"Any progress?" Jenira asked as Davin walked toward Andrew and inspected the automaton himself. The pair of them hadn't looked at the parts since they'd returned. Jenira was concerned her magic would short-circuit the state of the art lab, but she was a master at shielding. Cat assured her she was fine as long as she didn't touch anything. So, the warrior woman stood with her feet planted on the metal floor and her arms folded over her chest.
Cat pushed her chair back from the bank of monitors she'd been manipulating, rolling her shoulders to stretch the kinks out. "Not really. The automatons were tagged with Davis Industries, so I'm looking into their accounts, but the company employs a master software coder who rivals Rennert's. Their information is locked down tight. However, I was able to uncover recently reported thefts of metal alloys and copper wires."
Jenira looked thoughtful. "It could be a front if Davis is involved."
Cat nodded in agreement. "Yes. I'm not sure we'll accomplish much by looking into computer records, unfortunately." The admission irritated her. She wanted to believe computers could accomplish everything if she just knew the right way to manipulate the data and where to search.
"Well, then," Jenira murmured with a deadly intent to her voice Cat recognized all too well, "I might need to pay Davis a visit." Her eyes lit with the look she got when she knew a task might be fun. Cat couldn't help but smile. To many, her sister was scary. To her, she was just Jenira. Cat found her fun in computers and science, her sister got her kicks from scaring the shit out of people. "Do we know a good pressure point?"
Cat removed her glasses and wiped them clean on her baggy t-shirt. "Maybe. Davis appears to be as involved in his business as Rennert."
"Could Davis be a Magitech too?" Jenira turned to Davin, who listened as he studied the automaton on the table.
The huge man stood up, his gaze thoughtful. "I don't know. I never thought about it." An expression that might have been guilt flashed across his face.
Andrew elbowed him in his rock-hard abs. "Don't fret, Uncle. You thought you were the only one of your kind in the world," his nephew teased. "You shouldn't beat yourself up for not seeing something that you thought impossible."
"I was short-sighted," Davin admitted with a sigh, and Cat's brows rose. She shot a questioning look at Jenira.
"This entire operation is teaching the big bad businessman a little humility," Jenira explained and received an answering growl from the businessman himself.
"I think Davis would be the one to ask.” Cat redirected the conversation. "He is involved in almost every aspect of his company. His son is also interesting," she added thoughtfully.
Davin raised his eyebrows. "Son?"
Cat nodded. "It's very hush-hush, but he adopted a boy when the kid was only five years old. That boy is now our age and pretty rich in his own right. I don't know why the connection between him and Davis is kept so quiet."
"Name?" Davin snapped.
"Travis Davenport," Cat replied simply. She thought she’d heard the name before and the facts filtered in when Davin growled once more and Jenira burst into laughter.
"Ah, the playboy and wanna-be council member. Well, this is looking more and more suspicious. I never did understand why that milktoast approached me in a backtown gym."
"Yes. I think a trip to see Davis is in order." Davin's golden eyes gleamed.
"I don't think Davis is going to talk, unfortunately." Jenira had met the man once at the convention she attended with Davin. "We should ask Alena to join us. She's one of the best magic sensors I've ever met. She could probably tell at a hundred paces."
"Do you think that's a good idea?" Andrew asked, his voice nervous. "We've now had two people coerced by Mather; their bodies and minds were practically possessed. We can't risk that happening again."
"I'm convinced those possessions were caused by the necklaces," Jenira said. "They were the common factor in each situation. I also think that if a mage is strong, he or she can't be taken over. That's why the Magitech chose Thomas the first time and Rock the second time. Rock's a low-level mage with a specific affinity for objects. He might have touched the locket and been snared immediately. I don't believe the Magitech has the power to take over Davin, Alena, or I - unless a necklace somehow managed to be placed directly onto one of us. I won't permit that.”
"Mac shouldn’t go out again," Andrew commented, even though no one had mentioned his sister. "She's definitely a target."
Davin nodded. "I agree. Speaking of which, have we come up with any information on the holdings in the West?"
