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Nell shook her head. “I have to deal with this head-on. I don’t feel any better knowing he was involved.” In fact, she felt sick to her stomach. She’d spent all those nights lying side-by-side with Rane as he hummed to her and quieted her pain. All the time, he’d been the reason for that pain. He’d been the one who had turned her into a frightened, terrified mess who was afraid of everything.

“Who is the professional in this room?”

Nell glanced at Doctor Kingsbury and flinched from the fierce look in her eyes. “You are.”

“Do you value my opinion? Since you have been seeing me, do you consider you have made progress in your recovery?”

“You’re the best therapist I’ve ever had.”

A smile of satisfaction lingered on Doctor Kingsbury’s lips. “I appreciate the compliment. I urge you to continue your therapy with me. Do not go back to your alien. He has filled your head with dangerous lies and falsehoods. You are vulnerable. He has been softening you up to complete his study of you. For all you know, he may have already begun it.”

Nell jerked her head up. “No, I’m sure he hasn’t.”

“Have you inspected your body to see if there are any new puncture wounds?”

Nell’s hands clamped to her knees. “No, I didn’t think to look.” Her hands ran over her legs as if she’d be able to feel the tiny marks under her jumpsuit.

“Take a deep breath. You are in a safe space. I have gotten to you just in time.” Doctor Kingsbury’s expression softened. “You must stay away from him. I can begin to reverse the damage he has done. I have a free window in my diary this morning if you would like to begin straight away.”

“Yes, absolutely. Please, I need all the help I can get.”

“Excellent. I see he has not damaged you too badly that you cannot see through his lies.” Doctor Kingsbury settled back in her seat. “Tell me about his work on Prodigy.”

Nell’s brow wrinkled. “What does that have to do with my therapy?”

“It could have everything to do with it. I need full disclosure to determine how proficient his ability is.”

Nell scratched her head. “Well, like I said, he has his diplomatic work. He doesn’t talk about it. He finds it boring.”

“How are the negotiations going?”

“All I know is that it’s not going well. He’s also been suspended for doing something wrong, so he hasn’t been involved for a few weeks.”

Doctor Kingsbury sighed. “It’s no matter. I have enough information here.”

“We can get started on my therapy?”

“Give me a moment. I would like to include Doctor Non in this.”

Nell shuddered. “It’s not going to be more of that touching therapy, is it?”

“We have moved past that stage. Since you’ve been spending so much time with another alien, you’ll be immune to that therapy. Doctor Non will have insight into what has happened and how best to undo the damage.”

Doctor Kingsbury sent a message to Doctor Non and spent a moment making notes on her tablet, not looking at Nell.

Nell licked her lips as she studied Doctor Kingsbury. She was tense. Her fingers shook as she typed on her tablet. “Is everything okay?”

“Just updating your file.”

“I didn’t mean to worry you.”

“I care about what happens to all my patients.” She flashed a brief smile at Nell.

The door to the office slid open. Doctor Non walked through. He nodded a greeting to Nell. “I see our patient is back.”

“We have caught a dangerous situation just in time. Miss Saunders has been under intense manipulation by an Olickie,” Doctor Kingsbury said.

Doctor Non tutted and shook his head. “I am most sorry to hear that. Their ability is damaging to the weak-minded.”