Authors: Kate Pearce
Mr. Perry’s welcoming smile faltered.
“Miss Walsh. You’re still alive?”
“Yeah.” Ella took a seat. “But don’t worry, I’m due to go nuts in a couple of weeks, so all your dire predictions about my future will come true.”
Liz threw her an exasperated look and Ella shut up. Perry meant nothing to her now. He had no power and she could almost feel sorry for him having to deal with multiple eighteen-year-old idiot empaths like her.
Perry ignored Ella and focused on Liz. “How can I help you, Ms. Smith?”
Ella was impressed with how neatly Liz described what was going on without giving too much away. Perry’s expression changed as Liz told him what they thought was happening, and what the college could do to help the SBLE.
“This is appalling.” Perry shook his head. “After all the expense to the government of educating these empaths, they end up dead before their time.”
“I don’t think they die worrying about the expense, Mr. Perry.” Ella couldn’t help herself. “They die with all their abilities stolen from them and no sense of who they are. Don’t you think that’s more important?”
“Miss Walsh...”
Liz intervened. “I’m sure Mr. Perry meant no disrespect, Ella. He is obviously concerned about the overall loss of the empaths to the community.”
“Yeah, right.”
Ella noticed Vadim’s hand slowly closing into a fist until his knuckles shone white. A bead of sweat wended its way down from his forehead to his cheek. She didn’t have time to goad Mr. Perry. Vadim needed to get away.
Liz took up the conversation again. “We would like a list of all the empaths who graduated in Ella’s year from this college and a list of the staff who were here at the same time.”
“I’m sure we can provide you with that information, Ms. Smith. It might take a few days, but I’d be more than happy to help.” Perry stood up and fixed his gaze on Ella. “Despite everything, the idea that any murderer is targeting empaths makes me angry and I’d like to see it stopped.”
Liz shook his proffered hand. “Thanks, Mr. Perry. We appreciate it.”
She didn’t bother to offer her hand and neither did Vadim. His desire to bolt was consuming him and infecting both her and Liz. It was debatable which one of them raced back toward the portal fastest, although Vadim made a credible attempt to make it look as if he was deferring to her and Liz. Inside the portal, the light was yellow, which meant they were clear to leave. She waited for Vadim to speak the words, but he seemed distracted. She elbowed him in the side.
“You brought us here. You need to take us back. Just ask for SBLE, Embarcadero. That should do it.”
Vadim opened his mouth and then he hesitated, his gaze traveling around the small space.
“What’s wrong?”
He exhaled. “I can’t say the words.”
“Why not?”
“Something doesn’t want me to leave.”
Ella felt it then, the sense that something big, bad and dangerous was coming right for them.
“We need to leave right now, Morosov.”
“I know that!”
She grabbed his hand. “Mouth the words as I say them.” His fingers were cold and shaking, the pulse at his wrist jumping around like an animal in shock. “
Morosov
.”
He nodded and she closed her eyes and spoke as loudly as she could above the shrieking in her head. “SBLE Embarcadero, please.”
Nothing happened and Vadim gripped her hand even tighter. “Liz, hold his other hand, and let’s try this together.”
She felt the power of Liz’s energy join them and resolutely closed her eyes again. “SBLE Embarcadero.
Please
.”
She gulped as they were swallowed up into a spiral of screaming rage. All she could do was hold on to Vadim’s hand with all her might.
Suddenly, the screaming stopped. She touched the side of the portal, depositing all three of them on the ground beside the ballpark in a heap. Liz rolled away and Ella landed right on top of Vadim, their clasped hands sandwiched between them on his chest.
“My hero,” she cooed.
He glared up at her. “I didn’t do that intentionally. Get off me.”
She wiggled a little and had the satisfaction of feeling him go still. “Who wants to keep you in Otherworld?”
“No one you would know.”
She leaned as close as she could and kissed him, enjoyed the hitch of his breath and the unexpected jolt of his erection against her stomach. He stared up at her and with a muffled groan, kissed her back, his fingers in her hair, his tongue plundering her mouth.
“Ouch!” Ella looked up at Liz. “What was that kick for?”
Liz spoke through the side of her mouth. “You’re attracting a crowd.”
“Sorry. I couldn’t resist.” Ella rolled off Vadim and got to her feet, dusting off her knees and avoiding his eyes. Why had she kept kissing him when she’d only been trying to piss him off? He followed more slowly and half-turned away from her to brush the dirt from his previously immaculate shirt and pants.
