The Catalyst of Corruption (The Final Formula Series, Book 4) (13 page)

Was Waylon talking about Elysia and me?

“No, it would be best if you let me take care of this. You have enough media attention as it is, Rowan. It will become a feeding frenzy if someone suggests that this is connected.”

I turned away, rubbing at the ache beneath my sternum. Rowan wanted to come to my defense. Once again, it was an action that used to annoy me. I was capable of handling my own problems, but now—

“Addie?” Waylon's voice cut into my pity party.

“Hey.” I faced him.

He had finished his call and stood frowning at me.

“The media is here.” I stepped closer, lowering my voice as I continued. “I was wondering if you could find out for me what those two interns said in their statements. That way I can run interference when Natalie interviews me.”

“Addie.”

“Come on. You know there's far more going on here, and right now, the media would love to drag me down. Then they could add me to the growing list of Rowan's so-called mistakes.”

Waylon sighed. “In other words, you intend to lie to them.”

“I was going with
shade the truth
.” I gave him a wink.

“I understand why you're doing this, but I've always held myself to a certain standard. If I violate that, even for the right reasons, then I negate everything I believe.”

“How could it be wrong if you're doing it for the right reason?”

“I'm not going to get into a philosophical discussion on the end justifying the means, or whatever. This is how I've lived my life for fifty-three years. I'm not going to change now.”

“I admire that you have standards, few people do these days, but there is something to be said for the ability to adapt.”

He smiled. “Your argument is noted.”

I shook my head. “Don't take this the wrong way, but ethical people suck.”

Waylon laughed. “No offense taken.” He laid a hand on my shoulder and his expression turned serious. “But know that I never quit until I believe that justice has been served. You might catch a little slander off of this, but in the end, the truth will be known.”

“It'll just be hell until then.”

“I'm sorry.”

I shrugged and walked away. Yes, ethical people sucked. I had always considered Rowan a very upstanding, ethical guy, but even he could go along with things that were a bit shady to see that good prevailed. I guess someone like Waylon would want to know who got to decide who the good guys were. Well, it certainly wasn't the jerks who were stopping me from healing the badly burned.

Of course, there was another way to find out what the interns had said. I could eavesdrop while Natalie interviewed them—if I wasn't too late.

I picked up my pace, hurrying toward the door and almost collided with someone walking into the room. He reached out, catching my shoulders and stopping our near collision.

I looked up, absently noting the expensive suit he wore, and lifted my gaze to his face.

His mouth curled upward, dimpling his cheeks, and his laughing blue eyes met mine. “Hello, Miss Daulton. We meet at last.” Alexander gave me a wink.

Chapter 11

I
stared up at Alexander. His
resemblance to Ian was uncanny, to say the least. I knew they were identical twins, and I had seen Alexander on TV, but seeing him in person… Dear God, it was unnerving.

“Have I left you speechless, Miss Daulton?” He gave my shoulders a squeeze.

“Not at all, Mr. Nelson.” I twisted to the side, breaking free of his grip. Or he let me go. He had the strength of the dead, after all.

“It's Deacon.”

“Isn't it a bit soon to be on a first-name basis, sir? We've only just met.”

He pursed his lips, and a flash of annoyance flickered through those familiar blue eyes. It only lasted a fraction of a second before a smile replaced it. I might have told myself I imagined it, but I knew better. First point goes to the mouthy alchemist.

He leaned down. “How is my brother?” His cool breath brushed the side of my neck and it was all I could do to stand still.

“Your concern for your family is touching.”

“Family is important. They are all that is left when everything else is gone.”

I guess that explained why he locked his brother in a crypt. It would be a shame to misplace him. “I'll take your word on that.”

“Addie?” Waylon stepped up beside me. “Would you care to introduce us?”

I glanced up. Were the old-world manners rubbing off? “If you like. Director, this is the
new
Deacon, Alexander Nelson. Lex,” I intentionally used the name Ian always used for him, “Director Waylon of the PIA, the Paranormal Investigation Agency. He has the unenviable job of keeping the magical in line.”

“I haven't been that far removed from the world, Miss Daulton.” To my surprise, Alexander offered Waylon a hand. “Good to meet you, sir.”

Waylon took his hand, and if he noticed Alexander's chilled skin, he gave no sign.

“I apologize that I haven't been able to visit your office and present myself properly,” Alexander said.

“How is it that you've come to be here, Deacon?” Waylon asked.

Alexander glanced at me before he answered, “I was in the building, and when I heard you were here, I thought I would introduce myself.”

If I had any doubts who had Made Steadham, I no longer did. He had been Xander's, and when Elysia took him, Xander reported it to the boss.

“Ah,” Waylon said. “Nelson, is it? Are you related to Xander?”

“Yes.”

