Chapter 35: Battles, Battles, Battles
Bo and Lauren arrived at the farmhouse where Madge was chatting with a very excited Ethan. She looked up and moved her gaze to the couple with a bright smile on her face,
"So my grandson tells me we are expecting a girl and a boy… and a little earlier than expected?"
Lauren answered, "Well, I don't know that it was unexpected. We did have a suspicion that the babies could come early as Ethan did but probably not as early as we've learned."
"Jianna is upstairs changing before she takes her favorite nephew to see his Aunt Kenzi…"
"And the marina too!" Ethan interjected excitedly.
"Yes and I think he talked her into the marina as well."
Bo smiled, "He likes to sit in the boats in the showroom and then show them to me online."
"I don't really 'spect you to buy me one, Mamma. But Aunt K told me I gotta have dreams, so I look at them and dream of owning one when I'm a doctor like Mommy and Aunt J."
"And how about your favorite Aunt Ella?" Ella and Emma entered the room just as Ethan was finishing his sentence.
"Aunt Ella! Aunt Emma!" Ethan ran and dove into Ella's arms who planted a kiss on his cheek before he leaned over and fell into Emma's arms, "Are you going with us to town?"
"Aunt Jianna just invited us but your Aunt Emma has to stay for the meeting, so is it okay if I go?"
"Of course! The more the m-ma… mommier?"
"I think you mean merrier, little man."
"Yea, merrierer!"
"Well then, let's get your coat on so you're ready. Aunt J will be down soon. We called your Uncle Jake and Uncle Josh. They're going to meet us at the marina once they've docked."
"Are my cousins coming?"
"Yes they are and Aunt Alina is picking us up to take us."
"It's like a big party!"
"Yup. Now get your coat." Ethan turned to get his coat, but turned back to his moms and grandma, "Are you sure you guys can't skip the meeting?"
Bo walked to her son and stooped down in front of him, "We can't buddy. We talked about it, remember?"
"You and Mommy are gonna be Queens and I'm going to be a Prince. We're all going to have to sacrifice for the all of the beings of the world and sometimes that means we may not be able to do things together."
"That's right, little man. But I want to make sure you know that Mommy and I love you very much. If we didn't have to go to this meeting, we would be with you. You know that, right?"
"I know and you know that I would rather be with you than anything else, right?" Ethan covered his mouth suddenly and cringed, "I'm sorry Aunt Ella… I didn't mean I don't wanna be with you today. It didn't come out the way I meant it to."
"I know exactly what you mean, Ethan."
"You do?"
"Your grandma knows. You know how I call her Ma sometimes?"
"Yea! That's because she raised you." Ethan looked confused for a minute, "But… wait… I thought Aunt Elaina was your Mommy."
"She is, but she's a Druid Protector. Her ability to create and direct storms makes her one of the most valuable protectors the Druids have."
"So she has to work at the barrier?"
"Yes, so she couldn't spend time with me that often. Your grandma promised to raise me like her own daughter. It was really hard sometimes but there was always someone in the family to spend time with me when I was sad. It helped a lot to have a big family."
"It's like when Mommy was too sick to be with me. Aunt Jianna and Uncle James always took care of me or Uncle Chase or Aunt Maive… well… lots of people… and you and Aunt Emma and you, too Granma… and GranPa… and…"
"We get it, buddy. You don't have to list everyone. We all know you're grateful and we you know we all love having you with us." Emma said as she gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Okay, so shall we get going?" Jianna said as she came down the stairway after listening to the conversation for a bit from the landing.
"Let's go! Bye Mamma!" He gave Bo a big hug.
"Bye Mommy!" He ran to Lauren and jumped into her arms, "I love you, too Mommy."
"Love you buddy. Be good for your Aunts and Uncles, okay?"
"Okay."
"Jianna? He has just a little bit of homework left. It's in his bag in the corner of the mudroom. If you wouldn't mind?" Lauren asked.
"No problem Lauren."
"I have make up work, Aunt J. It's just some easy science and math. We'll finish fast and then be able to play in the lab if you want!"
"I see my young Padawan has forgotten the lesson about homework…" Ethan frowned,
"I'm sorry… I won't do my homework fast. It doesn't matter how fast it gets done, it just matters that it gets down correctly and that I understand what I'm doing."
"That's better. Okay… that's Aunt Alina's horn. Let's move out!" Jianna said. She smiled at Bo and Lauren as she took Ethan's hand. Ella gave Emma a kiss goodbye before following Jianna. The house fell silent,
"You raised a good boy, ladies." Madge said.
"It took a village, Madge." Lauren said, "He wouldn't be who he is today without this family."
She looked at Bo and smiled, "Okay, so I believe we have a meeting to get to?"
"Follow me, girls. You are about to see an area of the clan lands you have not seen before. It is a privileged space for only Elders and royalty. You will spend a lot of time there after your coronation."
"Sounds creepy."
Madge chuckled as she and her sister Emma led the pair into the library. Madge moved to the bookshelves,
"So, Lauren… you know how this door is activated to give you access to the corridor that leads to the lab."
"Yes, the book of the day lock."
"Correct. You pull this book out and the door opens, then you put it back on the other side to close it and still have access to leave from that side."
"You know how the book rotates down to the end of the shelf at the stroke of midnight."
"Yes."
"Well, that book becomes the 'new' book for the facility you are about to see."
Lauren moved to the far left end of the tall shelves, "Same shelf?"
"Good question… one shelf up, actually."
"And if you choose the wrong book?" Bo asked.
"The room is sealed and can only be opened by a member of the Protectorate." Bo nodded as she watched her wife reach up a shelf. She grabbed the copy of 'Great Expectations' and pulled it from the shelf. The opposing wall pivoted in a few feet and stopped.
"Follow me, girls. Lauren, remember to replace the book."
They walked through the opening. Bo watched as Lauren turned the corner and placed the book back in the spot she has removed it from on the opposite side of the shelf. She made sure the binding was facing the room they had just come from and then nodded to Bo as the opening closed.
"Nifty." Bo said as he took Lauren's hand and followed Madge. She looked behind her to Emma, "So have you been down here before?"
"Just recently. I won't become a full Elder until after you are crowned."
"Why not?"
"There is no standing king or queen so I cannot be appointed."
"I have to appoint you?"
Emma nodded as Bo jokingly said, "Well… I'll have to think about that."
"Well, thank you, my Queen."
"And if you start doing that 'my queen' shit, you're definitely not getting appointed. We're family first, Em… don't ever forget that."
"I won't." Emma said with a smile.
They had walked for about five minutes down stairways along corridors. It was getting colder as they walked,
"Madge? Are we almost there? It's getting a bit chilly."
"The room where we're headed will be nice and warm, Bo."
"Where are we?"
"I will show you a map later, but feel the air around you. What do you sense?"
Bo and Lauren stopped then looked at each other and said, "Chi."
They smiled before Lauren said, "How is that possible?"
"We are surrounded by water right now, child. These tunnels connect to earth, water and fire."
"Fire? As in hell?"
"As in a tectonic plate dormant volcanic activity kind of fire."
"Whoa."
"Indeed."
They arrived at massive doors that seemed to be made of iron, "Those look… strong."
"It's a special element that combines many ores of the earth. Impenetrable by anything other than a finely sharpened blade of the same material, although it would take quite some time to break through it unless you were able to slice the ten or so sliding bolts that hold the door in place."
Madge turned back to the door and spoke a series of runes.
"Great. More runes to remember." Lauren chuckled as she nudged Bo.
"You're bad." She whispered.
"Yea, but you don't know how bad I can really be. Maybe I'll show you some time."
"Mmmm… I'll look forward to that." Lauren said as her eyes flashed blue.
"Hungry already?"
"It doesn't take long. Sorry."
"No need to apologize. Madge?"
"Yes, Bo." She replied as the large door began a rhythmic series of mechanical sounds as the locks slid to open.
"Can we absorb the chi around us?" She tilted her head towards Lauren's blue eyes.
"Place your hands on the walls, dear. You will be able to feed."
Lauren did as she was told and began a brief feed to take the edge off. After a minute or so, the massive door began its slow movement to open. Bo leaned in, "Okay?"
"Okay." Lauren smiled feeling better for the chi.
The four women passed through the large sliding door that Bo noted immediately began to close after Emma passed through behind them. They entered a small chamber that looked similar to the library near the lab, and then Madge placed her hand on a strange looking pad and the door opened.
