You tried to take the best of me

Ryland stood and narrowed his eyes at the door. He knew he wouldn't be able to defeat whoever was on the other side in his weakened state and he wasn't sure how well he could defend himself.

Ryland skimmed the room, moving so his back was to the wall. The problem with the Meagan was that unless he wanted to expose himself by crawling out the window there weren't any really suitable escape routes.

Ryland relaxed his muscles. You're almost there. Soon you'll be completely perfect.

We can finish the treatments. Ryland looked at the marks. I suppose you want to know where you came from.

"William saw something he shouldn't have so I decided to test a memory drug on him. I wasn't sure if it worked because he wouldn't admit he saw it in the first place." Ryland paused. "Your conception wasn't planned but since you were on the way I continued the tests to see if William would remember you were his. I didn't hide any of the signs."

I showed you to him after he gave birth. He must have assumed the scars were normal. Ryland shrugged. Never ask questions, that's how he is.

No. He didn't try to find out where you came from that I know of. Ryland watched cautiously.

The pain? Ryland raised his eyebrows.

Ryland tried to remember the next part. You can force your way past mental barriers but you have to dig deeper and anchor yourself in the other person's mind. You form a temporary or permanent connection. Ryland didn't want Matt practicing this part on him.

Permanent bonds get messy. I tend to avoid them. Ryland frowned. But the one I forged with Russel may be. That was a mistake.

Permanent unfortunately. It's how I learned not to do it again. Luckily he's too dumb to question it. Ryland covered his eyes with his hand as if he had a headache forming.

After the initial push keep pushing lightly and hold yourself in the victim's mind. Let yourself read what they're thinking and how they feel so you can know them well enough to copy their brainwaves and speak back in your voice. It may take practice. Ryland glanced at Matt slightly nervously.