1
A shaft of late day sun cuts through the dark bar as another customer enters, causing the patrons inside trying to party like it's 2AM and not just the 8:30 PM that it is to blink against the light. It reaches the feet of two women sitting at a table, surrounded by a sea of happy, eager twenty-somethings, before it's cut off again by the heavy door closing. Ignoring the revelers around her, Bo rolls a shot glass between her hands while watching the face of the woman across from as the Valkyrie is eyeing the crowd with an intoxicating mix of bemusement and disdain that, Bo notes, only she could pull off. Realizing what she just thought about Tamsin while they're trying to get drunk, Bo giggles. Despite the noise in the bar being three levels louder than an ongoing train wreck, Tamsin turns to her at the sound of Bo's laughter with brows brought together in slight annoyance.
"Ha. You're intoxicating!" Bo repeats aloud. Tamsin rolls her eyes.
"No. You're intoxicated." She looks at the grinning succubus and eyes her with a mix of disappointment and annoyance, but just as it turns to sadness she searches for something to distract herself and goes back to looking at everyone else in the place but Bo.
Bo sighs, wondering why she invited Tamsin for a night out on the town. But despite her coldness, Bo notices that for the first time in weeks Tamsin had gone to greater lengths in appearance, putting her hair up in something more complicated then the loose half hearted twist she had been sporting of late. Studying her more closely, letting her eyes trace the Valkyrie's profile, Bo even notices she is wearing make up again. With a small pang of sorrow she realizes it's in the shades Kenzi had helped her pick out while Tamsin was "growing up" into this, her last, life cycle.
Suddenly feeling very lonely while being surrounded by a crush of college aged bodies despite it still being day light out, Bo finds herself desperate to get Tamsin's attention on her and on why they are there; which is to celebrate Kenzi, even though Bo herself doesn't really feel like celebrating someone she isn't ready to let go of. As if the very act of remembering Kenzi in the past tense was an admission that she might never see her again. And that was a chasm Bo wasn't ready to stare into just yet.
"Do dna!" Bo says loudly and with enthusiasm, thinking, 'fake it till you make it, baby', while raising the glass to her companion before throwing it back in one gulp.
Tamsin shrugs off the odd toast, and raises her own glass, "To moms," she says with sorrow and respect, and tosses hers back as well. Both women slam their empty glasses down in unison to join the rest of the empties that sit between them. They've been in the bar for a while, yet the alcohol refuses to sooth either of their emotional pains even while both stubbornly refuses to each other they are burdened with them. Bo slumps forward slightly under the weight of her sadness.
Finally deciding to embrace the farce, Tamsin looks at Bo, who is now scanning the crowd without any actual interest and asks, "What does that mean?"
Bo turns to her and smiles fondly at the memory. "Something Kenzi taught me. 'To the bottom', meaning to drink to the bottom of the glass, but she also said it meant I should never stop fighting for what makes me happy."
"If this is about you going into Valhalla again, Bo, I…"
"No. It's not that. I don't want to talk about that."
"Then what?"
Finally Bo decides to just dive in and admits, "I just miss her so much, Tamsin. I feel lost without her."
Tamsin nods in agreement, but says nothing.
Unable to probe that particular pain anymore, Tamsin turns to see if she can flag down the waitress and order another round when the crowd parts and she spots a man, staring intently at the two of them. She wonders if the phrase, "tall, dark, and handsome" was invented just to describe him. He clearly didn't fit in with the regular crowd so she isn't surprised when he starts to make his way to their table and then she realizes his eyes have not left Bo. Typical, she thinks to herself and sighs.
"Bo, you wouldn't happen to be hungry would you?" Tamsin tries teasing, "Because a 5 course meal is headed this way."
Bo grumbles. "I'm not really in the mood," she says miserably.
Finally really looking at Bo, Tamsin notes Bo's pallor and grows instantly concerned, annoyed with herself for not seeing it sooner, "When was the last time you fed?"
