Free The Blood Alchemist (The Final Formula Series, Book 2) by Becca Andre

the door. She glanced back over her shoulder, then to my surprise, stepped into the dressing room with me and pulled the door closed.
    “I don’t know if I should say anything, but…” She bit her lip. A pause and then she plunged on. “When I’m near another Element, say within a few feet, I can feel what they are.”
    Unease fluttered in my stomach. “Okay?”
    “Addie, you feel like an Element to me.”
    I remembered Cora’s words at the hospital. How she could sense Era in me because of the Formula.
    “Hey.” Era took my hands. “Do you need to sit down? All the color just drained from your face.”
    “No. I’m fine.” Should I tell her the truth? Tell her how I used her blood to brew the Final Formula and damaged her in the process?
    Era’s grip tightened. Concern still creased her forehead, but a hint of a smile teased the corner of her mouth. Then it hit me. If Era wasn’t aware that her blood had helped make me immortal, then she thought this…Element-ness came from somewhere else. I had a strong suspicion where.
    “Era, what are you saying?”
    “Being an Element is all about balance. Our magic, the four of us together. But we’re not just magic, we’re also human, and humans seek out a mate.”
    “And…”
    “It’s Rowan. It’s his magic I feel in you.”
    I resisted the urge to shake my head. “How is that even possible?”
    “Why not? Everyone knows that necromancers form soul bonds. Why should it be limited to Old Magic? You’re bound to Rowan.”
    Why did that sound familiar? Oh, Lydia. She’d said something about Rowan claiming me—then smirked. And like Era, she didn’t know how I’d made myself immortal either. Heat climbed my cheeks.
    Era grinned. “You get it now.”
    “You’re saying that anyone with any sensitivity to magic will think—”
    “That you and Roe…” She winked. “Yes.”
    “So, any Sensitive I meet will assume, and ask him about it?” Dear God. And on top of everything, he could no doubt sense Era’s essence in me, but to protect her, he let people think it was him.
    “Well, most people are intimidated by him.” Era shrugged.
    I rubbed my temples with both hands.
    “Addie?”
    “What a mess.”
    “What do you mean?”
    I knew I should tell her what really happened, but I didn’t have the courage. I stopped rubbing my head and looked her in the eye. “He’s an Element; I’m an alchemist. That sums it up.”
    “He said that?”
    “No, I did.” I gripped her shoulders. “Let it go.” The last thing I needed was her playing matchmaker.
    She gave me a frown. “This isn’t a common thing.”
    “Please, Era.”
    She studied me a moment longer. “Fine, I won’t nag you, but…think about it, okay?”
    I suspected that nothing short of agreement would make her leave me alone. “All right.” I waved her toward the door. “Now let me see how this dress fits.”
    She smiled over her shoulder as she walked away. “Then we’ll go for lunch.” She opened the door. “Rowan’s meeting us.”
    I released a breath and watched the door close behind her.
     
    Era took us to a restaurant downtown. With the dark wood trim and the old world pictures on the walls, it had the feel of a British pub, though on an up-scale side. Rowan stood just inside the front door, his dark wool coat draped over one arm. He wore all black today, his slacks and mock turtleneck sweater the same dark shade. I made an effort not to notice how close the sweater fit.
    “You’re late,” he said in greeting.
    “Love you, too, Roe.” Era rolled up on her toes and kissed his cheek.
    “I’ll just accept the chastisement,” James said. “I’m not kissing you.”
    Rowan gave him a look that was supposed to be annoyance, but I caught the flicker of amusement in his eyes.
    “Did you get us a table?” Era asked.
    “Of course.” Rowan raised a hand and a waitress hurried over. Had she been standing around waiting for his signal?
    Rowan fell in beside me on the way to