Bo was currently staring at a sign that was in Hebrew at the top and translated into English below it. Honestly, she was trying to decide whether to follow the announcement and warning. She knew that their trail had directed them to this Dome of the Rock, but her upbringing about religion caused her to second guess this mission now. The fae world was really messing with everything she had ever been taught.
The old man that directed them here was adamant that they should not enter, even though he fulfilled his part of the bargain to tell them where to find the Chai Crystal. Signs outside of this building were warning them of the same thing. On the phone last night, Lauren had even suggested the unknowing danger of finishing the mission. There seemed to be a general consensus that Bo not enter this place, but there was something pulling her to it. If she could describe the intense energy she felt radiating from this place, she would have asked Lauren for some ideas last night. They had scouted the building earlier yesterday afternoon, but they had really not gotten much recon accomplished beyond a feeling and a few signs surrounding the place.
"According to the Torah, it is forbidden for any person to enter the area of the Temple Mount due to its sacredness," Bo read aloud from the sign again. Since Bo was the offspring of Samael, would she even be able to enter this place? Her companions didn't need to know that detail, and she didn't want to explain if they asked why she didn't just enter. "Is this really a good idea?"
"Seriously? This is a waste of time. I was here when this place was just ground and rock. You want to know what's inside? A rock. A sacred rock that some ancient books claim is what the world was created from." Sadie had been a pain in Bo's ass since she had marked her. She was glad that the Morrigan had put her in contact with that Ryan guy, who gave her a contraption to mark an afreet for a longer period of time; Bo really didn't want to give the woman a hickey again. "The old man just used you to get what he wanted. You're not going to like what's inside, and you're going to get us killed."
"I don't know. Our little succubus got us this far without much damage. You were about to be gutted like a Mississippi crawdad back there, and she saved your carcass." Woods had been at least more helpful than Sadie, though he was still annoying. He was great at tracking, which helped her prep for attacks and find the things, people, and places required on this mission. Sadie was actually good for big attacks, too, as she literally shot flames from her hands. There were a lot of attacks, but Bo had been so focused and actually listened to Woods and allowed Sadie to help (not that the woman had much choice in helping). Minor scratches and bruises were all she had managed to get this past week in the Middle East. They had started in Ramallah, where a rabbi had sent them on a series of expeditions in exchange for this information. Now, they were standing in apparently the world's most sacred place, where the Chai Crystal was supposed to be. She had been so focused on her own internal debate that she forgot the heated debate going on beside her. "Wonder how many people would worship you if you tried to make your intestines work as an accessory on the red carpet."
"Guys, not now." Bo couldn't believe she was actually going to do this. At least they had waited until early morning, after visiting hours, so there were not as many guards or passersby around the area. When she had called Lauren earlier to tell her what they needed to do, her wife explained the situation to her. Bo smiled briefly; the thought of Lauren back home waiting on her return made her happy. They were going to start a family; for real, this time. The primal urges within Bo instantly shifted when Lauren had told her she was pregnant. Bo had learned not to get her hopes up, but she could sense it was true as soon as Lauren said it. They had both been so focused on the blood fever and trying to actually make the baby that they had failed to notice that they already succeeded.
"You're honestly happy about this?" Sadie gave her an amused look. "Your doctor friend sounded concerned last night on the phone."
"You eavesdropped my conversation?" Bo came out of her concentration and sent a surprised warning glare to the older woman. Then again, it wasn't like they had much privacy where they stayed.
"I heard my name. I naturally connected." If Sadie were not needed right now, as Lauren did seem highly concerned, Bo suspected she would have left the woman alone back at their makeshift camp. She was seriously considering not renewing that mark later, regardless if they failed. When Lachlan found out that Bo had an afreet under her command, he requested that she bring the genie to him so that he could get some answers he needed. He was being secretive again. Bo was too busy with other things to really ask too many questions. Besides, he did spring that request on her when she had gone to ask for their father's sword, which he had refused to grant her this time. She had wanted the best weaponry, since the Morrigan and Lauren had both impressed on her how difficult this assignment would be. She had yet to find the truly difficult part. Maybe Lachlan had known she wouldn't really need it. She wasn't foolish enough to believe she had become so strong that she could beat anything. There were too many unknowns in the world.
"Then, you definitely heard what was said about you. Most of it wasn't good." Bo narrowed her eyes. Woods came to stand behind her, probably feeling that it was safer to stand behind Bo right now than Sadie.
"Still, you praised my talents. It doesn't take much to feed me, and I loved it." Sadie walked a bit closer, head held high. "That was all I needed to hear. When you started getting all 'what are you wearing,' I opted out."
"You could have tag teamed me in. I would have listened to that part for you." Woods was standing behind her, but Bo could sense his energy. If he weren't needed right now, she would knee him in the groin.
