Hemlock (Academy of the Dead Book 1) Read online

  I took the opportunity to share what I knew, hoping it would help us get to know each other better. “In Wicca, the moon can be associated with Demeter, Persephone and Hecate, also known as The Mother, The Maiden, and The Crone, who represent the passage of time and life cycle from birth to death with their changing phases.”

  Nadia tilted her head. “That’s right.”

  I smiled.

  Headmaster Mason scowled. Nadia threw him a quick glance. I don’t think he’s a big fan of her tattoo. “Yes, well, Nadia here will be your ment. She’s the same age as you are, so that should help. Rook will be placed in your graduating class here at Hemlock Academy.”

  “But this is her first year.” She began to twist her braid. I understood why she questioned his decision. I’m sure not many kids come in a year late, and get placed a year ahead. I was grateful, but I also hoped that it wouldn’t make anyone mad.

  Headmaster Mason nodded. “I’m fully aware of that, but Rook is exceptional. Her test scores were some of the highest we’ve ever had. I have no doubt that she’ll be a quick study.”

  There was a strange silence between them so my Mom filled it with a question.

  “Ment?”

  He turned to face her with a friendly nod. “It means temporary mentor. Ment is just something the students like to call it. Makes it cooler, I guess. Each new student is assigned one for the first few weeks,” he eyed Nadia, “it gives them a chance to tour the school, find their classes—assimilate into the program without feeling awkward and alone.” He peered over at me, “I understand this will be a big change for you, but I know you’ll love it here.”

  “That’s right. It’s a blast.” Nadia blew a bubble and it snapped against her lips. The air smelled like black cherries. One of my favorite fruits. I love to freeze them and sprinkle a little bit of sugar on them. One dollop of fresh whipped cream makes it the perfect dessert. My stomach growled so I pressed my hand against it to quiet the noise. I was so nervous that I skipped my normal big breakfast. I love to eat. I’m not embarrassed at all to say that I can down three large pancakes, two eggs, and a full glass of orange juice.

  Zander Mason shifted his stance, placing his hands behind his back, “Anyway, Hemlock has a long tradition of placement in the Seven Kingdoms. Failure is usually not an option.”

  Nadia laughed. She was clearly messing with him. She was so much braver than I am. “Want some?” she asked while swinging her bag forward and digging through it.

  I parted my lips. She wagged a piece of gum in my face. I took it, not wanting to be rude, but I wear a retainer and it would be a nightmare if I chewed gum. I unwrapped it, ready to take one for the team, when my Mom suddenly snatched it away from me with the shake of her head.

  “Rook wears a retainer.”

  “Thanks, Mom.” I muttered with embarrassment.

  Nadia rolled her eyes like she understood. “Parents,” she whispered with a nudge to my side. “So, I guess we should get started, huh?” she asked with a quick nod toward the school.

  Mom pulled my suitcase out of the trunk as the Headmaster waved to someone behind us. Both my Mom and I turned to watch him approach another woman with a daughter, and the whole cycle started over again.

  Nadia sighed. “Yeah—he’s like that. Very charming from morning to night.”

  I bit my lip. Mom appeared melancholy. I felt bad for her. Maybe the Headmaster didn’t like her after all.

  “I need to say goodbye to my Mom.”

  Nadia took two steps back. I’m sure she had experienced the same thing last year when she got dropped off. I just didn’t know if any of them were as close to their Mom, as I was to mine.

  I suddenly felt a little teary-eyed. I sniffled, trying to get my emotions in check. If I cry, she’ll cry, too, and we’ll be here for hours.

  Mom leaned into my side while watching Nadia walk away. “Is that a real tattoo on her hand?” her eyes narrowed with disapproval.

  I shook my head, glancing in Nadia’s direction. “I’m sure she drew it on. I could see an ink smear.” It was a little white lie but I didn’t want her to worry. Besides, this was good for me—to meet new people. I had been sheltered long enough.

  Mom longingly stared at Headmaster Mason. He kissed the top of another woman’s hand.

