I try not to scoff at Jordan's words. That still doesn't excuse taking someone's Gift away!

What he's saying about the programs is wrong. I'm sure the council could do something to improve the system, the problem was nobody seemed to want to do anything. Our Gifts are a part of us, it's what makes us unique, it's what makes us us. I still didn't agree with what Jordan was saying, but we left the lab on a happier note when he told us about all the good things they had been creating, like new and improved chemo machines for hospitals. Cures for cancer had come a long way in the last decade, but there was always room for improvement, and new treatments were proving more effective every year. I know that cancer used to be a terrible disease that killed millions, but today it's about as threatening as the common cold. Of course, there can be those with more severe cases that need intensive care, but the deaths caused by cancer are so few and far between that it's no longer considered a terminal illness. Now, diseases like Hologra, caused by the constant exposure to radiation that many of our new technologies give off, are giving scientists and doctors a run for their money. Jordan told us that they've been making progress in finding a cure, but they are nowhere near their goal.

"So all of these new technologies, all of the discoveries you're making, I'm guessing you have to report them to the council?"

Jordan stops talking, and if it weren't for the slight stiffening of his shoulders, I would have thought nothing of his small pause, but he seems uncomfortable at my question.

"Not exactly," he says slowly, choosing his words carefully.

"But why not? Shouldn't the president know about everything you are doing here? The missions, the projects?"

Jordan doesn't say anything, instead, he seems rather interested in cleaning his glasses. He clears his throat and looks at me, but he doesn't even hold my stare for half a second before he's back to cleaning his already spotless lenses.

"Some things are better kept a secret from President Khan," he finally mumbles, placing his glasses on the bridge of his nose.

The way he said it made it sound like he feared the President. But that's ridiculous. The President is a good man. I think about all the good things he has done for our world and... come up with nothing. Other than creating new laws here and there or merging countries into a greater nation, President Khan hasn't done much else. I mean, I guess news from him was rare, his whole life was practically a secret, but that still didn't explain his lack of participation when it came to running the world he and his ancestors so desperately tried to create. Take his Gift, for example, no one, not even the members of the council, know what it is. Which could mean it's nothing worth knowing about, or it's extremely powerful. Even Diana's Gift is kept hidden, the only thing the public knows about her is that she's a Norm. Which is why she is so popular.

"Bri?"

I shake away my thoughts and focus on the present. Cassie is waving a hand in front of my face, trying to get my attention.

"You spaced out on me for a second there," she smiles, patting me on the shoulder. "Don't worry, this whole thing is overwhelming for me as well. But try and enjoy it! And look, Daniel is here." She gestures to the space behind her, and as I look over her shoulder, I spot a tall man, probably in his late thirties, making his way towards our group.

He isn't as muscular as some of the bodybuilders I've seen on TV, but his well-defined chest and biceps tell me he's still just as dangerous as any one of them, maybe more so. Tattoos decorate his arms, and his hair is cut short, military style. He reminds me of the kind of guy you try to avoid on the streets. He looks like he should belong to a gang.

I see more heads turning in his direction as trainees notice their mentor's presence, and we all form a circle around him when he eventually stops near the center of the room.

His eyes move from one end to the other, scanning each and every one of us, probably using some freaky ability to tell which are our strengths and weaknesses just by looking at us.

"So," he says, voice bouncing off the walls of the large room. "This is the new batch of Elites." He nods, a small smile peeking at the corner of his lips. "I see potential here."

I feel people push against me, trying to get a better look, and I have to put all of my weight into keeping myself from getting shoved aside. Someone's elbow digs into my ribs, and it takes every ounce of self-control I possess not to tell the owner of said elbow to let a girl have some personal space. I feel someone looking my way, and I'm surprised to find Daniel staring straight at me. He cocks his head to the side, a puzzled look transforming his serious expression into one of surprise. He knew my father. Could he recognize me from a simple glance? I swallow past the lump in my throat and look away, breaking eye contact. It's only a few seconds, but to me it feels like an eternity until he starts talking again.

"Today I will have private sessions with each of you so I can personally evaluate your skill sets. Tomorrow we will start training as a unit, and be warned, I do not tolerate people who are late. If anyone ever needs to find me, this is usually where I'll be. If not, ask for me at the monitor's lounge, one of my colleagues will be able to inform you of my whereabouts, unless I specifically asked them otherwise."

He produces a TekPad from his pocket, it looks like everyone around here carries one on them at all times, and calls out the first name.

"Quinn Miller."

I watch as Quinn makes her way towards the front of the circle, seeming a bit more confident since the last time I saw her, but I can tell she's still nervous by the way she worries at the hem of her long-sleeved shirt. I hope Jack and his team are treating her alright, judging by some of our brief encounters, she seems like a sweet girl. She stops in front of Daniel, head held high.

"That's me, sir."

Daniel nods, giving her a once over before looking back at his screen.

"It says here your Gift is energy control." He says it almost questioningly, as if he were waiting for her to confirm it.

"Yes, sir, that's right."

He nods again, this time offering her a hint of a smile. "Could you demonstrate it for me?"

He gestures towards the dummies propped up against the farthest wall and takes a step to the side, getting out of Quinn's way. Quinn nods, taking a deep breath before she focuses on her targets. She raises her hands, and in a second, they are enveloped in bright blue light, crackling in her palms. She aims and releases the energy ball, missing her mark just barely, hitting the dummy in the shoulder instead of on the red circle painted on its chest.

She frowns, disappointment shining in her eyes, but Daniel just smiles, even claps.

"For someone as young as you, I was surprised to see so much control. Your aim was a bit off, but that's nothing that won't improve with time and practice. Nice work, Quinn Miller."

Quinn's whole face lights up at his compliment. She makes to turn back into the group, but Daniel stops her with one more question.

"Hold on, Miller, tell me, are you able to create protective domes?"

I have no idea what that's supposed to mean, and I turn to Cassie to ask her what that is, but she seems just as confused as I am. But it doesn't matter that neither of us knows what he's talking about because Quinn nods her head, facing back towards the wall and creating a little dome of light around one of the dummies. It's practically transparent, and it flickers in and out of sight, but it's there nonetheless.

Daniel nods, impressed.

"Can you make it any bigger than that?" He asks, watching as the dome of light- of energy- flickers and disperses, not lasting longer than a few seconds.

Quinn lowers her arms, turning back towards the group.

"No. I've never been able to cover anything larger than a person, and even then, I can only hold it for a few seconds. I'm better when I'm closer to the object, far away means I can't make the bonds as strong as I'd like them to be, so it's easy for the energy to break apart."

Daniel nods and Quinn goes back to her spot in the semicircle we've created around our mentor. So not only can she blast energy out of her hands, she can use it to make protective shields. That means her Gift is both offensive, and defensive. I wonder how Daniel will choose to train her, will they focus more on attacking or on defending? Either way, it's pretty neat to have such a dual Gift.

"We'll have to work on that then," says Daniel, approaching her, "but that was very good regardless. Much better than what I was expecting. Energy Gifts are tricky things, seeing as you don't create it or destroy it, you just manipulate it. That's why you find it so hard to use large quantities of it, energy doesn't like to be controlled. I'm positive that with a little hard work you will get there in no time, and I will help you to become the best Elite you can be."

Quinn glows at his words, nodding her head enthusiastically.

Daniel nods, done with one student and on to the next, calling out another name from his list. The way he treated Quinn makes all of us instantly relax.

Our mentor, though rough on the outside, turned out to be a very nice guy.

I have a feeling I'm going to like him.