Channeler's Choice

By Heather McCorkle

With her parents' murderer's dead, Eren can finally concentrate on fitting in at Spruce Knoll High, not to mention figuring out what it means to be a channeler. If only it were that easy. It turns out she isn't normal even among channelers - she may be a legendary warrior meant to protect the earth in a last great battle. But Mayan prophecies are the least of her worries as she involuntarily starts to gather her own Society, another girl moves in on Aiden, her powers rage out of control, and worst of all, someone is stalking her. To top it all off, Eren discovers she doesn't have to be a channeler after all - she has a choice. As an old threat closes in and she risks ending up like her parents, she is forced to decide. Be a normal teenager and leave the legendary warrior stuff to someone else, or embrace a dark destiny?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Compass Press
• Release date: Feb 16, 2013
• ISBN: 9780984786350

Heather McCorkle

I am an author of fantasy, in all its many sub-genres. Helping other writers and supporting fabulous authors is one of my passions. When I'm not writing or surfing my social networking sites, I can be found on the slopes, the hiking trails, or on horseback. As a native Oregonian, I enjoy the outdoors almost as much as the worlds I create on the pages. No need to travel to the Great Northwest though, you can find me here, on my blog, and Monday night's on Twitter where I co-moderate the #WritersRoad chat with my good friend TS Tate.

Book preview

Chapter 1

The cool winter air filled Eren’s lungs as she jogged next to Aiden, doing her best to keep her steps silent. Over a foot of snow covered the forest floor and weighed down the boughs of the spruce trees. Using their channeler’s power to spread out the impact of their steps, they barely sank an inch into the snow. It took a bit of concentration, but after several months of snowy weather, Eren was used to it. Aside from ease of travel, they used their power to soften their steps because a certain amount of stealth was needed for what they were doing; spying.

The trees thinned as they reached the bottom of a steep hill. Eren indicated a tree near the top of the hill with a flick of her head. They slowed to a walk and crept toward it, crouching low. As she settled onto her belly atop the snow, Eren raised her power enough to keep herself warm. Aiden lay down beside her and they both turned their attention to the valley below.

The spruce trees circling the valley looked blue next to the mound of snow in their center. Perched atop that mound was a monolithic pyramid of stone that looked as though it had been plucked from a Mayan city from thousands of years ago. But this pyramid wasn’t an old ruin that time had forgotten. It was new, compared to ancient ruins that was. It had been built in the 1700’s when the first settlers of Spruce Knoll had come here.

Eren remembered the history lesson well.

Shapes of people moved around the pyramid, drawing her attention back to the present. They were over a hundred feet away, but it was still a bit close for her comfort. There was little choice, though. She and Aiden had to get this close if they wanted to hear anything.

Thirty or so people began to gather on the plateau atop the huge pyramid. Eren watched them closely, noting their mannerisms and interactions. It was why she and Aiden were here, to watch how a Society worked together. Problem was, since they weren’t a part of this one, they were forbidden to be here.

Ever since finding out they were both Rectors, she and Aiden had been taking the idea of running a Society very seriously. Aiden wanted to find out everything he could about how a good Society functioned and what the Rector’s roles were. Eren’s Uncle Alin and her grandfather had been quick to take Aiden under their wings and instruct him. Sure, Alin’s motives could be partially from the guilt he felt over all his brother had done to Aiden, but it seemed like more than that to Eren. Alin genuinely liked Aiden and though he never came out and said it, it was obvious he knew how much Aiden meant to Eren.

As hard as she tried, Eren didn’t share Aiden’s enthusiasm to lead. Before her life as a channeler, she had been Captain of the track team and class President, but that was different. Being part of the Rector couple that ran a Society meant she’d be partially responsible for people’s safety and well being. After what happened this fall, she wasn’t sure she was cut out for all that. How could she make a good leader when people kept dying around her and others ended up having to save her?

Actually, it was more like after all that happened last year, not just last fall. First, her parents were murdered, she was attacked twice, and then her family was attacked because of her. When she watched her Aunt Sylvia and Uncle Alin fight for all their lives, it scared her almost more than when she’d been attacked. Aunt Sylvia was fearless and well trained. Since Eren had just started learning how to fight, she didn’t see how she could ever be so brave and talented.

All that considered, it had been a horrible year. However, there definitely had been good parts. She couldn’t help but look at Aiden as she thought that. Somehow she would have to get over her fears and find her own desire to lead. Her grandfather said one didn’t get to choose to be a Rector; they were simply born that way. Eren feared she was going to have to dig very deep to discover the Rector within herself.

