Free The Order of the Elements 01 - Breaking Point by Jess Bowen Page B

don’t think it’s been affecting the talents since those are pretty much random chance there,” Jared replied.
    “Obviously, since everyone else in the family has one except for mom and me,” Evan replied sourly.
    Ethan broke in at that. “Wait, what’s the difference between the First Order stuff and talents? I thought they were the same thing.”
    Jared explained. “First, Second, and Third Order only classifies us by our Elemental powers. Talents are separate from that. They’re like extra powers and not connected at all to Elemental powers. Talents don’t necessarily gift themselves upon people with more power, either. Evan doesn’t have a talent.” Evan scowled. “But someone in Third Order could have a really strong talent like Transfiguration or Strength or Speed. And a lot of people can have the same talent, although the strength of it is usually different from person to person. Take Speed—if two people have it, maybe one could only run five miles an hour faster than normal human speed and another could run sixty miles an hour faster.”
    “So, what do Elemental powers do, then?” Ethan asked. He had thought Elemental powers related to what Phoebe had said she could do.
    “Conjure the Elements, you know, like storms, fireballs, earthquakes. Of course, those are examples of First Order strength. I’m not sure how strong Second and Third Orders are,” Evan explained this time.
    He was apparently not happy about the fact that he didn’t have a talent, but at the thought of what his Elemental powers could do he seemed to cheer up. Earthquakes, huh? Definitely sounded like fun. Ethan wondered if he could actually do anything yet. Did it require some kind of exercise to make these powers work? He didn’t think so. After all, Phoebe had been using her talent forever it sounded like. Not to mention that shield she had thrown up. She hadn’t even noticed it. A knock on the door pulled Ethan from his thoughts.
    Jared jumped up to answer it. Phoebe was back, and she had brought her two roommates with her. She smiled shyly.
    “Hey, guys, I was hoping you wouldn’t mind if we came over. We’re dead bored,” she explained.
    Bree turned mid-lap and raced to Phoebe to jump into her arms. Phoebe was surprised for a minute before scratching the bear’s ears.
    “Wow, how rude! We haven’t even introduced ourselves to the trainees across the hall! Jared, how could you?” Evan said dramatically.
    Jared pursed his lips and rolled his eyes. Everyone else snickered.
    “Not at all, come in!” Jared said, holding the door open. Phoebe stepped in, and two girls followed behind her. Jared introduced everyone. “I’m Jared Ward, that’s Evan, and Ethan, of course. I’m sure you already know who he is.”
    A small girl with bright red hair and green eyes peered around as Jared spoke. Her eyes landed on Ethan last, and he noticed that her almond-shaped eyes were the exact color of emeralds. Long red hair fell in waves down her back, and her skin was pale. The combination of red hair and green eyes was usually accompanied by a legion of freckles; however, Ethan couldn’t see one. She had a heart-shaped face and a small nose. Her eyes were alight with interest, but her demeanor was calm and composed.
    “Yes, we do know. We saw you arrive. My name is Lucy Kendall. It’s nice to meet you.” Her voice was soft and melodic.
    She smiled. Ethan couldn’t help but smile in response as he stood up to greet her. “It’s nice to meet you, Lucy.”
    He shook her hand lightly. A shock shot through him and filled him with warmth as his hand connected with hers, even though her skin felt cold. The irritation that had filled him since his arrival vanished.
    She was not nearly as small as his mother—she was five-foot-four easy—but she seemed almost as delicate. Then, feeling it would be rude if he didn’t, Ethan turned to the other girl who had entered the room. She was the tallest of the three girls, maybe only two