Supernatural Academy: Sophomore Witch: Supernatural Academy, #2

By Katie French and Ingrid Seymour

The exciting sequel to the Amazon Best-Seller with over three million page reads and counting.

 

It all happened so fast. One minute Rowan was dying, the next…he'd made the biggest mistake of his life.

The Supernatural Academy nearly killed me my freshman year, so when my sophomore year rolls around, I'm determined for things to be different. Sure, Rowan's a mess, but he's still studying magic and taking me on hot dates, and that's all that matters. But, what I don't realize is how freaking obsessed he's become with finding a cure to reverse his new curse.

He wants magic back and he's willing to do anything to get it.

It's not enough that I sign a blood pact with him, giving him access to my magic. And it's not enough when he loses control. No, nothing will stop him from getting what he wants, which puts him and everyone in his path in danger.

The problem now is figuring out just how far I'm willing to go to save Rowan.

And what will be left when it's over?

You will love the continuation of this magical academy series with kick-ass action, hot romance, and earth-shattering magic that will make you tingle in all the right places.

Get it now.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Katie French
• Release date: May 22, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224638819

Book preview

Chapter One

FALL SEMESTER

EARLY SEPTEMBER

---

I held Rowan’s cold, lifeless body in my arms as the tears streamed down my face.

There had to be some magic that could reverse what had just happened. I couldn’t believe he would now and forever be…

A vampire.

Cursed. Hated. Shunned.

Answorth hovered over me, wringing his hands as the chaos continued around us. People shrieked and called out. The fountain trickled in the background, the smell of its treated water stuck in my nose. Macgregor was still shouting at Dean McIntosh, while the magic lights burned in the night sky. Crowds of my stunned classmates looked on, horrified.

Standing hunched over and looking like he might faint at any second, Answorth’s eyes darted from father to son. He spoke, more to himself than to me.

It was the only way, I swear. He would’ve died.

Answorth appeared near dead himself, having only just escaped Henderson’s control. What that sinister spell master put Answorth through, I could only guess. But then, Answorth was a vampire. No heartbeat in his chest. Could he feel pain like the rest of us?

Was Rowan doomed to the same fate? His body was the same ice-cold temperature of the fountain water and his chest didn’t rise and fall with struggling breaths. Was that normal for vampires? I didn’t know anything.

God, this was all my fault. If I hadn’t taken him out of the infirmary… If I’d just listened to Nurse Taishi… Henderson had tricked me, used me. What a fool I was. How could I live with myself if Rowan…

I cradled him in my arms as my wet hair dripped onto his lifeless face.

"Rowan, please, please wake up, I said. Please be okay."

As if he’d heard me, his eyelids fluttered. Chocolate-brown eyes focused on my face. Oh, God. He’s awake! Relief soothed my aching heart like a salve.

Charlie, he said weakly. Then he winced, arching his back. It burns!

What? What burns?

My eyes scanned his body for wounds, but his skin appeared pristine. The dark blue veins, the visible markers of the unbreakable curse he’d been afflicted with, were gone. The spot where Henderson’s magic struck his chest—that deadly attack that had been intended for me, but had been blocked by Rowan as he acted like a human shield—was only a faded red splotch.

Still, Rowan writhed against me like his very blood was boiling. He gripped my arm, his eyes pleading. Charlie, help… me.

Oh, God. What could I do? I urged my cuffs to help, but they wouldn’t respond to my call for magic. I had nothing.

I grabbed Answorth’s pant leg and shook it. He’s in pain. Do something!

He stared down in pity. There’s nothing to be done, I’m afraid. The change is very painful. At least, he’s not dead. He gave a half shrug that made me want to punch him in his pale face.

Rowan’s mouth twisted up in pure torment. It gutted me. I pushed damp hair off his forehead, feeling useless.

Hang on, Rowan. I turned to Answorth. How long does it last?

Only twenty-four to thirty-six hours.

Thirty-six hours?! Now I really was going to punch him.

Someone stormed over, blocking out the light spells that illuminated this whole mess. In an instant, Macgregor Underwood was there, waving his hands. In another, he and Rowan were gone.

I stared down at my empty lap in shock. Where did he go?