She followed Liz back down the street, her legs still trembling and her heart rate all over the place. Vadim made no effort to keep up with them. When she glanced back his expression had returned to normal, but she could sense the heat coming off him and the turmoil within. What would he be like without his carefully constructed defenses, with all that immense control shattered? She swallowed hard. Damned scary.
At the office, Liz called the elevator and waited with Vadim while Ella took the stairs. By the time she came through the door, they were already sitting in the conference room drinking bottled water.
Feehan came in behind her and snapped on the main lights. “What did you get?”
“I’m not sure yet. The college will be sending us something, and I got these from the record office.” Liz took out the folded papers and laid them carefully on the table. “We have correspondence between OCOS and both Christa and Laney naming their mates. Sam can check the info against what we already have. The next one looks like a list of Ella’s graduating class.” Liz paused. “There weren’t many of you, were there?”
Ella craned to look as well. “Less than a dozen who made it, I think, and most of us were female.”
“Ten,” Liz said. “Two of them male, which leaves eight females.”
“Two of whom we know are already dead,” Feehan added helpfully. “Ella is here, so we only need to check on five. Can we do that using human resources or do we need to go back to Otherworld?”
Ella, Vadim and Liz all shuddered.
“Most empaths live in the human sphere.”
“They can live in Otherworld too?” Feehan asked. “I didn’t realize that.”
“Occasionally someone chooses to stay on and teach at the college, or work for the government. It’s not encouraged because we’re supposed to be out in the field.” Ella unwrapped a piece of candy. “Sometimes a mated couple will go and live there. God knows why.”
“Maybe they have family over there,” Liz suggested. “I know some of Doug’s pack who remain in wolf form prefer it.”
“That’s right. According to the original treaty, if you can’t look like a human, you’re not really supposed to be over here, are you?” Feehan nodded. “It makes sense.” He cleared his throat. “Now where were we? Ella, can you check on the empaths here?”
“Sure.”
“And Liz, can you liaise with Alexei about the others?”
“If Alexei ever turns up.” Vadim inspected the sleeve of his suit for damage.
Feehan looked up. “Alexei’s here. Were you looking for him?” He jabbed a finger at the next sheet of paper. “What else do we have?”
“This is a list of all the graduates in our requested time period from all the empath colleges in the world.” Liz tapped the paper as she counted. “Less than three dozen. We can check up on those guys too.”
“Great.” Feehan hesitated. “The results of the autopsy are in. It seems that our latest victim died in exactly the same way as Christa Morehouse. Her hippocampus was also liquefied.”
Ella looked away. She hadn’t needed to be told that all sense of Laney had been removed. Apart from the psychic stench of the Siren, the apartment had felt empty. Sorrow engulfed her, streaming through her senses like an unstoppable tidal wave.
Just as Feehan cleared his throat Alexei strolled into the room and smiled at Vadim, who didn’t respond. “Let’s call it a day and meet back here tomorrow when we have a clearer picture about the remaining empaths.”
Liz and Alexei started talking to each other, their Fae-Webs intermingling. Feehan joined them, leaving Ella sitting by herself at the table.
“Ms. Walsh?”
She looked up to see that Vadim was watching her closely.
“What?”
“I just realized I must have left my wallet in your car.”
“Oh dear.”
“My hotel passkey is in there.”
“I’m sure they’ll give you another one.”
“Not without ID. That was in my wallet too.”
She raised her chin to meet his smiling, apologetic gaze. “Can’t you use your magic to get whatever you want?”
He leaned closer and she smelled his now-familiar citrus scent. “I try not to use magic in the human realm.”
“Why’s that?”
He sat on the corner of the table, which made him about level with her. “Because it identifies me.”
“And you’re scared of being caught—by what?”
He shrugged. “Otherworld.”
“I noticed that today.” She studied his beautiful face. “You’re part shapeshifter, aren’t you?” His expression didn’t even flicker. “What kind? Dragon?”
“Why would you think that?”
“Because of your ring and because of that honking great clue in your Otherworld file.”
“Honking, funny.” He glanced down at his hand. “The ring was a gift from one of my godparents.”
“You have godparents in Otherworld?”
“They are guardians or mentors who are concerned more with your life or death choices rather than your spiritual ones.”
“That makes sense. So what kind of bird are you?”
“Would it be possible for me to come back with you on the ferry and retrieve my wallet?” He stood over her, one hand in his pocket, the other clenched on the back of his chair.
“A rooster? A chicken? I know you said you didn’t eat birds.”
He slowly exhaled and looked heavenward. “I don’t even have to speak to you on the ferry, just as long as you can spare five seconds to unlock your car and hand me my wallet when we arrive at your house. I’ll turn around and go right back, I swear it.”
