Worlds Collide (Magitech Book 1)

by Serena Lindahl

  “Jen, it's time to trust me. I can do this; we can do this. It's scary because it's not the way we do things, but the entire situation is different. Innocent lives are at stake. I can finish my invention and join one of the few non-corrupt Tech corporations.”

  “I'm not certain Davin's company isn't corrupt,” Jenira interrupted.

  Cat shrugged. “It doesn't matter, what matters is that we do this together. The situation calls for something different.” Cat's eyes were pleading, trying to convey how important this was to her.

  Jenira's dark blue eyes held her brown ones for several minutes. “Fine, but you will keep me informed every step of the way. The first time something suspicious happens to either of us, I'm pulling the plug and we're getting the hell out of here. Understood?”

  Cat nodded and sprang forward to embrace her sister tightly. “Everything will be fine,” she whispered into Jenira's soft hair and hoped she wouldn’t regret her promise.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Jenira

  Jenira ran, her sneakers slapping against the pavement as her conversation with Cat spun around in her brain on an endless loop. Though less than two years separated their births, Jenira had always cared for Cat and controlled the trajectory of their life. Cat's plan for infiltrating Rennert Industries filled her with nervous pride. If their identities were suspected, the Western Territory High Council wouldn't hesitate to prosecute them. Jenira would face murder charges, and Cat would be considered an accomplice because she was a techie. If Jenira were the only one at risk, she would do anything in her power to give her sister a free, legal life. Unfortunately, it wasn't that simple.

  This decision was merely a continuation of their entire life. The girls' father had been a high-level mage, and Cat's mother, Anna, had been an Eastern-born techie hiding out in the West for reasons Jenira and Cat never learned. Jenira's mother, Adelie, and Cat's mother had shared a sisterly bond; the love between their three parents had been unbreakable. Both territories frowned on the union though because mages didn't mate with techies. Western officials suspected Gerald Decroix wanted to breed a Magitech, and the girls were watched closely from the time of their birth. After the death of their parents, the High Council had continuously targeted Cat, fearing the brilliance they considered a threat to their magic.

  Jenira and Cat considered techie nature a particular form of magic and didn't believe the two cultures conflicted as much as society claimed. Davin's existence and the way the sisters were able to modify tech for Jenira to use reinforced this idea.

  Jenira turned the corner, not directing her path consciously. Returning to the gym felt wrong after her impulsive act with the attendant. Her dalliances weren’t usually so desperate they interfered with her life. Ironically though, the fling with Garrett hadn't improved her mood or satisfied her lust. She craved Davin, and although she wanted to blame her attraction on the pull between their magic, she couldn't ignore the full picture. He displayed intelligence, humor, and compassion despite his annoying tendency to control and intimidate.

  Sweat dripped down the back of her neck, and Jenira cursed the black hoodie's warmth. Usually, she relished the heat but her overall mood bordered on irritable. She arrived at the mage community before she realized where she was headed. Contemplating her decision briefly, she slowed to a walk and stepped through the open gates. The ward's magic trickled over her, and she nodded to the security guard – a weak mage with simple weapons. Unknown intuition had prodded her to leave the house with fewer blades than usual hidden on her person. She didn't want to draw undue attention to herself.

  The profusion of greenery in the community soothed her, and the pall of death had dissipated, leaving beauty and light. Following the tug of her instincts, she entered the magic shop she usually phased behind. Latent power swirled through the store from the infused amulets and charms hanging from the ceiling. Sunlight reflected and danced in bright colors through the small space and plants scented the air, placed in optimal positions to spread a web of energy around the shop. Crystal balls, little statuettes, ceremonial daggers, and spell books joined the charms and amulets.

  In this Eastern city, many of the display items were sold to non-mages to satisfy their preconceived ideas about the magical community. Most spells didn't require tools and the spell books held no power unless the reader possessed enough magic to speak the incantations and mold the power.

