Capture (The Machinists Book 4)

by Craig Andrews

  “What’s going on, Liam?”

  “Huh? Oh, I… I need to talk to you about something. Can I come in?”

  Allyn glanced uneasily back at the bed where Nyla waited. “I tell you what. I’m starving, and I could really use a couple glasses of water. What do you say you meet me in the kitchen in fifteen minutes?”

  Liam made a face that suggested he didn’t want to wait any longer than he had to.

  “Surely you can wait that long,” Allyn continued.

  “Of course.”

  “Okay,” Allyn said. “I’ll see you downstairs then.”

  Liam hadn’t moved by the time the door closed, so wanting to ensure Liam wasn’t trying to eavesdrop on him, Allyn remained just inside the doorway until he heard Liam’s soft footsteps retreating. Once they’d disappeared out of earshot, he turned back to Nyla and made his way across the room.

  “I love that kid to death,” Allyn said, “but, damn, he can be nosey.”

  Nyla sat up, resting her back against the headboard. “He doesn’t like secrets.”

  Allyn barked a sarcastic laugh. If Liam only knew half of the secrets and plans being kept from him. He sat on the edge of the bed and looked at Nyla. “Do we need to talk?”

  “About?” Nyla asked.

  “About last night. About this.”

  “Talking is never a bad thing, but if you’re asking if I regret anything about last night, I don’t.”

  “That’s good,” Allyn said. “Me, neither.”

  That brought a smile to Nyla’s face. “That’s good. Are you going to go down there dressed like that?”

  “I don’t know. Probably not. Why?”

  She gave him a suggestive grin. “Because if you have to get undressed anyway, we might as well do something else we won’t regret.”

  Allyn laughed… and promptly removed his clothes.

  Liam was nearly done with breakfast by the time Allyn entered the kitchen. Half-empty wine glasses, half-eaten, drunkenly prepared meals, and various plates, cups, and silverware littered the granite countertops. The hardwood floor was sticky and had more than one wine stain, but it was the smells of coffee, bacon, and alcohol that sent Allyn into another cold sweat.

  Liam was sitting at a table at the back of the room, his back to the large bay windows. He scowled at Allyn as he entered. “I thought you said fifteen minutes.”

  “I’m sorry,” Allyn said. “I got hung up.”

  “With what?”

  “I drank all night, Liam. Use your imagination.” It wasn’t a lie, not exactly, so Allyn didn’t feel guilty for it.

  Liam made a sour face and pushed his plate away.

  Allyn pulled a mug from the cupboards, filled it with hot water from the coffee pot, and began brewing a single serving of tea. His favorite hangover cure from college had been a Gatorade and Cup of Noodles, followed by a Coke and greasy bacon or sausage an hour or so later, but Allyn had long since realized that the luxuries of outside life didn’t extend to the magi community. His options were tea and coffee, and he was forced to take the lesser of the two evils.

  After adding a couple cubes of sugar, he took a seat across from Liam. “So what has you up so early?”

  “It’s after nine a.m.”

  “You’ve never drank heavily, have you?” Allyn asked. Then when it appeared he’d made Liam uncomfortable, he quickly added, “Never mind. Let’s just say nine is early when you went to bed at four and drank more than your body weight.”

  “Why do you do it then?”

  Allyn took a sip of tea. “Hmm?”

  “Why drink the way you did last night?”

  “Now probably isn’t the best time to ask me that,” Allyn said with a laugh. “But if you’d asked me last night, I would have told you it’s fun and that sometimes you need to go a little crazy to get away from all the other crap in your life.”

  “But it just makes the next day even worse.”

  “Everything has a cost, right?”

  “I guess.” Liam took on a contemplative expression, obviously trying to make sense of the exchange. Allyn had to hold in a laugh and struggled to keep his amusement off his face. Liam was brilliant and developing more and more into a leader every day, and because of that, Allyn sometimes forgot how naïve he could be.

