“They are extremely rare, but I met one today.”
Jenira bit her tongue. She had just implicated her sister. “The woman you hired?”
“Yes.”
“Does she seem like someone who would kill mages?” Jenira hoped her innocent line of questioning would extract information while preventing him from catching her genuine interest.
“She's a very skilled techie and magic doesn't adversely affect her abilities, but she expressed a true belief in Integration. She’s hiding something, but she doesn’t seem like a killer. I think whatever she’s hiding is personal rather than nefarious. I'll monitor her like I do all my new employees.” Jenira nodded, not trusting her voice. “What else did the visionary say?”
“Nothing of importance,” she lied. Her scar tingled, and she scratched it before she realized what she was doing.
“Really?” His intense gaze captured every movement, focusing on her cheek.
“I'm tired. Was there anything else you wanted to discuss?”
Davin sighed, and she could sense his disappointment in her ability to trust him. “You're free to go if my presence bothers you,” he replied with the hint of a smile.
“We have a professional relationship,” she reiterated. “If all professional conversation is over, there's no need for me to stay. Thank you for the food and company.”
Lightning fast, his hand snaked out and snatched hers. “If I don't release you, will I go with you when you phase?”
“I told you not to grab me,” she seethed. Rennert would be forced through the ether with her, but she wasn't going to tell him that. Non-mages, like Cat, couldn't travel with her, but a strong mage like Davin could. He arched a brow at her, still holding her hand.
“Is it fair you can disappear on me whenever you want?”
“It's fair if you insist on invading my personal space.”
His grip loosened, but his thumb and his magic continued to stroke against her wrist. He grinned, and fire erupted in her core again. She wanted him. She wanted his power, his hard strength, and his magic. For a moment, she considered climbing on top of him and damning the consequences.
“I'll let you disappear this time, but you won't always be able to run away from me so easily.” He released her hand, and she phased back to the apartment before she could rethink her decision. His words followed her, and she hated that he might be right.
Chapter Eighteen
Cat
Cat's brain threatened to explode. She was fairly certain she had just signed her life away. If the mountain of paperwork permitted her to enter the lab today, though, she considered it a worthy waste of time. Her muscles vibrated with excitement despite the disturbing conversation Jenira and Rennert had the night before. He couldn't believe her capable of killing people, not after one meeting. She had assured her sister no one would follow her home.
“So, how are you holding up?” Andrew asked, clicking out of the computer. Rennert Industries used electronic paperwork, another policy Rennert pushed on companies and politicians. His apparent concern for the environment, so different from his peers, catered to the mage community's best interests and had to place him under suspicion. If he was lucky, the Tech Elite considered his eccentricities an elaborate plan to control the market. Creating more electronic devices produced more money for the tech industry while also decreasing the territory's dependence on fossil fuels.
“I'm ready to start work.”
Andrew chuckled at her eagerness. His initial awe of her skills had waned, but she still found him looking at her intensely sometimes, like she was something he couldn’t understand. It unnerved her. Only her sister had ever paid much attention to her, and that attention was very different from Andrew's regard.
“We'll introduce you to the team today. The delicate work requires a small group, and trust is essential to the team members. Unfortunately, we're also a mage short. Martha Stanley died less than a week ago in one of those murders.”
“Should I worry?”
“Dr. Rennert is doing his best to find the killers. He's taken measures to ensure the rest of the team's safety. The product we are developing is of extreme importance, and Dr. Rennert believes completing the device sooner will stop additional murders.”
“Really?” Cat's brows lifted. Jenira wasn't aware of this information.
“He hopes so,” Andrew amended. “Come with me. Let's meet the other team members. They've gathered in the fifth-floor conference room.”
Cat followed Andrew from the office. The knee length skirt caused her to feel uncomfortably exposed, but the limitations of her wardrobe restricted her choices. Her feet complained as well, and she thought fondly of the sneakers in her shoulder bag. After spending so much time at home barefoot, the dress shoes pinched her feet. Leaving her house caused problems she'd never imagined.
They rode the elevator to the fifth floor. A lengthy security procedure admitted them into a large room separated into individual workspaces. The cubicles were littered with papers, schematics, and several desks were crowded with dual monitors. A water cooler and copy machine occupied a dark corner. The stations were unmanned at the moment, and Cat noted each computer was locked and protected. Personal belongings decorated most of the workspaces, and potted plants and vines crept over the cloth-paneled walls. The mixture of tech and greenery reassured her.
“This is where you'll work. This area is extremely secure. When I need to be close to the team, I occupy the office over there.” He pointed to a locked door. Beige curtains pulled over the wide windows concealed the interior. “You'll be issued a badge and a code when we dismiss you today. For the first week, your computer usage will be monitored. It's a simple precaution. The background search we performed on you wasn't exactly productive.” His glance was loaded with meaning, and her cheeks reddened. She had spent hours making the false Catrina Wylde an average, boring person on the internet. Andrew and Rennert had probably enjoyed psychoanalyzing her alter-ego when they reviewed the falsified information. Despite his words, she highly doubted her computer activity would cease to be logged after a week.