Dean McIntosh was the one to appear beside me and answer my question. She looked as exhausted as I felt.

Macgregor took him, Charlie. They went home.

But I… I…

I know you’re concerned, but I assure you, Dean Underwood will take good care of his son. Now, please. We should get you looked at.

But… no. I need to be there. I can help. I stood, trying to charge my cuffs, but nothing happened.

However, very powerful magic did ignite beside me. Dean McIntosh’s hands glowed a shimmery purple as she stared me down with a no-nonsense expression on her face.

Now, I really must insist that you head with Nurse Taishi to the infirmary to be checked out. You’ve suffered greatly tonight and there’s no telling what kind of damage has been done, both physically and mentally. I’ll also be sending my sister to you as soon as she is located.

Another counseling session and an unwelcomed happy spell from Irmagard? No, this was not how it was going to go down. I opened my mouth to protest but realized I had no idea what I was dealing with. Dean McIntosh’s magic felt hella strong and my cuffs didn’t seem to be pumping out the juice they normally did.

I lowered my hands but didn’t budge. Where is Henderson?

You flung him halfway across campus. He hit a fence and is dead. Her face was still, but not emotionless. I could tell this information pained her, though I wasn’t exactly sure why.

Good, I said, venom in my voice. He killed Georgia. He almost killed Rowan and me. He kept Answorth prisoner. And there’s probably more.

Dean McIntosh nodded, her tired eyes dipping down in what seemed to be sadness. It’s a shame he made such horrible choices. He was a very talented young man.

Talented young man? She sounded like she was on his side.

There’s more, I said. When I disappeared, the fountain took me somewhere. A mausoleum. Two people were waiting for Henderson. He’s part of a bigger plot.

Dean McIntosh’s brow wrinkled. I suspected as much, but I’d like to hear every detail of what you saw when you are up to it. Now, if you’ll proceed to the infirmary. She held out a firm arm as if she were no longer playing around and meant business. Even in her robe and slippers, she was formidable.

Fine, I said, pouting like a little child. But I want Disha to go with me. I had scanned the crowd for my friend and didn’t see her.

She’s already there, waiting for you, Dean McIntosh replied. This woman thought of everything.

Fatigue settling in my bones, I gave the fountain, and the spot where Rowan had been, another glance before turning away.

The memory spell faded and I came to in my dorm room, yet I could still feel the raw emotion of it. Clutching my chest, I fell back on the bare mattress of my new dorm room in Sophomore Hall.

This room was a bit smaller than the last, the bed and dresser a bit more battered, but it wasn’t a homeless shelter, so it was perfect. Plus, I still barely owned anything, despite Disha and the Dean’s best efforts, so all my items fit perfectly in the tiny closet and small pine dresser. Trey’s urn dominated the left side of my dresser. At least I’d managed to bring him along on all of my travels.

Still, it was hard to be back on campus with all the memories flooding back. I’d only just arrived, hadn’t even unpacked, and was already torturing myself with visions of my last day at the Academy.

The last time I saw Rowan Underwood.

That night, after Nurse Taishi checked me over and pronounced me good to go, Counselor McIntosh had arrived in striped pajamas and a matching nightcap, a quaint outfit straight out of a Charles Dickens movie. She’d fretted over me for a bit, then proceeded to dose me with one of her good-time spells where nothing mattered and all I could feel was joy. Just what I had feared.

While I was in that fantastic mood, she’d informed me that, right that minute, she was whisking me away to her beet farm in Idaho. That I would continue my studies with her and finish my semester that way. She assured me a little one-on-one tutoring would do me good.

And who was I to argue?

The rest had been a whirlwind of transportation spells and an old ramshackle farmhouse with crops as far as the eye could see. I spent all summer pulling weeds and asking when I’d be allowed to leave, but, surprise, surprise, they’d all decided it was unsafe to allow me and my magic cuffs to roam free.

They’d plotted it all out and trapped me in the middle of nowhere with a crazy lady whose idea of baths was rubbing patchouli oil around in her armpits.

