Page 112 of Soul Sucker

“I’m justfine, Ms. Walsh! Can I help you with anything?”

“You can stop scaring me. Is everything okay?”

“Everything is awesome! I love my job!” Peach sang. Ella glanced at Vadim as they approached the elevators.

“Has she been cursed or something?”

“Not that I noticed. Shall we take the stairs?”

They walked down together and entered the main lobby of the SBLE offices. A businesslike hum had replaced the usual peaceful silence and several of Ella’s colleagues were walking around purposefully like the folks in TV car ads.

“What’s going on?” Ella turned to Vadim.

“I’ve no idea. Let’s see if Alexei knows anything.” Vadim held the door open for her and followed her into the smaller conference room. Alexei and Liz huddled together by his desk. “What’s up?” Ella demanded.

Liz made an anguished face at her. “Drew Spencer’s here!”

“Drew who?” Ella rushed ahead and took Vadim’s seat.

“The head of SBLE!”

“What does he want?”

Alexei swung around to look at Vadim. “Didn’t you tell her? I thought Feehan took you into his confidence.”

“Yes, he took me into his confidence, which in this world means it was a private conversation, Alexei.”

“But didn’t it concern Ella?” Alexei persisted.

Vadim’s gaze rested on her face. “Which is why I didn’t tell her anything. She’s an adult. She can decide how she wants to deal with this herself.”

Ella punched him on the arm. “Thanks, Morosov.”

“You’re welcome.” He paused. “I checked up on Drew Spencer last night. He’s about a quarter Fae, so don’t expect him to be easy to deal with.”

“Wow, the head of the SBLE actually has some Otherworld blood in him? That’s great!” Ella said.

Alexei laughed. “Wait until you get to meet him. You might change your mind.” He checked his watch. “We’re supposed to be in there right now. Shall we go?”

* * *

Vadim waiteduntil everyone else had taken their seats before sitting opposite the surprisingly young looking head of the American branch of the SBLE. Vadim sensed that in some way he and Drew Spencer were kin, but that wasn’t unusual. With his lineage, Vadim was linked to almost all the great Fae houses.

Feehan stood and cleared his throat. “Everyone, I’d like you to meet Mr. Drew Spencer.”

Drew Spencer acknowledged their greetings with a brisk nod of his head. His eyes were the watchful opaque black of a shark.

“I’m pleased to meet you all, although I’d rather it was in less trying circumstances.” He glanced at Ella. “Ms. Walsh, may I offer you my condolences for the loss of so many of your colleagues, and my assurance that I will do anything in my power to ensure that your life is preserved.”

“Gee, thanks.” Ella nodded.

Drew swiveled to face the whiteboard. “I’ve gone through the specifics of this case with Mr. Feehan, and I must admit to having some concerns.”

“Which are?” Alexei asked.

“To be brutally honest, your lack of progress worries me.”

“What else do you expect us to do, Mr. Spencer?” Vadim asked. “We are dealing with a serial killer who seems to have the ability to appear and murder at will. The only connection between the victims is that they are female and all graduated from Otherworld empath colleges in the same year. We have identified these women, and are now guarding the remaining empaths. We don’t intend to let the Siren near them.”

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