Page 119 of Soul Sucker

Ella frowned. “I also feel like I’ve met one of them again recently.” She retrieved Perry’s letter and showed it to Liz. “Two of these people eloped and got married, so it only leaves two.”

“One male and one female. We’ve always assumed the Siren is male. Hang on a minute.” Liz’s finger remained on the letter. “Anna Wheeler works at the empath college. I spoke to her when I chased up the information last week.”

Ella met Liz’s gaze. “I’m going to have to return to Otherworld, aren’t I? I justknowthe solution lies there.”

“Not by yourself.”

“Liz, I can’t ask Feehan. He’ll tell Spencer and he’s already told me to back off and await my fate.”

“Vadim?”

“I don’t think I can do that to him, Liz.”

“He’s your mate. He’ll want to be by your side.”

“Not in Otherworld, he won’t. I did kind of ask him already, and he didn’t exactly sound keen. Don’t you remember what happened last time? He barely got out alive and ended up mated to me. I can’t do that to him.” There was one thing she could do for him while she was in Otherworld. Something that might convince Vadim she was taking the mating business seriously. Liz uncrossed her legs and slid off the table. “I’ll come with you, but we have to let someone know where we are.”

“Cool, let’s go and tell Sam.” Hopefully he’d forget to mention it to anyone.

“The portal on Embarcadero is still open.” Liz put away her phone.

“That’s useful.” Ella picked up her backpack and shoved the photo and letter inside. “Hopefully we’ll be back before anyone notices we’ve even gone.”

“I wish.” Liz glanced up at the sky as they exited the building. “I told Sam that if we weren’t back in two hours, he should tell Vadim and Doug where we are, okay?”

“Sounds like a plan.” Ella concentrated on avoiding another speeding passerby. “Why is it so busy today?”

“It’s Friday. Everyone’s either out for a long lunch, or skipping off home early.”

“Oh God, I promised to visit my mom tomorrow. She has a birthday surprise for me.”

“Lucky you.”

“Funny, Liz.”

“No, I mean it. You can give her the good news about you and Vadim. She’ll be thrilled.”

“Do you think so?”

“Ella, in her own peculiar way she loves you.”

Ella didn’t answer, just pretended she needed all her resources to get across the street. The baseball park loomed up ahead of them and they turned toward the bay and the portal.

As Ella checked for the portal, Liz nudged her in the ribs. “Ooh, I meant to ask how you and Vadim ended up mated.”

“It’s a long story.”

“But it’s a bit weird isn’t it? Him being right here and not needing to come and find you?”

“Weird doesn’t even begin to describe it, seeing as Morosov says he wasn’t even on the OCOS list.”

“What?”

“I know. He thinks it might have something to do with his visit to Otherworld with us.”

“Someone set him up? That’s typical Fae.” Liz made a face. “The poor guy. Someone in Otherworld must really hate him.”

“Yeah, sticking him with me.”

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