A gentle poke in the ribs from Aiden made her follow his gaze back to the valley below.

It wasn’t hard to tell who the Rectors were. They stood at the highest point atop the pyramid’s plateau, next to the altar. The rest of the Society gravitated around them. People bowed their heads in respect, and listened raptly when they talked.

It was only a routine meeting discussing the coming New Year and Eren started to grow bored listening to them, then she noticed something. There was a second couple that people paid almost as much respect to as the first. By the way they talked, moved, and touched made it obvious they were close to the Rector couple. Perhaps leading a Society wasn’t as much of a monarchy as she originally thought. The idea of having friends at her side made the whole leadership thing a lot less scary.

Just when the cold started to seep through her coat and chill her stomach, Aiden stood and turned away from the valley. Rising quickly, she followed him. She sank to her knees in snow, a quick reminder that she had to focus her energy to spread out the weight of her footfalls.

Something tickled the back of Eren’s head, a feeling more than an actual sensation. It grew stronger until soon she realized what it meant. They were being watched. The eyes were unfriendly, carrying a heavy resentment behind them. Every hair along the back of her neck stood on end. Her eyes darted left and right, but she couldn’t see anyone. Whoever they were, they didn’t want to be seen, and they were good at hiding. Her first instinct was to tell Aiden about it, but she couldn’t do that. What if he thought she was being paranoid?

Ever since last October she had been jumping at every shadow. Luke was gone, she knew that. But for some reason she couldn’t shake her fear. Forcing herself to relax, she ignored the weird sensation until it went away.

As they ran back through the forest it started to snow again. The sparkling white flakes soon became so thick it was hard to see through their mesmerizing pattern. By then, they had reached the streets of Spruce Knoll and had the sidewalk to guide them. The snow fell so hard that if anyone was looking out their windows, they probably couldn’t even seen Eren and Aiden. Traveling under such cover eased her anxiety a little.

Regardless of the decreasing visibility, they made it to Eren’s grandfather’s bookstore and residence. Since her Uncle Alin and cousin Fane had decided to move here from Romania, there wasn’t enough room in Aunt Sylvia’s little cabin. It had taken a lot of discussion for Eren to convince Sylvia to allow her to move in with her grandfather. Of course, she would miss Aunt Sylvia desperately—except for her cooking, that is—but she only lived a few miles away and Eren visited often.

At the back door to Zolin’s bookstore, they paused and shook the snow from their hair. Eren drew her energy back into herself, leaving her face and hands feeling cold and exposed. She was able to channel her energy now without damaging her clothes, for the most part, but she still wore loose clothing just in case.

The air was cool on her skin, making her hurry to get inside. Just as Aiden stepped in and closed the door behind him, Eren’s grandfather walked around the corner at the end of the hall. He smiled warmly and beckoned for them to follow him back into the kitchen.

I’ve just made a fresh pot of coffee, he said.

Eren smiled as she kicked off her hiking boots. Much to her delight, her grandfather had been quick to notice her love of coffee. Reaching back to grab Aiden’s hand, she practically speed walked after her grandfather.

The terra cotta tiles beneath her feet were a bit too warm after being outside. She forgot all about her feet when she entered the coffee-and-cinnamon scented kitchen. Breathing deep through her nose, she savored the smells as she grabbed two cups out of the overhead cabinet. Aiden poured the coffee while she got the flavored creamer out of the fridge.

Eren’s grandfather settled onto a stool next to the island in the middle of the room. Resting an elbow on the colorful Spanish tiled countertop, he sipped his coffee as he watched them both with a smile.

Unlike most of the town, her grandfather didn’t care that Aiden was Irish, despite the fact that he himself was Mayan. It wasn’t just that Eren was half-Mayan and half-Irish either. Her grandfather wouldn’t have minded them dating even if she were full Mayan. He was a good man who judged people only on their character, unlike many of the others in Spruce Knoll.

"It’s a good thing you kids got back, there’s a powerful storm moving in tonight. I called the Murphy’s and told them you’d be staying the night, Aiden. I’ve put some blankets on the couch for you downstairs," her grandfather said, giving Aiden a hard look as he said the last word.

