Lowe and Gray: The Atavistic Box

Chapter Five - The Key

JENSEN AND AURORA drove back to the English Haven. Jensen was explaining to her the difference between his and Finlay's sorcery but Aurora was too lost in her own world, thinking about Adrian and the Information Tab to listen to Jensen talking.

"-Finn works there in Kinetics, her sorcery is different to mine," Jensen finished.

"What?"Aurora shook her head.

Jensen frowned. "You weren't listening?"

"No."

They entered the Haven and Brick frowned at the sight of them. "Jensen Lowe. Again."

"Nice to see you too," Jensen said cheerfully.

"I'm afraid the Mages-"

"Actually, we're here to see Finn West."

Brick flushed. "Oh. Go through then."

"I would also like to remind you that I do work here. I have my own department," Jensen said.

"No, you don't. You barely have an office."

Jensen tipped his hat at Brick as they walked by, and they veered left towards the A1 sector, where the most valuable agents were stationed.

Jensen knocked on the door to a room filled with sorcerers. He told Aurora to wait outside while he went in to find Finlay and Aurora stood on her toes, peering in, wondering which one was her.

Jensen reemerged, Finlay behind him, a frown on her face. Aurora looked at Finlay - Adrian's girlfriend. She was tall with a slim physique, and pale skin that contrasted with her short black hair. She wore a black jumpsuit made of a flimsy material and black gloves on both hands. She was pretty, Aurora supposed, but she didn't think she looked like Adrian's type. As she twirled a cigarette between her fingers, the smell of smoke became more distinct.

"What's wrong?" She asked with a frown.

"I'm Aurora. Adrian's sister," Aurora said immediately.

"Adrian Gray?" Finn asked. Aurora nodded.

"Your brother, he was a great man and an even greater sorcerer. He was loved by everyone here. I'm so sorry for your loss," Finn said quietly, squeezing Aurora's hand.

"I'm sorry for yours," Aurora replied. She looked at Finn again and Aurora's expression changed - as if she had realised something.

"How?" Aurora asked quietly.

Finn looked up and met Aurora's gaze. Her eyes were brimming with tears. "Bravely."

"Malignant?"

The woman nodded and threw her cigarette on an ashtray in the corridor.

Jensen exhaled sharply. "Finlay, what do you know about the Atavistic Box?"

"It doesn't exist. It's a myth."

"No, it's thought to be a myth. Adrian's Information Tab told us that you can help us. We're trying to solve his murder."

"It sounds like you already have. Malignant," Finn responded with an edge to her voice.

"We need proof. Give us proof," Jensen pressed.

"I have no proof," she said sadly.

"Tell me what you know about the Atavistic Box. Adrian's dead now. Please, help us avenge his murder. You need to tell us what you know," Aurora said. "My brother needs justice."

There was silence for a moment or two until Finn finally replied. "Malignant had been after the Atavistic Box for years - something to do with some sort of ritual? I don't know. But somehow, Adrian came into possession of it and Malignant found out. He wanted the box and Adrian refused any knowledge of it. That's all I know - I can't help you any more than that."