One by one, each person affirmed they were ready to sacrifice everything to fight Rent-A-Kid. Lucy paid close attention, but couldn't catch anyone in a lie.
It still didn't change her mind. She looked to Luke for support, but he didn't make eye contact. At that moment she wished she could read minds like Sam, or talk to Luke mentally. She needed to get him alone before he agreed to this mess.
"I need to think about all this, okay? And talk to my brother." Lucy shot Luke a warning look. Do not speak, Bro. We need to talk first.
He got the message and nodded once sharply.
Gary smiled. "We're having another meeting on Thursday. You could come then. Maybe you'll be ready?"
That gave her two days to convince Luke this was a mistake. She hoped it'd be enough.
"Yeah, okay, we'll be back then."
The collective group seemed to relax. Gary fidgeted, and his coin dropped to the ground. He held his hand over it, but nothing happened. Lucy looked around the room. Richard, a fire-starter, had been playing with a small fireball all through the discussion—something he'd gotten in trouble for more times than she could count. He too stared at his hand in confusion. No fire. Others shifted nervously and whispered to each other.
Lucy turned to Luke. "Lie to me."
"What? Why?"
"Just do it."
"Okay fine. Um... I love broccoli."
Nothing.
Lucy couldn't tell he was lying. Normally a pressure would build inside of her and buzz in her head when someone lied. This time, nothing. And she knew Luke hated broccoli. The emptiness inside her shook Lucy to the core. Without her power she was... ordinary, useless. Bad enough to have a passive power like lie detecting, but to lose even that terrified her.
"Luke, something's wrong. I can't use my powers. Can you?"
He looked around, finally seeming to notice that others were having problems. He walked to a wall and tried to put his hand through, but it hit the surface like any other normal hand. He raised his voice to be heard above the rumbling. "Can anyone use their para-powers?"
A chorus of "No's" started around the room.
Luke tried again. "Raise your hand if you can use your para-power."
Everyone looked around. No one raised their hands.
"Has this ever happened to anyone before?" Lucy asked.
More "No's."
Before a full-fledged panic could start, the loudspeakers crackled to life. "LUKE AND LUCY, PLEASE REPORT TO THE HEADMASTER'S OFFICE IMMEDIATELY."
Lucy's heart skipped a beat. Luke's brow furrowed in concern and he balled his fists at his side. Were they in trouble? Did the headmaster know about the meetings? Or about the failed powers?
"Come on." Luke pulled her up, then addressed the rest of the group. "Everything will be fine. You should all go back to your rooms and pretend nothing's happened. We'll see you at the meeting on Thursday, if not sooner."
The twins walked out of the classroom and made their way to Headmaster Higgins's office. Lucy knew they were thinking the same thoughts, feeling the same fears. Talking would be pointless.
***
They sat in the plush waiting room for what seemed like hours. Lucy spun her finger in her hair, over and over. Luke stared at the wall, probably wishing he could just walk through it and into Headmaster Higgins's office without permission.
Ms. Bradley clicked away at the computer, ignoring them—as usual.
"How much longer do you think?" Lucy asked.
"He should be out shortly," she said without looking up.
Truth or Lie? Who could tell anymore? Lucy stood and paced the room while humming off-tune. Maybe she could annoy Ms. Bradley into hurrying this process along.
She earned an evil look from the secretary, but nothing more.
Finally, Headmaster Higgins buzzed for them to go in. Ms. Bradley stood to escort them.
"I think we can find our own way. But thanks for being so helpful." Lucy didn't even try to keep the sarcasm from her voice.
Luke and Lucy sat in expensive leather seats in front of the headmaster's giant mahogany desk. It defined him as much as his tailored pinstripe suits, and shiny shoes as dark as his skin. Lucy cleared her throat impatiently.
Higgins looked up, as though he'd just noticed they were there.
Luke's mouth gaped open in shock.
Lucy inhaled the bitter words on her lips.
Higgins had aged ten years since they saw him just the other day. His hollow cheeks and sagging red eyes made him look sickly.
"Are you okay?" Lucy asked. She knew better than anyone that people never answered that question honestly. Would her powers work now?
"No. Not really. As you've undoubtedly noticed, things are changing around here, and it's been very stressful."
Damn, I didn't expect him to tell the truth. I need a way to see if my powers are working.
"But that's not why I've called you in here," Higgins said. "I have an assignment for the two of you."
Lucy's jaw dropped. "I thought assignments were on hold for a while."