The Necromancer's Betrayal (The Final Formula Series, Book 2.5) by Becca Andre

this discussion is moot if you can’t dissolve the soul bond that binds the grim to my fiancée.”
    “Charming, Doug.”
    “ She asked to set him free.”
    “Bizarre.”
    “Can you do it?”
    In answer, Neil slipped a vial from the slim pockets lining his ribs and offered it to Doug. “Have her drink that and the grim will be free.”
    “What does it do?”
    “It will knock out her power.”
    “Are you nuts? She’s too strong. That will kill her.”
    “I have an antidote—once the bond has dissolved. It’ll hurt, but she won’t die. And I can give her some advice on how to avoid going mad.”
    Doug sighed. “She may ultimately need that anyway.”
    “Considering who she is, true. You’re playing with fire on this one, cousin. Does your father approve?”
    “I’ve never mentioned her to him.”
    Neil didn’t say anything, leaving James to wonder at his expression.
    “How long will it take the bond to dissolve?” Doug asked.
    James fisted his hands. The bastard was actually going to do it.
    “On the average necromancer, I’d say a day or less. On her? I have no idea.”
    Doug released a breath.
    “Do you love her so much or is it the prospect of the impossibly talented little necromancers she might give you?”
    “You’re twisted, Dunstan.”
    “Well, yes.”
    “What about the grim?” Doug asked.
    “We’ll decide once the bond is dissolved.”
    A pause. “Very well. You better not let me down.”
    “Never, cousin.”
    “Come, wake her.” Doug’s footfalls moved away before leaving the room entirely.
    “Be right there.” Neil called. His footsteps stopped beside James’s table. “What do you think? I thought that went well.”
    James opened his eyes meeting Neil’s white gaze. “You don’t have an antidote, do you?”
    Neil smiled. “Of course not. The moment her power returned, you would be hers again.” He turned his head toward the door, and James noticed the line of fresh scars along his jaw and throat. The burns he sustained after his last encounter with Addie? Apparently he wasn’t as skilled with a burn salve as she was.
    Neil shook his head before turning back to James. “My poor cousin has no idea what he’s dealing with.”
    “Are you referring to Elysia or you?”
    Neil chuckled, then gave him a wink. “Both.”
    “Doug won’t like it.”
    “He likes to pretend he has the upper hand, but he knows that one word from me, and a few minutes of video footage, would take him down several notches in his father’s eyes.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Doug hasn’t been true to the Family. He has yet to produce an heir, then he sacrifices the last male of his line to a crazed gunman with magic bullets.”
    “The necro death last December.” James remembered well the magical deaths committed with Addie’s bullets. All the deaths had been New Magic except one: the Deacon’s grandson. “But you were behind it.”
    “Not that one. Ian got a bit impatient with how long it took to break Amelia.” Neil shook his head. “I told him it wouldn’t be easy.”
    James gripped the edge of the table. “How did Doug factor in?”
    “He used his twelve-year-old nephew as a human shield.” Neil chuckled. “Ironic how things fall into place. Look at all the trouble Amelia gave me, then you just drop into my lap. Some might say it’s my destiny.”
    “What is?”
    Neil gave him a wink, then turned and left the room, still chuckling to himself.
    Chapter
10
    E lysia rolled onto her side, the surface beneath her cheek cold and unyielding, like she lay on a sheet of metal. She tried to open her eyes, but the bright light sent a jolt of pain through her temples. A hand settled on her shoulder.
    “Here, let me.” Doug slipped his hand beneath her arm, helping her sit up.
    “God, my head hurts.” She rubbed her temples, trying to ease the throbbing.
    “It’ll pass,” Doug said. “I’ve been awake about five minutes, and my headache’s nearly gone.”
    She squinted her eyes,