Training Rain

by A. S. Fenichel

  Rain moved closer and ran her hand over the slightly raised scar. “How long have you had this?”

  His expression twisted while he tried to remember. “I guess around six months. I remember it hurt and the nurses told me I fell and the cut got infected. They kept it bandaged for a while.”

  “Troy, I know you are going to think this is crazy, but I want to cut that scar open and see if there’s anything in there.” Rain’s heart pounded and she found herself searching the sky.

  “You really think I’ve got a bug inside me?”

  Jess shrugged. “Only one way to find out, kid.”

  Rain and Jess worked quickly to remove a small homing device from just beneath Troy’s skin. It only took one stitch to close up the wound and a bandage for the speck of blood. Rain placed her hand over the wound and called forth his natural ability to heal. The skin started to knit immediately.

  Jess put the transmitter on the tile floor and crushed it under the heel of his shoe.

  Rain couldn’t believe just how insane Bradly Breckenridge actually was. He would risk his own son to get his way. How far would he go? Would he kill his family? “I know this is really personal, Troy, but what exactly happened to your mother?”

  She didn’t believe he’d tell them. He barely knew them and yet he didn’t get mad or walk away. He leaned against the wall and studied his fingers for a long while. He was big, maybe six and a half feet tall. He resembled an NFL linebacker. His light-brown hair had been shorn in a military style and the beginning of a beard reminded her that he was not a boy in spite of his limited exposure to the outside world. He could kill with a thought, yet she had been inside his pain and found only sorrow. Even toward his father, she only sensed disappointment.

  It was a surprise when he finally spoke. “They were arguing about me. They did that a lot. My father wanted to send me away and she refused to let him. I could hear them from my bedroom and the voices were getting louder. I remember sneaking out of my bed and down the stairs to my father’s study. She was screaming that he had passed the abilities on to me and should be more understanding. That made him even angrier and books started to fly across the room. One of them hit my mother in the shoulder. He rushed at her and she screamed and threw up her hands to protect herself.”

  Troy stopped speaking. His face twisted with the pain of the memory.

  Jess put his hand on his shoulder. His Cajun accent was thick. “It’s all right. You don’t need to tell everything in one breath.”

  Rain knew Jess had used his mind bending. Yet she also knew he was only easing the pain for Troy. How had she known that? Were they that connected? She knew the answer before she asked. Yes. She could sense him in a way she never had with anyone else. It should have terrified her. If she was in his head, that meant he was in hers too.

  Jess turned and smiled and she knew he’d heard the thought, and it was strangely comforting.

  Troy’s shoulders relaxed. “I didn’t know what to do. I was only eight, but I couldn’t let my father hurt her. I stepped in the room, yelled something. I felt the bone in his arm snap. It was the most sickening sensation I’ve ever felt. He grabbed his broken arm and started yelling that he was right all along. I was a monster. My mother ran toward me and picked me up. We got in the car and drove away. The rest is kind of a blur, but we didn’t get far and the car overturned. There was a fire. Someone pulled me free. I think it was just a man who’d seen the accident. We were only a block from the house.”

  Rain’s heart broke for him. “Do you think your father caused the accident?”

  He stood up straight and shrugged. “Maybe. Maybe my mother was just so upset she took the turn too fast. I was eight years old. He had me put away after that.”

  “I think you’re right. I’m betting we’re going to have company and we’ve given him time to get organized.” Jess headed for the living room and they followed.

  Joshua and Tessa were both on separate phone calls. Jess waited and Joshua hung up his phone. “We’ve got trouble. I think we’ve been set up,” Josh said.

  Looking from Jess to Troy, Joshua sighed. “That was Blake telling me he thought we were going to have unwelcome company. I don’t know how you knew that.”

  Jess looked at Troy. “He had a subdermal tracking device. I destroyed it. Maybe they’ll think we killed him, but they know we’re here.”

  Rain was impressed that Jess didn’t give anything else away. It was another man’s story and if Troy wanted to tell it again or not it was his business.

