Fury Rising (Fury Unbound Book 1) by Yasmine Galenorn Page A

yes, you are a girl compared to my age. The day your mother walked through the Sandspit pregnant with you, she altered your destiny. The rogue magic transformed your DNA. You were meant to be human, but you were mutated in the womb. You carry both paths within you, honey. You’re a minor goddess . You belong to Hecate. Do you know what that means? You’re one of the Divine! Embrace the dark magic in your soul, and revel in it. Quit trying to avoid your nature. Quit trying to play down your talents so you can fit in.” She paused, then added, “Do you remember the cards that the Oracle drew for you at your birth?”
    “How can I forget? My mother continually reminded me. In fact, she had a poster of the reading made when I was very young. It hung over my bed for the longest time.”
    “What were they, again?” Shevron knew very well what my birth-reading was, but I answered anyway.
    “The Wheel, Death, and the Queen of Wands.”
    “Right. The Wheel of Fortune: Change happens. If you try to hold it back, the Wheel will run over you, but take control and you’ll rise with it, stronger than before. Death: Transformation is occurring, with no escape. So embrace it. And the Queen of Wands : The queen of flames is the mistress of action. She is fury embodied, and passion and power. It’s time to stop shying away from who you’ve become. You became Fury the night you faced the Carver. Claim your name. Revel in what you are. That’s the only way you’ll ever be happy, regardless of what happens with my brother.”
    What she said hit home with a thud.
    Shevron led me back out to the main shop. “Liza, will you pull together a box of maple bars, éclairs, and donuts? A baker’s dozen. I’m going next door and I may not be back for the rest of the day, so you’ll have to watch the shop. Family emergency.”
    As Liza prepared a box of pastries, Shevron turned back to me. “Go wash your face. And remember, I’ll be there with you.”
    She winked, and—feeling like the little sister again—I headed for the restroom, where I splashed cold water on my face.
    Shevron had always had my back. While Jason had done his best to make sure I went to school, was fed and clothed, and he tutored me in my magical lessons with Hecate, it was his sister who had tended to my emotional needs. She had guided me through puberty, helped me when I had boyfriend problems—though I always skittish around men. Basically, she became my role model. As much as I had loved my mother, Shevron had taken over and done a better job. She was born to nurture.
    I splashed another round of cool water on my face, then brushed my hair back, staring at myself in the mirror. “Remember who you are,” I whispered.
    Directing my thoughts to the matter at hand—maybe Hans was back with information on Eileen’s death—I returned to the front where Shevron waited for me. Without another word, she picked up the pastry box and we headed back to Dream Wardens, to see how Jason was.

Chapter 7

     
    Tam and Jason were sitting on the sofa when I unlocked the door. Hans hadn’t returned yet. Shevron silently walked over to Jason’s side and sat down, merely offering her hand. He took it for a moment, gazing at her. Then, with a sigh, he let go.
    Tam reached over and patted my knee as I dropped into the chair next to him. If he had been anybody else, I would have slapped his hand away, but for once I welcomed the reassurance.
    Jason cleared his throat. His expression was a blank slate. I couldn’t tell what he was feeling. “I didn’t mean to chase you out, Kae. I just needed to process, and Tam…he’s good at helping me do that.”
    Then it hit me. Tam had removed some of Jason’s immediate shock. I sidled a glance at Tam, wondering if he was okay. Taking on the emotions of others wasn’t easy, and it was a magic I knew I could never handle having. But he seemed calm and collected.
    “Not a problem.” I felt stiff and awkward, suddenly. My talk with