Bo turns to look at her, and starts to mentally count, then gives up. "I don't know," she practically whines, the scotch finally doing its job and dulling her senses.
"Lauren…?" Tamsin starts to ask.
"Not yet. I can't." Bo shakes her head and repeats, "Not yet." Tamsin lets it drop.
"Well, I think you might change your mind about 'mood' when you see this guy," she tries, hopeful.
Bo starts to brighten in anticipation. She is hungry. "Yeah..?" She turns to see her quarry, and her face falls. "Oh shit."
"Succubus... it is good to see you are well," The former Ash, leader of the Light fae, says smoothly. He's casually, yet impeccably dressed, in a cream colored crew neck sweater and charcoal slacks. Everything about him is tailored, & precise, with exception to a curved scar from his temple to his jaw, a scar he received thanks to Bo's mother, Aife.
Bo's lips twists with anger and she snarks, "Wish I could not say the same about you."
"I come to beg a favor," he says, ignoring her venom.
"Oh, I don't think you ever have to beg for anything." Tamsin comments while eyeing him with appreciation.
The Ash returns the look but says with clear regret, "I have urgent business with Ms. Dennis. " He turns his full attention to Bo, "May we go someplace more private. My request should not be discussed out in the open in… this bar."
"You mean human. In this human bar." Bo says, somewhat testily. He says nothing.
Tamsin rolls her eyes and then dismisses herself by saying with false regret, "Sorry, but I see a six pack at the bar calling my name. You two have a good night," she finishes with as much insincerity as she can muster. Weakly, Bo tries to grab Tamsin's arm before she leaves the table, but the Valkryie is too swift and disappears in the crowd before Bo can protest.
Shocked that Tamsin would leave her Bo finally turns back to the former Ash, "And why do you think I would help you with anything?"
"Because, succubus, I can help you free Lauren from the fae for good."
2
Lauren is curled up in the corner of the couch in her new apartment, the first she has found on her own in almost a decade, completely engrossed in one of the journals the Morrigan had gifted her with several months before. Desiring something as far removed from the fae as possible she chose a place in a high rise close to the lakes edge in an area she knew wasn't claimed by either Light or Dark fae. Although it was smaller than her two previous apartments, it was open and from her vantage point, should she choose to look up from the book in her lap, she could see every corner of the living space and nothing would be able to sneak up on her with her seeing. It was a small comfort, but one she clung too. Especially since her actions against Evony, the Morrigan, put a target on her back; actions she was inspired to attempt by the very science supplied to her by the Morrigan in the journal she now holds. Although Lauren would never admit it to anyone else, the irony of that amused her a great deal.
In the months she spent as a human asset of the Dark, Lauren pondered why Evony had gone to such great lengths to retrieve her and then woo her to join them. Once she set aside the given motivation of using Lauren to sway Bo to align with the Dark, she could only conclude Evony had gotten reports of what it was Taft had been able to accomplish with Lauren's help at his compound. Combined with the fae leader offering Lauren several diaries by legendary and well respected scientists, all with transformation as the theme of their work, Lauren had to ask if it was a not so subtle nudge in a particular direction that Evony wanted her to take with her research for the Dark. Was she after the protocol to turn humans fae? And if so, why?
She put aside trying to fathom anything Evony did and dove back into the book in her lap. In weeks since her recent, (and latest), break from the fae, Lauren has realized that silence was too uncomfortable for her and had taken to playing her Star Trek DVDs practically on a loop. Even now she leaves the TV on as she reads, the reflection of it marring her south east facing view of the lake as the shadows from the city's skyline stretch long onto the lake that is glowing with reflected the light of sun as it hangs just about an hour above setting.
"I protest! I am not a merry man!" an indignant voice from the TV declares.
"Way to be Captain Obvious, Worf," Lauren mutters as she turns a page in the worn journal. She fingers a page and then brings the journal closer to her face, eyes narrowing as she tries to make out the faded handwriting, mouthing the words as she reads, committing them to memory.
