She shot to her feet and advanced toward him, batting a few feathers out of her way. “I
He stared down at her and she shook her head and turned away. “You’re such an idiot sometimes, Morosov.”
“Ella.”
He reached for her, but she shook him off and marched right out of the room. She should have agreed with everything Feehan suggested and let Vadim sort it out from his Otherworld prison cell. She halted in the hallway. Where the hell was she going? She’d agreed to share the night shift with him.
She started walking again. He’d be fine while she got herself something nice and sugary to eat at the cafeteria. When she calmed down, she’d go back, and maybe, if he had any sense,
The door to the janitor’s office to her right opened and she instinctively went for her weapon.
“It’s all right, Ella, it’s only me.” Rossa’s head appeared around the door and he beckoned to her. “Come in here!”
She glanced around and then followed him into the small, crowded space, which smelled of disinfectant, damp rags and skin-stripping chemicals.
“What do you want?”
He blinked at her. “I got the impression you wanted to talk to me.”
“From where?”
“You used my name.”
“So?”
His smile was blinding. “You’re family now, and I heard you. Now, what did you want?”
Ella studied his beautiful face. Up close he was even more stunning. His eyes were honeyed silver and his mouth begged to be kissed. She wanted to stroke the pure white feathers that covered parts of his skin. Mentally, she gave herself a slap. Number one, she knew better than to be taken in by Fae glamour. Number two, Vadim would probably kill them both if she laid a single finger on his relative. But Rossa was here with her, all nice and tight and up close in the janitor’s closet, so she might as well make use of him.
“Do you know anything about an ancient Otherworld sect that competes to collect things?”
Rossa shifted his stance and his wings rustled, almost dislodging some of the bottles on the shelves. “What sort of things?”
“I think you know. They tend to collect groups of three.”
His face paled. “I...don’t know anything about that.”
“If Morosov knows of them, I’m sure you do too. My question is, why are they collecting stuff in my world, and what does it have to do with my partner?”
“I have no idea.”
She stared into his eyes for as long as she could. “If you’re lying to me, all I have to do is take a peek in your mind and I’ll know.”
He flinched away. “Don’t touch me, Soul Sucker.”
“Then tell me what’s going on. Does this have something to do with Morosov’s family wanting him back in Otherworld?”
“Not all of them want him back.”
“But those that do.”
“It’s highly likely his family are involved somewhere, but the sect plays by its own rules and doesn’t listen to anyone.”
“So the two things could be totally separate.” Ella sighed. “You’re not much help, are you?”
“I’m too afraid of your mate to be much help.” He studied her face. “It’s a shame he got to you first. I should imagine you are very creative in bed for a human.”
“Well I certainly like sex.”
Rossa grinned. “Cygnet is a lucky male, then. When he is executed, perhaps you will allow me to console you.”
“Why do you assume he’ll be executed?”
“Because one way or another they’ll force him back to Otherworld to answer for his crimes.” His smile faded. “And he won’t be allowed to escape his fate a second time.”
“Are you suggesting he’s already a tried and convicted man?”
“Didn’t he mention that? Crimes against the Royal blood, especially when it’s your own line, are definitely frowned upon.” He looked back at the door. “I have to go.”
“Don’t tell me Morosov’s spotted you?”
“No, it’s something worse than that. You’re the one who sucks out emotions. Can’t you feel it?” He shivered and all his feathers stood up on end.
“Just tell me one more thing. Do you know this Adam who is stealing human faces?”
“Is that what he’s calling himself now?” Rossa started to disappear. “Whoever he is, I’m not staying around to see him.”
“He’s here? Rossa, wait!”
But it was too late, the Fae had already gone, leaving her in the closet alone.
“Dammit!”
After the door shut behind Ella, Vadim cursed as quietly as he could. Why was she so contrary? And why had she told Feehan about their being mated? He took a long, slow breath and contemplated the still figure on the bed. Ms. Phelps couldn’t be left alone, so he couldn’t even chase Ella down. Tentatively, he touched his mate’s mind, but her shields held firm. He could get through them, but he didn’t want to force the issue.
Especially when he’d made a complete ass of himself...
She’d told Feehan they were mated to protect him?
There was no other explanation, and he’d gone and made her feel bad about it. All this recent contact with the immorality of Otherworld was making him as paranoid as his parents. He wasn’t used to dealing with someone who literally said what she thought and acted accordingly, whether he liked it or not. No wonder the whole of Otherworld was scared of her...
He leaned his head back and banged it on the wall. When he opened his eyes, Ms. Phelps was sitting bolt upright and staring at something at the end of the bed—something that shimmered and bent the air into different shapes.
Vadim held up his hand, and a shield instantly surrounded Ms. Phelps.
“
Coldness pushed at his magic, trying to find a way in, and he strengthened the barrier. As he advanced toward the bed, the shape materialized into the distinct form of a man.
“You can’t beat me in this realm, Adam, or whatever you are calling yourself these days.”
Laughter rang in a discordant note that made Vadim want to cover his ears. “You’re wrong, little cygnet. I’ve grown up.”
“You’re dead.”
“Am I?”
“I killed you. Nothing I kill survives, so who are you really, behind that mask?”
“
Ella, just outside the door. “
He couldn’t afford to look at her. His power was already being tested too much.
“What do you want, Adam?”
“My trophy.”
“You can’t have her.”
“You can’t stop me.”
“Obviously, I can. Ella, do you see him?”
