The Alchemist's Flame (8 page)

“I think Gavin has been here.”

The line went dead, and an instant later, a portal opened a few feet away. I released a breath as Ian stepped out. His eyes met mine, then he turned toward Albright’s desk. He couldn’t see the body from where he stood, but I had no doubt that he could feel it.

Elysia stepped away as Ian moved closer.

He didn’t touch the body, he simply frowned at it.

“He’s so…clean.”

“Clean?” I asked.

“The work of a grim is distinct,” Elysia said, her tone still soft. “There are no echoes of the person he was. The body is clean.”

I frowned remembering Ian once mentioning the echoes of life that remained in a dead body. He had told me that was why zombies moaned when they were animated.

“He’s been soul ripped.” I pressed a hand to my chest. “It
was
Gavin.”

“Yes,” Ian answered, his eyes meeting mine. “I’m sorry.”

I slumped against the door behind me and covered my face with my hands. Albright was dead because of me. My stomach rolled over, and for a moment, I thought I might be physically sick. I squeezed my eyes closed, trying to shove down the nausea—and the despair.

Cold hands encircled my wrists, and Ian pulled my hands from my face. “Don’t.”

I looked up into his eyes, not certain what he was denying me.

He held my hands in place. “Blame the one responsible.”

I resisted the urge to shake my head, trying to follow his reasoning.

“Neil killed Albright, not you.
You
gave an elderly, world-worn man a reason to get out of bed every morning.”

“I—”

Ian released me. “Call Rowan.”

Rowan, yes. I pulled out my phone and made my shaking fingers work long enough to select Rowan’s number. This time, I had his secretary put me through to him.

“Addie?”

I closed my eyes when I heard his voice, the movement forcing a pair of warm tears to roll down each cheek. “I need you,” I whispered.

“What happened?”

“Neil sent Gavin after Dr. Albright.”

“Where are you?”

“Albright’s office.”

“I’m on my way.”

The PIA arrived before Rowan did. The hallway was soon roped off with yellow crime scene tape, and I resorted to pacing in the increasingly more crowded area in front of the elevators. Elysia leaned against the wall a short distance away, while Ian occupied a bench across the open area from her.

The elevator dinged, and I turned toward it in eager anticipation—as I had every time it had dinged in the last twenty minutes. Pavlov’s dog had nothing on me.

A pair of men pushing a gurney stepped off the elevator, and I stopped my pacing to watch them steer it toward the hall to Albright’s office. I blinked back the fresh tears.

“Come sit beside me,” Ian said. He had moved to my side while I had been focused on the gurney. “We can discuss your ideas for the finder’s potion. I saw your notes.”

I smiled, knowing he was trying to distract me. The elevator dinged again, and I looked up. I was moving before I had a chance to register the gray robes and wonder why he had worn them. I threw my arms around Rowan’s waist and pressed my cheek to his chest.

“What took you so long?” I whispered.

“Traffic.” He hugged me tight, one hand brushing over the back of my head. He held me for one blissful moment.

“Come.” Rowan’s hand slid to the small of my back and guided me toward the hall to Dr. Albright’s office. We ducked beneath the tape, then rounded the corner, blocking us from view of the crowd outside the elevator.

Rowan stopped and faced me. “Tell me what happened.”

“Neil. He showed up at the hospital today.”

Rowan went still. “What did he do?” His expression was hidden beneath his hood, but his tone held that scary calm that always gave me chills.

“Nothing. He told me that I’m going to help him, and that I would be inspired to do so soon. I was afraid he would send Gavin after someone I cared about.” I laid a hand over his heart. “You—but I was wrong.”

He placed his hand over mine. “Did he tell you he intended to use Gavin?”

“He didn’t mention Gavin, and neither did I.”

“That seems to be a theme. Xander made no allusions to Gavin today, either. I even asked after Neil.”

“You did? What did he say?”

“He claimed he hasn’t seen him in months.”

“Even if I hadn’t seen him and Neil together yesterday, we know that’s not true. Ian left Neil on Xander’s doorstep last December.”