A knock at the door interrupts her study. She puts the book aside, her interest in its contents completely gone. Practicing a smile to greet the forlorn fae with, Lauren hits the button next to the door frame that activates a screen on her door that shows whoever is on the other side. He smile instantly drops when she sees who it is. Not Bo, but a man with sandy brown hair, soft brown eyes, and slightly disheveled but quality clothes. Despite her swift change in mood, she opens the door without hesitation.
He smiles tentatively and says, "Hey kiddo."
"Lucas?" She stares at him, unsure what to say next. Several things play across her face: shock, worry, anger, guilt, and finally relief. She throws her arms around him. Then pulls back and starts to babble questions. He laughs, also relieved, unsure how she would react to seeing him.
"Can I come in? It's a bit... open out here?" She notes, and understands now more than ever, his furtive looks down the hall.
"Yes. Yes, come in. Of course, come in."
"Thanks Kay."
"I go by Lauren now."
"Yes. Right. Sorry. Uh…I see you're doing well." She ducks her head, almost ashamed of how well her life seems to be when it appears his isn't. She looks him over quickly. His clothes were worn, but clean. He looked fit, healthy, but well-traveled. His face was so much older than she was prepared for. Seeing the years that they spent apart, all the life of his she's missed, clearly written on the face of her brother makes her breath catch for a moment.
"Are you?" She asks, hesitantly.
It's his turn to duck his head. Then he looks up, letting the truth sit plain on his face: fear, confusion, and hope. "I don't know what I am." He struggles to find the words. She takes his hand.
"Come. Sit. I think a drink might be in order."
He allows her to lead him towards a kitchen table and then turns away from him as she pulls out two glasses and a bottle of something dark and comforting. She pours a generous amount in each glass. She places one in front of him with a significant look.
"Start at the beginning," she says with more calm then she feels.
"I don't even know where to begin ...Lauren." The name doesn't roll off his tongue easily. They both smile at the awkwardness.
"Where have you been?" she prompts, "I haven't heard from you for six years." The last is less rebuke than it is just a matter of fact.
"Ahh… you know. Here, there. Fighting the good fight," he says with false lightness. Her face tightens. He still believed, even after what happened that what they had been trying to do was worth the cost. She brushes it aside this time, not wanting to start another fight, but not before he catches a glimpse of the anger on her face.
He holds up a hand in surrender. "Sorry." He takes a long pull from his glass, gathering his thoughts. "After my last letter to you I went to Ecuador to help organize water rights protests. You should have been there. It was beautiful. We were able to help support the organizing of nearly 10,000 indigenous people. But I can't believe…" He starts to wind up for a good rant, but Lauren places her hand on his arm. He smiles in apology, "Right. Ah, I stayed there until 2013 when I traveled to Syria."
"Oh Lucas," she mutters, but lets him continue.
"I know it's not my usual conflict. But it's a mess." He swallows hard. "I've never seen anything like it. I wasn't prepared, to be honest." He takes another pull from the glass to stall, then when his nerves finally calm he continues, "I was working with a group that would secure passage for refugees. We had a convoy making its way through the Idlib province when we got caught between the FSA and Assand's forces. I was able to get most of the people in our van under cover, and we cowered for what seemed hours, just hoping the bullets would stop flying, but then this noise... it was…" he swallows hard again, "I heard screaming…. The militia were being overwhelmed," he stops, closes his eyes a moment and finally adds, "but not by men," he hisses. He learns forward and grabs her arm, his panic making his grip tighten painfully. She places her hand atop his but doesn't try to remove his hand.
He continues, his voice growing stronger, "They started out looking like men, but they changed. I saw it, Kay." His fear kept her from correcting him. "I'm not crazy. They changed into wolves. I swear to god! They tore those men apart. And they saw me, Kay. They saw me and I've never been so terrified in my life."
