“Cat, allow me to introduce Dr. Davin Rennert to you. He likes to acquaint himself with all high aptitude potentials before they receive their assignment.”
Andrew's excuse was plausible, but it wasn't why Rennert was there. His eyes glowed, similar to Jenira's when she sensed for magic. He might encounter difficulty stripping away the latent power of the testing room, but she was still being tested. She had passed the integrated magic and tech test with flying colors, so he was assessing her to see if she was a Magitech like him. If Jenira hadn't told her about his mage nature, his visit might appear to be a harmless meeting of a potential employee. She forced a tight smile and shoved out a hand, trying to disguise the quaking of her limbs.
“Pleased to meet you, Dr. Rennert.”
“It's a pleasure, Miss Wylde.” His voice, deeper than the audio feed, vibrated through her bones. She stepped back when he released her hand, putting distance between them. She didn't possess the advantage of Jenira's height, and she risked a crick in her neck if she continued looking up at him. Andrew studied their interaction, leading Cat to believe he was privy to his uncle's secret. She wondered what part of the family Rennert's mage genes came from. Did Andrew have a mage parent?
“Andrew told me of your aptitude tests, and I'd like to continue this talk in my office. I think I can offer you a special position if you still want to work with me.” Cat's heart stopped, simultaneously paused by fear and excitement. She and Jenira had agreed to trust this man, and she wasn't in danger of being exposed as a Magitech, so what did she have to fear? Was he considering employing her on the elusive Magitech project? She didn't think he would trust her so soon, but if she followed them, she would learn the answers to all her questions.
“All right.” Surprisingly, her voice didn't shake.
“Excellent. Andrew, please join us.” Rennert turned towards the door but spied the amulet on the table and lifted it by the string. Cat froze. Jenira's magical signature lingered on the charm; the possibility that he might recognize it frightened her into snatching the spelled amber from his hands.
“Sorry, it's important to me; sentimental value,” she mumbled, trying to make her tone chastising. It was common courtesy to not touch magical objects belonging to someone else, and she wanted the Magitech to contribute her unease to that. He apologized, and she breathed a silent sigh of relief.
The three rode the elevator in silence. Cat recognized the upper lobby and the mage, Rock, from Jenira's feed before the jammers intercepted. The giant receptionist was also larger in person, forcing Cat to speculate about underground steroid rings in Brenville. Cat pictured the spectacle they made - a timid, petite girl in glasses and cheap clothing between his massive boss and the tall, confident Andrew.
Cat searched surreptitiously for whichever devices had rendered her surveillance equipment useless, but they were well hidden. Peering into the heating ducts might appear suspect, so she didn't try. Jenira's description of Rennert's inner sanctum didn't do the room justice. The huge windows, plush carpeting, and potted plants screamed wealth and, to Cat, advertised his Magitech nature. Rennert motioned for her and Andrew to sit in the two comfortable chairs facing him and settled his bulk behind the desk. Cat noted the family resemblance between the two men. Both possessed intense, intelligent gazes and the same firm but full lips.
“I ordered lunch,” Rennert said after a moment of silence. “Andrew tells me you've been testing all morning without a break. So, Miss Catrina Wylde, tell me what brings you here to Rennert Industries.”
Cat fidgeted. She suspected Rennert never said or asked anything that was truly innocent. “I met Mr. Wallace at a tech store in Elysia a couple days ago. He mentioned he worked for you and thought I might want a job. I was out of work so I called him.” She simplified her answer as much as possible.
“Can you explain why a woman with near perfect aptitude scores is unemployed in the first place?”
Cat took a deep breath, stalling for time. The simple explanation she had given Andrew wouldn't satisfy Davin Rennert. She and Jenira had developed a plan if she were suspected of lying or hiding information but not if she felt in danger. Even if she considered running, Cat had no options for escape. She wouldn't get past Andrew, Rennert, and his massive receptionist if any of the three men wanted to stop her. A knock at the door interrupted her frantic thoughts.
