Read Online The Alchemist's Flame by Becca Andre - Free Book Online

she didn’t say anything.
    “Let’s finish this up,” I said. “The pizza should be here soon.”
    Ten minutes later, I had the Extinguishing Dust—keyed to Colby—in a vial. Tightening the cap, I set it on the counter, then jumped as a knock sounded at the back door.
    “Must be the pizza,” Elysia said.
    James glanced toward the short hall that led to the back door, his eyes glowing. “Nope, not the pizza.”
    I gave him a curious glance then went to open the door. Rowan stood on the doorstep.
    “Hi,” I said, too surprised to formulate anything more intelligent. I stepped back and gestured for him to come in, then I led the way to the lab.
    “Look, I—” He stopped when he noticed James and Elysia.
    “I finished the X Dust.” I walked over to retrieve the vial.
    “Hey, Roe,” James greeted him. “You’re just in time to help us wash up.” He carried a handful of dirty dishes to the sink.
    A faint smile curled Rowan’s lips. “I’ll have to take a rain check this time.”
    Elysia watched them with a curious expression, clearly not sure what to think of Rowan.
    Rowan accepted the vial from me.
    “Be careful how you administer that. I really need to convert it to a liquid.”
    “I thought you keyed it to Colby.”
    “You’re still a Fire Element.” I shrugged. “It’ll work best on him, but it’ll still work on you.”
    “Ah.” He tucked the vial inside his coat. “Thanks for finishing this so quickly.”
    “It was no trouble.” I stepped closer. “You won’t consider rescheduling the summit to another time?” I whispered.
    “Too much has gone into it. I don’t think I could reschedule even if I wanted to.”
    “But Xander said—”
    “That he had a task for Neil. A way to prove himself. It could be anything.”
    I rubbed my face with both hands, then dropped them to frown at Rowan. “Neil has a grim. Gavin. You remember him. Big guy with the glowing red eyes, completely insane.”
    “I remember him.”
    “Then why won’t you—”
    Another knock sounded at the back door.
    “ That must be the pizza,” Elysia said.
    James once more turned his glowing eyes toward the back hall. “I would say you’re right.” He picked up a towel to dry his hands.
    “I’ll get it,” Rowan said.
    “That’s not necessary.” James followed him into the hall.
    I glanced at Elysia and shrugged. “I’ll let them duke it out.” I carried the last of the beakers to the sink.
    A few minutes later, James returned with the pizzas, alone.
    “Rowan leave?”
    “Yes. He said to tell you bye. He was really concerned about Colby.”
    “Of course.” I forced a smile. “Let’s wash up and go eat.” Perhaps between the food and the company, I could distract myself from the fact that Rowan hadn’t bothered to say good-bye himself.
     
    I watched the shadows play across the ceiling as another car drove through the quiet street outside my window. I turned my head to check the clock—3:09 a.m. Three minutes had passed since I checked last.
    “This is pointless.” I threw back the covers and sat up. No way I was going back to sleep. There were too many problems rattling around in my head. And the only place to solve a problem was the lab.
    Five minutes later, I stepped into the lab. I didn’t have to turn on the lights or fire up the gas range.
    “Look who’s back,” I said.
    Ian glanced up from the test tube he was swirling. “Expecting someone else?”
    “Smartass. Where were you last night?”
    “I was told to go, so I did.”
    “You were pouting?”
    He gave me a frown and turned back to his work. “My granddaughter is staying with you.”
    “I think there are a few greats in front of granddaughter.” When he didn’t respond, I continued. “Do I want to ask how you know your granddaughter is here?”
    “She touches the land of the dead when she sleeps—as all powerful necromancers do. Apparently, no one has trained her to control it.” He sounded annoyed.
    “How does that