The Final Formula (4 page)

I took a shallow breath—just enough to allow me to speak. “James?”

“Be right there.” His voice came from the other side of the tree, followed by the sound of a zipper. “You okay?”

I drew another breath. I could do this. “I’m fine.” I wasn’t going to freak out. I rubbed a hand over my face and took a few minutes to get control of myself. My best friend was a dog. Cool. I liked dogs.

Even giant black ones with glowing green eyes.

I pushed to my feet, determined to take this in stride.

James stepped around the tree, tugging a sweatshirt in place over a clean pair of jeans. His feet were bare, but aside from the tousled hair, he didn’t look any different. Most importantly, he wasn’t covered in zombie gore.

He stopped beside the woman, eyes narrowing as he studied her. The way his lip curled made me suddenly uneasy. “Necro.” He spat the word.

“What gave it away?” I walked over to him.

He looked up, clearly surprised that I’d joined him. He probably expected a different reaction.

“I hit her with Knockout Powder,” I continued, needing to say something. “Talk about a nut job.”

“I hear it’s part of the job description.”

I smiled at his attempt at humor. “Hanging with the dead probably isn’t conducive to good mental health.”

He grunted, his eyes still on the unconscious woman.

“I wonder what she’s doing here,” I said.

“This is Cincinnati. A lot of necros live here. She probably took her pet for a walk.”

“Oh.”

We both fell silent. Now what? Should I say something or let him bring it up? Or would we both ignore the elephant—er, black dog—in the room?

“Shall we go?” I asked. “If a cop drives by, I don’t want to be standing here with an unconscious woman and Ethan bits.”

“Ethan?”

“Her buddy.” I hooked a thumb in the direction of the zombie remains. My skin crawled as I thought about what lay in the grass. “He can’t—”

“He’s done.” James shouldered the duffle bag. “You’d better drive.” He started for the car and I fell in beside him.

“Is something wrong?”

“Blood loss. I’ll need to sleep soon.”

“Your shoulder?”

“I’m fine.” His tone made it clear that he didn’t want to talk about it.

“Oh. Good.” I had so many questions, but his silence was contagious. I dug out a piece of gum from my jacket pocket and popped it in my mouth. Spearmint washed away the unpleasant impression Ethan had left.

We reached the car, and I slid in behind the wheel, taking a moment to adjust the seat and mirrors. James slumped in the passenger seat, his head on the headrest and eyes closed. I decided not to bother him. He’d tell me when he was ready. Meanwhile, I could try to get my mind around it. James was a shapeshifter. It wasn’t a common ability. Could he heal himself when he changed? His shoulder didn’t seem to bother him, and there was no blood on his shirt.

My mind ran in circles, but fortunately my driving didn’t. I found the interstate without trouble and wondered if a subconscious part of my brain recognized my surroundings. After all, this had been my home. I wished it were more familiar.

“You look sad,” James said.

I glanced over and found him watching me. “I’m lamenting how little I learned from this expedition.”

“Like that it wasn’t an explosion in the lab that blew up the Alchemica?”

True. The labs were intact. “What if the Elements did it? The Flame Lord was there.”

“Why would the Flame Lord destroy the Alchemica?”

“I don’t know. Professional envy?” I gripped the wheel and glared at the road through the windshield. Why else would the Flame Lord have been there? A new thought occurred. “I could ask him.”

“You can’t be serious.”

Yes, someone who witnessed the destruction. Even if he didn’t do it, the Flame Lord could shed some light on what happened that night. If he wasn’t innocent…

“You are serious.” James interrupted my thoughts.

“I could do it. I know a few potions that’ll make any guy talk.” I’d need to pick up some ingredients. And it’d take a day to prepare.

“You going to slip it in his drink or what?”

James had a point. The delivery system might prove tricky. But first I’d have to get in to see the Flame Lord. “Don’t they hear petitions?”

“How do you know your potion would even work? You know how unpredictable they can be with the magical.”

“I could experiment.” I kept my eyes on the road. “On you, if you’d let me. Unless there’s something about your magic that’s different.”

“It’s a curse.” His low voice just reached me. “Centuries ago an ancestor made a deal.”

“With the devil?” I joked.

“The details have been lost, but I do know that he bartered away not only his own life, but those of his descendants.”

“Your brothers?”

“It doesn’t work like that. Only one of us has to pay the price.”

“The price?”

He fell silent, and I looked over to find him watching the dark landscape flashing past his window. Wow. Old Magic. Rare and wondrous, and not following any of the modern laws. Well, none of the New Magic laws. Magic, being a product of the mind, was molded by the user’s beliefs. When magic returned almost two decades ago, it found a modern world rooted in science, and those beliefs colored the way New Magic manifested.

