Industrial Magic (2004)

Industrial Magic is a fantasy novel by Canadian author Kelley Armstrong. The fourth book in the Women of the Otherworld series, features the witch Paige Winterbourne.

Plot

Dana MacArthur, a young witch, finds herself grappling with her destiny as the daughter of a Cabal employee. Disillusioned by her inability to persuade fellow witches to join her cause due to their disapproval of her relationship with Lucas Cortez, Paige Winterbourne receives an unexpected visit from Lucas's father, Benicio Cortez.

The elder Cortez brings news of a series of attacks targeting children of Cabal employees, including Dana. Disturbed by this revelation, Lucas and Paige embark on a journey to Miami to investigate the matter further. They meet with Benicio and learn that Dana's attack is part of a pattern. That night, another tragedy strikes when Griffin's son, the bodyguard's child, is killed. Griffin implores Paige and Lucas to uncover the truth behind these sinister events.

Concerned about their friend Savannah's safety, Paige and Lucas arrange for her to find sanctuary with the werewolf Pack. Seeking answers, they reach out to Jaime Vegas, a necromancer with the ability to communicate with the dead. Jaime attempts to contact Dana, who is believed to be in a coma. However, a chilling discovery awaits them: Dana is not in a coma, but has succumbed to the attack, leaving Paige and Lucas to confront the grim reality of a deadly conspiracy.

Investigation into the sinister Cabal organization, Jaime, Lucas, and Paige stumbled upon the doorstep of Everett Weber, a recluse suspected of holding vital information. While Weber remained elusive, they discovered a trove of encrypted computer files. Determined to unravel the secrets hidden within, Paige's brilliant mind deciphered the code, revealing a chilling list of children belonging to Cabal employees.

Tracking down Weber, they encountered a hostile Cabal SWAT team that instigated a hostage situation. Paige sustained injuries while Everett was forcibly taken into custody. His swift execution during the trial sent shockwaves through the group, but their respite was short-lived as tragedy struck again with the murder of the grandson of renowned detective Thomas Nast.

Undeterred, they ventured into the desolate swamps where Weber was buried, seeking his ethereal guidance. There, they encountered Esus, a mysterious figure who revealed the identity of Weber's employer. As they delved deeper into the investigation, a haunting presence emerged—a ghostly figure that eluded Jaime's efforts to communicate. Only later did they uncover its true nature: a vengeful vampire.

Their search led them to the lair of Edward and Natasha, vampires driven by the insatiable quest for immortality. Natasha, now a ghost, sought revenge for her murder at Edward's hands. A carefully orchestrated trap backfired, leaving Lucas and Paige trapped in the ethereal realm of the dead. Guided by Savannah's mother, Eve, and faced with a choice offered by the Fates, they were returned to the living world amidst a perilous encounter with the werewolves.

A charity ball became the stage for a trap to ensnare Edward, but fate intervened with dire consequences. Jaime was kidnapped, forcing Benicio to abandon his plan in a desperate attempt to save his son. United in their resolve, Jeremy, Savannah, and Paige came to their rescue, while Benicio himself executed Edward, putting an end to the vampire's reign of terror.

Characters

Major characters

Lucas Cortez - Sorcerer, lawyer, and lover of Paige Winterbourne. Son of Benicio Cortez and heir of Cortez Cabal.

Paige Winterbourne - Witch and Former Head of American Coven. Lover of Lucas Cortez.

Savannah Levine - 14-year-old witch and ward of Paige Winterbourne. Daughter of Eve Levine (Witch & Aspicio half Demon) & Kristof Nast (Sorcerer & heir to Nast Cabal)

Members of the Cortez Cabal

Benicio Cortez - Head of Cortez Cabal and Father of Lucas

Carlos Cortez - Youngest legitimate son of Benicio Cortez

Delores Cortez - Wife of Benicio Cortez

Dennis Malone - Half-Demon and Head of Cortez Cabal investigative unit

Dorinda - Cortez Cabal Secretary

Erin - Cortez Cabal Employee

Faye Ashton - Clairvoyant

Gloria - Cortez Cabal Employee

Griffin - Ferratus Half-demon bodyguard of Benicio

Hector Cortez - Eldest son of Benicio

Jim - Half-Demon Cortez Cabal employee who previously worked for St Clouds.

Morris - Half-demon bodyguard for Benicio.

Randy MacArthur - Exaudio Half-Demon employed by Cortez Cabal

Reuben Aldrich - Necromancer and Head of Actuarial Department

Simon - Shaman working for Cortez Cabal

Troy Morgan - Tempestras Half-demon employed by Benicio as bodyguard

William Cortez - Middle son of Benicio Cortez

Other characters

Aaron - Vampire and former lover of Cassandra.

Adam Vasic - Exustio Half-demon and friend of Paige.

Brigid - Vampire

Cassandra DuCharme - Vampire on Inter-Racial Council.

Clayton Danvers - Werewolf and lover of Elena.

Elena Michaels - Female werewolf and friend of Paige.

Eve Levine - Witch, Aspicio Half-demon and mother of Savannah. Now dead.

Esus - Druid deity. God of woodland and water.

The Fates - Deities in charge of the afterlife (see Moirai)

Jaime Vegas - Necromancer

Jeremy Danvers - Pack's Alpha Werewolf

John - Vampire also known as Hans.

Julie Aiken - Witch and younger sister of Wendy

Lionel St Cloud - Head of St Cloud Cabal

Natasha - Ghost vampire.

Robert Vasic - Half-demon, husband of Talia and stepfather of Adam.

Ronald - Vampire.

Sean Nast - Son of Kristof Nast and Savannah's half-brother.

Talia Vasic - Mother of Adam and Wife of Robert.

Thomas Nast - Head of Nast Cabal.

Wendy Aiken - Witch

Death Toll

Dana MacArthur - Witch, Daughter of Randy MacArthur

Jacob - Son of Griffin

Matthew Tucker - 19-year-old son of Lionel St Cloud's personal assistant

Everett Weber - Druid and Cabal Computer specialist. Executed by Cabals after being found (incorrectly) guilty of attacks on Cabal children.

Joey Nast - Grandson of Thomas Nast. Killed outside courthouse after Everett's execution.

Tyler Boyd - 17-year-old son of Boyd Cabal CEO

Stephen St Cloud - Son of Lionel St Cloud