“Couldn’t you just sleep with Alexei?”
He smiled. “Been there, done that, don’t want to do it again.”
She stared at him. “You’ve hooked up with Alexei? You’re gay?”
Again, that devastating smile. “He’s Fae. He’ll fuck anything that doesn’t run away fast enough.”
“And did you run?”
“Not really.” His gaze settled on her mouth. “We were young and I like to experience everything both worlds have to offer.”
“So you’re bi.”
“Why do empaths always insist on sticking labels on everything?”
“So we know what we’re getting ourselves into.” Ella stood up, but Vadim didn’t move away and she was far too close. She raised her chin to stare at him. In her experience, attack was always preferable to retreat and it was always amusing to see him having to be polite and conciliatory.
“If you prefer men, why are you still coming on to me?” Ella asked.
“I don’t prefer men, and you’re the one who was all over me earlier.”
“I was amusing myself at your expense.”
“I noticed. You’re good at that.”
“It’s a talent of mine.” She refused to look away from his beautiful blue eyes. “I have some paperwork to do before I leave. If you want to wait and come back with me that’s cool.”
“Thanks, I’ll do that.” He nodded and, to her relief, finally walked away.
Chapter Eleven
She glanced sideways as Vadim disembarked from the ferry alongside her. It was still warm and sunlight glinted off the water like shards of glass, making her slide her sunglasses down onto her nose. He took off his jacket and slung it over his shoulder. He looked like something out of a fashion magazine.
“Is this really about your wallet?”
“I can’t manage without ID.”
She turned right and started up the slight slope toward her home. “Did Feehan ask you to come home with me?”
“He did, but I’d already decided to do that anyway.”
Ella stopped walking and faced him. “Why?”
“That’s a good question. Sometimes I just have to follow my instincts.”
“Your big bird instincts?”
His delicious mouth curved up into a half-smile. “You don’t give up, do you?”
“That’s right. I’m a tough cookie and I don’t need protecting.”
“I don’t doubt that you are strong, but this particular killer seems to have the ability to disarm the most competent of empaths.”
“Did he kill Natasha?”
“I can’t prove anything, but I suspect he had something to do with it.” He looked out over the sea. “She was certainly acting irrationally.”
“All empaths do that when they turn twenty-seven.” Ella started walking again. It was too hot to linger. “You know that.”
“But they don’t tend to betray their colleagues.”
“Is that what she did?”
“We’d set up a trap for the killer at one of the empaths’ apartments and at the last possible moment, Natasha blew our cover. The Siren escaped with his intended victim and murdered her at a different venue. Natasha left in hysterics and killed herself.”
Ella kept walking as she imagined the chaos Natasha had caused. “Did you find her?”
“I found both of them.”
Ella waited for him to elaborate, but he just paced alongside her, his dark hair blowing in the soft breeze, his expression unreadable.
“Do you think the Siren wanted you to find them?”
“Seeing as they were both dumped in my apartment, I’d say that he did.”
“Oh, shit.” Despite the fierce sun Ella shivered. “So Natasha was living with you at the time.”
“She was certainly there a lot.”
“Is that why you were suspended from duty?”
He looked down at her. “Someone’s been doing their research. My boss decided that I was at fault for a) becoming intimate with a team member, and b) for not realizing that said team member was unstable.”
How were you supposed to know that Natasha would lose it like that?”
“Apparently, as team leader, I should have known. And she
was
an empath.”
Dammit, she was starting to feel sorry for the man and that would never do. Ella dug in her purse for her front door key, opened the door and then handed the bunch of keys to Vadim. “Go check the car for your wallet.”
She left the door open and went inside glad of the instant chill of the newly upgraded air conditioning. The light on her phone was blinking. It would be her mother asking a million questions about Laney that she really didn’t want to answer. Her stomach knotted at the thought of another evening on her own.
She jumped as Vadim knocked on the door and held out her keys. “I found my wallet. Where shall I put these?”
“On the countertop is fine.”
He placed the keys carefully in the center of the glass bowl and stepped back. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then, Ms. Walsh.”
He was almost out the door before Ella really believed he was leaving. “Hey, Morosov!”
He looked over his shoulder at her. “What?”
“You can hang out here with me for a while.”
“I don’t want to miss the ferry.”
“Oh for God’s sake, don’t make me ask nicely. If things go well and we manage to stand each other’s company for a few hours, you can always sleep on the couch again.”
“Are you sure?”
“If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t have asked.”
“Then I’ll stay for a while.”
