The Alchemist's Flame (13 page)

“Providing he hasn’t sabotaged it,” James said.

“It’s the same batch I used on Rowan and Elysia.”

Elysia glanced at Rowan. “You used a truth serum on him?”

“The first time we met,” I said.

“She thought he burned down the Alchemica,” James said.

Elysia’s brows rose. “How did you get him to drink it?”

“That compulsion potion,” I said.

“Ah.”

“After she failed to spike his glassware,” James said.

“I wouldn’t call that a failure,” Rowan said. A smile curled his lips as he smeared some jelly on his toast.

James snickered. “Maybe not from your point of view.”

“Ha ha,” I said. It seemed Rowan had brought him up to speed on that story.

“What happened?” Elysia was smiling.

“I get Addie into the kitchen of the Elemental Offices, after hours,” James said. “She’s going to find the Flame Lord’s glasses and spike them with her compulsion potion. I’m supposed to give her fifteen minutes then pull the car around and pick her up.”

“But something went…wrong?” Elysia asked.

“She claimed she couldn’t find all his glasses,” James said. “It wasn’t until later that I learned that they were in there making out.”

Elysia pressed a hand to her mouth.

“Hardly making out,” I said. “He tricked me into a kiss.”

“Tricked?” Rowan asked. “It was a trade.” He turned to Elysia. “I find this young woman hiding in my kitchen, dressed in this skin-tight, black body suit.”

“It was alchemically treated to blend in with the shadows, to help me hide.”

“It didn’t hide much.”

I swatted his shoulder, but he just grinned at me.

“She told me she was there on a dare to steal one of my glasses.”

“You told him that?” Elysia stared at me. “To his face?”

“I didn’t know he was the Flame Lord. He wasn’t wearing his robes, and he’s in the kitchen after hours washing dishes. I thought he was a servant, though in hindsight, I should have figured it out. He was too freaking cocky.”

“Go on.” Elysia bit her lip as if holding back a laugh.

“I figured she was pledging a sorority,” Rowan continued. “Goodness knows we did equally silly things in my college days, so I decided to test her. I told her she could have a glass if she kissed me.”

Elysia laughed. “So, you kissed him,” she said to me.

“I was running out of time. If I didn’t get out of there, fur ball would come looking for me.” I waved a hand at James.

“Uh-huh, blame me.” James grinned.

“Well, it would have been hard to explain a hellhound in the Elements’ kitchen.”

“So, that’s how you two met,” Elysia said.

“Yep.” I wanted to tease her and James, but I sensed that these were the tenuous early moments of whatever was going on between them, and I didn’t want to damage that. I steered the conversation onto the more mundane topic of what James thought of his first college chemistry class.

We were clearing away the dishes when a knock sounded from the stairwell. I turned to find Ian on the threshold. “What’s up?” I asked, walking over.

“The salve is ready, but I wasn’t sure if I should start the next batch.” He passed me a folded newspaper.

With some trepidation, I opened it. As I feared, I had made the front page. Again. Beneath a large photo of Rowan and me embracing outside the elevators on Albright’s floor was the headline:
New Burn Unit Director Vows To Make Changes.

I glanced down at the article, and my eyes fell to the boxed quote beneath the photo of a Dr. Craig Steadham. “I will not take risks with my patients’ health because the Flame Lord wants to secure his girlfriend a job.”

I fisted my hands, crinkling the paper.

“I didn’t think that would go over well,” Ian said.

“What’s that?” Rowan had walked up behind me.

I passed him the paper.

A moment’s study and he handed it back to me. “I’ll take care of it.”

“No, you won’t. That’s the problem.”

“We can argue about it later. I need to get going if I’m going to accomplish half of what I need to get done today.”

I crossed my arms, not wanting to be put off, even if he really did have a busy day ahead of him.

He eyed me. “Do I get a good-bye kiss?”

“Fine.” I rolled up on my toes and kissed his cheek.

