Death Bringer (Soul Justice) (26 page)

She smiled at him from within the gloom of the dirty passageway.

“There’s something I wanted to ask you.”

“Which couldn’t wait?”

She bit her lip. “I couldn’t speak of it in front of your father.” She hesitated. “If you want to return to Otherworld for good, I think I may have the answer.”

* * *

Ella sipped her chocolate martini and stared at her newly restored reflection in the mirrored bar of the hotel. It was definitely cool to be blond again, although she missed her aristocratic nose. The whole team, except Feehan, who had rushed off to take his wife shopping, had decided to come and have a drink, celebrating her safe return. They’d also told her that since Vadim was immortal and she was his mate, he was probably loaded and that the drinks were on her. She only hoped her bank account could stand it.

“Come on Ella, cheer up.” Liz clinked her glass against hers. “You’re twenty-seven, you’re mated to the hottest guy in the universe and you still have your crummy job!”

“Lucky me.”

“Hey, birthday girl!”

Rich interrupted to kiss her a sloppy goodbye, then weaved his way unsteadily from the bar toward the street. Sam and Andrew had already gone to get tacos. She wondered where Vadim was. Had he left the hospital? She’d left a message for him on her desk to say where they were, but he’d be able to find her anyway.

“Ella, what’s up?”

She put her glass down carefully on the bar. The possibility of anyone overhearing her in the roar of conversation was slight, but she still leaned in close to Liz.

“If you were Morosov and had all that power, wouldn’t you want to stay in Otherworld?”

“I thought you said he didn’t want the power.”

“He
says
he doesn’t, but I’m not sure if I believe him.”

Liz finished her drink and ordered two more. “Do you want me to be honest or supportive?”

“There’s a choice?”

“Everything I’ve seen in the Fae-Web about Vadim tells me that his number-one priority is you.”

“Jeez, don’t say that.”

Liz stuck her finger in Ella’s face. “Which means that
you
are the problem.”

“Gawd.” She made a face.

“Why can’t you believe that he wants you and wants to be with you? Dammit, the male is a hero. He
killed
for you.”

“
Because
...”

“Listen to me, when I first met Doug, I really didn’t see myself settling down with a hairy shape-shifter.” She smoothed down her immaculate white skirt. “It just so wasn’t...
me
, you know. But the more I got to know him, the more I realized I couldn’t live without him, and when we first had sex—
shut up
,
Ella
—we bonded, and I knew I’d never be the same without him. The question you need to ask yourself is whether you’d be happy if Vadim wasn’t around anymore.”

“I can’t think about that.”

“Because it scares you too much, right?” Liz picked up her glass again. “The thing is, you two have done this thing half-assed and backward. You’re bonded, so you need the sex, but you haven’t had time to get to know each other yet. How could you, when you’ve been expecting to go nuts this week?”

Ella scraped a piece of chocolate off the side of her glass with her fingernail. “That’s what he said.”

“And he’s right. Why don’t you give him a chance?”

She’d told him that too, because she was scared. “I suppose you’re right.”

“I usually am. Look how many scummy boyfriends I’ve steered you away from over the years.” Liz’s cell phone rang and she checked the screen. “It’s Doug. He’s on his way to pick me up. Do you need a ride to the ferry?”

“No, I’ll be fine. I’m supposed to be meeting Morosov here. I’ll walk with you to the door, though.”

She hadn’t heard a thing from Vadim since they returned to the city. The silence was starting to unnerve her. What would it be like if he wasn’t with her at all? It wasn’t just that she’d miss the sex. She’d miss him. How had she come to depend on him so fast? It was totally against everything she believed in. But what was worse—not allowing him to be with her or being with him and wondering when he’d leave?

Outside the rain has stopped and the unpleasant stench of trash bins and wet tarmac drying in the sun surrounded her.

“There’s Doug!” Liz waved enthusiastically at a blue minivan.

“Nice wheels.”

“Shut up.” Liz grinned at her. “He’s coaching a shape-shifter soccer team, so we have to go and pick some of the kids up.”

