by Antara Mann
I glanced over him. He was in his early thirties, tall, with dark hair, soft features and a well-built body. The magical thread inside me prickled my senses and I knew for sure he was a time mage, too, like his older brother. Some magical families genetically inherited one particular type of magic, and this family was probably such an example; all were time mages.
“So, when was the last time you saw your husband and brother, respectively?” I asked them.
Kathryn replied, “Two days ago. After breakfast, Aldwyn left for work. He never came back. I waited for him all evening, but eventually went to bed. I work afternoon shifts. By yesterday he still hadn’t returned, so I contacted the Magic Council and they said they’d send someone to investigate.”
“Right,” I said. “Where does your husband work?”
“He works for Hatchett Industries. He is an engineer. His type of magic is handy for that kind of job,” Kathryn said.
The name Hatchett Industries vaguely evoked associations of high-tech technologies and mobile communications. For all I knew, it was the property of another powerful magic dynasty.
“Umm, and how does Aldwyn Saal exactly use his particular magic at work? He is a time mage, right?” I asked casually.
“Yes, my husband’s clan consists of time mages. I’m the odd one out,” Kathryn replied, her smart eyes piercing through mine. She took one moment to scrutinize me top to toe. “I am a summoner mage, but I guess you already know that.” A faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
“We are descendants of a long line of time mages,” Finn cut in. “Our genealogy can be traced back to the Middle Ages, in Ireland. In the early nineteenth century, my ancestors immigrated to the United States and settled in Brookline, Massachusetts, so they could live freely and independently, away from the rigid religious rule and persecution of their home country.”
“Fascinating,” I remarked, genuinely impressed. “I am curious, what exactly did Aldwyn do at work?”
“Well, as you probably know, Hatchett Industries specializes in high-tech, advanced technologies. The project my husband had been working on was meant to make teleportation and time travel possible. When you have this type of magic inside you, it is your inborn nature and fairly easy to learn to manipulate and master to perfection. However, when you are a different kind of supernatural, and especially a human with no magic whatsoever, it is much more difficult.” Kathryn cracked a small smile. “Actually it is impossible for humans to teleport and time-travel. Aldwyn considered the task of making it possible for humans to teleport a challenge. He’d worked with and tested his own magic scientifically, so that common people could use his findings for teleportation or time-travel. From what he told me, he feared that once his project succeeded, the government would frame his invention as pure theory. Only high-profile individuals knew about this project at Hatchett Industries, and he didn’t think they intended to disclose it any time soon.”
Her words made me somewhat uneasy. Of course, I knew that filthy-rich individuals as well as the magic dynasties had access to technologies and inventions mortal humans and even most supernaturals, like me, didn’t even dream were possible. The elite was too powerful, and we, the masses — too vulnerable. It scared the shit out of me to think what this imbalance could lead to. Truth be told, since I’d begun dating Kagan Griffith I was in a different position to that of most supernaturals, but still the thought of this inequality made my stomach lurch.
I cleared my throat and got my mind back on interviewing the two mages. “So, do you think your husband’s disappearance could be work-related? Kidnapped by a competitor? Gagged by his bosses?”
Kathryn shook her head. “I don’t think so. He worked alone. Occasionally another time-mage would assist him, and there was also a laboratory technician, but most of the time he was on his own. His project was secret. Only Hatchett Industries’ vice president and president knew about it. Of course, we, his family, knew about it, too.” She smiled again.
“And besides, he hadn’t progressed much. He often worked late, lost a lot of weight in the last few weeks, and was constantly lost in thought. Something was amiss. Maybe it didn’t have anything to do with his job,” Finn said.
Or perhaps it was all due to his big ambition to make his invention a success? I thought.
“My husband has always been an exemplary gentleman and father, and would never disappear without telling us,” Kathryn said, her voice rising. Her hands were shaking. She was certainly upset and anxious. I scratched her name off my mental list of suspects.