"Enough of this. Let's just go inside. It'll be sunrise in a few hours, and we want to make this as smooth as possible." Bo started walking towards the building, where they had decided to enter since the front was heavily guarded. "Lauren said there would probably be a man inside waiting for us."
"For you, darling. We're Dark and won't be able to enter the temple area." Woods walked behind Sadie, but his energy was very specific and carnal. He had definitely proven he would do anything to get the job done.
"Is it Light territory?" Bo was curious, as she tentatively touched the outside wall, almost afraid the building would shock her or lightning would strike her for being in this area.
"No. Just out of respect." Woods came to stand next to her, but Sadie stayed a little bit away from the building. "We fae don't take the word 'sacred' lightly. It usually means something bad or forbidden."
"Why didn't you tell me this last night?" Bo felt her eyes widen in panic. Perhaps she had been too focused on the mission. Evony would eventually forgive her for not finishing the job; surely.
"We did. See the previously mentioned distraction regarding clothes, or lack of." Sadie smiled in an almost sickened way. "You'll be fine once inside. You're unaligned, so the Kohanim will allow your presence." Her sickened amusement changed to a warning tone. "You shouldn't encounter any violence while inside, but a Kohen is a tricky being. They're not fae at all; they are just ancient priests who descend from a powerful line."
"Well, not what I had in mind when I said I should pray more." Bo gave them one last look before she entered the building. They knew to wait for her here. If she succeeded, they would immediately be transported back to the travel agency. Bo had made the deal that she didn't want to waste any time, so she didn't even bother going to the bazaars across her journeys and picking up souvenirs like she usually would. No, this time, she was so focused on finishing the job early so she could get home and protect Lauren and the baby. Bo planned on retiring from the treasure hunting game after this; it was too dangerous, and she refused to do something to mess up and leave Lauren a widow and single mother.
The place was quiet and seemed to hum with intense energy, which almost overwhelmed her senses. It was darker inside than she expected, too. Still, Bo followed the energy to the dome room. She didn't need Dyson's creepy wolf night vision or Lauren's natural sense of direction to know where she was headed. She felt her eyes flash blue, though there was nothing sexual about this place. It was just…powerful.
When she entered the Dome area, Bo noticed small torches being held by ten people surrounding the barrier around the large rock. She almost expected dark robes and chanting. She wasn't prepared for business suits, toga-like robes, or grandpa cardigans. One of the men spoke to her, but she did not understand what he said. He must have sensed her confusion, as he moved a step out of the formation towards her, as though he were the one chosen to communicate with her by fate instead of a necessary leadership role.
"Ah, I apologize. I sense…English?" The man held the torch close to his face, and Bo noticed how glowing green his eyes were. "I see you have brought us a gift."
"A gift?" Bo touched her thigh, worried that she offended by bringing in a dagger. Did this count as a declaration of violence?
"Yes, a gift. You are strong with guilt." He handed his torch to his neighbor, who took it without word, before motioning Bo forward. She stood in place, not sure what to expect. She didn't feel any danger, but the power she sensed in this room, around this rock, made her unable to move. "We are the ten Temple Kohanim. For millennia, people have brought us gifts and sacrifices to this very spot. It has been awhile since a creature of such power has graced us. We could sense your arrival; none of us could resist seeing what you came to offer us. Your guilt will feed us for centuries."
"My guilt?" She finally walked a step forward, still overwhelmed by the power.
"Exaction, if I'm not mistaken. You have done harm to others; caused them pain and suffering." The man sniffed the air, and Bo felt a sense of violation within her body. "You've recently destroyed some people for personal gain. You have caused many people suffering and pain, including death. Your guilt is strong; it is what drives you and makes you whole. It is quite intoxicating and a worthy sacrifice."
"What do you mean a sacrifice? I'm here to find the Chai Crystal. You are so barking up the wrong tree if you're looking for a virgin sacrifice." Bo realized that she couldn't move. There was no more fighting; the power was consuming her and keeping her in place. Whatever was about to happen, she didn't think she could fight. Not physically, at least.
"You want the holy Chai Crystal, the very essence of life on this plane?" The man was not tall, as he effortlessly walked around her. Despite his lack of height, Bo still felt intimidated by his free movement. He leaned into her neck and sniffed again. "Your guilt in exchange for the crystal? I almost feel like I'm robbing you. Surely you want something else. Longer life for your mate? Your human pet, perhaps? If it weren't for your mate's previous miscarriage, I would have accepted your first born son as sacrifice, too. I suppose I can offer you a guarantee that your first born son will be healthy."
