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She opened the drawer that had contained his file and flicked through them. “Your file’s disappeared. Did you take it?”
Liz shot to her feet and rushed over to Ella. “Of course he didn’t! You’ve probably just misplaced it.” After going through the entire drawer she looked as puzzled as Ella. “What did you do?”
“I just looked through the file and found this bit of paper. There wasn’t anything else to see.”
“Oh God,” muttered Liz. “Where are we going to put this now?”
Ella opened the next nearest file. “We could shove it in here?”
Liz grabbed her wrist. “Don’t do that! We’ll just have to put it in on the countertop and hope that nobody sees it until after we’ve left. What were you doing looking in Vadim’s file, anyway?”
She rolled her eyes. “Because he won’t tell me exactly what he is, and I can’t penetrate his shields. Why else would I be looking?”
“I can hear you, Ms. Walsh. I’m sitting right here.” He turned to look at her, one eyebrow raised.
“I know, so what?” Ella put the piece of paper on the countertop and returned to sit next to him at the table. “It’s all your fault.”
“For not blabbing my entire life history to you?”
“I’m not asking for it all, just the juicy parts.” He didn’t answer and she sighed. “So what’s up with the bird picture, then?”
“I have no idea.”
He shifted slightly in his seat and Ella got a sudden image of flying before his shields slammed shut again. Otherworld was certainly doing a number on him. He looked distinctly uncomfortable.
“You don’t like it here, do you?”
He finally deigned to look at her. “I like it about as much as you like elevators.”
“That bad, huh? What happened?”
“What happened when?”
“Don’t prevaricate. Why don’t you like being in Otherworld?”
His smile was bitter. “If I told you that, we’d be here all night.”
“We have time.” She sat forward and held his gaze. “Okay, shoot.”
The door at the back of the office opened and Vadim looked away from her. “Here comes the messenger of doom. He’s early.”
“Luckily for you.” Ella put her phone away.
Liz waited until the man deposited something in the box before she stood up, tucked her hair behind her ear and approached the counter. She froze, her hand poised over the message as the man spied the single sheet of paper Ella had put on the counter and picked it up.
“Sorry about that,” Liz said “It just fell out of something.”
She received no reply and waited smiling bravely until the door shut again. She exhaled with a whoosh and scooped up the sheets of paper.
“Let’s get going. Even if this isn’t the stuff we need, I don’t think we’ll be getting any more help today. We’ll go and speak to the administrators at the college next. It’s just up the street, so we can walk there.”
Ella looked up at the brick frontage of her alma mater and grimaced. It hadn’t changed a bit. She’d spent two and a half years of her life being trained to suck out memories from both humans and Otherworld. Because of the shortness of their potential working lives, the trainee empaths received almost no vacation time to be with their families. It had just been constant work to get them out into the field to do their dangerous job.
Not everyone had made it.
She led the way into the building and turned left into the large administration wing. The two ladies who manned the front desk had been there for as long as anyone could remember. Ella had decided they weren’t actually human because they never seemed to age.
“Ella Walsh.”
She smiled at the dark-haired one who didn’t look terribly pleased to see her. “Yes, it’s me, Miss Vera. It’s just like old times, isn’t it?” She turned to her companions. “I was in here a lot .”
Liz hid a smile and approached the desk. “I’m Liz Smith. We have an appointment with Mr. Perry.”
Miss Vera checked the calendar in front of her. “I’ll just call and see if he’s available.”
“Thank you.”
Liz wandered away to look at the pictures on the wall. Unlike most colleges there were no trophy cabinets for sports awards, or outstanding academic brilliance. Instead, there were honor roll calls of empaths who had died for the cause. Ella had sat in the office for so many hours that she practically knew the names by heart. At eighteen, convinced that she had all the time in the world, she had scoffed at the idea of caring whether you died at twenty-seven or earlier.
Miss Vera put down the phone. “You may go in, now.
I’m sure Ella remembers the way.”
Ella pointed at the door at the end of the hallway. “Follow me.”
She knocked and held the door open for Liz and an uptight Vadim to go in front of her. He hadn’t been kidding when he said that he didn’t like being in Otherworld. His shields were already struggling to cope with whatever was attacking him—and something was; she could sense it very clearly. It was another good reason to keep this meeting short so they could get the hell out of there.
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.