"Hand print?" Bo asked.
"Chi signature." She replied.
Bo looked at Lauren as they passed through the door, "My chi has a signature?"
"Yes. Your Druid chi."
"Good to know."
They entered a large room with a very large oval table with two large red velvet chairs at either end. Bo recognized the Martini crest at the top of each chair immediately. The elders were all seated down the sides. Madge and Emma assumed their seats leaving only the two cushioned chairs on the end. Lauren and Bo stood still near the entrance trying to figure out where they were to sit.
"In anticipation of your successful coronation rites this week, our incumbent Queens will lead this meeting as you will make the decisions in the coming battle and you are the recognized Queen of the Fae by all parties in this room. Bantos, if you please."
Bo hadn't even noticed the tall, bald man with the long fingers seated to the right of what she had just learned was her chair. He turned towards her and smiled,
"Bantos, it is an honor." Bo said as she bowed her head slightly not knowing what the protocol was in this situation. He was, for all intents and purposes, the King of the Underfae City, so it just felt like the right thing to do. Besides, Lauren had bowed her head as well and she trusted her wife's judgment.
"You are the rightful Queen of the Fae. That would include Underfae despite the fact that neither Light nor Dark recognizes us as part of either faction."
"Well, that will soon change."
"I had not been sure what to expect when we met. I believe the last time I saw you was at your choosing. I knew as soon as I entered your mind that you were special. I am happy you found your way. The Faebling has long been legend among my people. Your mother ran to us first when she left the Druids. We were told a child would be born of two peoples and would survive against all odds to unite the beings of the world in peace."
"You must know that I hold no ill will towards you for the events of my choosing. I am now quite aware that the illustrious leaders of the light and dark merely used you as pawns in their game to force Fae to comply with their laws."
"Thank you, my Queen."
"Please, Bantos. You are the representative of the Underfae. My name will always be Bo to you."
"As you wish."
"And this is my wife, Lauren."
Bantos turned to Lauren and nodded, "My Queen."
Lauren smiled, "And you may call me Lauren."
"Lauren. I must thank you for your services to my people. You have always treated them with as much care and respect as you would any other patient in your hospital."
"I follow an oath I took when I became a doctor to treat all patients who came to me to the best of my ability. My oath is to save life, not decide which lives are worthy."
Bantos nodded and smiled as he turned back to Bo, "Shall we begin? I have much to tell you."
"Please." Bo motioned to his seat as she turned to her wife and gave her a light kiss on the cheek.
'Please don't be afraid to speak up. If you don't feel like you can speak aloud then at least speak into our link. I want your input… especially if you think I'm missing something.'
'I'm by your side… always, Bo. Count on it. I won't let you down.'
'I know. I love you.'
'I love you too, sweetie.'
The two separated and moved to their seats at the ends of the table. Vesta and Beli were seated at the center beside each other. In front of them was a bell on a small piece of thick material that looked like a miniature carpet Bo had in a dollhouse as a child. She smiled at the memory before nodding to her grandfather. She and Lauren had learned about the process of running meetings in what she called her 'Queen classes' with Vesta and Beli. Bo would run the meeting, Lauren was the only other who was permitted to comment. All were expected to pay attention and make note of concerns or questions for the end of the Queen's agenda at which time, the elders would direct questions to the Queen.
Vesta rung the bell five times… one for each of the four Chief Anemoi and one for Gaia. They would hear the voices at the meeting on the wind.
"Welcome. We gather today to hear of the progress in the North. The Fae know Bantos as the spokesperson and leader for the Underfae City. We will hear him."
"We will hear him." They all repeated after Bo. She turned to Bantos,
"Please, my friend. What news do you bring us?"
"Our the Underfae City thrives with news of the One Queen who will unite the world in peace and create a life of freedom for my people. They wish to join you in battle against the Dark King. They do not fear him and would gladly give their lives if it meant they would be free of his tyranny."
It was Elder Arum who shouted the panicked question that was heard next, "The Dark King? Do you believe he comes?"
Bo was pissed at the interruption, but held her tongue. Arum was an ancient and Madge's uncle. She would give him a pass for now, although she felt no need to be particularly nice to him. He was the one man who had not had a hand in Bo and Lauren's training. Madge said that after the falling out she had with her parents, Morgan and Aaron, over marrying John, he was the only one from her parents' side of the family that had made any attempt to stay involved in her life aside from her siblings and their spouses. Beyond that marriage, he had no real family attachment to Bo. He was there for Madge and the clan, no one else. That was made abundantly clear with the way he treated her Uncle John as a bad piece of fish. Bo was pulled back to her thoughts as Bantos answered,
"Yes, sir. We have a prophecy among our people that has been known for as long as time…"
'Seriously… another fucking prophecy? Are you kidding me?'
'Shhhh… Bo… pay attention, sweetie. They've all be right so far and they give us valuable information.'
"The prophecy tells us that the battle will be fought on three fronts. One group will be led by a man of darkness who will return to seek to rule the world, another group will be led by a man who claims to live a life of righteousness but has allowed his soul to mislead him. The final group will be led by the One True Queen, raised by humans with the blood of both Fae and Druid who would accept our people for who and what they are. The prophecy states that all who join the One True Queen will die with honor and be taken to Folkvangr or live in peace on this earth in a place that will meet the needs of all."
"And…" Arum went to speak, but Bo cut him off, her eyes flashing blue in warning as she turned her attention to Bantos and spoke,
"And from the information you have gathered during the rebellion, who do you believe will lead the three sides?" Bo asked keeping her focus on Bantos as Lauren pushed a wave of calm into their link.
"We are sure the Dark King is alive and planning his return. I was told you were aware of that fact."
"I am as are all of the Druids gathered here. Apparently my Uncle Arum has been unconvinced." She gave the ancient elder a brief glance before returning her attention to Bantos.
"Well, as with the Garuda many years ago, the signs are present that he has appeared in our realm twice over the past decade. We are watching for that frequency to increase."
"So you believe he is the man of darkness. And who would be the righteous man?" Bo continued.
"Apologies, my Queen but…"
"Bantos?"
"I'm sorry, Bo. This may be hard for you to hear, but…"
Lauren stiffened as her brilliant mind had already realized what he was about to say, Bo was about to be crushed. Her heart clenched as she heard the words,
"We believe the righteous man to be your Grandfather. In recent weeks before I set forth on my travels, many things happened. With the Morrigan's mysterious departure, your Grandfather has reclaimed his title as the Blood King." Bantos hung his head. Bantos may be underfae, but he was probably older than anyone at this table. Most beings of earth cast him aside as unintelligent because of his status as an Underfae, but he was anything but. He knew of Bo's history… all of it and he hated to be the one to bring more to her already storied past.
Bo gave an audible gasp as her eyes began to glow a brilliant blue. Lauren called to her through their link, but she did not respond. She spoke aloud, "Bo?"
The Succubus looked up at her mate whose eyes in turn emanated the familiar Succubus blue. The room grew still as everyone's posture stiffened. Madge and Emma looked at each other, ready to shield the group if necessary. Lauren gained control first and pushed into their link as her eyes returned to their normal state,
'Bo… we need to get a grip here. We expected this, so why are we so surprised.'
'Your middle name is Hope, mine is Faith… I guess they should have named one of us trust because apparently that's what we were still holding on to. Fuck, Lauren.'
'I know, Bo. But we have a meeting to run. We can't go all Succubus on the elders and expect them to crown us queens… not to mention that we need Bantos to trust us.'
'You have my trust, my Queens.'
Bo turned to the underfae, 'Bantos? You can hear our thoughts?'
'Don't you remember how I spoke to you at your choosing, Bo?'
'Yes… of course. But, Bantos… Lauren and I can't understand how we can do this… and you just jump in… no one seems to understand. We all just assume…'
Bantos cut Bo off, 'Your Druid mentors assume that you're wind talking as they do, but no my child… what you and your mate have developed is a telepathic bond. I am a telepath by my Fae nature. You are a telepath only to your bonded soul mate and others who possess my gift. It is likely that one of you will develop the gifts of a seer as well. Knowing that your father was the most powerful master Druid to ever live, I would guess it to be you, Bo. Your powers are much greater than even your mentors know.'
