Watcher Academy Read online

  Watcher Academy:

  League of Watchers

  Book 1

  S. K. Gregory

  Copyright © 2019 S. K. Gregory

  All Rights Reserved

  Prologue

  “The world is bigger than you think and full of danger,” Edward Grimm told his nine-year-old granddaughter, Adeline. “But we can protect ourselves with a very powerful weapon. Do you know what that is?”

  Adeline, who sat hunched in a chair by the fire, shook her head. “No, Grandpa.”

  He knelt before her and smiled. “Knowledge, my dear girl. It is the most powerful weapon in the world.”

  She tried to return the smile but couldn’t quite manage it. She had barely spoken in the week since she arrived at the mansion. Being torn from the life she’d known had taken its toll on the normally happy child. Her parents were gone, killed in a car accident, and now she lived with a grandparent she saw maybe once a year. Edward never expected to be raising a child again at his age, but he was the only family she had left, he couldn’t turn her away.

  Losing Phillip had been a blow, made worse by the fact that they had barely said two words to each other in the last few years. All because of the League of Watchers. Phillip rejected Edward’s offer to follow in his footsteps, he wanted a normal life, for Adeline to stay ignorant.

  Edward wanted to honor his son’s wish, to keep his life secret from her, but to not prepare Adeline for the world would be wrong. She needed to know what was out there so she could defend herself. He didn’t want to frighten her, so he would find a way to explain it to her that suited her age. She loved to read, so why not start with a history lesson?

  He presented Adeline with a hardback book, with a black cover and gold lettering. She took it, reading the title slowly. “Are myths like fairy tales, Grandpa?” she asked, her big brown eyes lighting up.

  “In a way, but these myths have truth in them. There are no talking frogs or handsome princes. Would you like me to read one to you?”

  She nodded, her brown hair falling over her face. She pushed it back, adjusted her glasses and settled back in the chair to listen, snuggled up with a blanket. She seemed to prefer the quiet of the library and spent most of her days in the chair by the fire. It seemed to comfort her.

  Edward took a seat opposite her, wincing as he lowered himself down, opened the book and began to read. His old bones felt the damage of years of fighting with hell beasts. He had faced more than his fair share, but he did it all to protect the innocent.

  Adeline listened intently to the story, stopping him every once in a while, to ask a question. When he finished the story, Adeline asked, “Is magic real, Grandpa?”

  He considered the question for a moment. To a child, magic involved unicorns and rainbows, the truth was much darker. Magic was a chaotic force which could destroy lives and messed with the balance of nature if used incorrectly.

  Propping his chin in his hand, he said, “Magic does exist, but it must be used in the proper way.”

  A smile lit up her face, a real smile, he noted. “Like Harry Potter?”

  His lips quirked; she was so innocent. “A little. I can teach you about all of this, if you want me to?”

  She nodded, leaning forward in her chair. “Yes, I want to learn magic.”

  “Well, we can work up to that. For now, would you like another story?”

  “Yes, please.”

  Moving onto the next story, he started reading. She fell asleep toward the end, head resting on the arm of the chair. Edward closed the book, turning his gaze to the flickering flames in the fireplace. Despite his reservations, it felt good to share his home with someone again. To have someone to take care of. Phillip left home at eighteen, striking out on his own. He never asked for help, always eager to do things for himself, just as he had been taught. But Edward had to admit, he sometimes longed for the days when Phillip was a child and they would spend time together. It was one of the reasons he wanted him to join the League, so they could work together.

  Phillip never wanted the life of a Watcher, but I can help mold Adeline into the best Watcher there is.

  Knowing what lay ahead made him anxious about sending her into the lion’s den, but he wouldn’t be around forever. He needed someone to carry on his legacy, to ensure the world kept spinning. She was a Grimm – strong, a fighter.

  I just wish it didn’t have to fall on her.

  Chapter One

  “You can do this, Dell. Your whole life has been leading up to this moment. Don’t blow it,” I muttered to myself.

