The Catalyst of Corruption (The Final Formula Series, Book 4) Read Free Page A

couldn’t see where its head was. An arm was mounted where its neck should be.
    â€œWhy can’t you stop them?” I reached in the front pocket of my jeans and pulled out a vial.
    â€œThey’re soul-reaper Made. Go.”
    â€œI’ve got some necromancy solvent.” I held up the vial.
    Ian ignored me. “Rowan, get her out of here.”
    The dog thing dropped to all fours, though it still didn’t look right.
    I pulled the cap from the vial. “I’m not leaving you.”
    Rowan gripped my shoulder.
    â€œWe can’t—” I didn’t get to finish my plea before all four dead things erupted into roaring pillars of blue-white flame.
    Ian threw up an arm, dropping into a crouch. The flames flared all the way to the ceiling, then abruptly vanished. Nothing remained of the four creatures. No ash, no bones, just silence.
    Rowan released my shoulder, and the soft chime of metal against metal sounded behind me. I turned to find him braced against the autopsy table, the manacles gently swinging beneath the wooden surface where he had bumped into it.
    Ian rose to his feet. “That wasn’t necessary.”
    Rowan’s still glowing eyes shifted to him. “You couldn’t hold them.”
    â€œI could have held them long enough for the two of you to get out of here. Then I would have used the portal to leave.”
    The orange glow in Rowan’s eyes shrank to a slim band around his pupils. “You would have left those things to be found by the next curious person to venture down here?”
    â€œShe is still here.” Ian brushed his coat then tugged it straight.
    â€œDoes she have more of those things?” I asked.
    â€œI assume not, or they’d be here now.”
    â€œWhat were they?” Rowan asked.
    â€œA soul reaper’s pets,” Ian answered.
    â€œShe made them? Can she make more?”
    â€œNo. Without blood, she cannot use her blood gift, but she is still a soul reaper. I’d rather not test my skill against hers.” Ian’s gaze shifted to me. “Give him his remedy. We need to go.”
    Rowan released his grip on the table. “I’m not—”
    â€œYou are paler than a corpse and your nose is bleeding,” Ian said. “But if you prefer, I can carry you out of here.”
    I reached down the front of my shirt and pulled out the vial I always kept tucked in my bra. “Your nose is bleeding.” I offered Rowan the vial.
    He pulled a tissue from his pocket and dabbed his nose. “I’m fine.”
    â€œBeing less than whole puts Addie in danger,” Ian said. “Is your pride that important to you?”
    Fire spread through Rowan’s eyes once more. “ You want to lecture me about putting her in danger?”
    I stepped between them. “Would you two quit?” I gave Ian my back and held out the vial to Rowan. “Take the damn potion.”
    Rowan frowned.
    â€œPlease, Rowan.”
    He held my gaze for one long moment, and just when I thought he would refuse, he took the vial from my fingers.
    A snarl echoed around the room, and suddenly, James was back. No sooner did his paws hit the ground then he was human. He caught Ian by the throat and pinned him to the wall before the portal could close behind him.
    One look at James’s face, and I knew he was beyond pissed.
    â€œJames!” I hurried toward them. “James, don’t.”
    Glowing green eyes flicked in my direction, but James didn’t release him. “I took your journal,” he said to Ian, his voice a low snarl. “I read enough of it to know what you were studying.”
    â€œWas that the journal Psyche mentioned?” I asked, glancing between the two of them.
    â€œI assume,” James answered. “I found it here, in this room.”
    Ian’s eyes flickered white, and James released him with a snarl. “How much did you read?” Ian demanded.