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“Sure it is. You’re in my world and you’re killing my people.” She took another step forward. “I’ve got a vague sense of him. He doesn’t like you at all, does he, Morosov?”

“That’s because I executed him. Can you find out who he really is?”

“If you want.” She stretched out her hand toward the distortion.

“If she tries to touch me, cygnet, I’ll?—”

Ella staggered and almost went down. In that instant of confusion, Adam simply disappeared, leaving Vadim cursing in Russian, Fae and every other language he could remember.

“What the hell was that?” Ella gasped.

“Adam.”

“God, when he touched me, ithurt!”

“I know. I felt it.”

He helped her to sit in the only chair and knelt in front of her. “I apologize. I didn’t realize he would affect you like that.”

“It’s okay. I’m fine now. I shouldn’t have attempted to touch him.” She cupped his cheek. “But Morosov, what the hell? He does look like you.”

“In this form, yes. That’s why I wanted you to find out what lay beneath.”

“Do you think he’s after you as well as his trophies?”

“I have to assume so. Someone wants me involved in this case whether I want it or not. Why else would they use an image I’m familiar with?”

“An image of yourself.”

“Close enough.” He sighed and moved his head until his mouth brushed her fingers. “I wish I could say that was the end of this, but I’m sure he’ll be back.”

“Next time I won’t try and touch him.” She shivered. “I can still access his mind, though.”

He stood up. “I should be able to do that by myself, now I’ve gained your skill set.”

“It takes a while to get used to the idea, doesn’t it? It’s a bit like your power for me.” She frowned. “We haven’t had a lot of time to share our skills, though.”

“Not really.”

It was hard to believe he’d only known her for a few short weeks. He couldn’t imagine his life without her now, and Adam had just touched her.

“Are you feeling okay?”

“Yes. I’m fine now, why?” Her expression changed. “Hell, he didn’t take my face, did he?”

“No. He probably didn’t have time.”

Her hand flew to her cheek. “How can I keep him out?”

“He won’t be able to overpower you as long as our minds are linked together.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Absolutely.” He checked that the shield around Ms. Phelps was stable again and then went across and took Ella’s hand in his. “You smell like Fae.”

“Like Adam, you mean?”

He inhaled slowly. “No, Rossa. Was he here?”