Summary: Set right after the Season 3 finale. A stranger helps Bo and Dyson uncover the secrets of Tamsin's past while they struggle to survive the Wanderer's wrath and continue their search for Kenzi and Lauren. Meanwhile, Bo's feelings for Tamsin start getting sticky.
Pairings:Valkubus/?. Mentions of Doccubus.
Rating: M for violence, language and sexuality in later chapters
The Stranger looks like Shay Mitchell if you need a visual ;)
It happens all too fast. One moment Bo's shivering in an obsidian throne room and the next she's falling through pillars of acrid smoke. The sound of glass bottles shattering fills the night air.
Bo gasps, the wind knocked out her. She blinks, taking in her surroundings. A grimace grows on her face when she realizes she's lying on a pile of trash. Bo reaches for the side of the dumpster and hoists herself up. She spills over the edge and falls none too gracefully to her feet. Pain shoots through her core as her heels hit the pavement.
"Dammit," Bo whispers, feeling an unsettling warmth spread across her side. A green shard of glass juts up from her abdomen, piercing through her black shirt.
"Reconsider the offer my child…" The Wanderer's voice floats through the air.
"Never," Bo grits. She grasps the glass and rips it out. Bo winces when she realizes the hand-sized shard has pierced completely through her torso. She throws the glass to the floor, ignoring the wave of blood coating her body. Her boot heel slams down, grinding the bloodied shard into the ground. "Never," Bo repeats to the empty alley. A quick look around tells her she's in an industrial a bit out of town. She quickly searches her pockets and bra for a phone. Nothing. "Well at least he didn't drop me in the Congo…" Bo mumbles, staggering in the direction of what looks like a main road.
Broken gasps escape her lips. Rivets of blood run freely from her navel to her ankles, filling her boots. A long trail of bloody foot prints fall behind her staggering form. Bo struggles to stay alert. The images of her recent trip the Wanderer's realm meld together in her mind. She vaguely remembers seeing Tamsin and Dyson, but the blood loss has warped her senses. Bo can't even remember what the Wanderer offered her, only that she denied vehemently enough for him to cast her out of his realm. Her vision clouds and suddenly it's nigh impossible to lift her feet. Headlights sweep across Bo's faltering form. A dark blue SUV slows to a rapid stop behind Bo. Bo struggles to keep her eyes open when she hears a car door slam. The ground is suddenly approaching her face at an alarming speed. Bo closes her eye in anticipation of her face meeting the dirt when strong arms slip around her shoulders.
Bo blinks and struggles to match a face to the voice. A flash of hazel eyes and sweeping dark hair blur in and out of view as Bo's head lolls back. The girl gently lays Bo down on the ground, holding her briefly with one arm as she shrugs out of her jacket to bundle it under Bo's head. The girl watches as Bo's chest rises and falls. Her eyes arrive at the deep puncture in Bo's stomach. A pool of blood spreads across the dry ground.
"Just what I need tonight." The girl sighs, leaning back on her knees to sweep her long silky hair into a messy bun. She looks up into the night sky for a moment, inhaling deeply before leaning forward to start CPR.
Bo's eye's snap open as the softest lips she's ever tasted press against hers. Everything stops, the rising of her lungs, the beating of her heart. It is as if her body dies completely. In an instant, all her senses return to her. A rush of chi forces into her, electrifying every cell in her body. The energy runs from the tips of her toes to the ends of her hair. The deep split in Bo's navel seals itself immediately, trapping a stray shard of glass deep in her stomach. Bo gasps against the stranger's lip as her rapidly healing body pushes a piece of glass through healed flesh. Pain rips through her as the glass breaks the surface of her skin again. Bo's healing muscle pushes the bloody chip of glass out, dropping it to the ground.
Panic becomes desire in a split second. Before she knows it, Bo has a hand tangled in her rescuer's hair. Her fingers curl against her will and she's pulling the girl down into a forceful kiss. The stream of chi between them grows. Bo's other hand slips under the girl's shirt She marvels at the warm, soft skin, smiling in anticipation when she feels toned firmness beneath it all. Suddenly the girl is pushing her away with a formidable strength. The girl's eyes widen. Bo watches from the ground as the girl jerks backward. She's on her feet in a second ready for a fight. With her senses returned to her, Bo finally sees the girl. Her breath catches in her throat for second as she takes in the girl's form. She's a certified 10. Suddenly Bo's baser instincts kick into overdrive. She want's nothing more than to pin her rescuer face down on the hood of the truck and have her screaming till dawn.