'Thank you for the explanation, Bantos… While this is a nifty gift, we have wondered how we could do it for months now. The rest of the information you shared actually makes me want to run and hide. I do not seek more power.'
'Ah, yes… still doubting yourself after all of this time. Bo, you cannot be the Queen of the prophecies of three peoples if you do not become The One True Queen. That Queen is powerful beyond all others… not just because she will have a following of all three peoples, but because she is powerful in her own right.'
'The power… Bantos, it scares me.'
'I know, child. But you should know that if you do not accept and develop all you are capable of, this battle will not end well for us.'
'Great. No pressure or anything.' Bo said before something struck her mind, 'Wait… how do you know the prophecies of the other two peoples?'
'Because of what I am, Bo. While the Druid people have never been offensive to us, they have never truly valued us as a people. I believe they more or less see us as pets to be cared for because we are less fortunate. As for the Fae, well you know their take on us. They think us monsters without brains and use us to gain advantage when our skills suit them. Most of us are slaves to them or our agreements with them that protect both us and our families.'
'But they're wrong… you're so much more than that.'
'Yes, it's true. There is a lot they could learn from us, but for now I settle to learn from them… if you get my meaning.' Bantos smiled at Bo hoping she would catch on. He liked having a student who did not always need to be spoon-fed the answers.
'I heard that.' She smiled as she had finally figured out how to break into his thoughts. Bo glanced at Lauren who smiled at her wife's ability. When Bo had gone in, Lauren had followed. Bantos' mind was the most incredible library of knowledge Lauren had ever witnessed and she'd had only a glance.
'Well done, Succubus. Now… what have I been up to?'
'Oh. My. Gods! You can… you can do that?'
'Yes, dear. But let's keep my secrets safe, shall we? The Druids would not allow me to leave this place knowing I could potentially carry their secrets with me.'
'I have been in your mind, Bantos. I know you are with us until the end.'
'It is my only choice to save my people now, Bo. We are all betrayers along with your friends who have moved to our city.'
'And I thank you for taking them in, Bantos. They would have died without you.'
'So… spying from an underfae tunnel right under Trick's desk, eh? You sneaky little devil you!' Bo smiled as she placed her hand on Bantos' hand.
'Yes. It's how I knew that he had retaken his title and how I knew the Morrigan had disappeared.'
'Oh my… did he have her…'
'He did not kill her, Bo. She has literally disappeared.'
'Okay, we'll get to that later. And we'll talk about my powers later as well.'
'I will warn you both, it is not without its challenges for couples to have this gift. That thing most people know as privacy becomes a thing of the past, but if you embrace it and let down your walls you will truly know each other in the most intimate way possible. You will know each other's souls.'
'We've learned that lesson already and are stronger for it. Thank you for your kind words of advice, Bantos.' Lauren said as she and Bo shared a smile before their attention was drawn to the irritated voice of Arum,
"Care to share, kids?" he snipped.
"Apologies." Lauren said regretfully.
He turned to Bo, "Yes, well we understand that you and Lauren have that nifty wind talk thing, but we are to be included in all conversations at a meeting of the Elders and I for one…"
Vesta had taught Bo that in meetings with outsiders, no one would speak until the Queen had concluded her conversation with the guest. Her Uncle Arum was as outspoken as she was, but she often felt inferior or that he felt himself somehow 'above her' in many of their interactions. She knew she was young, but she believed that a fresh mind was the only thing that was going to save them all. She had learned from years with Trick that knowing history and staying rooted in history were two completely different things. Druids were supposed to be open-minded, but it did not mean that all would be agreeable to change. Some old grudges must surely remain for those who had fought against enslavement and she was starting to believe Arum to be one of them. Was it something with Trick from the Great War? Was it something with her Father? Was it just about his niece's marriage to John? Was it the fact that Bo a Druid-Fae hybrid? Clearing her throat so her tone would protect strongly, Bo found her voice,
"Actually, it's not wind talk at all... it has nothing to do with our Druid powers, actually. Bantos was just involved in our conversation and explained that the bonding of two Fae soul mates can create a telepathic link in special situations. Because the link was telepathic and not on the wind, he was able to enter."
"But doesn't that compromise your thoughts on the field of battle for any Fae with telepathic abilities?" Arum brought the point to the attention of the group. It was almost like he was looking for reasons to declare Bo incompetent.
"First, that sounds an awful lot like you do not feel me fit to lead our people into battle, Uncle." Bo's eyes flashed blue as she glared at the man. She had been patient long enough. He was clearly challenging her authority and if she couldn't stand up to a supposed ally, what would that say about her ability to stand up to an enemy?
"No… I mean… well, you are young but I believe that with our advice, we have the wisdom to…"
"I'm going to stop you right there before you put your foot any further into your mouth, Uncle. Clearly you are not as keen on your niece as you had led me to believe. Maybe behind these closed doors others have felt me unworthy to lead and you are just bowing to a prophecy because you have been told to?"
Bo eyed each person at the table, skipping over Lauren so she did not lose her nerve. All eyes lowered as she reached them except for Vesta and Beli who were smiling at her knowingly. She did not smile back, but continued her stern gaze around the table,
"Well, let me assure you. If I am not competent to stand as your leader, I can assure you that my place at the head of this table is pending my passing of he coronation rites this week. Don't worry, Uncle… your chance to rid yourself of my leadership has not ended… yet. I believe you are one of the people slated to stand against the incumbent Queens in the arena. Let's save the battle for where it is appropriate. Our friend came here to speak with a people who are about peace and balance. You are not setting a very good example of that philosophy for our guest. How is he to trust a people whose behaviors do not jive with their beliefs?"
Vesta and Beli were beaming with pride as they watched their granddaughter take charge. Arum was red as a beet and Vesta, for one was going to need to apologize to Gaia later for the shameful emotions that came with his current need to gloat at the man who had treated his son John like shit for centuries.
"My child, I assure you…"
"I am not your child, Arum. I am to be your Queen. I have no desire for anyone to walk around calling me 'my Queen', but please don't think that because I do not honor the tradition of you using the title, that I do not expect the respect my blood has provided me. It is an insult to our family's bloodline and more importantly, an insult to my Father and his parents seated across from you. You are not of royal blood, Arum. Tread carefully, Uncle."
"I'm sorry, Bo. I meant no offense. I'm just concerned that our battle plans could be known the minute a Fae of Bantos' abilities is within reach of you."
Bantos placed his long fingers over Bo's. She couldn't help but flinch, as she knew all too well that his touch could pull her to another realm. He looked at her, smiled knowingly, and pushed into her mind,
'I will never take you unwillingly to another realm again, Bo. I am a friend and wish to correct your Uncle if it's okay with you.'
'Thank you, Bantos and I would appreciate your explanation to my Uncle Arum. I am young and sometimes the young take time to earn the trust and respect of ancients and elders… especially those so set in the prejudices of the past.'
'I am aware and am at your service. They do not know of your deeds first hand as do the Fae. I hope you know I have no doubt of your ability to lead us into battle… nor your mates…' He eyed Lauren, 'as she has clearly changed since I'd last been in her presence. I am sorry I could not do more for you when you were in the dungeon of that crazed man.'
'You knew?'
'Yes, Lauren. We were unaware of where our people had been taken and when we had discovered the facility, the Fae police were already present. If we had made our presence known to humans… well… you understand that the existence of underfae…'
'I understand. It's okay, Bantos. Everything has worked out.' Lauren glanced up at Bo and smiled as their friend began to speak to Arum
"If I may explain, Bo and Lauren cannot be compromised. Just as they are able to shield their thoughts from each other, they can easily shield their thoughts from me. Here, among people they believe to be friends and supporters," He eyed Arum who squirmed a bit in his chair, "They just didn't know they needed to."
"It's true. We never block our thoughts around any of you. We have never had cause to feel threatened by you so our shields remain down. The response to raise our shields is instinctive." Lauren looked casually at Arranz before moving her gaze to Bo as she agreed with Bantos' assessment.
Bo, as always, was thinking of this new information and how it would help in the coming war,
"On the battlefield, it will actually be of great benefit. If we are far from Bantos, we will still be able to move his people with a thought. That will provide a form of stealth equal to that which we will have with wind talk on the Druid side."
"Good then." Arum said, deciding he was both satisfied with the advantage and suitably humiliated.
"Please, Bantos… can you tell us of your numbers? Anything about how our forces will match up against the forces of two foes?"
