That night, Virtue made her way to the Thames, the moon shining brightly overhead, illuminating the river's inky waters. She reached the embankment and removed the talisman Tamesis had given her from her satchel. Taking a deep breath, she knelt at the river’s edge, dipping the silver pendant into the cool water. The stone in the center began to glow faintly, slowly intensifying until it pulsed with a soft silver light. Virtue smiled, satisfied. The talisman was charged.

She looped the chain around her neck, the glowing stone resting against her chest. It hummed with energy, a reassuring weight that made her feel slightly more prepared for what was to come. She had a plan—find the vampires and get information. She couldn’t afford to waste any time.

Virtue set out towards Bermondsey, to the alley where she had last seen the vampires. The streets were empty, the only sounds those of the distant river and the occasional rustle of wind through the trees. She moved cautiously, keeping to the shadows, until she spotted a figure lurking near the alley's entrance—a vampire, one of the two she had seen before.

Virtue took a deep breath, steadying herself. She stepped into view, allowing the vampire to catch sight of her before turning and walking away, her heart pounding as she heard the soft shuffle of footsteps following her. She led the vampire further away from the populated streets, towards a quieter area. Once she was sure they were alone, Virtue spun around, the blunderbuss in her hands. The vampire barely had time to react before Virtue struck her over the head with the butt of the weapon.

The vampire crumpled to the ground, unconscious. Virtue wasted no time—she heaved the vampire's limp body into the carriage, her muscles straining with the effort. Saveloy glanced back, one ear flicking in curiosity.

“You’ve got yourself a passenger, I see,” he commented dryly.

Virtue climbed into the driver’s seat, flicking the reins. “Let’s go, Saveloy. Hyde Park.”

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Hyde Park was dark, the moonlight barely penetrating the thick canopy of trees. Virtue pulled the carriage to a stop near a secluded grove, dismounting and dragging the vampire from the carriage. The woman began to stir, her eyes blinking open as Virtue propped her up against a tree.

The vampire hissed, her eyes narrowing as she struggled against the ropes Virtue had hastily tied around her wrists. “You’ll regret this, human,” she spat, her fangs bared.

Virtue ignored the threat, her voice cold as she spoke. “Where is my sister? Where is Faith?”

The vampire's eyes widened slightly at the mention of the name, and she let out a whimper as Virtue pulled the talisman from around her neck, holding it up for the vampire to see. The vampire's defiance crumbled, and she cried out in fear.

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“Battersea Power Station!” the vampire babbled, her voice cracking. “They took her there, the entrance beneath the power station... Please, no more...”

Virtue’s heart pounded, hope flickering in her chest. “Who else is there? How do I get in?”

But the vampire only shook her head, her eyes squeezed shut, refusing to say more. Virtue pressed the talisman against her forehead, hoping to force more answers from her.

The vampire let out a blood-curdling scream, her body convulsing violently as the talisman’s energy surged through her. For a brief moment, Virtue thought the vampire might relent, but instead, her body began to disintegrate. The vampire dissolved into a thick black mist, her form collapsing in on itself until nothing remained but the ropes.

Virtue stumbled back, her eyes widening in shock. She hadn’t meant to kill her—she needed answers, not death. But now, those answers were lost.

Virtue stared at the empty space where the vampire had been, her heart sinking. She had failed—she hadn’t meant to kill her, only to get answers. Now, she was back to square one.

She let out a shaky breath, her hands trembling as she climbed back into the carriage. Saveloy turned his head slightly, his eyes questioning. “That didn’t sound like it went well,” he said.

Virtue shook her head, her voice barely a whisper. “No. It didn’t.”

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The next morning, Virtue sat at the breakfast table, her mind heavy with the events of the previous night. She barely touched her food, her appetite gone. Mr. Higgins noticed her quiet demeanor, his brow furrowing slightly as he approached her table.

“Rough night, Miss Virtue?” he asked, his voice gentle.

Virtue looked up, forcing a small smile. “You could say that.”

The Controller's voice echoed in her mind as she sat at the breakfast table, her mind heavy with the events of the previous night. “New job, Miss Virtue. A pick-up in Battersea. Might be a good opportunity to gather more information.”

Virtue took a deep breath, her eyes focusing on the notification in her vision. Battersea. She remembered what the vampire had said—an entrance to the catacombs beneath Battersea Aether Power Station. This was the opportunity she needed.

“I'll take it,” Virtue said, her voice a little stronger as she accepted the job through the Paragon app.

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The Battersea Aether Power Station loomed in the distance, its chimneys rising high against the grey sky. Virtue guided the carriage through the streets, her eyes scanning the area as they approached. The station was massive, its brick walls darkened with age, the hum of energy palpable even from a distance.

Inside, the power station was a maze of machinery and piping, the air thick with the scent of oil and metal. At the heart of it all was the aether generator—a massive, rune-covered engine that pulsed with a deep blue light. The runes carved into its surface glowed faintly, the energy coursing through them like veins of light. The generator powered not only the street lamps that kept London illuminated at night, but also the protective shield that surrounded the city, keeping the chaos of the Shires at bay.

Virtue marveled at the sight, her eyes tracing the intricate rune work. It was beautiful in a way—ancient magic and modern engineering working together to protect the city. But she didn’t have time to linger. She had a job to do.

She guided the carriage around to the back of the station, her eyes narrowing as she spotted movement. A large group of figures, their forms swathed in dark cloaks, slipped through a hatch in the ground, disappearing beneath the power station. Vampires. They were entering the catacombs.

Virtue’s heart pounded, her grip on the reins tightening. She had found it—the way in. Now, all she needed was a plan.