"Succubus," the girl growls. A mixture of pure anger and a splash of fear darken the beautiful girl's face. "Stay where you are." A matte black, Spyderco Police folder appears in the girl's hand. It opens, locking with a loud click, its full nine-inch length barely visible in the darkness.
"Woah," Bo says, holding up both hands. "Sorry, that was…" Bo pauses to catch her breath, her heart still pounding in her chest. "What are you?"
The young woman studies Bo's face. Her fists slowly unclench and Bo breathes a sigh of relief. While Bo is confident in her fighting skills, she really doesn't want to test herself against an unidentified Fae who just saved her life.
"Don't mistake me for a fool. I may look young but I wasn't born in the last millennium," the girl says pointing her blade at Bo. The girl's eyes mesmerize Bo. Cognac irises circle honeyed pupils. The girl's eyes seem to burn in the darkness. Bo herself wonders if her own are betraying her. The rush from the instant feed still runs through her veins.
"I'm sorry… I couldn't stop… Bo brushes her lips with a thumb, lost in the memory. She quickly remembers her wound, lifting her shirt to see a slick but completely healed stomach. "That was some top shelf love…" Bo mumbles, admiring the unmarred skin through ripped cloth.
"You're a newborn?" The girl says, eyeing her.
"Well I'm not exactly a teen but I'm not middle aged yet!" Bo says, unsure if she should be insulted or not. The girl's frowns, unsure of what to make of Bo. She sighs before turning on her heels. Bo watches curiously as she walks briskly towards her haphazardly parked car.
"Wait!" Bo says. The girl pauses. "Can you give me a ride?"
"You really don't know what I am?" The girl asks, hand hovering over door handle.
"No I don't." Bo looks up at her rescuer.
"If you ever attempt to drain me again, I will kill you," the girl says. Bo doesn't fail to notice the venom fading from her voice.
"Scout's Honor," Bo says, smiling with her charm on full throttle. "I'm Bo," The girl studies Bo for a moment longer before offering a hand.
"Tatum." The moment their hands touch, warmth fills Bo's entire body. Comfort and tranquility wash over Bo's body in waves. Tatum pulls Bo to her feet, knife still clenched in her other hand. With a quick flick of her hand, the knife closes and finds it way back to her pocket.
"Want to tell me where we're going?" Tatum asks, starting the car. Bo thinks hard for a moment, reaching down to really examine her gut feelings about this girl.
"Take a left at the next light," Bo says, deciding on the Dal.
"You must be shitting me," Bo says. She rattles the dinner plate sized metal lock on the door. Several interwoven snakes, wolves and dragons, cover the face of the lock.
"Looks like someone's on vacation," Tatum says, looking at the intricate locking mechanism. "Or lockdown…"
"Where is everyone?" Bo growls. She marches to the end of the alley and pounds on a few random bricks. A key glints in the dark as it falls from above. Bo curses again when the emergency skeleton key fails to fit in any of the lock's orifices.
"Seriously, are you really a newborn?" Tatum asks, watching as Bo struggles with the lock.
"I was born in 19-" Bo stops as Tatum raises a hand to cut her off.
"So you are," Tatum says, raising an eyebrow. She grabs Bo's hand. "Don't worry," Tatum says when an alarmed look flits across Bo's face. Bo watches as Tatum presses three matching dragons on the face of the lock. She slowly slides Bo's ring finger into a hidden chamber in the back of the lock.
"Ow! I thought you said not to worry!" Bo yelps when a small dagger pierces her finger. She jumps and quickly retracts her finger. Blood drips from her hand. Tatum takes Bo's hand and places a quick peck on the flat of her palm. The gash seals completely before Tatum's lips leave Bo's hand. Metallic whirring and clicking inside the lock pulls Bo's attention away from the sensation of warm lips on her palm. After a few second, the lock begins shifting in front of Bo's eyes. Metal clogs and nuts spin and flip. The snakes, wolves and dragons slide in unison until all the pieces have disappeared back into the patterns of the iron doorframe. Bo stares in awe.
