Clockwork Alchemist (The Thief's Apprentice Book 1)

by Sara C. Roethle

  Arhyen stared at the stone, then turned his gaze to Ephraim. “Ephraim," he began, “I recall you saying something about our masked friend going on a little thieving spree. You claimed one of the items stolen was a gemstone. What type of stone was it?”

  Ephraim raked his fingers through his neat blond hair as he stood. “The owner had been unable to determine what type of stone it was.”

  Arhyen rose, then helped Liliana to her feet. “It seems a strong coincidence that the masked man would lead us to Victor Ashdown, the owner of this odd stone,” he gestured down at the beaker, “while that same man is said to have recently stolen a gemstone and other strange ingredients.”

  “He also stole a dead man's ashes,” Ephraim replied blandly. “He may simply be a madman, without some complex plan.”

  “Maybe not,” Liliana interrupted, a sudden thought hitting her. “Certain alchemical formulae call for biological components. Extracts from animal, or even human glands can be used. While the fire needed to create ash would destroy many of these compounds, some genetic material would remain.”

  The men looked at her as if she had just performed some amazing feat. She turned her gaze to the floor, suddenly embarrassed. She was only repeating what she’d read in her father’s books.

  “Do you know of any formulae that would require genetic components and electricity?” Arhyen asked hopefully.

  She nodded somberly. She knew of one very important process that required some form of human genetic material, as well as electric currents to stimulate growth. “Both components are required to create an automaton,” she explained.

  The men fell silent. Liliana felt suddenly sick. Was the masked man creating automatons? And if so, would they be like her, with their own thoughts and feelings? He had her father’s journal. If he was skilled in alchemy, it was possible.

  “We need to look more into the stolen items,” Ephraim stated suddenly. “With this new viewpoint, we may be able to gather more insight on the masked man's intent. Perhaps these clues will lead us to the reason why everyone wants Fairfax Breckenridge’s journal, and also why they want Liliana.”

  Arhyen nodded in agreement. “After our encounter at Blackwood’s estate yesterday, Liliana and I need to lay low, so the two of us should avoid Watch headquarters.”

  “Yes,” Ephraim replied dryly, “especially if you’d like to avoid arrest.”

  Arhyen smiled somewhat apologetically, then continued. “We can visit some of the smaller alchemy shops and look for information on the stone.”

  Liliana glanced down at the stone in question. She did want to find out more about it, but going out in public seemed risky.

  “It’s settled then,” Ephraim agreed before Liliana could interject.

  Their individual missions now clear, Arhyen took a moment to retrieve the large, partially copper covered stone from the beaker. He shook off the extra moisture and returned it to his satchel. Liliana took one last glimpse around, then followed the men out of the room. They ascended the stairs in silence, then headed for the door.

  Ephraim reached it first, then paused, his palm on handle. “I'll leave it to the two of you to find me,” he explained. “It would be best for you to remain on the move. Don't stay in any one place for too long.”

  Arhyen nodded, then Ephraim opened the door, pausing to peek his head out to verify that no one lurked. He stepped outside, signaling all was clear. Arhyen retrieved Liliana’s hat and coat from the nearby rack and helped her into them, then put his own hat on, before leading the way outside. He locked the door behind them, then they hurried down the few steps to the street. Without another word, Ephraim went one way, while Arhyen and Liliana went the other.

  Arhyen’s eyes darted around the street warily as they walked, flicking occasionally to Liliana. “Are you all right?" he questioned softly.

  She nodded quickly, not sure whether she was actually alright. The street was still damp from the previous day's rain, and they had to weave back-and-forth to avoid large puddles. She hitched the collar of her coat up to obscure her face, feeling just as wary as Arhyen seemed to be.

  “Where will we go first?" she questioned, speaking around the nervous lump in her throat. She was unsure whether her nerves were a result of the upcoming tasks, or if they had something to do with walking next to a man she’d just spent the night beside. Likely a mixture of both.