“I know.” He pushed back a strand of hair that had fallen in my face. “I don’t like it that Neil can show up like this. I wish I could forbid you from coming here without me.”

“But you know better than to forbid me anything.” He was finally learning.

“Actually, I’m far too busy to escort you everywhere, and you’re needed at the hospital.”

“Rowan.”

I caught a soft chuckle from the depths of his hood. He was messing with me.

“So why was Xander at the Offices today?” I asked.

“I asked him to visit on the pretense of meeting David and Sebastien.”

“But—”

“He already knows about the summit. I thought that if I involve him, he would be less likely to try something. Xander wants to be more within the magical community, by introducing him to the other power players as the leader of Old Magic in our part of the world, I might make him an ally against Neil’s machinations.”

“I wouldn’t hold my breath.”

“All Xander wants is to be recognized.”

“I doubt that’s all he wants, but it’s not Xander who worries me. It’s Neil. He openly despises his uncle, but he admitted to me that he still needs him. For what? Alexander’s location? Why? Alexander is supposed to be off the charts powerful, but he’s also bat shit crazy.”

“Ian told you this?”

“He didn’t use the term
bat shit
, but yeah.”

“Still, all the more reason to make nice with Xander and learn what I can.”

“I can’t talk you out of that, can I?”

“You can try.”

The door to Albright’s office opened, and a couple of men stepped out.

“The PIA is here?” Rowan asked, perhaps recognizing the men.

“I had Albright’s secretary call them. He was soul ripped. This is a magical matter.”

“Yes, but do you want to make them a target? Waylon doesn’t even know that the grim exists, let alone that we now have a rogue.”

I frowned. “Isn’t this his job? The PIA is supposed to handle magical crimes.”

“I let them think so, but in all honesty, no. They’re only human.”

“I’m only human.” Neil’s words came back to me and I fell silent, wondering how well he knew me.

“It’s been a long time since I thought of you like that.”

I couldn’t decide if that was a good thing or not, but didn’t get to voice either opinion before Elysia rounded the corner. She saw us and slowed, then stopped a few yards away.

I realized how close I stood to Rowan, my hand still pressed to his chest and his hand overlaying my own. I took a step back and turned to face her.

“Sorry to interrupt,” she said, “but I thought I would call a cab and head back to your place.”

“The limo’s outside,” Rowan said. “I’ll take you both back when we’re done here.”

“Thank you, Your Grace, but I’d like to go now.” She crossed her arms, hunching her shoulders as if cold.

“What’s wrong?” I asked. “Has Ian been making overtures of Family fealty?” I smiled, making the question a joke.

A small smile curled her mouth, but faded quickly. “No.” She glanced to the side before returning her gaze to mine. “Hospitals tend to be really…active. And I don’t have a defense against that right now.”

“Active?”

“Haunted,” Rowan said.

Elysia dipped her head. “Yes.”

“I thought you couldn’t see ghosts right now,” I said, recalling our earlier conversation.

“I can still feel and hear them.” She rubbed her crossed arms. “I thought I was going mad until James told me what was happening and chased them away.”

It occurred to me that
going mad
wasn’t just an expression to her. I stepped forward, intent on taking her hands and promising to get busy on her potion as soon as we returned to the lab, but her eyes suddenly widened as she stared past my shoulder. Another ghost? I turned, not expecting to see anything and gasped.

Two brown-robed men stopped a few feet away. Like Rowan, their hoods hid their features, but I didn’t need to see their faces to recognize Xander Nelson and his son Doug.

Chapter
8

“D
eacon.” Rowan walked over to greet them. “I didn’t realize you were coming.”

“It didn’t occur to me until after you left,” Xander said, his face in shadow, but his tone warm. “If there has been a murder, we might be able to help. I believe you found Doug’s assistance useful last December.”

“Yes, I did.” Rowan gestured toward Albright’s open door. “I have not visited the scene myself, but—”

Xander placed a hand on Rowan’s shoulder. “He was a friend. I understand. Come, we will face it together.”

“Thank you.”

Xander patted his shoulder before removing his hand. “It never gets any easier.”