Old Magic was different. It had always been around, hiding in the dark and forgotten places, pretending not to exist. Quietly passed down through the generations to a distant descendant…like James.

I made an effort to rein in my enthusiasm. Why did he call it a curse? That sounded like a clichéd B movie.

“Werewolf?”

“No.” He squinted in the glare of a passing car. “I’m a grim.”

I searched my memory. “If I knew what that was, I no longer do.”

“Shuck, devil dog, hellhound.”

“Hellhound? Your eyes aren’t red, they’re green.

He grunted and leaned back in his seat again.

“I’m kidding. Come on, a hellhound?”

He didn’t respond. Why didn’t he want to talk about this? It wasn’t like he was evil. He’d come to my rescue tonight, and it wasn’t the first time.

“The night the Alchemica burned. You ran those guys off.”

“Yeah.”

I waited, but he didn’t offer anything else. When I glanced over again, his eyes were closed. “James?”

A soft snore answered me.

Chapter
4

I
had no trouble getting an
audience with the Lord of Flames. All it took was a phone call. As leaders of the magical community, the Elements led in a manner similar to any organization in the modern world: they maintained central offices that required an appointment. When the magical had a problem, the Elemental Offices helped them find a solution. I didn’t qualify as magical, but I figured having a problem
with
the magical was close enough.

James dropped another bullet into a cardboard ammo box. “How’d you get in so soon?” We had the workshop to ourselves. He loaded bullets while I ground some dried datura flowers. The sweet aroma filled the room, masking the faint turpentine odor from an earlier experiment.

“I said I was being harassed by the PIA.” It wasn’t a lie. Agent Lawson had called, but I’d been visiting the Alchemica at the time. “I guess the Elements don’t care for their arbitrary rules or regulations either.” The Elements’ receptionist wanted to schedule my audience the same day, but I had potions to brew and powders to mix. I moved it back a couple of days.

James snorted. “And the rest of it?”

“I told the truth.”

“You said you were an alchemist?”

“No.” Setting aside my pestle, I picked up a small glass vial and poured a quarter-teaspoon of pale green powder into my palm. “I said I could use magic. Care for a demonstration?”

He eyed the powder and his nostrils flared. “It smells like grass.”

Impressive. I couldn’t smell anything except datura flowers. “That’s the knotweed.” I rolled my hand and the fine powder coated my palm. “It’s Perfect Assistant Dust. One whiff and you will obey any command given to you.”

His brows rose.

“I’m going to make you do the Chicken Dance.”

“Addie.”

“I’m teasing. I’ll save that for the Flame Lord.”

“You need to take this seriously. Even if this works on me, it doesn’t mean it will work on him.”

“Since I know even less about your magic than I do his, I’ll have to go on my instincts.”

“What’s to stop it from affecting you?” he asked, skirting my probe. He refused to go into detail about his magic.

“I’ve keyed it to me. It won’t affect me, and those hit by it will only obey commands from me.”

“You can do that?”

“Yep. Master alchemist, remember?” I raised my palm toward my mouth hoping he wouldn’t question me further. “Ready?”

“Wait.”

I lowered my hand. Crap. He wasn’t going to let me off that easily.

“How did you key it to you? Any physical ingredient, like a lock of hair would need to be ashed, but I don’t smell any charring.”

I’d been concerned about his quick mind, but apparently I should have worried about his nose. He watched me, his expression open and curious. I couldn’t lie to him.

“I used a drop of my blood.”

His expression closed down, moving toward a frown. “But that’s…blood alchemy.”

“I guess, but it’s my blood. I didn’t kill to get it. I didn’t torture anyone.”

“What? Why would you torture someone?”

“You know, to give the blood certain…attributes.” My words tumbled to a stop. I didn’t have a clue where that knowledge had come from.

“You can do that?”

“Personally? Of course not.” I smiled to reassure him, though my tight cheeks made it difficult. Using my own blood had been the natural, logical thing to do. Why did I feel guilty?

“No. I didn’t mean—”

“So I know a little blood alchemy. Master alchemist, remember?” I repeated. I brought my hand to my mouth again. “Ready?”

He gave me a stiff nod. “Hit me.”

“Thanks.” I realized I was thanking him for more than letting me experiment on him. “I won’t betray your trust.” I blew the powder in his face.

He coughed and stumbled back, his eyes went on full glow, his pupils shrinking down to pin-pricks as he stared at me.

