The Final Formula by Becca Andre Read Free Book Online Page B

questions for later.
    He sat down and his tongue rolled out in a doggy grin. I knew what he wanted, but I didn’t need him to stay and watch over me.
    “No, we’ve been over this.” I held open the door. “Get dressed and bring the car around.”
    He gave me a low growl.
    I rubbed my arms to dispel the goosebumps. “As disturbing as that is, forget it. Stick to the plan. I can handle the cleaning staff if it comes to that.” I patted the slim black fanny pack strapped around my waist. “Go on, Fido.”
    He snorted, amused with the nickname, and a moment later, trotted outside. I closed the door, careful not to let it slam. Taking a deep breath, I waited for my nerves to settle. A few secrets? The boy seemed to be nothing but. I shook my head. That mystery would have to wait. Right now, I needed to find the Flame Lord’s glassware. I’d developed a concentrated liquid version of my Perfect Assistant Dust. A drop or two from the vial in my pouch and tomorrow’s audience would go much more to my liking.
    A single light shone over the commercial-grade range, leaving most of the room in shadow. A curtained doorway stood opposite the stove, and I checked it first, hoping to find the table service closet.
    The closet turned out to be a food pantry. I hurried out and began a closer inspection of the dozens of cabinets scattered around the room. I found three separate sets of tableware, as well as a wide assortment of linens and two different collections of silver cutlery. Did four people really need all this? I hadn’t expected a scavenger hunt. Maybe I should have told James to give me twenty minutes instead of fifteen.
    A cabinet beside the sink finally yielded what I sought: several glasses with either a stylized wave or flame, a swirling gust of wind, or a trio of mountains. Water, fire, air, and earth. How cute. I began pulling the flame patterned glasses from the cabinet and set them on the counter. I reached for another and the latch on the interior door clicked open. I dived under the island opposite the sink, unable to get to the pantry quick enough.
    A light flicked on across the room, and I sank back into the shadows. At least it wasn’t the fluorescent bulbs overhead.
    A man walked into the room, and I got a glimpse of his dark gray slacks and black loafers. He moved to the far end of the counter, and I noted the untucked shirt and rumpled brown hair. Apparently, the servants didn’t bother with livery after hours.
    His back to my hiding place, he set a tray on the counter and gathered the dirty dishes in his hands. He started to step away and hesitated. Crap. He’d seen the glasses.
    He moved closer, limiting my view to his legs once more. The dishes clattered as he set them in the sink. “Hello?” I didn’t expect such a deep voice. “I know you’re in here.”
    He turned to face the island and stopped in front of my hiding place. His black loafers had a gold band adorning the strap that ran across the tongue. I could just make out the stylized flame engraved on it. Wow, the Elements didn’t skimp on the details.
    He took another step, moving on down the counter away from me. I began to release a silent breath when he spun and squatted right in front of me. Laughing gray eyes met mine, and I gasped, jerking back so quickly I smacked my head on the counter above me.
    “Get lost from the tour?” he asked and held out a hand. His smile crinkled a few faint laugh lines at the corner of each eye. “Come on,” he said, still holding out a hand. “I won’t bite.”
    He thought I was a child. Well, he wouldn’t think that for long. Now what? Trapped beneath the counter, I didn’t have a clear shot for the Knockout Powder, not to mention, it wouldn’t be the best of strategies to leave an unconscious man lying on the kitchen floor. But I didn’t want to end up in jail either. I needed to think. I took his hand and let him help me up.
    I watched his face and caught his surprised expression. “Not