Training Rain Read Online Free PDF Page B

extreme and all-encompassing, I wanted to
die. I wished for death to take us both and break us from our torture. Our
bodies burned as if they’d been hurled into the sun. Your mind exploded with
horrors I cannot begin to describe and I experienced every moment as if they
were my own.
    “I disappeared within you and no longer existed. It took all
of my strength to break free of your suffering and command your body to heal.
You had not lost your soul but the damage was bad enough that I had my doubts
if I could return your gifts to you.”
    He was sure his mouth was hanging open. “Are you telling me
that I would have lost my psychic abilities if you hadn’t been there?”
    “Yes. It is likely.”
    “I’d rather have died,” he said to himself.
    Her head cocked to one side. “I suspected as much. I did the
best I could, but I’m sure you have scars.”
    He thought about the minimal changes to his abilities. Not
defects only changes. He had learned to adjust quickly. “And you—were you
injured?”
    “There is always a price.” Her smile was sad.
    He had no idea what was causing the pain in his chest but he
didn’t like it. “I’m sorry.”
    “For what?”
    “You should not have had to live through that experience. I
would not wish that on my worst enemy and you…”
    “What about me?”
    “Never mind.”
    He had hundreds of questions, but only asked one. “Why do
you do it?”
    “Heal?”
    “Yes. Why would you do something that is so terrible for
you, something that hurts you?”
    “It is why I’m here. What else am I supposed to do if not
use the gifts given to me?”
    “You don’t even know me or at least you didn’t that day. Why
help me? Why save me at such a high cost to yourself?”
    “Have you ever seen someone die?”
    “I’m in law enforcement at a pretty high and strange level.
Yes, I’ve seen people die.”
    “Strangers?”
    “Some.”
    “Would you have saved them if you’d known you could?”
    She had maneuvered him. Not an easy thing to do. “Yes.”
    “Even if it had cost you? What if you would have died to
save them?” Her voice grew intense.
    He couldn’t look away from those fathomless eyes. “Yes, I
would have saved them.”
    “It’s no different. I don’t cure all sickness. If the
patient will die regardless of my attention and saving them would kill me too,
then there is little point. In those cases I ease their pain.” Rain yawned.
    “Go to bed. I’ll wake you early to start your training.”
    She opened her mouth, closed it and opened it again. “I
haven’t agreed to the training.”
    His eyes fixated on her lips. He shook himself and focused his
gifts on her fears. She might fail, but he would see that she gave it her best
shot. “You will.”
    Continuing for a few seconds to bend her decision, he told
himself it was for her own good. As soon as he felt her give, he backed off.
    An adorable crease formed between her brows. She had a
strong mind. If she really wanted to go back and resume her old life, it would
not be possible to sway her. He thought she would argue, but then she shrugged
and went back into the bedroom. She left the door open and while he wished it
was an invitation, he knew she did it to gain some of the heat from the fire.
    Shit. Jess pulled the blanket over himself and
stretched out on the couch. It would be a long time before he fell asleep. He
felt it the moment Rain drifted off. Exhaustion had won out over her fears. He
was glad for that at least.
    He’d not been conscious in Vegas. The decision had been
taken from him, but if he had known what healing him would cost her, he would
have refused her services. Now there was a debt and it was one that could never
be paid.
    * * * * *
    Three days later he watched as she climbed a tall pine. She
was nimble. He’d initially been worried that she wasn’t strong enough for the
tasks he would set for her, but she soon proved that she took good care of
herself. Her muscles might have been