Meg was silent for a good five seconds. “Quit your job today. You can work here. There’s always an opening for a top-rated therapist.”
“That’s not funny.”
“I’m not joking. Run, babe. How many sessions a month do you have with him?”
Joy’s shoulders slumped. “I just changed his schedule to daily sessions. He went through a severe trauma.”
“I think I have a copy of your résumé. I’ll give it to my boss in the morning. You can have the vacant bedroom until you find a place to live. One of my roommates moved in with her boyfriend so it couldn’t be better timing. I’ll expect you in two weeks when your notice takes effect.”
“I can’t do that. I committed to this job for the long haul. It would traumatize more clients if I left.”
“They can hire someone else. You’re good but so are a lot of other professionals. You don’t want to mess with this. You could lose your license, face legal action even, and be fined at the very least.”
“I’m not going to act on it, damn it. That’s why I’m calling you.”
“You’re going to be screwed if you don’t get away from this guy and I mean that in the actual and metaphorical way. You want my advice? That’s it. Quit.”
Joy closed her eyes as her predicament settled in. “Great.”
Chapter One
The present
NSO Homeland
“What is going on?” Joy glanced at the New Species leading her through the building and continued, “I received a call that there was some kind of emergency with someone I counseled in the past. They said it was urgent that I come.”
A snarl came from farther down the hallway and made her jump. Her escort bolted away, abandoning her to rush into a room. She hurried forward despite that terrifying sound. She paused at the entrance to the room to stare in absolute horror at the scene playing out.
“Hold him down!” The New Species male who had escorted her yelled the order and two more Species males threw their massive bodies over the guy restrained on the hospital bed. An earsplitting howl fractured the room and an arm snapped free from the restraints. The Species clawed at the body over his chest, fisted the material of the other man’s shirt, and tried to toss aside the one attempting to hold him down.
“He’s still out of control!” the pale, shaken human shouted. “Paul? Where is that tranquilizer?”
Someone shoved into Joy from behind, nearly causing her to bump into the doorjamb as he rushed into the chaos. His ID tag identified him as a nurse.
“I’m here, Doctor!” The nurse uncapped the syringe in his hand just as all hell broke loose.
The guy being restrained let out another fierce howl and broke his other wrist free of the thick bindings holding him flat. He threw off two bodies, sat up, and punched the third Species square in the face, sending him crashing to the floor.
The enraged Species tore at the restraints, the sound barely audible over the commotion of men struggling to their feet. Joy stared in shock at her former client—466. His features were hauntingly familiar as he tossed his long hair back, despite the fact that she hadn’t seen him in over two years.
He slid off the bed after freeing his legs, growled at the doctor, and sent the man scurrying backward until he huddled in a corner. Worry came in a close second to Joy’s fear. Seeing 466 that way brought tears to her eyes. What the hell has happened to him? She had no answers but she wanted them.
It was clear the distressed Species planned to attack the doctor. One of the other New Species launched himself onto 466’s back but he just ended up being slung to the floor. Joy had to refrain from barging into the room to go to her former client, wanting to calm him down. Common sense held her still. Self-preservation did too.
“Moon!” the one he’d punched in the face shouted. “Look at me. You want a piece of someone? Come at me, damn it.”
466 spun and snarled, showing off sharp fangs as rage twisted his normally handsome face into something terrifying. He looked like someone out of control and filled with such hatred that he wanted to kill. He crouched into a fighting stance.
The doctor slid along the wall to get away from him and rushed toward the doorway. Moon allowed him to go, intent on attacking his Species opponent instead. The male nurse backed into Joy and dropped the uncapped syringe on the floor in his haste to escape the danger. He turned his head toward her, his eyes panic-stricken.
“Go,” the man hissed. “He’s going to kill any human he comes into contact with if he gets past them. He’s out of his mind.”
She hugged the wall as both of the human medical staff fled. She wasn’t leaving. No way. 466—Moon—might need her. Her dazed mind accepted the name he’d obviously chosen.