“No, it doesn’t.” Sincerity colored Rowan’s words.

The two men moved off down the hall, but it wasn’t until they’d walked into Albright’s office that I realized that Doug hadn’t followed. He had stopped beside us.

“Oh joy,” I said. “It’s the lord of the flies.”

Doug pushed back his hood. But his attention wasn’t on me. He was staring at Elysia. She was pretty, but I didn’t think that was what had Doug gazing at her in slack-jawed astonishment.

“She cured you,” he whispered.

Elysia frowned. “No, she hasn’t. I’m wearing contacts. I’m sure you’re pleased.”

“That you’re still stunted? Of course not,” he said, heat entering his tone.

“Do you two know each other?” I asked.

“Yes.” Elysia continued to glare at Doug. “He’s the reason Neil got the opportunity to stunt me.”

“What?” I asked.

“I told you,” Doug kept his voice low, “I didn’t know what Neil was up to.”

“He was involved in your confrontation with Neil?” I asked Elysia, waving a hand at Doug.

“Doug agreed to help me unbind James.”

Oh shit. Doug knew about James. My hand drifted to my ribs and vials hidden there, though there was nothing I could do now.

“Did you tell your father about James?” she asked Doug.

“No.”

“Too embarrassed that you failed to take him from me?”

His frown matched hers. “No.”

“Then why keep silent?”

Doug met her angry gaze. “Because the only way to subvert the soul bond between the two of you is to Make you.”

Elysia paled.

“Try it and you’ll deal with me,” I said.

Doug’s dimples made their first appearance. “Good, I’m glad she has you in her corner, but why haven’t you healed her?”

“Neil added a little something extra to this one, but I’ll get it.”

Doug didn’t look convinced. “I thought you were supposed to be some kind of miracle worker.”

“I’ve known of Elysia’s problem barely twenty-four hours, and I’m a bit busy dealing with the fallout from your last interaction with Neil.” I waved a hand toward Albright’s door.

Doug frowned, his gaze shifting in that direction, and then his bright blue eyes turned white.

I had a vial in my hand in an instant. “I swear to God, you animate him and I’ll—”

Elysia captured my wrist. “Addie, don’t.”

Doug’s eyes reverted to blue as his attention returned to me. “Calm yourself, alchemist, I was only looking.” His gaze shifted to Elysia. “He’s been soul ripped.”

“Neil was here right before we found him,” Elysia said.

“His grim.”

“Gavin,” she supplied the name.

Doug rubbed a hand down his face.

“Douglas?” Xander called from the doorway.

All three of us jumped like guilty children. Xander stepped into the hall, and a moment later, Rowan followed him. They both still had their hoods up.

“I had intended for you to give the body a more physical examination,” Xander continued, walking out to join us.

“Yes, of course,” Doug agreed. He walked toward his father.

Xander’s shadowed face turned in our direction. “Who’s this?”

“I believe we’ve been introduced,” I said.

“Not you, alchemist. God knows, I could never forget you.”

“Thank you, Deacon. I feel so special.”

Elysia stepped forward and I knew what was coming.

“Nice to finally meet you, Deacon,” she said, her tone cool. “I’m Elysia Mallory.”

Xander turned to fully face her.

“Yes, one of
those
Mallorys,” she continued. “I’ve been meaning to meet with you. I don’t appreciate you opening those funeral parlors in our hometown.”

Xander snorted, his hooded head turning toward Rowan before facing her once more. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Bullshit.”

I bit back a laugh. I was starting to see why James didn’t mind being bound to her.

Xander’s silence spoke volumes. “Are you calling me a liar?”

Elysia crossed her arms. “They’re Nelson funeral homes.”

“You’re certain?” Rowan asked Elysia.

“Quite.”

“My dear Miss Mallory,” Xander said, his tone oily smooth, “unlike your own family, the Nelson Family is extensive. I can hardly be aware of every funeral home that is bought and sold in the tri-state area.”

“I thought all your homes fell under the same LLC,” Rowan said.

