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

taking her first look at the room around her. Her gaze skimmed over the tiled walls and floor, the mortuary drawers, and the cold steel table she sat on. She had been lying in the morgue.
    “What happened?” she asked.
    “I owe you an apology,” a new voice said from the doorway. A man in black robes stood on the threshold, but he began to walk toward her when she looked in his direction. “I had only meant to knock out the grim. A precaution.” He smiled as he spoke, his white eyes meeting hers.
    “Who are you?”
    “Ely, this is Neil,” Doug spoke for the man. “Neil Dunstan, my cousin. He’s always been a bit paranoid.”
    “Paranoid?” Neil crossed his arms, though the smirk he wore suggested it was mock anger he displayed. The fabric of his sleeves fell away with the movement, revealing black bands tattooed around each of his biceps.
    Elysia stiffened. “You’re an alchemist.” And not any alchemist. An Alchemica alchemist.
    Neil gave her a puzzled look. “Well, yes. Didn’t Doug mention that?”
    “No, he didn’t.” Elysia gave Doug a frown.
    “I knew you wouldn’t approve.” Doug shrugged. “But you’ve got to realize, the best I could personally do was take the bond from you—and I’m not so sure that would work. You’re too strong.”
    “He’s right,” Neil said.
    “His power might not work, but he does know what he’s talking about.”
    “Thank you for the condescension, cousin.” Neil’s dark brows shadowed his white eyes.
    Elysia studied the man. His eyes weren’t white because he was a weak necro who had recently used his magic. He was stunted: a necromancer without the ability to use his magic. Considering that he appeared to be entering middle age, there was a very good chance he was insane.
    She slid off the table and headed for the door.
    “Does this mean she doesn’t want to free the grim?” Neil asked.
    “Elysia wait.” Doug came after her, stepping into her path before she reached the door. “You’re leaving?”
    “Why didn’t you tell me he was an alchemist?”
    “I explained that. Look I’m sorry. He’s not a bad guy.”
    “My headache says differently.”
    “Okay, I didn’t expect him to gas us.”
    “I have apologized.” Neil walked over to them. He held out a small capped bottle—no, not a bottle, a vial. The clear liquid inside was a soft shade of pink. “This will free the grim, but there is a side effect.”
    Elysia eyed him and his vial. “And that is?”
    “To allow the bond to dissolve, we’ll have to knock out your power.”
    She sucked in a breath. “What?” The man was insane.
    “He has an antidote that will return it once the grim… James is free.”
    “Where is James?”
    “I’ve kept him sedated while the two of you were out.” Neil gave them a sheepish look. “I couldn’t have stopped him if he woke first.”
    “See, paranoid,” Doug said.
    “Practical.” Neil faced her. “I’m sorry, but I can’t think of any other way to accomplish this. And believe me when I tell you that this is the last thing I’d wish on any necromancer.”
    Elysia frowned. The guy didn’t sound crazy. “How long will it take the bond to dissolve?”
    Neil glanced at Doug before answering. “With the average necro, I’d say a day, maybe less.”
    “And me?” She knew she was anything but average.
    “I can’t say.” Neil placed a hand on her shoulder, his white eyes meeting hers. “But I can help you through it.” He gave her shoulder a squeeze and released it. “I honestly don’t understand why you want to free him, but that’s your choice. I’m here if you need me.” He handed Doug the vial, and with a nod to her, turned and left the room.
    Elysia met Doug’s gaze.
    “You don’t have to do this. I can’t see how being bound to you is any hardship for… James.” Doug seemed to be making an effort to treat James like a person.
    “I know you’re thinking that I could let him go on his way, but that wouldn’t make it