Second Year Setbacks: Hunter Academy, #2

By A.L. Kessler

A new year, a new challenge.

Isadora returns to the Hunter Academy hoping for a normal year, but when her and Susie learn that the murders are still happening, that hope disappears. The Master Hunters are pushing Elites on the field faster than normal and Izzy and Susie find themselves part of an unlikely team.

 

With the Vampire Circle showing up more in the United States, Ayden finds himself returning and back into the mess that the Hunting Society has created. When his path meets with Izzy's again, he realizes just how dangerous things have become for the young hunter. The two discover a deeper secret, but will they survive?

• Language: English
• Publisher: A.L. Kessler
• Release date: Feb 22, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393441625

Book preview

Second Year Setbacks

Hunter Academy Book 2

A.L. Kessler

To the Big O on Filmore, to the van, and to the wheel bearings. I’m pretty sure that 90% of this novel was written there.

Acknowledgments

Thank you to everyone who stuck by me while working through some of my struggles on this book. The struggles were real, but I got through it! Thanks to Jasmyn for the edits, Mia for the cover, and hubby for the coffee. Thanks to the sprinting group for keeping me focused and dedicated.

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

About the Author

CHAPTER ONE

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"Your mother would be so proud."

Isadora stood in front of her foster mother. Her foster parents had been gone most of her first year in the Hunting Academy and had no idea what had happened while she was there. What they knew was she came home with her Hunter’s mark from her first successful hunt.

She looked up at her foster mom, Gloria. I think she’d feel disappointed that I was in the Society and not hunting as an independent hunter.

Gloria patted her shoulder. Your mother would be proud of the hunt. Not of where you’re hunting. The Academy is the safest place for you to learn.

After last year, she wasn’t so sure about it. Professor Isaac Winters had it out for her. He’d left her and her partner alone to face a warlock using glamour. They’d managed to survive, but it hadn’t gone unnoticed.

Isaac had also tried to fail her out of every subject he taught, after he couldn’t get her kicked out of school.

And then there was Ayden.

Her heart ached thinking about how he just disappeared. Joey had said that Ayden had a link to the vampires, and he had to go. That she couldn’t trust him. Which made her wonder who Ayden actually was and where he’d disappeared to.

She missed him. A lot.

Are you all packed?

Izzy nodded. Yeah, I’ll be heading out in just a few. It’ll be nice to get back to campus. The summer had been quiet. She shared a few phone calls with Susie, her partner in the hunt. But that was about it. She didn’t make any other friends last year, and this year didn’t look promising either. Her schedule was a full load of advanced courses, some of which Isaac taught.

Gloria hugged her. You’ll have a great year. After this year’s mission, they will assign you an Elite to hunt with...

Except the Elites were dwindling in numbers still. Susie had overheard talk about more deaths throughout the summer. Killing the warlock didn’t stop the Elites’ murderers.

Izzy forced a smile. Yes, and then I’ll be able to move off campus.

Exactly. Gloria kissed her cheek. We’ll be in touch. I’ll let you know if we have a hunt that takes us out of country again.

Izzy hugged her and sighed. Be safe.

Always, she promised.

Izzy was old enough to remember her biological mother and father. Gloria did her best to help guide Izzy through life and the teenage years. It was hard for them both, but they had a special bond. It wasn’t quite that of mother and daughter, but it was still special.

Gloria walked out of the room, and Izzy took a deep breath before grabbing her duffel bag and heading to the car. She’d meet up with Susie once she got settled into the dorm and then they’d go off campus for dinner. One last night before they couldn’t leave until break.

Izzy slung the bag into the trunk of her car and got in to head out to the campus. They had already mailed her dorm assignment, and this year she had no roommate. She wasn’t sure if it was because of lack of students or if because by the end of the year she should move in with her Elite off campus.

She hadn’t met many Elites, so she couldn’t imagine who she’d be able to live with. The only one she knew was the RA from last year, Crystal, but she was willing to bet that Crystal moved off campus already. 

