shorter update but i'll be posting more either tomorrow or monday. im very happy to see all of you are still reading, theres still a lot to come so hang in there and thank you for the feedback =)

Lauren

"She does remind me of Anna," Castor mused. "Very passionate."

I shook my head, "It's not her fault. Things were becoming... intimate between Anna and Zoie. Bo hasn't actually fed since she gave me her chi." I knew that if I was having a hard time trying to control my arousal then it was probably almost impossible for Bo. Without the shots, she could lose herself to her hunger if she didn't feed soon.

He nodded, "I know, and I'm sorry to hear about your troubles with that, but, as I've told Bo, I don't know what's causing her blackouts. I'm assuming that's why you wanted to speak to me."

"That was one reason, yes. But I also have a few other questions and I hope you'll answer them honestly." He nodded again and I continued. "First, I can't help but notice that the Fae society in Aethevia was advanced, seemingly to the point of the medieval era, though you told me this happened over twelve thousand years ago. How is it possible that I've never seen even a reference to Aethevia? There have to be records of it somewhere."

Castor sighed and shrugged, "We were advanced, yet expeditions to other lands were forbidden. My father and his predecessors made leaving the island a fear, since it was easier to remain in power without interference from outsiders. Those who were made mortal were shipped to the other lands. Then, Aethevia was destroyed, and because it was a secluded island, the records went down with it. The only document from that time, that I know of, is Zoie's message."

I took a moment to process this information before asking, "How was it destroyed?"

"It fell into the sea. Whether by nature or Fae intervention, I do not know."

"Okay," I said slowly, my curiosity not completely sated. I knew there was more he wasn't saying, but I didn't want to push the subject for fear that he wouldn't answer my next questions. "On a personal note, why did you push Zoie to see Anna again after the night of her birthday celebration?"

He furrowed his brow in confusion, "Zoie was shy. I did it to make her happy."

"You didn't find it at all cruel?"

"How do you mean?"

"You were aware that Zoie had been promised to Siamon, even though she didn't know yet. She only found out about it that day. The day you went to Anna's home and brought her to the palace." I ran a hand through my hair, reliving the pain Zoie had gone through upon hearing this from her dying father.

"You may see it as cruel, and I understand that. In hindsight, you are right. But at the time, I had no idea she and Anna would fall in love. I just wanted her to have some fun before..." he trailed off, staring at the floor. "I didn't know what was to come."

I nodded, somewhat seeing his point. "There's one last thing I need to ask of you," I said quietly, not wanting to look him in the eyes as I made this request. "When this is over, I want you to take these abilities away. I want to be human again."

He was silent for an extended period of time. I finally looked at him and he was studying me closely. The same look he gave me the first time we met. "Why?" he asked.

I took a deep breath and said, "Because I don't want to be a fugitive. What you've done, turning me Fae, has caused the Fae to see me and my association to you as a threat. I just want to know if you will do it."

"If it is what you want, after this is over, then I will do as you ask. But I want you to really consider this and also realize how painful a process it is."

I bit my lip and nodded, "I'd rather suffer the pain for a few moments than a few centuries."

Bo

When I got out of the shower, Lauren was still unconscious. I couldn't stop wondering what she was talking about to Castor, but I hoped it was just science-y things she didn't want to bore me with.

I dressed and brushed my teeth before heading downstairs to meet Dyson.

"I told you I would call you when I was ready to talk," I mumbled, still upset by his intrusion. No amount of cold water could dampen the hunger in my gut, and it took a lot to act civil. "What's going on?"

"I'm here because the Ash sent me. He found out about your little talk with the Morrigan about Lauren's abduction," he said then asked, "What the hell were you thinking, barging into the Dark compound like that? Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

"I thought she had Lauren. I wasn't thinking, and I know it wasn't the smartest move, okay?"

He sighed heavily and nodded. "Well, the Ash has requested to set up a meeting with Lauren as soon as possible. Most likely, he's going to offer her protection," Dyson explained.