He slipped a hand behind my neck before I could pull away, then leaned down and covered my mouth with his. He didn’t seem to care that Ian stood only a few feet away, or that James and Elysia were in the room with us. When he finally let me up for air, my cheeks were flushed and my pulse was racing.

“And since you bailed on me last night, you can join us for dinner tonight.”

“Rowan.”

“I’ll send Era over with a dress.”

“I have to dress up, too?”

He gave me a wink, then turned back to the room. “James, are you ready?”

“Yes,” James answered. A few whispered words to Elysia, then he hurried over to Rowan’s side.

“Stay out of trouble,” Rowan said, his eyes meeting mine.

“Yeah, right,” James said.

“He doesn’t need help, Fido.”

James flashed me a grin, then followed Rowan to the stairwell. Ian stepped aside to let them pass. I expected Rowan to give him the same instructions about keeping me out of trouble, but he remained silent. It was James who spoke to Ian.

“She’s a beacon to the dead right now. Next time, call me as soon as they appear.”

“The ability to interact with the spirit world is a blood gift. I have no blood.”

“Then how did you know she was in trouble?” I asked.

“She opened a portal—I assume in her sleep—and when she did, something came through.”

James frowned at Elysia, though she had her back to us, loading the leftovers into the refrigerator.

“She needs to be trained,” Ian said.

“Not by you,” James said, his voice a low snarl. “Stay away from her.” He turned away and followed Rowan down the stairs.

Ian sighed, but didn’t comment.

“In answer to your earlier question,” I said, “go ahead and make the salve.”

“I suspected you would say that.” He smiled, though not wide enough to make the dimples appear.

“But you can work on that this afternoon when I’m at the Offices. I’ve got some other potions to try this morning.”

“A cure for my granddaughter?”

“Yes, then I’ll try to adapt that finder’s potion.”

He continued to smile. “I’ve already purified the Hunter’s blood.”

“I don’t know what I’d do without you, Ian.” It wasn’t until I spoke the words that I realized they were true.

Chapter
13

“I
t’s not staying,” Elysia said.

Even as she spoke, her golden-brown eyes lightened. I had to assume she wasn’t using her magic.

Ian turned away, wordlessly gathering the dirty glassware and carrying it to the sink. He didn’t say it, but I knew he was disappointed in me. Hell, I was disappointed in me.

“I’m sorry,” I said to Elysia. “But don’t worry; I’m not giving up. I will get this.”

“Thank you.” She offered a tentative smile. “The fact that you can temporarily heal me says you’re getting close, I think.”

I made a sound of agreement, not wanting to discourage her. Why couldn’t I get the azoth to work every time? Why did it work on those poor burned people at the hospital and Rowan? The worst part was that I couldn’t start work on that finder’s potion until I was sure the potion would work. Alchemy was a double-edged sword. With confidence, an alchemist could do the impossible, but if you had any doubt, the potion wouldn’t work as expected—or it wouldn’t work at all.

I sat down on the stool and pulled my journal over. I hadn’t even started thinking about how to break Neil’s hold on Gavin. Unfortunately, we couldn’t just end Neil. Ian was soul bound to him.

Elysia moved away, and I expected her to go back upstairs—where she had been until I called her down to try the potion. Instead, she collected a couple more beakers and carried them to the sink where Ian was quietly washing up.

“Thank you for helping me this morning,” she said, her voice so soft, I barely caught the words.

Ian lifted his head. If he was surprised that she had spoken to him, he didn’t let it show.

I tensed, afraid he would reprimand her on her lack of training, or her relationship with James.

“I’m glad I was here,” he said.

“You think I’m foolish to refuse to let you teach me.”

“You have the blood gift.”

“I wouldn’t call it a
gift
.”

A knock sounded on the back door and I got to my feet. “That must be Era.” Rowan had said she was going to bring over a dress.

“Should I go upstairs?” Elysia asked.

