8

I stare at him for a moment. And then, I burst out laughing.

He frowns at me.

"You really had me going for a moment there," I say, trying to stifle the giggles. "but I'd like to know the real answer, please."

His eyes bore into mine. "That is the real answer."

I become solemn, because it's obvious dad is being serious. "But... Im not fast. Im not strong. And I don't have powers. i'll admit, I've always been rather clever, but none of the rest is true."

He chuckles. "That was Eliza and Garret's role in this. They had to make you believe you didn't have any of that, until we were ready for training to begin. You know the vitamins they gave you every morning? They were really suppressants. And the trips to the hospital, where you would have tests run and things injected? They were really making sure that your powers were still viable and developing. They were also preventing them from showing up."

"That's not true. We three had a blood sickness. we were- i mean, are- sick! weren't we?"

"No, Lib. It was all a ruse."

I nod as i process all this.

"why don't you get some sleep, Lib?'

"There is no possible way I can sleep after this. But I want to. So bad."

He smiles. "Drink this." he hands me a cup of something that looks and smells like hot chocolate. "it'll cause you to fall into a dreamless sleep. I gave some to your siblings with the muffins, but I wanted to talk to you."

I take the cup and drain it. And then....

Nothing.