Page 62 of Soul Sucker

“They can live in Otherworld too?” Feehan asked. “I didn’t realize that.”

“Occasionally someone chooses to stay on and teach at the college, or work for the government. It’s not encouraged because we’re supposed to be out in the field.” Ella unwrapped a piece of candy. “Sometimes a mated couple will go and live there. God knows why.”

“Maybe they have family over there,” Liz suggested. “I know some of Doug’s pack who remain in wolf form prefer it.”

“That’s right. According to the original treaty, if you can’t look like a human, you’re not really supposed to be over here, are you?” Feehan nodded. “It makes sense.” He cleared his throat. “Now where were we? Ella, can you check on the empaths here?”

“Sure.”

“And Liz, can you liaise with Alexei about the others?”

“If Alexei ever turns up.” Vadim inspected the sleeve of his suit for damage.

Feehan looked up. “Alexei’s here. Were you looking for him?” He jabbed a finger at the next sheet of paper. “What else do we have?”

“This is a list of all the graduates in our requested time period from all the empath colleges in the world.” Liz tapped the paper as she counted. “Less than three dozen. We can check up on those guys too.”

“Great.” Feehan hesitated. “The results of the autopsy are in. It seems that our latest victim died in exactly the same way as Christa Morehouse. Her hippocampus was also liquefied.”

Ella looked away. She hadn’t needed to be told that all sense of Laney had been removed. Apart from the psychic stench of the Siren, the apartment had felt empty. Sorrow engulfed her, streaming through her senses like an unstoppable tidal wave.

Just as Feehan cleared his throat Alexei strolled into the room and smiled at Vadim, who didn’t respond. “Let’s call it a day and meet back here tomorrow when we have a clearer picture about the remaining empaths.” Liz and Alexei started talking to each other, their Fae-Webs intermingling. Feehan joined them, leaving Ella sitting by herself at the table. “Ms. Walsh?”

She looked up to see that Vadim was watching her closely.

“What?”

“I just realized I must have left my wallet in your car.”

“Oh dear.”

“My hotel passkey is in there.”

“I’m sure they’ll give you another one.”

“Not without ID. That was in my wallet too.”

She raised her chin to meet his smiling, apologetic gaze. “Can’t you use your magic to get whatever you want?”

He leaned closer and she smelled his now-familiar citrus scent. “I try not to use magic in the human realm.”

“Why’s that?”

He sat on the corner of the table, which made him about level with her. “Because it identifies me.”

“And you’re scared of being caught—by what?”

He shrugged. “Otherworld.”

“I noticed that today.” She studied his beautiful face. “You’re part shapeshifter, aren’t you?” His expression didn’t even flicker. “What kind? Dragon?”

“Why would you think that?”

“Because of your ring and because of that honking great clue in your Otherworld file.”

“Honking, funny.” He glanced down at his hand. “The ring was a gift from one of my godparents.”

“You have godparents in Otherworld?”

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