Destiny Divided Read Online Free Page B

it’s because of how I’m treated.” She gave him another meaningful glare.
    “I’m trying, Sage. But you don’t make it easy.”
    Difficult. Uncooperative. Those were just a couple of words that had been used to describe her by social workers and foster parents. She’d have thought labels would’ve worn off by now. But no. Some things haunted you forever.
    “So, what now?” sh e asked. “What can you teach me about harnessing my witch powers?”
    “It’s much of the same. Learning to use your powers objectively. You’re full of passion, which can be a good thing. If it’s tempered with self-control. I can integrate some witchcraft into your sorcery lessons as well. If you want.”
    “I think you ow e me that. Since you basically blackmailed me.”
    He rolled his eyes. “Has anyone ever told you, you are just a tad dramatic?”
    She lifted her chin. “And you reek of arrogance.”
    “As do you, lleidr bach.” At her puzzled glare he explained, “Welsh for ‘little thief.’”
    “Touché, culo . Italian for ‘ass.’ Just a little something I picked up in one of the foster homes in New York.”
    He chuckled. “So you grew up in foster care?”
    “Oh hhh no. I am not talking about that with you.”
    With a shrug and a smirk, he said, “That’s alright. I’ll find out everything about you eventually. But let’s get on with things, shall we?” He rose from the couch. “Stay here, I’ll be right back.”
    When he came down the stairs sever al minutes later with an armful of books he dropped on the breakfast bar with a thud, curiosity got the better of her and she moved to get a closer look.
    “These are the basics,” he told her, sorting through them. He placed some into a separate pile and pushed a few towards her.
    Her initial excitement turned to dread when the Chemistry textbook glared at her from the counter. She’d flunked it in high school after she’d almost blown up the Science lab. Dangerous chemicals and Sage didn’t mix, especially with her hair trigger temper and penchant for creating lightning balls, purposeful or not.
    The biggest book was at the bottom of the pil e and that was the one he thrust in front of her. She loved books, but the mere size of this particular one was daunting, even to an avid reader like herself. Besides, the books that filled her bookshelf – or backpack – were fiction.
    James tapped the cover, waiting for a response.
    She looked at the book t hen at James. “Okay. Now where’s the cliff notes?”
    “No cliff notes. You’re going t o read this cover to cover.”
    She snorted. “Yeah, and you’re going to do the Macarena naked at a Sorority party.”
    He leaned across the counter with an amused sparkle in his eyes. “I think it’s funny you still think you have a say in anything anymore.”
    Her grin faded as the words sank in. Before she could give a witty retort, he explained, “Every sorcerer reads this book by the end of his training. It’s an essential part of who we are. In here you’ll find our history, spells, enchantments, tips for controlling our powers. Basically everything we need to know about sorcery.”
    “So, like a Sorcery for Dummies ?”
    “I guess you could say that.”
    She fingered the book. She’d expected something a little more impressive – antique, maybe leather bound with strange engravings and stained pages. But this was a typical school textbook. The cover had a symbol on it she didn’t recognize. It was a red dragon with what looked like the shape of an old wizard hat behind it and a comet in an arch above. Other than that, the book was rather ordinary.
    She frowned . “It’s not very impressive. I would have thought it’d be much…cooler.”
    “Yes, well, that’s because Americ a’s entire perception of life is based on T.V. and movies.”
    “And YouTube. Don’t forget about YouTube.”
    “It’s time we opened up a whole new world for you, Sage Peterson.”
    “I like my world just