“I do have some cousins who live outside the metropolitan area.” Xander waved a hand dismissing the matter. “Don’t trouble yourself, Your Grace. This is an Old Magic issue. Besides, Miss Mallory’s family has the unfortunate
curse
of early insanity. This isn’t the first accusation I’ve heard from them.”

“But if Miss Mallory’s concern is legitimate and violates a long-held understanding—”

“I can take care of it.” Xander faced his son. “Douglas, the body.” He waved a hand toward Albright’s office door.

A final glance at Elysia, and Doug hurried down the hall and disappeared inside.

“As for you, Miss Mallory,” Xander said, “if you have any more
complaints
, please address them to the office of the Deacon. You’ll find that much more effective than slinging insults in public.” He turned and walked toward Rowan. “Let us see what my son can discover for you.”

Rowan looked in our direction, then wordlessly followed Xander inside.

I shoved the vial I still held back in its pocket. “That man makes my skin crawl.”

“Oh God,” Elysia whispered, “what did I do?”

“Well, I thought it was brilliant.”

She stared at me.

“What?” I asked.

“The powerful don’t intimidate you at all.”

“I see no reason why they should. Besides, Xander is a conceited asshole. I’d love to take him down a few pegs, but Rowan won’t let me.”

Elysia stared at me. “Yeah, definitely not intimidated.”

I shrugged. “The Deacon’s heir doesn’t intimidate you. What’s the story there?”

“I was engaged to him at one time.”

“Yet you didn’t know his father?”

“I’m a Mallory. As you saw, his father has a low opinion of us.”

“Used toilet paper has more value than his opinion.”

Elysia snorted. “True.” She rubbed her face with both hands. “This is so screwed up.” She dropped her hands. “I’m going to go.”

“Addie?” Rowan called from the door.

“Catch you later,” Elysia said to me, then walked away.

I watched her go, wishing I could send her home with Ian. I had no doubt that he would look after her. But he must be gone. Neither Xander nor Doug noticed his presence. I released a sigh and walked over to Rowan.

“Everything okay?” he asked, his tone low.

“She’s pretty upset. Do you think I should call James?”

“Your Grace?” Xander’s voice carried from within the room.

“Before this is over, I’m going to end that smug bastard,” I whispered.

Rowan chuckled, then placed his hand on the small of my back and guided me into the room.

Doug knelt beside Albright’s body, his blond head visible over the desk. A pair of PIA agents stood nearby, watching the proceedings with uncertain expressions.

“Gentlemen,” Xander said, addressing the two men. “Would you give us a little privacy?”

The men exchanged a look.

“I would appreciate it,” Rowan added.

The men nodded and with a mumbled
Your Grace
, hurried from the room. Rowan closed the door behind them.

Xander pushed back his hood, a frown on his handsome features. “It would seem they find the prospect of being ashed more frightening than being Made.”

“It’s more immediate,” Rowan said. He pushed back his own hood. “One can hold the hope of escaping before being Made.”

Xander grunted. “True.” He took a seat on the edge of Albright’s desk, and I gritted my teeth at the rudeness of his actions. “Douglas?” Xander prompted. “Find anything?”

“He was stabbed by a three-pronged weapon of irregular shape,” Doug answered. “I can’t be certain until the autopsy, but from the lack of excessive bleeding and the victim’s apparent age, I would say cardiac arrest.”

“He was soul ripped,” I said.

All three men turned to stare at me.

“And how would
you
know that?” Xander demanded.

“Elysia.” He didn’t need to know that she couldn’t touch her power right now.

Doug rose to his feet. His brow wrinkled, but he didn’t comment.

“Any idea what might have done this? Deacon?” I turned to him.

Xander’s eyes narrowed. “There is only one creature that can rip the soul from the living.”

“A grim.” I crossed my arms.

His gaze followed the movement, glancing at my upper arms before returning to my face. “And the grim is a creation of alchemy.”

I snorted. “Are you suggesting I created a grim to kill the man who has made my work possible?”

“Perhaps it got away from you.” He smiled. “You are untalented, after all.”

“I am not the only alchemist who survived the Alchemica’s destruction.”

Once again, his gaze locked with mine. Was it my imagination, or had his faded blue eyes lightened a little? My fingers itched for a vial.

