Page 42 of Soul Sucker

She kept going. Vadim followed, ignoring the looks of consternation on her father and brother’s faces. She walked through the kitchen, down the hallway and took a left turn into what he guessed was a bedroom. He followed her in and shut the door behind them.

* * *

Ella tookseveral deep breaths and tried to unclench her fists. She was aware that Vadim had come in, but somehow she didn’t care.

“It’s not that I’m angry with them. It’s just that sometimes, when I remember I’m not going to be around to see the future, I get angry with myself.” She looked at him, but he didn’t say anything. “Sometimes I wonder what it would be like if I could have a family, a kid, a?—”

The door burst open and her mother appeared. “How could you?” Darlene shrieked. “You upset Scott and Julie on their special day!”

“And you don’t think that I might be upset, to have someone tell me they ‘might’ name their baby after their delusional or preferably dead auntie?”

“It’s not all about you, dear. Julie was trying to do something nice.”

“It’sneverabout me. You spend your whole life trying to pretend I don’t exist. And being reminded that I’m probably not going to be around in my present state to see my first niece being born? That sucks.” Ella shook her head. “You just don’t get it, do you?”

Darlene raised her chin. “I asked you to the party because I wanted you to share in this special moment, not throw back a kindly meant gesture in Julie’s face.”

“Wait, youknewshe was going to say that?”

Her mother looked away. “Your father and I thought it was a lovely gesture.”

“Why’s that, Mom? Because you’re relieved you’ve already found my replacement? Why the hell would you want another Ella? God help the poor kid if she displays any psychic ability. Everyone will start blaming me.”

Darlene shot her a furious glance and marched out, slamming the door behind her. Vadim moved to stand against it.

“I can ward the door to keep everyone out, if you like.”

Ella drew an unsteady breath. “That would be awesome. I’m sorry you got stuck in the middle of this. That’s why I don’t come here very often.”

He shrugged. “Last time my whole family got together there were two deaths, one disembowelment and twenty-seven activated curses.”

She met his gaze, but there wasn’t a trace of amusement in his eyes.

“You’re not kidding, are you?”

“I wish I was.” He sauntered toward her, one hand in his pocket. “Do you want to leave? I’m more than happy to come with you.”

“I can’t yet. I have to check on Laney, and then I’ll have to apologize to everyone.”

He was close enough that she had to look up at him. “Why should you have to be the one to apologize?”

“Because I make them uncomfortable and they don’t deserve that. It’s not their fault I’m the odd one out.”

“And what about how they make you feel?”

“You know how it is. I can’t expect them to understand.” His mouth kicked up at the corner and she found herself staring at it. “Did you really ward the door?”

“Yes.”

She concentrated on his mouth. “Would you kiss me?”

In answer, he bent his head until his lips brushed hers. “Like that?”

“No, like you mean it.”

“I thought you didn’t date your coworkers?”

“I’m not dating you. I just want something else to think about other than my family. You happen to be standing here, and I want you to distract me.”

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