And, also unsurprisingly, my cuffs didn’t work. Something about the beets, Irmagard had murmured before lathering herself with suntan oil, tucking her ferret under her chin and splaying herself across an old rattan lounge chair right in the middle of the weedy yard. For my part, I suspected the entire farm had some powerful blocking spell on it, though I never found out the truth.

So, beets, dusty magic books, and Irmagard, who I’d gotten to know very well. In fact, I’d seen enough of her fluffy, gray armpit hair this summer to fill two lifetimes.

Yeah, not exactly the summer break I’d been picturing.

I had spoken to Disha a few times a week on Irmagard’s ancient rotary phone. She’d kept me informed on the goings-on, letting me know that it was pretty clear to everyone that I was being punished for my part in the fountain incident. She’d gotten in a heap of trouble with her parents, too, when they’d been informed she’d attacked a teacher. Luckily for everyone, Taishi hadn’t been hurt.

Rowan, of course, had been.

No one knew where he was, not even Disha’s well-connected father. No one had seen Rowan or Macgregor all summer. Disha’s father had confirmed, however, that the school’s bylaws forbid vampires from attending the Academy. Apparently, they’d done some terrible things in the early 1900s and had been banned as a species forever, along with other Lessers, for good measure.

Answorth had been stripped of his professorship, even though it was proven he’d only stolen that one magical item the same day we’d found him in the forest. And he’d only attacked me out of sheer desperation since he’d not fed in some time.

So, weeds, a ferret, and sporadic phone calls had been my summer. What a difference a year made. I’d gone from homeless kid to witch to prisoner to—

Knuckles pounded on wood, drawing me out of the swirling vortex that was my thoughts.

I strode across my barren room and opened the door.

Disha practically fell on me, twirled around, and slammed the door behind her.

What the hell? I asked.

"She’s coming. Shh. Don’t say a word." She gripped the door handle and pressed her ear to the crack.

Well, hello to you, too, I said. Who is ‘she’? And why are we hiding?

"Bridget and shh." She put a finger over her ruby-red lips.

Who’s Bridget? I whispered, putting my ear to the door beside her.

Disha gave me a bug-eyed stare. Bridget is my roommate.

"Your what?" I replied loudly.

Last year, Disha had occupied a single room, paid and royally furnished by dear old daddy and his big bucks. I couldn’t imagine what had happened between then and now. Was campus so full that everyone was doubling up? Whoever ended up with me would have a rude awakening since my room was barely bigger than a broom closet.

Disha, how did you end up with a roommate?

A moment later, a fist pounded on the door, startling both of us.

Deela? Is that you? a shrill female voice called.

Shit, Disha whispered, darting to my closet. Tell her I’m not here.

"Deela? I asked. Does she not know your name?"

Disha waved a hand at me. She’s a transfer student. Now, shh. She ducked into my tiny closet and pulled the curtain closed.

Lord, just what I needed, to deceive the new girl on the first day.

Carefully, I constructed my lie and a confused expression, then opened the door.

A flurry of curly, red hair and waving hands greeted me as a girl pushed past. Are you Charlie? Boy, I’ve heard a lot about you. Where’s Deela?

I stared at her, taken aback. What exactly had she heard about me on her first day? Were rumors already that rampant? Students knew I’d killed Henderson, the evil professor with the nefarious plans, though the exact reason was left untold, which was probably why rumors had grown and spread like a fungus. Disha had heard rumors consisting of anything from my allegiance to a vampire coven, to a secret sex cult gone awry.

I fake smiled at the new girl. "Bridget, is it? Disha is not here, but she told me to tell you to head to the cafeteria without her. She’s got a bad case of the green apple quick step if you know what I mean."

Disha would kill me for saying that, but it was payback for making me the bad guy.

Bridget barraged me with questions as I gently guided her to the door. I managed to dodge all of them except the one about me being in league with the water nymphs, which I laughed at and denied.

Then I helped her out of my room.

Thanks for coming. Nice to meet you. See you soon, I said, trying to shut the door, but I stopped short as my eyes traveled over her shoulder to the figure walking down the hallway. My heart stuttered in my chest as I took in those deep brown eyes.

Rowan was back.

Chapter Two

FALL SEMESTER

EARLY SEPTEMBER

---

Rowan!

