Winterwood Academy Book 3: Hunted

By Kate A. Fox

Everyone around me gets hurt.

I hate the thought of leaving my friends alone, but the Winterwood Academy is no longer a safe haven for me. Everybody thinks that I’m dead and I want to keep it that way before the one who put me six feet under learns that I’m back from the dead.

But before I have time to escape, the arrival of my father and the Witch Council brings a whole new set of troubles my way.

Not only am I to discover that I have a twin sister, but someone I trusted has betrayed me. I have to get away from this cursed academy.

An inexperienced witch like me wouldn’t last long in the real world. I’m glad Merrin found me a place to stay with a nice old lady and a seriously hot grandson -- Matthew.

Stay low, resist the urge to tell someone I care that I’m alive, and don’t draw attention to myself. That’s what I should do. It shouldn’t be hard, but nothing in my life is ever easy.

A crazy attraction for Matthew and bumping into an old friend and my former nemesis at a party are the least of my problems. Add an almost deadly werewolf attack, a sexy hunter with a short temper, and you have the perfect recipe for disaster.

How am I supposed to get my life together when everything just keeps exploding in my face?

• Language: English
• Publisher: JMS Books LLC
• Release date: Mar 31, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005031411

Book preview

Author

Chapter One

Booth

This last week has been the hardest of my life. As if losing my roommate wasn’t bad enough, my almost-girlfriend had died in my arms, drenched in her own blood.

To make matters even worse, I was forced to act like nothing had really happened.

Grand Priestess Celestria had swept into my mother’s office almost as soon as Bri took her last breath, and what else could I do but let her take her body? After all, she was the Grand Priestess, and we still had no proof that she had anything to do with the deaths at school.

She’d told us that Bri was just another victim of the fate that befell our kind. One of the poor unfortunate kids whose body wasn’t strong enough to house the power inside her. She claimed it had burned her up from the inside just as it had Cam and the other kids before him.

I didn’t buy it, and I certainly didn’t buy Celestria’s caring Grand Priestess act, the same one she offered up when she met the witch council on the steps of the main academy building just a week after Bri’s death.

Although I stood in the crowd of students who had turned out to welcome the council, my mind was elsewhere.

I’d barely slept for a week. Whenever I closed my eyes, all I could see was Bri’s pale, stricken face and the blood that had pooled all around us, dripping from her eyes, nose, and mouth as though something had exploded inside of her head.

If I hadn’t known any better, I might have accepted Celestria’s explanation, but I did know better, and I’d watched our Grand Priestess take Bri’s body out to the unmarked graves just as she had all the other kids.

It was that I was thinking about as I stood in the courtyard. The hum of people all around me was drowned out by my thoughts.

I stared up at the facade Celestria was putting on. She’d donned a classy black dress, and her usual Moon Goddess pendant glistened in the sunlight as she shook the hands of every single council member.

One by one, they walked up the steps to be greeted by the woman who could have received every award for best actress.

Just looking at her made me feel sick to my stomach. I wanted to follow the council members up those stairs and greet her myself. Only it wouldn’t be a handshake.

I imagined wrapping my thick hands around her scrawny neck and choking the life out of her for what she had done to Bri.

It wouldn’t bring her back, but it would certainly make me feel better. At least for a moment. That way, she would never be able to hurt another student.

But I wasn’t stupid. I was no match for the likes of Celestria. I knew it, and she knew it. That was the only reason that me and all of Bri’s friends were still alive. There was no way in hell that Celestria didn’t know that we knew something seriously wrong was going on.

It had been different with the deaths of the other kids. They’d died in their beds during the night, but Bri was different. She’d died in my arms, and Celestria had been close behind, too close for her not to have followed Bri to the office.

Celestria was smart enough to know that we were onto her, but the way she smiled at the council members told me she didn’t care. There wasn’t a single ounce of concern on her face.

That was until one member, in particular, stepped up to face her.

Even from the back, I could tell that the girl was much younger than the rest of the council members. She was at least a foot shorter than anyone else on the steps.

There was something familiar about her, in the way she held herself and the red hair that was pinned atop her head.

Celestria’s expression seemed to fall as she came face to face with the girl. All the colour drained from her cheeks, and I couldn’t help but feel as though she had seen a ghost.

It wasn’t until the girl had shaken her hand and turned to offer the rest of the crowd a smile and a wave that I saw what had startled Celestria so.

I was so shocked that my knees threatened to buckle, and I found myself grabbing hold of the Goddess fountain I’d been standing in the shadow of.

Bri! My mind whirled at the sight of her. The last I’d seen of her, she’d been turning cold and grey in my arms, but now she was as radiant as the day I’d first seen her sitting across the cafeteria with her friends.

Her skin was as pale as porcelain, attracting the late summer sun and causing her hair to look as though it was licked with flames.

Before I knew what, I was doing, my feet began to carry me through the crowd.

Hey! Watch it! A short and overly plump guy growled at me as I shoved my way past, but I barely heard him.

Grabbing at shoulders and shoving people aside, I reached the bottom step of the academy building in a matter of seconds.

