OUR FANTASTIC TEAM MEMBER AND AUTHOR, LORRAINE CAREY, IS TODAY SHARING A SAMPLE CHAPTER FROM THE FIRST BOOK IN HER 'WOMEN OF WILLOW WOOD' TRILOGY - 'THE GOOD TEACHER'

Not all secret societies are evil. The Women of

Willow Wood utilize ancient magic from the

goddesses to battle evil forces and save the souls

of those who are victims of dark cults. All books

are available in print, ebook, and audio! Enjoy this

Supernatural thriller packed with romance,

magic, and urban legends from New Mexico!

Sample Chapter from The Good Teacher, Book One:

Bracing for the Storm

Dani finds out the effects of being a strong empath while trying to

master her first teaching job...

My murder of crows had made a grand appearance as they roosted on the telephone wire. No sounds, just silence. I did, however, pick up the feeling of sadness. It coursed through my veins. The way I felt, murder might have been a thought I'd have entertained at that point in time. I dragged myself out of the car, leaving my school bag inside—there’d be no schoolwork tonight. The light was on in the office, and I assumed Luke was in there, working. "I’m home, hon" I called.

"What’s wrong? Caught the flu bug already?" I guess he noticed the pallor in my skin tone.

"No, I...I’m not sure. I’m exhausted. I’ve got to change. I need a shower and another cup of hot tea. Would you mind brewing me a strong cup, please? And bring a few soda crackers, too." I headed into the bedroom, clutching my stomach.

After a warm shower, I crashed into bed. The tea and crackers seemed to soothe my tummy. Luke sat on the edge of the bed and said, "Well, I have a bit more work to finish up. If you need me, just yell. Now, try to get some rest."

I knew all too well what was happening to me. I was a strong empath, and I was no stranger to its physical effects. The last time I'd felt it, I was too young and wasn't able to comprehend the serious effect it had on my body. I needed help. I needed to talk to someone. I dialed Aunt Miranda’s number. Luckily, she was still up.

"What’s wrong, Daniella? You hardly ever call at this hour."

"I need to see you. It’s about something that’s been bothering me for years now."

"I know, child," she replied.

"You know? How do you—?"

"We’ll talk when you get here. Come over tomorrow night and have dinner with your mother and me. I’m making Chicken Chili Stew; one of your favorites."

"It’s a deal, although the sound of chili doesn’t sound good right at this minute."

"You’ll feel better after a good night’s sleep. See you tomorrow night."

I hung up, and the queasiness began to fade, but the thoughts of the crows along with my upcoming meeting with Striker, returned. I pushed it out of my head, knowing I needed the rest.

*****

The snow was falling hard, the cold cutting through to my bones. I walked toward my father’s headstone, pulling my long woollen coat tightly around me, my face tingling from the icy snow pelting against my skin. I had a small bouquet of silk Poinsettias in my hand. As I approached the stone, I could see a large crow resting on top. I was about five feet from my father’s grave. My feet felt like bricks. I trudged slowly toward the stone through the snow, like a movie playing out in slow motion. It seemed to take forever to reach my father’s headstone. The crow cocked his head three times and we locked eyes. There was a red streak in the middle of his beady black eyes.

I fell to my knees. "So, you’re here, too," I said. I was placing the flowers next to the stone when I noticed the wording on the headstone had been changed. "What the hell?" My eyes blurred from crying, and I wiped them with my wet leather glove, unable to read what I was seeing. The inscription read:

Please forgive me.

You have the power to make things right. You have the power to save my soul. I shall rest when your journey is complete.

I looked up at the crow and he cocked his head once more. The snow started to fall faster until it was a complete whiteout. A wave of panic set in as I tried to get up from the grave, but couldn’t move. I struggled to stand up, but my body was weighed down and heavy.

*****

I woke up about 4 a.m., shivering. I'd never once visited my father’s grave, not that I would ever have occasion to do so. The pieces of the puzzle were starting to come together. The crows were the messengers, and I was the one to right Dad’s wrongs. Was I ready to forgive him? Could I ever forgive him? Maybe Mother and Aunt Miranda would have some answers. We had some talking to do.

Luke walked into the bathroom as I was blow-drying my hair. "What’s wrong, babe?" He grabbed me around the waist.

I dropped the dryer on the counter and fell into his arms, my emotions seemingly out of control. "It’s just that..."

I told him about Striker. I also told him about Hunter’s dad coming onto me, though I hadn't planned to divulge it to him so soon.

"That bastard! I’m calling Striker today. You’re not some weak-minded child he can manipulate."

"Please, don’t call him," I pleaded. "I’m in enough trouble as it is. He’s already got me pegged as a whacko."

"It’s hard for me to sit back and watch you go through this all alone, but if that’s what you want, I’ll abide by your wishes. What affects you also affects me Dani, and this really pisses me off. I can tell you one thing: if Mason Greene comes on to you again, he’ll get a visit from me!"

I didn’t tell Luke about the dream because there was no time. I had to hurry or I’d be late for school, and I didn’t need to give Striker another reason to write me up.

I dressed, not caring if my pants and blouse were ironed. I grabbed an untoasted Pop-Tart on my way out the door, hoping I'd be able to get a coffee at work. I needed something in my stomach before I had to face Striker.

When signing in at the office, I noticed Mr. Garza was sitting in Striker’s office. I hope I didn’t get that sweet old man in trouble.

Striker opened his door and said, "Come on in, Miss Reyes," before I could leave the office, and I just about spilled my coffee mug with my unsteady hand. He directed me to a chair next to Mr. Garza. He shot me a look and I was sure a lecture was in store for me. Mr. Garza shot me another look, smiled, and tipped his faded Lobo’s baseball cap.

