Page 114 of Soul Sucker

She touched Laney’s face and then Christa’s, counted the smiling, apprehensive faces. Only eight female empaths and two males had graduated. There were fourteen in the photo. What had happened to the others? She tried to remember…

As if she’d conjured him, Vadim came through her door and shut it behind him. He looked unaffected by Spencer’s comments but Ella knew him better now.

“That man is an asshole,” Ella said.

“I agree. He seemed determined to get into some pissing contest with me. I have no idea why.”

“He’s part Fae, right?” Vadim nodded. “None of them seem to like you, do they?”

“You have a point.” He took the seat in front of her desk. “It was good of you to stand up for the team. Good of you to stand up for me.”

She shrugged. “As I said, the guy is an ass, and we’re in this together. Sure, I gave you a hard time when you arrived, but I’ve gotten used to your ugly face and you’re one of us now.”

“Thanks.” His smile was so beautiful she couldn’t look away. He paused. “Don’t do what Spencer wants, Ella.”

“Play bait?”

“Please, we’ll find another way.”

Ella stared at him. “Because of what happened with Natasha?”

“No, because of you. I don’t think I could let you do it.”

“It’s not your decision to make.”

“We’re mated.”

“We agreed that it was just about sex.”

“No, that’s what you wanted.”

She wrapped her arms around herself. “You didn’t disagree.”

“Because I didn’t know how I would be affected. I didn’t expect it to change me. I thought I was strong enough, secure enough to resist.”

“We don’thaveto change,” she said quickly.

“I think we already have.” Vadim studied her. “Are you afraid?”

“Of what, of you?” She attempted a laugh. “Of course not!”

“Then why would you be willing to sacrifice yourself as SBLE bait? Do you think you are so worthless?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Theysay it, Ella. The SBLE has been telling you you’re expendable your whole life.” He stood up and came toward her, his hand outstretched. “It doesn’t have to be like that anymore. You have the ability to live how you want now.”

She evaded his touch and he went still. “What’s wrong?”

“You’re much more powerful than me. You could make me do whatever you want.”

“I’ve already told you I’d never do that.” He shook his head. “Don’t you trust me at all?”

She found it hard to swallow. “You told me that you were doing this mating thing so that we could finish the case and you’d not get fired.”

“Itoldyou what you wanted to hear.”

“You lied?”

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