Bo was looking for Trick. She knew he usually started his day in the study reading. She stopped in the hall. What am I going to say? How can I convince him to help me figure out what to do about Lauren?
Bo walked in. Trick was siting on a settee reading the paper. The room was lined with shelves and books. "What's with these guys and their books?" Bo thought.
"Ever hear of Kindle?" Bo said walking toward Trick.
"Some things are not the same digitally. Although, your probably right I should have someone convert them to digital" Trick said. "What's the news?" Bo asked looking at the newspapers Trick was reading.
"Disturbing" "Come sit down" Trick motioned for Bo to sit next to him on the settee as he handed her a newspaper.
"Mass Graves uncovered. Hunt for Scientists Responsible for performing Experiments" the headline of the New York Times, read.
Six mass graves with the remains of dozens of adults killed while undergoing medical treatment were found in US, Russia, England, China, Africa and South America. But authorities are saying this is the tip of the iceberg… there will be more findings to come. The mass graves spanned over decades but the findings are preliminary.
An official at the World Health Organization told the NYT that the grisly find happened after a tip came into their office via email. We get thousands of emails a day with tips; but this one stood out because it had photos attached. We sent the photos to our digital experts and they confirmed them to be genuine – not altered. We immediately called the proper authorities.
"The CIA is directing all their resources toward finding the people responsible for this", the director went onto assure us by saying "If scientists were conducting experiments on people and the results of those experiments are in these mass graves. There will be hell to pay!" The CIA is also releasing the names of the scientists mentioned in the emails in the hope that either the scientists will come forward or someone who knows them will.
The CIA official statement is:
Since the mass graves were uncovered, the CIA and FBI and our law enforcement partners have been working around the clock and are fully committed to investigating this matter to bring those responsible to justice.
Our collective law enforcement team has pursued thousands leads and tips. We are working methodically and with a sense of urgency to identify those responsible for these heinous acts. Within the last day or so, through that careful process, we initially developed a single person of interest. Not knowing if the individual was acting alone or in concert with others, we obviously worked with extreme purpose to make that determination. The entire force of the federal government, the CIA and FBI and other agencies around the world, as well as our partners in the local law enforcement, we have set about to ensure that all responsible for these acts will be brought to justice.
Today, we are enlisting the public's help to identify two suspects.
After a very detailed analysis of photo, video, and other evidence, we are releasing photos of the two suspects. They are identified as Dr. Isaac Taft founder of Taft Industries and Dr. Lauren Lewis, aka. (Dr. Karen Beattie, Dr. Catherine Sommers and Dr. Katrina Lange).
Dr. Isaac Taft is a well know billionaire, philanthropist and is considered dangerous. Dr. Lauren Lewis, aka. (Dr. Karen Beattie, Dr. Catherine Sommers and Dr. Katrina Lange) is also considered dangerous and can adopt many languages, and disguises to conceal her identity.
We strongly encourage those who have any contact with either of these two individuals in the last several years and who have not contacted us yet to do so.
As you can see from one of the images, Suspects 1 and 2 appear to be working together in a lab environment at a medical institution where one of the mass graves was revealed. That image was captured via security cameras and is less than one week old."
Bo put down the paper as she glared at the photo of Lauren and Taft toasting each other in the lab where Taft was experimenting on the Fae.
"Holy shit!" Bo said looking at Trick. "There is more" Trick said handing her another paper.
"Americas Mengeles" the headline read.
"I can't read anymore of this!" Bo exclaimed throwing down the paper and walking over to the window.
"Madainn Mhath!" (Good Morning) Dyson said as he strolled into the room happy as a Scottish Clam. Trick nodded as Dyson grabbed Bo from behind and hugged her. "Come on my little succubus we are in the motherland let's have some fun today, I will show you the sites meet some locals and…" "Ouch" Dyson said after Bo jabbed him with her elbow. "I am not in the mood". Bo said.
"If I recall you get there pretty quickly" Dyson responded, rubbing his ribs trying to soothe the hit he just took from Bo.
"Dyson, we got some disturbing news today" Trick said trying to deflect Dyson away from Bo. Trick handed Dyson the paper.