  “I’m going to take Adianca out of here,” Jon said.

  Adianca crossed the room, touched Joshua’s cheek in a very motherly fashion and turned toward Rain. For a moment she thought her mentor would say something, but she only smiled. Rain had chosen her path. She would not go with Adianca and Jon to find safety with their people. She would stay with Jess and the Psi Alliance and fight for what she believed in. She had not uttered a single word, but Rain heard her all the same before she followed Jon out of the cabin. The people and the Great Spirit would keep her safe, Rain had no doubt. Her place was here with Jess.

  For the first time in her life, she belonged somewhere. No one thought her more or less than the rest. She was a part of something.

  The moment had come when Rain would make her choice. Jess was careful to guard his feelings. He wanted to broadcast that she should stay with them. His instinct was to grab her in his arms and hold on until she realized they were meant for each other and no amount of space or time would change that. He knew she’d felt the connection between them growing. She sensed him just as he did her.

  It was selfish to want her to stay. She would be safer with Jon and Adianca, but she would not be with him. If she walked away from the Psi Alliance now, he knew she would never come back. He couldn’t blame her. His life was a constant roller coaster of life-and-death situations. Why would she want to be part of it? He suppressed his desires and watched some kind of silent communication between the shaman and Rain. Time seemed to stop in that moment while he waited to see if she was truly his or if it had all been just a dream.

  Adianca turned without a word and walked out of the house. Rain didn’t move for a long time.

  Joshua’s voice broke the silence. “Troy, you could go with them. You’d be safer.”

  “No. If he’s coming he’ll have to face me without drugs to protect him.”

  Only half listening to the conversation, Jess’ attention focused on Rain. She pulled her long black hair back and tied it with a band. She turned and stepped closer to him, threading her fingers though his. “Try to stay alive. I have plans for us.”

  The words were spoken softly, for him alone. He squeezed her hand. “What kind of plans?”

  “The kind that normal people make when they decide to spend the rest of their lives together.”

  Heat simmered between them. Jess’ cock responded to her words as if she had grabbed him and ripped his clothes off. His heart responded by swelling to a point where he expected it to burst from his chest at any moment. “I’m going to hold you to that, cher.”

  “I’m counting on it.” Those full lips begged to be kissed. She had chosen him.

  Someone cleared their throat. Jess turned to find the other four people in the room staring at them. They all looked awkward and uncomfortable.

  Tessa took hold of Joshua’s hand and blushed. “You two are going to light the house on fire if you don’t stop broadcasting those…um…feelings. We don’t all have time to act on the vibe you’re sending out, so cut it out.”

  Rain’s cheeks turned bright red. God, she was beautiful. And she was his. A swell of pride filled him. He had to quell all his feelings. Tessa was right, they didn’t have time to act on any of them.

  Six people against whatever was on its way could be a disaster.

  The bulk of the weapons they had were from the arsenal Will kept in his jet. They spent the next hour gathering them and bringing them into the cabin.


  The sound of a helicopter was almost comforting in that there was only one. Unfortunately, it was Blake and a team of six trusted FBI agents. The government was unwilling to acknowledge that a United States senator had gone off the rails and was mounting a private war with the Psi Alliance. However, the president had authorized Special Agent Blake to keep an eye on certain members of the Alliance.

  Blake’s team spread out around the area. Rain stayed in the house with Troy since her skills were not offensive. She could block if necessary and she would stand by to heal the injured.

  Jess hated that she was not within his sight, but it was something he would have to get used to. Best to begin as they meant to go forward. It was a phrase his mother had used when he was growing up and he never really understood, until now.

  He had taken a position with Joshua and Blake behind the shed. The large generator inside would give Joshua an added resource for his lightning bolts if necessary.

  Blake had to yell above the noise from the generator and the approaching helicopters. “As soon as the kid’s transmitter went down, Breckenridge was on the move. He thinks his son is dead and is out for revenge.”

