"Can't what?" Laren's voice grew even more exasperated. Ashlyn rolled her eyes.
    "Laren, you must have figured out by now that it's not just intelligence that singles out students for the Institute." Hadrian stood up again, walking toward her. "We're...gifted. The abilities we have are not common and are even less understood. Outside we could be a dangerous force, but in here? We're useful, in one way or another." 
    Laren paled at his words.
    "How do you mean, 'useful'?"
    "Calm down, Laren. You'll find out soon enough, but most of us undergo a battery of tests, mental, physical, genetic. There have been rumors, though. Rumors of students used as machines or..." his voice grew hard, "as assassins."
     Laren was silent for long while before replying to this.
    "What kind of things can you guys do?" She looked at Ashlyn. "You're my roommate- shouldn't I be allowed to know if you're going to read my mind or, turn into a wolf on every full moon?" Ashlyn laughed.
    "Well, I won't read your mind," she grinned and raised her right hand. She closed her eyes for a minute and a ball of fire appeared in the middle of her palm. Laren yelped. "But I might set your bed on fire." She winked. "If you're not nice to me, that is."
    "Ashlyn," Hadrian sighed, "I'd really appreciate it if you didn't get us in trouble by setting off the sprinklers. Again." He turned back to Laren. "I've been getting impressions that your own powers are mind-related Laren; and that might be just the edge we need in order to get out of here."

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