She waited until he came in and shut the door. “You have to cook me dinner though.”
“I guessed that. Or we could order in some pizza. I like pizza.”
“So do I.”
He held up his wallet. “I’ll even pay for it.”
* * *
Vadim closed the lid of the pizza box and secured it tightly.
“That was excellent.”
“Yeah, they do a pretty good job.” Ella patted at her mouth with one of the red-checked napkins the pizza place had given them, burped discreetly and put her paper plate on top of the pizza box.
Vadim removed it and stood up. “I’ll put this in the refrigerator for you.”
“Sure and while you’re there, can you get me another beer?”
He picked up the pizza box, her empty beer bottle and the two plates. “Where does the recycling go?”
“There’s a green container under the sink.” She looked back at him over her shoulder. “Don’t worry about it now. Come and sit down and belittle this cop show with me.”
He ignored her and focused on cleaning up the kitchen, finding two more beers and locating the recycling bin. When he returned to the couch she held out her hand for the beer without taking her gaze away from the TV.
“Thanks.” She pointed at the screen. “Look at that guy. He’s getting results to a complex DNA issue overnight!”
Vadim cautiously stretched out beside her and sipped at his own beer. It was time to catch the last ferry, or stay and risk ending up in Ella’s bed. He couldn’t deny that he was tempted. Despite his distrust of empaths, she intrigued and excited him in a way no other woman ever had. She always came right back at him, questioning his judgment, arguing about everything and generally getting in his face. Most empaths were far too sensitive to want to tangle with him. Alexei had been right about Vadim’s shields; something about their complexity, the darkness behind them repelled empaths. Even Natasha, who claimed to love him, had been unwilling to trust him one hundred percent.
The fact that Ella didn’t seem to be repelled was in itself enough to send him running for the ferry. He was in no position to take on any commitments other than the preservation of his own life. But he had to stay because he needed her to solve the case. So wasn’t he doing what was best for them both? His instincts screamed she was in danger and that he was the only one who could keep her safe. And when it came down to it, he wanted to stay with her. He
liked
her, goddammit.
“Are you okay with me sleeping on the couch again?”
She looked at him. “You can sleep wherever you like.”
“The couch will be fine.”
“Whatever.” The phone rang. She glanced at the caller display and went still. “Damn.”
“I’ll get it,” Vadim offered.
“No, it’s my mom and she’ll just start asking why you’re here, and I don’t need that right now.” She picked up the receiver and cradled it against her shoulder. “Hey.”
Ella’s expression gradually changed from relaxed to uptight and haunted.
“Yeah, I know that, Mom. I tried to tell you yesterday, but—”
Her mother was off again.
“I
know
. Fuck it, she was my best friend, don’t...”
Even though she sounded strong, Vadim was fascinated to see tears falling down Ella’s cheeks. He offered her his handkerchief but she refused to relinquish her tight hold on her beer. Leaning close and, ignoring her ferocious frown, he dabbed at the tears himself.
Eventually even Mrs. Walsh ran out of things to say and Ella concluded the call. She dropped the receiver back into its cradle and flung herself down on the couch, one hand over her eyes.
“That woman drives me mad. She’s telling me off because Laney was killed.”
“She can hardly blame you.”
“Apparently I should’ve taken better care of her. Laney was the only one of my friends my mother ever liked.”
Vadim wrapped his fingers around her ankle. “You can’t always save people, you know.”
“Yeah, I know. I’ve lost far too many colleagues not to understand that. I think I’ll go to bed.” Vadim moved out of her way and she stumbled toward the bathroom. “You know where the sheets are, right?”
“Yes.” He waited to see if she’d invite him to join her, but she just closed the bathroom door behind her with a snap. He stared at the pine door, not sure whether to be insulted or not. It would be far better if they could solve this case and then get together. Perhaps that was what the Fae-Web predicted, a nice quick heated affair before he left. But by then Ella would either be hooked up with an OCOS mate, or on her way to a madhouse...
When she emerged from the bathroom wearing only her bra and panties, her hair loose around her shoulders, Vadim resolutely kept his gaze on his bedding.
“I’ll come to Laney’s funeral with you, if you like.”
She paused. “I thought you’d be there to check out the mourners. You know how the ghouls are sometimes drawn to the scenes of their ‘triumphs.’”
“I would’ve come with you anyway.”
“I appreciate that.” She headed into her bedroom. “Night, Morosov. Sweet dreams.”