Just as I opened my mouth to yell her name, I felt Celestria’s cold stare turn on me.

My lips clamped shut, and I struggled with my good sense to hold my tongue, at least until the greeting ceremony was over.

Students of Winterwood Academy! Celestria yelled as she turned towards the crowd, but every single student and lecturer was staring at Bri. No doubt because they’d all heard of the fact that she had died a week ago.

A hum of confusion filled the courtyard, and I heard several mutters close by as questions began to flit about.

Isn’t that Brianna Winters? One girl questioned the student beside her.

Isn’t she dead? Another guy yapped, and his words caused me to cringe.

She was dead. I thought. She is dead.

My good sense was fighting frantically with what I saw before me, but in the end, it was my eyes that won the battle. How could I possibly believe she was dead when she was standing right beside Celestria? Not to mention the fact that our Grand Priestess had looked like she might have a heart attack the moment she saw her.

Students of Winterwood, Celestria tried once more to gather the crowd’s attention, Please welcome the members of our High Witch Council, Grand Priestess Livina Atwell, Grand Priest Atticus Squire, Grand Priestess Fredrika Lovegood, Grand High Priest Augustus Maxwell, and his daughter Adreanna Maxwell!

She reeled off the names pointing at each council member in turn from the fair-haired Livina to the fiery-haired beauty, and my mind began to spin.

Is she seriously trying to tell me that’s not Bri?

Please give them all a round of applause! Celestria boomed, and she began the round, clapping her own hands energetically.

Still looking confused, the crowd was slow to take up the round of applause, and I found myself totally stone still, unable to move a muscle until Celestria turned to gesture the council members into the building.

Wait a minute! I hissed under my breath as I took the steps two at a time to grab hold of Bri’s wrist just as she was about to follow the last of the members inside.

Excuse me! She gasped, snatching her hand away. She looked at me as though I was something on the bottom of her shoe.

New girl, don’t you recognise me? I chuckled as I brought myself up to my full height, squaring my shoulders.

She examined me for a moment, looking half intrigued before brushing me off with an upturned nose.

You’re cute, but not that cute. She shrugged. Maybe if we were the last two people on earth.

Bri, stop playing games with me. It’s been a hellish week, I growled as I grabbed hold of her by the shoulders.

Who the hell do you think you are? she demanded as she tried and failed to release herself from my grip.

Bri, I don’t like it when people play games with me. I glared down at her, and when our eyes met, I suddenly realised that hers had changed colour. They were no longer the familiar grey-blue eyes of the girl I was always dying to kiss.

Instead, they were a deep, dark sapphire blue, almost black. And the more she glared at me, the darker they became.

I don’t know who you think I am, but you have me mixed up with someone else, she snarled at me.

Bri’s eyes have changed colour before, I reminded myself, perhaps she just needs a reminder.

With all the passion that fired up inside of me the moment I laid eyes on her, I leaned down and kissed her with almost bruising force.

Her lips were warm and tender beneath my own, and for a moment, I felt as though she was relaxing against me.

Then, suddenly she was gone from my arms, and my ears began to ring as she planted her palm with shocking force against my cheek.

Chapter Two

Bri

My mind was still reeling at eleven o’clock on Sunday night when Keeya and Luci snuck down the hall to join us in our bedroom. I was glad that I could rely on my roommate, Zoe, to get a discreet message to them because I was way too shaken to come up with a plan on my own. After all that had happened over the last few weeks and being told by my tutor that I had to leave the Winterwood Academy, I was definitely far from the top of my game.

Do you have to go?’ Luci asked even as she grabbed me and pulled me into a great big bear hug that left me spinning all over again. I had no idea how such a petite girl could house so much strength. We only just got you back."

After waking from being dead, I had to agree with her, but my last conversation with my tutor told me everything I needed to know. The Winterwood Academy wasn’t the safest place in the world, what with our psycho Grand Priestess, and that was before I’d learned I was quite possibly some freaky magical twin or, as Merrin called it, a Gemini twin.

Trust me, it’s better this way, Zoe called over her shoulder even as she zipped up the bag, she’d been helping me to pack with what little was left of my stuff. The Winterwood Book, my mobile and charger, and a couple of pieces of clothing that Zoe had borrowed without asking. Under normal circumstances, I might have been pissed at that, but the fact that they’d been in her closet and not mine when they’d come to take my stuff away was a relief.

Zoe and I glanced at each other because we’d both agreed it was best to keep most of our conversation with Merrin to ourselves. The last thing we wanted was to worry our friends even more than they already were.

There’s enough gossip going around with my lookalike without people figuring out that I’m not dead, I pointed out as I placed my hand on Luci’s shoulder, But I have a feeling I haven’t seen the last of this place.

That instinctual gut feeling I always seemed to get was back again as soon as I said it. I was pretty sure that it didn’t matter how far away from the academy I got. My troubles were still going to follow me. Whether I wanted to believe it or not, a Goddess had marked me, and from the way, everyone was reacting, I was pretty sure that meant she’d chosen me for something.

