The Heir of Death - The Final Formula 3.5 Read Online Free Page B

mouth with his. The kiss was intense, claiming. She felt the nip of his claws through her clothes and shivered.
    “You’re mine.” He snarled the words against her mouth. “If he touches you, I will Hunt him—through the mortal world and the next.”
    “James—”
    Another savage kiss followed, cutting off her response. She dug her nails into his shoulders and he growled, the sound raising goosebumps along her arms. When he finally let her up for air, her head was spinning. He held her gaze with his glowing eyes, and she suddenly realized how much of her soul she had poured into him.
    She pulled back her magic, trying to establish some semblance of control. “What he wants means nothing. You should be more concerned about what I want.”
    He didn’t release her. “What you want.”
    Suddenly, his eyes flicked toward the hall, and he stepped away from her. Footsteps moved their way, and a moment later, Rowan appeared in the doorway. His presence didn’t surprise her, but his attire did. He was wearing his gray robes.
    “Are you ready?” Rowan asked her.
    “What’s going on?” She looked up at James.
    “Rowan will take you to the cemetery.”
    “You mean the Flame Lord is going to take me.” She waved a hand at those gray robes. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
    She directed the question at James, though she had come to know Rowan fairly well over the last few weeks. He was James’s boss and Addie’s boyfriend, but he was still the leader of the magical community—well, New Magic, anyway—and frankly, she found him a bit intimidating.
    “Xander will understand that I expect you to return as you depart.” Rowan’s cool gray eyes met hers.
    She turned to James. “You put him up to this.”
    “I suggested it,” James said. “Rowan agreed.”
    “I’ll wait for you downstairs,” Rowan said. “To arrive by midnight, we need to leave soon.” He walked away.
    “I really don’t think this is a good idea,” she said now that they were alone.
    James shrugged. “It’s Rowan’s choice. He’s not very happy with Xander right now.” James glanced toward the doorway and continued in a softer tone. “I think he’s looking for a reason. If he knew for certain that Xander’s actions were his own and not Alexander’s, he would have taken care of him already.”
    Elysia lifted her brows. “I know Rowan will do what he must, but he doesn’t strike me as the sort to just execute someone.”
    “He’s not—unless they hurt Addie.” A coolness entered his tone, and she knew he felt the same. James and Addie were extremely close. At first, that had concerned her, but gradually, she came to realize that there was something about Addie that attracted loyal friends. Maybe it was her biting wit and infectious determination. Whatever it was, Elysia frequently found herself willing to stand up for her.
    “I guess I better get downstairs.” She turned toward the door.
    James slipped an arm around her waist, stopping her. “If anyone hurts you , my rage will put Rowan’s to shame.”
    She looked up, holding his gaze. “You feel that strongly?” she whispered.
    “Yes, and it’s not because our magic is compatible.”
    Her heart thumped a quick beat in her ears. “Yeah?”
    “What about you? You threatened to Make a woman in my defense today. Was that an idle boast to scare her off?”
    Elysia didn’t even have to think about it. “No. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you free—and that has nothing to do with our magic being compatible.”
    He trailed the back of one finger down her cheek, the smooth surface of his claw cool against her skin. She shivered and the glow intensified in his eyes.
    “I’m starting to wonder if it was ever the magic,” he said. “I’ve had other necromancers feed me their soul; none of them ever made me feel as you do.”
    “I’ve sent my soul into the dead my entire life, and I’ve never felt anything remotely like this.”
    “What does it