He pauses, for a moment his eyes are distant as he falls into the memory. Slowly his eyes focus on her and he shrugs. "But then they just walked away. I thought 'maybe I didn't matter to them. They got what they came for.' But a few days later, I saw one of them. I don't know how I recognized him. Maybe it was the look in his eyes or the way he just smirked at me. But he was one of them. And a few days later I saw another. And another," his voice rises with panic. "They just kept watching me."
"And you came here?" She asked, deadpan. Not angry. Maybe she was too stunned to be angry with him. He was always so calm, always knew what to do. For him to be so afraid and to make such a mistake... it scared her more than his story.
He takes a moment to calm himself again and then assures her, "It's alright. They didn't follow me."
"How do you know?" she says, full of skepticism.
"Because they offered me a job," he says, and then laughs. It sounded hollow. "Three of them caught up with me in Turkey. They wanted me to join them. But Kay, I don't think it's something I get to refuse. They granted me time." His voice nearly breaks on the word 'granted' and a chill runs down Lauren's spin and her arms. "I didn't know what to do. I had nowhere else to go."
She pours him another drink. He downs it hurriedly, and then takes a deep breath with his eyes closed. Slowly he opens them, almost afraid to look at his sister, but he sees her looking at him, her face calm, and sad. "You believe me." She nods her head silently, her eyes tearing up. "Jesus, Kay."
After a long pause, and a decision made, she says, "They were shifters. They weren't offering you a job. They're trying to claim you."
3
"Make yourself at home," Bo says, not meaning it at all. The Ash follows her into the abandoned house she calls home.
He looks around, slightly bemused. Bo notes it and raises an eyebrow. He says, lying, "How quaint."
"Really. You came here to just to judge my place?" But before he can say anything more she rolls her eyes and cuts to the chase, "Now. About Lauren. Start talking."
"First, we should discuss the issue I need you to resolve."
"And why should I do that? Resolve anything I mean."
"Because it is you that has set it in motion."
"Me?" She scoffs, and turns her back on him as she heads to the kitchen. Speaking over her shoulder she says, " You and the rest of the fae have been acting like the world is your personal Dungeons and Dragons game for centuries. I didn't ask to be dragged into it."
"But you are in it. And there are consequences for every action. You have been told this, yet you refuse to accept this notion. It has cost you dearly."
Bo turns to face him, a bottle and two glasses in her hands. The hurt she feels over Kenzi's loss and her own guilt for it plain on her face.
"But you can prevent another great tragedy now," he continues.
"What tragedy?" She says warily as she walks over and sits on the chair across from the couch on which he has taken up position. She puts the glasses on the makeshift coffee table and starts to pour the wine.
"My home and my clan face a grave danger. A danger you set free."
Bo assumes he is talking about her father. She looks up, "We closed the portal," she says, still thinking of that cost to do so.
"It was not then. This enemy was cursed by a shaman of great power. Many fae, both Light and Dark, sacrificed themselves to cage them so they could do no more harm. Then a girl," he emphasizes the word with annoyance, "pulled the key from its lock. You pulled their nail."
Bo recalls her journey to the Congo to undo Nadia's curse. A curse the man before her placed, just to make a human doctor his slave. Bo's face contorts into righteous anger. The Former Ash straightens his back in response.
"I went there to save Nadia. A girl," she emphasizes the word, mocking him, "you put into a coma to keep Lauren."
"No, succubus. I did not curse the girl. I cursed Nadia Killick, host of a garuda. Of whom you set him free as well."
Bo is stunned for a moment. "Is there anything that isn't my fault?"
"You assign blame on yourself too easily. You had a part, one that you were not aware you were playing."
"Isn't that the fae way?"
He ignores her. "My successor had chosen wisely when he entrusted that you could finally defeat our ancient enemy. He was apparently unaware of your impulsiveness as you freed those no one was prepared for."
"Have you guys tried not cursing so many people so this sort of thing wouldn't happen?" She says with some exasperation, then continues more seriously, "So Lachlan sent me on purpose knowing I'd free that winged freak?"