  And he’s expected to lead the McCollum Family now that Jaxon is gone.

  “I’m sorry for waking you then,” Liam said. “If you need to rest, we can talk about this later.”

  Allyn dunked the teabag into the water a couple more times and shook his head. “I’m already up, Liam. What’s on your mind?”

  “I need your help getting access to the arch mage’s private library.”

  Allyn coughed. Liam’s face flushed with embarrassment, and Allyn attempted to mask his reaction by pointing at the tea. “Sorry, that’s just really hot.” Again, it wasn’t technically a lie… “The arch mage’s private library?”

  “Yeah,” Liam said.

  “The one full of magi secrets?”

  “That’s the one.”

  “Why?”

  “Because it’s full of magi secrets,” Liam said sarcastically. “For research, Allyn.”

  “Obviously,” Allyn said. “What kind of research?”

  “You know the paintings in the Klausner study? The ones showing the different eras of magi?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, Arch Mage Westarra said that if you trace magi and human lines back far enough, they converge. That at some time in our ancient past, there were no humans or magi, there were just… people.”

  “You’re wondering who made the split,” Allyn said.

  “Sort of,” Liam said. “That’s a piece of it, anyway. Was it the magi who broke the line and manifested their magical abilities, or was it humans who somehow lost magi abilities and resorted to tools?”

  “Your father described the magi evolution as being needs-based. They needed fire, so they learned to create it using their bodies, but humans found other means. That makes it sound like it was the magi who diverted.”

  “Maybe,” Liam said. “But that’s not the whole story, and my father wasn’t a historian. Plus, as you said, the arch mage’s library will have information that’s not common knowledge to the rest of the Order.”

  “I suppose.” Allyn pointed at Liam’s plate. “Are you done with that?”

  “What? Oh, yeah. Go for it.”

  “Thanks,” Allyn said, reaching for a leftover piece of bacon. “So why now? Why’s this so important?”

  “The Blood Wand.”

  “Sorry,” Allyn said. “I’m not following. Hungover, remember?”

  “I’m trying to figure out why Sedric has magi abilities. Or more specifically, I’m trying to understand why the Blood Wand, which was imbued with the magical abilities of ancient magi, worked on someone with no other magical lineage.”

  “In other words,” Allyn said. “Why does the Blood Wand work on humans?”

  “Exactly.”

  Allyn finished the bacon strip and wiped his greasy fingers on his pant leg. “Maybe there’s an unknown magi connection. Maybe Sedric has magi blood in his veins that none of us are aware of.”

  “I thought that too,” Liam said. “So I looked into it using the same program I built to look into your history. It’s not complete, which is partly why I want access to the arch mage’s records, but it didn’t come up with any matches.”

  Allyn shrugged. “Maybe the Blood Wand just works on humans too.”

  “But why?” Liam asked. “There’s more going on here. Remember, we never discovered where your abilities came from, either.”

  “Wait.” Allyn held up a hand. “What are you getting at?”

  “I don
’t know yet,” Liam said. “I can barely make out the outlines of the question, but I know it all starts with the divergence.”

  Allyn was suddenly uncomfortable, and it wasn’t because of his rumbling stomach. Liam had touched on a question that had never been answered, one that Allyn had forced deep into his subconscious. He hadn’t given much thought into why he had magi abilities—after all, it didn’t matter now that he did have them. And even then, the long-standing hypothesis was that he and Kendyl descended from a forgotten magi line—something not implausible due to the fallout from the Fracture.

  Lukas had targeted them because of a very specific set of different criteria. Allyn and Kendyl were twins who had experienced a traumatic childhood. But that answer had never been enough for Allyn, and if there was something more to it, then he wanted to know. It was vital to knowing who he was and where he came from.

  “How soon do you need to get out there?” Allyn asked.

  “As soon as possible.”

  “I was afraid of that.”

  “Why?”

