Hunted: Regarding Summoners

The following post details some information from my upcoming novel, Hunted. This explains a bit about the summoners, the Order, and some of the characters the reader will encounter while following the story. Look for another post soon that will delve into the background of the hunters.

Hunted is set to be published this fall!

What is a summoner?

The summoners are people born with a very rare ability that allows them to call and interact with creatures known as demons.

In the context of Hunted, the demons are not usually evil on their own; their actions are driven by the person influencing them (the summoner). There are some types of demons that are dangerous for even a trained summoner to interact with, and these must be handled with caution. For an apprentice summoner who has not yet undergone the change, the danger encountered is far greater, and many do not survive to complete their training.

The ability to summon such creatures is driven by genetic factors, as well as environmental, and in order to become a summoner, one must also go through rigorous training. At the completion of their training, summoners undergo a physiological change that allows them to better interact with the demons they call. At this time, the summoner also gains their “true name”.

The summoners have been forced into hiding for most of their history, and have long been at war with a faction known as the hunters (I will write a future post regarding the hunters). The summoners form an organization known as the Order, which is led by the most powerful amongst their number (known as the Master or Lady Grand Summoner), in conjunction with the Board of Elders (the Board is made up of the oldest members of the Order).

Most summoners employ people known collectively as trackers. These people often possess the ability to sense when hunters are nearby, and act as body guards to the summoners. A successful summoner always has at least one good tracker at his or her side.

Summoners form intense bonds with the creatures they are capable of calling to them, and most have a few “favorites” that they are most comfortable with. The summoner is the influence and driving force behind the actions of the demon, while it remains in our plane—as long as the summoner is capable of maintaining control. When interacting with most demons, the summoner has little to fear, though there are those amongst the Order capable of calling some truly powerful creatures. These select few must maintain their vigilance at all times when interacting with such demons, or risk dire consequences.

The Summoners of Hunted

Chandra Grey – Trainee summoner and main character of Hunted. Her twin sister, Xandra, has the potential to become a hunter.

Il’zaks – Chandra’s first teacher and life-long mentor. Preferred demon: succubus

Ke’tai – A younger summoner who ultimately falls in love with Chandra. Preferred demon: dragon

Te’chok – The Master Grand Summoner of the Order. Preferred demon: Gwyllgi

Zy’driks – An Elder and a very influential member of the Order, who often disagrees with Te’chok’s policies. Preferred demon: ?