Page 118 of Death Bringer

Ella paused. “What are you hoping I’ll leave out?”

“The parts about your family.”

“Myfamily?”

The queen opened her blue eyes wide. “You are part of this family, my dear, whether you want to embrace it or not.”

“If I leave your family’s antics out, that doesn’t leave me a lot to put in my report.”

“Exactly, granddaughter.” She patted Ella’s arm. “Perhaps I might make a suggestion. If you simply state that you tracked down Adam to the sect’s palace and disposed of him. You were the one who killed him, my dear, so what else is there to say?”

“What about the family vendetta and Death Bringer?”

“Surely they are of no interest to anyone at the SBLE?”

“What about the king?”

“I’ll take care of him. He will not be allowed to conspire against your mate any longer.”

“What about Ciaran being Adam?”

“The history books tell us that Ciaran died a very long time ago. Why resurrect him only to kill him again? Why not let himbeAdam? You will only cause your mate pain.”

Ella contemplated the ageless face of the queen for a long moment. “And if I do this, what’s in it for me?”

A smile lightened the other woman’s features. “You are more Fae than you realize, Soul Sucker. You certainly haggle like one. If you omit my family from your report, I will no longer seek Death Bringer’s permanent return to Otherworld.”

Ella glanced over at Vadim, who was talking to his mother. “Suppose he wants to return?”

“He doesn’t, my dear. He wants to be with you.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Why do you doubt him? He will not leave you for all eternity.”

“That’s the bit that scares me.” She stared at the back of his head and then nodded. “If he doesn’t want to stay here as Death Bringer, then I agree to your terms.”

“Excellent, my dear. Now I suggest you take him home before he comes to blows with his father again. Those two will never share a universe amicably.”

She escorted Ella back to Vadim’s side.

“Are you ready to go, Morosov?”

He looked down at her. “If that is your wish.”

“I think I’ve got enough information to close the case, how about you?”

“There certainly isn’t anything else worth staying for. My mother insists she can deal with my father and that I shouldn’t worry about her.”

“She’s a strong woman.” She linked her arm through his and led him toward the exit. “She’ll be okay. Did she tell you she invited me back for dinner?”

“She invited you?”

“Well, she asked both of us.”

He looked down at her. “Is that something that would appeal to you?”

“Dude, she promised to show me her closet. I bet she has some amazing clothes in there that she is just dying to give away to her favorite new relative.”

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