Free Discovery by Lisa White Page A

boys grinned and looked at their father.
    â€œGregory,” Mr. Reich continued. “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself tonight but do you think Grace passed your test?”
    â€œNo, sir,” Gregory sat up straighter. “I don’t understand it. I am able to control her emotions but it looks like when I get close to challenging her goodie-two-shoes principles, she has some pretty intense pushback. Her willpower is unreal. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
    â€œGood to know.” Mr. Reich smiled and turned to Andrew. “Call Doc tomorrow and have him put together a little birthday drink for Grace. Tell him we just need her dazed at her party. We don’t want her dead – at least not yet.”
    â€œYes, sir,” replied Andrew.
    â€œFather,” Gregory said. “I really don’t think that will be necessary. I can handle her. I just need a little more practice before her party. I promise. I can do this.”
    Mr. Reich looked hard at his youngest son. “Gregory, like me, you have many powers but your ability to manipulate the mind will be one of your greatest when it is fully developed. If you think more practice will get it to the level we need for the party, well then, you better start practicing.” He then turned back to Andrew. “But you still need to call Doc. I am leaving nothing to chance that night.”

Chapter Six: Purpose
    Tom was still up when Ben returned home.
    â€œIs your shift over already?” he asked. Tom sounded more concerned than surprised.
    â€œI got someone else from the team to cover for me the rest of tonight. I had to get out of there.” Ben purposefully avoided Tom’s eyes as he fell down into his recliner.
    Tom turned off the television and shifted around on the couch to face Ben. “What happened?”
    â€œNothing.” Ben did not look up.
    â€œBen, did something go wrong?” Tom pressed.
    â€œNo. I said nothing happened. Grace is fine. Safe and sound in her apartment.”
    â€œAnd?”
    â€œAnd nothing. I’m just sick of spying on her and her boyfriend. That’s all. All that kissing and stuff. It’s disgusting.” Ben stared down at his jacket’s zipper.
    â€œBut that’s your job. You are Grace’s Guardian and part of that job means you have to take a shift or two to watch her, even when she is with her boyfriend.” Tom’s voice grew stern. “You’re not falling for her again, are you? Because we’ve been over this a thousand times. You are not the Chosen One. I am. When the time comes, it’s my job to be with Grace, not yours. So no feelings for her, remember?”
    â€œYeah. I remember.” Ben’s fingers were now nervously fumbling with his jacket zipper. If Ben looked up, Tom’s powers might allow him to see his younger brother’s true feelings reflected in Ben’s eyes. Tom’s reading gift was one of his stronger powers and had always been a pain in the butt for Ben. One strategic look into someone’s eyes and Tom knew a person’s soul and the source of their emotions. Ben knew his propensity for breaking furniture had always bugged Tom, but it was nothing compared to living with someone who could discover all your secrets. Through the years, Ben had learned to fake his emotions when he needed to around Tom. But faking took more self-control than Ben had right now so he continued to stare down at his hands when he said, “I think Grace really likes this Gregory guy.”
    â€œWhy do you say that?”
    â€œI don’t know. The way she kissed him. The way she didn’t slap his face off when he groped her. She just pushed him away.”
    â€œHe groped her? Where were they?”
    â€œAt her front door. Gregory went in for a little more than a good night kiss. Luckily, Grace stopped him.”
    â€œHow could she stop him? I thought he was some Anti-Power with all this strength.”