“I've never had any problems with Xander,” Waylon went on. “He was always courteous, though a little remote. I hope he is well.”

I chewed the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling at Waylon's subtle dig for answers.

“Xander is enjoying his well-deserved retirement.”

“I'm glad to hear it.”

“Director?” an agent motioned for Waylon.

“I'm sorry, Deacon, but as you can see, we have a crime scene here. Could we resume our conversation later?”

“Of course.” Alexander gave him an indulgent smile. “I will look forward to it.”

Waylon nodded, then moved off to join the agent who had summoned him.

“Walk with me, Miss Daulton.” Alexander gestured toward the open door.

“Surely, you don't think I'm that stupid.”

“You realize I could open a portal right here and pull you into it.” His voice lowered as he continued. “Do you really think our present company would deter me? Dear Xander informs me they are talentless.”

“Dear Xander? What is he, your pet?”

“Yes.” He spoke the word with utter sincerity. “He's the best supplicant I've had in a century.”

I wasn't sure which bothered me more: his confession that Xander was just a pet or that he hid nothing from me.

“Please. Join me.” He offered his arm.

“I will walk with you.” I didn't see myself having much choice. “But I won't touch you.”

This time, he let me see his annoyance, and for a moment, I thought he would force me to take his arm. A full two seconds ticked by, then he abruptly smiled. “Of course.”

I was beginning to see what Elysia meant when she described him as scary crazy.

Alexander gestured at the doorway, inviting me to precede him. I wordlessly stepped through.

“My brother, Miss Daulton.” He wasted no time once we were in the empty hall. “Where is he?”

“If he wished to see you, he would contact you, Mr. Nelson.” I walked toward Shirley's desk and the elevator vestibule beyond. I didn't care if the camera crew was still there. I didn't like being alone with Alexander.

“Deacon.”

“Are you wanting me to call you by your given name, or are you using it as a title?”

He stopped. “It has been a title of respect for over a century.”

“For other people.” I continued down the hall a few yards before I faced him. “If you use it, that just takes the narcissism to a whole new level.”

He laughed. “My dear Miss Daulton, narcissism is only an affliction when it is a lie.”

I stared at him. “My God, you're serious.”

He held his arms out, then gave me one of those elegant shrugs Ian did so well. “Of course.” He started toward me.

I turned and continued down the hall, but his long strides caught up with me just as I rounded the corner by Shirley's desk. Natalie was still here, and as I suspected, interviewing one of the interns. Alexander's cool fingers captured my wrist and pulled me to a stop.

“You're touching me,” I whispered.

He stepped around in front of me. “You only said you wouldn't touch me. I made no such statement.”

I gritted my teeth. “I don't like dead things.”

He pursed his lips, his eyes calculating. “You like my brother.”

“I said dead
things
.”

He smiled and I caught a glimpse of the cruelty through the charm. “I see why he likes you. You favor her. Not in beauty of course, but in attitude.”

“Isabelle,” I concluded. “Or is it the fact that I don't fall for your fake smiles and false charm?” I took a step closer and lowered my voice. “You can give it a rest, Lex. You're gonna pull a muscle flexing those dimples.”

His hand tightened on my wrist, grinding the bones together.

I pulled in a breath, but held his glare with one of my own.

“I could crush the bones to powder,” he whispered.

“And I could scream. Natalie is watching us.” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw that she had turned in our direction. “Those cameras have a direct uplink to the studio. You could kill everyone in this room, and the footage would go viral before you could do anything to stop it.”

His pretty blue eyes narrowed.

“Welcome to the modern age.” I smiled.

His grip tightened and I froze. With the other hand, he reached up and captured my chin, then leaned down to whisper in my ear, his cool cheek against mine. “I've dethroned mayors, statesmen, powerful men of my day. Only the lack of time prevented me from taking more.” He straightened, pulling back just enough to look me in the eye. “Now I have all the time in the world.”

He rubbed his thumb over my lower lip. “Watch and learn.” He released me.

My hand went to my ribs, selecting a vial, but he was already turning away from me.

“Natalie.” He graced her with a smile. “I didn't see you there.” He started toward her.

“Hello, Deacon.” She gave him an equally bright smile, but I didn't miss the way her eyes narrowed when she glanced at me.

Alexander caught her look, as well, and glanced over his shoulder at me, his smile smug.

Shit. He had just taken Natalie from me. Give point number two to the narcissistic bastard.

I turned and hurried back up the hall. Pulling out my phone, I quickly called James. He answered on the first ring.

“I need you to come get me,” I said before he could do more than say hello. “Stay in the portal. I'll jump in. Alexander is here.”

“This could be my chance. If I—”

“He's on camera right now. Just get me out of here. I'm in the hall outside Albright's old office.”

The phone went dead, and an instant later, a portal opened beside me. I didn't hesitate to jump through. The portal closed, and I stared up at the frightening monster standing beside me.