"Well, first I think it's important to consider the goals of each of those foes. The Dark King wishes to rule the world and will kill anyone who does not bend to his wishes. He will not take prisoners unless he can find benefit for himself in their powers without said powers being a threat to him."
"Like he did with my mother."
Bantos removed his eyes from Bo and lowered his head. Lauren got those eerie feelings again that yet another piece of bad news was about to be dropped on Bo. She cringed as he spoke,
"Bo… I have news of your mother. She is not with us in the Underfae City."
"What? I mean… Trick promised he would give her the best of care."
"And he did until about six months ago."
Bo stood and slammed both of her hands on the table, her eyes glowing blue as the wind blue through her long dark mane. Emma and Madge immediately stood, moving to opposite corners of the room they shielded the elders. Lauren stood and slowly walked to her wife. She allowed her Succubus to come forth as she grasped Bo's shoulders and turned her to face her. She moved their foreheads together and spoke into their link,
'They will not hurt her. She is with Bantos' people. She is safe and away from the Blood King. He will pay in time but for now, we must think of our people, my love.'
Bo looked up at Lauren, 'They will not hurt the mother of the One True Queen. We will crush anyone who tries to harm our own.'
'That day will come. For now, let us calm and allow our hosts to work with the leader of our Underfae City.'
Lauren watched as Bo's eyes faded back to her usual deep chocolate brown. She placed a kiss on her mate's forehead and moved back to the head of the table,
"Madge, Emma… please… if you will, lower the shield, please." The sisters did as they were asked and resumed their seats at the table as Lauren spoke,
"You all know the history behind the King's mate. Both Aidan and Bo have tried in vain to help Aoife. When Bo left Toronto to find me, she was guaranteed by the Blood King that he would look after her and give her the best mental health care that he could find."
Bantos looked at Lauren and raised a long, pointy fingernail to his own head encouraging her to seek information from his mind. She spoke as she drew the information out, finding it similar to reading a book aloud.
"Upon the Morrigan's disappearance from the dark's compound, Trick was able to gain access to their archives and find a journal of the Dark King. It told him of experiments that he had used to try to harness the Succubus to do his bidding. While he had never succeeded, the Underfae leaders had decided it best to not allow Aoife to remain with Trick…"
Lauren trailed off and looked at Bo, a look on her face that was pleading with her not to lose control when she said the rest of what she had to say. She watched as Bantos placed his hand on Bo's and made eye contact. Bo looked to Lauren and sighed, nodding for her to finish.
"… Because Trick had begun to experiment on his daughter using the Dark King's notes… his thinking was that if he could control Aoife, he could control Bo. He is still under the belief that once his granddaughter finds me, she will return to rule as Queen and he will be able to rule by influencing her while keeping me a slave to the light."
Bo's eyes welled with unshed tears as she fought against the sadness of the confirmation that her grandfather was indeed betraying her… using her… harming his daughter once again.
All eyes were on Bo as she battled her emotions. Finally, Arum spoke,
"Clearly this information is taking an emotional toll on our incumbent Queen. I suggest that she should recuse herself on the grounds of the personal nature of the coming battle..."
So many people stood simultaneously that no one was sure who should talk first but Madge's voice stood strong and firm as the walls literally shook with her rage,
"YOU ARE MY UNCLE NO MORE! For you to BLATANTLY sit there with that smug little look on your face denying our RIGHTFUL Queen… that's right, Arum… RIGHTFUL Queen the respect she deserves makes me SICK! You are the only one among us who has not supported the training of both she and Lauren… as a matter of fact, you didn't support their union. Hell, you can barely support Druid philosophy!"
"HOW DARE YOU! You who mixed blood with these… these…"
"AND THERE IT IS! THE TRUTH FINALLY COMES OUT! YOU'RE NO BETTER THAN MY PARENTS and you are NO Druid!"
Madge paused for a moment as John stared straight ahead. Bo noticed he looked terrified but also knew he probably had some idea of what she was about to say. They could wind talk as easily as she and Lauren spoke telepathically. Emma stood by her sister's side glaring at her Uncle. Arranz, Alam and Abigail all sat shaking their heads.
"I CALL FOR THE GATHERING RITE." Madge said suddenly and without hesitation.
Gasps were heard around the room as all eyes turned to Bo who looked immediately at her wife.
'Lauren, what the fuck is a gathering rite?'
'It's a gathering of information from an unwilling subject. Madge is taking advantage of Bantos being here. He is needed for the ritual, as is James. Together, they will probe his mind as well as his heart to seek the truth as to where his loyalties lie. He has demonstrated adequate reason here at this meeting for there to be doubt as to his loyalty to the throne. As an elder, she can call for the rite. As his blood relative, no one will question her request.'
'Fuck! Isn't anything ever easy?'
Bantos interrupted, 'Bo, I am willing… just so you can skip the formality.'
'Thank you, Bantos.'
"The Gathering Rite is approved by the incumbent Queens and has been agreed to by the Pain eater, Bantos."
Arum objected, "But you must both agree verbally before a full board of the elders."
Bo gave him a sarcastic look, "Seriously, Arum? We talked…" She motioned between their two heads, "…we agreed… Lauren?"
"We agreed. The Gathering Rite is approved by BOTH of the incumbent Queens before this full board of the elders."
Arum argued again, trying Bo's patience, "But Emma is not yet an elder. She had not been…"
"She is approved." Bo said as she nodded to Lauren.
"She is approved." Lauren stated as they both looked to Emma who nodded and tried not to laugh but sometimes her nieces' sarcasm truly was funny. She knew her Uncle was just grasping at straws now, which sobered her mood immediately. If he was trying to find a way out of the rite, he likely had something to hide.
Bo looked to at her Uncle Callum, "Uncle, you are a man of universal faith in the Druid principles."
She turned to her Uncle Alam, "And Uncle, you are a Druid of the universe in harmony with all things. I call on you to ensure a fair Gathering Rite in my stead so that we may continue with the matters at hand regarding our guest."
The pair nodded to their Queen as Bo reviewed what Lauren was now telling her about the rite. Her Uncle Arum's Druid must now be bound in both body and spirit before being taken into custody so that he could not use his physical strength or his powers to escape. If he were a spy, it would be dangerous for him to leave now with the information that had been shared at this table. The Gathering Rite needed to happen as soon as possible. She looked around the table and determined that her Uncle Arranz could physically bind him, but to bind his powers…
'That would be you, Bo.'
'But Bantos, I don't know how…'
'Link to your Good Mother, Bo and she will explain. Remember, your grandfather called her and her siblings to you at the start of this meeting. All you need are here to serve you. Your Aunt knew well what she was doing when she called for the ritual and I will tell you that she has had her suspicions for some time now but was never able to… how do the humans say it… push the right buttons?'
Bo smiled at Bantos as she looked below her chair to where there was a missing stone from the floor. She had been sliding her foot around in the wet sand the entire meeting and now it suddenly dawned on her.
'Lauren, do you have a missing stone beneath your feet?'
'Yes… I've been playing in the sand for the entire meeting.'
'Me too. Does anyone else have a missing stone?'
Lauren slid her chair back as to look for the answer as nonchalantly as possible while Bo addressed Arranz,
"Uncle Arranz, if you would complete the physical binding please."
All of the elders stood and suddenly threw their arms out to the side, creating a shield that lined the room. All were now inside the shield as Arranz moved to his Uncle.
"Apologies, Uncle but you have brought this upon yourself. Hands, please."
Bo watched in amazement as her uncle drew fibers from the stone floor, the old shields that hung from the wall and fused them with slivers he drew with great difficulty from the door. Bo thought back to what Madge and Emma had explained about the composition of the doors to this place. They may be impenetrable, but apparently for a Druid Elemental like Arranz, you can still leave a mark.
'Good to know.' Bo thought to herself. He really is a Druid handyman, 'Lo?'
'We're the only ones, Bo.'
'It's so we can link to Gaia and the Four Chief Anemoi. Bantos told me that I am the one that has to bind his Druid powers.'
'I know, I heard him. Arum is counting on you not being able to do it. It would demonstrate your incompetency just days before our trial and give him leverage at his trial. Let's connect to Gaia and ask.'
'They both took their seats and began to commune with their Good Mother.'
'First, Bo… you must never leave your seat during these meetings. Arum knows that and could have taken advantage of your breaking the connection to us.'
'Us?'
