Huntsmen and Hoods

  Huntsmen And Hoods

  Grimm Academy #3

  Laura Greenwood

  Contents

  Blurb

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Epilogue

  Author Note

  Also by Laura Greenwood

  About the Author

  © 2020 Laura Greenwood

  * * *

  All rights reserved. This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise – without prior written permission of the published, except as provided by United States of America copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher at “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at the email address; lauragreenwood@authorlauragreenwood.co.uk.

  Visit Laura Greenwood’s website at:

  www.authorlauragreenwood.co.uk

  Cover Design by Design By Definition

  Huntsmen And Hoods is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Created with Vellum

  Blurb

  Red has always wanted to be a Huntsman, and now her dream is about to come true.

  Between training and proving herself to the other Huntsmen, the last thing on Red’s mind is her prophecy. But when a letter about her sick Grandmother arrives, she has no choice but to let it start.

  With her Huntsman partner’s lessons, tracking training, and her former sweetheart on the loose around camp, Red has enough to contend with already. Can Red stop her prophecy from unfolding before it’s too late?

  * * *

  Welcome to Grimm Academy, where fairy tale characters go to escape their foretold fate.

  * * *

  -

  Huntsmen And Hoods is the third book of the Grimm Academy series and is based on the fairy tale of Little Red Riding Hood. This is an m/f non-bully academy series.

  Chapter One

  One look at my schedule and I know I made the right choice coming here. Not that I got to choose. My fate won me a place, and my parents pushed me towards it. I can be bitter about it if I want to be, but I prefer to take this for what it is, an opportunity to become what I've always wanted to be.

  A Huntsman.

  Leaves crunch under my feet as I make my way down the path which leads to the Huntsmen's training ground. Excitement bubbles up within me, teemed with nerves as I try to prepare myself for the refusal I'm probably going to get. They don't let women in very often. There have been three, ever. I've studied everything about them in the hopes that I can add my name to that list.

  Shouts fill the air, along with the thud of arrows hitting their targets and the stench of horses. I breathe it all in. I'm going to make this my life at Grimm Academy. I don't want dancing lessons and learning how to sew like the other girls here. It just doesn't fit with my personality.

  "Are you lost?"

  I look up to find a man leaning against the nearest tree, his arms crossed and an air of arrogance around him. I can take him down a notch or two given the chance.

  "I want to see the head Huntsman," I say firmly, staring straight at the man and not giving in.

  "You're a woman."

  "I noticed. I still want to see him," I insist.

  "Have you got a message? I can take it?" He pushes away from the tree and walks towards me.

  "No."

  "Then what are you doing here?"

  "That's none of your business," I insist. "Are you going to take me to where I need to be?" I raise an eyebrow, refusing to let my discomfort show. I'm not going to let him get the upper hand just because I'm a woman.

  "Sure. But only so I can see you get ripped to shreds," he admits.

  I chuckle. "Trust me, that's not going to happen."

  "Ah. You want to be a Huntsman then." He gives me a knowing smirk that I choose to ignore.

  "I don't want to be a Huntsman, I'm going to be one," I stress.

  "You've got the cockiness of one, that's for sure."

  "It's confidence," I counter. "I know what I'm good at, and I'll make sure that everyone else does too," I point out. "Which way?"

  "I'll take you. That way, you won't be bothered by anyone else thinking you're lost."

  "If I'm not mistaken, I'd think you were warming up to me," I quip.

  "Maybe I am. I might be in need of a partner with the ability to actually get stuff done."

  "What happened to your last one?" As little as I want to admit it, walking and talking to him is actually helping, and I'm quite enjoying his company. Though I'm not in any hurry to admit it to him.

  "He had an unfortunate hunting accident." There's a flippant note in his voice that I'm not entirely sure is fitting with what he's saying.

  "Are you trying to say you had him killed?" I ask. "That's not a good way to approach finding a new partner."

  He chuckles. "No, he really did have a hunting accident. He fell off his horse and broke a leg."

  "Pity." And shows just how easy a time of it I'll have. I won't be doing any falling off horses in my time here.

  "Do you have a name?"

  "Doesn't everyone?" I throw back.

  "Clearly you've never talked to Rumpelstiltskin," he mutters.

  A half-smile spreads over my face. "That's true. I've heard he can be a tricksy one."

  "That's one way of putting it. That man is always up to no good." He stares off into the distance, almost as if he's remembering something. I wonder if Rumpelstiltskin is supposed to be part of his fate. It's always a miller's girl in the tales I've heard, but that doesn't mean anything. The academy would be very empty if only the most common fate is the only one that can happen.