  Arhyen continued to scan the buildings around them. “We will do exactly as I told Ephraim," he explained. “We will seek out alchemists to question about the gemstone, starting with Victor Ashdown's daughter.”

  Liliana stopped walking and turned toward him. “I don't believe that's what Ephraim intended for us to do.”

  Arhyen halted and smiled at her. “Of course not, but that doesn't mean that we shouldn't do it.”

  Liliana sighed, then followed him as he began walking again. With the short conversation, somehow the awkward tension had been lifted, though she still felt slightly nervous. She also felt uncomfortable with the notion of facing Victor Ashdown's daughter. Would she know who Liliana was? No women had ever visited her father's compound, but that did not mean that Victor had not appraised his daughter of his association with Fairfax Breckenridge. She supposed soon they would find out either way, though the encounter would likely only be one turn in the massive maze her father had created for her. She glanced at Arhyen again as they walked, sincerely hoping they weren’t heading for a dead end.

  Arhyen quietly looked over the exterior of Victor Ashdown's apothecary. It was unremarkable, except for the name, Flowers of Antimony. It was a strange name for an apothecary, considering such businesses usually went by the last name of the owner. Bardsley’s Apothecary, Erinson’s Elixirs, and so forth.

  He glanced at Liliana, standing beside him, peering into the large glass windows of the storefront, her face partially shadowed by her hat. The walls inside the apothecary were lined with shelves filled with various bottles, as well as numerous displays in the center of the floor. Against the back wall was a long countertop where purchases could be made.

  “Any idea what the flowers of antimony are?” he questioned.

  “It's another name for antimony trioxide,” she explained distantly, her gaze still on the storefront. “Depending on how you use it, it can take many forms. Heated with carbon, it can produce a type of metal. It can also be formed into a salt, and is often used in medicine. Reducing it with certain compounds can result in a highly toxic gas. I'm assuming that in naming his shop, Victor was referring to its medicinal properties.”

  Arhyen took a deep breath. “Let's hope so.” With a final glance around the street to make sure they weren’t being watched, they neared the shop and opened the door. He urged Liliana to walk inside before joining her.

  Victor Ashdown's daughter stood behind the counter, grinding something furiously with a large stone mortar and pestle. Judging by Ashdown's photo in his police file, he'd been a full-blooded Englishman, which meant that his daughter received her looks from her mother. Her skin was a perfect dark brown, framed by black hair pulled away from her face in a tight bun. Her strong features spoke of Romani heritage. She wore a simple yellow dress, and did not seem to notice the two customers who had walked into her shop, though the door had an annoying bell attached to it.

  Arhyen cleared his throat.

  Without looking up, the woman stated, “I told you before, I know nothing more about my father than I already told the Watch.”

  Arhyen frowned, wishing he’d left on better terms with her on his previous visit.

  Liliana approached the counter without a word. “I'm Fairfax Breckenridge’s daughter,” she stated, positioning herself directly in front of the woman, though the countertop divided them. “Does that mean anything to you?”

  “Liliana-” Arhyen began, nervous that she’d divulged her identity to someone they couldn’t trust. With so many dangerous people searching for her, even muttering her name behind closed doors was risky.


  The woman finally looked up, sympathy clear in her expression, and Arhyen exhaled a sigh of relief. “The missing alchemist? I've heard rumors that he hasn't been seen for months.”

  Liliana nodded, removing the cap from her head to reveal her messy red locks, thrown hastily into snarled bun. “Yes, and I can understand why you don't want to answer any more questions, but I believe your father's disappearance has something to do with my father's death.”

  Arhyen cringed. Few knew that Fairfax Breckenridge was actually dead. The Watch had not released the information to the papers. It was best not to divulge unnecessary information. Still, Liliana seemed to be getting somewhere with Victor's daughter, so he stood back and remained silent.

  “Death?” the woman questioned nervously, her full lips forming into a frown.

  Liliana nodded again. “Yes, he was murdered,” she explained, “and I'm trying to find out why. My name is Liliana, by the way,” she added conversationally.

