Page 14 of Soul Sucker

She thrust the chicken into his bony hands. “Here you go. Now get out and don’t ever come back, because if you do, I’ll suck out your every thought and then I’ll kill you.”

The troll nodded and scuttled back into the darkness and out of the window. After a long moment the scraping sounds of his descent ceased, and Ella let out her breath. “I don’t think he’ll be back.”

“I hope not.” Tom was regarding her curiously. “Why was he so scared of you?”

She shrugged. “Because I held a gun to his head?”

“It wasn’t just that. He was even more scared when you said you’d suck out his brains.” He hesitated. “Is that why he called you a soul sucker?”

“I have no idea.” She stood up and stretched out her legs. “I have to get some sleep. I’ll see you soon, okay?” He opened his mouth to ask another question, but she forestalled it by kissing the top of his head and walking to the door. “Sleep tight, and give my love to your gran.”

“Thanks, Ella. You’re awesome. I will.”

4

Two days later,Ella licked the remnants of frozen yogurt from her spoon and headed for the vending machines in the center of the office. She’d finished the paperwork on Mr. Knight for Otherworld and started reviewing the case notes on Christa Morehouse. According to the police interviews, until the last night of her life Ms. Morehouse had been a quiet tenant whom no one had either gotten to know or cared about. Of course, that was pretty typical of big city living, and meant nothing.

The reports coming back from Humboldt showed a diligent professor of English respected by her students and her fellow staff members, none of whom could remember her ever drinking or partying to excess. She frowned as she approached the water cooler. Why exactly had Christa rented the apartment in the city? Had she wanted somewhere to let her hair down? Somewhere to meet men and misbehave before she went back to her exemplary life in Humboldt?

Speaking of misbehaving… Ella’s gaze came to rest on the broad shoulders of an unknown black-haired man who was studying the vending machines with deep suspicion. He wore a nice dark suit, white shirt and tie, which meant he was either a regular government employee, or some religious groupie that had inadvertently slipped through security. Male was probably a more appropriate word than man, because Ella could already tell there was something not quite human about him. As Ella approached, he turned more fully toward her, and she got her first good look at him. She sighed. He was way out of her league. With his pretty face, height and distinctive cheekbones he could have graced the cover on any magazine. Her appreciative gaze dropped to his broad chest—imagining him, preferably without his shirt on. She’d just bet he worked out.

“What’s up?” she asked as he continued to study her. He looked even more confused.

“I beg your pardon?” His Russian accent was as divine as his cheekbones, and she actually wanted to squeal a little. She gestured at the five-dollar bill in his hand and spoke very slowly. “Are you having trouble with the vending machine? Don’t they have those in your country?”

His sapphire-blue eyes narrowed. “Yes, they do, and you don’t need to worry about whether I can understand you. I spent four years at Harvard, so I speak American.”

“You do?” She flashed him her best smile. “Then I’ll leave you to it.”

His shoulders slumped. “Do I need change for the machine?”

Ella fished out a crumpled dollar bill from the pocket of her ripped jeans and put it in his hand. “Here you go. This one’s on me. Don’t ask me to recommend what’s good. They all taste like shit.”

He smiled and her hormones started singing the ‘Hallelujah Chorus.’

“Thanks. That’s very nice of you.” He spoke as though he was still feeling his way with the language. She had to wonder just how long it was since he’d last graced her country’s fair shores.

“I don’t do nice. I’m just trying to keep you moving along so that I can get some hot chocolate.”

“Then I’ll get out of your way.”

Ella waited while he punched some buttons, slid the dollar into the slot and bent to retrieve his plastic cup of hot watery goodness. His ass was nice too…

He straightened, then nodded to her. “Thanks again.”

“Your shields are very good.” In fact, they were exceptional, but he didn’t need to know that. “What branch of the SBLE are you in?”

He leaned one hip against the countertop and looked down at her. “Are you always this inquisitive?”

“Yeah, I find it cuts out the need for small talk. I’m not good at that.”

“I noticed. I’m glad you approve of my shields. I’ve been working hard on improving them.”

“Why’s that?” She got her hot chocolate and blew on the scummy brown surface. “Did they fail you?”

The irritated look he gave her was quite impressive. “That’s none of your business.”

“True.” She smiled sweetly at him. “If you want to make them even better, I’d focus on the center. You’re still a little thin there. I can see your anger building up and that’s never a good idea.” She turned back toward her office. “Niceto meet you, and good luck with whatever it is you’re doing here.”

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