Dyson paused and looked at Trick and stoically said, "This will bring the humans down on the Fae", "Civil war is the least of our problems now. Even when Lauren is returned…"
"RETURNED?" Bo crossed the room quickly and stood in front of Dyson. "No one is returning Lauren anywhere or to anyone without my permission!" Bo's eyes began to glow blue she was losing control.
"Hang on! Trick rose to stand between Dyson and Bo, "No one is suggesting we do anything right now" "We need to think and we need answers" Trick said.
"And I know exactly where to start!" Bo said as she took the newspapers and headed up to Laurens room.
When Bo arrived at Lauren's room she found Lauren fast asleep on the bed. Bo set the newspapers at the foot of the bed and touched Lauren's calf. She was out Bo thought, she needs her rest I will let her sleep but when she awakes I am going to need all your cards out on the table Lauren. Bo thought as she walked back down to the study.
Bo was anxious and she needed to get out of the castle for awhile, "Come on wolf! We are going to town!" Bo said standing outside Trick's study.
Bo and Dyson walked over a long stone bridge toward the village of LochAlsh. "I use to know these mountains like the back of my hand. They were my playground when I was a child, my solace as an adult and now they are soaked with the blood of my friends and family." Dyson said as he walked toward the town. "It's definitely beautiful" Bo said as she surveyed the surrounding hills covered with heather in full bloom covering them with a purple hue. Eilean Donan was hemmed in by mountains and the sea on all sides."I wish I had more time to explore but this craziness ..." Dyson stopped in front of Bo, "Bo, I've lived a lot longer than you and these things tend to work themselves out. Just be patient." Dyson was trying to help but it was only making it worse. Bo pushed him aside and said, "Patience is not one of my virtues." Dyson smiled and followed he knew now was not the time to get into it with Bo. She was on a mission.
The town of LochAlsh was a quaint Scottish village hidden from tourists. Bo headed straight for the pub. "Come let's get a drink" she said making a beeline to the pub. Dyson called after, Bo"Don't you think its a little early for a drink? Not to mention we have the best whiskey back ..." Bo yelled back, "Then go home wolf no one wants a party pooper." Dyson followed Bo into the pub.
"What can I get you Lassie? Laddie?" The barkeep was an old chubby man. "Whiskey, double" Bo said and Dyson nodded for the same. It was not a large bar but it was simple and clean and from the looks of it popular.
The keep brought the whiskeys and Bo threw hers back without hesitation and said, "Another". Dyson followed suit.
After several rounds of this a couple of men came in looking like they had just dove into a mud puddle. Coming upto the bar next to Bo, they ordered whiskey and the barkeep served them, "Colum what happen, your old lady in the family way again?" The keep said laughing. "Nah, those damn Leshy are thieving again off the highland road. They attacked us and took the entire months yield."
"Where were you attacked?" Bo asked. "Over by the woods on the highland road. Best avoid that area lassie those Leshy are nasty little creatures." Colum said returning to his drink.
"Come on, let's kick some Leshy ass" Bo said pulling Dyson with her. "Bo hang on. Bringing more attention to us is not exactly a smart move." Dyson was trying to get Bo to not jump head first into this.
"Dyson, you can go back to the castle I'll see you later." Bo said jogging in the direction of the woods they were attacked in. Dyson followed.
After a short time they came upon the place where the assault took place. There were remnants of fruits and vegetables on the road leading into the woods. They walked off the paved highland road and onto the foot road through the woods.
"They are close I can smell them" Dyson said. Bo unsheathed her knife and Dyson prepared his wolf as they continued on the road.
Suddenly, they heard the rustling of leaves and the cracking of branches. The Leshy were upon them and they brought friends friends this time... lots of them. "This isn't exactly how I envisioned it ending", "Just make sure I get a Highland Funeral" Dyson said. Bo estimated there were around 40 of them layered in the woods all around them.
