Scorchers are rare because they manifest by igniting fire unconsciously in their sleep. About 10-20% of Scorchers survive manifestation.
EXTRAORDINARY SCORCHERS are capable of controlling and mentally extinguishing fires. As their talent develops, Extraordinary Scorchers become immune to fire, and their control over it increases.
BOUNDER (Greek τελεταχύς): Capable of moving from one point to another without passing through the intervening space. Bounders can move themselves anywhere they can see clearly within a certain range that varies according to the Bounder; this is called Skipping. They can also Bound to any location marked with a Bounder symbol, known as a signature. The location must be closed to the outdoors and empty of people and objects. Bounders refer to the “simplicity” of a space, meaning how free of “clutter” (objects, people, etc.) it is. Spaces that are too cluttered are impossible to Bound to, as are outdoor locations, which are full of constant movement. It is possible to keep a Bounder out of somewhere if you alter the place by defacing the Bounding chamber or putting some object or person into it.
An EXTRAORDINARY BOUNDER lacks most of the limitations an ordinary Bounder operates under. An Extraordinary Bounder’s range is line of sight, which can allow them to Skip many miles’ distance. Extraordinary Bounders do not require Bounding signatures, instead using what they refer to as “essence” to identify a space they Bound to. Essence comprises the essential nature of a space and is impossible to explain to non-Bounders; human beings have an essence which differs from that of a place and allows an Extraordinary Bounder to identify people without seeing them. While Extraordinary Bounders are still incapable of Bounding to an outdoor location, they can Bound to places too cluttered for an ordinary Bounder, as well as ones that contain people.
THE ETHEREAL TALENTS: Seer, Speaker, Discerner, Coercer
SEER (Greek προφητεία): Capable of seeing a short distance into the future through Dreams. Seers experience lucid Dreams in which they see future events as if they were present as an invisible observer. In order to recognize the people or places involved, Seers tend to be very well informed about people and events and are socially active. Their Dreams are not inevitable and there is no problem with altering the timeline; they see things that are the natural consequence of the current situation/circumstances, and altering those things alters the foreseen event. Just their knowledge of the event is not sufficient to alter it.
No one knows how a Seer’s brain produces Dream, only that Dreams come in response to what the Seer meditates on. Seers therefore study current events in depth and read up on things they might be asked to Dream about. Seers have high social status and are very popular, with many of them making a living from Dream commissions.
An EXTRAORDINARY SEER, in addition to Dreaming, is capable of touching an object and perceiving events and people associated with it. These Visions allow them not only to see the past of the person most closely connected to the object, but occasionally to have glimpses of the future. They can also find a Vision linked to what the object’s owner is seeing at the moment and “see” through their eyes. Most recently, the Extraordinary Seer Sophia Westlake discovered how to use Visions attached to one object to perceive related objects, leading to the defeat of the Caribbean pirates led by Rhys Evans.
SPEAKER (Greek τελεπάθεια): Capable of communicating by thought with any other Speaker. Speakers can mentally communicate with any Speaker within range of sight. They can also communicate with any Speaker they know well. The definition of “know well” has meaning only to a Speaker, but in general it means someone they have spoken verbally or mentally with on several occasions. A Speaker’s circle of Speaker friends is called a reticulum, and a reticulum might contain several hundred members depending on the Speaker. Speakers easily distinguish between the different “voices” of their Speaker friends, though Speaking is not auditory. A Speaker can send images as well as words if she is proficient enough. Speakers cannot Speak to non-Speakers, and they are incapable of reading minds.
An EXTRAORDINARY SPEAKER has all the abilities of an ordinary Speaker, but is also capable of sending thoughts and images into the minds of anyone, Speaker or not. Additionally, an Extraordinary Speaker can Speak to multiple people at a time, though all will receive the same message. Extraordinary Speakers can send a “burst” of noise that startles or wakes the recipient. Rumors that Extraordinary Speakers can read minds are universally denied by Speakers, but the rumors persist.
DISCERNER (Greek ενσυναίσθηση): Able to experience other people’s feelings as if they were their own. Discerners require touch to be able to do this (though not skin-to-skin contact), and much of learning to control the skill involves learning to distinguish one’s own emotions from those of the other person. Discerners can detect lies, sense motives, read other people’s emotional states, and identify Coercers. Discerners are immune to the talent of a Coercer, though they can be overwhelmed by anyone capable of projecting strong emotions.
An EXTRAORDINARY DISCERNER can do all these things without the need for touch. Extraordinary Discerners are always aware of the emotions of those near them, though the range at which they are aware varies according to the Extraordinary Discerner. Nearly three-quarters of all Extraordinary Discerners go mad because of their talent.
COERCER (Greek τελενσυναίσθηση): Capable of influencing the emotions of others with a touch. Coercers are viewed with great suspicion since their ability is a kind of mind control. Those altered are not aware that their mood has been artificially changed and are extremely suggestible while the Coercer is in direct contact with them. By altering someone’s emotions, a Coercer can influence their behavior or change his or her attitude toward the Coercer.
Coercers do not feel others’ emotions the way Discerners do, but can tell what they are and how they’re changing. Many Coercers have sociopathic tendencies as a result. Unlike Discerners, Coercers have to work hard at being able to use their talent, which in its untrained state is erratic. However, Coercers always know when they’ve altered someone’s mood. Coercers do not “broadcast” their emotions, appearing as a blank to Discerners. Because Coercion is viewed with suspicion (for good reason), Coercers keep their ability secret even if they don’t use it maliciously.
