Page 81 of Hart's Redemption

Gasps and whispers erupted around the room, joined by Elijah’s and my shock. The gavel came down repeatedly, along with cries for order. At last, the buzz of noise died down enough so that Senator Stevens could be heard.

“Director, answer the question.”

She looked from Senator Stevens to me. “Yes.”

Elijah

Josh looked as if he were going to faint at that one word. I longed to reach out and steady him, but I also recognized that any such move could be seen as interference.

“No further questions.” Lombardi turned back to resume his seat with a small, smug grin playing about his lips. Behind him, the panel continued to whisper among themselves, clearly alarmed by this latest revelation.

The gavel struck home once more, and Senator Stevens declared, “We will adjourn for a brief recess. When we reconvene, Beatrice Harker will take the stand.”

My stomach curdled at the mere thought of having to see that awful woman again, of having to hear her spew her vitriol and hatred.

“Come on.”

I glanced up to see Lombardi already walking with Josh and his obscene escort of guards towards the bronze doors. My foot caught on the railing as I scrambled to follow before they could leave me behind. Back in the temple holding room, I tried not to let the pervasive magic get to me while I waited impatiently for the guards to finish locking up Josh. This time we were forced to have the bars separating us.

As soon as they were gone, I stepped forward to hover just before the barrier. “Moonbeam.”

“It was just a shock. I’ll be fine. I suspected that Director Starling knew a lot more than she ever let on, but I never imagined she knew who I really was this whole time.” He shook his head in amazement.

“Forgive the intrigue, Detective. Your honest reaction was conducive to the point,” Lombardi interjected.

“Understood.”

My gaze darted between the two of them, acting as if all of this was somehow commonplace. “Hello. Is no one concerned about the fact that in less than two hours Josh’s mom is going to testify against him? Can they even do that?”

“I imagine she volunteered,” Josh deadpanned.

“And they are likely including a plea deal for her testimony,” Lombardi added.

I snatched at the tiny glimmer of hope. “Could Josh testify against her?”

“He can and has already agreed to do so.”

A relieved breath rushed out of my lungs. “This is great. You’ll testify against that monster, and they can shorten your sentence.”

Josh shook his head while Lombardi frowned in blatant disapproval. “I will answer whatever questions they ask, but I didn’t take a deal.”

“What? Are you out of your damn mind?” I rushed towards the thin bars and the only thing separating us.

“Don’t!”

Too late, my hands closed around the spelled metal. The stink of burned flesh wafted from the point of contact. I ripped them off, but not before they stole a layer or two of skin. “Son of a badger.”

“Baby, are you okay?” Josh moved as if to reach through the bars, then seemed to think better of it.

“Just tell me why. Why won’t you take the deal? Why won’t you let me tell anyone about us?” The pained look in Josh’s eyes made my heart ache, but I held firm in my demand for answers.

“Because it could jeopardize everything. I understand that you’re not happy with this—”

“Happy? Josh, I am so fucking far away from happy. If you had a plan, you should have told me.”

His shoulders slumped. “I know. I just…”

“Don’t you dare feed me some bullshit line about how trust isn’t easy for you.”