  Allyn took a deep breath. “There’s something you should know, and I’m not the person to tell you.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Come on,” Allyn said, standing. “Let’s see if Jaxon is up.”

  Jaxon was up, and if looks could be believed, he was in much better shape than Allyn.

  I really overdid it last night, Allyn thought as he and Liam entered the gym where Jaxon waited. He was mid-workout, shirtless and glistening with sweat. That’s not a bad idea. Sweat the booze out, like a cold?

  Jaxon finished his reps and grabbed a nearby towel to wipe the sweat from his face. “You’re up,” he said to Allyn. “I didn’t expect you up and about for some time.”

  “I wouldn’t have been if it weren’t for someone.” Allyn gave an exaggerated nod in Liam’s direction.

  “Oh?” Jaxon took a long pull from his water bottle.

  “Tell him what you told me,” Allyn said.

  Liam gave him a look that said, “You brought me here so you could tell me something, not the other way around,” but he complied and told Jaxon what he had said to Allyn.

  “I see,” Jaxon said. “And when were you hoping to do this?”

  “Why does everyone keep asking me that?” Liam asked. “This is important, very important—tell me you see that.”

  “We see it, Liam,” Allyn said. “He wants to go now, Jaxon. He already asked for my help this morning.”

  Jaxon let out an exasperated breath, grabbed his shirt, then pulled it over his sweaty form. “I’m sorry, Liam. But I can’t let you go.”

  “Why?” Liam asked. “What is it you’re not telling me?”

  “I’m sorry to have to tell you like this, Liam, but I’ve been summoned back to my Family. I am to replace my father as Grand Mage of the Green Family.”

  “What?” Liam looked to Allyn for confirmation or perhaps some sign of a joke. “When? Why now?”

  “Soon,” Jaxon said. “I’ve already begun studying under him and playing a more active role in Family and Order planning. For all intents and purposes, I am the Grand Mage of the Green Family already, even if they aren’t aware of it yet.”

  “But it’s not that easy,” Liam said. “Your father can’t just appoint you grand mage; you have to be ratified by the Family itself.”

  Jaxon smiled. “I know, Liam.”

  “Then how can he do this? It’s circumventing custom.”

  “Are you suggesting I’m not qualified to lead the Family I was born into?” Jaxon asked with the smallest of grins.

  “You know I’m not saying that—”

  “Then maybe the Family won’t confirm my claim?”

  “Of course they will, but…” Liam stammered, searching for the words. He must have missed the flicker of amusement on Jaxon’s face.

  “Nothing my father has done contradicts magi custom,” Jaxon said. “He’s just leading as he’s always done. Being firm and proactive.”

  Liam didn’t look as though he completely agreed, but he didn’t press the issue further. “So you don’t want me to go because you’re leaving.”

  “Not entirely,” Jaxon said slowly. “I can’t have you leave because I intend to nominate you as the next Grand Mage of the McCollum Family.”

  Liam blinked and opened his mouth, but no words came out. He looked from Jaxon to Allyn and back, his eyes narrow and confused.

  “Say something, Liam,” Jaxon said. “Did I make a mistake?”

  “I… uh…” Liam took a steadying breath. “That would make me the youngest grand mage in the Order.”

  Jaxon nodded.

  “No,” Liam continued. “Not only that, but the youngest current grand mage is twice my age!”

  “There have been younger grand mages,” Jaxon said.

  “Not in—what? A thousand years? And that was during…”

  “During what, Liam?” Jaxon spoke with complete confidence, as if he knew exactly where Liam was headed and intended to meet him there.

  “During war.”

  “Exactly.” Jaxon closed the distance between himself and Liam and placed both hands on Liam’s shoulders. Liam may have grown since Allyn had first met him, but there, standing in front of Jaxon, he still looked like a child. “War makes many things possible, Liam, but that’s not why I want to nominate you. You are the natural heir to this Family. You discovered the machinists. You are the only magi in the Order who can wield both the elements and machinist abilities. You have seen the enemy and defeated them. And regardless of age, you are ready.”