  “Men suck,” She grumbled.

  I reached in and took my suitcase from her. I popped the elongated handle, letting it slide up so I could roll this monstrosity into the school. The light dulled in her eyes as she fidgeted with my hair. I pulled away, making her stop, but she took my shoulders and stared at me. Her eyes glossed over with tears.

  “Mom, don’t,” I begged. The last thing I needed was for both of us to end up blubbery messes.

  She cupped my face. “I know, I know. I’m just so proud of you, honey. So very proud.” She spoke with such sincerity, meaning every word. “I know that my being—human,” she said it like it was a bad thing, “and your Dad, too—could’ve kept you from coming here, but we want the very best for you. Honestly, I don’t understand your power any more than you probably understand why I do half the things I do, but just know this, no matter what happens from this day forward, I’m so grateful that I got to be your Mom.”

  I didn’t like how she referred to it in past tense. “You are my Mom, and always will be.” I whispered.

  “Well,” she scanned the large school that overshadowed us. The rain had stopped and the sunlight was bouncing off of the darkened blocks of gray stone. It reminded me of an old English castle, tucked away in the countryside. I half expected to see a queen walk out the massive front doors, that were at least eight feet tall and just as wide, followed by her court. “This is where you belong now, and you have to trust them—and so do I. I promise, I’ll try, but I will be calling like every single day—or texting, or both.”

  I wanted to drop my suitcase and sink into her shoulder, but that time had come and gone. Hemlock was exactly where I needed to be. It would answer all of my questions. I stared deeply into her eyes. “I feel like you were the best teacher I could’ve ever had, Mom. There’s nothing wrong with homeschooling and you are magic—to me.”

  For a split second I just wanted to toss my suitcase back in the trunk and go home.

  I would miss my oversized bed with the goose down comforter and pillow.

  I’d miss the smell of maple syrup and freshly baked pancakes in the morning.

  I’d miss the little reading nook in my room with books shoved above and below it.

  I’d miss staring out at the lake.

  I’d miss fog and fireflies.

  Hugs and gentle kisses goodnight.

  But most of all—I’d miss her.

  I took a short, deliberate breath, hoping to calm my nerves. I had dreamed of getting into this school for so long that it didn’t seem real. I looked over at Nadia who had a blank stare. I could tell she was growing impatient. I should go. Just take the leap. But I’m scared of change.

  I blinked when Mom spoke through the haze of insecure thoughts.

  “And I’m sorry,” she rubbed my arms.

  “Huh?” I asked. My mind had wandered so far off the beaten path that I didn’t know what she meant.

  “That your Dad didn’t find it important enough to be here, today.”

  I sighed. Of course, she had to mention that awful detail.

  She pulled me in and the hug lasted longer than it probably should’ve. I bet it gave her time to wipe away the tears, behind my back, but it also allowed me to do the same thing. I was determined to keep from losing it, but we both know that this day marks the end of our life together. After this I’d be set on a course I’d only dreamed of. But the trade-off is painful. I’d be in school for years and then I’d be placed in one of the Seven Kingdoms of Myth and Magic. That is if the Tree of Wisdom accepted my blood and placed me. But I can’
t worry about that now.

  She pushed my wavy hair aside, and licked her finger, wiping away something on my chin. I let her. She may be ridiculous at times, especially since Dad left, but she was still my favorite person in the world.

  “You look so—”

  I interrupted her. “Like him, I know, you’ve told me.” Sometimes I think my absence may help her since I look so much like my Dad. It had to be a hard reminder.

  She corrected me, “Pretty.”

  Her eyes lit up as she studied my face. “I guess I should go so your new friend can show you around, unless you need me to go to your room, and help you unpack, and then we could go get something to eat and maybe catch a movie—”

  I laughed. “Mom.”

  She thumbed at the small black and white Volkswagen Beetle. I always thought I’d get that car someday, and who knows, I may still get it.