Bo's blood pressure was rising, she could feel her blood getting warmer as it was coursing through her veins and her eyes began to glow bright blue. Bo started to levitate above the forest floor as the Leshy approached. "Kneel before your Queen, or suffer the consequences" Bo said from 4 feet in the air. The Leshy were undaunted and kept coming toward Dyson and Bo. Bo's eyes a bright blue, raised her outstretched arms. She began sucking the Chi from the 7 or 8 closest Leshy. The Leshy were stunned. And Dyson was transfixed he had never seen Bo like this before. He had heard about what Bo did at the Dawning to save him but he never envisioned it like this. Bo was almost in a trance like state as the Chi entered her body she burned hotter, her eyes got brighter and bluer. It was eerie and unsettling the display of pure power. Dyson thought.
Bo successfully sucked the Chi from the Leshy and they fell to the ground lifeless. The remaining Leshy fell to their knees and bowed before Bo. Bo smiled as she watched a contingent of 4 Leshy coming toward her from the woods. Dyson stopped them from getting to close to Bo who was now standing back on firm ground. "My Queen." The leader of the Leshy said as he knelled and bowed his head in front of Bo.
"What is your name?" Bo asked. "Lychess my Queen"
"Lychess" Bo began, "Go and steal from the good people of this village no more."
"My Queen the Leshy do not wish to live as thieves. But they refuse to trade with us and force us to steal to feed our kin", "What else are we to do?" Lychess asked.
Bo looked at Dyson then back to Lychess. "Come gather the goods you stole we will make amends with the villagers so that you all may all live in peace." Bo said.
Bo and Dyson walked back to the village with the four Leshy following with the cart of food they had stolen from the farmers.
They arrived back at the pub and Dyson went in and retrieved the farmers. They came out and became hostile toward the Leshy. "Colum, they are here to return the food they stole." Bo said as the Leshy pulled the cart forward toward the farmer. "These animals have contaminated that food and it would kill any who ate it" Colum said. "It is useless to me"
Bo turned to Lychess and asked, "Lychess is the food spoiled so that anyone who eats it would get sick or die?" "No my queen you have my word the food has not been tampered with" Lychess said. Bo walked over to the cart and grabbed some strawberries and ate them. "Delicious Colum"
Bo stepped closer to Colum and the other farmer and touched their arms sending her energy of influence into them. "It would be good if you traded with the Leshy. They will, I know become "friends of the village in time and you all will share a peaceful existence. It will benefit you all I promise." Bo said.
"Yes, we will trade with them." Colum said.
The men affirmed Bo's wishes by nodding and then walking over to Lychess holding out a hand in good will. Lychess, taking the farmers hand motioned for the cart to be presented to the farmers. "May we purchase this cart from you farmer?" Lychess asked. "Yes, of course and call me Colum"
Bo and Dyson were walking back across the bridge to the castle. "It feels good huh wolf?" Bo began, "To bring those people together.", "And stop the fighting" Bo said.
"Aye, are you going to tell me what the hell happened back there? You were out of control Bo." Dyson said concerned.
"I don't really know myself it seems to come forward when I am in situations of extreme danger.", "But since the Dawning I have more control over it, I can call it up and stop it almost at will"", I was hoping my father would have answers for me. But our interactions were tense to say the least." Bo said.
They were just outside the castle and Dyson reached for Bo's arm stopping her advance. "Bo, be careful you literally sucked the Chi from…"
"Dyson, I appreciate your concern. - Really, I do but I am too tired to argue with you right now. Can we talk about this later?" Bo was using her sexy voice to manipulate the wolf. 'Yes, but Bo we will talk about this." Dyson confirmed. "Yes, and until we do please don't mention it to anyone." Bo said and walked into the castle.
Lauren should be up by now. Bo was exhausted but exhilarated. She felt like she could solve the world's problems and she needed to talk to Lauren.
Bo walked into Laurens room but did not find Lauren. The newspapers she left on the foot of the bed had been moved to the table with the tray from breakfast. She must be downstairs Bo left to find her.
Bo searched the usual places, library, study, parlor, dining room and even the bathroom and no Lauren. Where was everyone Bo thought? Maybe she is in the kitchen its past lunch time she may have been hungry again. Bo pushed the swinging doors to the kitchen and met Firth. "Madam, may I help you?" "Would you care for a sandwich or fruit or something?" Firth inquired.
"Ah, I was looking for my … for Lauren. Have you seen her?" Bo asked.
"Yes, she is out taking a stroll on the Loch." Firth pointed to the back door heading toward the beach.