  “More likely he figures he can’t beat us with Troy alive. He’s terrified of his son.” Jess watched the horizon for the enemy.

  “Is he that powerful?”

  Jess didn’t respond and neither did Joshua. The FBI agent whistled low and long as he registered the meaning behind their silence.

  Joshua’s radio squawked and Kane’s voice came over the speaker. “I have sight of three Apaches coming in from the north.”

  “Copy that. Stay low. Maybe we can end this without a bloodbath.”

  There was a long pause. “Your call, bro. Give us the word. We’re ready.”

  “Do you really think that’s possible, Josh?” Jess asked.

  The helicopters drew closer and landed on the ridge. “We’ll see.”

  As the propellers stopped, the center helicopter blasted Breckenridge’s voice. “You killed my son, Lakeland. You have to pay.”

  Twenty soldiers in black BDUs lined up along the ridge.

  “Surrender now and I’ll let you and your people live out your lives in a very nice prison. If you try to fight, I’ll cut you all down.”

  “This guy loves him some drama,” Jess said.

  “Let’s give him some.” Grinning, Joshua stepped out from the cover of the shed.

  Tessa stood up and could be seen behind the mound of dirt of the sweat lodge. She walked toward Joshua and the pair met in the center of the yard.

  No one moved. The sound of the helicopters finally stopped. Breckenridge stepped from the center one and came forward.

  Joshua shouted so he would be heard at the one-hundred-yard distance. “I didn’t kill your son, senator. He’s alive and well and just inside that house.”

  Troy stepped outside the front door, proving Joshua’s words. At such a distance when the bullet ripped through the air the target was too far for the shooter. Troy cried out and hit the floor of the porch.

  Rain opened the door and grabbed for the boy. They both scrambled back inside the house before another shot rang out. This one was directed at Joshua.

  Time slowed down. Jess couldn’t react. He could only watch as Tessa grabbed Joshua and pulled him behind the shed with her. A moment later the yard was peppered with bullets.

  A shell hit the water trough in front of them and then another. Blake grunted. Jess turned and pulled him down. Blood seeped through his pant leg. Jess tore the material. “It’s just a flesh wound. Must have ricocheted off the trough.”

  Blake’s men returned fire from the roof of the house and the sweat lodge.

  Blake nodded, ripped the fabric of his pants and tied it around his own wound.

  “Well, now we know where we stand,” Joshua said.

  Tessa frowned. “Too much drama, Lakeland.”

  “Just send out the boy and we’ll go. You can walk away.” Breckenridge’s voice blasted through a loudspeaker. Even at that volume, they could hear the fear in his tone. He’d thought his son was dead. He never would have attacked if he’d known Troy was alive.

  “That’s up to him, senator. No one is keeping him here. He’s free to leave whenever he wants to.”

  “Troy, come home. I promise things will be different.”

  The log cabin window opened, though they couldn’t see Troy. “You just tried to kill me. I’m not really feeling the love, Dad.”

  “That was an accident, son. One of my men made a mistake. Come out. Come home.”

  “What, you’re going to let me live in the house? Won’t you be terrified that I’ll kill you in your sleep?”

  “I’m sorry, son. I was wrong. I’m going to do better.”

  Joshua spoke low into the radio. “You can’t go out there. He’s lying to you.”

  Troy’s voice came back just as low. “I know he is, but it’s a chance for the rest of you to get away.”

  “No. We’ll find another way.”

  “Okay, tell me how and I’ll go along.”

  Jess looked at the ridge and back at the house. If Breckenridge was afraid, maybe that was what they needed to play on. “Josh, let me talk to him.”

  Joshua handed over the radio.

  “Troy, it’s Jess. How’s that wound?”

  “Rain’s already healed it.” There was a touch of awe in his voice.

  Jess knew just how he felt. “Can you disable one of those helicopters from that far away?”

  A long pause. “Yes.”