Cat looked accusingly at the computers, frustration flickering through her. "No, and I don't know if we have enough time to look into it. We need to move on Mather; weapons and shields are the first priority." She hated the idea of leaving innocent mages in peril, but disposing of Mather before he infiltrated either territory was more important. "It might be something Alec or Eden could look into. They are probably better suited to that."
"Very well," Davin said. "I'll ask Alec. Driving all the way to York to talk to Davis is going to take time, though."
"No need," Cat quipped. "He's in Brenville until Saturday to look over the building site. I can get information on his security detail and agenda."
"Good job, sis. Just like old times, heh?"
Cat returned her sister's grin, feeling better than she had since Marcus kidnapped her. She appreciated having a purpose, and she'd gotten used to being at the castle. She liked almost everyone here. Speaking of which...she rubbed her nose as she considered her next request. "Can you," she began nervously and stopped. "Can you keep that Elliott guy out of here?" She scrunched her nose. "I don't like him."
Davin nodded. "Yes. I'll find something to keep him busy. Tell me if he comes sniffing around after that's made clear, though."
They moved over to the automaton, Jenira carefully watching from a distance even though the parts were completely devoid of electricity. They relayed their theory of the missing robot to Rennert.
"Damn it," Davin cursed, slamming a meaty fist on the table and causing all the parts - and Cat - to jump. "Rock was probably coerced to dump it or take it somewhere. I can ask him, but he doesn't remember any of what happened. Still, if it was there before he got taken over or mind controlled or whatever, that means he did dispose of it."
"We also believe there’s some significance to disposing of those parts and leaving the rest," Andrew continued. "If Mather could get rid of all the evidence, why didn't he? It wouldn't give us anything to go on."
"Unless," Cat said, gnawing on the end of a pencil, "unless this is all a diversion." She waved her hand to indicate the scattered parts.
"Let's focus on Mac. She's already feeling better, so maybe you guys can do some tests on her magic to understand exactly what she's capable of - in a secure area, of course."
Davin's voice was laden with indecision, but Cat nodded in excitement. She'd been curious about Mac's magic since she'd first heard of her capabilities. She liked her, too. Mac reminded Cat of a younger Jenira before Jenira's work made her more cynical. The woman possessed a quick wit like her brother, which she also appreciated. Where Eden projected sweetness and light and Alena spouted fire, Mac raged like a storm, exhilarating and unpredictable.
"And Rock?" Andrew asked, playing with the joint of an automaton elbow and studying how it moved.
Davin leaned on the table, his huge arms bulging, his head hanging down. He looked exhausted. "Physically, Rock is fine. Mentally, he's pretty messed up. He doesn't remember, but he can't bear the thought that he attacked Mac and her familiar. He also keeps saying we can't trust him. Unfortunately, he may be right. He's staying somewhere else and under protection until I feel safer bringing him here. We need to know how Mather got his claws into him."
Andrew and Cat shared somber nods. Mather's mind coercion was the most frightening part of this entire mystery. Anyone who could control someone else didn't play by any rules they knew and had no interest in morals or et
hics. It brought up horrible memories of Marcus for Cat, too, increasing her discomfort.
Davin stood up, pushing slightly on the table. The legs scratched loudly across the floor several inches. "Keep doing what you're doing," he commanded before walking from the room.
"Is he okay?" Cat asked Jenira.
"It's tough for him, but he'll pull through. It's a lot of stress, especially after last night.”
Cat nodded before turning back to the computers, not knowing what else to say. "I'll get Davis' information for you guys. Hopefully, it will provide us with some kind of lead - different than what Eli gives us."
Jenira patted her shoulder on the way out the door. "Okay kids," she called with a grin, "have fun."
Andrew stared at the table, but his attention was definitely not focused on the present. Cat squirmed uncomfortably. "Andrew? Are you okay?"
The techie shook his head, his chestnut waves bouncing a little as his gray gaze met hers. One dimple appeared as he smiled crookedly. "As exciting as all this is, I'll be glad when it's over."