"Thank you." Bo said and began walking out, "Milady, may I suggest taking something to eat she needs her strength and nourishment." "Ah, OK." Firth quickly packed a small basket of sandwiches, cheese fruit and a bottle of wine. Bo laughed when he packed the wine, "Nourishment huh?" "Indeed, madam something's nourish the body, some the soul but this will nourish the heart." Firth said and handed Bo the picnic basket.
Bo saw Lauren in the distance on the beach. She was walking towards the area where the cliffs jetted out. Bo tried to walk faster to catch up before she was out of sight.
It was a beautiful day. Sunny a slight breeze blowing in from the ocean. The water was blue and the tide was low. Bo saw Lauren when she rounded the bend of the cliffs she was leaning on an out cropping of rocks kicking the water as the waves rolled in and out. She was deep in thought and didn't see Bo approaching.
"Hey, doctor you hungry?" Bo said lifting up the basket to show Lauren she brought provisions.
Lauren smiled she had been thinking about Bo and what she must think of her after reading those articles in the newspaper. "Famished" Lauren said as she slowly walked over to where Bo was laying out a blanket. Lauren caught the other half of the blanket and helped Bo lay it flat. Bo took off her shoes and put her knife on a nearby rock to stay dry and sat down on the blanket.
They shared a long glance between them.
"So let's see what Firth packed for us" Bo said pulling the sandwiches, cheese, fruit and the all-important bottle of wine out of the basket"
"Wow" Lauren said "I think I could get used to having a Firth around." Bo laughed. "Right, I am wondering why Trick ever left this place at all." Bo said.
Lauren began to nibble on the cheese and fruit and Bo pulled the cork from the bottle of wine and poured each of them a glass. She handed Lauren a glass. "Bo, about the articles…" Lauren began to try to explain, "I don't know where to start" Lauren said she had tears in her eyes. Bo put her glass on the blanket and took Laurens hands in hers wine glass and all. "Lauren, how about starting at the beginning? ... What is your real name?" Bo was smiling hoping to assure Lauren.
"Lauren Lewis Jacobson" Lauren said. I was born in Egypt, my father was in the military and we moved a lot. Both my parents are gone now. My mom died when I was 6 of osteogenic sarcoma (bone cancer), my father congestive heart failure during my last year of college. It was what made me want to become a research scientist … a doctor." Lauren's tears were filling her eyes as she remembered the loss of her parents and wondered what they would think of the mess she has made of her life.
I went to the University of Chicago pre-med and then onto Yale Medical. I did an internship at WHO (World Health Organization) and they ended up hiring me on as a student doctor. I traveled around the world helping establish clinics, hospitals and research diseases and administer cures. Whatever they needed me to do medically. It was kind of open ended." "I would find out later that our program was funded by the CIA and had a duo purpose. To establish good will with the local people in hostile countries by providing free medical training and services. And spying on the governments." Lauren took a breath as she remembered , "We with the help of the UN would go into a country and setup medical clinics and hospitals for the people. Offering free medical services. But as soon as most of the WHO and UN people left the government would move in and close the clinics and hospitals down. The government would take the medical supplies, and/or the money sent to them by WHO and the UN and appropriate it for whatever. Many times it was used to buy weapons on the black market. When they sent the medical people back in the villagers never returned to the clinics for fear of their lives. It was hard to time and time again see the how the government took away the peoples dignity by refusing them the most basic rights and services." "At least, that is what I thought was going on. I now think that when our people left the clinics and hospitals someone (Taft) put his people in place and began experimenting on the villagers in the name of science. Torturing them and using those poor people as lab rats. Resulting in a horrible death for many. And for those who lived pain and suffering"
Lauren put her head down and began to weep at the thought that she and the other medical professionals actually setup the labs where people were tortured, mutilated and murdered. It was too much and Lauren broke down.
Bo closed the space between them and enveloped Lauren in her arms.