  The one word meant that this young man was capable of destroying the enemy at a significant distance. He was the ultimate weapon. Jess was really glad he was on their side and seemed to have a reasonable sense of right and wrong. He took a deep breath. “The one in the center. The one your father was in. Crumple the propeller, break the glass, but try not to hurt anyone.”

  Only static came across the radio for a long moment. The sound that followed, none of them would ever forget. Steel crunched, ground and popped as the propeller of the center Apache helicopter bent and broke. It was worse than fingernails on a blackboard. Jess cringed at the noises that split the desert.

  The attack force ran away from the crumbling machine. The pilot jumped down as the windshield shattered into a million pebbles of safety glass. Another blade bent in half and the tail rotor spun faster and faster before flying off and landing inches from Bradly Breckenridge.

  “Jesus, that kid did that?” Blake’s eyes were wide and his mouth hung open.

  Once all four propeller blades were crumpled worse than a discarded aluminum can and the soldiers on the ridge all scrambled toward the other two Apaches, the sound of grinding metal stopped and the sound of men yelling to get them out of there tumbled down from the higher ground.

  Joshua stood up and walked out where he could be seen. “Senator, I suggest you and your men get in those other two choppers and get the hell out of here before your son loses his temper. Even with your superior numbers, you are outmanned here. I can disable the other two with one bolt of lightning, and kill half of you, before you can get another shot off. I’ll leave you for Troy to deal with. I’m sure you’d like a few minutes alone with the child you’ve been abusing for fifteen years. It would give you a chance to talk things through.”

  Senator Bradly Breckenridge was the only man who remained exposed on the ridge. He jumped inside one of the two remaining helicopters and they took off.

  As soon as they were out of range, Joshua turned to Jess. “Nice work.”

  Jess only acknowledged the praise with a shrug as he headed for the cabin with Blake leaning on him for support.

  Rain stitched the wound on the agent’s leg and started the healing process. Jess looked on, making sure she didn’t try to do too much. Troy’s wound was little more than a jagged red line. Rain’s doing, he assumed.

  Blake and his men left as soon as their helicopter could return for them. Rain had made coffee and she crad
led a cup in her hands when she came and sat down next to Jess. He wrapped one arm around her shoulder. She still smelled so good he wished he had the energy to take her upstairs and take full advantage of her body and the connection they’d formed.

  She leaned her head against his chest and smiled. He knew she had heard his naughty thoughts. Healing all the minor wounds from the battle had taken its toll on Rain. She was even more exhausted than the rest of them. Troy looked about ready to drop. Jess liked the kid. He couldn’t help wishing he’d known sooner, done something sooner. Maybe he could make up for it now.

  “I have an idea and if Troy is interested, I think it might be a good way for him to get some time and rest.”

  Everyone watched Jess, but Troy was especially keen. A moment before he’d looked as if he would pass out and now his eyes were wide and alert.

  “I know a place where you would be safe. Your father wouldn’t find you. In fact if you wanted, no one would be able to find you.” Jess sensed the excitement coming from Rain. She knew his thoughts, and he was happy to realize she liked the idea.

  Joshua said, “It’s entirely up to Troy. In fact, I’m not going to ask where this place is. If he trusts you, that’s good enough for me.”

  At twenty-three, Troy Breckenridge had really only seen the worst of humanity. He looked from Joshua to Jess and then at Rain. She nodded her agreement. “I thought you would want me to help you with my father.”

  “When you’re ready, if you want to help, we’d be happy to have you. Until then, I know Jess will see that you are safe.”

  His eyes darted around the room. “What if I just want to walk out that door and take care of myself?”

  Rain swallowed a mouthful of coffee. “No one will stop you, Troy, but you must know your father will be looking for you. Jess and I know a place where he can’t find you even out in the open.”

  Jess would have sworn his brain shut down after the words, Jess and I. They were a team. Even at a distance, they would not be separated. She loved him and his entire body pulsed with his love for her. After a lifetime of being alone, knowing another person would always be beside him was intoxicating.