  Jenira browsed the shelves, heading towards the back. The unspelled amulets answered why her subconscious led her here. If Cat planned to join the corporate world, she would need protection. She examined the small crystals, carved wood, and plant life preserved in amber.

  “Can I help you with anything?” The woman had snuck up on her, an impressive feat. She turned, assessing her curiously. Short and petite, she was much older than Jenira, almost a crone; thick silver dreads threaded with red string roped down her back. The flowing theatrical clothes branded her as the shop owner, and sharp green eyes suppressed her considerable power.

  “I'm just looking.”

  The woman nodded. “You're looking for something for your sister?” The piece of polished bone slid from Jenira's grasp and hit the wooden floor with a resounding thunk that echoed in the quiet, empty shop. The woman stooped to retrieve it with a grace that belied her age. “Peace, child, I claim the gift of foresight, and I've been waiting for you.”

  Jenira stared in baffled surprise. Foresight was a rare talent, almost as unique as the ability to phase. They were both gifts of Spirit Mages, the least common mage designation. A woman in their childhood village had also possessed the talent, but the woman couldn't manipulate her visions and had difficulty deciphering the images she saw. For many years, she followed Cat and Jenira around muttering nonsense under her breath.

  The stately woman shrugged, her manner non-threatening. “I mean you no harm, and I will not reveal your secrets. I'm glad you finally came; I was growing tired of waiting.”

  Jenira sensed no underlying motive in the shop owner's purpose, but foresight abilities always unnerved her. She didn't like to accept she couldn't control every event. “Why am I here, then?”

  “You're here for a protection amulet for your sister, but I’d suggest an unspelled piece. Your magic is better than most of the amulets I sell.” She made a gesture that encompassed the enchanted items on the shelves. “I would recommend a piece of amber because amber is less likely to interfere with your sister's environment.”

  “And what is my sister's environment?” Jenira asked with a thinly veiled threat in her voice. The woman smiled.

  “Something even I won’t say aloud. I'd rather not meet one of those daggers at your waist, Desert Rose, but I insist I am not a danger to you.”

  Jenira resisted the overwhelming urge to run, but her intuition insisted she stay and the shield around the shop was strong. She forced her heartbeat to slow, examining the first small chunk of amber that caught her attention while never taking her eyes off the shop-owner completely. Amber would be the superior choice if Cat were surrounded by computers and tech. The substance claimed a natural resilience against the energy emitted by electronics. The color also reminded her of Cat's honey-brown eyes. “What else do you know?”

  “You're looking for the killer.” Pain shadowed the woman's green eyes. “Dan and Martha were my friends and compassionate mages. It's a shame what happened. The billionaire wants to help, but he needs your help - and your sister's.” Jenira frowned. The woman was either a spy or indeed possessed a powerful gift for understanding the unknown.

  “You promise you will not spread this information around? To anyone?”

  “I promise.” The old woman placed two fingers on the back of Jenira's bare hand. Light flashed between their hands and Jenira relaxed. The woman had just triggered a geis. If she broke her oath, Jenira could exact revenge under mage law. Geisan were outdated traditions and more important in the times before lawyers, but the ancient custom comforted Jenira. She pulled down her hood,
grateful for the fresh air against her neck, and scanned the shop for people.

  “No one is here, and no one will enter while we talk,” the woman assured her. “Please, sit with me.” She motioned to a small circular table in the corner. Jenira sat, her eyes on the door. The shop-owner spoke true. They were the only two people in the building. “My name is Danika.”

  “Jen. What do you know about the killers?”

  “Unfortunately, not much. Something hides them from my vision, perhaps the same evil which destroys wards without alerting the owners. What I do know is that magic wasn’t the only factor involved; something else rendered the mages helpless against the attack.”

  Jenira nodded. She'd arrived at a similar conclusion. “Poison?”

  Danika shook her head, and the bells threaded through her dreadlocks tinkled. “Tech.”