“You okay?” I asked.

He blinked a couple of times and the glow faded away. “Yes. For a moment I…”

“Yes?”

He shook his head. “Nothing.” He flashed me a smile that looked forced. “Your command?”

“Sit.”

He abruptly folded his legs and dropped to sit cross-legged on the floor. He stared at me with wide eyes.

“A success?” I asked.

“Absolutely.”

I grinned. “Do as you will.”

He slowly got to his feet. “How are you going to get the Flame Lord to inhale it?”

“I have a couple of approaches. If I brew the potion as a liquid, I could break in and spike all his glassware.”

“Sounds risky.”

I shrugged. “Once he’s mine to command, I’ll make him drink a truth serum.”

“Can’t you command him not to lie?”

“Yes, but a truth serum leaves no doubt. It compels you to tell the truth. The potion I just hit you with lacks that compulsion. Care for a demonstration?”

His brow wrinkled. “Maybe?”

“Tell me, James, what’s a grim? Don’t lie.”

He blinked and then straightened. “Someone with hellhound blood in them.” He bit his lip as if to stop the words.

“Do you see how much control you still have? If I’d used a truth serum, you’d feel compelled to tell me everything.”

“I…”

“It’s okay. Tell me when you’re ready.”

He looked away. “It’s just…”

“James?”

He turned to face me, his brow wrinkling as he met my eyes.

“Do the Chicken Dance.”

“Addie!” He began to flap his arms.

The following evening found me
sitting beside James beneath a large rhododendron bush. I squirmed, chilled and stiff from several hours spent watching the sprawling Victorian house that served as the Elements’ Cincinnati office. We’d chosen this shrub for the cover of its glossy leaves and the clear view of the kitchen door and adjacent parking area.

It turned out to be a busy place. Delivery trucks had come and gone. A news van from a local TV station had stopped to film the building’s exterior. And later, a school bus had loaded up a group of noisy children who must have been on a field trip. But now that darkness had fallen, things seemed to be winding down.

“Anyone else?” I whispered. Moments ago, we’d watched the kitchen staff leave.

James’s eyes glowed faintly as he studied the house. He claimed he could hear the people inside. I’d asked him why his eyes glowed when he listened, but he wouldn’t give me an answer.

“Three others, but no one near the kitchen,” he said. The dim light in the kitchen barely escaped the curtained windows, and only one light shone through an upstairs window.

“Housekeeping?”

“Probably.”

The Elements were long gone. A limo had pulled around front and a short time later, driven off. I assumed that had been their ride. Over the next hour, several servants in black livery had left as well. The new gods of the modern world lived a life of ease.

I shrugged off my coat and the branches rustled with the movement. “Look good?” I held out my arms to display my homemade camo.

James cleared his throat. “With or without the Shadow Dust?”

I caught a flash of teeth in the dimness and punched his arm. I’d dusted my black bodysuit with a special powder that enabled it to blend better with the shadows. It wasn’t invisibility—that took a lot longer to brew—but it would conceal me well enough, as long as there were shadows.

James pulled off his shoes and wiggled his bare toes. “Wait by those bushes by the door.” He slipped off his jacket. “I’ll let you in in a moment.”

“How exactly are you going to get inside? That last guy to leave locked the door behind him.”

He hesitated with his hands on the hem of his sweatshirt. “Leave me a few secrets, Addie.”

I sighed. “Fine. I’ll go be curious by the door.”

He chuckled as I crept out of our thicket. I stuck to the shadows and squeezed in behind a pine shrub. The coarse needles poked through my bodysuit. I squirmed to get comfortable, stirring up musty pine scent from the old needles beneath my feet. Suddenly the back door swung open and I froze.

“Well?” James whispered from within.

I barely heard the soft word over my thundering pulse. I got to my feet and discovered him leaning around the open door. Holy crap. “How did you—”

“Just get inside.” He ducked back behind the door.

I hurried inside, and when I turned to face James, a giant black hellhound stood wagging at me. Wow. I didn’t realize he could shift that fast. But how had he gotten inside? More questions for later.

He sat down and his tongue rolled out in a doggy grin. I knew what he wanted, but I didn’t need him to stay and watch over me.

“No, we’ve been over this.” I held open the door. “Get dressed and bring the car around.”

He gave me a low growl.

I rubbed my arms to dispel the goosebumps. “As disturbing as that is, forget it. Stick to the plan. I can handle the cleaning staff if it comes to that.” I patted the slim black fanny pack strapped around my waist. “Go on, Fido.”