You’re damn right about that, Zoe said as she shoved my bag at me. We’re going to get you back here just as soon as it’s safe.

Then she glanced at her watch and looked at us. It’s time.

I didn’t need to check to know that she was right. Zoe had never been one for being late.

I don’t feel right about leaving without seeing Booth first, I admitted.

Although I had a lot on my plate, he had been flitting through my mind all day. Every so often, an image of his worried face popped into my mind.

I don’t think you should be worrying about him right now. Zoe was the first to speak up, and I couldn’t help but notice that her cheeks began to redden.

Yeah, Zo is right, Luci agreed, her own expression a little sheepish. It wasn’t exactly an odd look for her. I mean, it was Luci.

But when Keeya added, It’s better he thinks you’re dead for now, I couldn’t help but feel as though there was something, they weren’t telling me.

What’s going on? I demanded, crossing my arms over my chest and planting my feet firmly on the ground.

There was no way I was going anywhere until they explained to me why they were acting so shady.

The three girls glanced at each other, unspoken words passing between them.

We should tell her, Luci insisted.

We agreed we wouldn’t, Zoe groaned.

She has every right to know, Keeya put in, If I were in her shoes, I would want you guys to tell me.

Hello, I’m right here! I uncrossed my arms to wave my hand at them. Tell me what?

It was Zoe who turned to me, her expression awkward.

Umm… well you know how the Adreanna girl was seen by the entire academy this morning when the council arrived? She said, looking down at her hands as if she was fiddling with something between her fingers.

Yeah?

Well, it’s just that… Booth thought it was you.

I’m sure everyone thought it was you. I mean, we all did, Luci put in quickly and as soon as I turned to look at her, her cheeks began to flare bright red.

I knew it wasn’t her, Zoe protested.

Would someone just tell me what the hell happened? I demanded, heat rising to my cheeks.

"Oh, for God’s sake, Booth kissed the Adreanna girl!’ Keeya blurted out as though she was annoyed with the back and forth.

Her words hit me like a bolt to the chest and I had to struggle not to stumble backwards.

In his defence, we did mention that we all thought it was you! Luci said in such a shrill voice that I got the feeling she was terrified of me or something.

Yeah, we can’t exactly blame him, Zoe agreed, I mean, everyone was talking at breakfast as if it was you. Everyone was asking why you were with the high witch council and why they were suddenly calling you Adreanna.

But it wasn’t me! I exclaimed, my own voice sounding shrill.

My gut was aching at the thought that Booth had kissed another girl, How many people saw?

Every one of my friend’s faces reddened then and even Keeya looked awkward which was seriously uncharacteristic of her.

Well, it happened while we were all here with you but from what I hear it was pretty much the entire academy, Keeya explained, Yet another reason why everyone thought she was you.

Some of the girls were even saying that Rhea looked like she was going to blow, Luci chuckled. I could tell from her expression that she was trying to make me feel better, but for once, my feelings were on par with Rhea’s.

If it makes you feel any better, they said she gave him one hell of a slap for it, Zoe shrugged as if she already knew it wouldn’t make me feel better. In fact, it made me feel even worse.

Not only did Booth still think I was dead, but he’d practically been assaulted by someone he thought was me.

I should go and find him.

I was already half reaching for the door when Zoe grabbed hold of my hand.

We don’t have time for that now, she pointed out, dragging me away from the door.

Before I could make any kind of protest, she grabbed hold of my shoulders, looked me in the eye and promised, I swear we will help you figure out the whole Booth thing and we will let him know about you as soon as it’s safe but right now we need to get you out of here.

* * * *

I felt like I’d been sneaking around way too often lately. First with Booth to see what Celestria was up to. Then stealing the Winterwood Book from the library. Even sneaking into my own room after supposedly being dead.

Now was no different. My three friends moved in a sort of semi-circle before me as I walked with my head down and my hood up.

Luckily for us, the few girls that were still up were too absorbed in whatever crap they were watching on the common room television to look up at us, and we were able to slip out of the dorm without any trouble.

It wasn’t until we were halfway across the courtyard that someone detached themselves from the shadow of the fountain and came to stand directly in our path.

Well, if it isn’t the dork brigade. Rhea’s sarcastically sickening voice hit my ears, and I had to bite my bottom lip to stop myself from lifting my head.

Bog off bitch! Keeya threw at her.

I glanced sideways, first in one direction and then the other, half expecting some of her girlfriends to appear.

I was more than a little relieved when no more shadows began to move.

Well, aren’t you one for offering a kind welcome? Rhea sneered back at her.

What the hell do you want, Rhea? Zoe demanded.

I was almost gobsmacked. I’d never once heard Zoe speak up in front of Rhea. In fact, she and Luci had always cowered away whenever she was close. I couldn’t say I blamed them. The honeysuckle blonde bitch that was Rhea wasn’t by any means a nice person. In fact, she was probably even worse than Lola, my old best friend’s girlfriend, back home in London. I say worse because it appeared that now she thought I was dead. She had no problem with approaching my friends all on her