  “Tech?” Jenira exclaimed. “Tech that interferes with wards and paralyzes grown mages? Is that possible?”

  “It is. My sight does not extend to knowing what kind of tech or how it works, but I can feel its presence. Mental coercion by a mage is not also to be outlawed as a possibility. Your sister will play a powerful role in uncovering the manner of this unnatural feat, but I cannot tell you how. You desire to protect her, but more innocent mages and non-mages will die if she isn't involved. She commands her own power even if it differs from our own.”

  Jenira was familiar with Cat's particular brand of power; she was just in the habit of sheltering Cat so she could use her brilliance in safety. The idea of mental coercion bothered her more than she wanted to admit. Marcus’s talent had been psychological control. “What else do you know about us?”

  Danika's magic flared around her, the emerald hue matching her eyes as was typical. “What we face is only the beginning of something bigger. Changes are happening, changes which will affect the entire country, techs and mages alike, and involve people you have yet to meet. Your days of solitude are over. Also,” she paused dramatically and pointed at Jenira's cheek, “the man who scarred you is not dead.”

  Jenira's heart skipped a beat, her eyes widening. Darkness crowded her vision as she recalled the moment she had thrust her dagger into Marcus's chest. The memory threatened to drag her under, and she forced a return to the present.

  “But I,” she stuttered.

  “No, child, you did not kill him. He survived the night with the aid of a healer. Your retaliation filled him with rage and further unbalanced his mind though. The search for you and your sister has obsessed him, and he has done horrible things.”

  “What should we do?” Jenira's voice shook. The sisters had considered themselves murderers for the last seven years, thinking their tormentor died at Jenira’s hands. The truth rocked her to the core, especially considering that the current deaths might have been accomplished by someone with similar talents. She clenched her fist around the amber talisman, the sharp edges biting into her skin. Danika cocked her head.

  “Trust the billionaire. His money and status can fight the power the Western Council bears. Unfortunately, that is the way the world works now; money grows more powerful than magic or technology. You may never return to the West, but he can protect you if you allow him.”

  “I can't trust him,” Jenira protested. “I don't know if I can.”

  “You can, but you won't. I wouldn't advise continuing as a solitary island or you shall both drown. Trusting isn't easy for you, and I can only see one half of his future so I cannot guarantee he is not a threat. However, I can guarantee you he will not harm you to the extent the Council will if you attempt to fight them on your own. They will find you if you keep running. That future path holds only darkness.”

  Jenira groaned, exhaustion shaking her muscles. The old woman told her to trust a man who may still betray her. She and Cat had lived a simple, possibly lonely life before Davin Rennert contacted her. Now, everything was different.

  “Peace, Jen,” the woman crooned, placing a wrinkled hand over Jenira's. “The answers will come to you. At the moment, you walk the correct path. Take this amulet, it is the one you want for your sister. Imbue it with protection.”

  “Will she need protection?”

  “I am uncertain. She is not a mage so I cannot see her future where it separates from yours, but everyone could use safeguarding. Go now and take care, there is no charge for the amulet.”

  Jenira stood. Obliged to thank the woman, she dropped a silver coin on the table even though she wasn’t thankful for the morning’s warnings. The idea of Marcus alive, possibly looking for them, and the potential of his involvement in her current case disrupted every thought in her mind. She couldn’t find a motive for him, but his mind had always been a little unhinged, and there were very few mages with mind control abilities. Jenira considered him her first kill, and she had always believed the world was better off with him dead. One less murder on her conscience wasn't a horrible thing, though. If she faced a trial, she could claim self-defense, but her word against his meant nothing when his family held all the power.

  She slipped the charm into her pocket, drew her hood back over her hair, and stepped from the shop. The sunlight forced her to pause and blink rapidly before she turned towards the gates. She needed to relay the conversation to Cat, but she wanted to walk and think first. If she talked to Cat in her current state, she would frighten them both.

