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

our table. “How’s the head?” he asked.
    I refrained from a flippant comment. “Better.”
    “No headache?”
    “It was gone when I woke.”
    He nodded, but said nothing else.
    The restaurant wasn’t overly crowded, so it surprised me when the waitress led us to an empty room and a table near the window. No doubt Rowan had requested a private meal. We ordered drinks and an appetizer before turning to the menus.
    Rowan’s phone rang, and he glanced at the screen before bringing it to his ear.
    “You ought to turn that thing off for meals,” Era grumbled.
    “We just sat down to lunch,” Rowan said after listening for a moment.
    “Or we were trying to,” Era added.
    “It’s no problem,” James spoke up. “I can go.” He dropped his napkin on the table and rose to his feet. He had no trouble hearing the other side of the conversation—from across the table.
    “He’ll be right there,” Rowan said into the phone. He ended the call and got to his feet as well. “Donovan will have a change of clothing for you,” he said to James.
    Apparently it had been Donovan on the phone. “What’s going on?” I asked.
    “Three men in camo rented a cabin just east of Cincinnati,” James said. “Donovan’s already there, but he didn’t want to go in alone.”
    “Does he think your brothers rented the place?”
    “It’s a possibility.”
    “How did Donovan find out?” I asked.
    “The local police,” Rowan answered. “I gave them their names. The security footage at the hospital provided the rest.”
    I looked at James, but if it bothered him, he didn’t show it. “They want you back. Do you think it wise—”
    “They surprised me at the clinic last October. They won’t get the jump on me this time.” He turned back to Rowan. “I’ll change in the restroom. You mind getting my clothes?”
    Rowan raised an arm, gesturing for James to lead the way.
    I watched them go. I didn’t expect James to have much love for his brothers, but I did expect him to make excuses for their behavior. In the past, I was sure he would have. Now he seemed to accept Rowan’s judgment.
    “I thought it was just girls who went to the restroom together,” Era called after them.
    I bit my lip to keep from laughing.
    James made a face at her before leading Rowan from the room.
    “Good one,” I told Era.
    “It’s even funnier knowing they’re going to the john so James can get naked.”
    “True.”
    “Though, I have to admit,” Era continued, “that wouldn’t be a bad sight. I think James will have fun at college.”
    “What? James is going to college?”
    “Rowan wasn’t comfortable with me going off alone.” She rolled her eyes. “James volunteered to be my bodyguard, and I insisted he enroll.”
    “That’s great!” I smiled, so pleased with this news. “What will he study?”
    “He’s undecided, but I think he’s leaning toward chemistry.”
    “Really?” My smile grew—if that were possible. “That would be a good choice. He’s got great potential as an alchemist.”
    “A shame you two weren’t around when I had to take chemistry.”
    Our drinks arrived, giving me a moment to think about what else Era had said. “You want to see James naked?” I asked once we were alone again.
    “Well, what red-blooded girl wouldn’t?” She laughed. “But it’s not what you’re thinking.”
    “Because he’s dead?”
    “To be honest, I don’t even think of him as date material. I don’t think it’s the dead thing, but I’d be lying to say it wasn’t in the back of my mind.”
    I wanted to come to his defense, but stopped myself.
    “He’d be a good one-night-stand guy,” she said, her tone considering.
    “James isn’t a one-night-stand guy.”
    “I know.” Era sighed. “It’s sad. He’s the kind of guy you marry, but what girl would marry a dead man?”
    “It is sad.” I opened my straw and sank it into my iced tea. “But I’m so happy he gets to go to college. His brothers wouldn’t