They wove through the maze of desks. Voices seeped from behind a closed door, and Cat's nervousness returned. She wasn't accustomed to working with others. Andrew slipped in front of her, opened the door and the noise ceased when Cat stepped into the room.
“Team,” Andrew announced, “this is our newest member, Catrina Wylde.”
“Cat,” Cat offered with a weak wave, motionless in the doorway. Her heart pounded as she remained on display. Davin Rennert's form was unmistakable. He commanded a strong presence even when sitting in an office chair. Three men and two women composed the remainder of the group. She listened to the introductions, trying to match names with a distinguishing characteristic. Tall and lithe Emily had a pockmarked complexion and bright red hair. Natalie was old enough to be her mother; John and George were also older men. John's wispy white hair distinguished him from George's lack of hair. Thomas was her age, fresh-faced and eager with blonde hair and blue eyes. Natalie, John, and George were the mages. Both Thomas and Emily possessed significant tech potential but couldn't compete with Davin's or Andrew's intelligence. She wondered whether they claimed specialized skills or if their selection depended on their ability to operate around magic without the threat of spontaneous combustion.
“Cat, welcome back,” Davin greeted her. He stood and pulled out a chair. She sank into its softness, her knees threatening to buckle. His intense gaze dissected her. She had assured her sister Rennert didn't consider her a suspect, but his stare challenged her presumption. Andrew's intensity was tame compared to the Magitech's.
“We are hoping to complete the prototype within the next couple weeks,” Davin began. Cat clasped her hands in her lap, her palms sweaty with nerves and excitement. “This is the first time we've gathered since Martha's death.”
Heaviness blanketed the room. The death had affected the team members greatly; they all bore fondness for the
dead woman, and the mages appeared upset and scared. She wondered what precautions Davin implemented to prevent more employees from being murdered, besides employing her sister. When no one spoke, Davin continued. “Cat is a high-level tech unaffected by magic.”
The room exploded in murmurs, and Cat's anxiety increased. The predominant whispers expressed disbelief. Davin held up a large hand, and the chatter quieted. “Yes, it's a very rare trait. We are lucky Cat arrived when she did. Maybe she can help us get past the hurdles the prototype has encountered.” Cat blushed and ducked her head, uncomfortable with the looks directed her way.
“What kind of work have you done before?” Thomas's eager voice matched his appearance. Cat shifted in her seat.
“Surveillance and security for the most part.”
“You heard about Martha's death?” Natalie asked, looking down her nose at Cat.
“I'm sorry,” Cat offered. Natalie turned to Davin.
“How is another tech going to help, Dr. Rennert? Martha's magic was crucial to the progress we were making.”
Davin sighed, and Cat sensed his sadness. Contrary to his intimidating size and nature, Davin Rennert harbored genuine compassion towards his employees. “I can't hire more mages, Natalie; in fact, I've been considering disassembling the team to prevent more incidents.” He spat the word, clearly finding it inadequate to address the death of his employees. He addressed Cat. “I'm investigating the deaths and have offered everyone housing in the Rialto. There are several empty apartments on the upper levels. Those who won't accept a temporary place here have consented to a bodyguard when they're not in the office.” Cat’s blood chilled.
“Damned inconvenient,” George muttered. “The entire magic community is nervous because of them.”
“At least they're hot,” Emily murmured, earning amused glances from Andrew and Natalie and irritation from the other men.
“You didn't mention bodyguards as a stipulation of taking the job,” Cat protested. Jenira would flip if a muscled thug followed her home. Davin shrugged as if the matter were inconsequential.
“We can talk about it after the meeting,” he replied, and Cat understood why the man infuriated her sister so much. Jenira and Davin were both too stubborn to yield. A relationship between them would resemble a tornado, characterized by loud noises and flying objects. She pressed her lips together, reserving her arguments for later.
“Do you have the schematics?” Davin directed the question at Thomas. The younger man nodded, pulling a roll of paper from his lap. Cat leaned forward, her momentary unease replaced by excitement. “I'd like to hear Cat's take on the product.”
Thomas unrolled the papers, revealing the prototype. Cat bent over the table with the others, rising from her chair. Her eyes brightened as she memorized the measurements and calculations. The plans resembled those in the files she’d hacked into, except they contained the missing information. She marked all the similarities to her own invention and might have considered it a strange coincidence if the subject weren't at the forefront of the media. Most tech companies sought new ways to Integrate. If they didn't play in the Integration market, they researched methods to separate the tech and magic communities.
Rennert Industries promoted Integration; they sought to create a tech device impervious to magical interference or spells that could be triggered by tech. China was rumored to have built working prototypes, but the information was zealously guarded. Other countries also boasted more forward-thinking progression, and the global market loved to suggest that the Territories wanted to remain in the dark ages.
The team members waited while she studied the drawings. They didn't speak, and she realized it was a test. She shifted her attention from the schematic to the ring of faces surrounding her.
“What materials are you using to construct the circuit board and housing?”
“The usual,” Andrew replied. “The conductors are glass, the semiconductors are rubber, and the wires are housed in plastic and latex. The wires themselves are copper.”