* * *
Ella closed her bedroom door and leaned back against it. Not asking Vadim to join her had been easier this time. The more she got to know him, the less she wanted to use him just for sex. How annoying was that? Unfortunately, it went right along with her dating creed. She’d fucked as many men as possible in the vain hope that she could avoid her fate and meet a potential mate, but that hadn’t happened and she’d gotten tired of having to erase herself from men’s memories. Perhaps she was finally growing up. Approaching death and madness could do that to a person.
“Good evening, Miss Walsh.”
She blinked at the naked man who lounged seductively on her bed. His hair was gold, his eyes a celestial silver and every single muscle on his body was toned and buff and yet kind of soft and
feathery
...
“Who the hell are you?”
“Don’t you know?” He smiled at her and she felt it in her core. “Am I not familiar in any way?”
She stared at him again and certain things fell into place. She raised her voice.
“Morosov? Can you come in here?”
She just remembered to peel herself away from the door as it opened abruptly behind her. Vadim appeared, his gun at the ready. With a disgusted sound he slammed the door so hard it hit the wall.
“For fuck’s sake, Rossa. What are you doing here?”
The naked man didn’t even flinch. “I might ask you the same thing. She’s hardly your type, is she?”
“She is my colleague. Now sod off back to Otherworld.”
“What’s wrong? Are you afraid I’ll tell on you?”
She poked Vadim in the ribs. “He’s related to you, isn’t he?”
“You might say that.”
“He’s like a blond version of you, but fifty times sexier.”
The blond gave a crack of laughter. “She’s certainly amusing. Is that why you keep her around?”
Ella took a step closer to the bed. The man’s chest was covered with fine, white, downy feathers she yearned to stroke. “You can shut the fuck up and get out of my bed.”
He held her gaze, his gray eyes glowing, daring her to delve into their depths and never come up again. Her shields flexed but held steady, and his confident smile wavered. He glanced at Vadim, who had remained by the door with his weapon raised.
“Not quite what she seems is she?”
“Quit talking about me as if I’m not here,” Ella said. “I’ve asked you nicely to leave. Don’t make me have to get nasty.”
“What could you do to me, little human?”
“Suck you dry?”
“I’d like that. You on your knees...”
She smiled, then flicked his raised knee with her fingertip. He jerked away.
“Ouch! Don’t touch me.”
“She’s an empath, Rossa. She really can suck you dry,” Vadim said.
“Then why in
makking
hell are you hanging around with her?”
Vadim straightened. “As I said. Ms. Walsh is my colleague. We work together.”
“
Work
?” Rossa shook his head. “You make me sick, Vadim, or whatever you call yourself these days.”
“I don’t care what you think. I agree with Ms. Walsh, and I want you to leave.”
“All right then, but if anyone asks after you, I’m telling.”
With a flash of light, the blond disappeared, leaving Ella gaping at her now empty bed.
“I apologize for that. Rossa can be very immature.”
She turned to Vadim, who was disarming his gun. “Is that all you have to say?”
“He’s gone. He knows what you are. I doubt he’ll be back.” He started walking toward the kitchen.
She followed him out. “Hang on a minute. What the hell just happened? Who is he, and what was he doing in my bed?”
Vadim was filling a glass of water from the refrigerator. He’d already taken off his tie. His shirt was open, displaying his muscled chest and rather nice abs.
“I told you. His name is Rossa, and he normally resides in Otherworld. He must have sensed I was over there the other day and come to check up on me.”
“Then why didn’t he get into
your
bed?”
“He probably did. Alexei would’ve told him where I was. They are friends.” Vadim added three ice cubes. “Rossa won’t harm you.”
“How do you know?”
“Because if he’d wanted you dead, there would’ve been nothing you could do about it. Now he knows you’re an empath, he’ll be more careful. Even Otherworld realizes you have your uses for catching their criminals. No one wants to face the penalties for murdering one of your kind.”
“Apart from the Siren.” She glared at him. “And how exactly do you know all this?”
“It is a little complicated to explain.”
“I don’t care. Take your time and tell me.”
He took a slow sip of his water, then went across to his immaculately made bed and placed the glass on the coffee table beside his pillow. Ella tapped her foot. “Well?”
He took off his shirt and laid it carefully over the back of the nearest chair. “As Rossa said, we are connected. I can sense his thoughts, so I know what he’s likely to do next.” He undid his belt and Ella realized she couldn’t look away.
“But he was one hundred percent Fae.”
“Almost one hundred percent.”
Vadim unzipped his pants and then stepped out of them, lining up the seams before laying them next to his shirt. He wore tight cotton knit boxers, which molded far too well to the muscular curves of his spectacular ass. She found it hard to swallow.