He snorted, amused with the nickname, and a moment later, trotted outside. I closed the door, careful not to let it slam. Taking a deep breath, I waited for my nerves to settle. A few secrets? The boy seemed to be nothing but. I shook my head. That mystery would have to wait. Right now, I needed to find the Flame Lord’s glassware. I’d developed a concentrated liquid version of my Perfect Assistant Dust. A drop or two from the vial in my pouch and tomorrow’s audience would go much more to my liking.

A single light shone over the commercial-grade range, leaving most of the room in shadow. A curtained doorway stood opposite the stove, and I checked it first, hoping to find the table service closet.

The closet turned out to be a food pantry. I hurried out and began a closer inspection of the dozens of cabinets scattered around the room. I found three separate sets of tableware, as well as a wide assortment of linens and two different collections of silver cutlery. Did four people really need all this? I hadn’t expected a scavenger hunt. Maybe I should have told James to give me twenty minutes instead of fifteen.

A cabinet beside the sink finally yielded what I sought: several glasses with either a stylized wave or flame, a swirling gust of wind, or a trio of mountains. Water, fire, air, and earth. How cute. I began pulling the flame patterned glasses from the cabinet and set them on the counter. I reached for another and the latch on the interior door clicked open. I dived under the island opposite the sink, unable to get to the pantry quick enough.

A light flicked on across the room, and I sank back into the shadows. At least it wasn’t the fluorescent bulbs overhead.

A man walked into the room, and I got a glimpse of his dark gray slacks and black loafers. He moved to the far end of the counter, and I noted the untucked shirt and rumpled brown hair. Apparently, the servants didn’t bother with livery after hours.

His back to my hiding place, he set a tray on the counter and gathered the dirty dishes in his hands. He started to step away and hesitated. Crap. He’d seen the glasses.

He moved closer, limiting my view to his legs once more. The dishes clattered as he set them in the sink. “Hello?” I didn’t expect such a deep voice. “I know you’re in here.”

He turned to face the island and stopped in front of my hiding place. His black loafers had a gold band adorning the strap that ran across the tongue. I could just make out the stylized flame engraved on it. Wow, the Elements didn’t skimp on the details.

He took another step, moving on down the counter away from me. I began to release a silent breath when he spun and squatted right in front of me. Laughing gray eyes met mine, and I gasped, jerking back so quickly I smacked my head on the counter above me.

“Get lost from the tour?” he asked and held out a hand. His smile crinkled a few faint laugh lines at the corner of each eye. “Come on,” he said, still holding out a hand. “I won’t bite.”

He thought I was a child. Well, he wouldn’t think that for long. Now what? Trapped beneath the counter, I didn’t have a clear shot for the Knockout Powder, not to mention, it wouldn’t be the best of strategies to leave an unconscious man lying on the kitchen floor. But I didn’t want to end up in jail either. I needed to think. I took his hand and let him help me up.

I watched his face and caught his surprised expression. “Not who you expected?” I had to crane my neck as he straightened. He topped six feet by several inches—a good foot taller than me. If it came down to the Knockout Powder, it’d be a challenge to get a full dose in his face.

He eyed my cat burglar suit. “I think I would have remembered you.” The corner of his mouth twitched as if he tried not to smile. “What are you doing in here?”

Not the reaction I expected. Shouldn’t he be threatening to call the cops? Sneaking around in the dark and dressed like this, I must have looked like a thief—or an inept girl in black spandex. That would explain his smile. I got an idea. If I could convince him this was a prank, maybe he would let me go. No unconscious servant, no cops. Of course, I’d have to revise my plan for tomorrow, but I could do that.

I took a step closer and lowered my voice. “Promise not to tell?”

“That depends on your answer.”

I chewed my lower lip in what I hoped looked like indecision and then continued in my best conspiratorial whisper. “I was dared.”

“Dared?” He lifted a dark brow, but his smile encouraged me to continue.

“To break in and steal one of the Flame Lord’s glasses.”

He glanced over at the cluttered counter. “Ah.” His attention returned to me. “This is a rather significant risk for a dare.” His eyes narrowed, watching me.

Apparently, I didn’t do inept very well. I’d have to try harder.

“I guess I failed.” I looked up and gave him a tentative smile. “Unless you let me take one.” I raised my brows in question. Come on buddy, cut me some slack.

“Well…”

Yes. I flashed him a grin and moved closer to the counter.

“I haven’t said yes yet.”

I turned to face him. “Yet?”

“This exchange seems a bit one-sided.” He crossed his arms and leaned against the island.