Chapter 4: An Unwelcome Past

Madam Vex's private chambers were a study in organized chaos. Ancient artifacts lined shelves that seemed to extend impossibly far into the shadows, while scrolls and books in languages that predated human civilization were stacked in precarious towers. The air shimmered with protective wards, and somewhere in the darkness, something with too many eyes watched their every movement.

"Sit," Madam Vex commanded, gesturing to a pair of chairs that looked like they'd been carved from single pieces of obsidian. "We have much to discuss and little time."

"The Fae Enforcers," Drew said without preamble. "They're here because of the murders."

Madam Vex's golden eyes narrowed. "Astute. Yes, the high courts have taken notice. Four master alchemists dead, all with connections to the old knowledge. It has them... concerned."

"Concerned enough to violate Market neutrality," Jade observed.

"Indeed. The Accords of 1987 specifically prohibit Fae jurisdiction in the sunken districts, but desperate times..." Madam Vex's four hands moved in a complex gesture that made the air itself seem to thicken. "They seek the same answers you do, but for different reasons."

"What can you tell us about Blackthorne?" Jade asked. "His spirit mentioned your name before it dissipated."

"Cornelius was a frequent visitor. He sought reagents for his experiments—ingredients that cannot be found in your sanitized surface markets." Madam Vex's expression grew somber. "He was researching something he called 'elemental deconstruction.' The ability to break down matter at the molecular level and reshape it."

"Sounds like what happened to him," Drew said quietly.

"Yes. The irony was not lost on me." Madam Vex stood and moved to one of her impossible shelves, retrieving a small vial filled with silver liquid. "This is what he purchased from me three days before his death. Liquidized starlight—a component in several forbidden transformation rituals."

Jade felt her blood chill. "You sold him the ingredients for his own murder?"

"I sold him reagents for his research. What others did with similar knowledge is not my concern." Madam Vex's tone brooked no argument. "But I will tell you this—whoever killed Cornelius understood his work intimately. They used his own formulas against him."

"So we're looking for another alchemist," Drew said. "Someone with access to the same research."

"Perhaps. Or perhaps someone who had access to Cornelius himself." Madam Vex set the vial down with deliberate care. "There is something else. Two nights ago, a woman came to me seeking information about the murders. She was... persistent."

"What did she look like?" Jade asked.

"Tall, pale, with silver hair and eyes like winter storms. She wore the formal robes of a Fae Enforcer Captain, but she moved like a hunter." Madam Vex's smile was sharp. "I believe you know her, young Hemley."

Drew's face went carefully blank. "I might have an idea."

Before Jade could press for details, the sound of footsteps echoed from the tunnel outside. Not the shuffling gait of Market dwellers, but the precise cadence of military boots. Lots of them.

"It seems our time is up," Madam Vex said calmly. "The Enforcers have decided to make their move."

The chamber door burst open without ceremony, and silver-armored figures flooded in. Fae Enforcers moved with inhuman grace, their weapons drawn but not yet aimed. At their head strode a woman who fit Madam Vex's description perfectly—tall, pale, and radiating an aura of barely contained power.

"Madam Vex," the woman said, her voice carrying the crisp authority of someone used to being obeyed. "By order of the High Court, you will surrender any evidence pertaining to the alchemist murders."

"Captain Elara," Madam Vex replied with mock courtesy. "How lovely to see you again. And so soon after your last visit."

Elara. Jade filed the name away, noting how Drew had gone very still beside her. The Fae Captain's gaze swept the chamber, pausing when it reached Drew. Her expression shifted almost imperceptibly—surprise, followed by something that might have been pain.

"Drew," she said quietly. "I should have known you'd be here."

"Elara." Drew's voice was carefully neutral. "Still making friends wherever you go, I see."

"Still playing detective, I see." Elara's tone was frost over steel. "Some things never change."

"And some things change too much." Drew stood slowly, his hands visible and empty. "What do you want, Elara?"

"What I've always wanted. To clean up the messes you leave behind." Elara's silver eyes flicked to Jade. "Though I see you've found a new partner to endanger."

Jade felt her temper flare. "I can take care of myself, thanks."

"Can you? Do you know what your charming partner's last case was? The one that ended his career with the Magical Crimes Division?" Elara's smile was cold enough to freeze blood. "Three dead agents and a crime scene that looked like it had been hit by a magical hurricane. All because Drew thought he was smarter than protocol."

"That's enough." Drew's voice cut through the tension like a blade. "You don't get to judge me, Elara. Not after what you did."

"What I did?" Elara's composure cracked slightly. "I tried to save you. I tried to make you see reason before you destroyed everything we'd built together."

"You tried to control me. There's a difference."

Jade looked between them, piecing together the obvious history. Ex-partners, maybe more than that. And whatever had happened between them, it was personal enough to make a Fae Enforcer Captain forget her professional detachment.

"Fascinating though this reunion is," Madam Vex interjected, "I believe you came here for information, not to rehash old grievances."

