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“Not that I know of.”

“Are you sure?”

Vadim shrugged, the epitome of cool unconcern. “I haven’t been back to Otherworld for several years. I suppose there might be someone who has grown up to look like me.”

Ella glanced at her partner. Despite his tranquil reply, he was not happy at all. Even worse, she was pretty damn sure he wasn’t telling the truth. Was she the only one who could sense it, or was Liz picking it up too? It might explain why she had so many questions.

She stood up. “Well, if we’ve agreed it’s not Morosov, can we all go home, now? We’re not going to get anywhere tonight, and we have a lot to do tomorrow.”

Feehan glanced at Liz, who gave him a slight nod.

“Sure. Ella, why don’t you hang out with Vadim this evening and make sure he’s feeling okay.”

“Me?He’s Fae. He doesn’t need a human looking after him.”

“You’re his partner.”

She stared at Vadim, who leaned back in his chair. “Would you like me to babysit you tonight, Morosov?”

“If that’s what Mr. Feehan wants, I’m happy to oblige.”

“Then come on, I’ll take you home.”

He stood too and said his goodbyes. In a few moments they were heading down to the basement parking lot. He held out his hand for his keys, and Ella reluctantly gave them up.

“Did you notice that no one else left?” Ella settled into the seat and Vadim shut his door.

“That’s probably because they wanted to talk about me.”

“You think?” She put on her seat belt. “I can’t believe they think you had anything to do with it.”

He backed out of his space. “I did put a spell on Brad.”

“But that was for his own protection.”

He grimaced. “But I interfered with Adam’s trophy. It might’ve been enough to make him kill Brad.”

“Morosov, all the victims we know about killed themselves. You weren’t responsible for them.”

“Thanks for believing in me.” He glanced sideways at her and she kept her gaze fixed on the road.

“You’re my partner. We’ve got each other’s backs, right?”

“Right. My hotel or your apartment?”

“Your hotel is closer.”

“Then let’s go there, and I can get out of this glass-infested suit.”

* * *

This time Vadimparked and walked through the hotel lobby like a regular human being, one hand placed on the small of Ella’s back simply because he needed to touch her. He had a strange sense that he was being observed, but couldn’t see an obvious threat. If Adam was around, there was nothing he could do about it except remain vigilant. He wished he had more time to prepare. He’d done nothing to help Ella accept her newfound magical powers either. She might need them, if the future turned out to be as awful as he feared.

“What’s up, Morosov? You’re like a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“At least it made you pay attention. What’s going on in your head? What did you think of that dude looking like you?”