Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 125037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
“A psychic healer is rare, you know that. To have the ability to do psychic surgery is almost unheard-of. There are a handful of us, Diego. Do you really think such a gift—a gift of saving lives, of healing others—came from the devil? The surgeon risks his life each time he performs surgery. It isn’t as if it’s easy or can be done thoughtlessly or without repercussions to the surgeon. You’ve experienced the crash. The pain. You’re operating on them and keeping them from feeling what you’re doing, but you can feel everything. That exchange is a choice we make to save the life of the person in need. There’s nothing demonic about that. Can you at least admit that?”
Diego still didn’t understand where Rubin was going with his statements. “I don’t believe psychic surgery is an instrument of the underworld. You have to admit everyone who has psychic talents has them in varying degrees. I can do a lot more with animals than you can, but you have that same ability.”
“I would have that same high level, Diego, had I taken the time to develop it,” Rubin objected. “When we were kids, we had to divide everything so carefully. We were children, Diego. We assumed the roles of adults, but we weren’t adults. We had extraordinary gifts, yes, and we’re both extremely intelligent, but we were still children trying to keep our family members alive.”
“I’m well aware.”
“We have the same gifts, Diego. We always have. You didn’t have any real interest in lightning or diverting it, so you ignored that talent completely. I was intrigued, so I studied it carefully. Everything we did, everything we learned, we did to survive, and we got damn good at the things that kept us alive. You’re hell on wheels in the forest. I doubt that Gino or Draden could keep up with you if you wanted to show off your skills. Gino is an elite tracker, but you have that same ability. You don’t show it, but you developed it. I didn’t. I’m good. I get by, but I had you to lead the way. Same with shooting. I’m good, but you never miss.”
“Where are you going with this, Rubin?”
“You may not have worked on humans, Diego, but you’re a damn good surgeon when you’re wielding a knife in an operating room. You know human anatomy and your way around it. You practiced for years on animals with psychic surgery. I’m telling you that you’re every bit as skilled as I am.”
Diego was already shaking his head. “You had to go in after me and shore up the repairs. They weren’t holding.”
“They held when they shouldn’t have,” Rubin corrected. “You’re that good. She shouldn’t have been racing around the forest, leaping in and out of trees, not a week and a half after having her spleen removed. If I had done the surgery, the same thing would have happened.”
Diego kept shaking his head. He couldn’t comprehend what Rubin was saying.
“Keep in mind whenever I’ve done these surgeries, I have you or others with me to give me aid. Water, rest, blood. I have assistants. Even out in the field, I’ve got others, usually you, to ensure I’m okay. You had no one with you. You had to give blood to the patient several times. On top of that, you were exerting tremendous physical strength in carrying her up the mountain and hunting the enemy.”
“Rubin…” Diego trailed off. What could he dispute? Everything Rubin said was the truth. He never allowed Rubin to be alone when he was performing surgery because it was too risky.
“I’m telling you the surgery was superb. Every bit as good as what I can do, and you did it under very trying circumstances. I’m afraid you’re going to have to let go of the notion that somehow my work comes from heaven and yours from hell.”
13
Rubin insisted that both Diego and Leila rest the entire next day. For the most part, he left them alone while he put away the rest of the supplies he’d brought to the cabin. He cooked meals for them, but most of his time was spent talking to his Jonquille. He stayed outside so he wouldn’t bother the two of them, decreeing they should sleep as much as possible. Diego had no dispute with that. His body wanted to shut down, craving sleep.
Leila stayed close to him, cuddling against him. She hadn’t seemed like a woman who would want to be cuddled or touched, but she leaned into Diego, and when he’d reach for her hand, which was nearly all the time, she readily threaded her fingers through his. She didn’t object when he fell asleep with one arm curved around her waist.
Diego had no idea what to think of the revelations his brother had given him. He respected Rubin and his opinions but didn’t think he could possibly be right. Rather than dwell on it, he chose to sleep. He would need to be at full strength to bring Grace home.