Alchemist's Kiss Read Online Free PDF Page B

of your life.”
    I thought for a moment he might smile. I hadn't seen a real smile from him since we'd returned to London. His lips lifted and he leaned forward to place a gentle kiss on my cheek. “Thank you both.”
    Archie held up his hands and laughed, as if warding off a kiss of his own. “A handshake will do, old man.”
    We looked at one another, sobering. A very dark wizard was in London, and we were all that stood between him and our beloved city.
     

CHAPTER TWO
     
    I paced the floor of our rooms, my mind racing. Icarus had secreted himself in his laboratory shortly after his father's message had arrived, and neither Archie nor I could draw him out. I'd knocked at three for tea, and he'd taken the tray and closed the door in my face.
    I measured the staccato clip of my boot heels on the floor and counted the taps. I narrowed my eyes as I tried to focus on the aether. I was rather good at connecting with the magical field of energy that surrounded everyone and everything, and The Hand helped me narrow that focus. I searched every particle of the aether within my reach, looking for some kind of information about Icarus' father. I jumped when a hand landed on my shoulder.
    “Has he emerged?”
    I shook my head and smiled at Archie. He was wet from the rain, having just returned from the postmaster. He'd sent out an urgent telegram to request an audience with the Grand High Master of the High Coven.
    “Was Machiavelli accommodating?” I asked with a smirk. The Grand Master's raven was less than fond of Archie, and often tried to defecate on him.
    “Why the Covens can't get a regular telegraph I'll never understand.” Archie slipped off his tweed coat and bowler and slapped the water off in irritation. “The bloody bird might decide to detour to Wales.”
    I laughed and handed Archie a towel from the pile the laundress had only just brought up. He scrubbed his hair dry, leaving it a mess as he took the chair by the fire. “Has he emerged?” he asked again.
    I shook my head, glancing at the door to Icarus' study. The VansMueller Hotel had been his home long before he'd met us, and we'd taken up all the rooms on the top floor of the building, opening them up to create a large living space for us all. The only room we hadn't been allowed to touch was Icarus' laboratory, where he kept all of his alchemy equipment. The door was carved deep with symbols designed to keep out everyone but Icarus, and I'd only seen the interior on those rare occasions when Icarus was in a sharing mood.
    “I hear him muttering from time to time, so I know he's alive.” I joked. I bit my lip and took the chair across the fire from Archie as he steamed from the wet cold of the London spring. “He won't do something stupid, will he?”
    Archie raised his eyebrow. He was more approachable than Icarus, more open and gentle and caring on the surface. I'd often wondered why it was Icarus, and not Archimedes, who held my heart.
    “Icarus is not known for his blatant stupidity.”
    I smiled. “No, he's not.” I met Archie's eyes. “But he is self-sacrificing. If he thought he could save us by getting himself killed he'd do it.”
    “Worried about me, Cora?”
    I looked over my shoulder as Icarus closed the door to his lab and leaned against the frame. He was so handsome it made my breath catch in my throat. He grinned at me, his hands tucked into his pockets.
    “A bit.” I wasn't one to lie, especially to him. “I know how loyal you are.” I frowned. “You're smiling.”
    “Yes.”
    “I haven't seen you smile since America.”
    “That is worrying.” Archie tapped his bowler against his leg. “You appear the cat who's caught the mouse.”
    “I may have made strides in locating my father.”
    “ LAGHAIRT ” I guessed.
    He nodded. “The Lizard. Yes.”
    “A bar in the East End.” Archie said as he rubbed his chin.
    “Perhaps not.” Icarus moved away from the door to stand in front of the fire. “I've come to the