Lauren wanted to tell Bo everything, composing herself Lauren went on, "A few years into working with WHO I was approached by an agent with the CIA. They offered me a joint position working with both the CIA and CDC to research biological and genetic weapons being used by foreign governments on their citizens and to find cures, antidotes or vaccines that would protect people against the use of these weapons on the general population." "Because of the nature of our activities would be considered terrorism by many of the countries using these weapons. We had to have alternate identities. The CIA provided us with all the necessary and legal paper work. They gave me Karen Beattie, Katrina Lange, Catharine Sommers to name a few. " "I was young, it was exciting and we had great success in coming up with immunizations against many deadly biological weapons that are used all over the world today."
"Right, and that is why you were in the Congo?" Bo asked.
"Yes, we were sent there on a simple straight forward mission to determine how the villagers were contracting an unknown disease that was killing hundreds of people every day. But of course as you know…"
"They weren't people they were Fae" Bo finished.
Lauren nodded "Yes, and because I thought it was a simple mission I brought Nadia and well …"
"Cursing nail, by the Ash and servitude ensued." Bo again finished for her.
"But those statements by the authorities don't make any sense. They must know I was not the one who was performing experiments on those people." Lauren said not understanding where the horrific accusations were coming from.
"Taft?" Bo asked. "I don't know how I didn't know him for that long. Unless, there is more going on than we know by someone more powerful than Taft." Lauren said.
"I don't know but we are going to find out that I can promise you." Bo said taking a sip of her wine.
"Lauren, thank you for trusting me with this." Bo said. "You really were a bad ass huh? CIA agent?" Bo said laughing and giving Lauren a little nudge to lighten the mood. "So have any stories of taking out bad guys?"
Lauren laughed, "Bo don't worry you're no competition for me" Bo laughed and said "Wait what? I am no competition for YOU?" and they both laughed.
It was getting late Bo and Lauren had been enjoying the beautiful landscape and chatting for several hours. It was nice just to be together Bo thought. There was still some unfinished business between them Bo thought.
They gathered up the picnic and began to walk toward the castle.
"Lauren, you left me." Bo said somewhat afraid of what Lauren might say but determined to settle what was left between them once and for all.
"Bo, I left me first" Lauren said. They stopped and were standing on the beach as the tide began to rise and the sun set.
"I had lost myself in the Fae, in you Bo."
"Lauren I never wanted that." Bo said "I wanted us to be a team, to want the same things, to work for the same things." Bo said.
Lauren was fidgeting as she looked down, "Bo, I think we define that differently." Lauren said.
"How differently" Bo asked.
"Bo, there are things that by the very fabric of our being are just incompatible." "I am human, you're Fae. I am human you're a succubus. I am a slave, you're free. I will live the rest of my life in servitude or running and hiding from those who want me dead or enslaved." Lauren said matter-of-factually.
"What if you were free Lauren? Could we overcome our genes?" Bo asked she needed to know if dating a succubus was to difficult for Lauren. She suspected it was.
"Bo, I am a doctor and I understand your biology and I am constant awe of it and you. But as your girlfriend I am in constant fear that you will meet someone who can fulfill your needs better. Who will live for millenia, supporting you, fighting next to you, loving you... I don't want to hold you back Bo from becoming everything you are meant to be." Lauren said.
"Lauren" Bo took a hold of Laurens shoulders forcing them to make eye contact. "I am who I am because of you." ... "You accepted me, helped me, encouraged me … loved me." "Yes, Kenzie is a huge part of that too. But Lauren when you told me 'you weren't happy and you wanted a break' it tore my heart out. I didn't know how to fix it. I didn't know what to do and the one person I would go to in those situations was you Lauren." "And when you left Lauren you took my heart with you. Lauren you still have it. I love you Lauren!" Bo was searching for something to hold onto from Lauren something that would keep them together.
"Bo, I will always love you! But sometimes it's not enough". Lauren said as she turned and walked toward the castle.
"I know that love is not enough but it will keep us in the game." Bo said grabbing Laurens arm forcing her to turn and face her. "Stay in the game with me Lauren, at least until we figure this thing out" Bo was pleading.
Lauren was crying. "And what happens when the game is over?" Lauren paused waiting for Bo to respond. "I don't know, we work it out…" Bo said.
"I do know Bo. I know because we have been playing this game and when it's over we go home. I go home Bo alone and lost. Lost because in the end we both know we are not on the same team." Lauren walked away toward the castle. Leaving Bo hanging with a sinking feeling in her gut.
