Page 74

And what of Ella? Was she slowly going mad, wearing someone else’s face, or was she doing her best to pretend nothing was wrong while she waited for Adam to show up? He wouldn’t put it past her. She wasn’t going to make it easy for the face stealer. His heart ached. Had she believed him when he said he was leaving her forever? He damn well hoped so. Adam’s last-minute offer to leave her alone if Vadim accompanied him immediately to Otherworld had seemed too good to be true, but he’d been willing to risk it if it kept Ella safe.

He swore softly and fluently in Fae. And what had he achieved? Ella’s face was gone, and he was stuck in a dungeon. She’d be so proud…

Whatever happened, they would have to work fast if they intended to destroy him. He flexed his bruised fingers and imagined choking Adam to death again and finally revealing his real face. His power would overcome the deadly metal within a day or so, and he would be more dangerous than ever—and pissed off. Even though he was exhausted, he resisted the temptation to reach out to Ella. She didn’t need to hear his woes. The last thing he wanted was for her to come running to save him. Hadn’t he done his best to make sure she never wanted to see him again?

His smile faded and he listened intently to the magic-infused black darkness. His enemies might have forced him to play their games, but there was something they’d forgotten.

In Otherworld, he was invincible.

11

Ella hadno idea what time it was, only that since she was last outside, it had started raining and it was dark. As soon as she magically punched her way through the walls of her dungeon, she’d been returned to the square where she’d arrived. She loitered in the trees near the exit, concealed in the green shadows. Water continued to gush out of the fountain in a soothing refrain, but there was no sign of the queen or any of her guards.

That was weird.

Whywasn’tanyone following her?

She checked around the square, using both Vadim’s magic and her empath abilities. It was odd…the more she accessed his power, the stronger it seemed to be and the easier it rose to her amateurish commands. No wonder Vadim had been feared so greatly. She was only using a fraction of it, and it scared the pants off her. It was like being given the keys to a racing car after driving a tractor.

A shadow moved at her left. For a moment she wished she had her familiar weapon with her, but she had so much more in the tips of her fingers. Magic that was far more suited to Otherworld, as well. She needed to find Adam before the queen mother or the king found her. She attempted to clear her mind, but found it impossible as a clear sense of danger clouded her judgment.

“Dammit!” She walked toward the shadows, but instead of dispersing, they seemed to thicken. “What do you want?”

A guttural laugh answered her.

“What do you think, Soul Sucker?”

The advancing troll looked somewhat familiar. His heavily furred body was naked and his black eyes shone with hate. Behind him was a sniggering group of young Garden Fae.

“Do I know you?”

“You destroyed my nest and forced me back here.” He raised his club. “Now you’re going to pay.”

He rushed her. Ella just had time to point her finger and shove magic at him before he cannoned into her and she fell to the ground. There was akaboomand the acrid smell of burning fur. His screaming blocked out every other sound until an explosion of black blood made her gag, but at least stilled the screeching.

When she finally disentangled herself from the troll’s soggy remains, she shuddered at the carnage.

“Too much power, Ella. Bring it down, girl.”

She wiped at her face, which was sticky, and spat uselessly to rid herself of the unwanted taste of deep-fried troll. If any of the others had wanted to take a pop at her, her awesome display of power had sent them scurrying away. She headed back for the fountain so she could at least rinse herself off. How the hell did Vadim control himself?

She dipped her fingers into the flowing water and shivered. It was freezing. She suddenly remembered the spell he’d taught her and freshened herself up. The magic even repaired the holes in her pink jeans. Damn, it was useful. If only it worked on her face…

“Soul Sucker?”

She turned to see a woman standing quietly behind her. Even in the darkness, she registered the richness of the woman’s dress and the sparkle of diamonds in her long dark hair.

“Let me guess. You’re Morosov’s mother.”

“Indeed I am.” The Fae inclined her head. “And you are my son’s mate. I am so pleased to meet you.”

“You are?”

“Of course. Why would you think otherwise?”

“Because everyone else in this batshit-crazy place, including me, wants to kill him.”

“He is my son. How could I wish for his death?”