Woodland Witch

By Katie Rodante

In a long abandoned cottage, a witch named Flora finds peace among the wreckage and decay. With a menagerie of woodland creatures at her side, she seeks out knowledge of earth magic in the forest, studying mushrooms and moss and improving her magical skills.

Sure, she's a little bit lonely, but it's not that bad - Flora can't go back to where she came from, anyway.

But when a group of adventurers on the hunt for abandoned places to feature on their amateur video channel find her cottage, Flora fears it's a witch hunt and prepares for the worst.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Katie Rodante
• Release date: Dec 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005008055

Katie Rodante

Katie Rodante is a poet and writer obsessed with storytelling and creativity. Her books include Wreathbound, Autumn Reveries, Woodland Witch, and her upcoming novel Fangs and Frosting. When she isn’t writing, she can be found strumming her harp, practicing yoga, or playing games—video or tabletop, not the drama-between-characters kinds she writes in her books. She lives in sunny Dallas, Texas with her husband, two children, and a morkie named Hamphrey.

Book preview

Woodland Witch by Katie Rodante

Copyright © 2022 Katie Rodante

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

First ebook publication September 12, 2022

Book cover designed by Poppy Premades

Dedicated to Starlight and Moonbeam

CHAPTER ONE

The Adventurers

Alexandra hadn’t wanted to spend all evening wandering deep within the forest, but it seemed she had no choice. Daylight was fading rapidly, and clouds darkened overhead, leaving her and her companions with less than ideal conditions for exploring an abandoned property.

Should we just turn back? she asked her partners. There’s a town at the base of the hill where we could stay the night.

No dice, Cameron said. We’re almost there.

Man, you said that an hour ago, Eric said as he adjusted his backpack on his shoulders. You don’t know where we’re going, do you?

Cameron stopped and spun on his heel. Of course I do, he spat. And don’t worry, I know you want to get your precious sunset hour photos and video. We’ll have time for that.

Alexandra was doubtful as she watched the sun descend behind the trees.

It wouldn’t be a big deal to put this off until tomorrow.

Speak for yourself, Eric said. My girlfriend will flip if I’m not home before midnight. Alexandra bristled at the word girlfriend, her pride still reeling from the romance between them ending. She turned her attention to Cameron instead, noting the way his gaze darted from tree to tree, bush to bush, as though he were searching for something.

This wasn’t like him. When Eric started his amateur video channel five years ago, he worked alone. For two years, he accepted help from his brother or his friends, having them join him on adventures to abandoned places. They helped him scope out the locations and hold the camera, but none of them were interested in sticking with the channel long-term. When Alexandra met Eric, a friendship emerged between them as if they’d always known each other, and then romance blossomed as they journeyed to unknown places together. Alexandra had been different from the others, and joined the channel as a true partner who earned attention from brands and sponsors, and helped grow the channel’s viewership. Six months ago, Cameron began adventuring with them, and somehow he knew of abandoned locations that nobody else did.

He had been around for their romantic relationship, around when it ended, and kept the mood light when awkwardness rose between Alexandra and Eric, even when they refused to acknowledge any awkward feelings between them.

After a pregnant pause, Eric spoke. "Cameron, let me remind you that this is your first big adventure