'Bo, I am with my siblings. They would say hello, but now is not the time. We must hurry. This is the only place you can have direct contact with all five of us. I'm sure you and Lauren have both already studied the room in great detail and noticed that the two of you have the only sand beneath your feet.'
'It was designed that way?'
'Yes. Should any of the elders ever turn on you or try to form some sort of coup, we would defend the seats of the royal throne.'
'What?'
Lauren clarified, 'They would do what they have to do to keep us safe as long as we are acting in the best interest of the people and the earth.'
'That is correct, Lauren. Now, Bo… you must now bind Arum's powers. Your Uncle will complete the physical binding of his hands shortly, then his feet immediately after. You'll notice that they have placed a covering on his hands?'
'Yes.'
'That is a special material that will not permit him to use his powers on you before you bind his powers, but you should know that Arum can throw feet from his body. He is an ancient and is very skilled. Do not let down your guard but do not kill him, Bo. That is important. He must stand for the rite, then a trial by his people, then the final judgment with the five of us. Do you understand?'
'Yes. What about his feet?'
'His feet will remain bare so that we can feed him while he is in custody. Yes, he can use those for his powers as well. He will try to open up the earth beneath you, but Lauren will work with us to make sure that does not happen, right dear?'
'Yes, Gaia but…'
'Feed, Lauren… while you can. I am aware of the chi issues you are having. It's because of the baby. We'll talk later, dear. For now, feed and remain seated when your mate rises to bind Arum.'
'Gaia? You said that he would be barefoot while in custody 'so we can feed him'… He can't feed himself?'
'No, not with his powers bound but I assure you, Bo… we will keep him alive… weak, but alive. We will not torture him or judge him. It is not our way. We will talk to him and try to get him to see the error in his ways, but if he is an agent of the Dark King, I fear we will likely be unable to help him.'
'Okay, so to bind his powers, you must call us to the room… my siblings will make their dramatic entrance…'
Bo and Lauren looked at each other, as they were sure they heard laughter behind Gaia's voice.
'… then you will see them draw the powers from your uncle. It will look like a white shadow of himself is being pulled from him and he will be in pain, so you should expect some reaction to that. It will be over in less than a minute's time. There will be need of assistance for him to leave the room to be taken to his holding cell for he will be very weak. It would be appropriate for you to visit him before the end of the night. If he confesses, you may plead for mercy to the board of elders. If he is unwilling to give information, you may not plead for mercy on his behalf. It would make you appear weak to give something for nothing. Remember, Bo. He had made his choices, now you must make the choices that are in the best interest of your people and this good earth. It is not in conflict with your Druid philosophies to do so… it is he that is in conflict with our philosophies if he is found to be guilty.'
'Thank you, Gaia, I believe my uncle has just finished binding the feet. Everyone is sitting down except Arum so I believe we are ready.'
'Remember, Bo. Have someone on either side of him. He will fall after his power is taken.'
'Will do.'
Bo looked to Lauren who nodded, but continued to feed readying herself to counteract anything that Arum may try.
Bo nodded to Callum and Alam to assume the requested duties. They stood and moved to either side of the accused.
"Arum, as final preparation for the Gathering Rite, your powers will be bound to Gaia and the Four Chief Anemoi who have joined us here today."
Bo watched as everyone closed their eyes and bowed their heads. She looked to Lauren as they both became strongly aware that this was now between them and Arum. The elders would not be helping, nor would they watch their peer's essence being ripped from his body. She couldn't say she blamed them. Bo took one last pull of chi from Gaia, thanking her before she stood.
"I call on Gaia and The Four Chief Anemoi. We have agreed to the Gathering Rite for this man and ask your help in binding his powers to the four corners of the earth and the earth."
Bo watched Arum as he was suddenly engulfed in flames. Three fire balls came at her which she caught with great skill before enclosing them in her palms as her eyes burned blue-orange. She opened her palms and released a small puff of smoke,
"Care to try that again?"
He threw fireball after fireball as Bo snuffed them out one by one, never returning his fire despite her temptation to do so. She moved closer to him as she finally began to feel the ground tremble beneath her feet,
"You don't want to do this, Arum. I promise this will only end with you getting hurt. Please… do not test me."
"I know the laws, you cannot kill me."
Bo's Succubus appeared with a smirk, "Kill? No, but no laws govern what a Succubus can do… they don't say I can't have just a little… snack."
Bo felt Lauren straining to keep the crack from opening up. She needed to end this now, "Come here, lover boy."
Bo gripped Arum's throat and lifted him off the floor, sucking the chi from him until he was wobbly. She stepped away from him, calling once again to her Druid spirits,
'He is no threat. Gaia, please bind his powers.'
Bo and Lauren watched as they saw the white shadow being pulled from him. He began to scream but the couple was distracted by something else,
'Bo? That looks like…'
'White chi… Ethan…'
'He… Bo… he can draw white chi? He can take people's powers? Is that what this means?'
'Oh Gods, Lo. I hope not.'
'Gaia, we are going to have a serious talk when this is all over.'
'Amen to that.'
'Yes, girls. We will talk about Ethan but right now, it is done. You must order him to a holding cell and placed under guard of the protectorate. Bo…'
'I know… Abigail.'
'Right. Then back to Bantos. He has more to tell.'
'Great.'
"Abigail? If you would please place this man under the guard of the protectorate and follow the direction of those I have placed in charge in my stead. Once that is taken care of, I would appreciate our return to this meeting. It is crucial that you hear all of what Bantos has to say so that you can properly prepare our defenses. Please delegate the responsibility of his guard to anyone you see fit to handle such a duty and return to us."
"As you wish." Abigail said as she followed her brother and brother-in-law from the room with their prisoner.
Bo returned to the table and all eyes were once again on her. She placed her feet in the sand and looked to her wife. She looked drained,
"If you could give me one moment, please. I know this is probably unorthodox for a meeting, but I'm sure you'll understand with what just happened and we have been encouraged not to delay…"
Bo stood and moved quickly to Lauren, grasping her face in both hands and forcing a long stream of chi into her mate. Bo pulled back and lightly traced the side of her wife's face before smiling and moving back to her seat. With one last look at her wife, she turned back to Bantos,
"So, can you tell me where my mother is?"
"She is in the Underfae City. We have a way to get her here, but we need to know that you can properly care for her. It seems her mind was possessed by a parasite that secretes nymphyoid hormones. Usually such a creature would…"
Bo cut him off as she looked at Lauren,
"We know what it would do and we know who would do it."
"I'm sorry to interrupt, my Queen but since it's relevant to all of us and we have waited a long time for news of your mother…"
"I'm sorry, Madge… of course. The Morrigan planted the parasite Bantos speaks of on our friend Vex because she knew that he was staying with us while he was struggling with his powers. The parasite made a cocoon on the back of his ear and when he slept, the eggs hatched. Lauren believes that anyone who sat on the sofa or came in direct contact with anyone already carrying the parasite would have passed it on as they tend to multiply very quickly."
"So this parasite can infect Druids?" Madge asked.
"It did not infect me when I was human and it did not infect Kenzi when she was, in fact Druid. That would lead me to the conclusion that it will only affect Fae or Hybrid Fae, as is Bo's case. Tamsin and Dyson were also infected." Lauren explained.
"After the incident, Lauren did some studies of the parasite in her lab. She determined that long-term exposure would have had characteristics similar to insanity because the parasite would essentially accept the brain as its host. Over time, what were at first behaviors likened to a human teen would become more nymph-like combined with the teen perspective of life. Holding grudges, over-reacting to perceived wrongs, etc. in combination with strong flirtatious and sexual tendencies."
Lauren continued for Bo, "So for a Succubus, the sexual nature would not be unusual behavior but the emotional behaviors would likely come across as insanity or possibly even an angry nature depending on where the parasite was imbedded."
Bantos spoke, "We have been able to remove the parasite, but we can not heal the damage the parasite has done. She has been in a coma for approximately six months. There is nothing further our medicine can do. If you think you could help her or even just wish to have your family member home, we can make arrangements to move her here."
"But she'll be tracked unless we move her as we did you, correct?"
Bantos smiled and shook his head, "Bo, we have access to Druid lands without having to travel through traditional means."
"Like teleporting?"
"Remember that most Underfae have been forced to live underground so being in the sun does not feel comfortable for us. We choose to travel underground. As a leader on this continent, no Underfae tunnel is created without my knowledge."