  “I’m Chirani,” the woman introduced, “and I’m sorry about your father, but I don’t understand what his death could have to do with my father’s disappearance.”

  “Our fathers were friends,” Liliana explained. “I met Victor Ashdown on several occasions, though I was introduced to him by a different name.”

  Chirani shook her head. “That's not possible. I'm sure if my father had known the great Fairfax Breckenridge, he would have told me.”

  Sensing his opportunity, Arhyen stepped forward, retrieving the large green stone from his satchel as he went. He held the stone up. “Do you recognize this?”

  Chirani’s dark eyes widened. “Where did you get that?” she gasped.

  “Please,” Liliana pleaded. “Can you tell us what this is?”

  Chirani held out her hand for the stone. Arhyen placed it reluctantly in her palm, hoping she would not try to keep it. Chirani glanced one more time at Liliana’s sad face, then sighed. “This was a creation of my father’s. He’d yet to announce it to the world, so he kept it well-hidden, worried that someone would steal his idea.”

  “What does it do?” Liliana pressed.

  “It generates electricity,” Chirani explained.

  “Why did your father create it?” Liliana asked a little too quickly.

  Chirani’s eyes narrowed in suspicion, but she answered, “Really, I have no idea. Why wouldn’t someone want to create an object that can generate electricity on its own. If I had any idea how it was made, I would already be selling them in my shop.”

  Arhyen sighed. This woman truly didn’t know any more than they did. In fact, she knew even less.

  Chirani leaned forward across the countertop with the stone still in her palm, though her gaze was intent on Liliana. “Please,” she whispered. “I can tell you know something about my father that you’re not letting on. I’ve answered your questions, now please tell me what you know.”

  Arhyen glanced at Liliana as she bit her lip. He had a feeling she was about to spill everything. Not only was it a good practice to keep information to yourself, but if Chirani knew certain things, it might put her in danger.

  Before he could cut in, Liliana answered, “If I find anything out about your father, I swear to you that you’ll be the first person I tell.”

  He heaved another sigh of relief. He really needed to give Liliana more credit.

  Chirani looked down at the stone in her hand, then extended it to Liliana. “If this will somehow aid in your search for information, please keep it. I have several others stashed away until I can find the time to unravel how they work.”

  Liliana took the stone in her gloved hand, then offered it to Arhyen, who Chirani turned to with a frown. Not making eye contact, he dropped the stone into his satchel, though Chirani continued to stare.

  Arhyen forced his gaze upward, meeting her stare.

  Having gained his full attention, she stated, “I don’t know what your part in all of this is, but I trust you’ll keep her safe?” She nodded at Liliana. “It can be difficult for a young woman to lose her father, to be left to make her own way in the world. I should know.”

  He smiled genuinely. “It seems she’s the one keeping me safe half the time, but still, I’ll do my best.”

  Chirani nodded, satisfied. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have several orders I need to finish.”

  They said their goodbyes and departed. Liliana seemed somehow satisfied, but Arhyen couldn’t help but be disappointed at the lack of new information. They’d verified the stone’s purpose, but little else, and he had no idea where to go from there. He knew further investigation into Clayton Blackwood was the logical next step, but there was no way he was bringing Liliana near that man again. It was too risky. They would simply have to wait for Ephraim to obtain further information on the stolen items.

  His mind made up, he guided Liliana away from the main street. They would lay low until it was time to find Ephraim, then they’d proceed cautiously. As the self-proclaimed greatest thief in London, caution really wasn’t his style, but he’d found Liliana had changed him . . . in more ways than one.

  Chapter 15

  Liliana thought over everything Chirani had said as she and Arhyen made their way down the gloomy, deserted street. It wasn’t much, really. They were no closer to finding answers. She wished she’d had the courage to show Chirani the recreated journal. Perhaps she might have recognized the formulae. She might have even been able to make them. Really, Liliana probably could have created the formulae in her father's journal herself, but there was no saying if they would actually turn out correctly. She feared what might happen if they decided to test the unknown formulae, and she had made them wrong.