The Murphy’s were Aiden’s foster parents. As long as he didn’t do anything illegal and didn’t get hurt, they pretty much didn’t care what he did. After his murderous adopted parents, Virgil and Camilia Moldovan, Eren knew he enjoyed the freedom. Still, she couldn’t help but think the Murphy’s could care a little more.

Thank you, Mr. Yaretz, but as great as that sounds, there are some books I have to have for class tomorrow. I’ll make it back all right. I’ll call to let you know I made it, Aiden said.

Suit yourself. And call me Zolin, please. Mr. Yaretz makes me sound my age, he said with a wave of his hand.

Eren smiled behind her raised coffee cup. She was pretty sure there wasn’t a title that could make her grandfather sound his age. At three hundred ninety-eight years old he had transcended age- proclaiming titles. As channelers go, he was just starting to move past middle aged and hardly looked a day over forty-five. While they weren’t immortal, at this point in Eren’s life, five hundred years seemed like forever.

Aiden, can you help me finish up my paper on Irish history before you go? Eren asked.

Yeah, we should get started on that, Aiden said.

When Zolin turned his head away Aiden gave her a wink that made her stomach do flip flops. She couldn’t help it; he was so incredibly cute when he did that.

You kids don’t stay up too late now, Zolin said.

Eren promised him they wouldn’t and kissed him on the forehead before they left. By now the warm tiles felt good beneath her feet as she led Aiden up the stairs across the hallway. Halfway down the hall on the second floor, Eren stopped and reached up to pull down the attic access ladder. Keeping a careful eye of the sloshing surface of her coffee, she climbed up one handed. Whistling softly in appreciation, Aiden was quick to follow her. Eren slugged him in the shoulder once they were off the ladder.

Stop watching my butt, she whispered.

He grinned and wiggled his eyebrows at her. Sighing in exasperation, she spun and walked off.

What? Just appreciating the view.

When first coming up the ladder, they entered a small sitting room with a comfy loveseat and lots of book shelves. As a late Christmas present for Eren, Zolin had added a flat screen TV. Hardwood floors led into a huge bedroom through an archway beyond the seating area.

Eren walked into the bedroom while Aiden veered off into the bathroom where he had an extra set of clothes. Moonlight shined in through a huge, round window filling the painting nook just opposite the bed with a soft glow. It bathed a painting that hung upon the wall in a ghostly light. It was the first painting she and Aiden had done together, an impressionistic piece of a man and a woman done in only pinks and blues. Almost every square foot of her walls were lined with both her own paintings and those she’d done with Aiden. Aunt Sylvia liked to refer to her room as the art gallery.

And it practically could have been one. Eren’s painting were that good, or so everyone told her. Aunt Sylvia kept trying to convince her to show some of them, but Eren wasn’t ready. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Aunt Sylvia’s judgment, she did. Sylvia was an art curator with an amazing eye for talent. Eren just wanted a little more time to get used to the idea of the whole world looking at her very personal work.

Setting her coffee on the bedside table, Eren slipped out of her wet clothes and into her favorite pair of drawstring shorts and a tank top. Picking her coffee back up, she went to stand in front of the window. At both five feet tall and wide, it allowed for a fantastic view of the town center. The window was something Eren had convinced her grandfather to add. As a painter she had to have natural light and Colorado weather didn’t always allow her to paint on the rooftop gardens.

Besides the light, it offered a beautiful view of the huge, elevated roundabout that was at the center of the four roads which divided the town. The roundabout stood four feet above the street level with four sets of stairs leading up to it coming off each road. It was covered in brick pavers and was circled by four sets of benches separated by the stairs. More than the lovely, old world look to it, she loved the feel of the place. It vibrated with energy. Her grandfather said it was a place of great power.

The view of the massive, two-story Tibetan Monastery on the corner just opposite from her didn’t hurt either. The architecture of the sprawling structure was reminiscent of Chinese architecture and its red, yellow and gold accents were breathtaking. Eren felt blessed to live among so many unique cultures. Only a few months ago she hadn’t felt that way, but things had changed.

Soft footsteps sounded behind her and a moment later Aiden was wrapping his arms around her. She sighed and leaned back against his chest.

It’s beautiful isn’t it? he asked.

Um hum, she murmured in agreement.

She didn’t have to ask to know he meant the Monastery. Aiden loved architecture and was fascinated by both the differences and similarities among the buildings of various cultures. He wanted to be an architect just as badly as she wanted to be a painter. Some of the plans he had drawn up for buildings and homes were amazing and flawless down to every detail. All of his plans were environmentally friendly from the foundation up.