"Then maybe you can help us with a little problem we've been having since Lauren arrived here?"
"Problem?"
"As you have already guessed, I am no longer human. The lab that you apologized for earlier… well, they experimented on me and turned me into… well… this."
"And is 'this'… Fae?"
"I am a Druid-Fae Hybrid like Bo, but with a few more Fae who are still trying to transition my human DNA to their own."
"Ah, I see. So this is why you seem to fatigue so quickly… I mean… considering."
"Considering?"
"Come now, Bo. The two of you are glowing and the children you carry are never far from your thoughts." He smiled at the Succubus as he continued, turning to Lauren, "The child is a chi feeder, so she drains you."
"Yes."
"I see. So, you share this information about your change in status because…"
"I am part shifter and enjoy spending time running in the woods. One day when I was following my usual path, I was attacked by a three-headed creature who closely resembles a Kerberos but…"
Bantos was shaking his head, "No! He disobeyed!" Bantos stood and stretched his arms out to the side, throwing his head back.
Madge and Emma went to stand, but Bo stopped them, "No. I've seen this before. He is speaking to someone and from what he said before he began, he is angry with our friends in the woods. We may finally have an answer and the solution may be happening right now. Please… I know this must be… unusual for you all but please… trust Lauren and I to know that we can trust Bantos. We've been linked to his mind for over two hours now. His vision for his people is the same as our own. He trusts us to finally give the Underfae people what they have been hoping for all along and I intend to insure they have it. Does anyone at this table object to that?"
Bo watched as every head around her shook a shameful no. John spoke, "They fought with us in the war… they're more than earned their keep for the way they have been used, spat on, picked on and judged since the beginning of time. I will no longer be a party to that. It's not the Druid way."
"Aye!"
"Aye!"
Ayes were heard all around the room as Bantos finally sat back down next to Bo.
"When this meeting is over, I'll need you to lead me into the woods. We will be meeting someone that you know well. I believe it would be best if Lauren came with us in her shifted form. The person we will meet has been working with the rebels. He was dark and left them when he was asked to make bombs that were capable of wiping out hundreds at a time. I believe you know him. His name is Ryan… the Loki."
Lauren cringed as Bo spoke, "Fuck! Seriously?"
"Apparently, before he joined the rebels the Loki gained access to some of Taft's research that had been confiscated by the dark. He found what appeared to be the first book in a series of medical journals authored by one Dr. Lauren Lewis. He used that research…"
"That wasn't research! It was theories at best! The first book was just ideas! My Gods, what has he done!" Lauren was upset and Elder Doane had to place a hand on hers to calm her. She looked up at him and shook her head, "So much pain came from my brain."
"And so much good, child. You cannot be responsible for someone who uses your research for a purpose other than its intended any more than the inventor of the 3D printer can responsible for someone who kills after designing and printing a gun with the damn thing." He looked at Lauren with sincerity as her shoulders slumped and she quieted.
Bantos continued, "Kerberos are endangered Underfae. There were only five known to exist and three of them were in the Underfae City in Toronto. The Dark's soldiers killed one in an early attack on our tunnels. I later learned the Morrigan had not ordered the attack. As a matter of fact, the Morrigan had not ordered most of the attacks that had happened on dark Fae land. It seems that the Fae are taking matters into their own hands as we are seeing more and more members of both factions fighting together… even more joining the light. The funny part is, they don't even no what they're fighting for… it's just general unrest… but someone is shaking things up."
"Trick."
"Precisely. He's putting just enough information out there to make people believe a war is coming and that it would be best to be on the side of the light."
"He's recruiting an army without actually recruiting. He plans to take out the Dark King." Bo said, staring at the table.
"We believe. Their war never ended. It just went to sleep for a while. Banishing the Dark King with his Druid right hand would not keep him gone forever."
All around the table mumbled silently the betrayer of their own kind.
"So, what… he takes out the Dark King using me as bait, right?"
"I do believe he thought you would lead the army. You've lead every battle, so he would have no reason to think the Queen would do any different."
"So, I get knocked off and he's left in charge to rewrite the blood laws and rule again. Nice one gramps." Bo took a minute to rein in her anger before she continued,
"So back to Ryan and the Kerberos…"
"Yes, so he asked them if they would be up for breeding so their species would not become extinct. They were both males, so they didn't understand how that would happen. He told them he may not be able to make a purebred Kerberos, but he could certainly make a stronger more resilient version that would not become extinct. Their DNA would be what he would use to build a new race and they would be the father's of them all."
"How can you turn down being the fathers of a new race, eh?" Bo looked at Lauren who just shook her head a gave a smirk, "Sick fuck."
'Language, Queen Ysabeau.'
'Sorry, babe.'
"So my theory is correct. He combined the DNA of Kerberos and Minotaur to create a hybrid Underfae."
"Apparently… at least that is what he presented to the underfae council. We, of course, said no. We are naturally occurring species and have no desire to change the course of nature. I am a rare species, myself but I will not be having my DNA twisted into something that can be used to do harm." Bantos said, clicking his fingernails. He was clearly agitated.
"Bantos, I need to ask you this. I… I… well, Ryan and I… we knew each other."
"As he has told many of us…"
'Laur, I'm so sorry…'
'Bo, we'll talk about it later. It's okay.'
'No it's not! FUCK!'
'Bo…'
'I know, I know… watch my language and stay focused on the meeting… Ffff… crap.'
"Anyway, I know he gets into trouble and his nature makes him want to explore and create but this is way out of line… even for him. Are you absolutely sure there isn't anyone behind him… you know… inspiring him to do this for their own benefit? I mean, how did he really get his hands on Lauren's journal?"
"And where are the rest? There were twenty-two journals. I had them all together in a locked hard case."
"I do not know but I do know that he has only one. Are you asking me if we can trust him not to betray us to the blood king or the Dark king?"
"Or the Morrigan more specifically, yes."
"As I said, the Morrigan has not been seen or heard from."
"Yea, well Evony has a way of disappearing from time to time."
'Bo… we need to talk.'
'We need to finish this first, sweetie. We have a meeting with Ryan and you need to feed just in case we have to take on a Kerberos in those woods.'
'Bo, we really, really need to talk.'
"Would it be possible for us to take a short recess? I wish to relieve myself?" Bantos stood as Vesta nodded holding out his arm to direct him to the facilities. Bantos spoke to Bo as he exited,
'Speak with you wife, Bo. No matter what comes, she should always be your first priority.'
Bo stood, "Why don't we all take a quick break. Madge, we need to feed if we're going into those woods. Lauren had to expend a great deal of energy."
"Doing what?"
"I'm sorry, I forgot you didn't see. Arum resisted, using fireballs but then tried to open a hole beneath my feet. Lauren kept it closed from her seat but at a cost to her chi levels."
"I'm so sorry, Bo. I should have known better than to call for the Gatheri…"
Bo cut her off, "No, Madge. You did the right thing. We can handle it but we have to feed now so she doesn't get any more depleted than she already is. The baby is taking a lot of chi and her Fae are transitioning…"
"Bo, it's okay. Jianna explained it to me. Go… take your wife and do what you must. We'll see you in about fifteen minutes or so?"
"Yes, but if you could gather any information he has about the Morrigan in the meantime, that would be helpful. It didn't sound like we had much time until our meeting in the woods."
"Agreed. Go now."
Bo held out her hand to Lauren. Her wife looked suddenly pale. Bo was glad Bantos had insisted on taking this break. He was right, after all. Without Lauren, what was a war to save the world for? Emma led them outside through a small tunnel that dumped into an underground cave.
"I'm must turn back now."
"But… where are we going?"
"Follow the tunnel. Where you are going, I am not permitted to follow. It is a private space reserved only for the Queen to feed and meditate."
"That sounds perfect. Thank you, Emma."
Bo and Lauren walked hand in hand along the pathway through the cave, "I don't mind saying this is a little creepy."
"That's an understatement." Lauren replied. One hundred yards later, the cave opened up. As they entered, Bo couldn't believe her eyes.
"Beautiful." Lauren said as she squeezed Bo's hand. She was staring at a beautiful cavern where the walls climbed upwards to a small opening that allowed the sunlight to pour into a pool of light blue water surrounded by pure white sand. It was as if spring had come and was giving them a great big hug. She could instantly feel the energy in this place. It was pure and natural chi. She stepped forward and buried her feet in the sand as Bo followed, wrapping her arms around her from behind.
