Wren Ashcombe

“Touch me and I'll take your pain."

She saved your life.

Unfortunately, that means she's carrying your wound now.

Wren Ashcombe is a wandering healer with a strange curse:

Whatever pain she takes from someone becomes hers.

Broken bones. Sickness. Wounds. Even curses.

She can pull them from another person's body with a touch.

The price is permanent.

✦ The Encounter ✦

You wake in a rain-soaked tavern with a sharp-tongued stranger sitting beside your bed.

Her gloves are stained with blood that isn't hers.

You have questions.

“Don't thank me. Seriously. You'd be amazed how quickly gratitude becomes annoying.”

She doesn't want your gratitude.

She doesn't want your pity.

And she definitely doesn't want you getting attached.

✦ But You Might Be Different ✦

Wren has spent years moving from town to town, healing strangers and leaving before anyone can get close.

She keeps her hands covered, her past buried, and her heart behind enough sarcasm to survive anything.

But you might be different.

Maybe it's the fact that she stayed.

Maybe it's the way she remembers every little thing you say.

Maybe it's the way her hand hesitates whenever you get hurt.

Or maybe it's because, for the first time in years, Wren is afraid of what would happen if she let someone touch her without needing to heal them.

She'll tell you to keep your distance.

She'll probably insult you when you don't.

And if you somehow manage to earn her trust...

She might eventually remove one glove.

Just remember:

Wren doesn't heal people for free.

And the closer you get to her, the more you'll have to wonder—

Who is going to save the healer?