I struggled past Bridget, but she was stuck on her water nymphs rumor and pegged me with questions while blocking my path. I tried slipping around her, but each time she blocked my way, her bright green eyes wide with unasked questions, her raincloud of red hair obstructing my view.

"Is Rowan the vampire? she asked with glee. I heard all about him. Boy, people are ma-ad they’re allowing him back in school." She drew the word out like a child tattling on her younger sibling.

Wait. They were allowing Rowan back in school? That was great news! I needed to ask him what had changed, but she just kept occupying my doorway.

Could you please move? I asked, trying to slip the other way.

I ducked under her arm and squeezed between her body and the doorframe. She called after me, but I ignored her, my mind on one thing.

But when I ran down the hallway, following after Rowan, he had disappeared.

I stared down the rows of closed doorways, searching for a retreating shape, but didn’t see one. Why would he come up here only to vanish the minute I headed his way? Was I hallucinating from that memory spell?

Scanning right and left, a commotion drew my attention to one of the hallway windows that peered down on the green.

The Sophomore Dorm had the distinction of being one of the oldest buildings on campus. It was creaky, leaky and supposedly haunted, but it was one of the closest to the campus’ main entrance and the administration building. My window was above the circular drive where most parents parked to unload their children’s luggage. I expected to see happy families moving their kids in.

What I didn’t expect was a massive protest.

At least one hundred people, students, and adults stood on or near the steps of the administration building. Some held signs, others conjured words above their head. One person had magicked their voice, making it boom out across campus.

We say no to Lessers! Keep our school safe.

These people were here protesting Lessers? Because of Rowan? Was that what Bridget meant?

A big, purple smoke bomb exploded above everyone’s heads, revealing words that hung large enough for everyone on the grounds to read.

No vamps on campus!

A head appeared above the smoke. Shimmery and purple, it trembled in the breeze, but it was clear who they were depicting. Rowan’s face hung above the crowd. To drive their point home, they’d given him long, blood-stained fangs and a feral expression.

As I watched, a slash cut through it, tearing it in two.

My hand flew to my mouth. Were these people mad? No wonder Rowan had disappeared. He was probably hiding out, hoping his head didn’t end up on a pike.

Rage building in my gut, I jogged along the corridor, down the flight of stairs, and burst outside. Then I made a beeline for the protestors.

No one noticed me as I wove through their ranks. When I got to the front, my heart pounded in my chest and my cuffs pulsed. With two quick movements, I shot a cease-and-desist spell over the crowd, a bit of magic I’d learn in Idaho from Irmagard after a swarm of mosquitos threatened to carry us away one night.

The booming voices died away. The slogans fell out of the sky, and the slashed image of Rowan disintegrated.

People turned on me, anger distorting their faces. Geez, had I really thought this through? There were one hundred witches and warlocks, all staring at me like they’d like to tear me in half.

What are you doing? I shouted, not knowing what else to say. Leave Rowan alone. You don’t know what he’s been through. Go home.

It’s the girl, someone shouted. More voices joined in. She’s in league with him. Vampire lover! They started to crowd around me.

I readied my cuffs, running through defensive spells in my mind. Shit, I wished I’d prepared a few ahead of time, but now it was too late. Irmagard taught me a lot, but I was yet to be able to recall everything on command.

What’s all this? a voice called.

Dean McIntosh strode out of the administration building in a hurry. She stood beside me, scanning the crowd and casting a protective bubble between us and them. When she was done, she projected her calm, cool voice out over the crowd. Can I help you people with something?

A man in a dark cloak strode forward. Despite the Georgia heat, he was wearing an old-fashioned black cape and bowler hat. A wide, brown, handlebar mustache occupied most of his face, but it didn’t cover up the jagged scar that cut from the bottom of his left eye to his chin. Something gruesome had happened to this man, but he seemed to have come out the other side, strong and cantankerous, looking very much like a cartoon villain.

He stared at Dean McIntosh with no trace of hesitation in his voice. Greetings, Ms. McIntosh. I do hope you’ve been expecting us. I left you several messages.

Sebastian Mink. I did get your messages. All one hundred and forty of them. A single, ‘I’d like to speak with you at your earliest convenience,’ would have sufficed. Dean McIntosh crossed her arms over her chest, unamused.