Striker's eyes were cold, his glare piercing, like a knife slicing through me. "Mr. Garza tells me you've requested he be on the lookout for crows and possibly set up some traps here, at school," he said. "Is this correct, Miss Reyes?"

"Y...yes. I’ve seen them. A few of my students have reported being dive-bombed by them during recess. They like to hang out in the Cottonwood tree on the north end."

"Let me tell you this, Miss Reyes. It is fall, and yes, this is mating season for crows. We do have an abundance of them here in Albuquerque, but Mr. Garza has better things to do than to spend his time on birdwatch."

"Crow traps? Really? What are you thinking? One of the children could get hurt!"

The wave of nausea returned. My mouth felt as if it were filled with cotton balls. "I...I’m sorry, but I was worried about the children."

"I have no other choice but to write you up for this, Miss Reyes. You were warned once already about approaching Mr. Garza without following proper procedure."

There was a sudden pop, and what sounded like glass breaking. We all turned toward Striker's back window to see that a slight crack had formed in the upper right corner. "What the heck?" Striker wailed. "Damn it! Must have been a kid out on the playground. I’m going out to talk to the teacher on duty. Miss Reyes, you will find a yellow slip in your mailbox to sign later in the day." He got up and walked out of his office.

I looked over at Mr. Garza, whose eyes seemed to have a funny glaze to them. Had he seen what I saw? Should I even bring it up?

There was a flash of black, and I was sure it was the crow. Mr. Garza got up and approached my chair. "I’m so sorry, Miss Reyes," he said. "You know how Mr. Striker is about policy. I never intended for this to get you into trouble."

"No worries. I shouldn’t have dragged you into this in the first place. Did you...?" I stopped right there. The look he gave me said it all. I believed he’d seen the crow, too.

The second bell sounded. I had to get my act together, and quickly. I walked out to the front entrance where Carmen caught up with me. "What happened in there?"

"Striker thinks I’m a nutcase for reporting that crows tried to attack some students. He’s writing me up for involving Mr. Garza in my antics."

"That jerk. I didn’t know you were still seeing those crows. I do know they can be pesky. I have seen them here before from time to time. Don’t be afraid of them, Dani. And don’t let Striker get to you. You’re still only in the first week of school. It’ll get better," Carmen reassured.

"I don’t want to follow in Rosalynn’s footsteps."

"Oh, yes—Rosalynn." Carmen appeared to be preoccupied. "You’re stronger than she was. Now, we’ll have to chat and have lunch this weekend."

"Oh, by the way, was there any follow-up with Hunter’s report?"

"Not that I’m aware of. I can call and check up on it later today."

I was dying to tell Carmen about how Hunter’s dad had come on to me last night, but I’d had enough trauma that morning.

*****

The rest of the morning was pretty much normal, with no crows and no Camilla in my face. I started the students on poetry—reading their precious poems seemed to help me escape my troubles for a time.

Lunchtime was a welcome treat. I called Aunt Miranda and told her I’d be over at six to talk with her. I sat there and thought about my dream, but my thoughts were soon interrupted by a knock at my door.

There stood Hunter Greene. "Miss Reyes, may I talk to you?"

"Of course, Hunter. Come on in." He had a sullen look on his face as he sauntered toward my desk.

"What is it, my dear?"

"My father had another fight with my mother last night and she's messed up."

"What, exactly, do you mean by ‘messed up’?"

"She has a black eye and she didn’t go to work today. Dad also said that if I told, he’d hit me hard."

"Does he hit your sister, too?"

"No, ma’am. It’s just Mom and me." He hung his head low. I put my arm around him. "I want you to know you’re safe here. You don’t ever have to worry about me telling. You did the right thing, telling an adult. We can get help for you and your mother."

His eyes seemed to gleam with hope. "So, what can you do?"

I lowered my head to meet his eye level. "I'll take care of it. I don’t want you to worry. Just know it'll all work out. I want you to trust me," I reassured.

"Okay, Miss Reyes. Thank you."

"Now, go back out and enjoy the last fifteen minutes of recess."

I swallowed hard and headed down to see Carmen. I knew she had students with her, but this was urgent.

Carmen was in the midst of teaching a Math lesson, but stopped once she saw the look on my face when I popped my head in her door.

I stood in the hallway as she addressed her students. "Class, please work on page fifty. I need to speak with Miss Reyes for a moment."

"What’s going on?" she asked.

"It’s Hunter again. He confided in me that his dad hit his mom again and his dad threatened to beat him if he told. He said his mom's hurt." I was breathless.

"Okay, calm down. We need to take this a step further. Let me call the police," Carmen replied.

"His dad is the police!" I rubbed my temples.

"Doesn’t matter. Now, let me handle it. I can call Child Protective Services back at lunchtime. I’ll tell them what happened today. I’m going over Striker’s head—no time to wait for that asshole."

I thanked her, ran back to my room, grabbed a few soda crackers I had in my desk drawer, and headed to the playground to fetch the children.

The afternoon flew by. I couldn’t wait to spend the evening with Aunt Miranda and Mother. Afterschool duty proved to be interesting. Hunter’s mother was a no show; Mason had picked him up and I didn’t even want to look at that monster. I wondered how bad Maya Greene's injuries actually were. I looked at the Cottonwood tree. Where was my murder of crows when I needed them?

I remembered that I didn’t tell Luke I wouldn’t be home for dinner, so I texted him. I wondered how long he'd put up with my antics. I knew I had myself a good man. The question was, how long would I be able to keep him?

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COMING SOON: On Sunday, 15th June, our guest author, Raven McAllan, shares an excerpt from her novel, "New Beginnings for Bryony Bennett'.