I looked at her thoughtfully for a few more seconds. This was a delicate situation. I couldn’t just ask her outright if her husband had extramarital affairs. Not now, when the woman was worried sick about him. And yet, I had to do my job.
“Umm, you mentioned he was often lost in thought. Did he tell you, did he have any personal worries lately?” I asked them.
They both shook their heads.
“Aldwyn was a very simple and disciplined man. Emotions didn’t rule him,” his wife said.
I cleared my throat. “What interests did he have, apart from his work? Hobbies? Sport? Was he collecting anything?”
They both pondered my question for a while, and then Finn said, “My brother loved role-playing games, mostly Dungeons & Dragons.”
Ah — a geek. It was natural for scientists, I guessed.
“He also loved spending time with our little daughter,” Kathryn said. “He was such a good father.” Her eyes filled with tears. “Excuse me, I sometimes get too emotional.” She dashed out of the room and I was left alone with Finn.
“So, I wanted to ask you, was the marriage between your brother and Kathryn a happy one?”
He stared at me, mistrust evident on his otherwise handsome face.
“I don’t live with them, but I visit every now and then. I do think they were happy. Well, they had their own fair share of problems, but nothing out of the ordinary they couldn’t overcome.”
“And did your brother have any close friends? Friends he could trust?”
“He had a colleague he got along with well, but I don’t know his name. Kathryn will tell you.”
Just as he said that, she reentered the living room, her face refreshed, all traces of tears gone. I asked her about her husband’s work address, and the names of friends or acquaintances he had closer relationships with. When I offered to give her some space and come back later, she declined and asked to borrow my notebook. I watched as she wrote down all the information she considered relevant.
My eyes fell on one name: Philip Seaton. When I asked her if that was the name of her husband’s colleague he best got along with, she confirmed it was. Finally, I asked her, “Can you think of anyone who could have wished your husband harm? Did he have any enemies?”
She shook her head. “No one hated or even disliked my husband, Miss Shaw. He was a good, conscientious man, and I cannot think of anyone who could wish him harm.”
I glanced at Finn, then at Kathryn, thinking hard how to put my question. "Umm, I am sorry to bring this up, but since it set the tone of our conversation, can you shed some light on the details of your interview by the Council a few days ago?" I asked the mage. “The one that left a bitter taste behind it?”
"Oh, that?" Finn chuckled, genuinely surprised. "I just happened to be present during one of the recent attacks of vampires— you know there have been a lot of them lately. The one I witnessed happened in a mall in Brooklyn. Later, after I escaped, I was interviewed by an investigator."
"I learned there was a problem during your testimony…" I prompted him.
Kathryn stiffened and clenched her jaw.
Finn waved his hand dismissively. "Oh, nothing major. The investigator was obviously high-strung and unfavorably disposed to me. Maybe due to a past minor offence of mine. He insinuated that I was somehow involved in the attack. Come to think of it, he wasn't even a Council investigator; I think he mentioned he worked for Chaos Corporation."
Sounded like something Ryan might have done, though I had no idea whether he ever worked as investigator. It was just the way I thought he might act, given my experience of working with him. Before I could ask Finn the guy's name, the door of the living room creaked open a fraction, and a little girl peeked inside.
“Mommy,” she called her.
“Excuse me, Miss Shaw. Do you need my further assistance?” Kathryn asked.
I turned to her. "Is there anything else you want to tell me that I haven’t asked you? Anything you consider relevant or helpful to my investigation?"
She shook her head.
“Thank you. Then we’ve finished,” I said. She took her little daughter’s hand and led her out of the room.
I turned to Finn. “Do you remember the name of the investigator who interviewed you?"
He pondered on my question, his forehead creased with tiny wrinkles. "I am not sure. Maybe Bryan or... No, wait, I think it was Ryan something — yes, that's right. But never mind him — that Ryan didn't accuse me of anything, just behaved kinda... you know," he smiled, "unfriendly and suspicious to me."