I’m a man who likes to get his point across. And these people, he turned and gestured to the crowd, they’d like to get their point across as well. Mainly, that vampires should not be allowed in this once-fine institution. Macgregor used to agree with me until his son became one. I say that, despite his newly softened heart, the rest of us remain unconvinced. Vampires are vile, evil creatures hell-bent on turning the world into mindless, soulless demons. And to think you want them cozied up to our best and brightest. Whatever are you thinking, Lynnsa?

None of that is true, I retorted.

He clucked his tongue at me. Can we really trust the word of a vampire lover? My dear, I believe you’ve been enthralled.

I have not. Never had I wanted to hit a man so much as I did right then.

He sneered at me, staring just a little bit too long. I darted my eyes away before I did something I would regret.

Giving a short laugh, he threw his hand into the air and yelled, No vamps on campus!

A cheer went up behind him. His thin lips pressed together in a smug smile.

Staying cool, Dean McIntosh didn’t take his bait. Sebastian, if you’d like to talk to me in my office, that can be arranged. The rest of your demonstration is not necessary.

He laughed mirthlessly. Oh, I think it is. Am I right, Macgregor?

Macgregor Underwood strode down the steps and stood beside Dean McIntosh. He did not seem at all pleased to see this Sebastian Mink or his army. I’d never seen him so angry and that was saying something.

This assembly is unlawful, Macgregor boomed. The crowd must be dispersed and you should all leave. Magical Law Enforcement has been alerted.

Dean McIntosh’s eyebrows went up as if she had not been made aware, but she said nothing.

Sebastian Mink closed the gap between himself and Macgregor. For a moment, it seemed as if a warlock’s duel was inevitable, but then Mink bowed and tipped his hat.

We’ll leave, for now, but heed my words, Macgregor. Your son is not safe here. Nor anywhere.

Is that a threat? Macgregor said through clenched teeth. Sparks danced on his fingertips.

Mink took another step back, but his face held its nasty smugness. No threat. I worry about the lad. Vampires have this funny way of turning up dead. Best keep him under house arrest if you know what’s good for him.

Mink whirled, his cape flaring out, and signaled to the crowd. Let’s go. Then he turned back to us. But we will return. The day you let Lessers back into this school is the day you signed its death warrant. Toodles.

He wiggled his fingers and disappeared, fading away like a ghost.

The rest of the crowd evaporated or walked off, grumbling and throwing us backward glances.

I turned from them to the two Deans who seemed as dumbfounded as I was.

We knew there would be protests, Dean McIntosh said quietly to Dean Underwood.

He nodded solemnly. But not on the first day. And not so many. And that awful Sebastian Mink. I thought he was in Romania.

He was, she responded. He is rumored to have come back when he heard. He’s not a fan of yours since you changed your position.

Macgregor ran a trembling hand through his hair. I was just at the verge of killing that man and losing everything I’ve worked for.

Dean McIntosh put a hand on Dean Underwood’s shoulder. That wouldn’t help Rowan, now, would it? He needs you here now more than ever.

It was a tender moment that I ruined by clearing my throat. I don’t mean to interrupt, but... is Rowan here?

They both glanced up at me as if they’d forgotten I’d been there all along.

Dean McIntosh smiled. Thank you for coming to his defense, Charlie. That was very brave and very stupid.

Story of my life, I mumbled.

Macgregor nodded. Yes, thank you. You’ll be caught up in this, too, I’m afraid. That is if you agree.

Agree to what? I asked.

They exchanged a look.

What? I hated when adults did that.

Please, come to my office, Macgregor said, leading the way. There’s something very important we’d like to discuss with you.

I followed them into the air-conditioned administration building, enjoying the cool air, though heat still surged in my body.

Who was the man? I asked as we walked the hall toward Macgregor’s office.

Dean McIntosh answered me. That was Sebastian Mink, or Bash as he likes to be called. He is a self-proclaimed vampire hunter and a bit of a rabble-rouser.

Vampire hunter! I said with alarm.

Dean McIntosh held up a calming hand. "Don’t worry. It is outlawed in