Read Online Lesser Gods by Adrian Howell - Free Book Online Page B

psionics, including myself, could sense the powers of other psionics as long as their powers were similar in nature. In my case, that meant other destroyers. And even inside a hiding bubble, I could clearly sense this man’s power now that I was standing close enough to him. He was a pyroid, which meant he could create and control fire. I couldn’t be sure if that was his only power, but it was his only destroyer power.
    “Well, hello there, young man,” the man said in a deep voice, looking down at me. “You must be the famous Adrian Howell. Or perhaps ‘infamous’ might be the better word. I’ve heard a good deal about you from Terry and others, Mr. Howell. Or is it Gifford now?”
    “Either,” I replied, grinning, “but I had been hoping to be neither famous nor infamous.”
    The man gave a booming laugh. “Well, either Adrian Howell or Gifford, I’m Jason Simms.”
    We shook hands, and then Mr. Simms turned to Alia, who shrank under his gaze.
    “And who might you be, little one?” he asked. “I’m sure we haven’t met because I’d remember a pretty little girl like you.”
    Alia relaxed a bit, but still didn’t speak, so I said, “This is my sister Alia. She wanted to meet you today.”
    “Then let’s meet!” said Mr. Simms, extending his hand. Alia studied it for a second before reaching out to shake it.
    Mr. Simms invited us into his home, which I noticed was quite untidy by the standards that I was used to living with Cindy. Shirts and jeans were draped over the backs of chairs. A thin layer of dust covered the shelves against the walls. Several magazines and a half-finished sandwich lay on a low table.
    “Actually, I have heard of you too,” Mr. Simms said to Alia as we crossed his disorderly living room. “And I’ve already heard from Terry of the change in dinner plans. I could’ve set the table for four, of course, but I’m guessing Terry didn’t want to cause an extra bother. No matter. It’s your brother, Adrian here, that I wanted to speak with today.”
    I asked, “Do you live here alone, Mr. Simms?”
    “It shows, does it?” he said, laughing. “I was married for a while, but it didn’t work out. These days, I’m too busy for family.”
    We entered his dining room, which bore the marks of a mild attempt at tidying. On the dining table, a large bowl of steaming stew sat next to a plate of roughly cut salad. There was also a basket of breadsticks and a pitcher of lemonade.
    “Help yourselves, mates,” said Mr. Simms as we sat at his table and took our plates and bowls. Mr. Simms had no silverware. There were cheap plastic forks and spoons instead, and I guessed that Mr. Simms didn’t like being drained even while eating. I also noticed that there were no napkins, but didn’t comment.
    “Thank you for having us over today, Mr. Simms,” I said as I helped Alia to a small plate of salad and then filled her bowl halfway with the brownish, chunky stew. It didn’t look very appetizing and I wasn’t sure how much my sister would eat. Deciding to show off a little, I telekinetically poured everyone’s lemonade. Mr. Simms smiled appreciatively.
    Serving myself next, I said, “Thank you also for allowing Terry and me to join your team. But I’m wondering what you wanted to talk to me about today.”
    “Eat first!” said Mr. Simms. “Then we’ll talk business. Besides, I haven’t let you on the team yet, young Knight. I wanted to get to know you first. Now eat up while it’s hot!”
    Alia hadn’t touched her spoon yet, so I decided to set a polite example and dipped my plastic spoon into my bowl. It was a spicy but surprisingly good meat stew. I wasn’t exactly sure what kind of meat, though.
    “It’s delicious,” I commented, and then commanded to Alia, “Eat.”
    My sister took a sip, and then a mouthful, and finally smiled across the table at Mr. Simms. “I like it,” she said carefully.
    “I was hoping you would,” said Mr. Simms. “I know it’s no match