Are you okay?
James asked.

“Yes. The bastard just took the media from me. Things are going to get ugly, fast.”

Tell me what happened.

“Take me back to the lab? Ian needs to hear this.”

I really creep you out like this, don't I?

“Ian does need to hear this.” I hesitated. I could never lie to James. “But yes, you do. I'm sorry. It's something primal I can't control—which as a logical person, drives me nuts.”

He made a sound that was probably amusement, but it still raised goosebumps on my arms. Light spilled into the land of the dead as James opened a portal into the lab.

I stepped out and glanced around the room. “Ian?”

“They're all upstairs,” James said from behind me. “In Elysia's room.” An instant later, he ran past me as the hellhound, heading for the stairs.

Crap. I should have at least told him about what happened with Elysia in Steadham's office. I had been so focused on avoiding his true form that I forgot. “Great friend you are,” I muttered to myself and ran after him.

I caught up with him in Elysia's bedroom. He had the bottom drawer of her dresser open and was pulling on a pair of sweatpants.

“What do you mean she reaped Steadham?” James was asking.

“He was a lich,” Ian answered. He stood at the head of her bed, watching Doug hold a compress to Elysia's finger. A first-aid kit lay open on the bed, and a bottle of rubbing alcohol rested on the nightstand. Elysia appeared to still be unconscious. I hoped it was the Knockout Powder and not something more serious.

“We think she tried to blood bind him,” I said. “To help me.”

James gave me a frown, then stepped up beside Doug. “Let me in there.”

Doug wordlessly relinquished his place. Whatever had transpired in Alexander's catacombs while the three of them had been held prisoner had certainly made an impression on Doug. He treated James like a person now.

James pulled away the bandage covering Elysia's finger. It appeared the gash hadn't sealed at all, but James didn't comment—on the lack of clotting or what he was about to do. Neither Doug nor Ian said anything when James placed Elysia's bleeding finger in his mouth.

She moaned in her sleep, but that was her only reaction. When James pulled her finger from his mouth a moment later, she didn't stir.

James got to his feet and, raking his fingers through his hair, paced to the door and back.

Doug returned to Elysia's side and after a quick look at her unblemished finger, began to pack up the medical supplies.

“Talk to me,” James said, his glowing green eyes on me.

I started at the beginning, telling James about Elysia's discovery that Steadham was a lich, her reaction, and my efforts to clean up the mess.

“Things were going okay,” I said, “until Alexander showed up.”

Ian had been watching Elysia through my dissertation, but now turned to me. “You met Lex?”

“Your brother is an ass.” I held up my left hand. The split sleeve of my robe fell open, revealing my bare arm and the purple bruise encircling my wrist. You could actually see the individual finger marks.

“You told me he was there,” James said. “You didn't tell me you confronted him.”

“Go on,” Ian said, his cool blue eyes meeting mine. Something in his gaze made me want to shiver.

“I didn't confront him,” I told James. “I almost walked into him. He showed up at the crime scene. I suspect Steadham was Xander's. He noticed when Elysia took him.” I made a point to not look at Doug. I disliked his father, but I still hated to speak of his crimes in front of Doug. Though Doug seemed willing to do the right thing, I knew he and his father had been close.

“You're right,” Ian said to me, then continued before I could ask how he knew. “What did Lex say?”

“He wanted to know where you were. I told him that if you wanted to talk, you would get in touch.”

A small smile touched Ian's face before he grew serious once more. “Don't get smart with him, Addie. He has a temper.”

James caught my eye and grinned. “You might as well tell her not to breathe.”

“True, on both points.” I held up my wrist again for emphasis. “I zinged him pretty good a few times, then he got the last laugh by playing me against Natalie, that reporter for Channel 5. I have a feeling the next segment she does about me won't be so flattering. Unfortunately, that segment will involve Steadham's supposed death. And she already interviewed two interns that saw Elysia at the scene.”

James resumed his pacing, cursing softly. I wanted to join him.

“Ian told me that you hit Elysia with Knockout Powder. Again,” Doug said. “How long before she wakes?”

James stopped. “It wore off after two hours last night.”

Doug nodded. “Then we wait.”

“Wait?” I asked.

“To find out had badly she's hurt herself.” He didn't point out that she had done it to help me, but I felt it just the same.

 

I stopped just inside the
lab and eyed the tidy workbenches and the neatly organized shelves of equipment and ingredients. Ian kept my lab running like a well-oiled machine. Which was good since I felt like I was always on the move.

The stairs creaked, and I glanced back as Ian stepped into the hall. He walked over and stopped beside me.

“What are we going to do?” I asked. Like me, he was eyeing the lab.

“Ease her suffering.”

“Make her a
remedy
, as I do Rowan?”