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“If you’re sure, Vadim.”

“I’m happy to do so.” He glanced at Ella. “Will you accompany me, Ms. Walsh?”

“Sure.”

With a reassuring pat on Feehan’s arm, She followed Vadim down to the ER.

“I’ll need your help to maintain the illusion. Do you remember what Brad used to look like? That’s what I’m going to project.”

“Got it.”

She held the door open for the ex-senator and waited while they completed the necessary security checks to reach the body. Mrs. Dailey was the only member of the family who seemed genuinely upset by the tragedy. Ella was mainly picking up anger and disgust from the two men. It chilled her. Was that how they’d seen Brad? As some sort of pawn in their family empire, one that had disappointed them? No wonder he’d acted like such an insecure loser…

Vadim opened the door into the temporary morgue, and the Daileys filed in after him. She focused her attention on her partner, adding her emerging magical powers to his as he lowered the sheet and revealed Brad’s altered face. How odd that they were using magic to add yet another layer to Brad’s mask. Would Adam sense their spell and come looking for them?

Mrs. Dailey burst into tears and tried to reach for Brad. The two men held her back, their expressions remote and tinged with impatience. Mr. Dailey caught Vadim’s eye.

“We should leave. There are arrangements to be made. When will you release the body?”

“You’ll need to consult with the hospital authorities about that.” Vadim replaced the sheet. “Hopefully it won’t be too long. May I suggest you liaise with Ms. Phelps about drafting a statement to be released to the media? I’m sure she gave you her details.”

Ella held the door open and waited until the Daileys had gone before turning back to Vadim.

“Where is Ms. Phelps anyway? Wasn’t she supposed to be at that meeting?”

Vadim slowly raised his head. “Yes, she was.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Dammit, she’s blond, isn’t she?” She ran for the door, only to have Vadim catch her arm.

“Hold on a minute.”

“Why? She might be in danger!”

“Wait.Think this through. We’ve both got a good sense of Adam. Let’s use our combined power to see if we can locate him.”

“How?”

“Just close your eyes and use your empath abilities.”

“But—”

“Ella, shut up and do it!”

She complied and forced herself to slow her breathing and turn her thoughts inward. Vadim’s magic flowed along with hers, sometimes in parallel, other times so closely mingled that she couldn’t tell where he ended and she began.

“He’s close.”

“Yes.”

“Now what do we do?”

“Concentrate on where you feel his power most strongly and find him.”

She opened her eyes, and this time he didn’t stop her leaving. Adam’s power drew her on. He was in the hospital. He was close. She was standing outside Ms. Phelps’s office, Vadim right behind her.