Chosen_Book One Read online

  Copyright © 2018

  Rebecca Thomas

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Printed by Createspace.com

  Title Font: Blackout by Zulfan Iskandar

  Used under commercial license.

  Cover Image by luisclaz on Pexels

  Back Cover Image by Sindre Strom on Pexels

  ISBN-13: 978-1721017560

  ISBN-10: 1721017569

  Prologue

  “I warned you that you were too sensitive for this work, Caleb.”

  Caleb brought his dark eyes to meet Master Mahmid’s, “And sympathy was never your strong suit.”

  As someone who had lost his parents at a young age, Caleb knew that people expected him to be used to death. In fact, it was quite the opposite. He didn’t see any problem with mourning a life, particularly when you had spent almost every day of the last four years with them. Madeline had been a good friend. It was unfortunate that one so kind of heart had been given this destiny. She could have done so much more with her life if only she had been left to her own devices, but fate always had other ideas.

  “Madeline fought valiantly for someone so gentle, no one can deny that,” Master Mahmid said as he moved a step closer, his feet barely making a sound against the stone floor. “What I am saying is that you can’t afford to be devastated by every death. You will see many lives come and go, each one as special as the last. You can’t guide them properly if you let the fear of their inevitable demise drive you.”

  Caleb disagreed, but he knew that arguing with Master Mahmid was like beating your head against a brick wall. The Elders had the experience, they knew what was best. So many people had tried to convince him as much. Their method was to treat a person like a weapon. When the weapon broke, they put it away and found another one. He couldn’t do that to people, not when they were giving their lives for this.

  “How about I worry about my emotions,” Caleb suggested, “And you tell me where I’m going next.”

  Master Mahmid sighed and looked up into the rafters. Caleb could tell he was feeling uneasy because of their location. Usually Guardians would never step foot in a church, but Caleb had needed to say goodbye to Madeline, who had loved this church, and Master Mahmid had happened to find him there. They didn’t believe in the way institutions used religion, but they never paid disrespect to anyone who believed.

  “Our Oracles believe that the next viable candidate can be found in London,” Master Mahmid said.

  “How long?”

  “They are not sure. This Chosen seems to be shrouded in a haze.”

  Caleb had always had very direct orders about where to go next and who to find. He’d never heard of an Oracle not being able to see a Chosen.

  “How can that be?”

  “It happens sometimes. Usually it’s to do with distance, Oracles tend to have limited vision,” Master Mahmid said.

  This was news to Caleb. He’d never thought to ask.

  “What’s my cover?”

  “We’re sending you to teach history at King’s College London for now. When the Oracles have more information, we’ll forward it onto you.”

  “Integration level?”

  “Ultimately, it’s up to your discretion, but I wouldn’t get close to anyone outside of those who already know about our order. Remember, when we track down the Chosen, you will have to put aside any relationships you may form to focus on your new trainee,” Master Mahmid reminded him.

  Caleb nodded. Ultimately, it would depend on time. How long he stayed would dictate whether he tried to make friends or not, probably for the sake of his own sanity.

  “When do I head out?”

  Master Mahmid looked around the building again first before responding, his eyes glancing at each name engraved on the churches’ walls. “You can have until Monday, then you should get on the first flight to Heathrow.”

  Master Mahmid rarely showed such generosity. Maybe he understood the gravity of this loss after all.

  “I’ll contact you when I get there,” Caleb assured him.

  “As always,” Master Mahmid agreed as he turned to leave, his long robes unsettling the dust between the cold slabs.

  Caleb sat for a few minutes longer, staring at the bright day outside. Hopefully Madeline was enjoying it too, wherever she was now.

  “Until we meet again,” he smiled softly, then pushed up onto his feet and disappeared through the doors into the light. He had a new life to start.

  One Year Later

  Chapter One

  It was a blisteringly hot day in the center of London. Kiara was lying flat on her back on a bench outside Somerset House, eyes closed, soaking in the sun’s rays. Anyone who wasn't a tourist or who had somewhere to be was hiding away inside the nearest air-conditioned building or huddling over a fan trying to dry the sweat off their brow. Not Kiara, though. Her Mum always said it was because she was a summer baby, born on the first day of August. A hilarious excuse considering she was redhead and her pale skin could freckle at the mere sight of sunlight.

  Kiara reckoned it was something simpler. England was such a cold and rainy place that whenever the sun came out, she made the most of it, however hot. The sunlight also made her happy and relaxed, something she didn’t feel as much now both her parents were gone.

  It was only a week until Easter. A week until a nice, four-week break spent skating, filming and occasionally studying with her girlfriend, Hallie…

  “Wait.”

  Kiara opened her eyes and lifted her wrist to check her watch. She was going to be late to meet Hallie after her history class.

  Her fingers just about closed around her backpack as she hoisted it from the ground beneath her seat and set off at a run, going around the end of the building towards the university. White stone rushed by on either side as she steered away from the river, across the path and up to the door of the main building. Three flights of stairs later and she made it with only seconds to spare.