  "Any tips you can give me for talking to the head Huntsman?" I ask, partly to change the subject, and partly because I can do with tips. While everyone knows about the Huntsmen and what they do, there's no real information on how to become one, or what it's like. I'm walking in blind knowing nothing more than that this is what I want.

  "Oh no, that's not how it works if you want to be one of us." Amusement shines through every word.

  "It was worth a try." I shrug. This isn't going to set me back at all. I'm still going to get what I want, even if that's mostly because I'm just determined to make it happen that way.

  "I suppose it is. He'll certainly like your tenacity." He thinks for a moment. "Just don't backchat him too much, and you'll be fine."

  "What makes you think I'll even try do that?" I ask, turning slightly so I can flutter my eyelashes at him.

  He chuckles. "Don't do that, either. He'll hate it."

  "And you?"

  "I don't mind, but only because I know you're doing it to get what you want, and not to try and get me to ask you to prom."

  I scoff. "As if I'd do that."

  "Not the prom kind of girl?"

  "Would I be coming to the Huntsmen if I was?" That's an obvious question on his part, and I don't like giving obvious answers.

  "I'll give you that one. We're here, by the way." He gestures to a hut with a big oak door. "You still haven't told me your name."

  "You're right, I haven't."

  "Are you going to
?" He waits patiently, clearly expecting an answer.

  "Aredenne."

  "That's a mouthful." He looks at me just like everyone does when they hear my name for the first time. They expect one of those preppy princesses that are up in the castle primping and preening, obsessed with their looks.

  "That's why everyone calls me Red." I don't wait for him to respond and knock on the door, putting all my energy into it.

  The door swings open seconds later, and I know I'm in the right place.

  "What do you want?" the man demands with no other word of introduction. I don't know exactly what I expect from him, but I do know that this is it.

  "I'm here to enroll." I ignore the lump of nerves in my throat. They have no place being here. I'm here to do what I've always wanted, and I'm not having errant bodily functions destroying that.

  "The castle is that way." He points up towards the fancy turrets and grand door of Grimm Academy.

  "I'm already a student." But only because I have to be. "I'm here to enroll to be a Huntsman."

  The man gives a loud belly laugh, clearly thinking I'm here on some kind of dare. How little he has my measure.

  "This isn't a laughing matter, sir. I've done my research, I know you can't turn me away." They have other methods to deal with students they didn't think reached their high standards, but I'm prepared to prove them wrong at every turn.

  "You don't know what you're getting yourself into." The laughter disappears as quickly as it arrives. Hmm. That's not so promising.

  "I do." I don't let my expression slip. I'm going to get him to accept me here, no matter how much he tries to protest.

  "This isn't the place for pampered princesses," he says.

  "Then it's a good job I grew up in the woods hunting my own dinner and gutting it with my knife." I flick my cloak to the side, revealing the sharp dagger I keep sheathed at my waist. It's not there for decoration, and from what I've seen, none of the princess types are walking around with daggers on them.

  "We'll see about that," he mutters. "Be back here at dawn tomorrow and we'll see if you have what it takes," he informs me. "And count yourself lucky that I'm letting you."

  "I'm not lucky," I respond instantly. "I've earned this."

  "Let's see if you're as cocky tomorrow when you actually have to face the Huntsmen trials." He doesn't wait for me to respond and slams the door in my face.

  "Well, that wasn't the worst first meeting I've ever seen," the man who walked me here says.

  "You had to watch?"

  "The choice was that or miss a tiny thing like you taking on the head Huntsman. I know which I'd choose."

  I don't give him any warning and whip out one of my throwing knives. A deep thud resounds through the air as it hits the tree right next to the guy's face.

  "You missed." He grins.

  "Did I?" I raise an eyebrow. "That must have been because I wasn't aiming for your face." I try not to let the smug smile cross my face, but it does anyway.

  "You're going to be a handful, aren't you?"

  "I don't need to be a handful," I counter. "I can take care of myself."

  Without waiting for him to respond, I spin on my heels, my cloak swirling behind me at the motion.

  "Don't you want to know my name?" he calls after me.

  I let the smirk out. "I'll learn it if you're worthy," I respond, not looking back at him. If I'm going to make my mark as a Huntsman, then I need to make people respect me. And one way is by acting the tough-guy. Or girl.

  He doesn't answer, and I know I've won.

  That's one Huntsman down, several dozen to go.

  Chapter Two

  I close my eyes and turn my face towards the rising sun. I'm convinced they pick sunrise to work out who has what it takes commitment wise, and who just wants the rewards without the work.

  I'm not one of those. I've been getting up before dawn every day since I was five years old. In other words, I've been training myself for this ever since I learned about it.

  Bird song chirps from the woods. I try to work out what they're singing about, but that's never been a particular skill of mine. I'm not sure it is for everyone. Over the years, rumours have spread about what kind of powers and magic people can have. I don't believe a word of it, but maybe that's because I don't have one at all.