“No. She needs to see that you’re not the typical evil necromancer bent on world domination.”

Ian lifted a brow, but I returned an innocent smile before I walked down the short hall to the back door. I couldn’t believe Rowan was making me go to some formal dinner tonight. I had way too much going on to mess with such silliness. Besides, I hated wearing heels. Era better have brought something sensible.

I turned the deadlock and pulled open the door. “I draw the line at anything over three inches,” I said.

“Does that mean you’re not inviting me in?” Doug Nelson asked.

His presence surprised me, and it took a moment for his comment to sink in—then my cheeks caught fire.

“I thought you were someone else. She was bringing over a pair of heels.”

“Good to know. For an instant there, you cast His Grace in a whole new light.”

“Ha ha. What do you want?”

“Congenial as always.” His expression grew serious. “I’ve been thinking about Ely and your inability to cure her.”

I crossed my arms.

“I might be able to help. Are you going to invite me in?”

“Probably not.”

He sighed. “I know the grim’s here. I’m not going to try anything.” He sensed death—Ian—but thought he was James.

I didn’t correct him. “How can you help me cure Elysia?”

“I can show you Neil’s lab. Or what served as his lab a few days ago. It’s where he brewed the potion that stunted her.”

I dropped my arms. “How do you have access to his lab?”

“I got him the job. It’s at the city morgue, the forensics lab.”

That’s right. Doug was a forensic pathologist. Even so, did he think me an idiot? “So
you’re
going to take
me
to a morgue?”

“That’s not—”

“Addie? Who is…” Elysia stepped up beside me. “Doug.” She glared at him. “What are you doing here?”

“I was telling Addie that I could get her in to see Neil’s lab at the morgue. It occurred to me this morning. Maybe she can find something that will help her figure out what he did to you.”

“Everything’s still there?”

“I assume.”

“He’s telling the truth?” I asked her.

“That he gave Neil a job at the morgue? Yes, I’ve seen the lab.”

This was an excellent opportunity, but did I dare trust Doug? “Give me a minute.” I closed the door in his face.

Elysia snorted. “I bet he’s never experienced that.”

“Maybe it will teach him humility.” I walked back into the lab.

Ian looked up from the dishes he was washing. “Not Era?”

“It’s Doug Nelson.”

He slowly placed the beaker he was rinsing on the drying rack and turned to face me. “What does he want?”

“He says he can show me the lab where Neil brewed his potions.”

“Convenient.”

“I agree.”

“I don’t trust him.”

“Neither do I.” I pulled out my phone and dialed Rowan’s number. He answered on the first ring.

“Addie? What’s wrong?”

“Why do you assume something’s wrong?”

“Your number showed up on my caller ID.”

“Funny.”

“So. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Yet.”

“Go on.”

“I’ve been given the opportunity to visit the lab Neil was using a few days ago.”

“What’s the catch?”

“Doug Nelson is the one who offered.”

“Where are you?”

“My lab. Doug is patiently waiting on the back stoop. I wouldn’t have bothered you, but all my usual sidekicks fall a bit short in this situation.”

“So, I’m your last resort?”

“You want to be my sidekick?” I wasn’t certain, but he might have snorted.

“Let me talk to him.”

I returned to back door. Doug was still waited outside and turned to face me as I opened the door.

“Your lack of trust is distressing,” he said.

I held out my phone. “Rowan wants to speak to you.”

Doug’s frown deepened, but he accepted the phone and pressed it to his ear. “Your Grace?”

He listened for a moment. “Of course. As you wish.” He handed me the phone.

“Yes?” I said into the phone.

“I can’t get away, but I’m sending over a car, and a sidekick compatible with the task.”

“Who?”

“Colby.”

“Um…”

“He’s fine. He has a fear of flying. I shouldn’t have pressed the issue.”

“I see. Well, whatever you think best.”

“Thanks for calling me.”

“Just doing as told.”

“Since when?”