  “Yeah—no, you need to go with your friend and do this on your own, right?” her words lingered while answering her own question. I was glad she did. I didn’t want to hurt her feelings.

  I had no choice but to nod and take a couple of steps back. If I crack now, she’ll move right into the adjacent town of Hemlock, that shares the same name as the school.

  Mom sat down in the car and started the engine. She kissed her hand and pressed it against the windshield. I offered a wave as she pulled away, fighting the urge to run after her, so she’d see me in the rearview mirror and stop. But my obligation to my lineage held me in place. Being a Necromancer is one of the highest honors and should be respected. But I’ll miss her so much, it already hurts.

  I watched her roll down the long lane lined with ancient trees. My eyes turned skyward. The brilliant blue was slowly turning gray. I could smell more rain in the air. My favorite. Storms are a great equalizer. They force everyone inside. It gets quieter—peaceful.

  A book lover’s favorite day.

  I turned and faced the school. The thick gray bricked building loomed over me with patches of deep green vines twisting this way and that. Its massive size engulfed the countryside, housing hundreds of kids just like me. We’d learn here, sleep here—grow up here.

  This was my new home, as cold as it appeared to be. It was a far cry from the warm little cottage by the lake that smelled like fresh bread and herbs.

  No matter what happens inside those walls, I’ll have to keep in mind that I’m my only competition. If I can remember that, then I’ll be okay. There are no better or worse students here. Just those who pass and those who fail.

  My eyes lowered to Nadia who was smiling while gripping her backpack. A small white skull keychain swung from the zipper.

  I offered an awkward wave and made my way over to her, ready to start this new adventure.

  The excitement left me a little lightheaded and nauseous, but I’m sure it would pass with time.

  I stopped at the bottom of the steps and looked up at the school as it hovered over me. I caught a glimpse of a ghostly white face in one of the upstairs windows. Nadia craned her neck and began to laugh.

  “That’s just the ghost.” She said.

  “What?”

  She giggled while helping me drag my heavy suitcase up the stairs.

  “Yeah—he’s a jerk. Some student who died here.”

  I swallowed hard and looked back up at the window. The apparition was gone.

  Chapter Two

  We entered the school and I looked up to see a wide set of steps veering off to the right and left. At the top was a thick banister made from dark wood. I took a deep breath and it smelled like old books. I immediately felt a little better than I had before. The lights suddenly flickered above us and a loud pop made me yelp. Nadia giggled while eyeing the room. “I’d love to tell you that it wasn’t the ghost of that boy, but you know. It probably is. He’s just making sure you respect him. Do that, and there won’t be any problems.”

  I sucked my bottom lip inside my mouth and bit on it. Then she jostled me from the side and her laughter filled the entryway. “I’m just kidding.”

  “Oh.” I muttered. “Yeah—no, I knew that.”

  “But there is totally a ghost here, but he can’t do anything like that. This place is just old and the lights flicker when we get storms. You’ll get used to it. Everyone does.”

  A group of kids ran in behind us while giggling. They were all wet. It must be raining now but I couldn’t really hear it inside the school. I hoped that it wouldn’t always be that way. I love storms. They calm me down. I love reading during storms, and writing. I also love drinking coffee or hot cocoa, while curled up in a blanket. I mean, what good is a storm if you can’t experience it?

  “So, what’s his name?” I asked.

  Nadia stared at me in disbelief. “Who?”

  “The ghost.” My eye wandered up the stairs, hoping he wouldn’t come running out and force me to pee myself. I may be a Necromancer, but I’ve never seen a ghost before. I just bring dead things back to life. I honestly didn’t know a ghost was even possible.

  “Chester.” She replied while struggling to get my suitcase up the first set of stairs. I rushed in to help her. “Like the Cheetah?” I asked.

  She paused and looked me over. “Are you talking about that orange snack?”

  I grinned. “Sorry, I’m really hungry. I skipped breakfast this morning.”

  “Nerves?” she asked.

  “Yeah, but I’m super hungry now.”