An EXTRAORDINARY COERCER does not need a physical connection to influence someone’s emotions. Extraordinary Coercers are capable of turning their talent on several people at a time, and the most powerful Extraordinary Coercers can control mobs. The most powerful Extraordinary Coercer known to date is Napoleon Bonaparte.
Once again I have to thank my stellar beta readers, Jacob Proffitt, Jana Brown, and Hallie O’Donovan for being willing to read this more than once. Sherwood Smith made a suggestion that turned out to be key to the plot, for which I am beyond grateful. They all were generous in pointing out errors and incongruities. All remaining mistakes are mine alone.
It would be impractical to list all the resources I used in writing this book. I find India endlessly fascinating, from its culture to its history to its religions, and loved the opportunity to learn more about it. For those interested in the fact behind the fiction, particularly with regards to English involvement in the subcontinent, I recommend John Keay’s India: A History and his exhaustive look at the history of the British East India Company, The Honourable Company.
Melissa McShane is the author of the Extraordinaries series, beginning with BURNING BRIGHT. Her other books include the Crown of Tremontane series, beginning with SERVANT OF THE CROWN, as well as EMISSARY and THE SMOKE-SCENTED GIRL. After a nomadic childhood, she settled in Utah with her husband, four children, three very needy cats, and a library that continues to grow out of control. She wrote reviews and critical essays for many years before turning to fiction, which is much more fun than anyone ought to be allowed to have. You can visit her at her website www.melissamcshanewrites.com
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The Vessel of Ra, by Catherine Schaff-Stump
(https://curiosityquills.com/kindle/the-vessel-of-ra/)
Octavia Klaereon knows her sister Lucy is the weakest demon Binder in the Klaereon family. To save Lucy’s soul, she must kill her sister after Lucy is possessed by the god Ra. Lucy tries to cut the tie between herself and Ra, but Ra possesses Octavia, with his eye on recreating the world in his image. Lucy Klaereon will save Octavia and stop Ra, even if she has to come back from the dead to do it.
The Deathsniffer’s Assistant, by Kate McIntyre
(https://curiosityquills.com/kindle/deathsniffer/)
Impovrished gentleman Christopher Buckley is drawn into a world of murder and conspiracy after he begins working for Olivia Faraday, the eccentric Deathsniffer. His work with this manic lady detective takes him far out of his comfort zone — and brings him closer to truth. Set in a unique fantasy world inspired by Edwardian era London, the Deathsniffer’s Assistant is a murder mystery that introduces a greater story of conspiracy, societal upheaval, and people being changed by forces they cannot control.
The Heartless City, by Andrea Berthot
(https://curiosityquills.com/kindle/heartless-city/)
Treasure, Darkly, by Jordan Elizabeth
(https://curiosityquills.com/kindle/treasure-darkly/)
Seventeen-year-old Clark Treasure assumes the drink he stole off the captain is absinthe… until the chemicals in the liquid give him the ability to awaken the dead. Now on the run from the army, Clark turns to his estranged, mining tycoon father for help. The Treasures welcome Clark with open arms, so he jumps at the chance to help them protect their ranch against Senator Horan, a man who hates anyone more powerful than he.
Appetizer:
Book Cover
Title Page
Dedication
Main Course:
Chapter One
In which pride goes before a very great fall
Chapter Two
In which Daphne resolves to enjoy herself
Chapter Three
In which Daphne makes a new friend and meets an old enemy
Chapter Four
In which Daphne receives new employment
Chapter Five
In which a much-desired adventure begins
Chapter Six
In which Daphne sees the real India and is shouted at
Chapter Seven
In which Daphne and Captain Fletcher explore the old palace
Chapter Eight
In which there is reconnaissance
Chapter Nine
In which Captain Fletcher draws an unexpected conclusion
Chapter Ten
In which Daphne and Captain Fletcher have a common foe
Chapter Eleven
In which calamity strikes
Chapter Twelve
In which Daphne saves a life, but refuses to be thanked
Chapter Thirteen
In which the investigation is stalled
Chapter Fourteen
In which Daphne receives a warning from an unexpected source
Chapter Fifteen
In which an investigation has an unexpected conclusion
Chapter Sixteen
In which a story has an unhappy ending
Chapter Seventeen
In which Bess demonstrates an Extraordinary Speaker’s talent
Chapter Eighteen
In which women’s knowledge proves valuable
Chapter Nineteen
In which an interrogation ends badly
Chapter Twenty
In which time is running out
Chapter Twenty-One
In which Daphne makes a shocking discovery
Chapter Twenty-Two
In which the principles of Bounding lead to another discovery, less shocking
Chapter Twenty-Three
In which Daphne is an improper young lady
Chapter Twenty-Four
In which a confrontation leads to a terrible ultimatum
In which Daphne learns the limits of her talent and suffers accordingly
Chapter Twenty-Six
In which Daphne receives new orders and resents them
Chapter Twenty-Seven
In which Daphne is called into action
Chapter Twenty-Eight
In which a defeat requires a change in plans
Chapter Twenty-Nine
In which Captain Fletcher countermands an order
Chapter Thirty
In which Daphne once again does the unexpected
Chapter Thirty-One
In which Daphne has difficulty getting anyone to take her seriously
Chapter Thirty-Two
In which Daphne discovers what her happy ending is
Dessert:
Author's Note
The Talents
Acknowledgments
Closing
About the Author
Copyright & Publisher
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