Destiny Divided by Leia Shaw

someone’s actions by thought. Very hard and very rare. And the last one is Combat. That’s James.”
    “What about me?”
    “Well, are you any good with potions?”
    She shrugged. “I haven’t tried. But in high school I almost blew up the chemistry lab.”
    “I’d say that’s a no.” He reached in his pocket. “Here. A gift.” A small vile of pink liquid sat in his open palm. “It’s a truth serum. Never know when it might come in handy. But don’t let James know you have it or you’ll end up on the receiving end.”
    After she picked up the thin tube from his hand, she studied it then shoved it in her jeans pocket. “Thanks.”
    “I’ll bet you’re a warrior like James,” he said, looking her over. “That’s why your Bolts are so strong.”
    “But I’ve never tried the other two. How can I know if I’m not in those guilds?”
    “Well, there are ways to make an educated guess. Have there been times in your life when things go your way just because you will them to? Or someone does something out of character because you ask it?”
    She snorted. “No. The opposite actually.”
    “Then I would say Mindbending is out. With your ramped up power, you’d be influencing people subconsciously.”
    “What about Glamouring? Can you teach me?”
    Maddox shrugged and answered back in his American voice, “I don’t see why not.”
    She turned to face him on the couch, sitting up straighter to prepare for the spell.
    “Well, first you have to picture what you want to look like in your mind. Try something simple to start. Like your hair color.”
    “I'm going to picture it blond . I've always wondered what I’d look like as a blond.”
    “Now close your eyes but keep that picture in your mind. The energy is a little different than producing a Bolt. It's softer. More subtle. Instead of pushing it to your palms, pull it to your core and let it settle there.”
    She concentrated, pulling energy from the air and holding it in her chest. Once she felt the heat stay steadily at her core, she pictured her hair changing from the chocolate brown to a light shade of golden blond. She’d expected to fail. Or at least become frustrated before succeeding.
    So it surprised her when Maddox said, “Bloody hell! I can't believe you're doing it.”
    “I am?”
    “Yes! Go look in the mirror.”
    With eyes closed, she asked, “Will it stay like this when I open my eyes?”
    “It will stay until you purposefully change it back.” She peeked open one eye to see Maddox beaming. “Go!”
    She opened both eyes and ran to the bathroom mirror. “Wow,” she said, running he r fingers through her new blond hair. “This is freaking fabulous.” Then she yelled to Maddox, “I don't know if blonde suits me though.” She shut the bathroom light off and stepped back into the living room. “Let’s try red!”
    “Whoa! Slow down,” he said laughing. “If you do too much at once yo u won't have the power left to change it back. You have to do a little at a time just like everything else.”
    She frowned and slumped onto the couc h.
    “But it's pretty fucking amazing that you managed it on your first try.” He looked her over with a sly smile. “You are one dangerous lady.”
    “Lady?” She scrunched her nose. “Now you’re making me feel old.”
    Maddox’s laugh was loud and contagious. “I guarantee I’m at least a century older than you.”
    “You’ve blended into American culture better than James. You look like the p erfect American boy next door.”
    He smirked then shut his eyes. His dark brown hair gradually lig htened to a bleached yellow. The sides faded away and the top stuck straight up in a mohawk. A hoop earring appeared in his nose. His plain gray t-shirt turned into a black tight-fitting mesh that showed off a muscular chest that almost had Sage drooling.
    He opened his eyes. “How’s this for boy next door?”
    She roared with laughter. “I don’t think it suits you. It clashes with your