"My son?" Bo had not considered how the succubus baby thing worked exactly with determining gender. She had followed enough in science class to know that males carried the XY chromosome, so it seemed impossible for two women to produce any boys. However, Lauren had explained it in her geeked out way and had even introduced her to Michael McCormick, the hybrid son of a succubus and human. "How do you know so much about me? I just found out last week, before I came out here, that we were having a baby. I don't even think Lauren is two months yet; how would you know we're having a son?"
"I didn't say you were." The man smiled at her in a knowing way. Did that mean they were or weren't having a son? Bo shouldn't have been surprised. Fae and ancient beings were not always the best at leaving the cryptic at home. "We are part of existence, child. We wouldn't be doing our jobs if we didn't know everything that was, is, and will be." He stopped walking around her finally and stood in front of her. She oddly felt comforted in his presence, despite the violation she experienced previously. "I can offer you knowledge of your future to equalize the deal."
"My future?" Bo had to admit that having a glimpse of her future did sound appealing. All of the uncertainties in her life, including the insecurities that still lingered, could be dispelled.
"You surely want to know about your life. How many more years will your wife live? How many children will you have? What will your children become?" The way he toned that last question peaked Bo's interest, as though he were baiting her to want the answer to that particular inquiry. Did she really want to know any of this, though? Sure, it sounded appealing, but knowing a person's future is what put Lauren in her current situation. If her grandparents had not visited an Oracle, Mr. Lewis could have had a normal childhood. Granted, that meant that Lauren would have never existed, but Bo couldn't stop herself from feeling like knowing the future had ruined their chances of a normal life outside of fae influence. If Lauren had been raised without fae politics, what would she be like?
"What if I refuse to sacrifice my guilt? What if I decide the price is too high? You said yourself that it's what drives me." Bo knew that meant no crystal. She couldn't fool herself into thinking the Morrigan would be lenient on her or her family if she failed to bring back the artifact. Not when she was this close to it. Still, she was being given a choice. She knew it; everything came down to choosing selfishness or selflessness for her anymore.
"You entered the sacred Temple without a gift to be freely offered, then?" He looked over at the giant rock behind him. "Not many have entered this place without a gift. There is no consolation prize or souvenir booth. Badness happens to those that do not bring gifts, but I sensed you were willing. Was I wrong?"
"Badness, like what?" Obviously, Bo had never been a fan of badness. She had experienced too much of it in her lifetime so far. She had been the cause of much of that badness herself. No wonder he wanted to feed off of her guilt. She had enough to feed a whole fae army of guilt-eaters.
"Death to those around you. The longer you wait, the more people must suffer." He didn't sound like he was upset by this fact, but to his credit, he didn't seem like he was pleased, either.
"If you know so much about me, you know that threatening those I love does not bode well for you." She remembered going badass-archangel-induced Bo on the old Ash and Lilith. Lauren was still trying to figure out exactly what triggered it beyond what they felt for each other. It was a good hypothesis, but she pointed out that there was something stronger at play, especially since Lauren had been threatened since then but Bo's powers remained dormant. Bo suspected it had to do with physically seeing her wife near death; it was one reason she didn't let Lauren go with her on the violent parts of her missions and jobs. She didn't want to create a scenario where Lauren was threatened or put in a position where she could be killed. That protectiveness just increased tenfold now that Lauren was carrying their child.
"You will not leave here the same woman you entered as. Your choices have been cast: guilt gone or guilt added." As far as choices went, they were easy on the surface. Still, Bo did not trust this.
"I choose neither." She flashbacked to when she said those same words after that test over three years ago, when she had first been brought into the fae world.
"It doesn't work like that." He breathed out through his nose, as though scolding a child who refused to accept the way the world worked.
"It does today. It's time to change things." She didn't like the way the world worked.
"This can never be changed. Existence can never be changed. You will be the one to change the world, but existence will always remain the same."
"That bit of future knowledge doesn't count as payment. I've already been told as much."
"Would you like to know how you change the world?" He eyed her knowingly. It was true, she did want to know how she was supposed to change the world, but Kenzi had said that half of the fun about life was learning how to enjoy your shit. Bo had since accepted her life and loved everything about it; even her guilt. If she gave that up, she was afraid of losing everything she worked hard to obtain, especially her control.
"Not really. I want to go home." Still unable to move, she steeled her jaw and just watched him stare at her.
"If there is a home to go to once you get there." He seemed sad about this fact, as he looked at a pocket watch he pulled from his cardigan sweater. "Time is tick-tocking."
Bo waited and tried to glimpse the watch herself. It was still dark outside, but she could see the familiar colors of sunrise teasing the world. Visiting hours would start soon, but she learned from Lauren that nobody would enter this area. "What happens to me once you take my guilt?"
"You will be free of your past guilt." It seemed simple enough. Past guilt didn't mean that she wasn't capable of feeling guilt ever again.
