Élise woke in a gilded cage. The Vicomte smiled outside the bars. "Welcome to my menagerie."
Clémence crouched in another cage. Eyes wild. Fangs bared. She hissed at Élise.
"She doesn't know you," the Vicomte purred. "I took those memories. But her blood sings for yours." He unlocked Élise's cage. "Give me your power. Or I set her on you."
Élise stood. "You want my blood. Take it."
She lunged. Sunk her teeth into his hand. His blood filled her mouth. Bitter. Cold.
The Vicomte roared. Backhanded her. Élise flew against the bars. Pain exploded.
Suddenly Lucien burst into the room. Covered in blood. His surgical blade glinted. He fought the guards. Fast. Deadly.
Élise crawled to Clémence's cage. "Sister. It's me. Élise."
Clémence snarled. Unrecognizing.
Lucien reached Élise. "I was wrong. Forgive me." He threw her a small bottle. "Your perfume. The one you made tonight. Use it."
Élise uncorked it. Souvenir de l'Oubli. Memory of Forgetting. She hurled it at the Vicomte.
The bottle shattered. Perfume filled the air. The Vicomte froze. Confusion filled his eyes. "Where... who..."
His guards stumbled. Dropped weapons.
Élise grabbed a fallen knife. Sliced her palm. Blood welled. She forced her bleeding hand into the Vicomte's mouth.
He choked. Screamed. His skin cracked. Turned to ash.