Furyborn (Empirium, #1)

by Claire Legrand

“What are you? Show yourself!” The woman obeyed, drifting forward until she knelt at Eliana’s feet. She was a colorless distortion in the air. Shimmering, thread-thin lights outlined robes, a full mouth, and a mass of hair that fell to her hips. “It’s true, then,” the woman murmured, reaching out to touch Eliana’s hand. Eliana’s vision jolted, then blackened. She swayed on her feet, braced her hands against her knees, fought against unconsciousness. “You don’t belong here,” she managed. “You feel wrong.” “I know,” said the woman, a great sadness in her eyes. “I’m sorry for that. You will get used to it, if it’s any comfort.” “You’re Fidelia. Get the fuck away from me.” “I am certainly not Fidelia.” Eliana pressed her fingers to her temples. “I felt this sickness in Sanctuary, right before you took me. And the night you took my mother and when you took those girls from the slums—” “I did none of this, my queen. The Prophet does not snatch girls from their beds, and neither do I.” Eliana squinted at the woman, breathing thinly through the ill feeling churning in her gut. “What did you call me?” “There have been rumors for months that Simon found you at last,” the woman continued, her voice thrumming with excitement, “but I did not let myself believe it until now. Now, I see your face, I hear you speak, I feel you breathe, and I know.” The woman floated nearer, cupped Eliana’s face in her hand. Eliana felt nothing at her touch except for a fresh wave of nausea. She squeezed h...