Cat agreed wholeheartedly. She turned back to the computer, wondering what else would go wrong before they defeated Mather.
Chapter Ten
Mac
Mac groaned, her eyes snapping open. The memories rushed back, and she bolted upright with her heart racing. An outraged yowl sounded beside her as Lightning startled with her sudden movement. He sat up next to her, blinking in irritation.
She had no recollection of coming home, but she was safe in her bed in the castle. Realizing this, her heart resumed a normal pace. The curtains were pulled tight, but enough light glowed around the edges to illuminate the room.
"Lightning," she gasped, her hands anxiously examining his body as the memories slowly returned. He appeared tired but unharmed. Their connection remained strong. His fear for her, his lingering pain, and his regret that he hadn't helped her more - she felt all of it. She clutched handfuls of his fur, sobbing into his thick pelt.
"Rock," she whispered. Had she killed him?
"He'll be all right, dear."
Mac jumped, surprised to see the sweet Brownie next to the bed. She held a steaming cup of liquid in her hands. It didn't smell very appetizing.
"Who will be all right?" Mac asked, surprised her voice didn't sound rawer after being choked nearly to death. She shivered.
The Brownie shrugged. "Everyone. Well, for now, anyway. The young man who returned with you. He'll recover in a couple days, physically at least. It might take him longer to reconcile the fact that he attacked you," Jay continued with a knowing tone.
Relief flooded through Mac's body. "Rock?" The Brownie nodded. "Lightning?"
"As you can see, he's fine. A little bruised, and also upset he couldn't help more, but healthy."
"Davin, Jenira, Eli?"
Something unknowable flashed through Jay's liquid brown eyes. She patted the younger woman's arm tenderly. "All alive and well."
"How?" Mac breathed. She felt remarkable for being smashed to the floor by a three hundred pound bag of muscle, nearly choked to death, and draining her magic. Her muscles ached with lingering soreness, but that was the extent of her discomfort.
Jay looked at the ground. "That is not for me to say." She pushed the cup into Mac's hands.
The cat sniffed and recoiled. Mac mimicked his reaction, her nose scrunching as she smelled the beverage. It reminded her of Bette's herbal concoctions.
"Drink." Jay's voice held compulsion. Mac gagged it down and handed the cup back to the Brownie with a grimace. Jay smiled. "Good, child. Now I'll tell the others you're awake."
Mac propped herself against the headboard, Lightning settling beside her. Her stomach pulled. She pushed the blankets away, lifting her shirt. It wasn't the same one she'd been wearing earlier, she noted absently. A small, square bandage covered her stomach under her left ribcage. She pressed a finger against the white dressing and hissed in pain, recoiling immediately.
"What the hell?" she whispered. She didn't remember her stomach getting hurt. She didn't remember Rock being armed.
"Sorry about that," a raspy voice said.
Mac's head snapped up. She hadn't heard the door open. Eli stood at the foot of her bed, his face unreadable in the darkness. Mac squinted, wishing she possessed the night vision of her lynx. Lightning didn't stir. His usual animosity towards Eli seemed absent.
"What is it?" Mac covered her stomach again, her cheeks reddening in embarrassment.
Eli stepped around the side of the bed, coming closer. "You did a good job, Mac," he said, ignoring her question.
Mac licked her lips. Eli seemed different. She felt him almost as strongly as Lightning. He possessed a substantial presence, strong and firm, but pain surrounded him like a thick miasma. Had the Brownie drugged her? What else happened while she was unconscious?
"Rock will be fine. He's entirely out from under the Magitech's influence, and the locket has been destroyed." Eli rolled his shoulders, dark amusement tinting his voice. "Your uncle isn't so happy about that, but it's for the best. It was evil in its purest form."
Mac agreed with him. She remembered the pendant pulsing in her hand like a living thing. "So, I didn't kill him?" Until she saw Rock, she would worry. The last moments of her life before falling into the darkness were fuzzy and frightening.
Eli shook his head, his unbound hair whispering over his shoulders.
