoff. As if I'd do that.

Not the prom kind of girl?

Would I be coming to the Huntsmen if I was? That's an obvious question on his part, and I don't like giving obvious answers.

I'll give you that one. We're here, by the way. He gestures to a hut with a big oak door. You still haven't told me your name.

You're right, I haven't.

Are you going to? He waits patiently, clearly expecting an answer.

Aredenne.

That's a mouthful. He looks at me just like everyone does when they hear my name for the first time. They expect one of those preppy princesses that are up in the castle primping and preening, obsessed with their looks.

That's why everyone calls me Red. I don't wait for him to respond and knock on the door, putting all my energy into it.

The door swings open seconds later, and I know I'm in the right place.

What do you want? the man demands with no other word of introduction. I don't know exactly what I expect from him, but I do know that this is it.

I'm here to enrol. I ignore the lump of nerves in my throat. They have no place being here. I'm here to do what I've always wanted, and I'm not having errant bodily functions destroying that.

The castle is that way. He points up towards the fancy turrets and grand door of Grimm Academy.

I'm already a student. But only because I have to be. I'm here to enrol to be a Huntsman.

The man gives a loud belly laugh, clearly thinking I'm here on some kind of dare. How little he has my measure.

This isn't a laughing matter, sir. I've done my research, I know you can't turn me away. They have other methods to deal with students they didn't think reached their high standards, but I'm prepared to prove them wrong at every turn.

You don't know what you're getting yourself into. The laughter disappears as quickly as it arrives. Hmm. That's not so promising.

I do. I don't let my expression slip. I'm going to get him to accept me here, no matter how much he tries to protest.

This isn't the place for pampered princesses, he says.

Then it's a good job I grew up in the woods hunting my own dinner and gutting it with my knife. I flick my cloak to the side, revealing the sharp dagger I keep sheathed at my waist. It's not there for decoration, and from what I've seen, none of the princess types are walking around with daggers on them.

We'll see about that, he mutters. Be back here at dawn tomorrow and we'll see if you have what it takes, he informs me. And count yourself lucky that I'm letting you.

I'm not lucky, I respond instantly. I've earned this.

Let's see if you're as cocky tomorrow when you actually have to face the Huntsmen trials. He doesn't wait for me to respond and slams the door in my face.

"Well, that wasn't the worst first meeting