  Her thoughts were cut off as several forms stepped into view on the street ahead of them. They’d stepped out of the nearest intersection, leaving Liliana and Arhyen bordered by tall buildings and fences on either side. She turned quickly, only to find three more men standing in the street behind them, blocking any chance of retreat. Though the men did not have white strips of fabric tied around their arms like the previous group they’d encountered, it was obvious they meant them harm. There was no mistaking the way they’d positioned themselves to block the street in either direction. She and Arhyen were effectively trapped, unless they were able to somehow scale the nearby wire fence. There was a chance she might manage it, but would have trouble with the razor wire spiraled around the top, and she wouldn’t leave Arhyen behind regardless. She considered screaming for help, but they were on the outskirts of the industrial district. The buildings surrounding them appeared to be vacant warehouses, so no help would likely be found from anyone dwelling within.

  The men in front of them began to approach. Arhyen wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close as the footsteps of the other men echoed behind them, closing in. They backed toward the tall brick building opposite the fence, angling so their backs would not be to any of the men. Liliana darted her gaze left and right to the sneering faces slowly surrounding them. She expected them to attack at any moment, but once they’d closed in, no one moved.

  A moment later, she found out why. The sound of high-heeled boots echoed on the cobblestones, then Viola walked into view around the street corner. Her black coat and dress contrasted sharply with her pale skin and rouged lips. She was taller than Liliana had originally envisioned, since she’d only seen the woman sitting down during their one meeting. Her second impression of her was not any more favorable than the first. She moved to stand near her small army of men, safely out of reach.

  “I didn't think we'd find you so easily,” Viola purred, placing a hand possessively on one of the men’s arms while she eyed Liliana. “Clayton will be furious that I found you first.”

  “Does he know that you had his men killed?” Arhyen asked evenly.

  Liliana glanced up at Arhyen, then back to Viola. Was he lying? Ephraim had made it clear they didn’t know who had killed Clayton Blackwood’s men, but that the masked man was a suspect.

  Vio
la laughed, then walked past the waiting men, putting herself closer to Liliana and Arhyen. “He'll know when I'm ready to tell him,” she explained.

  Liliana was doing her best to remain calm. She wasn't worried about her own safety, but if these people managed to kidnap her, she feared what might happen to Arhyen. She had little doubt that the men had nothing nice planned for either of them.

  As if sensing her thoughts, Arhyen glanced down at her. “When you get the chance," he whispered, “run.”

  She shook her head, wondering why he continued to give her those same orders when she never obeyed. “I won't leave you.”

  Viola cackled. “How cute, the automaton seems to think that it's a real person. Arhyen, tell the girl the truth. She's little more than a bargaining chip to you.”

  “On the contrary,” he replied smoothly, still holding Liliana close, “she’s my apprentice. There's nothing more valuable than a student that’s willing to learn.”

  Viola snorted. “Apprentice to what? Petty thievery and amateur card playing?”

  Arhyen laughed, startling Liliana. “I seem to recall you losing your fair share of chips the other night, many of them to her.” He gave Liliana’s waist a tight squeeze.

  Viola's red lips curved downward into a frown. “Enough of this," she snapped. “Grab them," she instructed her men. “Leave the girl alive. Kill the man if you must.”

  Almost too quick for Liliana’s eyes to follow, Arhyen pulled away from her and produced a knife from his sleeve. With a perfectly timed throw, he flung it at the nearest man. It hit the center of the man’s throat with a sickening thwack. Blood spewed forth and he fell to his knees, gurgling and gasping for breath.

  Momentarily shocked, Liliana could not bring herself to move as chaos ensued around her. She heard the minute tinkling sound of a small amount of glass breaking, then thick gray smoke billowed around them. She squinted her eyes, unable to see farther than her outstretched hand.

  “Run!” Arhyen rasped, but Liliana could not bring herself to move. She had to help in some way, but how?