A knock preceded Davin’s, Jenira's, and Andrew's entrance. Andrew ran to her, embracing her tightly, then pulling back and apologizing when Mac squeaked in pain from her stomach wound. Eli crept from the room; Davin and Jenira watched him go with thoughtful gazes but no animosity.
"What the hell happened?" she demanded, angry Eli left without an explanation.
Davin approached while Andrew opened the curtains to let in more light. "We didn't realize anything was wrong. We were moving the parts to the van. When we returned, we saw the closed door but didn't think anything of it." Davin's voice tightened with regret and guilt as he took a seat next to her bed. Their simple snatch and grab had been anything but. "We heard a crash. That's when we knew something was wrong, but we couldn't get in." Her uncle focused on her. "You tell us what happened."
Mac explained what she remembered: the freaky look in Rock's eyes, the way the voice seemed to come from both him and the locket, what he'd said about her magic.
“Wait," Jenira interrupted, "he has people like you locked up somewhere in the West?"
Mac nodded, swallowing against the revulsion in her chest.
The warrior woman swore loudly, pacing behind Davin's chair.
Mac continued, right up to where Rock was choking the life out of her. "I thought I was going to kill him," Mac said haltingly. "But, Eli told me my magic could be controlled. At the last minute, I begged for my magic not to kill him. Rock has been like another uncle to me. I couldn't live with myself if I killed him, not even if it meant I would die."
Davin nodded but seemed unable to speak. Jenira spoke for him. "When we came in, Lightning was on the floor across the room. Rock was on top of you. We thought you were both dead."
"You were dying, Mac," her uncle said softly.
"What? How?"
"Your heartbeat had slowed down; it almost stopped. You couldn't breathe. We don't know if it was the choking, the exertion of your magic, or some other effect of the locket, but you were dying.”
"Then how?" Mac asked. She felt fine. It was hard to believe she’d nearly died mere hours ago.
Davin's jaw clenched. "Eli saved you. I almost stopped him."
Her eyes widened. "How?"
"Blood magic.” Jenira’s tone was businesslike.
"Blood magic?"
Her uncle nodded. "He cut you and put some of his blood in the cut, then said a spell. I almost throttled him, MacKenzie. I thought he would make you worse. But it worked. You were suddenly better - unconscious, but breathing better."
"Oh," Mac breathed. Eli put his blood into her
body? It seemed weird, but also strangely intimate. She shifted on the bed, snuggling closer to the comforting form of her brother and her lynx. "I didn't realize he could heal."
She didn't miss the look that Davin shared with Jenira. "She has a right to know," the warrior woman said. It didn’t sound like the first time she’d said it, and Mac wondered how long they’d been arguing.
"She's been through enough," her uncle protested.
Mac gritted her teeth. "I'm not ten anymore. Quit protecting me by keeping things from me." She looked at Jenira. "Tell me." Her muscles clenched in fear, but she needed all the information.
"Blood mages can do any spell - nearly any spell. Healing is one. The greater the spell, though, the greater toll it exerts on the blood mage."
Mac's brows drew together. "So it uses more of his magic? So it will take him a while to recover? He seemed okay."
"It's not just that," Jenira sighed. "There's a balance that must be maintained. Bringing someone back from near death is not a simple healing spell. It's very, very powerful. It likely subtracted a couple years off Eli's life expectancy." Mac's body froze. "The spell might also create a connection between the two of you. Eli’s blood is potent. It may alter your blood, not just filter out."
"Alter my blood?" Mac asked, focusing on that rather than the monumental implications of what Eli did for her.
Jenira shrugged. "That remains to be seen."
"I see," Mac whispered, her thoughts churning. "I need some time." Her fists clenched and unclenched on the blanket.
All three nodded, Davin and Andrew stooping to kiss her forehead before leaving. Once the door shut, she hopped out of bed, wincing as the cut tightened with pain. She paced next to the bed.
"Eli!" she suddenly screamed, her voice raw. She waited only a couple seconds before the door opened. The blood prophet peeked around the doorjamb. He couldn't have heard her, but he’d known she needed him.
"You called?" He smirked.
Enemies Allied Page 10
