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

have let him.”
    “I don’t understand how they had any power over him. He’s in a league of his own, you know?”
    “They’re family. Both of James’s parents were gone before he was three. His brothers raised him.”
    “They’re jerks.” She took a drink from her glass.
    “Wait until you get to know them better. You’ll want a stronger adjective.”
    Era laughed.
    Rowan returned, a bundle of clothing tucked under his arm.
    “How was the show?” Era asked.
    “Behave.” Rowan took the chair beside mine. He picked up his straw and tapped it on the table to expose one end.
    “So, naked guys don’t do it for you?” Era asked.
    Rowan put the straw to his mouth and shot the paper toward her. It traveled half the distance before a puff of wind whipped it back in his direction. Era’s brows rose over her metallic amber eyes.
    Rowan snatched the paper out of the air, his reflexes honed by years of studying martial arts. He claimed to do it to improve his mental control, but it clearly benefited him in other ways. The way the fitted turtleneck covered his chest for one.
    “Era.” The twinkle in his eye betrayed the sternness of his tone.
    “I’m scared.” Era grinned at him.
    I watched them. Their relationship was so different from what it had been before I’d cured Era. Then, Rowan had only looked at her with sadness in his eyes.
    Movement by the door drew my attention, and I looked up, expecting the waitress with an appetizer. I didn’t expect Ian.
     
    Chapter
6
    “A h. Here you are.” Ian’s blue eyes locked on me. “You know, it’s considered polite to let your business partner know that you’ve been dismissed from the hospital.”
    “Whoa,” Era muttered.
    “Sorry.” I hadn’t considered that he’d come looking for me.
    “How did you find her?” Rowan asked.
    “I am an alchemist.” Ian walked to the table, stopping behind James’s empty chair.
    I released a breath, glad James was no longer here. I was pretty sure I could trust Ian, but a grim might be too much of a temptation.
    “Did you use a compass?” Rowan asked.
    “A compass?” Ian’s eyes met mine.
    “I once adapted a scrying potion to a compass in order to find someone.”
    “Ah.” Ian looked amused.
    “So, who’s your friend?” Era asked.
    I opened my mouth, but Rowan beat me to the introductions, introducing Ian as Dmitri. I tried to hide my cringe, hating that I had to keep telling this lie.
    “Won’t you join us?” Rowan asked.
    “Or I can get mine to go, if you need to get back,” I spoke up. Ian didn’t eat.
    “That won’t be necessary,” Ian said to me before turning to Rowan. “Thank you for offering, but I’ve already eaten.”
    “Then perhaps a cup of coffee,” Era said. “You could tell tales about Addie and her Alchemica days.”
    I wanted to kick Era under the table.
    “I could.” Ian pulled out James’s empty chair, and to my surprise, sat down. “But she’d feel obligated to return the favor.”
    “What about the shop?” I cut in. “Anything salvageable?”
    “More of the equipment survived than I expected. But all our notes were lost to the fire—or the efforts to put it out.”
    “Oh.” I couldn’t think of anything else to say.
    “Do you have a place to stay?” Era asked Ian.
    “He has a place separate from the shop,” I said. I didn’t want her making arrangements to have him in a place where he might bump into James.
    “What about you?” Era asked me.
    “I can bunk with, um, Dmitri.” I almost slipped up on the name. I actually had spent a few weeks in the crypt before I found the shop.
    “That won’t be necessary,” Rowan said. “I’ve already had the clothing you purchased sent to the manor.”
    “Excuse me?” I turned to stare at him.
    Rowan ignored my protest and turned back to Ian. “I’ve also located a suitable storefront. It was once a bakery, so you have access to gas and some hoods, though those will have to be converted to suit your