“God help your opponents. If a decision goes against one of your team, does someone get eaten?”

“That’s why we need to practice.” Liz kissed Ella’s cheek. “I’m really glad you survived, hon. See you tomorrow.”

Ella was busy making faces at Doug over her friend’s shoulder. “Thanks for everything.”

She waited until Liz was safely in the van and then retreated into the hotel lobby. She saw a shape-shifter litter in her buddy’s immediate future. Where now? Should she send Vadim a text?

“
Ella
.”

“
Hey.
” That was cool and calm enough, wasn’t it?

“
Can you meet me in Golden Gate Park by the Japanese Tea Garden?
”

“
When?
”

“
I’m already here
,
so whenever you’re ready.
”

She deliberated ordering a cup of coffee from the bar to clear her head, but the alcohol in her system might help her relax more and say what needed to be said. She went to the bathroom, and after checking everyone else had gone, she closed her eyes and sent herself to where Vadim was.

It didn’t take a second until she was sitting on a bench looking out over the beautiful gardens. Here the rain had stirred the scents of nature rather than the city, and a heavy, flowery perfume hung in the air.

“Ella.”

She looked up to see Vadim in front of her. His black hair was damp from the rain and slicked back away from his amazing face. He’d somehow acquired a raincoat to protect his designer suit.

Of course he had.

“You really are quite beautiful in both your forms, Morosov.”

“Thank you.” He indicated the bench. “May I sit with you?”

“Sure.” She patted the seat. “It’s a bit damp, but nothing that’ll kill you. Not that anything can kill you anyway.”

“Only you.”

“I knew I should’ve kept that dagger your father gave me.”

She kept talking like a flipping idiot. Why was she so nervous? Why couldn’t she stop being so glib and just shut up?

He looked down at his clasped hands. “There’s something I wished to discuss with you.”

“Then go ahead. How’s Delia by the way?”

“She’ll be fine. I managed to detach the remnants of the spell from her mind.”

“Cool.”

She waited as he took another deep breath and then realized she could hardly breathe at all.

“My mother came to see me.”

“When?”

“Just after I left the hospital. She said that if I wished to return to Otherworld, I would be offered the leadership of the sect.”

“Oh.” She forced a smile. “That’s...great.”

“You think I should take it?”

“Well you’re the perfect man for it, aren’t you? With your power, you could keep that bunch of idiots in order and provide a counterbalance to your father’s evil schemes.”

“That’s what my mother said.”

“I told you she was smart.”

Silence fell between them, broken only by the odd drip of rain from the trees.

“If I took the job, would you come with me?”

She swallowed hard. “And live there full-time?”

“As my mate, you would be treated with great respect and bear the title of princess.”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

Indignation thrust through her hurt and made sitting still impossible. She shot to her feet. “And what about our jobs here?”

“Feehan would understand if we left.”

“And what would I do in Otherworld, apart from traipse around, being a princess?”

He looked up at her. “Most females would think that being mated to the most powerful male in Otherworld and being treated like royalty were gifts in themselves.”

“But then most females don’t realize what a dork you are, do they?”

He blinked at her. “What’s wrong?”

“What’s
wrong?
I spent my whole day writing a lovely fictitious report to keep you and your family out of trouble with the SBLE, and this is the thanks I get.”

“What does the report have to do with anything?”

She glared at him, her hands on her hips. “I made a deal with your grandmother!”

“You did what?” He rose too, his expression darkening.

“Your grandmother asked me to keep your family out of our report, and in return I—I made her promise something. Not that a promise means anything in Otherworld, apparently. What was your mother
thinking?
Doesn’t anyone talk to each other over there?”

She was babbling again...

“What did she promise you?” He was close enough now that she had to look up at him. He put his hands on her shoulders. “Tell me.”

“That she wouldn’t ever ask you to return to Otherworld.”

“And why would you ask her for such a thing?”

Magic sparked from his skin and made all the hairs on her head stand upright. She raised her chin.

“Because I don’t want you to go back there. I want you to stay here with me.”