The former Ash nods, "Despite being imprisoned in Ms. Killick, his influence was beginning to spread. If he was left to fester inside her, he would grow too strong to defeat. Lachlan had to act quickly. Even during my tenure I could feel the garuda's presence. That was one of the reasons why I had gathered the elders when your mother gifted me with this," he motions with one hand towards his scar, one he received when her mother sent a human under her thrall to bomb the Ash's compound.
"It was never a quest to free Lauren then." She says dismayed, annoyed all over again, and even a little disheartened. She thought she had gotten to know the deceased Ash and had given him credit for his willingness to save the fae, even when they didn't seem to interested in saving themselves.
"A doctor that talented is an asset any leader would be a fool to let go of," He says with a touch of something Bo wasn't sure of, but it was the closest to contrition she's ever heard from him.
"Is that regret?"
"I do not take delight in many of my necessary actions as Ash in order to protect our kind, but I would do them again."
She leans back, takes a sip of her wine as she turns over in her mind the differences she is now realizing exist between him and Lachlan. The naga always made Bo feel like Lauren was an object, a thing. He used flowery words but they were all an ends to means. Was this any different? She looked at the former Ash, sitting on her sofa, holding a glass of wine in his hand. Yes. With him there was sincerity. But did that make him better? And he was no longer the Ash. She could feel that difference in him. He was more relaxed. He wasn't trying to impose his will. He was asking for help. She relaxes her anger slightly, her mind made up. "If I am going to help you, I think I should know your name."
"Elek."
"Well, Elek," she says more warmly as she pours more wine, "I'm going to need the whole story."
He relaxes back into her couch and begins, "Since the beginning the fae have been in conflict. As you know, the garuda fed off that energy: anger, chaos, and fear. They did their best to keep any conflict going beyond its natural course."
"Yes, until they were starved because of the Blood Laws." Bo says, taking a sip of her wine, then putting it down on the table, focusing all her attention on Elek.
"The Blood King's actions did lead to the final destruction of the garuda" he agrees, "but it wasn't the first time they had nearly been destroyed. Many years before there was another race of fae, fierce warriors and protectors of humans, called pixies."
"Was?" She asks, one brow rising.
"The ones that name themselves pixies now only do so in homage to the former formidable race." He takes a sip of wine, then continues, "At the height of their power the pixies, unlike most other fae, favored humans and their one desire was to help and protect the weakling race."
"Hey," she protests.
He ignores her, "They fought for them, both as warriors and advocates. Ultimately they sought a coexistence of all the races and were on the brink of achieving their goal, which could have starved the garuda out of existence."
"My kind of fae", Bo says.
He continues, "To ensure their own survival, the garuda set the orion on the pixies to hunt them into extinction. Even the greatest of the pixies were destroyed, the "seven sisters".
The Orion, pixies, 'seven sisters'… Bo's head swims with ancient Greek mythology come to life, again as with most fae stories, completely different than anything she had heard or read while growing up with the humans.
"The orion are the greatest hunters in the fae realm. They are relentless and determined. The garuda knew that without the influence of the pixies the fae would again turn on humans and one another in battles for territory and power."
"Typical."
"Eventually small disputes and skirmishes for territory were not enough. Then the great fae war began, feeding the garuda till they were bloated with our hate but never satiated. It was only through the creation and adherence to the Blood Laws that they were finally weakened. But they were not destroyed, and the fae elders did not know how to find them. However we did know where the orion were and both sides, for a short time, came together to find them and keep them from reuniting with their masters and from ever harming the fae again. My clan, dryads, led by The Elgon, my father, created The Hunt. Fae of both Light and Dark were united in the task. But weary of bloodshed, my father proposed cursing the orion instead, to entomb them away rather than be killed. They were kept in their prison for 1000 years, until you, succubus, pulled their nail."
"And let me guess. They want revenge."
"They seek it against the clan most responsible for their imprisonment. But my fear is not for my people alone. They will not stop at destroying the dryads. They will want to find and kill the Blood King. They will seek to destroy the Blood Laws and all that we have gained will be lost. It is not just the fae that will suffer, but humanity as well. Something that I think is of special interest to you."