  Unless I count my sense of aim. I don't. It's just another thing I've trained myself for.

  "I see you're back," the guy from yesterday says when I reach the same place on the path.

  "Did you think I wouldn't be?" I raise an eyebrow.

  A chuckle escapes him. "There were bets around the campfire last night."

  "You'd be a fool to bet against me."

  "Don't worry, I didn't," he assures me. "In fact, I look forward to collecting my winnings from the losers when I take you to the camp."

  "Hmm." I raise an eyebrow, unsure whether or not he's telling the truth. I guess time will tell on that matter.

  He holds out his arm to me, as if expecting me to slip my own through it, the way most ladies do.

  I'm not falling for that. If I want respect from him, then I'm going to have to earn it. Just like he’ll have to earn it from me.

  "This way, right?" I ask, pointing down the path in front of us. I know the answer to my question, but it doesn't hurt to show a little humility sometimes

  "Yes."

  I set off without taking his arm, and he falls into step beside me. We walk in a surprisingly comfortable silence. I'm not sure what makes it that way when he's already so annoying, but I'll take it.

  "Are you ready for the test?" he asks.

  "Of course."

  "Do you even know what's on it?" Amusement dances in his voice.

  "Nobody does," I point out. "Except those who have taken it, and nothing will convince a Huntsman to talk."

  "Except for a bet," he mutters under his breath.

  A small smile stretches over my face. "I hope no one's expecting me to put coins up for anything." Especially as I have such a small supply of them. Though perhaps betting with the other Huntsmen will allow me to increase my stash before I manage to start drawing a wage as a Huntsman myself. Which I know is going to happen. I'm determined to make my dream into my reality.

  "It isn't always for coins. Sometimes we bet for favours."

  "I'm even less interested in those."

  He scoffs. "You should be. Some of the Huntsmen are the sons of powerful families. They can get you far in life."

  "I'm going to get where I'm going based on my achievements, not who I know."

  He shrugs. "It can't hurt to make nice with some of them."

  "Is that what you've done?" I'm not sure what makes me ask it, especially when I don't know him. He's nothing more than someone I've met twice and will probably have to put up with for longer than that.

  "Having friends can't hurt."

  "Friends are a waste of time." Hurt lances through me as I say it. I know it isn't true, and yet I can't stop myself from saying it.

  "I don't think you believe that."

  "You don't know me well enough to have any idea what I think," I say, effectively ending the conversation.

  The crunch of our boots as we grow closer to the Huntsmen camp is the only accompaniment to our walk. A small part of me wants to strike up a conversation with him again, despite knowing it'll only end up annoying me. But I don't. Huntsmen live dangerous lives, it's better if I don't feel anything for anyone. The less loved ones I have, the less I can be hurt. And the fewer pain others will feel if anything happens to me. It seems pretty straight forward as far as I'm concerned.

  Shouts alert me to the fact we're approaching the camp, along with the faint crackle of a fire. No doubt it’ll be a big one in the middle of the huts that doesn't go out. Even in the heat of summer. I'm not sure exactly what they use it for. Perhaps for cooking and burning messages.

  I'll find out soon enough.

  "I hope you're ready," the Huntsman walking with me says.


  Not knowing his name is a little frustrating, but I don't want to go back on what I said on him needing to earn the honour. I have to stick to my word, or it'll become worthless. I'm under no illusions that I'll have to earn every scrap of respect from these people.

  "I'm always ready." I almost manage to cover the quiver in my voice, but I don't think he's fooled.

  "I hope for your sake that's true," he mutters under his breath.

  I don't think he meant for me to hear. But if I don't pay attention to what's going on around me, then I don't deserve a place with the Huntsmen at all. Which means I need to start reacting to things around me quicker. I'm not naive enough to think that the test is restricted to what they officially ask me to do. Every moment I'm in front of a member of the organisation, I have to assume I'm being tested and judged.

  At least, that's the way I'd run things if I was in charge of them.

  We step through a large arch and approach a series of small huts. Each of them is home to one of the Huntsmen. Or potentially more. No one has ever told me whether or not they bunk together. It doesn't matter to me. Whatever is the case, I'm going to live with it.

  All eyes are on me as we approach the main fire. I hold my head up high, refusing to let any of them see any weakness. The last thing I need is for them to think they have me beaten on my first day here.

  About a dozen people surround the fire, most of them a couple of years older than me. Grimm Academy takes students up until their twenty-first birthdays. I'm not sure what happens to someone after that if they still need the education. Or if things are different for the Huntsmen. They don't play by the rules of the rest of the academy most of the time, so why should they do that?