“I like to change it up to keep you on your toes.”

“Then stay out of trouble.”

“No promises.” I ended the call and turned to Doug.

“While you wait for reinforcements, I’ll drive over.” His gaze settled on Elysia. “I’ll tell Gretchen to send you back.”

Elysia nodded and we watched Doug climb into his Mercedes and drive away.

“Who’s Gretchen?” I asked, closing the door.

“I’m guessing the receptionist. I didn’t get her name last time I was there.”

I studied her. “Do you think we can trust him?”

“He claimed to know nothing of Neil’s intentions, but he would have taken James if Neil had been able to free him.”

But just now, he had thought Ian was James, and he had made no move to take him.

“Doug is loyal to his father, to the Family. That’s why I left him. I knew that nothing would ever be more important to him—and that included me.”

And yet Doug hadn’t told his father about James.

“Well, Rowan’s sending over the limo—and that young Fire Element he’s training.”

Elysia’s brows rose. “Is that safe?”

“As long as we don’t take him flying.”

She smiled. “Okay, I’m coming with you. I’ll go get my coat.” She hurried from the room.

I glanced over to find Ian watching me. “What are you thinking?”

“She left Doug? What did she mean?”

“They were engaged to be married.”

He frowned.

“At least he’s not dead.”

“I would take the grim over him any day.”

I smiled, then walked over to my shelf to decide which potions to take with me. Rowan might be sending me a sidekick, but this was my fire power.

I stopped in front of the building and gazed up at the brick structure. It was a lot bigger than I expected, but Cincinnati was a big city.

“I’m meeting a necromancer in a morgue,” I said. “What’s wrong with this picture?”

“I’ve got your back,” Colby said, stopping beside me.

“I would be offended,” Elysia said from my other side, “but seeing as I’m stunted…” She frowned at the building, the brown contacts hiding her white eyes.

“I would gladly trade you places,” Colby said.

“Cole.” I frowned at him. “Give it up. I’ll supply you with X Dust when you fly, otherwise, forget it.”

His frown now matched Elysia’s. “Fine.” He walked toward the morgue. “Let’s do this.”

Elysia looked over, lifting her brows in question.

I shook my head and mouthed the word
later
.

She shrugged and we followed Colby inside.

Gretchen turned out to be younger than I expected. I would have wondered why a pretty, young woman would work at a morgue, but the faded eyes gave the reason away. Necromancers seemed to gravitate to any field where the dead were involved.

Her pale eyes settled on Elysia and she came to her feet. “Oh. Doug said to send you right back.”

“Thank you, Gretchen.”

The girl beamed and pressed a button on the surface of the desk. A pop sounded from the double doors behind her.

“Do I want to ask why the doors are locked?” Colby pushed open one door and held it for us.

“So the zombies don’t escape.” Elysia walked past him.

I followed her into the door-lined hall.

“She’s kidding, right?” Colby fell in step beside me.

“I hope so.”

Elysia led us down the hall and pushed open a swinging door near the end. The room was a lab. A modern lab, clearly designed for the forensic sciences with its microscopes and multiple glass-fronted refrigerators.

“Wow,” I said. Why did Neil always have access to the nice labs and I had to cobble things together to make it work? Villainy must pay better.

“You’re here,” Doug said. He rose from the stool he had been sitting on and gave a computer keyboard a final click before he faced us. “I thought I would check the hard drive while I waited.”

“Find anything?”

“No files created within the last week.” He walked to our end of the workbench and offered Colby a hand. “Colby, wasn’t it?”

“Good memory.” Colby took his hand.

I had forgotten that Rowan had invited Doug and Xander to meet the visiting Elements.

The greeting concluded, Doug turned to me. “The lab is yours. Feel free to poke around.”

“This was Neil’s lab?”

“This is the forensics lab. Neil worked in here, typically after hours.”

I frowned. “And during the day?”

“The morgue employees.”