"Yeah — I understand you perfectly." The emotions I’d experienced a few hours ago came back to my mind and I pushed them back. I needed to work and focus on this case. I would deal with Ryan later. Looking to Finn again, I said, "I would like to see your brother’s laboratory; I expect he has one.”
He nodded, a sad smile dancing on his lips.
“As a man of science, he naturally did.” He walked ahead of me to the doorway, and said, “Stay as long as you like. I’ll be in the living room if you need me. You remember the way back, right?”
I nodded and he left.
I took a look around. The laboratory was considerably smaller than the living room, all white and clean. A few tables carried the traditional scientific equipment — microscopes, computers, and other items whose names I wasn’t even sure of.
A shelf was mounted on the wall behind the tables. On it were a couple of family photos. I picked up one of the pictures of Aldwyn Saal holding a little baby in his hands, presumably his daughter. Everything here — the atmosphere, the magic, the way his lab was arranged— matched the wife's words: Aldwyn was a family man through and through, deeply devoted to his family. He couldn't have had any extra-marital affairs so whatever troubled him, as his brother claimed, must have been work-related, unless he was an award-earning actor. I had to get to the bottom of the mage's disappearance.
I inhaled deeply and scanned the air around me. Aldwyn’s magic came to me more alive than ever. It was far more tangible and intense here than in the living room, where it got mixed with the other family members’ magic. His was strong and steady on one hand, and playful and flexible on the other. It felt like the wind itself, and tasted like a soft, subtle sort of wine, pleasant enough to ensnare you but strong enough to remind you not to drink too much. I liked his magic.
Trying to be both quick and thorough, I collected all the information the room could provide. His computer contained records of his research and other scientific papers, none of which had any relevance to the case. Yet I copied all the files to my portable drive, took photos of everything else that seemed relevant, then collected fingerprints from most places that might have been touched by visitors, including the computer mouse and keyboard. I would examine the evidence in the Council's forensic lab later. When I was done, I left the lab and went back to the living room.
“I should be going,” I said to Finn, who sat on the couch. He stood up and came over. I handed him my card. “If you remember anything, no matter what, please don’t hesitate to call me.” I was about to leave when his words made me stop in my tracks.
“Miss Shaw, pardon my question, but may I ask, which is your family clan?”
I blinked, dumbstruck. His question was so odd it took me by surprise.
Seeing my astonishment, he added, “I mean, which is your family? I felt you are a mage, too, and since our family is one of the oldest here, in Brookline, I thought we might have common friends or history. It is always nice to connect with your kind.”
“Ah, I see what you mean. Well, actually I am only a half-mage, from my father’s side. Sorry.” I made an attempt to go for the door, but his hand stopped me.
“There’s something unusual about your magic, though. I have the gut feeling there’s some family mystery lingering in you.” He paused, his stare piercing me. This felt awkward. Time I got out. I was about to head again for the door when he forestalled me once more. “I can peek into your past and future using my magic; would you mind? I am genuinely intrigued by you. There is more about you than meets the eye.”
I looked at him in a new light. He seemed a decent guy, and his magic felt good in nature. And dammit, I had been dying to learn my family’s history for ages. His offer was so tempting.
Over a month ago, I’d begun to pick up the pieces about my mother, but I knew very little about my father, apart from the fact that he was an elemental mage and that he’d died when I was little. The thirst for knowledge, the lingering feeling his death might have been deliberate, sealed my decision. I turned to Finn.
“Yes, you’re right, my family’s history is shrouded in mystery, and I’d very much like to unveil it. If you think you can do it, and it’s safe, I’ll say do it.”
A smile danced on his lips, his eyes glowing with excitement.
“It won’t take long, will it?” I asked him, and he shook his head.
A shimmering and vibrating wave of his magic colored in green-blue washed over my skin, encircling me. I felt strangely relaxed. His voice became throaty, his look strangely vacant, as if he was seeing into some parallel reality.