He didn’t react in any way or move an inch.

“Did you hear me? I don’t want you to go.”

His smile was slow but quite beautiful, like the sun emerging from behind a cloud.

“And why is that, Soul Sucker?”

She almost stamped her foot. “You’re going to make me say it?”

“Of course I am. I’ve killed for you and threatened to annihilate my whole world just to keep you safe. What are a few little words in return?”

“They’re a big deal to me!”

“I know.” He briefly rested his forehead against hers. “Would it help if I said them first?”

“No one’s ever said it to me and meant it.”

“I mean it. I love you, Ella. I always will.”

She swallowed hard. “Okay. Me too.”

He straightened up. “Ella...”

“All right! But you have to promise not to do what your mother wants, and go back to Otherworld.”

He placed his hand over his heart. “I promise.”

“You should go and tell her that right now!”

He smiled. “And let you out of my sight at this crucial moment?”

She faced him. “You’ve already told her no, haven’t you? This is all a setup.” She jabbed herself in the chest. “I’ve killed for you. I even sat and typed that stupid report to keep you safe! Isn’t that enough? Why do I have to say the stupid words?”

His smile faded. “Maybe because no one has ever said them to me and meant it either, Soul Sucker.”

“Oh, God.” She whispered, “Vadim, I—”

But he had already disappeared.

* * *

Dammit!
What the hell was wrong with him? Where had that pathetic, needy statement sprung from? He knew she loved him, knew it in his soul. Why was he so determined to make her say it?

He picked up the nearest pillow and sent it spinning, smashed his fist against the wall. It wasn’t enough. He needed to get out. His glance slid over the rest of his destroyed hotel room and he quickly made things right again. There was no reason to burden the staff with extra work because of his petty tantrum.

God, he needed to be free.

In a second, he magicked himself north to the immense sequoia forests and changed form. Here at least he could fly undetected and act like the animal he was. He flew for a while and then perched at the top of one of the massive trees and watched the sun go down. The scent of pine and eucalyptus filled his lungs, and he breathed deep.

“Morosov, is that you up there?”

He squinted down and saw Ella’s upturned face at the bottom of the massive trunk. She’d never let him get away with disappearing on her. She’d even followed him to Otherworld to save him, without caring for her own safety. Without answering, he swooped down, picked her up and flew her up to the top of the tree.

She opened her mouth and he put his finger against her lips.

“Don’t say it.”

“I’m not going to say anything, I’m going to
scream!
” She gave a convulsive shudder. “I’m terrified of heights.”

“You are?”

She nodded, her fingers digging into his flesh.

“It’s all right. If you say it now, I won’t believe you. I was wrong to try and force the issue.”

She nipped his finger and he snatched it away.

“Listen, you big dope. I never thought about it from your side before. I only thought about my issues. You haven’t exactly had it easy in the parenting department either, have you?”

“No.”

“We’re both a bit gun-shy.”

“Yes.”

She kissed him softly on the mouth. “If you won’t let me say it, can I show you instead?”

“Be my guest.”

She looked down and instantly clutched hold of him even tighter. “Here?”

“I won’t let you fall. I’ll never let you fall.”

“I suppose I’ll have to trust you, then.”

“Yes, you will.”

She kissed him again, and unaccustomed warmth unfolded in his chest. She might not be a conventional female by the standards of her own world, but in his, she was a true warrior.

He respected that.

With a wave of his hand, he had her naked and straddling him, her hot, wet core pressed against his hard cock, her nipples tightening against his chest. He lifted her over him and let her slide down slowly over his willing flesh. When he was deep inside her, she started to move on him, and he planted his feet firmly against the tree trunk to hold them both steady.

He slid his hand into her blond hair and wrapped it around his fist until she tilted her head for his kiss. Such a beautiful female, and his for all eternity—if he played his cards right.

Her inner muscles squeezed his cock, and he lost his train of thought.

Her feelings flooded his mind, of her first meeting him at the SBLE offices and admiring his ass, of their being stuck in the elevator shaft and the shock of their unexpectedly erotic mating.