"What? You've never seen a Byzantium Knot lock?" Tatum asks. A smile threatens to spill across her lips for the first time that night. "Baby," Tatum mutters. She opens the door to the Dal. "After you," Tatum says.
"I don't get it. Where is everyone?" Bo says to the empty room.
"You know, I heard this region's authority was under duress. I didn't know it was bad enough for the sanctuaries to close down," Tatum says. She walks around the bar, sweeping shattered glass with her foot.
"You know what the Dal is?" Bo asks.
"Byz Knot at the door kind of gave it away. Though I want to know why a blood officer of a sanctuary doesn't even know what a Byz Knot is," Tatum says, picking a barstool off the ground.
"Blood officer?" Bo repeats.
"The lock let you in didn't it? We're not exactly ass up in the alley covered in Roman fire," Tatum says.
"Ass up and on fire? That was a possibility and you didn't even warn me?" Bo says, standing with arms akimbo.
"Well I mean you knew about the Kryg-" Tatum stops when a puzzled look appears on Bo's face. "You had access to the key. It doesn't present itself to persons unauthorized by the sanctuary giver." She hoists herself up and over the bar in a fluid motion.
"Ah. Well. Thanks for getting us in," Bo says. "I really need to start reading those books Trick gave me…" Bo mutters below her breath. As Tatum starts rifling through the surviving beverage selection, Bo quickly slips into Trick's office. Bo barely tucks a dagger into her boot when Tatum's voice floats through the empty bar.
"Don't worry Succubus. You're not in danger. I'm really the one who should be arming up," Tatum's voice calls.
"Crap. So much for incognito," Bo whispers.
"What's your poison?" Tatum's voice calls again.
"Beer. And a shot...make that a double," Bo says.
"Shot of what?" Tatum asks.
"Anything flammable," Bo says. A wide mouthed urn the size of a coffee table catches Bo's eye. The container shimmers with a shiny black liquid.
"Looks like someone's paging you," Tatum says, entering the study. She hands Bo a beer and a ridiculously over poured double shot. "You do know what a pager is don't you?" Tatum asks, a smirk appearing her face.
"I know what a pager is!" Bo says. "I'm just used to the ones that come with vibration." Bo raises an eyebrow. She downs her double and slaps the tiny wooden cup on Trick's desk. She coughs at the intense liquid burning it's way down her throat. Bo pauses to wash the liquor down with a swig of beer. "What the hell what that?"
"Some top shelf loving," Tatum smirks, drinking from her own cup. Bo jumps as Tatum reaches out, knocking one of the ornate handles on the side of the urn like doorbell. Vibrations mar the calm surface of the shiny liquid. Bo watches in awe as the black liquid begins to glow. "Ow!" Bo yelps when Tatum yanks a hair from her head. She tosses the strand in and watches as it disappears in the liquid. She breathes a sigh of relief when Trick's eager face appears in the reflective liquid.
"Well, it's a relief to see you alive and kicking, Gramps," Bo says. Trick smiles widely back at her.
"Thank the Gods you're well Bo. Where have you been?" Trick asks.
"I. I don't actually know," Bo says. Her memories from before her fall into the dumpster are fading fast. As she struggles to recall them, her memories start blending together in an un-chronological mess. Flashes of faces and an unfamiliar room fill her mind. "I think…I think I met my father. Trick, why can't I remember anything? It's like my brain is kaleidoscoping everytime I try to think," Bo says. Trick's face fills with thought.
"Are you feeling ok?" Trick asks.
"Other than feeling Alzheimy? I'm fine," Bo says.
"Well, at least you're healthy. We'll figure things out step by step. How did you get in and figure out how to use the port?" Trick asks. He strains to look over Bo's shoulder as if he can get a better view of the room.
"Well. I had some help," Bo says. She steps aside to reveal Tatum nursing a glass of spiced cider, browsing through Trick's library. Trick squints as he studies Tatum through the port.
"Who is that?" Trick asks.
"Well…Long story," Bo says with a laugh. She coughs and continues when Trick's face grows stern. "I had an accident and she found me on the side of a road. She's definitely Fae," Bo says. She leans in close to the liquid and whispers. "Trick, she healed me in like, a second. I've never tasted anything like it before-".
"Bo," Trick says.
