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glared past my shoulder.
    I leaned closer and whispered, “You know what that cost him. He’s already had a vial of his remedy today.”
    James’s glare became a frown.
    â€œAddie?” Rowan offered me a hand, then pulled me to my feet when I took it.
    â€œThat was a little extreme,” James said.
    Rowan dropped the sweatpants he was carrying on James’s bare stomach. “How about you get dressed and do what you came to do?”
    James still looked angry, but did as told, springing to his feet a moment later.
    The trigger-happy agent was no longer in the room, but those that remained were watching James with concerned expressions. More than one still held his weapon.
    James looked down at the three dead men, then over at me. “You’re getting better at this.”
    â€œPerhaps, but I rather wish I didn’t have to.”
    He grunted, then headed for the open sarcophagus. With little effort, he vaulted the stone wall and disappeared down the staircase inside. I wondered if there were any lights on down below—not that it mattered to James. He could see in total darkness.
    Waylon released a breath. “Damn. I knew what he was, but seeing it…” He shook his head. “What just happened?”
    Rowan didn’t immediately answer. He touched my chin, tipping my face upward before he ran his fingers beneath my cut cheekbone. “James is very protective of Addie.”
    â€œOkay.” Waylon’s tone made it clear that he didn’t find that answer enlightening.
    â€œIs she all right?” Doug joined us. “May I?” He reached up to touch my cheek.
    Rowan’s hand shot out, catching his wrist. “What the hell was that all about?” he demanded, keeping his voice low. “Why didn’t you stop James?”
    â€œI swore I would never give him another command,” Doug said, his voice just as low. “I keep my promises.”
    â€œYou promised James?” I asked, wondering how James got him to do that.
    â€œNo, myself.”
    I blinked. Doug kept surprising me. Had I misjudged him so badly?
    â€œHe would have killed that man,” Rowan continued. “And probably the others, too.”
    â€œJames? No.”
    Rowan took a step closer. “Yes.”
    Doug frowned, glancing toward the door where the other agents were gathered. They didn’t look as antsy as their trigger-happy coworker, but they were all watching the sarcophagus. They didn’t have to wait long.
    James hopped out the sarcophagus as easily as he climbed into it, then walked over to us. “It was them.”
    â€œHow do you know?” Waylon asked.
    James touched the side of his nose. “Scent.”
    Waylon’s brows rose. “Seriously?”
    James regarded him with a cool stare.
    â€œThat’s not going to hold up in court.”
    â€œYou’re certain it was them?” Doug asked James.
    â€œYes.”
    â€œDo your brothers make it a habit of shooting dead men?”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œThe quarrels were shot into the victims postmortem.”
    â€œSo he claims.” Agent Bruner walked over. “But he has no theory how these three men died in rapid succession.”
    â€œCause of death is a mystery. Perhaps it was something chemical.” Doug’s gaze met mine before he turned back to Waylon. “But I can tell you that the crowbars and jack were never used.”
    â€œAnd how would you know that?” Agent Bruner asked.
    â€œThere’s stone dust on their hands and beneath their nails. I suspect you’ll find their tools clean and no scratches on the sarcophagus lid. You should find their fingerprints instead.”
    â€œAre you suggesting they lifted the lid by hand? Why?”
    â€œThey were commanded to.” Doug answered. “They were blood animated. I feel the lingering necromancy. This also means they’ve been dead longer than they appear.”
    â€œBecause