Page 66 of Death Bringer

“Thanks, Mom, but I won’t need a lunch.” She finished her pastries. “And thanks for not freaking out too much about everything.”

Her dad raised his coffee cup in a salute. “Living with you, Ella, has been an education. After fighting off trolls in the closet and Water Fae in the shower when you were young, nothing fazes us at all.”

“But you will be careful?” Darlene added.

“Of course I will.” Ella slid down from her stool. “I’ll be in touch. Thanks for a wonderful birthday.”

* * *

She foundVadim’s car keys in his jeans pocket and bundled the rest of his clothes in a deliberately untidy heap to take with her. The hint of his aftershave made her bury her nose in his T-shirt with a pang of what felt suspiciously like longing. Damn the man. She needed to be angry, not a moping fool.

The drive back to San Francisco was uneventful, the sky a bright uncaring blue, the sun warm on her newly acquired face. Every time she glanced in the rearview mirror, she was shocked by her appearance. It was worse than when she’d dyed her hair black and been a Goth. How long would Adam wait before he came back? Had he already fought Vadim? Wouldn’t she know if her mate were dead?

Pushing her fears aside, she parked under the SBLE main office on Market and headed for the elevators. There was no one around when she walked into the department, so she headed for Feehan’s office, knocked on the door and went straight in.

“Hey, boss.”

He leaped to his feet, half a dripping tuna sandwich clutched in his hand. “Who the hell are you?”

She waved her ID badge at him. “It’s me, Ella. Something’s up with my face.”

He grabbed his phone. “Security!”

“Boss, calm down. Adam got me last night after he got Vadim.”

Feehan clutched the phone to his chest and stared at her. “Ella?”

She took a seat in front of his desk. “Yes.”

“Are you sure?”

She patted her torso. “Same crappy attitude toward authority figures? Yup, I’m sure it’s me.” The door behind her burst open, and she turned to the two security guards. “Hey Mitch, hey Frankie, what’s up?”

Feehan waved them away. “False alarm. Ms. Walsh has suffered some kind of magical accident. Can you ask Liz and Sam to come in here, please?”

After a long look at her new face, the guys departed and were quickly replaced by the rest of the special team. They all started talking at once.

“Everyone, sit down!” Feehan shouted. “Ella, shut the door and tell us what the hell is going on.”

She told them the bare minimum of what had happened on the previous evening. For a change, no one interrupted her, their expressions ranging from horrified to appalled. Liz’s Fae-Web hovered over her head like a billowing veil in a storm.

“So I need to get to Otherworld, find out what Adam’s done with my face and get it back before he decides to come after me.” Ella concluded. “I just wanted to let you know what was going on. I don’t think I have much time.”

“You don’t.” Liz said. “Adam is very sure of his victory.”

“Not until I’m dead, he isn’t.”

Sam raised his hand. “What about Vad?”

“What about him?”

“Aren’t you going to save him, too?”

“That idiot?” Ella snorted. “He went to Otherworld to prove what a big bad fairy he is. I’m not getting involved in his petty squabbles.”

“Ella—” Feehan hesitated. “You might have no choice.”

“Because of the mating crap? He’s the one who left, not me. I don’t owe him a thing.”

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