“You didn't like him before that. Your relationship with him has always been troubled.”

“Not all children get along with their parents.”

“But you're very affectionate. You believe in maintaining family ties. You forgave your brother. Why not your father?”

“I'd rather not talk about it.”

“Okay, then just think about it.”

She looked at him in exasperation. “That's the same thing as—” His expression was alight with mischief, and she found herself smiling grudgingly. “Stay out of my business, Silver. I don't want my relationship with him glued back together.”

“Why not? Don't you think you should ask yourself that question?”

“No.” She rolled over and sat up. “I think I should ask you why you seem happy to lie around and ask me stupid questions instead of teaching me. When are we going to make some progress?”

“This is only the third time we've been here. And I am happy.” He stretched and reached for another blade of grass. “And so are you. You like it here.”

What was not to like? Delphiniums and green grass, a glittering lake and this man who had become a part of her. “You probably brainwashed me.”

He shook his head. “You've just gotten used to me. Having me here isn't so bad, is it?”

She had gotten used to him. It was strange how comfortable she was with him now. She actually was beginning to look forward to opening her eyes and seeing him sitting by the lake and smiling at her. “Yes.”

“Liar.” He chuckled. “You like me.”

Jesus, she loved his laugh. His voice was deep, but there was a note of boyish enjoyment. “Sometimes.”

“Most of the time.”

“When you don't interfere in my business.” She frowned sternly. “Stop it and get to work.”

“I'm already working.”

She stared at him warily. “Have you been messing with me?”

“Just building a few barriers. I wanted to protect you.”

Don't soften. “Then why didn't you tell me what you were doing?”

“I didn't have to have your help. The defenses will be automatic. When you need them, they'll be there.”

“Just like that?”

He nodded. “Just like that.”

“Show me.”

“Trust me.”

“Show me. I want to see what—”

She screamed as pain tore through her.

Daddy!

Fire. Smoke.

Mama. Help Mama.

Couldn't help her. Couldn't help her. Couldn't help her.

The man was looking down at her and there was something in his hand.

No! Go away! Go away!

Gone.

“Sorry.” She opened her eyes to see Silver's face above her. “Are you okay?”

“No.” She couldn't stop the tears from running down her cheeks. “What the hell did you do to me?”

“I showed you,” he said simply. “I attacked and you fought back.”

“Shit.”

“You wouldn't have thanked me for being gentle. I had to hit you where it hurt.”

“You did that.” Her lips were trembling and she tried to keep her voice even. “It hurt like hell.”

“I know.” He reached out and gently touched her cheek. “But you can stop it sooner next time, now that you know you're capable of doing it.”

She drew a deep breath. “All right. You found a way to protect me, now find a way to show me how to push.”

His hand fell away from her. “You're pretty pushy as you are. You just learned something pretty darn big. Absorb it before you leap forward.”

“I don't want to absorb it. I want to build on what I've learned. Teach me.”

“I told you I wasn't certain I could help you out there.”

“Screw being certain. I've got to try to learn. Tell me how it works with you. How do you make people do what you want?”

“First, you have to make sure the subject isn't closed to you.”

“Trask isn't closed to me. He erupts like a volcano every time I'm near him.”

“Then you have to go in and block out all the distractions and try to find the path.”

“What path?”

“You'll see. When you go into the psyche, it's like a twisting tunnel with offshoots everywhere. Most of them are short and some are blocked. But there are some that go all the way to the center of influence. When you find one, settle in and start pushing. Don't try commands. Suggest.”

“Suggest what?”

“If you want him to go jump in the lake, suggest he's hot and wants to go for a swim.”

“And he'll do it?”

“It works for me.” He held up his hand as she opened her lips. “Yeah, I know. It has to work for you.”

“And I can't practice on anyone, dammit. I can't go into anyone but Trask.”

“You can go into me.”

“And there's no way you'd let anyone control you.”

“It's all I can offer. It's a pretty big concession for me.”

She sighed. “Okay, I'll try.”

“At least you'll get the basics. But don't get impatient if you don't have a breakthrough right away. Concentrate and pretend there's a wall before you and you have to chip away at it to get to the other side. . . .”

I told you that it wasn't going to be easy,” Silver said. “We might as well stop for now.”

The lake and field disappeared in darkness.

She opened her eyes to see Silver sitting beside her bed. “Why didn't it work?” Her hands clenched into fists. “I tried so hard.”

“Maybe too hard.” He stood up. “We'll try again tomorrow.”

“You want me to keep chipping away at that imaginary wall?” She grimaced. “I feel like blowing it up. Was there any progress at all?”

“A little.” He smiled. “I could feel you plugging away at it.” He headed for the door. “As I said, we'll try again after you get some sleep. You need the rest.”

“What time is it?”

“Three forty-five in the morning.” He glanced back over his shoulder. “You'll find you're pretty exhausted. Sleep late.”

She shook her head. “I'm wide awake.”

“You'll wind down soon. It will be like pulling a plug out of a dam.”

She made a face. “You're just full of similes tonight. Walls and now dams.”

“I'll try to be more original in the future. Good night.”

“No, I want to try again. I can do it. I know I can do it.” She added hurriedly as she saw he was going to refuse, “Just one more time. Please.”

“You're relentless.” His lips lifted in a half smile. “Okay, once more.”

She was in!

“Congratulations. Now find the path.”

“Don't nag me. I'm still getting used to—”

What?

Shadows.

“You're not like Trask. I can't feel what you're feeling. You're . . . hidden.”

“I know. That's exactly the way I like it. Do what you can, learn what you can. Now, find the path.”

“I can't see anything.”

“Feel it. Concentrate. You wanted this. Now, see it through.”

“Stop barking at me. I can't help it if I'm intruding where I'm not wanted. Well, maybe I can, but you deserve it. Now you see how it feels.”

He was silent. “You're right. I deserve it. But that won't keep me from bitching.”

“Obviously.”

“So get your ass in gear and find that path.”

I didn't do it, did I?” She got out of bed and walked over to the window. “I found your damn path and I settled into your damn influence center and zilch.”

“I warned you it might not work with me.”

“It might if you'd lowered your blasted protective barriers just a little. Would that have been too much to ask?”

“Yes. I gave you all I could.” He was silent a moment, his gaze on her tense back. “You've learned a lot, and you'll learn more with practice.”