  “Why are you panting?” Hallie asked in her loud, American accent from the middle of the lecture hall after most everyone else had filed out of the room.

  “I was running laps around the building while I was waiting for you,” Kiara managed a grin between deep breaths.

  “Liar.”

  Kiara loved it when Hallie smiled. It spread out across her whole face, framed by her curly, crazy brown hair on each side. Hallie got those curls from her Dad, which Kiara had always thought was ironic considering he was sun-kissed at most, whereas her ‘Momma’s’ family was originally from Nairobi.

  “I’ve just gotta ask teach over here about something from class today, then I’m all yours, babe. Come in and wait.”

  Even though Hallie was a film major, she adored her extra history modules. This was no doubt helped along by the teacher, who definitely knew his stuff for someone relatively young. And, as Hallie liked to remind her, he was easy on the eyes.

  “Oh, hey Kiara,” he smiled softly as he looked up from tidying his notes.

  “Hey Caleb.”

  Hallie and Kiara hung around talking to Caleb so much in and out of class that they were on a first name basis.

  “What about me?” Hallie protested.

  “I talked to you a minute ago when you almost didn't let the class leave because you had so many questions about the Armenians
.”

  “But it's so fascinating. No one ever talks about happened to them during World War I,” Hallie enthused.

  “What did happen to them?” Kiara asked, leaning on the edge of Caleb’s desk.

  “Genocide!”

  “Oh wow, yeah.” Kiara tried not to snort at Hallie’s declaration of such a terrible word. “How come I’ve never heard about that?”

  “Because the Turkish government won’t recognise it as one,” Caleb chipped in as he placed his work in his backpack.

  “God forbid they acknowledge killing hundreds of thousands of people for what it really is,” Hallie said scathingly.

  Kiara nodded her head in agreement.

  “Actually, you’ve just reminded me…”

  “What did mass murder remind you of?” Hallie smirked.

  “I’ve got this project due for my sociology class based on how insurgency affects migration levels and I need help.”

  Hallie pointed at Caleb. “He’s your best bet, there doesn’t seem to be anything he doesn’t know about when it comes to the history of the world. Believe me, I test him every lesson.”

  “She does,” Caleb chuckled, “And I can. How does tomorrow sound? 2 o’clock in my office?”

  “Yes, that gives her the morning to burn off the hangover we’re totally going to be suffering with after the partayyyy this evening,” Hallie answered for her, beaming.

  “I can feel my brain cells dying already,” Kiara said mournfully.

  “Have fun, but be safe,” Caleb told them.

  “So long as we have each other, nothing can go wrong,” Hallie asserted, slinging her arm around Kiara’s shoulder.

  “I don’t doubt it.”

  ~

  Caleb had begun to doubt that the Elders had sent him to the right place. Almost a full year of teaching at King’s College under his hat and he’d heard barely any news about the possible new Chosen. Every time he asked, the Oracles were still unclear on when they would appear. Being a Guardian was supposed to be his life’s purpose, so it was frustrating that he couldn’t fulfill his duties, that his life was out of his control. Students like Hallie made it easier. She was so eager to learn about history that it almost made up for it.

  While he was in London, he had been keeping in touch with a source from MI6. There was a lot going on in the city and around the world that he could be helping to solve, but he was forbidden to do so by the Elders without a Chosen at his side. Without the Chosen’s powers, he could very well get himself killed.

  As he dropped his bag down behind the door to his flat, he scooped up his mail with the other and had a quick flick through. Couple of bills and a flyer for a rave that was going on in Lambeth that evening, nothing interesting.

  His flat was small, which was fair enough for someone with his salary. He hadn’t bothered trying to do anything with it either, just bought some simple furniture from IKEA and set up the keepsakes he carried with him everywhere. An old lotus lantern, some pictures, and a bear that wore a bracelet with a Chinese symbol. If it wasn’t for those, anyone who walked in would have no clue who lived there.

  Caleb tossed his mail down on the coffee table and, as he looked back up, caught a quick glance of himself in the mirror. He looked tired. The circles under his eyes were getting to be as dark as his hair and his olive skin looked pale. It didn’t help that the country’s weather liked to swing between seasons like there was no tomorrow. It felt like winter only last week. Part of him wished he could have been back in California instead, relaxing in his Aunt Mee’s house while he waited.

  His eyes flickered over to the picture of her on the windowsill, standing with her arm around his Dad. He had been four when his Dad died on a flight from Seoul to LAX. Caleb had gone first with his aunt, something about his Dad needing to tie up loose ends. He had also been nursing a head wound at the time from the car crash that killed his Mom. It was now a scar hidden along his hairline. Aunt Mee always said that it was because of the bump to the head that he didn’t remember his Mom very well or what happened that made them move so suddenly. She wouldn’t tell him anything about her, other than she used to help people. It was never enough for Caleb, but no one else was around to give him the answers he needed.

  Caleb’s phone ringing cut through his nostalgia, bringing him back to the room.

  “Hello?”

  “Caleb,” Master Mahmid’s voice sounded hopeful for once.

