Hunting Briar

By Katie Holland

Born the most powerful witch in a century, Briar's power is potentially limitless. With her mother coveting her power, Briar will do anything to stop her mother from using it for her own evil purposes. On Briar's eighteenth birthday, she manages to escape the coven she was raised in. She spends the next two years on the run, hiding her p

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kingston Publishing Company
• Release date: Aug 19, 2019
• ISBN: 9781645331834

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Copyright

Hunting Briar is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

HUNTING BRIAR: A NOVEL

Copyright © 2019 by Katie Holland

All rights reserved.

Editing by KP Editing

Cover design by KP Designs

Published by Kingston Publishing Company

The uploading, scanning, and distribution of this book in any form or by any means—including but not limited to electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the permission of the copyright holder is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized editions of this work, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

Table of Contents

Copyright

Table of Contents

Dedication

Prologue

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

12

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

Epilogue

Author’s Note

About the Author

About the Publisher

Extras

Dedication

To anyone who didn’t have

the best start in life but worked

hard to overcome their past.

Prologue

I wanted out. I hated the things my mother and her coven were doing. The death and destruction were just too much for me to handle. I wasn’t like them, but I had to pretend to be so they wouldn’t suspect that I wanted to leave. All I had to do was survive another few hours. When I turned eighteen, the magic they used to track me would be gone, and they couldn’t stop me from leaving then. I knew they would search for me, but I wasn’t going to let them find me.

Being the most powerful witch born in a century, they wanted to use my power for their purposes, but there was no way I was going to let that happen. I would die before I let them use me for their evil plans. I had a plan in place and there was less than twenty-four hours before I was free. Nothing was going to stop me.

I know I was being watched constantly. But I had a distraction in place that was sure to get their attention. It was going to be my only hope of escape.

The entire Moon coven was preparing for the celebration of my birthday. It was going to start at midnight, and then at the exact time of my birth, I was supposed to become a full-fledged member of the coven. That was not going to happen.

My mother had picked the spot for this event. We were in the middle of the woods that was owned by the coven. We’d had many celebrations here, so I was familiar with the area, which was going to be a big help.

While the rest of the coven was busy doing whatever my mother told them to, I was busy preparing my distraction. It was going to take a lot on my part to pull it off, and hopefully, luck was going to be on my side.

When I thought I was prepared enough, I came out of my hiding spot and found my mother.

Briar, she said tersely, where have you been? There are things you need to do for your ceremony. Hurry up and get them done.

Yes mother, I said. It was my standard response.

My mother was the head of our coven and no one ever said no to her. She was a powerful air element witch, and if someone disobeyed her, they usually found themselves swept up by the wind. Sometimes we saw them again and sometimes we didn’t.

That was one of the reasons I wanted to leave. I was nothing like my mother and I was afraid that if I stayed, I would turn into her-- only a more powerful version.

I went to the tent that had been set up for me to prepare for the ceremony. I went through the motions of doing what my mother asked. I had to make it seem like I was excited about joining the coven in case anyone checked on me, but I was actually using that time to go through my mental checklist.

I knew it was almost time when my cousin came to the tent to help me. The ceremony required me to be naked, which was actually no big deal for me. A lot of our ceremonies required it and it was a normal part of how I grew up. My cousin was painting the symbols on me that my mother required, Air, Water, Earth, and Fire. I was able to control all four elements, which was extremely rare. That’s what made me special.

When she was done, she left me to go join the rest of the coven. I could already hear the chanting and knew it wouldn’t be long before I was summoned to the circle. I took a deep breath, I was ready. It was time to start my distraction.

Closing my eyes, I pictured a storm rolling in. I was trying to make it look as natural as possible, so no one suspected it was me. I heard the wind pick up and knew I was successful.

Briar, it’s time, my mother said, from outside the tent.

I walked out and smiled at the feel of the coming storm. Of course, my mother thought I was smiling at her, and I let her think that.

Briar, she said, I can’t wait to have you by my side as a full member of this coven. I know you’ll do us proud.