"Seriously, I had a piece of glass this big," Bo says holding up her hands. "In me. It went like right through-".
"Bo!" Trick repeats, louder. Tatum appears in the port view besides Bo. Trick's eyes widen as his port reveals her aura. "You're in danger."
"What? She saved me remember?" Bo says, glancing at the beautiful girl next to her. "I'm pretty sure I'd be dead under the 402 about an hour ago."
"You can't be alone with her!" Trick says.
"I can handle myself," Tatum and Bo say in unison. Bo stares in confusion.
"It is an honor for you to grace my establishment with your presence," Trick says to Tatum. "Isabeau is my granddaughter. She is pure of heart, but she is very young," Trick says.
"So I've gathered. But she has managed to keep civil with me," Tatum says, a hint of a smile betraying her. "It was my mistake. She was too far gone for me to even suspect what she is."
"You healed her. And you're standing?" Trick asks.
"Lucky for me she's not familiar with my kind," Tatum says, glancing at Bo. "I managed to force a release before she sent us to the depths."
"Thank you. She means the world to me," Trick says.
"If you would allow it, I would request sanctuary until my trials here in your region are over. It should be a short affair, Gods willing," Tatum says, bowing at the urn.
"Please, you are welcomed to stay for as long as you want," Trick says. "Under one condition. You must help me look after Bo for the time you're in town. As you may know, our region is under turmoil."
"I will do what I can. Thank you," Tatum says. Trick nods.
"I would love to speak with you in depth if you're still there when I return." Trick smiles warmly. Tatum nods. "If you wouldn't mind, I would like a word with my granddaughter," Trick says. Tatum nods again before leaving the room. Bo waits under the door shuts.
"Trick, what's going on? I'm not like a sex starved convict here. I can control myself-" Bo starts.
"Except you can't! It's better if you avoid all physical contact with her," Trick says.
"Are you kidding me? I can control my power now," Bo says, insulted.
"Bo, listen to me very carefully. You can not be alone with her," Trick says. He sighs. "Tatum is a Bleeding Heart."
"A Bleeding what?" Bo stares at Trick, waiting for a better explanation.
"Have you been reading any of the books I have you?" Trick reprimands.
"Sort of…Now is not the time for us to talk about missing homework Trick!" Bo says. "What the hell is a Bleeding Heart?"
"Bleeding Hearts are some of the rarest Fae in the world. They have the highly coveted ability to give power and energy to others. Their sole purpose is to invigorate others," Trick says.
"So they're like Fae battery chargers," Bo says. Trick frowns.
"Not quite," Trick says.
"So what makes them so special? I can do the same, sometimes," Bo says.
"Their essence never wanes. They can power entire armies," Trick says. "Both the Dark and the Light have hunted them mercilessly. However, their power must be given freely. Like my blood, Bleeding Hearts cannot be forced to do others biddings." Trick's face grows solemn at this. "And because of this fail safe for their kind, it has become traditional for Bleeding Hearts and Succubae to be enslaved in pairs. Only a Succubus can turn a Bleeding Heart into a thrall. A key to the forbidden lock," Trick says.
"And that's why she pulled a shiv on me…" Bo says.
"Their Chi is literally like crack to Succubae and Incubi. Bo, you have to realize that once you start, you literally may not be able to stop. Months, years, decades, centuries even, might pass before you unlock."
"That's a whole lot of commitment…and stamina. Wanky," Bo says.
"Bo…"
"I know. I know. I'll stay away," Bo says. "Play nice and make friends. Got it," Bo smiles. A groan followed by a muffled thump emanates from behind a bookshelf. Bo falls silent, reaching for the dagger in her boot.
"What is it?" Trick asks. Bo motions to the bookshelf. "Tome of Time and Triage," Trick whispers. Bo approaches the shelf slowly before leaping out and yanking on the huge leather bound book. With a crunch, the floor under the shelf folds in. The entire bookshelf drops from view to reveal a hidden cove. A leather bound birch trunk shakes as something alive struggles inside. A torn piece of parchment is pinned to the lid. Bo quicky scans the intricate cursive. A Gift. Bo grabs a poker from the fireplace and makes short work of the lid. A thick black fog seeps from the trunk. Bo jumps back, barely avoiding the sulfuric cloud.
