Geminus Fatum

Chapter 3

"Ta-dah! I've got the other shoe!"

Bo announced, waving it as she entered the Dal; Trick, Dyson and Tamsin were sitting at the bar.

Tamsin shook her head, looking at Trick. "You really want her to go there?"

Trick didn't reply, just smiled as Bo plonked herself down.

"Beer please, barkeep!" Bo slapped the shoe onto the counter. "Wow! You all look so thrilled," she said. "How about a "well done" on finding it, or "we never thought you would", which is no surprise, considering the bum information I was given on its possible hiding place."

She glared at Tamsin and then Trick. "Anyway, that don't matter anymore."

Bo had known about Tamsin's thoughts on her getting the other shoe and had done her utmost to convince Trick, as well as Dyson, that it was a bad idea.

It hadn't been easy, Bo conceded, when she had finally found it, hidden at the top of a mountain. She'd faced an attack from the last few supporters of the Una Mens, but they had easily been dispatched.

The only one who had stood firm, despite Tamsin's scare tactics on what it could mean for Bo, was Lauren, who urged them all to support her wish to find it.

Bo smiled as she thought of the doctor. They'd discussed strategy over the search and then the best option once she was in possession of both shoes. Her concern had centred more on the phone calls Lauren continued to receive, threats of harm and death. Lauren had brushed them off, but she couldn't stand the idea that this was a constant in Lauren's life and that at some point, the threats would become a real possibility. While eating a take-a-way at the house, Lauren's phone had rung and Bo had grabbed it, hurling a volley of abuse as well as her own threats at the unknown assailant, announcing who she was and describing in graphic detail what she would do to them.

The calls had abated somewhat. She had even offered to claim Lauren, just as an extra protective measure, but as Bo knew she would, Lauren politely declined, and she understood why. Lauren was finally free, able to pursue medicine as she saw fit, not because someone else called the shots and told her what she needed to do. Bo had seen a change in her, she was happier, more confident, and the role of "boss" suited her; she had the respect and admiration of those who worked with her, and they followed her example. Even Evony seemed a little in awe of Lauren, when Bo had been at the clinic and the Dark leader had popped in to check on progress. Bo sensed it had nothing to do with what Lauren had done to her, but more to do with the person Lauren had become.

"What's the next step?" Trick asked, breaking into Bo's thoughts. He placed the other shoe beside the one she had.

Bo knew he wasn't keen on the idea. Not to get Kenzi back, he was all for that, but just not using this method. And she knew his concern, and the others, was not unfounded. The shoes were powerful, but so was she, to the extent that she was the unknown element in the scheme. What affect they might have on her, could not be anticipated, and she knew Trick's concern was her future role as the Queen, the Fae's ultimate leader. He'd been spending more and more time, researching, delving into the archives, finding books he didn't even know existed. He looked tired, every hour he could spare, was spent collating information, on top of any duties as the acting Light Ash and running the bar.

He'd done his best to engage Bo in any information he came up with, trying to keep her focused on her ultimate destiny, gently reminding her that this was her future, what she had been born for. Bo had tried to show interest, but Kenzi was her only priority and she had done her best to assure Trick that she understood her responsibilities, despite the nagging twitch in her heart that prodded at her mind, that something about it all didn't seem right.

"The next step is to try these on and see what happens. Hopefully one size fits all," Bo answered Trick then took one of the shoes to put it on.

"No!" was the collective shout from all of them.

Bo laughed. "Jeez guys, you really think I'd just slip them on now!" She laughed at the shock on their faces. "There is a plan," she continued. "I'll do this at Lauren's lab. She'll have me hooked up to all kinds of equipment. If that doesn't work, she's figured out we could have a bond. If she has my blood in hers, like when we fought the Garuda, she's convinced that there will be a link between us that she can use."

Dyson nodded. "No offense to Lauren, but what if something goes wrong, as she's not Fae, will she be able to survive it? Wouldn't it be better if I was the blood bond to you?"

"Excellent question, Detective. Lauren's gone over all the risk factors, it's just a bond, one that she can break if she needs to. Hopefully I won't do anything stupid to put her life in danger."

"What if your life is in danger? If she has to severe the link, what happens to you?" Dyson asked.

"I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself. Plus, I'll have you guys," Bo smiled at him and Tamsin. "I need you to make sure Kenzi gets out once I find her. That's the first priority. I'm second to anything else. Once she's safe, if I need help, then you come get me!"

Neither of them seemed convinced about this plan.

"Deal?" Bo pushed, holding out her hand to shake on it.

Dyson conceded. "Deal!"

Tamsin sounded less enthusiastic. "Deal."

Bo smiled.

"So when?" Tamsin asked.

Bo looked at her watch. It was mid-day. "Tonight, 10 o'clock. Lauren's lab. Be there or be square!" She winked, sliding off the stool, taking the shoes with her.

Her three cohort's mouths hung open.

"What? There's no time for a rehearsal! Kenzi doesn't have time for us to pick a date! I already told Lauren I had the shoe, she's preparing the lab. We go live tonight, folks!"

Bo jazzed hands with the shoes and left the bar.