  “Well, let’s get this monster upstairs and then we can grab something to eat, okay?”

  We worked together until we got my suitcase to the top of the stairs. There we both rested, catching our breath, while she shook her head. “What in the H-E double hockey sticks do you have in this thing? A dead body?”

  My nose wrinkled. But before I could say a word it moved and we both leapt back. I raised my hands. “Okay—is that the ghost boy?”

  “Chester?! You need to knock it off right this minute!” she yelled into the open air. We spent a few seconds in complete silence until the suitcase moved again and we both ran away from it.

  “I’m going to kill it with fire.” She lifted her hands, palm sides out, as the room got colder. My breath came out in a white puff of smoke. I was enthralled with her ability, but quickly remembered that all of my journals were inside of it, so I placed myself between her and my suitcase, hoping to shield it from her wrath.

  I held my hands up in surrender. “I can’t let you do that.”

  She tilted her head when it shook behind me, then shimmied to the left, then right. Her hands moved and so did I to keep myself between her and it.

  “Seriously, Nadia! Everything I own is in it!”

  Her eyebrows arched. “Like what? Satan’s demon babies?”

  My nose wrinkled. “Satan’s what?”

  She shrugged her shoulders while still trying to get a clean shot. I wouldn’t let her. She bit her lip. “Demon babies! Satan has a gaggle of them.”

  I chirped with laughter. She did not. “Oh—you’re serious right now.” I asked with my palms up.

  “I’m dead serious. Don’t you know anything about the Dark Lord?”

  “I know of him—but no, I’m not on a first name basis with that guy, and I have no idea who he dates.”

  My arms sat wide to make it harder for her to get a clean shot. The oversized suitcase teetered precariously on the edge of the first step. I was trying to keep my eye on it, and her, which was very difficult. I reached behind me just as it fell over and began to slide. A terrible howl rose up as it barreled to the bottom and finally hit the black marbled floor. It slid a few feet but not before the lid opened and something popped out of it like a spring.

  Nadia rushed to my side and we both tilted our heads.

  “What the heck is that ugly thing?” she asked.

  I rolled my eyes. “That�
�s my dead cat.”

  Chapter Three

  Bitter Bat hissed at me. Nadia held her, stroking the long fur.

  “What’s the matter little dead baby?” she cooed.

  “Don’t encourage her.”

  Nadia looked up at me and popped another bubble. The gum was drawn back into her mouth as she began to speak. “Ahh, come on! She’s so ugly cute.”

  Bitter’s fur was standing up in patches all over her body. She looked like she’d tumbled for days in a heated dryer. Her eyes, which are by far her best features, never stayed put. One would drift off, while the other would burn a hole of hatred right through you. It always sent a chill up my spine.

  “Fine, she has nice feet.” I choked the compliment out.

  Nadia laughed. “They’re called paws.”

  “Okay, nice paws.” I added without much emotion.

  I pulled out my phone and began to text my Mom, but couldn’t get any service. “Oh, great.” I held it up and searched for bars. I even climbed on the bed and held it out, wincing as it refused to allow me to send anything to anyone.

  “What are you doing?” Nadia asked.

  “I’m going to tell my Mom to come back here and get her right now.”

  Nadia stood up and Bitter Bat meowed. “Come on!”

  I hopped down from the bed. Impressed with my flawless landing. “What?”

  She stroked her head and Bitter began to purr. I wagged a finger. “That is a trick. She purrs right before she sucks the soul from your body.”

  Nadia rolled her eyes. “I think you’re being ridiculous.”

  I chuckled, “Says the girl who claimed I smuggled in a gaggle of Satan’s babies in my suitcase.”

  She pointed at me. “That was a viable assumption and you need to rethink this entire situation.”

  My voice rose a full octave. “Listen—that cat and I have a history, a very sorted one, and we also have an agreement. I stay out of her way, and she doesn’t try to murder me while I’m sleeping. It’s a good arrangement that’s kept me alive for a very long time. I really like it.”