  Liam looked up into Jaxon’s round eyes. His were glassy, and he tightened his lips, fighting back emotion. He spoke softly, almost as if he were voicing his biggest fear and that speaking the words aloud would somehow make the fear come true. “Do you think they’ll follow me?”

  Jaxon squeezed Liam’s shoulders. “To the ends of the earth and back again.”

  A single tear spilled over the bank of Liam’s eyelid and slid down his cheek. Silent, he nodded slightly. Then, as if he remembered Allyn was still in the room with them, he looked at him, the same unspoken question on his lips.

  “We’ll follow you, Liam,” Allyn said. “And we’ll help and counsel you when needed. If you’ll have us, of course.”

  “Of course.” Liam’s voice was still soft but more confident than before. “I’d be honored to retain your counsel.”

  “You don’t need to give me an answer now, Liam,” Jaxon said. “But you’ll need to decide soon. Time isn’t on our side.”

  “No,” Liam said. “I’ll do it.”

  “You’re sure?” Jaxon seemed a little surprised by Liam’s firm answer.

  “Yes,” Liam said. “It’s what I want.” And as if the words solidified the confidence he already had inside, he stood straighter, raising his chin strongly. “I will be the next Grand Mage of the McCollum Family.”

  Chapter 13

  Liam stood in front of the McCollum group, hoping he didn’t look as awkward as he felt. It had only been two hours since his conversation with Allyn and Jaxon, but in that time, the former Grand Mage of the McCollum Family had organized every McCollum magi still left at the Klausner Manor and assembled the rest via video conference.

  Now that Liam had agreed to take what Jaxon had called “his rightful place as the leader of the Family,” Jaxon wanted the transition to happen as quickly as possible. Liam wasn’t sure who Jaxon was looking out for more, Liam or himself, but he hadn’t argued. Stalling wouldn’t help anyone. And besides, he still needed access to the arch mage’s private library, and he figured he stood a better shot as a grand mage than he ever would have as a simple magi.

  They gathered in a first-level private study. Liam found himself scanning t
he room, trying not to make eye contact with the others. His eyes found the artistic panels that depicted the five eras of magi that he’d spoken to Allyn about. The irony wasn’t lost on him. If he were to break down the major eras in his life, beginning with his birth and ending with his death, this moment would no doubt be near the center of the depiction.

  Tearing his eyes off the panels, Liam looked purposefully over at the group in front of him. They sat in armchairs and couches in a loose semicircle with Jaxon and Liam at their head.

  I still can’t believe this is happening.

  For two hours, he had wandered through the Klausner Manor and around its grounds. Deep in thought, he’d paid no heed to where he was or where he was going. He only knew that he needed to move. Maybe it helped him think. Maybe it helped him process. Or maybe he was just too afraid to stop, fearing that stopping meant he’d imagined the whole thing and that his dreams weren’t really coming true.

  You’ve stopped now, though, haven’t you? Does that mean the dream will come to an end?

  “Thank you for joining on such short notice,” Jaxon said, beginning the meeting and interrupting Liam’s train of thought. “I know it’s late for those of you at home at the Hyland Estate, but we’ve had a new development, and I didn’t want to keep you in the dark any longer than necessary.”

  That’s a bit of an understatement.

  It was nearly one o’clock in the afternoon local time, which meant it wasn’t quite four in the morning at the Hyland Estate. Liam could only imagine what was going through their heads. Jaxon’s urgent early morning meeting must have caused a panic. And looking at the image on the television being broadcast from the computer, he could see it in their body language.

  The McCollum magi sat on the edges of their seats, elbows on knees, feet tapping against the floor. Parke Hyland, Grand Mage of the Hyland Family, bounced nervously from foot to foot. Others stood with their arms crossed while more paced back and forth behind the bulk of the group. All wore worried expressions or failed to hide them through masks of indifference.