Page 101 of Diagnosis Attraction

“Why did you do it?”

“Because we had to be sure you weren’t enemies. The first time we met other people who the clinic had altered, they tried to kill us.”

“Why?” Elizabeth gasped out.

“They were selfish. They wanted to be the only ones with special powers.”

“Nice,” Matt murmured.

They turned onto an access road, then drew up in front of what looked like a large plantation house. “This is where I grewup,” the woman named Gabriella said. “I’ve opened a restaurant here, but it’s closed today. We can all go inside and relax.”

Matt was still overwhelmed to meet this group of people.

We’re on your side.Rachel Harper said.

Matt swung toward her.

Got to watch what I think.

We all do. That’s one of the little inconvenient things about us. But I know you’ve been practicing blocking your thoughts. You’ll get better at it.

Inside, Gabriella led the way upstairs to a sitting room on the second floor.

Matt and Elizabeth took a love seat, still coming to terms with their narrow escape.

“Who was after us?” he asked.

“We can’t be sure who he was. Dr. Solomon is dead. And so is Bill Wellington who funded the project through a Washington think tank called the Howell Institute. That should have laid the past to rest. But it appears that someone else knew about children from the clinic. Either they knew what was happening back then—or perhaps discovered it.”

“Why were they chasing us? What do they want?” Elizabeth asked.

“They’re after us because of what we are,” Jake answered. “We’ve got powers they don’t understand. Which makes us a threat or maybe an asset that someone can exploit. Like a secret weapon.”

Elizabeth shuddered.

“You have to admit that being able to send mental bolts of power at your enemies is a skill to covet,” Craig said.

Matt nodded. “What stops them from coming after us again?”

Jake shrugged. “We can’t be sure. But I think they may realize that we’re stronger together.” He cleared his throat. “And, um, we’ve put up a force field around this place.”

“A force field?”

“Well, a field that makes any outsider think that the people here are perfectly normal.”

“Okay,” Matt said carefully.

Jake cleared his throat. “If someone’s still interested in the children from the clinic, I think we’ve convinced them we’re not the ones to go after.”

“All of this is a lot to deal with,” Rachel said. “And I’m sure the two of you want some time alone to think about what you’re going to do.”

“What are our choices?” Matt asked.

“You can stay here with us and practice your group defensive skills. Or you can go off on your own. It’s up to you.”

Elizabeth looked at Rachel. “You have a shop in the French Quarter. Where you do tarot-card readings.”

“Yes.”

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