Despite the events of last year, she was excited to get back into the swing of classes and training.

Ayden knocked on the door of an old Hunter he knew in Florida. He’d stayed away from the states for the summer and had spent most of his time continuing research while he watched over Nuala’s crypt to make sure the activity there died down some. But he’d received some reports of suspicious activity in Florida, and he needed to come check it out because it included Vampire Circle activity.

He tried to wipe the sticky off his arms, but the humidity stuck to him and he couldn’t get the feeling off.

A woman with gray hair opened the door and smiled at him. Ayden, you look great.

Harper, so good to see you.

She pulled him in and gave him a hug. Last time I saw you, you still had your accent.

He ran a hand over his face. It still there some days. I got your letters.

I’m glad you’re taking it seriously. I’ve contacted the Hunters here, but they don’t seem to care. There have been disappearances at the clubs.

Ayden nodded. There’s a lot of corruption in the Society right now. I’ll see what I can do. I might have some friends I can call. His mind went to Joey at the Colorado Academy. And maybe an ally or two who might understand how dangerous this situation is.

She nodded and let him in. Please stay here and use my office. I’ve got files there for you.

He smiled. Thank you, Harper.

Don’t thank me yet, I’m not sure what I brought you into. I’m trusting Michael on this. He’s the one who told me to write to you. I was going to let you stay in Europe and not bring you into U.S. Hunter problems.

Ayden raised a brow. Maybe Michael was looking for a reason to bring him back to the States. Of course, he was miles away from Isadora. He wanted to call her to see how her summer went, but he knew better. If Joey discovered he reached out, there could be problems.

But he wanted to see her. He missed her. Her smile, her laugh, her determined look. He wanted to know how her hunt went. Did she take the creature down? Hell, she could have been killed for all he knew.

His heart ached at that thought. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Oh, I know that look. Harper laughed. You miss someone.

He shook his head. It wasn’t meant to be, but yes, I miss her.

Ah, star-crossed lovers?

He chuckled. Something like that.

I won’t pester you about it. When Nuala wakes, I’m sure she’ll do enough pestering for the both of us.

He rolled his eyes. She’s not waking anytime soon. None of them are. And right now, I have to figure out what the vampires are doing here. What the Circle is planning.

She nodded. Yes, a rash of disappearances here and elsewhere. I’m surprised the Hunting Society hasn’t taken notice.

Like I said, they have their own problems right now. Ayden shook his head and followed her to the room.

But a string of disappearances?

And nothing to go on but the word of an independent hunter? Ayden asked. Not likely they are going to send anyone out here, especially since the Academy here is closed.

Hmm. Yes, there is that. She shook her head. I’ll let you get settled. The information I’ve gathered is on the binder on the desk. Feel free to start looking at it. Would you like a cup of tea?

Ayden dropped his bag by the bed. Yes, that would be great. Thank you.

Izzy couldn’t help but smile when she pulled into the parking lot of the dorms. Hunters moved around the campus dressed in black clothes with combat boots. Many of them were smiling and chatting. Occasionally a couple of them hugged and smacked each other on the back. This was a second home to all of them. She got out of the car and grabbed her duffel bag from the trunk.

Walking to the dorm room, she kept her head down and focused on getting to where she needed to be. She looked up when she heard a small squeal that she knew well.

Izzy!

She grinned as Susie ran over to her and threw her arms around her. She gave Susie a tight hug. It’s so good to see you.

Susie nudged her as they walked toward the dorm. I thought you’d never get here. Running a little late?

I was a little slow to leave, is all. Then traffic was bad, but now I’m here. How was the rest of your summer?

So good. I got to run with the wolves, and Derrick has this house in the mountains for younger wolves to stay when we need a place away from home. She let out a content sigh. I’m gaining such better control over my wolf, and I feel so much more comfortable in my own skin.

Izzy smiled and opened the dorm door for them. Good, it sounds like a much-needed break from campus and a good place to stay.

Susie never gave any details, but she’d mentioned that her family had