Criminal Magic, Chapter Two

Chapter Two of Criminal Magic: In the future, society is broken into two groups: government run for and by transnational business, and a citizenry left to foot the bill. To survive in this world, crime has grown its own political structure. The Kollectiv movement specializes in outsourcing crime. It's a cranked-up tribe of anarchists, activists and adrenaline junkies. In short, anybody with an eye toward adventure and an aversion to office work. The cash available for social programs all over the world now comes almost exclusively from the Kollectives, forming an intersection between compassion and crime. It's Robin Hood by any means necessary. Answer contracts for the Kollectiv, but he's not in it for the people. For him it's the adrenaline. He's a specialist who brings a certain magic to the job--the inspired magic of San Pedro, the ancient cult of the jaguar. But lately he's been feeling bored. A Kollectiv kidnap goes wrong, leaving Answer and Coordinator, a hardass, technology-drive Kollectiv organizer, running for their lives. This isn't right. Nobody gets killed over a little renewable resource job. There's an ethic, even in this work. Answer and Coordinator know that. But somebody's changed the rules. Who? There are forces--dark mystical energies and well-heeled transnational executives--hard at work reshaping the world twenty-four seven. It's a dangerous time to be ambivalent about your purpose or power, and Answer's growing uncertainty about what his magic means makes him vulnerable. Luz, the strong Peruvian shaman, knows all about Answer, and the ancient evil that's chasing him. She is his mentor, and has a vision of his future, even if he does not. The question is: will she be able to keep her student alive long enough for him to become the teacher in her dreams?