“Obviously what you’re seeing here is prime intellectual property. I’d ask you not to disclose it. Most trainers I wouldn’t worry. They’re not smart enough to figure out what’s happening. You’re smarter than they are. Aren’t you?” The door closed behind him with a bang. Some kind of buzzer sounded indicating that it would have to be opened by someone inside the building before we could leave. “Lady Epona.”
That he recognized me made perfect sense. The Celtic deities and the fae have danced for a very long time. Smaller fae rode horses at night, leaving fairy knots in their manes. Those who lived in close contact with the land and the creatures upon it often attracted fae help or curses. “I see we understand one another,” I replied. “You’re helping trainers cheat at the racetracks. That’s not my purview. I don’t give or take luck in any fashion. I care for the horses and those who look after them. It’s their wellbeing that brought me here, not humans.” I kept my voice haughty, my tone that of a disdainful magical being having to walk among those deemed lesser.
“I’m glad we’re on the same page. We have no desire to harm you. We know what you are and the powers you can bring to your cause. But know this. A war is already on this soil, far away from that of our ancestors. The culture here…” He sighed and inhaled deeply like one might enjoy a bouquet of flowers. “The culture here loves the beauty of the self-made man. Or fae as it were. A new company, making millions…” He laughed. “Billions of dollars and helping poor horse people get a level playing field against the bigger trainers. We are built for the American dream. And if we happen to take some real estate from the Seelie Court. Well so be it. What’s a little harmless business competition among rivals? That’s as American as well… apple pie.” The more he spoke the deeper his lilt, not quite Irish and not quite Welsh emerged. Cameron’s eyes narrowed. “We also won’t stop at removing all obstacles, Lady Epona. And that would include a goddess, should we need to.”
I appreciated his candor. Too often the Unseelie court talked around the issue, made veiled threats and promises, without ever coming right out and saying what would happen. “I understand. I trust that you know should anyone be harming horses...” My thoughts instantly flashed back to the guarded barn. “I, too, will take action to protect my charges. I understand the hubris of the Americans may have infected your court and you believe that you can act as one of them. I think we both know the truth. And this war doesn’t need to come here.”
He glowered. Claiming the fae, especially the Unseelie court, took influence from mankind made them seem petty and shallow, even more so than they often were. “I see we understand each other.” He smiled. “Come. Let me show you our operations. I’m sure you’ll change your mind. No horses are harmed. In fact, we have some stars who are treated to the very best of accommodations.”
Again the reference to the locked barn. I had to get in there. He led me through the lab, keeping me on the public side of the glass where chemicals and a bit of magic were being synthesized into compounds. “Our main focus is naturally increasing the production of G1 and Somatrotropin. These chemicals allow the horse to build muscle quickly and repair muscles that may have been damaged by an excessive workout. Much like human body builders seek to tear and build muscle fibers to get explosive growth, so too our equine athletes can do the same. Until now, no one experimented with these compounds to see exactly what they’d do. A lovely side effect is additional calcium binding to help make bones stronger.”
“Preventing fractures and break downs. That’s something that every trainer is looking to achieve. And your operations are here exclusively? You don’t work in the EU?”
Cameron shook his head. “Their rules are archaic when it comes to such things. They do not have the love affair with pharmaceuticals and neutriceuticals that the Americans do. We also are developing products for human athletes. Our goal is the improvement of all species, not just horses.”
The improvement of all species. Yeah, right. The magic being blended with these chemicals came from a dark source. Not blood magic, but some physical sacrifice was involved. If I were to bet, I’d say it happened in that locked barn. “Then by all means. Show me what you do.”
As if my words became some invitation, he opened a door and took me down a circular corridor that surrounded the entire operation. From sourcing to compounding, he described every aspect of the process. He pointed out the locked lab where samples were tested and the results sent off to all regulatory agencies. “You see,” he said as he finished the tour. “We comply with everything, and even print on the packages if any governing body disallows our products from their shows. We are one hundred percent compliant.”
“I see that. Your company has thought of everything.” I checked my cell phone. Nearly three hours had passed, far longer than I’d expected to stay here. Fae had a way of warping time when one spent too long around them. “I appreciate your taking this time to give me the tour. I should be returning.” I paused by the door, the red light on the card reader mocking me with the fact that I lacked credentials to leave. I glanced at Cameron.
“Did you really think we’d let you go?” He raised his hand.
“No,” I said, and with a thought I sent a shield