"You make it sound so…promising, but I know better. Nothing is ever that easy." If it was taken, would she immediately feel guilt again once she returned home? Lauren was still working hard on the blood fever that she had spread. Lauren was still technically owned by Lachlan, and Bo had still gone out of her own moral code to de-fae Lauren's siblings without their permission. There were still all of the people she killed over the years. She could have her guilt wiped, but the traces of her past actions would still be there.
"We are Kohanim. We are here solely for the purpose of protecting and loving the world. Our intention is not to harm; we are here to accept sacrifices. You give up your past guilt in exchange for the Chai Crystal and knowledge."
"You say that I can have any knowledge in addition to the crystal." Bo was stuck on this part. Did she have to accept it? Would he be offended if she didn't ask a question?
"One question. You may have one question answered." He rolled his eyes; it was obvious he anticipated she would ask more questions.
"What if I don't like the answer?" She liked that he looked mildly surprised at her response. If he knew everything about her, then he probably knew what she was going to ask anyways.
"You have the free will to dislike an answer, child; that doesn't make it any less true."
"I don't want to become a monster. My guilt grounds me." This was what worried Bo the most, if she were honest.
"It also consumes you. Why not be free? You have other means to help you keep your desired humanity." He was not wrong. She had people who loved her that helped her with this, even her grandfather despite her current upset with him, but it was her own experiences that made her who she is. Guilt was just part of that; it didn't drive her, like he claimed.
Bo closed her eyes. She nodded her head and waited, giving into the sacrifice. Despite her agreeing and him knowing this, she didn't feel anything at all.
"You have to make the declaration, Isabeau. You need to understand that the knowledge of your guilt will still remain, but you will no longer feel remorse for your past actions."
"If this hurts, I'm kicking your ass." Bo narrowed her eyes at him, but she knew her smile gave her away.
"Fair enough." He smirked at her and held his hand out for her to take. Bo could finally move, as he guided her to the center of the rock. She felt almost disappointed that the power she felt before did not intensify when she stood atop the rock. This was supposed to be the holiest ground in existence, and Bo closed her eyes, still afraid that lightning would strike her for her intrusion. "Child, you are here to offer a sacrifice in exchange for the Chai Crystal, the very essence of life, and one leaf of knowledge, of your choosing. Do you accept these terms?"
"Yes, uh…what's your name?"
"You may call me Kohen Shnayim."
"Fun name. What's it mean?" Bo didn't think being snarky was appropriate at the moment, but she wasn't even sure she could repeat his name. She wasn't sure he didn't just sneeze on accident.
"Two." He chuckled, which was warm and inviting much like Gram's laughter. At least he had not been offended by her making fun of his name. Then again, with a name that sounded like that, he must have been teased a lot worse. "I am the second Kohen."
"Uncreative parents, huh?" Bo watched his expression change back to business. "Of course. Um…I am here to offer a gift? Sacrifice?"
"A little more confidence would be nice, but I'll take it." He missed a great opportunity to make the situation overdramatic. This would have made a great scene for those late night B films Kenzi and Lauren made her watch. Bo half suspected Number Two to extend his arms, fire to encircle them, or smoke to go off around them. This was the most bored she had ever been on a mission. She was more for the flare and action, if she were honest with herself. This talking out your feelings thing was not her style. "Okay, it is done."
"What is done?" Bo looked at him, but she didn't know what she was experiencing. She didn't feel lighter, but she did sense her mind felt more open. "Oh."
"The Chai Crystal." Number Two handed over a palm-sized clear stone with swirling lines inside. She hadn't even paid attention to see where he pulled it from; she had only made that mistake once before when handed an artifact, and the shit stain smell still lingered in her car from the transport despite her overexcessive and gagging use of car fresheners. Bo took the offered stone and felt the smoothness and the coldness of the stone's surface. "The power is inside the stone. Many have tried to harvest it, but the ingredients have never been in one place until now. Once you return with this, you will have the power of life in your very hand. Are you prepared for what that means?"
"I believe Kenzi would be quoting Spiderman right about now." Bo smiled at the thought of her best friend. Her genuine happiness at seeing her best friend again was a welcome distraction right now.
"'With great power comes great responsibility'" Number Two smirked at her, as Bo raised a questioning eyebrow at him. "What? This isn't my day job. We do have lives."
"Good to know." Bo made a mental note, though she wasn't sure she would really need to know the information. "Alright…so…about that question."
"You have to formally ask, even if I know what you're going to ask."
"Fine." Bo wanted to ask so many things, but she still couldn't decide whether she wanted to know anything about her future. She could ask how to really get Lauren her freedom. She could ask how to keep Kenzi around for years. She could ask what really happens with fae and hybrid babies. There were even so many things about her past and present that were still uncertain to her. She closed her eyes briefly to keep her resolve before making intense eye contact with Number Two. "How do you make the perfect grilled cheese?"
