Page 60 of Soul Sucker

Not everyone had made it.

She led the way into the building and turned left into the large administration wing. The two ladies who manned the front desk had been there for as long as anyone could remember. Ella had decided they weren’t actually human because they never seemed to age.

“Ella Walsh.”

She smiled at the dark-haired one who didn’t look terribly pleased to see her. “Yes, it’s me, Miss Vera. It’s just like old times, isn’t it?” She turned to her companions. “I was in here alot.”

Liz hid a smile and approached the desk. “I’m Liz Smith. We have an appointment with Mr. Perry.”

Miss Vera checked the calendar in front of her. “I’ll just call and see if he’s available.”

“Thank you.”

Liz wandered away to look at the pictures on the wall. Unlike most colleges there were no trophy cabinets for sports awards, or outstanding academic brilliance. Instead, there were honor roll calls of empaths who had died for the cause. Ella had sat in the office for so many hours that she practically knew the names by heart. At eighteen, convinced that she had all the time in the world, she had scoffed at the idea of caring whether you died at twenty-seven or earlier.

Miss Vera put down the phone. “You may go in, now.

I’m sure Ella remembers the way.”

Ella pointed at the door at the end of the hallway. “Follow me.”

She knocked and held the door open for Liz and an uptight Vadim to go in front of her. He hadn’t been kidding when he said that he didn’t like being in Otherworld. His shields were already struggling to cope with whatever was attacking him—and something was; she could sense it very clearly. It was another good reason to keep this meeting short so they could get the hell out of there.

Mr. Perry’s welcoming smile faltered. “Miss Walsh. You’re still alive?”

“Yeah.” Ella took a seat. “But don’t worry, I’m due to go nuts in a couple of weeks, so all your dire predictions about my future will come true.”

Liz threw her an exasperated look and Ella shut up. Perry meant nothing to her now. He had no power and she could almost feel sorry for him having to deal with multiple eighteen-year-old idiot empaths like her.

Perry ignored Ella and focused on Liz. “How can I help you, Ms. Smith?”

Ella was impressed with how neatly Liz described what was going on without giving too much away. Perry’s expression changed as Liz told him what they thought was happening, and what the college could do to help the SBLE.

“This is appalling.” Perry shook his head. “After all the expense to the government of educating these empaths, they end up dead before their time.”

“I don’t think they die worrying about the expense, Mr. Perry.” Ella couldn’t help herself. “They die with all their abilities stolen from them and no sense of who they are. Don’t you think that’s more important?”

“Miss Walsh…”

Liz intervened. “I’m sure Mr. Perry meant no disrespect, Ella. He is obviously concerned about the overall loss of the empaths to the community.”

“Yeah, right.”

Ella noticed Vadim’s hand slowly closing into a fist until his knuckles shone white. A bead of sweat wended its way down from his forehead to his cheek. She didn’t have time to goad Mr. Perry. Vadim needed to get away.

Liz took up the conversation again. “We would like a list of all the empaths who graduated in Ella’s year from this college and a list of the staff who were here at the same time.”

“I’m sure we can provide you with that information, Ms. Smith. It might take a few days, but I’d be more than happy to help.” Perry stood up and fixed his gaze on Ella. “Despite everything, the idea that any murderer is targeting empaths makes me angry and I’d like to see it stopped.”

Liz shook his proffered hand. “Thanks, Mr. Perry.

We appreciate it.”

She didn’t bother to offer her hand and neither did Vadim. His desire to bolt was consuming him and infecting both her and Liz. It was debatable which one of them raced back toward the portal fastest, although Vadim made a credible attempt to make it look as if he was deferring to her and Liz. Inside the portal, the light was yellow, which meant they were clear to leave. She waited for Vadim to speak the words, but he seemed distracted. She elbowed him in the side.

“You brought us here. You need to take us back. Just ask for SBLE, Embarcadero. That should do it.”

Vadim opened his mouth and then he hesitated, his gaze traveling around the small space.

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