I sighed. I was going to be hunting for a needle in a drawer full of syringes.

“How can we help?” Elysia asked.

Colby twitched a brow, but didn’t speak. Apparently, he hadn’t expected to be part of the search team.

“Look for notes. Anything that might be an alchemical formula. A list of ingredients, or some action steps. It might be in a journal, notepad, or even a sticky note.”

“An alchemical formula,” Colby repeated. “You think I’ll recognize that?”

“If it’s typewritten beneath a Hamilton County City Morgue letterhead, that’s not it. Anything else, I’ll want to take a look at.”

“Very well.”

“Check the bookshelves, drawers, and cabinets.” Of course, if Neil shared the lab, he wouldn’t leave any unofficial paperwork lying around.

Colby and Elysia began their search, and Doug joined them. I thought he would turn me loose in the lab, then go on his way. His conscience must really be bothering him.

I walked along the workbench eyeing the reagents and equipment. I didn’t see anything that didn’t belong in a forensics lab, but then, any of these things could also be used in alchemical formulas.

We worked our way around the room, going through the cabinets and opening drawers. I found a carton of empty vials, but once again, those had applications here.

Elysia stopped in front of one of the refrigerators, bending to see the items on the lower shelves. “No crisper drawer full of fresh herbs.”

“That would probably stand out in refrigerators full of things I don’t want to see.”

Colby stepped away from the one he had been inspecting. “It would make more sense to keep those in a break room.”

I turned to Doug who was pulling books from a nearby shelf.

“There’s a break room right before you get to the lobby.” Doug waved in that direction.

“Shall I?” Colby asked me.

“It’s worth a try,” I said. Unlikely, but we weren’t turning up anything here.

“Neil had a cart,” Elysia said. “He kept his things on it when he moved from room to room.”

“There are other labs?”

“Autopsy rooms,” Doug said, returning the books to the shelves.

I gave him a frown.

“I’ll go look,” Elysia said, probably picking up on my unease with the task. At my nod, she hurried from the room, the door thumping closed behind her.

I turned to the logbook lying beside the electronic scale. It contained calibration documentation. I flipped the cover closed with a sigh.

“Anything?” Doug asked.

“Nothing.”

“What now?”

“I have a few more potions to try.”

“Why haven’t you tried them already?”

“I’ve tried variations. I’ve returned her power temporarily.”

“Good. She can bleed off the excess.”

I stopped frowning at the mini fridge full of PCR tubes and frowned at him. “You were really going to marry her even though it was clear what your father thought of her.”

“I had hoped to ease him into the idea, not smack him in the face with it in front of your Flame Lord.”

I couldn’t help but smile when he called him
my
Flame Lord. So much better than being the Flame Lord’s alchemist.

“Why are you smiling?”

“Never mind.” I waved away the question. “Did your father have her grandmother’s house burned?”

“What?”

“Her grandmother’s house was burned yesterday evening. Arson is suspected.” Well, I suspect it, anyway.

“Why do you think Father did it?”

“To add to the confusion, the bodies in their morgue had been animated and sicced on her cousin—and
me
.” I didn’t go into what had been controlling them.

“Is Livie okay?” He looked genuinely concerned. “A couple of zombies shouldn’t challenge her, but she is new to her power.” Apparently, he knew Elysia’s immediate family well. How long had he and Elysia dated?

“She’s okay. Grams was hospitalized for smoke inhalation.”

“God.” Doug rubbed a hand over his face. “They’re all Elysia has.”

He might really care—or it might be for show. “Did your father do it?” I asked again.

“He didn’t mention it if he did.” Doug turned away, pacing to the end of the bench before walking back. “She should not have confronted him—not in front of Rowan.”

“So you concede that it’s possible?”

He frowned, but didn’t answer.

“Why do you seem to disagree with his policies, but when he tells you to jump, you ask how high on the way up?”

He crossed his arms, but maintained his silence. Was it really family loyalty or was it something more?