Cat nodded, again examining the drawing. Her heart pounded. She had a theory she hadn't been able to test yet because she didn't possess the high precision tools to manipulate the materials. “Have you tried using organic components?”
Davin murmured appreciatively. “We have. We've encountered minimal success. Sometimes they provide better results, but not consistently. Why do you think organic components would function better than traditional materials?”
“The plastic and rubber interfere with the precision of the tech and the conduction of magic. Magic prefers interacting with organic components, and studies have proven tech produced primarily out of glass and natural forms of metal are less likely to malfunction. Pure, organic compounds would assist in the flow of both tech and magic, allowing for more complete integration.”
“I wish it were that simple,” Andrew breathed. “We've tried many materials and processes but can't seem to eliminate the traditional components entirely.” Cat sat back in her chair, her hands folded in her lap. Every calculation and measurement on the blueprint had already been memorized and compartmentalized in her brain.
“We can't make an entire computer out of wood,” Thomas snorted.
“Maybe not, but wood isn't the only material that conducts magic well. What are charms and amulets made of?” She fingered her own amber amulet. “Also, who is building the tech? Only the techies? Have the mages assisted with building the components?”
“The mages don't have the technical expertise to build anything.” Emily delivered the dismissive words with a slight smile of apology as everyone retook their seats. Cat knew they processed scenarios and calculations, and her pulse fluttered with pleasure. The room's energy was palpable; she believed that the combined brilliance of thinkers presented its own form of magic. Cat had never been in a room of people whose brains operated similarly to hers, though. The sensation could become addictive.
“Thoughts?” Davin asked the group. She fidgeted under his powerful gaze and wished she possessed Jenira's power to phase away. The man should receive an award for his ability to induce discomfort. The level of intelligence shining in his eyes suggested the techie portion of his mind was calculating the validity of her theory.
“It's possible,” George murmured. “We could try to take part in the hands-on build, especially if the components aren't dirty materials.”
“What if magic and tech aren't antitheses? What if the materials we're using to make the tech are the actual blocks?” Andrew murmured.
“I've wondered the same thing, but it's not just the materials; it's also the process.” Cat reminded the room.
“The materials we use are easy to work with and they last,” Thomas continued to argue, avoiding the prospect of mages building the tech. “You can't build intricate circuit boards with wood and bone.”
“Cat's right,” Natalie conceded. “There are other choices besides the obvious, unwieldy ones. Something we haven't tried is infusing more malleable sources with organic components. We need an element as close to its natural state as possible, but it might work.”
The noise level rose in the room as the group threw design concepts back and forth. Cat listened with a smile, and only interjected when she felt she needed to prove a point, argue a theory, or ask a question of one of her colleagues. After ten minutes, Davin stood.
“Excellent job, team. Go run the numbers. It won't hurt to expound upon this theory, incorporating Cat's ideas. It seems to be the best course of action for right now.” The team members filed out of the room, and Cat rose to follow them.
“Not you. Stay a moment.” Cat fidgeted, glancing longingly at the door. Rennert closed it, shutting him and Cat inside. As he paced beside the table, his hands clasped behind his back, she sank into her chair, wishing she could disappear. She hoped his irritation wasn't directed at her, but she thought it might be.
“You weren't surprised by the drawings. You had a theory about the problems we faced and
were waiting for the opportunity to say something.”
Cat shifted, toying with the amulet around her neck. “It was just a guess.”
Davin leaned across the wide table, his weight on his palms. She shrunk back in her seat, squeaking quietly in fear. “Don't lie. You've hacked into our files.”
Cat clasped the strung amber which pulsed with her sister's magic, her knuckles white. Her eyes widened to saucers as her excitement wilted under the weight of his glare. “I,” she squeaked again but closed her mouth. She wouldn't admit to hacking into Rennert's server, but she couldn't argue her innocence either.
“What's your game, Cat?” Davin's eyes bored into her.
“M-my game?”
He stopped towering over her and returned to his chair. His eyes never left her frightened face. “I won't hurt you,” he growled. “You look like I'm about ready to snap your head off.”
“You're three times my size and angry!” Cat's eyes sparked. “Don't tell me not to be afraid!”
His lips quirked in an unfriendly smile. “All right, I won't tell you not to be afraid. But tell me, Cat, what’s the end goal for you? Why are you here? Why are you pro Integration? Are you trying to steal my prototype? Those files were bait to a superior hacker, and you fell neatly into the trap, but they didn't contain all the data. Now you have it all, and I have no doubt that you memorized every number and line on those blueprints. Are you going to steal the calculations?”
“I suggested a way to fix it!” she argued, adrenaline fueling her words. She'd done nothing wrong; his accusations were unfair. “I want Integration to happen, and I want mages and techies to live in peace. It's ridiculous that people like you have to hide.” She bit her tongue. “Shit.” Realizing her mistake, she tried to rise, but his iron grip caught the edge of her chair, trapping her against the table.
“People like me, Cat? What do you mean by that?” The pressure in the room dipped as his magic responded to his anger, and her sweaty skin chilled, provoking a violent shudder. She felt like he was using his power to sift through her thoughts, so she resolutely stared at the floor.
Worlds Collide (Magitech Book 1) Page 17
