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

right. In a sense, he’s immortal. I took that away from him. Worse, he’ll be lucky to see another decade.”
    “Would you please stop talking like that. You are not cursed.”
    Why would Doug not even consider the possibility. James, at least, allowed that it was possible. And she would bet that Neil would buy into it wholeheartedly. Hell, the man was an Alchemica alchemist.
    “Why have you never mentioned Neil?” she asked.
    Doug glanced toward the door, then continued in a softer tone. “He’s a bit of a family… embarrassment. My father named him heir at his birth, but had to rescind the proclamation when he proved to be stunted.”
    “God, he was strong enough to be named heir at birth?” Highly talented necromancers—like Doug or his father—could taste power in the blood of another. But that power often didn’t manifest in children, let alone infants.
    “Yes. He wasn’t expected to make it to puberty, let alone past it. But he proved his mettle by surviving his childhood, then he turned to alchemy to preserve his sanity.”
    “He’s an Alchemica alchemist.”
    “A master alchemist. He didn’t survive, he thrived.” Doug placed the vial in her hand, then closed his fingers over hers. “He knows his trade.”
    She released a breath. “I don’t trust alchemists.”
    “Because of the supposed actions of one centuries ago. Necromancers get a bad rap, too, but you know we’re not evil.”
    “True.” She uncurled her fingers to study the vial. Did she dare put her trust in an alchemist? “Am I crazy to consider this?”
    “Binding James is clearly plaguing you. And I suspect for you to be happy, you have to at least try to free him.”
    “You’re right.” She couldn’t condemn James to only a few more years of life.
    “I know you, El.” Doug pressed his palm to her cheek. “And while we wait for the bond to dissolve, you can stay with me. I’ll help you through this.”
    She swallowed. She had to try—for James. A twist of the cap, and she downed the contents before she could think better of it. She expected it to taste like medicine, or maybe burn like whiskey; instead it was like she had swallowed a shot of Novocain. Her tongue went numb, then her throat. The potion reached her stomach and flowed outward. Her vision darkened, and the scent of Doug’s expensive cologne faded.
    “Elysia?” Doug sounded far away. “Hey—”
    The numbness shrouded her mind.
    Arms encircled her, and she was lifted from her feet. Doug. “Where—”
    “Home,” he said. “I’m taking you home.”
     
    Doug’s townhouse lay on a quiet, tree-lined street close enough to be convenient to downtown, but not so close that the noise and bustle invaded the space. The floor plan was open and the walls lined with windows, especially in the back of the house. Elysia was certain she would have been more impressed if she wasn’t struggling to hold herself together. It had only been two days since she had taken Neil’s potion, but it felt like two weeks.
    She stepped through the French doors onto the cobbled patio behind the townhouse, determined to escape the gloom inside and enjoy the unusually warm day. The sun’s brightness hurt her eyes, and the rays seared her cheeks. She turned to flee into the house, but stopped herself.
    This was wrong. It was February. A warm sunny day should be a reprieve. A balm on the soul. She closed her eyes and tipped up her face, trying to capture that feeling.
    Nothing. Her skin felt too tight, as if trying to contain an essence that had always flown free.
    “You can do this,” she said.
    Do this , the wind whispered.
    She shook her head. The whispers had started yesterday afternoon. Sometimes, she deciphered the occasional word, but most of the time, it was nothing more than background noise. She hadn’t told Doug, but it was only a matter of time. It was getting worse.
    The bond had to fail soon. Her power was locked down within her body. Unable to escape. How could it