  “What is it?”

  “One of the Oracles has had another vision. It will happen tonight.”

  Caleb let out a sigh of relief.

  “There are several Oracles in the city, do we know which one will give them their prophecy?”

  “No, I’m afraid not. You will have to visit them all in the morning and see which one found the Chosen.”

  More waiting.

  “Don’t worry, Caleb. All the time you’ve spent in the city will be worth it.”

  “I hope so,” he said.

  There was a small chance that this was all a cosmic joke. He would have to wait until tomorrow to find out if his faith was warranted.

  Chapter Two

  Jen’s parties were always wild. Hallie and Kiara had been part of the same friendship group for two years now, ever since Freshers Week, so the gaggle of five girls knew each other well. Jen would be the richest if it wasn’t for Hallie’s Dad’s mobile app business. She was certainly the richest based in London. Her parents rented a whole townhouse for her in Kensington and she generally wanted for nothing. However, she was only a little bit of a spoilt brat, which was better than most twenty-year-old’s in her position.

  They started out at Jen’s house for pre-drinks before heading into the center for that rave everyone was talking about after Hallie’s morning editing session. It was ridiculous. The music was so loud Hallie could barely think, let alone talk. She kept one hand on her girl at all times to stop other pretty dudes or ladies from getting any funny ideas. It wasn't unusual for her to lay someone out for trying to hit on Kiara, particularly if they got pushy.

  Kiara always reciprocated the hands. It had taken her a while to get used to all the touching at first, Hallie was her first anything, but once she had, they barely kept their hands off each other. It wasn't like there was anyone around to police them.

  The rave was intoxicating. Everyone was pressed together, moving in synchronous bounds in time to the thumping beat. Hallie could feel the beads of sweat dripping down her neck, Kiara breathing strawberry, peach and rum on her face as they danced so close they could almost taste each other.

  ‘I love you,’ Kiara mouthed, grazing her lips against Hallie’s.

  Hallie kissed her in reply, smiling through it.

  She counted herself lucky that she had Kiara in her life and that she had met her when she did. It was the first day of university and Kiara hadn’t been sure that she even wanted to sign in. Her Mom had died two weeks earlier after losing her fight with cancer. Kiara had promised her she would still go to school when it started, but on the day, she found herself dithering in the entrance to the library, struggling to go up to the welcome desk. That was when Hallie had found her. If she hadn’t encouraged Kiara to be brave then, they wouldn’t be here now. She would have missed out on one of the best things to ever happen to her.

  They danced for hours, completely losing track of time. It was after midnight when they found themselves back out on the street, looking for something else to do. None of them could sleep right now, they were too buzzed. They stumbled from streetlight to streetlight, following their feet more than anything else, chatting all the way. Eventually, Theresa piped up from the back.

  “We should totally do truth or dare.”

  Hallie giggled as she pushed up the strap of Kiara’s dress back onto her shoulder.

  “No one is sober enough to say no,” Jen slurred.

  There was laughter in agreement.

  “Who goes first?” Hannah asked.

  “ME!” Hallie stuck both her
hands up in the air and grinned. She was always the first one to dive head first into a fun situation.

  “Truth or dare?” Kiara asked her.

  “Mmmmmm, truth,” she decided.

  “Other than me, who out of the group would you snog right now?” Kiara smirked wickedly, making Hallie snort.

  “Are you trying to give me ideas?” she asked as she eyed up the other three girls. They started posing for her, but they were so drunk it looked hilarious rather than sexy.

  “Theresa, because she has such pretty pink highlights. They’re so bold, I love it.”

  “Awww, thank you,” Theresa crooned, running her hands through her hair.

  “You’re welcome, sweets.”

  “Who’s next?” Jen asked as no one immediately volunteered.

  “I think it should be Kiara,” Hallie said.

  “Does it have to be?” Kiara pouted. None of the group were shy, exactly, but Kiara wasn’t a big fan of making a fool out of herself.

  “It’s only fair as you got to ask me the truth.”

  “And you can’t pick truth,” Hannah chirped up.

  “Yeah, otherwise it would be boring,” Jen agreed.

  Kiara let out a deep sigh. “Okay, dare.”

  The girls knew they had to make it a good one because the chances of Kiara doing another after this one was slim.

  After searching around for a moment, Theresa pointed at a building across the street and said, “I dare you to get your palm read.”

  All the girls followed her finger to the old shop with the wooden board above its door which read, ‘Mystic Mindy’s Magic Shop’.

  “Ohhh, that’s priceless! You have to do it!” Hallie bounced up and down.

  She seized Kiara by the shoulders and pushed her over the cobblestones before she could protest.

  They couldn’t see much through the front window as every inch of the display was covered in trinkets, scarves and items which could possibly be ‘magical’. Inside was much the same. It was cluttered, but not in a way that looked like a mess. The colour theme was pinks, purples, and reds, with smatterings of glitter and sequins. A bell tinkled over the door when they opened it and a woman’s voice came from the cashier’s desk.