Page 126 of Soul Sucker

Rossa went pale. “Don’t even joke about her. Of course I meant your woman. She went in about half an hour ago, and she hasn’t come out yet.”

Vadim walked around to the side door and tried it. “It’s locked.”

“That’s because the place is shut for the day.”

“Not if Ella is still inside.” Vadim lowered his shields an inch and frowned. “There’s a lot of magic around. It’s trying to keep me out.”

Rossa gave a crack of laughter. “Keepyouout? They must be insane.”

“Unfortunately I think they might be.” Vadim nodded at Rossa. “Can you stay here and make sure no one else comes in?”

“I’m not risking my life for you or anything.” Rossa ambled back around to the front of the building. “But I’ll wait. This could be seriously amusing.”

Vadim ignored his half-sibling and concentrated his formidable talents on the task in front of him. He could only hope the abilities he’d buried so successfully in order to function as human were still there beneath his skin and his shields. He lifted his hand and power danced like lightning at the end of his fingertips. Ah yes, he still had it. Now he just had to hope it was enough to deal with whatever was behind that door.

* * *

Ella realizedshe was still holding the man’s hand and that she was surrounded by a curious sense of warmth and complete understanding. His mind enfolded hers, stroking her psyche, making her want to lean against him and…

“Ella Walsh,fucking pay attention!”

Who was that roaring at her in her head? She stiffened and the warm glow around her dissipated a little. She snatched back her hand.

“Did you say something?”

“Only that you can confide in me, Miss Walsh.”

“But, I didn’t come here to do that, did I? I came to—to give back my OCOS form and to find out what happened to Geoffrey White. Oh God, you’re Geoffrey White, aren’t you?”

He looked pleased. “Do you remember me at all? Unfortunately my time at college was cut short.”

“When you stole Anna’s empath powers.”

“I didn’t steal them. She let me in her head and I realized I had special abilities far beyond most mortals’ understanding.”

“You almost destroyed her.”

“I was still learning my craft. Eventually I perfected my technique.”

“Your technique to do what? Murder other empaths?” A stab of pain lanced through her head and he reclaimed her hand.

“That wasn’t nice, Miss Walsh.” His thoughts poured over her, soothing the hurt. “We were talking about your psychic burden, about how you could lay it down and be free.”

She wanted to nod, to agree with him, but something nagged at her,someone who wouldn’t shut the fuck up in her head…

“It’s okay. I don’t need to lay down my burden. I just remembered. I have a mate.”

“You have apotentialmate. I know. I’m the one who sends out the paperwork.” Her companion’s smile was beautiful.

“Of course you do.” She found herself agreeing again. God, it was so hard not to simply relinquish control and let him in. “You know everyone, don’t you? You met us all at college.”

“Luckily for you, I did. It makes my life’s work so much easier.”

“Your life’s work being…?”

“Bringing an empath peace at the end of her life.” He touched her knee. “You know what I do. You’ve seen the results.”

Laney.

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