The Alchemists' Guild hid behind a clock shop in Old Town. Gears covered every surface, ticking like a mechanical heartbeat. A clerk with brass-cog eyes led them upstairs. "Guildmaster Václav dislikes tardiness. Or breathing too loud."
The laboratory reeked of mercury and decay. Glass tubes pulsed with glowing fluids. Václav stood at a steel table, dissecting a crystallizedheart. He wore a tailored suit, but his left hand was solid gold—articulated fingers clicking as he worked.
"Élise Dubois." He didn't look up. "You cost me a fortune. Your mother promised you'd be my greatest weapon. Instead, you wasted your blood on him." His golden hand pointed at Lucien.
Lucien stepped forward. "We came for 'V.' Where is he?"
Václav laughed. "Direct! I like that." He lifted the crystal heart. It beat with blue light. "This belonged to 'V'—Viktor, my former apprentice. He stole my research on vampireresurrection. Now he rebuilds the Court in Prague's sewers." He dropped the heart into acid. It screamed like a living thing. "Bring me Viktor's head. Then we'll discuss your mother."
Élise slammed her palms on the table. "Where is she?"
"Dead. Viktor drained her after she betrayed the Court." Václav's golden hand snatched Élise's wrist. His touch burned cold. "But her contract binds you. Work for me, or I'll reclaim what she stole." He yanked her close. "Starting with your sister's voice."
A silver syringe pricked Élise's neck. Liquid fire flooded her veins. She collapsed, spasming.
Lucien drew his surgical blade. "What did you inject her with?"
"Catalyst X," Václav smiled. "It reactivates latent magic. If she survives the fever, her power returns—stronger, hungrier. If not…" He shrugged. "One less Dubois to worry about."
Élise's skin blazed. Scars on her hands glowed crimson. She smelled blackroses—her own signature scent, but twisted with decay. Viktor's scent.
Václav tossed Lucien a brass key. "She has 24 hours to track Viktor using her new 'gift.' His lair is under Charles Bridge. Fail, and the fever cooks her brain."
As they staggered out, Václav called after them: "Oh, and Doctor? Viktor collects surgeons' hands. Yours look delicate. Hide them."