Bo sighs. "I hope it isn't total destruction you are asking me for, because that isn't really my thing."
"Nor mine. I have no desire to see another race obliterated from this world. Unlike many of my brethren, I have learned from the past. But I need time. And I need you to prevent them from starting conflict that cannot be ignored by the rest of the fae."
"Great!" she says more chipper than she feels, "Where do I start?"
"Trick."
Bo's brow furrows.
"As acting Ash, he will have access to the archives and perhaps a clue as to how they plan to seek their revenge. Discover the how and you may discover where they are."
"And when I do?"
He stands to leave, their meeting apparently over. Bo stands as well, not desiring to be looked down up in her own home.
"Stall," he says.
"And what will you be doing?" She asks.
"I have my own quest. To seek the assistance of Ursa, a janus fae, the only fae that is both Light and Dark. She is a great mediator."
"How is being both Light and Dark any different than unaligned?" Bo asks, almost annoyed to find out there was a fae with that distinction, and that someone like the former Ash regarded it with such respect.
"She works for the fae's best interests," He says with reverence and then smiles sardonically, "While you often find yourself working on the behalf of humanity," he finishes, as if the sheer idea still baffles him. Before Bo can respond he inclines his head towards her and walks away without another word.
"Ok then," she says to herself, and sits back down heavily. As soon as he passes through the door she pulls out her phone and calls Lauren. It goes to voice mail. "Hey Lauren. Just thinking about you. Give me a call when you can." She sits back down and is about to toss her phone on the table when she has a second thought. She hits another contact.
"Hey, Dyson. Uh.. I know it's late, but do you think you could check on Lauren for me?"
"Any reason why you are concerned?"
"No," she admits reluctantly. "Just a feeling I have."
"Bo," he begins, but she cuts him off with a sigh.
"I know, it's a lot to ask. I'm probably over reacting. It's just since that day…" she trails off.
"I understand. I'll check in on the good doc."
4
"I think I can help you," Lauren says intently. She turns to walk away, but he stops her.
"Lauren," he says, the name said with more ease this time, perhaps because he's seeing his sister in a whole new light, "What have you gotten yourself into?"
She hesitates and smiles sadly, "It's a long story, Luke. But I'm no stranger to the fae." She walks away, and he watches as she gathers stacks of journals and a lap top. While her back is turned, her phone buzzes softly and the display lights up. Almost by instinct he leans forward and looks at the screen and sees an image of a beautiful brunette. He pushes the option to ignore the call and shuts off the phone. He looks up and Lauren is still facing away from him. She turns and brings her stash with her, then puts it all down, careful not to drop the laptop.
"The who? And what's all this?" he asks gesturing to her burdened, now splayed across the table.
"Research. Reference."
He begins flipping through the pages of the book, his eyes going wide. He looks up, shock on his face. "How many of them are there?"
"The actual population is relatively small compared to humanity, but the varieties seem infinite. Just when I think I've cataloged them all, another makes itself known." He notes a touch of admiration in her voice.
"How long have you been…?" He doesn't know how to finish the sentence.
"Claimed? Seven years. I'm not sure what my status is now, actually. But I refuse to be owned anymore." She says, resolute. "First thing we need to do is identify the wolves you saw. I may not be a claimed human anymore, but I do have friends. They might be able to intercede on your behalf."
He looks skeptical, but flips through the books anyhow. She opens the lap top and starts typing away with determination. She takes one of the books from him and flips to a section and holds it out for him, "These are the wolf shifter clans. Did you see anything that can identify which clan? The fae often employ branding."
He flips through the pages, feeling like a victim searching through mug shot books. Eventually he makes it to the end. "No, nothing. But the one did have a pendant, on a choker. It had this thing on it... it kind of looked like…" and he takes a pen and starts to draw in a blank space. A straight line with several perpendicular lines coming off of it on one side.
She looks at it, stunned. "They're Light."