“Your father’s name was Eadward Schaillee, a powerful elemental mage. He was killed by an evil supernatural. I see your mother, too. A goddess!” I discerned respect and awe in his voice. “Her name was Andred, a warrior goddess. She died while trying to protect you from an evil supernatural. He was…” his voice faltered and added, “a demon, an inferni. I see you’re karmically connected with him. You are…”
Just then, the magical circle snapped shut, sizzling around us with a bang. An in the next moment, the air exploded.
Chapter 4
For a moment I couldn’t see anything. There were flames and smoke all around me, but I reached for my elemental magic and connected with the water element inside my center. I wasn’t as good with it as with fire and air, but I had to act, and quickly.
I felt the water element intensify in me, wanting out, its flexibility and power tugging at me. I poured it over the burning flames. It took a huge quantity of water. The flames sizzled at first, but eventually the fire was extinguished.
When the air was clear again, I saw Finn lying on the floor. The room hadn’t sustained much damage, though the spot right where I stood was black, charcoaled, and the fire had burned a hole in the carpet around me. My clothes had also been scorched.
I kneeled by the unconscious mage and checked his vitals. He was breathing; he’d only blacked out. Concentrating hard, I tried to gather all my goddess magic along with my healing power to awaken him, though I was very much aware of their reduced intensity given the waning moon.
Hurried steps broke the silence, and in the next moment Kathryn entered the living room. Her otherwise pretty face was creased up in worry. She gasped and shivered at the sight of the ruined carpet. Her gaze skimmed over the rest of the room, taking in the damage. Her expression went from worry to shock and then horror at seeing Finn collapsed on the floor with me looming above him.
“Finn!" she cried and her glance slipped from her unconscious brother-in-law to me. "What, for magic’s sake, happened here?” Her stare grew more intense and she pressed her lips firmly. Angry flames gleamed in her eyes, suspicion and mistrust palpable in the air. “What have you done to him?”
She squinted at me as she drew nearer. I felt she was reaching for her magic. Holy moly, she was about to blast me!
“Wait, Mrs. Sawyer! I am a Council investigator. I have no reason to attack Finn. He wanted to see my magical past and used his time magic. Somehow, he got thrown away, and an explosion followed.” I pointed to my scorched clothing but she didn’t seem to see anything but the unconscious form of her brother-in-law on the floor. My words’d had no effect whatsoever on Kathryn.
“Oh, spare me the lies! You seemed fishy right from the start. A Council investigator pretending to care for my missing husband. I should have known better.”
“I mean ho harm, ma’am, and I am here only to help. I can heal Finn,” I said, but her expression didn’t change. She waved her hand dismissively and scoffed. Was she paranoid the Council wanted Finn dead? It looked like the behavior of the Chaos mercenary toward her brother-in-law and the shock of her husband’s disappearance had gotten the better of her.
“Please, ma’am, listen to me,” I said again. “I haven’t hurt Finn. If you’ll give me a minute, you’ll see. I am trying to heal him.”
But Kathryn wouldn’t hear me out. She conjured up a fierce magical beast from thin air. A rainbow-colored dinosaur appeared in the living room, his head touching the ceiling. His eyes gleamed red, and he bared his pointy, long teeth, ready to tear my flesh apart. I immediately summoned a protective magical barrier. The beast pounced, clearly unable to see my defensive wall. His massive body collided with the shimmering invisible barrier and bounced off, reeling. He crashed to the floor, his thrashing tail smashing everything in its path. I heard Kathryn swear. Just then, Finn came to. Thank magic — in the nick of time! I didn’t want to give Kathryn any more reasons to mistrust me, and fighting someone was certainly one good way to make them hate you.
“Oh, fates, what happened?” Finn murmured to himself. His eyes traveled from the scorched carpet up to me and my charred clothing, to the summoned dinosaur, and at last, to his sister in-law. Realization flickered in his brown eyes, and he shouted, “What are you doing, Kathryn? Stop!”