  Hovering on the front steps of the red brick building in the corner of campus, I went over the check list in my head.

  Appropriate outfit. I glanced at my black slacks and blazer. Check.

  Willingness to learn. Check.

  Can do attitude. Check.

  Squaring my shoulders, I took a deep breath, plastered on a smile and opened the door to the prestigious Watcher Academy, to begin my life as a trainee Watcher.

  Stepping over the threshold, I heard a snap and I stumbled. Catching myself on the wall, I looked down to find that the heel on my boot had snapped off.

  I groaned in frustration. Why did this crap always happen to me? I had the worst luck in the world. I considered returning to my room on campus to fix it, but then I would be late for my induction. That wouldn’t go over well, I wanted to make a good impression, especially today.

  Maybe someone has glue or tape that I can use to fix it.

  Snatching it up, I walked on the ball of my foot, making my way down the short hallway to a second door. This one needed a key card to open it. I expected a guard to be present, but I guess that would be hard to explain since the Academy’s cover was historical society. They hid in plain sight, where they wouldn’t stand out, at a prestigious college in New Hampshire.

  Knocking loudly, I waited, trying to keep my balance. Nothing was going to ruin this experience for me. I just wished that Grandpa lived long enough to see this. All those years as a Watcher and he died from an unexpected heart attack at home. It didn’t seem right somehow. He should have gone down fighting.

  There was a beeping noise and the door opened. A man stuck his head out. “Adeline Grimm?” He wore a black suit, his dark hair slicked back. I pegged him at thirty. Not a trainee, but not a seasoned Watcher either.

  “Yes, but I go by Dell.” I hated my full name, preferring the nickname Grandpa gave me.

  He pushed the door open wider and stepped back. “Follow me.”

  I resisted the urge to squeal. This is it.

  Limping after the man, I followed him into the Watcher Academy.

  “Oh my God,” I whispered.

  We entered a huge round room, filled with other Watchers bustling about. A huge oak table sat in the middle of the room, behind which stood a stone fireplace. To my left, lay an alcove leading to an office. Above me, were the stacks. I turned slowly on the spot, taking in row after row of books. All that knowledge at my fingertips. I couldn’t wait to get stuck in.

  Breathing deeply, I inhaled the scent of the musty tomes. It was exactly as Grandpa described. He spent his formative years here and then a decade later he returned to a full time post. In his final years, he had free rein to travel where he wanted. It allowed him to spend a lot more time at home, training me.

  I felt a pang, but quickly pushed it aside. Focus on here and now.

  “Miss Grimm?” a woman said.

  “Yes, sorry.” I tore my gaze from the room and turned to face her.

  A look of irritation crossed her face. “Chelsea Dean. I run things around here. This is Antoine,” she said, motioning to the man who showed me in. I was shocked at how young she was. Barely older than me. Blonde, with blue eyes, she stood sever
al inches taller than me. She wore a black blazer over a white blouse and carried a clipboard.

  “Nice to meet you,” I said. “I’m so happy to be here, I’ve wanted to see the inside of this place since I was a child.”

  I realized I was babbling and quickly closed my mouth. Chelsea made a note on her clipboard, while Antoine hovered nearby, his gaze flicking back and forth between the two of us.

  I glanced around the room. Everyone looked so professional looking and here I was, holding my boot heel.

  “I need to check some details,” Chelsea said. “Adeline Jane Grimm, twenty-four. Daughter of Phillip and Elizabeth Grimm, deceased. Granddaughter of Edward Grimm, also deceased. He was one of the best. Hope you don’t ruin his legacy.” She flicked her eyes up to glare at me, before returning her attention to her notes.

  My cheeks burned. Grandpa spent over forty years as a Watcher, I would never tarnish his reputation.

  “You studied history and anthropology in college, then a year gaining practical experience. Which means we’re missing a year.”

