Joshua Hamilton

"Salem…the destruction of Salem is the only reason that witches aren’t the dominant species on the planet. We were at a low population before, but after…we were driven to near extinction, and for good reason. Back then, we were a merciless people, those we didn’t like were ‘sacrificed’. We lived as the secret dictators of the human world. If they’re coming back, it means they’re after revenge. They won’t hold back."

- Hamilton on the return of the Witches of Old Salem

Joshua Hamilton is the founder of Hamilton's Academy for Witches and Wizards. He is also a Lycan whose true allegiance is to Cassandra Thorne.

Pre-ASFS
Sometime in 1997, Hamilton founded the Academy, in which young witches and wizards are taught magic. At some point, he hired Ashley West, King Merliniad II, and others.

Before the main events of the novel, Hamilton is contacted by Cassandra, who recruits him to do his bidding.

ASFS
Upon receiving the letter from Mathias, Hamilton sends both Ash and Reg to retrieve the frozen Mary. As the events of the novel unfold, it is assumed that Cassandra is quietly telling Hamilton what to do in order to get Mary to Salem.

When the Salem Four get closer to Salem, Hamilton announces his retirement and goes ahead of them. After Cassandra lures Mary away from the group, Hamilton captures her and takes her to Salem Common to sacrifice her and bring back Cassandra and the other Witches of Old Salem.

When the rest of the Salem Four, along with Callum and Damian, arrive and prevent Hamilton from sacrificing Mary, Hamilton and Callum fight once more, leaving Hamilton mortally wounded and forced to retreat as Cassandra rises.

Ashley West
Hamilton and Ashley have a strained relationship. Multiple times, their opinions differ and they are shown to argue in front of the main characters. However, it seems that the two ultimately respect each other despite their differences. This changes, however, when Hamilton announces his plan to retire shortly after revealing the Salem Four's quest, in which she calls him a "coward".

Cassandra
Hamilton appears fiercely loyal to Cassandra and her cause. Though the reasoning behind this is still unknown, Hamilton appears to deeply respect her.

Appearances

 * Chapter 1: Home
 * Chapter 3: I Can't do This, can I?
 * Chapter 4: The Rumour
 * Chapter 5: Research
 * Chapter 6: Escape
 * Chapter 7: Water
 * Chapter 9: Monster
 * Chapter 10: No Choice
 * Chapter 17: Miles to Go
 * Chapter 19: The Salem Four
 * Chapter 24: A Prayer for Hope

Trivia

 * The reveal of Hamilton's true loyalty to Cassandra was one of the few planned moments that were kept since the beginning of the novel's writing.
 * However, the idea that he is a Lycan only came after one of the rewrites.
 * Hamilton's turn to Cassandra's cause will be explored in A Place of Teaching.