Channelers lives were directly tied to the earth and they were therefore very passionate about preserving it, Aiden especially. It was a part of him that Eren had come to find very charming.

Doesn’t it give you a headache being so close to that thing? Aiden asked.

Looking up at his face, she saw that his attention had shifted to the turnabout.

You mean the turnabout? she asked.

Yeah.

What’s the energy feel like to you?

His brow furrowed and he scrunched up his lips in a cute way. Kind of like the pressure the Rectors can give off when they want to, only stronger.

Eren thought about this for a moment. You block the energy out, don’t you?

I never really thought of it that way, but I guess I kind of do.

It didn’t surprise Eren. In fact, she should have realized he’d naturally resist the energy. When the power had first come to Aiden, his adopted father would force his energy back into him so he couldn’t channel. He’d been easier to chain up that way. Because of it, Aiden had learned to block the energy of others and stop it from affecting him.

The memory made Eren feel bad for bringing it up. The man was dead, but that didn’t erase the pain of what he’d done. She idly stroked Aiden’s arms, offering him the comfort of her touch, wishing she could do more.

Drop your guard for a moment. Let the energy flow through you. You’ll like it, I promise, she reassured him.

Eren knew from experience that letting the energy of that sacred place run through her was like drinking a quadruple shot espresso. No doubt that was why the town had chosen the spot for their meeting center.

Like a shift in air pressure, she felt Aiden drop his guard. It felt sort of like when a plane leveled out. It wasn’t quite like this with everyone. She could feel the power of other Rectors, channelers, and of the meeting place, but Aiden’s was very different. His power called to her. She craved it like she craved ice cream or coffee, only more so.

Aiden drew in a sharp breath and cursed in Irish as he let go of her and stumbled back. She spun around in time to see him fall onto her bed. Pushing himself up onto his elbows, he grinned as he stared at her with wide eyes. In only a pair of shorts, with his wet brown and black hair spiked in disarray, he took her breath away. At nearly seventeen he was built more like someone five years his senior. But it wasn’t so much his looks that blew Eren away—though that certainly didn’t hurt—it was the amazing person behind his beautiful eyes.

Yeah, she knew she had it bad.

That was awesome, like a caffeine overload! Aiden exclaimed.

Eren set her coffee cup down and he grabbed her and pulled her onto the bed next to him. His body was vibrating, kind of like it did right before he channeled. He leaned over and kissed her and his lips were tingling. He definitely had a powerful effect on her, but this had never happened before. His lips parted and power poured down her throat in a warm rush. Rather than make her gag, her body responded by drinking it in, which spread the flush all the way to her toes.

Aiden finally drew away and held her back. She shook her head and tried to get control of herself.

That was weird, she said breathlessly. It was as if the power they were sharing had dropped her inhibitions and kicked her instincts into high gear. And her instincts wanted Aiden.

If we don’t stop your grandfather will drag me out and throw me in the snow. While that sounds kind of good right now, I really don’t want to sleep in it, Aiden said a bit breathlessly.

Eren laughed and sat up, putting a little distance between them. It was hard. The last thing she wanted to do was move away from him. Strange, she always had such good control over herself. That and the fear of taking the next step usually made it easy to stop.

A blush worked its way to her cheeks. That was different.

"You didn’t tell me it would have that effect."

Eren struck him in the shoulder. I didn’t know it would, silly! How could I have?

Propping himself up again, he traced a finger along her calf, making her fight off a shudder.

All right, I forgive you, he sighed.

He didn’t mean that and she knew it. He enjoyed it as much as she had. But she knew if she didn’t redirect the conversation soon, they’d start kissing again and that would lead into dangerous territory. Besides, tonight’s outing had been about more than just spending time together.

I noticed something strange at the Society meeting, she said.

The hungry look on his face faded a bit and his gaze stopped wandering all over her.

What’s that? he asked, all playfulness gone.

There was a couple that everyone seemed to respect almost as much as the Rector couple. They seemed very close to the Rectors.

As he contemplated this, she pulled her long black hair over her shoulder and started to braid it. She had to keep her hands busy to stop herself from touching him.

I saw them too. They did seem really close to them. I’ll have to ask Alin about that, Aiden said.