“You refer to my nephew.”

“My former colleague, Neil Dunstan,” I added so there could be no confusion. I decided to take a gamble. “He was here this morning. He told me that if I didn’t help him, I would regret it.” I gritted my teeth. “Do you know where your nephew is? I would like to pay him a visit.”

Xander studied me. “And if he possesses a grim?”

“Does he?”

Xander glanced at Rowan. I had almost forgotten that he was there. Strange that he just stood there and let me go after Xander.

As if aware of my thoughts, Xander abruptly stood up. “You think I’m in this with him.”

“Did Neil imply something?” Rowan asked me.

I fought the urge to smile. Rowan had given me a way to hint at what I knew, without giving away that I had been spying. I turned back to Xander and arched a brow.

“Okay, fine,” Xander said, exasperation in every word. He faced Rowan. “I didn’t tell you this, but Neil paid me a visit the other day. He was bragging about some big alchemical achievement and wanted me to reinstate him as heir.”

Doug lifted his brows, but didn’t speak.

“I gave him some silly little task to occupy his time.” Xander shook his head. “I’m afraid the boy has gone the way of his mother.”

“Being insane doesn’t make him less of a threat,” Rowan said.

Xander sighed. “I know.”

“And this alchemical achievement?” Rowan asked.

Xander shrugged.

Where was Elysia when I needed someone to shout
bullshit
?

Rowan crossed the space between him and Xander. “We’ve worked side-by-side for almost two decades. Things could have gone very differently when magic first returned, but we showed the world that it could work. This week is a very important one in that evolution, and I want you to be part of it.” Rowan gripped Xander’s shoulder, a hint of color in his gray eyes. “Are you with me?”

Another sigh from Xander. “You want me to put him down.”

“I want you to remove a potential threat.”

A moment’s silence, then Xander gave him a stiff nod. “As you command.”

Rowan frowned. “No, I don’t command, I ask. As one leader to another. We are in this together.”

“Thank you, Rowan. I’ll try.”

A knock sounded. It was almost amusing to watch all three men hurry to pull up their hoods. Rowan walked over and opened the door, revealing Waylon on the threshold.

“Director, please come in.” Rowan stepped back, gesturing for Waylon to join us.

“Come, Douglas,” Xander said, starting for the door. “We’ve done all we can here.” He gave Waylon a nod as he passed. “Director.”

Waylon nodded in turn. “Deacon.”

Xander walked out the door and Doug trailed in his father’s wake. He hesitated on the threshold, and though I couldn’t see his eyes, I knew they met mine before he followed his father from the room.

Waylon cleared his throat before turning to Rowan. “Since you involved yourself, I assume this one is mine?”

“No,” Rowan answered.

Waylon frowned. “Then why are you here? Why was the PIA called?”

“That was my fault, Director,” I spoke up. “I over-reacted.”

“I’m here for Addie,” Rowan said. “There have been protests since she began working here, and I wanted to reassure myself that she is not in danger.”

“I thought the protests had died off since she became a celebrity.”

“Are you implying that I’m in this for the fame?” I asked.

“You walk around here in those robes, drawing attention to yourself. You seem to like it.”

“Director,” Rowan began, but I placed a hand on his arm, silencing him.

“I wear the robes because people like to bring up my past in an attempt to slander me. I don’t hide what I was, and beyond that, it proves my qualifications. Besides, the PIA once retained the services of an Alchemica alchemist.”

“And I revoked his contract at His Grace’s insistence. A rival of yours?”

“His ethics are suspect.”

Waylon snorted, perhaps implying that all Alchemica alchemists were suspect. “And now I have no expert in the field.”

“I’d be glad to help, if you have need of it.”

“You work for him.” He nodded at Rowan.

“I work for me.”

Waylon looked like he wanted to say more, but he seemed to think better of it and turned to go.

“Waylon.” Rowan stopped him.

“I’ll keep the scene secure until the police arrive.”

“Thank you.”

Waylon didn’t respond; he just walked out the door.

I looked up at Rowan. “Did I say something wrong?”