I just nodded. If only she knew what I was thinking. She’d lock me up forever. Good thing I was able to keep her out of my head.

We walked over to the group of women who I had grown up with. I didn’t think I was going to miss any of them when I left. It’s possible that some of them used to be good people, but my mother had corrupted them all.

The closer we got to the rest of the coven, the stronger the wind was getting, but luckily no one seemed to notice. My mother and I walked through the women and into the center of the circle. Then she started the ceremony.

Friends and fellow witches, it is with great honor that tonight we make my daughter a full member of this glorious Moon Coven.

I tuned out the next part, because it was time to make my escape. Thunder rumbled in the distance and my hair blew in the wind. I stood there and willed the storm to intensify. That part was easy. Making it look like I wasn’t concentrating on the storm was the hard part.

I saw my mother pull out the dagger. It was now or never. That dagger was created with very dark magic, and once she cut me with that thing, I would be hers forever.

Lightning started to strike all around us, breaking trees in half and starting a few fires. Then the wind and rain started. The rain was so heavy, I could barely see my hand in front of my face. The tornado strength winds were so strong, I saw a few witches get blown away and the rest started trying to find a place to hide. Everyone scattered, except for my mother. She stood her ground and looked me directly in the eye.

This is your doing Briar, she yelled at me, over the sounds of the storm.

Yes, I yelled back. I will never be part of this evil you’ve created. Goodbye, mother.

My mother started to come after me, so I sent a bolt of lightning straight into her. It hit and she flew back about ten feet. Since she was an air element witch, it wouldn’t kill her, but it did knock her unconscious, and that was what I needed.

I didn’t know how long I had, so I ran. I left the storm raging out of control. I needed to wash away any evidence of what direction I was going. I ran to the place I’d stashed my clothes and money, and kept on running through the woods. I had to get as far away from there as possible.

As I ran, I felt a sense of freedom I’d never known before. I was no longer under the control of my mother. It was time for me to be who I was meant to be.

1

Briar

Three Years Later

Okay class, that’s it for today. Don’t forget to practice those calming breaths.

I heard mumbling and smiled to myself. Students were students wherever you went. It didn’t matter if it was a regular school or a special one for witches and warlocks, like here at Waverly Academy.

This was my second year as an instructor here. I taught Meditation. It was a way for the students to help control their powers. I thought it was a fun class, but I guess my students didn’t always think so.

You done for the day? Geneva asked, popping her head into my classroom.

Yep. What’s up?

I thought we could go get some sun.

I rolled my eyes at her. She was my best friend. She also happened to be a vampire, and although she could walk around during the day, direct sunlight still hurt her.

Very funny, I said.

I thought so, she said smiling.

So, what did you want for real? I asked.

Kallen is looking for you.

If Kallen is looking for me, he knows where to find me, I said, slightly irritated. And since when did you become his errand girl?

I’ll never be anyone’s errand girl, but I like him. Just don’t ever tell him that. And I think he’d be good for you.

The truth was that I liked Kallen, but with the exception of Geneva, I never let anyone get close to me. It was too dangerous. He thought since he was a werewolf that he was invincible, but he still had no idea who I really was, or what some witches were capable of.

Geneva … I started.

I know, I know, she said, You don’t want anyone close to you in case your past catches up with you. But I think you should tell him the truth, and let him decide if he thinks you’re worth the risk.

The only person who knew everything about me was Geneva. I had never planned on telling anyone about my mother or her coven, but she’d gotten me drunk one night and I ended up telling her everything.

If I tell you, will you stop bugging me about it? I finally said.

No, she said, grinning at me.

Well, at least you’re honest.

Go see him, Briar. It sounded urgent.

Fine. Where is he?

In our office, she said.

I gathered my stuff and followed her out the door. Geneva and Kallen shared an office. They were each the Head of Security, Kallen during the day and Geneva at night, so I was very familiar with their office.