  “I took a gap year early on. I went with Grandpa, uh, Edward, to South America on a dig.” I accompanied him after he received a call from the League about a potential security threat in Peru. Grandpa used it as a teaching moment. We recovered several artefacts at one dig site, but unfortunately, I didn’t get to handle any of them.

  Not until you are fully trained, Grandpa had said. He probably thought I would end up blowing myself up or something. It wasn’t a wasted trip though, I finally got to see him work.

  Chelsea continued scribbling away on the clipboard, while I stood awkwardly, trying not to wobble. She seemed determined to do this standing. A few of the other Watchers glanced my way as they passed by. They ranged in age from mid-twenties to maybe early fifties. There was no age limit at the Academy, although the League preferred us to start right out of college. Other Watchers went on to work at the Academy, teaching the younger ones.

  “And you live on the college campus?” Chelsea asked.

  “Yeah, there was actually some kind of mix up and I got stuck with a student roommate,” I said. The Watcher Academy was located on the Dartmouth campus. No one outside the Watchers knew what went on in here. The League took care of accommodation and I assumed I would live near campus, not on it. I considered getting my own place but decided to at least give it a chance. My room was a five minute walk away which could come in handy, although my roommate was a complete nightmare so far.

  “Follow me and we’ll start your induction,” Chelsea said.

  “Um, would you have…” I trailed off when I realized she wasn’t listening, she had already crossed the room and opened a door. I hurried after her.

  The door led to a small office where a video monitor was set up. Chelsea motioned for me to sit in the only chair in the room. Grabbing a remote control, she switched on the monitor.

  “I’ll be back when this is over,” she said.

  Confused, I focused on the screen. After a few seconds, a man appeared on the screen, standing in a lavish office. I recognized him instantly as Charles Landry, one of the highest-ranking members of the League of Watchers. Grandpa spoke of him often. He used to call him a pompous ass, but I could tell he had respect for his position. I heard he started his career in the London Academy, but now lived in Upstate New York.

  “Welcome to the Watcher Academy. Today you begin a journey to become a fully-fledged Watcher,” he said in a soothing English accent.

  Oh my God, it’s a training video like they give employees.

  I resisted the urge to laugh that they would have something so normal, but I guess Landry couldn’t be available to every new recruit. He ran the League, deciding which cases were worth looking into, assigning Watchers when needed. Grandpa got tapped for a position a few years back, but he turned it down. Field work was his passion and he refused to give it up.

  “The League of Watchers was formed in 1869 to protect the world from the supernatural and ensure magical objects do not end up in the hands of civilians. The original founders worked to close a rift in Highgate Cemetery in London, preventing the end of the world. Knowing that such an incident could happen again, they used their considerable resources to form the League and connect like-minded men in their goal. Today, men and women from across the world are trained in one of seven Academies, in a range of disciplines. Your journey will be unique, but you will be working with some of the finest minds on the planet.”

  Grandpa always spoke of the Watcher Academy with such reverence. He trained in artefact retrieval, a job I wanted more than anything. Academy training lasted three years before a trainee would be paired with a more senior Watcher to go out in the field. Even then, the trainee usually just took notes and helped with the paperwork.

  “Watchers dedicate their lives to keeping the world safe. You may even face the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Know that it will be a great honor and you will be remembered for your bravery. Godspeed on your journey and remember our motto, Et in tenebris ambulamus.”

  Translation – In darkness we walk. We did so, because people needed to be protected from the things that resided in the dark. Even if it meant we had to lay down our lives to do it.

  As a Watcher, there’s a good chance you will die on the job. I knew the risks, I also know that I was taught by the best. Besides, it would be a while before I could go out in the field. I planned on dedicating that time to learning everything I could so I would be ready to face anything.

  The video ended and Chelsea returned to the room. “Any questions?”

  “No,” I said. “Oh actually…” I held up my heel, but she had already left the room.

  How much coffee has she had? She doesn’t stop.

  I hobbled after her.

  “There are currently twelve Watchers situated here, along with our support team. You are the only new candidate this year. Evan over there,” she pointed to a guy with curly hair, across the room, “he came in last year. You can learn everyone’s names in your own time, but I will introduce you to the two main people you will be working with.”