“Come in,” Rennert called. Rock, his muscles bulging obscenely, entered the room with a tray of food and a pitcher of water. He placed his offering on Rennert's unbelievably clean desk. If Rennert found eating in his office with his employees strange, it wasn't obvious. The tray boasted small sandwiches, both vegetarian and meat, and a mound of fresh fruit and vegetables.
The glistening fruit called to Cat despite her nerves. The government distributed frozen or canned produce to the poor people, but fresh options were scarce on a limited budget. This assortment included pineapple and something she recognized as mango but had never sampled. In the West, hardy crops grew in abundance wherever they would thrive, but only the Elite imported tropical fruits. Rennert waited until the door closed behind Rock before pouring three glasses of water and passing Cat an empty plate.
“Please, eat.”
Cat nervously chose fruit and a fancy little sandwich, her mind focused on answering Rennert. The story she and Jenira had agreed on would work but their intense attention caused the words to stick in her throat. She swallowed around a mouthful of bread and chicken salad, waiting while Andrew filled his own plate. Rennert didn't eat. Always suspicious, she wondered if the food was poisoned, but her amulet would warn her if it posed a threat. Jenira went to great lengths to complete the protection spell. Sensing Rennert’s patience waned; she set the dish on her lap and took a drink. Even the water tasted crisper and cleaner than she was accustomed to.
“I was employed in York. I worked for an underachieving tech company calculating server loads and programming new software. It was a little below my ability, but I enjoyed the work until the boss took too much notice of me.” She shifted nervously in her chair. “He tried to force me to do something I didn't want to do, something illegal and potentially harmful to others.” This part of the explanation was similar to the actual events which led them to flee east. Marcus had wanted her to place a bug into the main banking system of the Eastern Territory. Her refusal had enraged him and sent him over the edge after Jenira's repeated rebuttals of his personal attention. He turned violent, spelling her and forcing himself on Jenira. Her voice shook with the remembered feelings of helplessness and their subsequent terrifying flight across the border.
“I ran away, and I thought it would be easier for me if I didn't return to work right away. Andrew surprised me when he asked me if I was seeking employment. I have been idle for too long, but I was scared of something like that happening again. I downplayed my abilities, hoping it would help me avoid a similar situation.” She fidgeted with her cloth napkin, not looking at either man.
“You falsified your aptitude papers?” Rennert asked. She wasn't surprised Andrew tattled on her.
“I thought getting a lower level job would be the smart choice. I don't want to be in a position where I'm high profile, and he might still be looking for me.” Actual fear infused her words, stronger now that she knew Marcus still lived. Cat recognized the sudden dip in the air. Rennert's magic was responding to his strong emotions, and rage tightened his jaw. The anger wasn't directed at her, but it didn't make him any less scary. Irritation lit Andrew's gaze, but it was tempered with compassion.
“I promise that if you work for me, your identity will remain a secret,” Rennert said. “If you tell me this – man’s - name, I will make sure he never finds you.”
“No, no, that's not necessary.” Cat shook her head. The sisters hadn't considered the possibility Rennert would seek revenge on the nameless man. If Rennert investigated too much, he would discover her lie and might even uncover her real past and Jenira’s connection to her.
&nbs
p; “Is your name even Catrina Wylde?” Andrew asked.
Cat failed to stop the blush which spread across her cheeks. “Cat,” she murmured. “My name is Cat.”
Rennert stared at her, his eyes bright. Jenira called them golden, but she would label them as a soft brown. “I assume your falsified papers won't bring the authorities to my door?” his voice rang with mild amusement.
“No.” She didn't elaborate; the men could gauge her ability to create a fake identity based on her proficiency on the aptitude exams.
“Well, Cat,” Rennert drawled, dropping her fictitious last name, “your test scores are impressive, even with your poor attempts to answer incorrectly on purpose. I could offer you a place anywhere in my business.” He paused, and Cat slid a piece of mango into her mouth. She almost moaned aloud as the juice burst on her tongue. Andrew glanced at her, his eyes twinkling, and she realized she must have made some noise.