Elara visibly composed herself, slipping back into her official role. "Any evidence pertaining to the murders. Now."

"I'm afraid that would violate my neutrality agreements," Madam Vex replied smoothly. "The Market has always been neutral ground."

"The Market's neutrality is revoked pending investigation of magical crimes against the realm." Elara produced a scroll sealed with silver wax. "By order of the High Court."

The temperature in the chamber dropped noticeably. Jade's breath began to mist, and frost formed on the edges of the obsidian chairs. Around them, Madam Vex's protective wards began to hum ominously.

"You dare bring Fae law into my domain?" Madam Vex's voice carried harmonics that made the walls themselves vibrate. "I who have maintained the peace between realms for three centuries?"

"I dare because four masters of the arcane arts are dead, and their killer is still at large." Elara's hand moved to the silver sword at her hip. "Stand down, Madam Vex. This doesn't have to end in violence."

"No," Jade said, stepping forward. "It doesn't."

Both women turned to look at her. Jade could feel the weight of their attention, the barely contained power that crackled between them. But she'd grown up in the Market, learned to navigate between dangerous predators. Sometimes the best way to defuse a situation was to give everyone something else to focus on.

"We're all after the same thing," she continued. "The killer. So why don't we work together instead of having a territorial pissing match?"

"Because," Elara said coldly, "your partner can't be trusted. The last time we worked together, people died."

"People are dying now," Jade shot back. "While you're standing here settling old scores."

"Jade's right," Drew said quietly. "Elara, whatever happened between us, it's not worth letting a serial killer run free."

Elara stared at him for a long moment, something unreadable flickering in her silver eyes. "You always were too idealistic for your own good."

"And you always were too pragmatic for yours."

Before anyone could respond, one of the Enforcers stepped forward. "Captain, we have a situation. There's been another murder."

The words hit the chamber like a physical blow. Elara's head snapped toward the messenger. "When? Where?"

"Twenty minutes ago. A dream den in the Merchant Quarter. Same M.O.—victim dissolved, sigil burned into the floor." The Enforcer's voice was tight with professional concern. "But Captain... this one was different. The victim was still alive when we arrived."

Jade felt her stomach drop. "Still alive?"

"Barely. Conscious but... liquefied. He managed to give us a location before he died." The Enforcer's gaze flicked between the detectives and his captain. "He said the killer was heading to the old Celestial Library. Tonight."

Drew and Jade exchanged glances. The Celestial Library had been abandoned for decades, its vast collection of magical texts sealed away after the Convergence. If their killer was going there...

"We need to move," Jade said. "Now."

"Agreed," Elara said, her personal feelings momentarily set aside. "But this is a Fae matter now. You will not interfere."

"Like hell we won't," Jade replied. "This is our case."

"Your case has just become a matter of realm security." Elara's voice carried the weight of absolute authority. "Stand down, detectives. That's an order."

"You don't give me orders," Jade snarled, her troll heritage making her bristle at the command.

"Nor me," Drew added quietly. "Elara, you can't just—"

"I can and I will." Elara's silver eyes blazed with power. "Drew, you have no idea what you're dealing with. The killer isn't just targeting alchemists. They're collecting something. Something that could tear holes in reality itself."

"Then we need to stop them," Jade said simply.

"We will." Elara's hand tightened on her sword. "But not with you. Drew, you've caused enough damage. I won't let you destroy another case."

The silence stretched between them, heavy with old pain and current necessity. Finally, Drew spoke.

"Then I guess we'll have to agree to disagree."

He moved faster than Jade had ever seen him move, his hand flashing to the silver pendant at his throat. The chamber filled with blinding light, and when it faded, both detectives were gone.

They materialized in an alley three blocks away, both gasping from the strain of the emergency teleportation. Drew's face was pale, and the pendant at his throat was dark and lifeless.

"That was a one-time use," he said, breathing hard. "Hope it was worth it."

"Was it?" Jade asked, studying his face. "Because that woman back there—your ex-fiancée, I'm guessing—she seemed pretty convinced you're going to get people killed."

Drew was quiet for a long moment. "She might be right."

"Care to elaborate?"

"Later. Right now, we have a killer to catch and about a twenty-minute head start." Drew straightened his coat and started walking toward the street. "The Celestial Library is on the other side of the city. If we're going to beat the Enforcers there, we need to move fast."

"And if we're walking into a trap?"

Drew's smile was grim. "Then we'd better hope I've learned from my mistakes."

As they flagged down a cab, Jade caught a glimpse of silver armor in the distance. The Fae Enforcers were mobilizing, and they weren't far behind. Whatever was waiting for them at the Celestial Library, they were going to face it with a very personal enemy breathing down their necks.

The killer had made their boldest move yet, striking in daylight and leaving a living witness. But something about the whole situation felt wrong to Jade. Too convenient, too perfectly timed.

Almost like they were being led exactly where someone wanted them to go.