Adam nodded. “That is agreeable to me.”
“And you speak for the whole sect?”
“I do.”
“Like you think they’ll keep their word.” Ella scowled at the lot of them. “You’re all a bunch of idiots.”
Spencer gathered up his papers. “Then there is no need for any further deliberation on my part. If all parties are content with Death Bringer being held to account in a battle to the death, so am I. This case is adjourned.”
Even while he was speaking, Ella took the opportunity to edge as close to Vadim as she dared.
“Can you hear me?” His cool blue gaze flicked over her. “Do you want me to break you out of there?”
“Why would you want to do that?”
“Because there’s something fishy going on here, and I need to talk it through with you.”
There were sounds of movement behind her, but she didn’t dare look back. “Didn’t you get that bit about our combined powers? I bet we can do anything we want.” She held out her hand. “Are you game?”
“Of course I am, Soul Sucker.”
She focused her thoughts and reached through the thin web of power to take his waiting hand. Shouts echoed behind her, but they meant nothing, because as her power met Vadim’s, they were suddenly and impossibly free.
“That’s ridiculous.”
Vadim paced back and forth in front of his mate, who was regarding him with a somewhat aggrieved expression.
“No, it makes perfect sense. Adam steals my face, you come back in a rage, threatening to wipe out your entire family—either way he wins.”
“You think this was all set up to destroy me?”
“Why else would the sect be so desperate to get hold of you? Think about it. Think about their obsession with patterns!”
“And killing me would be Adam’s ultimate triumph.”
“Yes!”
He considered the spectacular view over the forest. The sun was setting and he sensed their pursuers were not far behind. Ella still bore his father’s mark. They would be easy to track.
“We have to go back.”
“I know.”
He walked over to her and cupped her cheek. “I have to go back, you do not. If you wish, I can help you find your way home.”
“But I’d have this face, and at some point, if Adam is still alive, he’ll come after me to reclaim his prize and end the contest.”
“I will do my best to kill him for you before I succumb.”
She attempted a grin, but it was a pitiful sight. “You’re so freaking noble.”
“No, I simply want you to survive more than life itself.”
She grabbed his wrist. “Do you want me to go?”
“I don’t want you to see me die.”
“That’s hardly an answer.”
“Ella, I want to live out my life with you for all eternity.” She made as if to break free, but he covered her hand with his own. “I need you.” It was so much easier to express himself in his true form, so much simpler when he didn’t have to worry about exposing his dark side. Ella knew all about him now, and she still hadn’t walked away.
“And I don’t want to leave. I can’t do that to you. Whatever happens, we should face this together.”
He let out a slow breath. “In their supreme arrogance, that’s one thing they haven’t thought about, isn’t it? Your power added to mine brings a whole new dimension to their ability to bring me down.”
“I can help you.”
“I know that.” He kissed her hand. “It’s going to be difficult to prove what you suspect.”
“I suppose it doesn’t matter, if you kill them all anyway.”
“But it does. It matters to my family. I’d rather obtain a confession first.”
“Why should you care? None of them have exactly stood up for you, have they?”
“My mother and grandmother have supported me to the best of their ability, but the charges of killing Nia and Ciaran were enough to shake even their faith. They believed I’d become a danger to everyone.” He sighed. “If what you suspect is true, my death will simply enhance the power of the sect.”
“If Adam really has delusions of ruling Otherworld.”
“We can’t allow that to happen.” He glanced over at the hills, where an ominous cloud was forming. “They are coming. Are you sure you want to go through with this?”
“Absolutely. If anyone is going to kick your ass, Morosov, it’s going to be me, not a bunch of crazy old Fae.”
“I love you, Soul Sucker.”
She rolled her eyes at him. “Dude, don’t say that. Wait until the end of the movie. If you start getting all emotional now, it means you’ll never make it.”
“But what if I never have the opportunity to say it again?” He hesitated. “What if they succeed in killing me?”
“They will, if you go in with such a defeatist attitude. What’s wrong with you?” She smacked his upper arm. “You’re the most powerful being in Otherworld! Get a grip!”
Her ability to simultaneously see through his doubts and make him feel like a complete dork made him want to smile. She was maddening, but God help him, he couldn’t imagine a world without her. If only she would say the words to him. He would carry them into battle like a medieval lady’s favor and become invincible.
He stepped away from her and swept an elaborate bow. “As my lady wishes.”
Guards appeared all around the small clearing. Adam materialized and nodded complacently at them both.
“I assume you are ready now, Death Bringer?”
“Damn right, he is.” Ella strolled up to Adam and smiled at him. “There’s something else you should know.”
“And what is that. Soul Sucker?”
Ella flicked a glance over her shoulder at Vadim. “He’s not as smart as he thinks he is, and neither are you.”
Adam’s expression hardened. “I don’t like your tone.”
She laughed, and behind her, Vadim growled a warning. “Having seen what he’s like in this world, do you think I want him back in mine? He’s a fricking psycho.” She blew him a kiss. “I’m sorry, darling, but I really think I’m siding with Adam on this one. You need to be put out of your misery for all our sakes.”
Vadim’s face whitened. He gathered himself and came after her, his roar echoing through the valley as the sun finally set behind the trees. She didn’t move, just watched the guards hold him down and contain him within some kind of magical net.
Adam smirked triumphantly and patted Ella on the shoulder.
“Don’t worry, Soul Sucker. I’ll make sure he never comes near you again.”
“No!” Vadim roared. He fought against his captors, his claws raking at the net, and almost found a way free.
“Stop it, Morosov.” She was standing right over him, her expression bored. “You’ll hurt someone and just prove what an animal you really are.”
He bared his fangs at her and hissed an obscenity in Fae.
She nudged his torso with her booted toe. “You’re way too scary. How could you expect anyone to live with that? I’m sorry, dude, but I have to protect myself.”
Adam ordered Vadim’s removal and turned back to her.
“Are you coming, Soul Sucker?”
She smiled. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
Chapter Fourteen
Ella shaded her eyes and looked around the vast hall, which was the length of a football field. They were back in the sect’s palace, waiting for the Fae court to arrive so the ‘battle,’ whatever that meant, could start. At least Drew Spencer had gone back to Washington to prance around in his other role as head of the SBLE. She would hate to see his smirk at this point. She still wasn’t convinced that his so-called judgment had been fair and unbiased. But that was a fight for another day—if she and Vadim survived this one.