“You know, telepathy isn’t my primary gift. None of the mind tricks are. I picked up a few new talents at the Facility.” Catching my reaction, he smiled. “Oh, yes. The Facility did come in handy. You see, those who are giftedlike usare able to obtain more gifts under the right cultivation. But my first gift? Well, why don’t I just show you?”

Morbidly fascinated, I watched him tug one glove off his hand. Still smiling, he picked up one of the dead rats. Within seconds, it started squirming and squeaking. My mouth dropped open as my heart thudded painfully fast. “Youyou can bring back the dead.”

“Just like your little sister.” He threw the rat into the wall, making a sickening crunch. It didn’t move. I felt sick. “You and I have a lot in common.”

“No,” I whispered.

Calmly, he pulled his glove back on. “But we do. You see, I’m like your sister”

“You are nothing like her!” I screamed.

“And you are just like my sister.” Slowly, the smile faded from his face. “All of this started over ten years ago. And it’s funny how small the world is.” He brushed a clump of damp hair off my forehead. I tried not to flinch, but I couldn’t stop the reaction. “I workwell, worked for the Facility. Not anymore.”

“Really?”

Theo’s hand snapped out and circled around my arm. “You can stop struggling. You’re not getting out of this.”

I bit down on my cheek. “Please let me go.”

Theo glanced down, frowning. “What a nasty cut on your leg. No wonder the rats are circling us.”

My stomach churned. I couldn’t afford to think about that. “Why are you doing this?” My voice rose to a hoarse whine. “Who made you do this? Cromwell? The Facility?”

He looked up, meeting my eyes for the first time. “Actually, your father.”

My heart skipped, missed a beat. “No.”

“Your father wasn’t a good man.”

I started pulling against the pipe, whipping my head from side to side. “No! You’re lying. No!”

“Now, stop. You’re only hurting yourself.” He grabbed my arms. “You wanted the truth. I gave you the truth. Your father was a money-hungry bastard who would’ve sold his soul if it fattened his pockets.”

I kicked out at him, missing by a mile, but my lack of coordination didn’t keep him from getting pissed off. He grasped my leg, digging his gloved fingers into the cut. I opened my mouth to scream, but all that came out was a tremendous sob.

He slammed my leg back to the cement floor. “Your father was going to sell Olivia to the highest bidder. How do you think the Facility even knew about her? It’s a more common practice then you think. Parents love their kidseven if they are giant freaksbut money always talks.”