“It is fantastic fruit.” Andrew grinned at her as he bit into his own mango. Her cheeks burned brighter. Rennert also appeared to be restraining laughter, the first non-threatening emotion he’d displayed.
“As I was saying, I could offer you any job in my organization, but...” he hesitated, and Cat stopped chewing in anticipation, “the aptitude tests weren't the most interesting part. You have no magic in your blood, yet you work well in a magical environment.”
“How do you know I don't have magic?” Cat asked, unable to stop herself. Would he reveal he could sense magic? Rennert shrugged, unconcerned with her question.
“How could you? You're a brilliant tech and you don't seem to be insane. Magitechs don't exist.”
Cat forced her face to stillness. His skill at lying impressed and frightened her. He leaned forward in his chair, capturing her gaze. “I am in charge of a couple special projects including both tech and mage personnel. However, less than ten employees out of the over five hundred in the company can function together without decreased efficiency or productivity. I'm certain your ability to work with magical components would place you in this special group.”
Cat bit her tongue to keep from jumping out of the chair with joy and excitement. Did he mean the secret Integration devices? Possibly getting access to the files she'd glimpsed on his secure server made her salivate, for an entirely different reason than the mango.
“Would you be interested in a project along these lines? Do you mind working closely with mages? Do you bear any negative feelings toward Integration products? The projects include a new line of Magitech devices, but I need to be certain they won't be sabotaged from inside. If you have any doubts at all about performing Integration work, we can find an equally well-paying job elsewhere in the organization.”
“I would love to be involved in Integration.” Cat tried to restrain her enthusiasm; she didn't want to appear suspicious. “I harbor no animosity towards mages and have been friends with some. I think the division between the two cultures is unnecessary.” She took a deep breath, considering her next words carefully. “I heard about the recent murders in the news, and I think it’s horrid. Hate crimes should be punished more harshly than other crimes.”
Rennert assessed her, gauging her sincerity before nodding. She wondered if he also employed spells to detect lies. “Very well then, Cat, I believe I have the perfect position for you. If you’re interested, you'll report for the typical work week, Monday through Thursday from 8am to 2pm. Because Rennert Industries takes care of their employees, you will be gifted with travel and clothing vouchers to decrease the economic hardship of accepting employment. I assure you that your identity will remain a secret. You will be required to comply with the non-disclosure rules of the assignment, and you will be asked to sign a document stating you consent to prosecution and fines if the information is leaked. The data you will encounter is highly classified, and you will be searched after work each day to ensure you are not sneaking files or data out of the building. We can also provide housing if it's a necessity?”
Cat shook her head. “No; I have a place.”
“The offer stands if you have a need for housing in the future. Andrew will lead you out and tell you where to report tomorrow.”
“In the morning?”
“Will that be a problem?”
She shook her head again. She hadn't expected to start so soon but couldn't think of a valid reason to protest. “No, that's fine.” She snagged another mango before relinquishing her empty plate. “Thank you for the offer of employment and the food.”
“You're welcome for both. Lunch is available daily in the cafeteria, and the company gym is also at your disposal. Andrew will meet with you tomorrow to review the details of your assignment and begin the paperwork. You probably won't start any real work until the day after.”
She stood with the men, her thoughts whirling. Regardless of the danger she had invited by displaying her true capability, it placed her in the best position to get the information they needed. Hopefully, Jenira would agree. She might even work with potential targets. The prospect sickened and excited her. If she could prevent their deaths, she would feel more useful to her sister, and the risk of exposing their identities would be worth it. She started toward the door.
“Cat?” She turned back. He still stood behind the desk, his towering form casting a long shadow across the floor. “If you encounter any trouble with your past or suspect you are in any danger, tell Andrew or me immediately. I don't tolerate any of my employees being coerced, blackmailed, or threatened.” His hard voice sent her scurrying after Andrew with a quick nod. Her mind craved the familiarity of home and her sister after the scary and exciting day.