"Dyson!" Bo says. A battered Dyson lays curled in the large trunk. He coughs and gasps as air returns to his lungs.
"Bo, help Tamsin," Dyson gasps. He rolls over to reveal an unconscious Tamsin. He climbs out of the trunk, nursing the right side of his body. Bo quickly reaches into the trunk and pulls the sleeping Valkyrie out. She lays her down on Trick's desk. "Pillow," Dyson says, tossing Bo a cushion from the couch. Bo snatches the pillow out of the air before sliding it under Tamsin's head. Bo grimaces when she see's the extent of Dyson's wounds. His entire right half is scorched. Jagged bone pokes through the burnt skin around his crushed elbow.
"Bo?! What's happening?" Trick's voice gurgles from the urn.
"It's Dyson and Tamsin," Bo says. "I have to go."
"Let me know everything is ok," Trick says. "Stay safe." With that, the urn falls darks again.
"Dyson. Dyson! Wake up buddy," Bo says, kneeling by the couch.
"Bo…Tamsin, she…we fought them...The Wanderer-," Dyson mumbles. Bo grabs his head and attempts to flow her chi into him. He coughs and the focus returns to his eyes. "Bo, you have to help Tamsin. If she dies, we're all going back to the Wanderer," Dyson says. Bo nods. She gently lifts Tamsin's head. She presses her lips to Tamsin's and opens herself up. Energy starts flowing.
"Shit on fire…" Bo says, when the chi hits an invisible wall. Her eyes perk when she remembers what Trick told her about Tatum. "Don't won't Tamsin, you're going to be ok," Bo whispers. She covers the sleeping Valkyrie with a plush throw before sprinting to the door.
"Bo! Where are you going?" Dyson calls after her.
"Help!" Bo yells, barreling through the doors. She ducks, just missing a flying barstool. A Fae with pinschers for a face and a giant scorpion tail circles Tatum. Three other Fae stand back, waiting for an opening. Bo does a quick head count and finds another standing guard at the front door. Bo's frowns when two more Fae rush into the Dal.
"Get back!" Tatum shouts, ducking as an arm sized stinger stabs forward. "Lock the door!" Tatum screams, dodging the flashing stinger. Bo pauses for a second to watch the girl fight. The black knife in her hand moves almost too quickly for Bo to see. Suddenly the Scorpio is shrieking in pain. Bo's eyes follow the now detached stinger as it sails through the air. It lands, point down in a hulking Were Hyena's shoulder. The burly man stares at the stinger in disbelief before dropping to the floor with a thud. The remaining Fae howl and shriek before charging Tatum. Bo quickly ducks into the study only to reappear a second later with an axe in hand.
"Watch out!" Bo yells, barreling into the fight. She slashes at a Morag, catching it in the shoulder. With a second blow the goblin head detaches completely from sagging shoulders. Bo spins around to find a Fae with a Mantis face hissing at her. She thrusts the axe forward, punching the giant insect in the face. The green Fae staggers back as Bo raises the axe for a killing blow. The blade sinks deep into armored shell beneath his leather jacket.
She struggles to wrench the caught blade when four pairs of arms wrap around her from behind. She turns to see a Tarantula's jaws hissing inches from her face. Bo renews her struggles to no avail as the eight arms tighten. "That better be a fucking gun in your pants!" Bo shouts when she feels something hard nudging against her back.
"Duck!" Tatum yells. Bo quickly shuts her eyes, tucking her chin to her chest. Tatum's knife whips through the air and sinks into the Tarantula's face. The hissing stops for a moment. Suddenly Bo is falling backward, stuck in an eight armed death grip. Bo grunts as the wind is knocked out of her. She opens her eyes to see the injured Mantis standing above her, bloodied axe raised above his head.
"Bo!" Dyson howls.
Bo looks up to see the injured Were Wolf heave a Roman Gladius at the Mantis with his still functioning arm. Dyson collapses against the doorframe, exhausting the rest of his energy. The sword flies in a half arc before sinking into its target. The Mantis falls back, landing at Tatum's feet. Without a second wasted, Tatum rips the sword from the Mantis' chest. With a flick of her wrist, the sword cleaves the thrashing Mantis head in half. Dyson and Bo watches in awe as Tatum sets into motion. The girl's arm and sword move as one, stabbing and slicing fluidly. Within seconds the remaining Fae are incapacitated on the floor. A second Morag clutches at the stump where his knee once met his body. Another under Fae gurgles as blood spurts from his nearly severed neck.
