Page 24 of Hart's Redemption

“I need help.”

“What seems to be the issue? I have several meetings today. However, I’m sure I can reschedule if needed.”

I winced. Hadn’t I already taken up enough of her time? “It’s about Josh.”

Her sigh could have made a wind tunnel proud. “You know I cannot share aspects of Detective Hart’s medical condition or treatment without his express permission. Unless there’s an update on that front or an extenuating circumstance, I should be aware of?”

“No, that hasn’t changed,” I admitted. “I understand your position, Dr. Lyons, but I don’t know what to do. It’s been daysand I haven’t seen him once since we got to the house. He won’t talk to me, he won’t look at me, he won’t even be near me.”

“I know this is difficult, Elijah. Give him time.” Her soft words failed to provide the reassurance I desperately needed.

“I don’t think I have any more time left in me to give.” I moved to glimpse the guest room door. Unsurprisingly, it remained firmly shut. I lowered my voice anyway. “He’s hurting, Priscilla. And he won’t let me do a damn thing about it. He’s completely shut me out. I can’t… I can’t go through that again.” Emotion clogged my throat, and I slumped against the island.

After a lengthy pause during which I thought she might have actually hung up, she said, “I can’t speak to you as Detective Hart’s doctor, but perhaps we could talk as friends. As I said, my schedule is full today. However, I could be available to meet for tea tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Priscilla. I’ll meet you at Albert’s Tea Shoppe tomorrow. Just let me know when.”

The bell over the door chimed, and I looked up as I had every other time. It rankled to admit how on edge–and desperate–I was, especially after having to reschedule the tea with Priscilla. I prayed to the goddess that she'd be able to provide some guidance.

“Good afternoon, Elijah,” Priscilla said as she made her way towards the table I’d commandeered an hour ago. Her smile slipped as she took in my haggard appearance. “Or not. Um, I hope it’s okay, I invited Kotori Haan to join us.”

I jolted in my seat, immediately scanning the tea shop. “Why would you do that?” I finally spied the eccentric mindwalker at the counter, likely placing his order. Today he wore his darkhair in a single braid pulled over his shoulder, the characteristic beads that reminded me of my mother woven through the intricate design.

“Because I think this is about a lot more than Josh.” She took a seat in the adjacent stuffed chair, then hooked the leg of another with her foot and pulled it closer to make a loose circle. “Thank you, Kotori.” She gave him an appreciative smile as she accepted the cup he handed her before taking the last chair.

I darted a concerned look at Katori, already bracing for the worst. “I’d like to say it’s a pleasure to see you again, but I’m more worried aboutwhyI’m seeing you again. Did I do something wrong when I was in Josh’s mind? Break something? Cause some irrevocable damage?” I asked, my heart beating faster and my breath coming shorter with each panicked question.

“Be at ease, wolf brother. Had any harm occurred to your mate by your presence in his mind, I would have known.” He blew gently on his cup before taking a sip of the steaming liquid. “That is not why Dr. Lyons–” Priscilla shot him a sour look. “Excuse me. Priscilla asked me to join you.”

“Then why? What’s this about?” I tried to ignore how badly my cup rattled against the saucer as I set it on the side table and clenched my hands in my lap to hide how badly they were shaking.

“It’s aboutyou, Elijah,” Priscilla said with a sigh.

I snorted, though it was closer to a growl. “I’m not here for me. Josh is the one suffering, not me.”

“Are you certain of that?” Kotori asked.

“I think I would know if I had moon sickness.”

“Please don’t be upset, Elijah. We’re both here to help. As yourfriends,” Priscilla emphasized.

I crossed my arms and leaned back in my seat. “It’s a little hard when mybonded matewon’t so much as glance in my direction,let alone be in the same room. What exactly is it you expect to help me with?”

Priscilla and Kotori shared a look, then with another sigh, Priscilla said, “My specialty may not be psychology, but even I can tell you haven’t dealt with your grief.”

“What grief? He didn’t die,” I snapped, sliding from upset to openly angry. I needed help to get Josh back, not whatever the hell this was.

“Elijah, you’re a smart man. Surely you can recognize that grief can exist outside of mortal loss. Whether you acknowledge it or not, you spent three months grieving for the man you knew and not knowing if you would ever see him again.”

I winced at her words. It had been hard enough to live; I didn’t need the reminder. Besides, nothing I experienced would ever compare to what Josh had endured his entire life.

“As I suspected,” Kotori said, picking up the conversation while Priscilla sipped her steaming tea. “You are fixating on your mate’s trauma rather than resolving your own.”

I gave the man a disbelieving look. “Did you just read my mind? Without consent?”

Priscilla opened her mouth, but Kotori held up his hand. “Not quite. Most people wear their surface thoughts much the same way they wear clothing. I can tune them out most of the time, but at the risk of upsetting you further, your pain is loud. If it’s this loud for me, I can only imagine how loud it is for your mate.”

“Except my mate is a werewolf, not a mind reader,” I grumbled, increasingly uncomfortable.