Chapter Sixteen
Davin Rennert
“I told you!” Andrew exclaimed as he burst through Davin's office door.
“Told me what?” Davin hid a small grin behind a piece of pineapple.
“She's brilliant!” Andrew replied in exasperation, collapsing back into the chair he had just vacated to escort the girl downstairs. He shook his head with a smile. “You're just messing with me. You agree she's intelligent.”
“She is brilliant; she’s also lying.”
“Lying about what?” Andrew's brow furrowed.
“Everything, I would wager. There is far more to that woman than she’s said, and there’s a reason why she’s lying. I want you to keep a close eye on her; I imagine you won't find that difficult.” Andrew's blush confirmed Davin's suspicion. His nephew was attracted to the petite girl, or in lust with her brain. He pictured her from Andrew's point of view. Cat didn't appeal to Davin at all, she was far too small and timid, but he admitted she possessed a certain something. Her eyes had been passingly pretty behind the glasses, and her thick, glossy hair resembled Jen's, though several shades darker. He laughed when he realized he was comparing the two women. They were nothing alike.
“You think she's lying about her old job?” Andrew deftly changed the subject.
“She's genuinely frightened about something, and it could be similar to the story she gave us, but there's far more. Be alert for anyone snooping around asking about new employees or techie women with strong magical compatibility. Only introduce her to the core group at first, exclude her from larger gatherings for now, and suggest she take her meals in her office. I will keep a log of what she tries to access on her computer and tomorrow I’ll inform her of the precautions we’ve taken with the Integration group. I want you to monitor her activity in case I miss anything.” Davin listed his orders and chewed another piece of pineapple thoughtfully. "I do have to congratulate you on one thing."
Andrew stared at him in bafflement. "What's that?"
“For finding our hacker.”
Andrew shot from his chair, running a hand through his hair until it stuck up in unruly curls. “No way,” he protested as he paced. “Well, ok, you might be right. She possesses the intelligence, but she doesn't seem slick enough to operate a spying mission. I expected her to run out the door several times today.”
/> “I agree. If she's working solo, she's doing a poor job, and she's a horrible actress. If she's not working on her own, the people in charge picked poorly or perfectly because no one would suspect her. We will keep her close and assume the worst until we learn whose side she's on. Keep your friends close but your enemies closer.”
“I seriously doubt she's the enemy.”
“Don't let your hormones control your common sense, Andrew. She's smart, even with her timid and unassuming act.”
“I don't think it's an act,” Andrew muttered.
Davin shrugged. He momentarily considered removing his nephew as her immediate supervisor, but he trusted no one else. Even if his attraction distracted him, Andrew would still perform his job. He might not be happy with what he discovered, but he would do as Davin asked.
“Just be her friend and watch her like you would any new employee on our special project. If she's up to anything, we'll know about it. Remember to be vigilant, though, in case her story is true. If there is a bastard out there who did what she said, I'll make sure he never works again.”
"Yes, Uncle.”
“I do hope she's on our side, Andrew. She is brilliant, and she may know what’s wrong with the prototype. Now get back to work,” he demanded with affection. After Andrew left, Davin called Rock to summon MacCarthy. The woman tailing Jen had something to report.
The nondescript woman entered the office and sat down without being asked. Then, she stared at him. He waited. MacCarthy had the manners of a gutter rat and was not an obedient or respectful employee. However, she possessed excellent tracking skills for a mundane. She or Michaels should have been able to uncover Jen's hideout, but Jen's phasing prevented his trackers from getting a substantial lead.
“She caught me,” MacCarthy said finally, her voice petulant. “I was following her one second, and the next, she was holding a dagger to my throat and demanding to know who sent me. I didn’t even see her turn around on me. I didn't give you up, but she named you right off. She said to tell you she doesn't like it when people follow her around. She also said she won't continue to work for you if you do it again.”
Worlds Collide (Magitech Book 1) Page 15