  I made a note to remember Evan’s name. Maybe if I got stuck, I could ask for his advice.

  Chelsea led me to a desk under the stacks, covered in wires and computer equipment. A man with light brown hair sat behind it. He was around my age, wearing a red t-shirt with some band logo on it. Definitely not a Watcher or he would be dressed like the others.

  “This is Spencer, tech support and research.”

  Spencer stood up to shake my hand. “Nice to meet you. If you need anything, just let me know.” He smiled and I felt butterflies in my stomach.

  “Thanks.” He’s cute. Not that I was here to meet a guy. I would never let anything interfere with my training. Besides, I doubt Chelsea would take too kindly to any of us dating each other.

  Spencer noticed the heel in my hand. “I have some tape, it that’s any use?”

  “Yeah, thanks, I’ll give it a go.”

  As he handed it to me, Chelsea moved off again. I went after her, clutching the tape. She approached a man standing in the alcove by the office. He was slightly older, maybe early thirties, with dark hair. He wore a pale blue shirt over black slacks.

  “Adeline, this is Max Burrows. He is our resident expert on ancient cultures and curses.”

  “Hi, I usually go by Dell,” I said, holding out my hand.

  He gave me a nod, ignoring my proffered hand. “Has the latest shipment arrived yet?” he asked Chelsea.

  “It should be here within the hour.”

  He turned and went back into his office.

  Nice guy.

  “There are forms for you to fill out, then we can work out where to assign you,” Chelsea said, carrying on. I guessed his behavior was normal.

  “I’d really like to follow in Edward’s footsteps and work in artefact archiving.”

  Chelsea pursed her lips. “Miss Grimm, as a trainee Watcher, you do not get to choo
se your assignment. You go where we put you.”

  “Of course,” I said, forcing a smile. I knew that, but it didn’t do any harm to mention it. With my background, I would be a shoe in, but Chelsea was right, I could end up anywhere.

  Chelsea took a step toward me and lowered her voice.

  “Look, you may come from good stock, but you need to earn your place here, just like everyone else.”

  “I understand,” I said, feeling my face heat up. “I didn’t mean to overstep.”

  “Good, because if you screw up, I won’t hesitate to kick your ass out of here and I will see to it personally that you never get within ten feet of the Watcher Academy ever again.”

  Chapter Two

  Six hours. That’s how long it took to fill out the forms, with a short break for lunch. Six long, excruciating hours. I didn’t expect them to be so detailed, but the League wanted to know every detail of my life, plus I had to answer several essay questions to prove my knowledge. I wouldn’t mind, but I had to fill in detailed forms just to apply for a position. At this point, they knew more about my life than I did.

  Chelsea stuck me at a small desk in the corner, near the fireplace. The heat didn’t make me feel any better, I had sweated through my shirt already. I kept my arms by my side, worried someone would see.

  The Academy slowly emptied out over the course of the day and still, I sat at my desk scribbling away with a number two pencil. It felt like being back in school.

  I forced myself to focus on the last few questions. Once I answered them, I could get out of here and relax.

  What is the most efficient way to kill a werewolf?

  There were several ways to do that. Did they mean the quickest way? The easiest? After thinking about it, I wrote, the most efficient way to kill a werewolf, which will result in the fewest casualties, is to inject the werewolf with liquid silver. The introduction of silver to the wolf will weaken it and it will force it to turn back into human form, making it easy to kill.

  I’ve never come up against one myself, not yet, but when Grandpa and I were in Peru, a werewolf attacked people, a few villages over. By the time we got there, it had been dispatched by a Watcher team, but I saw the aftermath. They were strong, fast and excellent at hunting. They could track prey for hundreds of miles once they had its scent. Lycanthropy began as a curse in the middle ages, but now it was passed down genetically – mostly through the male line. They didn’t care much for the modern world and stuck to remote areas where they could.