Waverly Academy was located in Louisiana and the academy itself was an old plantation home. I loved the building and the historical aspects of it. Luckily, it had been remodeled and modernized. Outhouses were no fun. My classroom was on the top floor of the building and the security office was in the basement, so we went down a couple of flights of stairs and a few hallways to get to the office. Kallen looked like he was waiting for me.

Hey, I said, as I walked in.

Briar, he said, with a small smile.

He was a very handsome man and worked out a lot. I knew what he looked like without a shirt on, and honestly, I liked looking at him.

What did you need? I asked.

I need you to look at some video.

This wasn’t the first time I’d been asked to do this. I had a knack for seeing things that no one else did.

He moved so I could sit in the chair, but stayed right beside me. I looked at the computer screen and the video started. It showed a girl being tossed in the air by something invisible. When she eventually hit the ground, she looked hurt.

Is the girl okay? I asked.

Broken arm, Kallen said.

I nodded and kept watching. I wanted to see who was responsible for hurting that girl.

There, I said, pointing at the screen. Can you enlarge and enhance it?

Sure. Kallen did some stuff on the keyboard so we could see who it was. Son of a bitch, Kallen swore. That’s his third offense. I’m going to have to take him to the Dean. Thank you, Briar.

Happy to help, I said, and saw Geneva smirk at me. Um, I guess I’ll see you later.

He waved at us, but was already on the phone, probably calling the head of that boy’s dorm to bring him to the Dean’s office. The majority of witches and warlocks were good people, but I knew from personal experience, that not all of them were good.

Geneva walked me as far the door. I knew she had to start her shift, and part of that was going over any security issues with Kallen. Waverly Academy was very serious about keeping its staff and students safe; both from each other and the outside world.

I looked at the time. I had to hurry if I was going to make it to town on time. I taught yoga three times a week in town. Normally, I had lots of time, but I’d picked up an extra early class today. It had been my first job when I moved to and I loved doing it, so I made a deal with the owner to keep me on when I got the teaching job at the academy.

I went to my room to change and get my stuff. My room was like a little cottage. Since this had been an actual plantation at one time all the original buildings were still there. Where I lived used to be a slave home.

I was almost to my car, when I heard someone calling me.

Briar, wait up. It was Magena, a fellow instructor.

I’m kind of in a hurry, I told her.

I was wondering if I could catch a ride to town with you, she said, when she got to me.

Sure, I told her. But I’m not sure what time I’ll be done later.

That’s okay, I’m planning on staying at my boyfriend’s place tonight. He was going to pick me up later, but I wanted to surprise him.

Okay, hop in.

We got in the car and drove to Mystic Haven. It was the closest town to the academy and was a small town that was friendly to the supernatural world. Even though that was the case, I kept my true identity to myself. In town I was Bree, I never gave out my real name since I never knew if I would run into someone that knew my mother.

I pulled up in front of the yoga studio and ran inside. I left Magena to find her own way to wherever she was going.

You’re cutting it pretty close, Bree, Holly said to me, as I hurried to my locker.

I know, sorry, I told her. I had to give a friend a ride.

Holly was the studio’s owner. She was human, but knew about the supernatural. I think her best friend was even a shapeshifter. She knew I was different, but had never asked me about it and for that, I was extremely grateful.

I threw my purse in my locker and went to the room where I taught. I set the lighting the way I wanted it and put on some relaxing music. I typically taught the kind of yoga that helped people get fit, but also calmed and relaxed them. Everything about my room and teaching was supposed to be stress-free for this class.

The first few students trickled in, and by the time class started it was full, unusual for a Friday afternoon. An hour later, the class was over, and I felt a whole lot better. You’d think teaching meditation all day would have me relaxed, but dealing with teenagers was hardly ever relaxing.

My regular class didn’t start for thirty minutes, so I went to the break room to grab a bottle of water. I flopped down in one of the chairs and closed my eyes.

Long day? Holly asked.

Long week, I replied.

But it’s only a month into the semester, she said, with a smile.

I know, but the kids this year seem to be more challenging, I said.

"What you really want to say is that they’re a bunch of little