They stood like that for about five minutes, just staring at the beauty of this place and taking in the incredibly powerful chi offered from this hidden earth. Lauren turned in Bo's arms and laid her head in the crook of Bo's neck. She opened her link and felt the calm, warm caress that Bo's love always made her feel when she connected with her. She lifted her head and placed a soft kiss on her wife's lips before retreating to her spot.
"So… you wanted to talk? It sounded kind of important."
"Bo, there's something I need to tell you. It's something I did… it was a long time ago but I thought there would be… well… look… I screwed up and kept something from you that I shouldn't have and right now I'm just terrified of how you're going to react. I know I shouldn't have kept it from you… I should have told you six years ago but I didn't."
She felt Bo stiffen in anticipation of another bomb being dropped today, "I know you've already had a lot thrown at you today so if it could wait, I would definitely let it wait but I'm concerned about Ryan's visit and what it may mean."
Bo pulled away from Lauren and took her hand, "Come on. Let's go sit."
She led Lauren down a pathway through some small trees until they got to the water's edge. Bo laid down in the sand and pulled Lauren down in next to her,
"Okay, relax and tell me. But feed while you talk. I don't want you getting yourself killed by a Kerberos because you didn't feed while you made me totally pissed at you."
"Bo… you're not going to be just pissed."
"Hey… look at me." She tipped Lauren's chin up, "You have another secret. At some point, I hope you'll share them all. For whatever reason you keep doing this, something inside you tells me you can't tell me things. I don't know what that something is but…"
"I'm afraid you'll leave me." Tears erupted from Lauren's eyes as she gasped before she began to cry harder than Bo had ever seen her cry before. Bo's eyes welled with tears as she felt her mate's fears rise to the surface.
Bo reached down and took Lauren's left hand from her chest. She looked at the wedding band on her finger. Lauren had taken hers off to shift but Bo had never had hers off,
Her mate spoke through her tears, "You know, even when it's off the tattoo is still there. I wouldn't take it off if I wasn't afraid of losing it."
"Your phoenix claws, horse hooves and tiger toes aren't exactly the right size for it, are they?" Lauren shook her head. She had calmed a bit but she was still crying.
"Lauren, I put this ring on your finger and allowed you to put one on mine. I don't care how bad this is… the worst thing that can happen is that I get mad at you… maybe even incredibly angry but the bottom line is I will never…" She pulled Lauren's eyes up to meet her own, "Never… leave you unless Gaia herself takes me from you. Please… we're starting to overcome the being open in bed thing but I want you to be open with me out of the bedroom as well. You have to be able to offer me your opinions in meetings like we were just in. You have to be able to tell me I'm wrong when you think I'm wrong and you have to be able to tell me…
Just then, Bo got a glimpse of Lauren's thoughts and sat up straight, throwing her wife to the side as she turned on her and yelled, "YOU DID WHAT?! ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME, LAUREN?"
Lauren brushed the sand off of herself and spit out some of the grains that were still in her mouth when she face planted as her wife pushed her off unexpectedly. The tears continued to roll down her cheeks as she spoke,
"Not exactly how I planned on telling you."
"You turned the Morrigan into a human? Is it any wonder she's been looking for you! Fuck, Lo! What the hell were you thinking! She'll kill you on sight!"
"I'd like to see her try." Lauren smiled as she thought of the threat Evony had made to kill Bo when she overheard her conversation with someone in the Dark archives. She looked up at Bo.
"Why?" Bo asked.
"Oh, I see. Listen to my thoughts when you want to hear what I did, but don't listen when I'm giving the explanation for why. Thanks for tossing me in the sand, too. Tasted great."
Lauren stood. She didn't know why she was so pissed right now, but he was. No, she did know. What she had done, she had done for Bo. To protect her from the threat she would never see coming. She always let Evony get close enough to touch her but the problem with Evony was that was all it took for her to melt you into a pile of goo. She was sure Bo was going do die, so this is the only way she could make sure Evony would not be a threat. But if Evony had all of her journals, her scientists may be able to decipher her code and learn the formula. Six years was plenty of time for them to do so… one of those morons in her lab should have been able to figure it out. Hell, Ethan could figure it out in a week.
Bo walked up behind Lauren and wrapped her arms around her waist. Lauren tried to pull away, but she held her firmly,
"Don't. We aren't going to run from each other and we aren't going to yell or scream or fight. I'm sorry I reacted badly. I didn't mean to throw you off of me like that… that was a horrible thing to do to you. It wasn't the turning her human thing as much as it was the… uh…"
"Method of delivery?"
"You were sleeping with her?"
"I kissed her first with a thin filament of sample paper on my lips to get her DNA. I slept with her once after you made your announcement about Mr. Destiny. I slept with her another time because I didn't have an excuse not to after I'd kissed her and slept with her once. Then I slept with her the last time to deliver the formula. It had to be introduced directly into her without me getting it in myself… it would have killed Ethan." A few tears slipped down Lauren's cheeks as Bo felt her gasp.
"I hid a small injection pen in my vaginal canal and slid down under the covers. I went down on her to distract her, pulled out the pen, popped the cap, injected into the most blood gorged area I could find and then gave her an orgasm to hide me hiding the evidence back in its storage spot."
"Wow… you really are a genius."
"But you still don't like that I slept with Evony."
"Of course not. It's… it's Evony!"
"And I don't like that you slept with Dyson, Tamsin, Ryan or that girl we picked up in the bar together but I've made peace with it."
"Ugh… Evony? Really?"
"She gets under your skin, I know. But Bo you need to understand that as a slave, she was the first person to make me feel like I was going to work and living a normal life. She gave me access to all of the Dark scientific research and I was doing a lot of cutting edge work on cures for Fae disease before the shit hit the proverbial fan."
"Apparently."
"That was my own personal research that began so I would have some defense against the Ash if he tried to go back on the deal with made about Nadia. It just took me a lot longer to figure it out than I thought it would. Partly because I started spending a lot more personal time on trying to find ways to take the edge off your hunger."
"I don't know that I've ever thanked you for that. You stopped my killing spree. I was grateful."
"You told me, but thank you anyway."
"So… do you think Evony is Fae again."
"I'm not sure and if she shows up human and the Druid community… or the Fae within this community learn that I de-Faed her, do you think they will still let us be Queens?"
"We need to talk to our immediate family tonight. They make up the majority of the council. If they understand, the rest will as well. If you hadn't done what you did, Evony would have killed me and they wouldn't have their prophecy. Does any of the formula remain?"
"Not from me. I only made the one dose for Evony. Bo… you should know that I'm not sure what the light or dark harvested from Taft's lab. Is it possible that they got their hands on samples and Trick has that as his ace in the hole?"
"Jesus, Lauren. Do you think he could make some sort of biological weapon out of that to unleash on the Fae and Druid who go against him?"
"No. It cannot be administered that way. It would have to be injected into the blood and like HIV, the concentration is important."
"What?"
"You have to get enough of the formula into the blood. Otherwise, the body would just kill the formula. You need a high concentration into a high volume of blood. For example, you can't administer it by putting some formula on a finger nail and scratching someone."
"Too little formula, too little blood?"
"My wife is brilliant."
"Hey, you're the one who created the shit. I'm just learning how to keep up with your big brain but I'll always be a step behind." Bo whispered in Lauren's ear, "Will you turn around now? I'm tired of talking to your back."
Bo watched as Lauren turned to face her. She wiped the tears from her cheeks that were still trickling down her beautiful face, "Hey, waterworks… you're worse than me." She leaned in and softly kissed her wife, "I love you… we're okay. It will all be okay." Lauren smiled as she pushed into the safety of her wife's embrace,
"I'm sorry for keeping it from you, Bo. I mean… how do you turn to someone you love and say, 'by the way, I made the Morrigan human today'. It's not exactly a conversation starter."
"I'll have to agree with you there."
"So, why did you feel like you had to tell me all of this now?"
"Her disappearance, Bantos having access to this land, the Kerberos, Ryan coming to visit… I don't know. Somehow in my head it all added up to Evony's coming."
"Apparently she already came." Lauren slapped Bo,
"I'm never going to live that down, am I?"
"I just don't know that I can ever kiss you again. I mean… did you have to go down on her."
"I know, believe me but it was all in the name of science."