I scoffed, "Of course, he is. But you can tell him it's not going to happen. For all we know, he's the one who offered the bounty in the first place."

"I doubt it, Bo. And it's not your place to decide. It's up to Lauren."

My stomach clenched at the thought. I knew that Lauren felt she had to be unaligned and I feared, if given the opportunity, that she would chose to join the Light. I felt my eyes flash as my urge to protect her flared throughout my body. "I know that, Dyson, but I also know that the Light won't hesitate to lock her up if they find out her connection to that ancient piece of paper. There's not really a choice to make at this point."

"And what exactly is her connection to the prophecy?"

"It's not a prophecy and that isn't a picture of Lauren."

"It's not?"

I sighed and sat down on the couch as he took a seat on the armchair. I began to explain about what Castor had told us, leaving out the memories and any actual information about Castor. I could tell by the look on Dyson's face as I spoke that he was finding my story hard to believe. I couldn't really blame him.

When I finished, he remained quiet for a while before saying, "If any of what you've told me is actually true, then we have to tell Trick."

"I get that he should know and all, but he's been acting like Lauren is possessed or something. Right now, I don't trust him or what he'll do and I'm really hoping I can trust you not to say anything, Dyson," I pleaded, knowing that I was asking a lot of him.

He rubbed a hand over his face and shook his head. "You can't trust Trick but you trust this Fae?"

"Yes, I do sort of trust him. He hasn't given me a reason not to, but Trick has. Please, don't tell him."

He opened his mouth to answer but stopped when his cell phone started to ring. He pulled it out of his pocket and looked at the screen. "I have to go. Tell Lauren to call me if she wants to meet with the Ash." He stood up and started to leave.

"You're not going to tell Trick, though, right?"

"You should reconsider keeping this from him," Dyson said and walked out the door.

I closed my eyes and sank back into the couch, trying to think of my next move.

"Everything alright, Bo-Bo?" Kenzi asked, as she walked into the room and sat down next to me a few minutes later.

"Not even close, Kenz," I told her. "I have no idea what the fuck I'm doing anymore."

She nodded, "You know your eyes are crazy blue, right?"

I groaned and put my head in my hands, wondering if they'd been like that while Dyson was here. "I am so hungry I can barely think straight."

She chuckled and patted my shoulder, "See what happens when you run around giving away your chi all willy-nilly? But I'm sure the Doc could help you with the whole 'not thinking straight' thing."

I lifted my head up to look at her, "Actually, no. She can't."

"What do you mean?"

"I can't feed from her," I said in a quiet voice. "Last night, I tried to. Twice. And both times I passed out."

She tilted her head in confusion, "Why?"

"I don't know."

"Well, then feed from someone else."

"I don't want to feed from someone else, though. That's what I was trying to tell you the other day. I broke up with Dyson because I want to be with Lauren, and now I can't."

"Wow. That does put the 'suc' in 'succubus'," she observed before taking on a serious tone. "I'm really sorry, Bo. But you have to know that she wouldn't want you to starve yourself."

"I do know. I just... I don't want to hurt her anymore than I already have."

She seemed to be lost in thought for a few seconds but then said, "How about I take the Doc to the Dal with me later and you go off and do what you do?"

"You and Lauren hanging out one on one?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. It was no secret that they didn't exactly get along.

"I know, but you're my bestie and I would do anything for you. Besides, getting her drunk could be fun... maybe..."

"I don't know. I don't want her around Trick if I'm not there, especially since she's been healed by Castor. He'll definitely be suspicious. And there's the whole bounty hunter issue."

"We'll put a bandage on her face. And the Dal is a sanctuary, so it's probably one of the safest places for her to be. I'll even get Hale to come with us," Kenzi reasoned. "Don't worry about it, okay? It'll be fine." She stood up and looked down at me, "Are you hungry for actual food?"

I shrugged, "Do we have anything chocolate?"