  Two blocks from the bungalow, she sensed a figure following her. Angling her reflection in a passing window, she saw a lithe woman dressed in simple black fatigues. The woman didn’t even notice her observation. Jenira couldn't see weapons, but that meant nothing. She picked up her pace, and the tail continued to follow. Turning a corner quickly, she stepped into an alley and phased into position behind the woman. Her dagger kissed the spy’s throat.

  “Who sent you to follow me?” Jenira demanded through clenched teeth; her nerves already buzzed from the visionary's revelations. The woman in her grasp was physically capable, but didn’t possess a drop of magic nor did she wear any charms. The woman held up her hands in surrender, frozen in Jenira's grip.

  “My boss.”

  “No shit,” Jenira spat and rolled her eyes. The smartass answer might have earned the woman a new scar if Jenira felt like being more ruthless. The woman's flippancy suggested she knew Jenira wouldn't kill her, something her boss would have told her. “Did Rennert send you?” The woman didn't answer, but the increased tension in her shoulders revealed the answer. Jenira cursed the man. If he wanted her to trust him, having her followed was not the way to gain it.

  “Tell Rennert I don't appreciate people spying on me; tell him I won't continue to work with him if he doesn't trust me. Understood?” The dagger retreated enough to let the woman nod her understanding. Jenira released her, stepped out of sight, and phased home.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Cat

  Cat's body vibrated with nerves as she entered the massive lobby of the Rialto. Watching Jenira's feed had familiarized her with the building's layout and snarky receptionist, but the cavernous space was far more intimidating in person.

  Andrew Wallace had responded to her hesitant call with overwhelming enthusiasm. His excitement almost changed her mind. Her hands anxiously clutched the folder containing her forged identification documents and aptitude tests. Her black flats clicked across the marble floor, and each step that drew attention to her caused her to cringe.

  Jenira's discovery of Marcus's return from the dead had rattled her as much as it had Jenira. She’d considered not following through with the plan, but the rest of the mage's visions reassured her they were making the correct decision. Jenira grudgingly agreed although they both battled with wanting to save future victims versus running very far away.

  “I'm here to meet Mr. Wallace,” Cat's voice broke on the words and her eyes nervously found the security cameras. The receptionist pointed to the elevators, not even glancing at her.

  “Tenth floor,” she said, forgetting Cat instantly. Without emotion, t
he guards pushed the button and motioned her through the open doors. The man in the elevator was just as aloof, and Cat breathed a sigh of relief when she stepped from the car. Standing uncertainly in the hallway, she looked at each door. She had no idea which one belonged to Andrew, and for a moment, she considered turning around and running back home.

  “Cat!” Andrew Wallace stepped from a door down the hall, his chestnut curls flopping across his forehead. She breathed in to steady herself and walked toward him while a nervous smile twitched on her lips. “I can call you Cat, right?” She shook his hand, nodding to his question. “Great. We prefer to be informal here. You can call me Andrew even if I become your immediate supervisor. Come in, come in.”

  He pushed the office door open and ushered her into a cluttered room. Thick books, rolled schematics, several computers, and random scraps of paper tacked to the walls formed a chaotic space. Cat lowered herself onto the cushioned metal chair he indicated. He seated himself behind the desk, shoving aside a stack of papers to expose a bare space.

  “I'm happy you called me, Cat. This interview is really just a technicality. I'm interested to see your scores and determine your aptitudes. Rennert Industries leads the market in many innovative products, and we try to place people where they are most suited. What kind of work have you done before?”

  Cat fidgeted, tearing at the folder on her lap. Practicing the answers for hours at home hadn’t prepared her. She cleared her throat, wishing she had Jenira’s ability to calm herself. “Primarily computer work; I've programmed and coded, but I've also assembled devices for surveillance and security.” The sisters had agreed to stay as close to the truth as possible, and a significant portion of the tech industry focused on security so it wasn't a stretch. Andrew nodded, studying her with his keen, gray eyes. She pushed her glasses up her nose, gnawing on her lower lip.