"You didn't enjoy it at all?" Bo was hopeful.
"Bo, I was mad at you and it was what I needed at the time. I felt alone and she was there. I don't expect you to understand and I do know you hate her but she was good to me. I wish you could find a way to be happy about that. Besides, after she became human there were some moments before I left where… she was different."
"Different how?"
"I don't know… just… well… more human."
"I won't believe that until I see it."
"Bo, I think we should tell the council when we go back in."
"Wait… I thought we were all, 'what if we don't get to be Queen?' and stuff."
"I'm more worried about them throwing me in jail with Arum. I think if we're truly acting in the best interest of our people, we tell them now. Abigail would want to know."
"Okay. We tell them."
"Together?"
"Together. Are you well fed?"
"Yes. I've been feeding the entire time."
"Good girl. Let's go then." They took one last look at the beauty of the place they had learned was their private space, "And I'm totally bringing you back here… often. It will be like a fake honeymoon until the kids are born."
"Sounds perfect. I look forward to it."
Bo held her hand out for Lauren to take and they turned to go back in to the council room and face the music.
… … … … … … … …
Bo and Lauren had re-entered the council room and told Lauren's story… all of it. There were some rumbles and grumbles, but as Bo expected they would rather have their prophecy girls than throw them in jail. Bantos had helped things along with his knowledge of whispers that the Morrigan was human. As all of the pieces had begun to fall together, he suspected that she had left for the underground to seek protection of anyone who was willing to help her.
Lauren openly expressed her concerns over the fact that her journals were missing because it would be possible – with some time and effort – to develop a formula to safely make someone Fae. Obviously the way it had been done to her was dangerous. She further expressed her concern over the research materials from Taft's lab as they were as far along as her own research once she had been taken prisoner. She felt finding that case with her research journals as well as their possession of Taft's research needed to be a top priority. If Trick had that research, he could create an army of Fae to do his bidding, using the strongest DNA of the strongest and most useful Fae. She suggested that Dyson and Hale would be their best sources of information on the whereabouts of that research.
Several of the elders had, as expected, felt that Lauren's work was immoral. Bo stepped up as a true Queen of Druid philosophy and asked what they would have done had history been different and the Druids had been enslaved,
"Remember, Lauren was a human enslaved to the Fae when she did this work. I ask you… if you were in her shoes, what would you have done. What would you do to protect those you love from those who have enslaved you? I've heard it since I've arrived here. Elaina, Abigail, Madge and Emma can all kill someone with a flick of their wrist by sending them into the middle of a tornado or a stormy sea. John, Vesta and Adam could flick the same wrist and set a person on fire. Beli and Alam can suck the oxygen right out of a person's body and Arranz could turn a man to stone. Don't even get me started on what Chase and James can do with a little sunlight, so I ask you… is what Lauren has done to Evony worse than what any of you can… and have done with your powers?"
After that speech, the room had fallen silent of any further complaints against Lauren. Bo ended the meeting today with one last speech,
"Look… I know that I'm young and I have never seen a war the likes of the Great Fae War. Maybe that is a source of mistrust for you… my youth and inexperience. Maybe it's the fact that I'm part Fae and there are still some lingering prejudice's about that as we saw earlier about a union that occurred between my aunt and uncle so long ago. Maybe it's that I haven't passed my coronation tests yet. Maybe it's that I haven't completed all of my training. Maybe it's that I'm so new to this community. Hell, maybe it's because I'm pregnant… which of course is because I'm impulsive. The former Ash named Lachlan used to call me impudent." Bo took a breath and looked at Lauren who smiled.
"The bottom line here, is that all of you started this prophecy stuff. I came here to find Lauren and beg for her to take me back. That was it. You gave me the Druid prophecy, then my grandparents told me of the Fae prophecy. Now Bantos comes telling me of the Underfae prophecy. Clearly, I'm meant to do something here and with the unique bond I have with my wife, she's meant to do it with me… your prophecy states that is true." Bo scratched her head.
"So look… if you want me to walk away and head for Greece or the Maldives or some other island destination and have the honeymoon we've been dreaming of we will gladly leave today and raise our kids, never looking back. But if you want us to fulfill this prophecy, then you are going to have to do something for us… you are going to have to start trusting us. We may not do things the way you would do them, but isn't that the point? We are here to bring change… just maybe that change begins with us doing things differently than you've been done before."
She sighed, her head bowed as she begun again,
"We already know the playing field has changed. The players in the battle have changed. The sides have changed. The site of the battle has changed. All of those changes are in our favor. The battle will happen on our land where we can be at our strongest. Our players are more powerful than ever before because for years you have planned or the coming prophecy while our enemy ran from it and tried to manipulate it. And we now know what our strategy must be. This time it's not about senseless killing. This time it's about the snake that has risen."
Bo looked at Bantos, then to Vesta, "The Blood King, The Dark King and Taliesen."
Vesta nodded, "Cut off the head of the snake…"
"We all know the rest. If you still doubt me and feel that you cannot pledge your loyalty to this crown, nor recommend that others do it, then so be it. I do not need a crown to fight for what is right. But if you feel a need to judge me before giving me a chance, then I would remind you that all of you have had a hand in training both my wife and I. We know what it means to be Druid and have lived that life in its truest form. Are you truly a Druid if you judge us before you even commit us to these seats?"
Bo ended with that remark and looked at her wife,
'Always leave them wanting more?'
'Is there something else I should say?'
'We have a meeting in the woods. I'm ready as long as we don't wait too long.'
"So, if you don't mind my wife and I have a meeting in the woods with a Kerberos. That's always a lot of fun. Grandmother, I trust that you will have the hospital ready for us and all healers available?"
"Yes, my dear. Who will you be taking with you?"
"I am asking for volunteers. You should know that this could be a trap and there could be multiple Kerberos. Most of you have never fought one but Lauren and I have. We also have Bantos. He can literally remove them from the battlefield rendering them useless. So… anyone up for some life-threatening fun?"
"Count me in, Bo." Adoni volunteered first.
Adam and Doane jumped in next, "We're in… I've wanted to meet one of Lauren's furry friends for a long time."
"We're in… my wife has to protect, you know!" Calub spoke as Abigail slapped him on the chest.
"Bo, I would go but…"
"I know, grandfather. You and grandmother need to stay… someone has to rule until Ethan is old enough just in case Lauren and I get ourselves killed."
"Which, of course won't happen because we'll be going in with you." Madge and John stood.
"Madge, you have to…"
"I know what you're going to say, but Kenzi and Chase could raise Ethan just fine. We're going in with you. You seem to forget the blood oath we took. We cannot say no, Bo."
Bo nodded and cursed her mother for binding them to protect her with a blood oath.
Beli spoke, "I truly wish both of you weren't going in there. Can one of you not remain here?"
"Well, something you'll have to learn to accept… where she goes, I go and…"
"I know… where you go, she goes. I get it." Beli said.
"Don't let them kid you, Bo. They were the same damn way when they were sitting in those chairs. It was sickening." Madge said.
"You two weren't any better. Hell… you still aren't! Eating ice cream in the nude on the deck at midnight… honestly you'd think you two were a couple of teens in heat." Beli laughed as she lovingly poked fun at her daughter-in-law and son.
"Oh and you two weren't much better coming down for midnight crab legs in nothing but towels." Madge parried back.
"Just like the old days, wasn't it?" Beli said as the other three all joined in laughing. Soon the entire room was roaring.
Bo looked at Bantos, "Are you sure you want to fight with this group?"
"I wouldn't have it any other way. They clearly have something to live for and that makes all the difference in battle."
"Very true, my friend. Very true." Bo said, "Okay, let's go see our Loki friend about a Kerberos nest."
Bo stood, but Vesta cleared his throat.
'Bo, sweetie… you didn't adjourn the meeting.'
'Crap. Lauren, you're running the meetings from now on. I can't handle all of this proper procedural stuff!'
Lauren chuckled into their link, 'As you wish, my Queen.'
'Oh that is so gonna cost you later, lady.'
'I'm counting on it, lover.' Bo's eyes flashed but she quickly pulled herself back to the audience waiting to be dismissed.
"Meeting adjourned. If you have questions for the incumbent Queens, we'll be at the farmhouse through dinner. Hopefully, we'll be back there within the next few hours in one piece and uninjured with news of our furry friends."
… … … … … … … … … … … …