Page 126 of Gates of Rapture
Life was good.
***
Leto wanted to lift a thumb to touch Grace’s cheek, but he didn’t think he could.He didn’t know exactly how many bones of his were broken, but the pain was staggering.He couldn’t move, couldn’t even lift a finger.Her eyes were open, but there was little life present, if any.
How had it come down to this?What had he done wrong?How had he failed to keep Grace safe?
He had known she was at risk.The fact that she had outmaneuvered Greaves had put her in danger.
However, during the past several days with her, it hadn’t occurred to him even once to share his experience with her, and now that he looked at the situation, he felt like a complete fool.What could Grace have become if he had said to her:Take what is mine, take all that is mine; all that I have experienced, I give to you freely and fully.Learn all that I have learned.
But maybe it wasn’t too late.He was a vampire of tremendous power and ability.More important, he could communicate all that to Grace, if there was even the smallest spark left inside her.
Grace,he sent.His voice sounded thin, even within his own head.
I’m here.I’m safe in my apparition-form.I’m not feeling any pain.But I need something from you, I’m just not sure what.
I think I know.I finally get it, how I held back from you.Grace, I have within me all that you need in terms of skill and experience, even power.Just glide within me and feast.
I think you’re right.In fact, I know you’re right, but you’re in so much pain.
Pain doesn’t matter.Pain means life.Come to me.Take me now.
He felt her slide against his mind, then drop in and down.She knew the way to his soul where all his abilities lived, where he held all the deepest memories of action and forward motion, of decision and analysis, of strategy.
He felt her move within him and it was like heaven all over again, yet even more complete.She found the key to his vast experience as a warrior and as a leader of men.She opened the door, and he felt all that learned wisdom and understanding flow over her and through her.She caught it and held on.
***
Grace flew up and out of Leto’s most essential self, and when she’d departed she looked around.She stared at Greaves, so at ease in the chair.He still couldn’t see her.
She recognized what he was feeling: a deep satisfaction that he had vanquished them both, that now he could continue with his plans.
She accessed all that Leto had just shared with her, the analytical processes of his mind, how swiftly he would create strategies but toss them aside if they didn’t seem right, then his lightning-like ability to formulate new ones.
She did the same now.
She assessed the situation: her broken body, Leto’s as well, Greaves’s enormous power, the shroud he had placed over the cabin.She and Leto could never fight him and win, so this could never be about acquiring enough power to battle Greaves.
She could also sense that Leto was near death, so her most critical task involved healing and escape.
And now it all seemed so simple.She leaned down and kissed Leto while still in her ghostly form.
I’ll be back in a moment.I need to reach Fiona.I think I’ll be able to bring her back because I can possess her.I will need to see Horace as well, to acquire his healing ability.Stay alive, Leto.
I’ll be herereturned to her strong and steady.How different from the man in despair she had left five months ago.
Fiona, who had the ability to enhance power, would be able to amplify Horace’s healing power once Grace had Horace’s advanced ability.
Because she was still functioning within her obsidian power, Grace focused on Horace and her apparition-self began flying through space.She found him just finishing up with one of the Militia Warriors at the New River Borderland.She called his name.He turned toward her, but he couldn’t see her.
She explained where she was and what she needed.He nodded, saying, “Of course.I have heard of what you’ve been able to accomplish.Please do what you need to do.”
Grace took as few words as possible to explain her process.Horace, the most powerful healer on Second Earth, nodded and closed his eyes.
She dove within his mind, then fell into his soul, which was, as she knew it had to be for such a kind man, very warm and very beautiful.She found his healing lock, inserted her blue flame, and acquired the ability.
She drew out and thanked him.
