Ryder on the Storm: Emerald Seer I by Violet Patterson

She felt anger all of a sudden; it welled up in her like a volcano.
     
    “Breaking your hearts? Really? Do you even have hearts to break? Aren’t you two some special celestial beings above all of that pathetic human emotion?” Storm heard her own voice rising, the heat flushed her face and Dan backed away.
     
    “Storm, babe, calm down, just breathe.” Shane took a step back. “You have to relax, Storm.”
     
    “Stop patronizing me. You two are always patronizing me.” Storm felt strange, something seemed to be growing inside of her.
     
    “Look at your hands, babe.” Storm followed the direction of Shane’s gaze and faltered, she might have screamed if she weren’t so shocked. Her hands were glowing golden, as in bright light emanating from her fingertips and palms.
     
    “Whoa. What in the hell is going on?” The glow faded and Storm felt drained and tired.
     
    “It is your true power. This is why Trin bound your emotions. You really don’t remember, do you?” Dan seemed perplexed. “Storm, I think we should skip dinner and work on educating you before something happens.”
     
    “Babe, I think Dan is right, your powers are tied very closely to your emotions and you have so little control over them right now. It’s not your fault but you need to get a handle on this or you could hurt somebody.” Shane paused for a moment and then smirked, “you know how you like to road rage, and you are liable to cause an accident with that glowing thing if somebody tailgates you. Heaven forbid somebody cut you off!”
     
    Dan gave his brother a warning look and Storm frowned. “I don’t road rage that bad.” She felt the pout coming on. Dammit, she just wanted to feel a little normal, dinner at a nice restaurant with friends. Storm actually had money now, for the first time in years she didn’t need to live in a sad, miserly fashion. Of course, in exchange, life had become more chaotic than it had ever been. Still, now that her emotions were unlocked, she wanted to feel something besides sorrow and anger. The thoughts warred in her head, staying home felt safe and logical. Going out felt fulfilling and, well, normal.
     
    “Storm?” Shane’s hand on her arm grounded her. Storm looked at him, careful to keep her emotions in check.
     
    “I want to go to dinner. Please understand. I know my life is about to get harder than ever and I get that I am a little volatile right now, but I need something normal, something pleasurable. Can you two understand that?” She hated the pleading tone in her voice, but she suddenly cared whether or not they understood. Dammit. She did not like feeling, the glowing hands deal seemed kind of neat, though. What else could she do now?
     
    “Storm, babe, we understand. It is difficult to accept our, eh, uniqueness. Your situation is complicated; I apologize for sounding patronizing. Why don’t we shower up and go for an early dinner? That way we can avoid crowds and get back here to work on getting you some answers. Is that a happy enough compromise for you?”
     
    Shane looked so hopeful. He turned on the charm and flashed a debonair smile her way. Gods how she wished there were some electricity between them. Storm still thought “Hardy Boys” when she looked at them. How unfortunate indeed. Perhaps as her emotions unfolded she would feel otherwise. Somehow, it didn’t seem likely but either one would be a perfect match. After her interaction with Ryder, it didn’t seem likely she would feel that way about anyone else. The flutter returned to her stomach as the image of his face entered her mind. Storm absentmindedly touched the place on her arm where Ryder had touched her earlier.
     
    “Earth to Storm? Are you in there?” Shane stood before her, hands on her shoulders, just shy of shaking her. “Storm, babe, are we on for dinner then?”
     
    “Sorry, yes, I – sorry. I am not sure what happened.”
     
    “Another vision?” Concern registered in Dan’s voice