"What does that mean?"
"The fae are divided into two major groups. Light and Dark. The wolves you saw were Light." She brings up something on her laptop. "And I know one of them." She turns the laptop around and on the page is an image of Dyson with text to the side.
"He wasn't one of them," Lucas says with certainty.
"I know. He's a local. But he belonged to a clan of shifters long ago that have since branched out into the private security market."
"Like home alarm systems?" He says with skepticism.
"No. Like Blackwater. Private armies, at a price. But from what I had read of them they seemed honorable. It was run by a Light King and his Fairy Queen. I actually knew her."
She returns her focus to her lap top, starts to read. "Oh," she says after scanning a few pages.
"What?"
"They're under new management," she says softly. "Since the CEO succumbed to an unnamed illness and his wife died a few months later in a 'car accident', the company's focus shifted from private security for emissaries and ambassadors to bulking up the armies of oppressors."
He sighs, "I don't think your friends can help me anyhow. They want an answer by tomorrow."
She takes a deep breath, paces a bit as she walks. "No, that's not enough time. But it's not our only option," she says intently.
"No?"
She stops and looks directly in to his eyes, trying to convey how serious she is, "I have an idea. But it's a last resort. It could be extremely dangerous."
"I don't like admitting it, kiddo, but I'm terrified. I'll do anything."
She nods. "Can you buy some time with them? Maybe ask for a meeting and ask for a few more days to decide?"
He sighs and shrugs, "I can try."
"But I need you to do something," she says urgently, "I need you to get something."
"Anything," he says with a whisper. "What?"
She pauses then says slowly, "I need their DNA."
He pauses, and then says, "Why?"
"They can't claim you if they aren't fae."
He stares at her, stunned. "Whoa. You can do that?"
"I know it will be hard," she says, and turns to stack the books. He touches her arm. A warm glow emanates from his hand into her. She turns to look at him, puzzled. "How… are you…?"
"Shhh…"
She closes her eyes for a moment. As she stands, unable to move, he pulls from the travel bag a small metal box, and he places it on the counter.
"You have DNA samples, Lauren," he says in a low soothing voice. "I called you about my problem days ago and you asked me to bring the samples with me."
"… With you…" she says quietly, then opens her eyes, shakes her head slightly and says clearly, "Did you bring the samples I asked for?"
He taps the box. "It wasn't easy. But I don't understand how you can turn a fae human?"
Going into science mode she doesn't noticed Lucas slump back for a moment, she replies somewhat absently, "Well. Most fae are actually closer related to plants than then are humans. Just like all life, they need to feed. Unlike humans, fae can get their sustenance from various sources of energy. I was able to alter their cell respiration blocking their ability to feed, activate the DNA sequence for aging, and then add chromosomes to the same number as a human. So far I've used a serum that needs to be ingested to deliver the catalyst for DNA sequence restructuring but it isn't the serum itself. That just contains nanobots that deliver the tailor made altered DNA into the nucleus to recode the original DNA on a cellular level. I could just inject the nanobots." Lost in the science, she smiles to herself. "And I've been working on a way to make it into an aerosol."
"You want to weaponize it?"
Her smile fades, "It's not a weapon. It's an equalizer."
"Hey, I'm not judging. No one should have that kind of exploitive power over anyone else."
She hesitates, not completely disagreeing but not sure how to explain. "Not all do, Lucas. But there are exceptions." She pauses and looks him directly in the eyes so he would understand, "I only created this serum after someone had declared war on humans."
He smiles. "While you worked for them," he points out.
"I did," she says with a nod of her head.
"So what you're saying is…" he smiles a bit mischievously, "You're like a spy."
She tries to reign in his sometimes childlike enthusiasm for subterfuge and rebellion. She sighs. "It was a last resort," she says repeating the phrase.
"My sister!" he says with pride, "I've been trying to save the world from the dangers we all know but some ignore. And here you are actually saving the world from a secret society of the supernatural! I should start calling you Scully."