They talked about everything they had seen, how the Rectors held themselves, what they’d said, and how everyone had responded to them. The group they watched tonight was a Mayan Society. They had plans to sneak out and watch the meetings of other cultures as well. They knew their own Society would be one of mixed couples, much like Eren’s Aunt Sylvia and Uncle Alin’s Society. Aunt Sylvia was Mayan and Uncle Alin was Romanian and their Society lived in Romania. As far as anyone knew, there were no mixed Societies in the U.S.

Finally, the smell of popcorn halted their conversation.

I take it that’s grandfather’s cue for us to come downstairs, Eren said.

Damn. We wasted all that time when we could have been making out, Aiden teased with a huge smile.

Rolling her eyes, Eren shook her head as she stood up. With almost any other guy she would have to question whether or not he was kidding, but not Aiden. He enjoyed conversation almost as much as he enjoyed kissing her, and she loved that. Besides, she knew he wouldn’t disrespect her grandfather like that. She grabbed his hand and pulled him along with her.

When they got downstairs, her grandfather had a huge bowl of popcorn and three glasses of what looked and smelled like lemonade on the coffee table. He sat down in his leather armchair and motioned for them to join him. Eren scooped up a handful of popcorn and breathed in the aromas of butter, salt, and powdered Tabasco before putting it in her mouth.

Aiden left over a foot of space between them when he sat down next to her and she knew it was out of respect for her grandfather. Despite—or perhaps in spite of—his horrible upbringing, Aiden was infallibly polite and well mannered. It made Eren smile to think of how much her mom would have liked him.

Once they settled and filled their own individual bowls with popcorn, Zolin handed Aiden a book. Eren leaned over to get a closer look at it. It was a sturdy, leather bound volume with the title Life in a Society written in gold on the cover. Seeing that book again made her smile. Curiosity had her on the edge of her seat when grandfather handed Aiden a second book. The title was To Be A Rector.

To protect the truth of our existence, these are written as fictional books. Yet they are completely accurate and read much like informational manuals, Zolin said.

Aiden’s eyes filled with wonder as his fingers traced the words of the title. Thank you, he murmured.

You’re welcome. The second one is given to each Rector as soon as their potential is recognized. It seems like a good time to give it to the two of you, Zolin said with a proud smile.

Grandfather, this will help so much! Thank you, Eren said.

Then it occurred to her that he may have heard what they were talking about upstairs, which meant he’d probably heard everything. Could he have been listening in on them? Would he have? Eren hid her mortified expression by leaning over the book and letting her hair fall down across her face. She hadn’t meant to get carried away kissing Aiden, it just sort of happened. When she was with him the rest of the world faded away.

Aiden flipped the book opened and they both started to finger through the pages. Zolin sat and talked with them, answering questions and pointing things out in the book. He explained that the second couple they had seen at the meeting who seemed so close to the Rectors was like their second in command. They also discussed how some Societies had only three to five couples while others had ten to fifteen.

Slowly, Eren started to feel a little better about the whole Rector thing. Her grandfather made a Society sound a lot more like a family and that took a lot of the frightening element out of it. She was beginning to think that someday she might be able to do this.

The clock refused to be still despite the importance of their discussion, and the time for Aiden to go home arrived all too soon.

I’ll walk you, Eren said as they put their popcorn bowls in the sink.

I don’t know if that’s a good idea. It’s terribly cold out, Grandfather called from the living room.

The Murphy’s only live two miles away. I won’t even have to go through the forest, Eren said.

Stepping back into the hallway, she fixed him with her best puppy dog look until he smiled and nodded.

Alright, but go there and straight home, he said.

She kissed his stubbly cheek, pulled on a pair of boots and her heavy coat to make him happy.

Hand in hand, she and Aiden walked the empty streets, snow squeaking under foot. A mixture of snow and ice had built up on most of the lamp posts, blocking the solar panel from absorbing any sunlight and leaving the streets unlit for the most part. However, the snow blanketing everything reflected even the tiniest bit of light and made everything seem bright.

Despite walking as slow as they possibly could, they reached Aiden’s foster parents’ house in less than half an hour. Eren glared over at the quaint blue two-story house as if it were at fault for their separation.

I still wish they would have let you stay with my aunt and uncle, Eren said with a sigh.

You know the council elders. ‘He must be with an Irish family’. So archaic, Aiden said with a roll of his eyes.

Eren made a snorting sound. Yeah, old fashioned is a colossal understatement where they’re concerned.

Their lips met and she forgot all about the backwards thinking town elders. Aiden pulled back from their kiss before she