"Get the front door!" Bo calls. Tatum marches to the front door and throws it wide open. The remaining Fae stares in surprise when Tatum shoves the length of the Gladius up into his jaw. She doesn't stop until the tip breaches the top of his head. She rips the sword out and wipes it on his shirt before dragging his body through the door. Tatum reaches up and taps on three carved brass wolves lining the doorframe. The Byzantium Knot lock clicks into place, locking the door from the inside.
"Are you stung?" Tatum asks. She steps over the various body parts on the floor to reach Bo. Bo shakes her head. Tatum quickly swings the sword, severing the eight arms with ease. Bo reaches up, waiting for Tatum to help her up.
"Bumps and bruises, but I'm ok," Bo says, quickly retracting her hand when she feels that familiar tingling against Tatum's skin. "Shit, Dyson," Bo says, remembering the fallen wolf. "Can you help him?" Bo says, rushing to his side. Tatum flanks Dyson, throwing his arm over her shoulder as they move him back towards the couch. He cries out as his right foot touches the floor. His right kneecap dangles by a scraps of skin and severed tendon.
"He's in real bad shape," Tatum says quietly when Dyson passes out from the pain. She quickly strolls out of the room, back into the bar.
"What are you doing?" Bo calls. She falls silent when Tatum returns with her blade and a large ice bucket. She wipes the blade clean on the carpet before handing it to Bo.
"I need a torch," Tatum says. Bo looks around the room. She retrieves an oil lamp from a shelf.
"Is this ok?" Bo asks, lighting the wick.
"We don't really have a choice do we?" Tatum says. She splashes Bo's hand and knife with a bottle of cheap vodka. "I'm going to need your help."
"Ok. What do I have to do?" Bo asks.
"If I pass out, you make sure he finishes at least half the bucket. The more the better. But it's not going to go down easy," Tatum says. Bo flinches when Tatum smashes the vodka bottle against the wall. The bottleneck and half the bottle remain intact. Tatum hands the crude funnel to Bo. "At least half," Tatum repeats, holding Bo's gaze. Bo nods. Tatum positions the bucket on the floor in front of the couch. She strips off her shirt to reveal a black bra and very nicely toned and tanned body. "I haven't done this in years, but here we go," Tatum says. She sits at the end of the couch and pulls the bucket between her knees. She closes her eyes and breathes deeply for a moment, holding a hand over her chest. Suddenly, she leans over the bucket.
"Shit!" Bo swears when she realizes Tatum has just slammed the knife into her own chest. Bo kneels at Tatum's side and places a hand on her knee. She watches in awe when the skin around the wound starts healing immediately. Tatum reaches out and pulls Bo's dagger from her boot. She clenches her eyes shut and slides Bo's dagger, flush against the first blade. With great pain, Tatum pulls the two blades apart, opening the wound. Rich, warm blood begins spilling into the ice bucket. Tatum fights to stay seated, propping herself with her elbows against her knees. Her blood gushes into the bucket for a moment before slowing.
"Fuck…" Tatum grunts when the blood flow slows. She weakly twists and turns the blades, reopening the wound to her heart.
"Enough!" Bo screams when the blood fills half the bucket. "Tatum!" Bo screams again when Tatum fails to release the knives. Bo looks at her face and sees the girl's eyelids drooping. She quickly pulls a knife from Tatum's chest. Tatum's hand weakly grasps hers when she attempt to withdraw her dagger.
"Him first…While it's still warm," Tatum gasps, pushing the bucket into Bo's arms.
"Dyson!" Bo says. She pats his face roughly, failing to wake him. Bo pulls his jaw down and carefully slips the bottle into his mouth. She holds the makeshift funnel in place and begins to pour the blood into his mouth. To her relief, he starts swallowing in his sleep. Suddenly his eyes are open. A cough sends crimson liquid running down his chin. The burnt skin on his body starts peeling away to reveal a healing layer below. Bo holds him down and forces the bottle deeper into his throat. By the time half the bucket is gone, Dyson's kneecap and crushed elbow have healed completely. He regains enough of his strength to push Bo away.
"Enough!" Dyson coughs and gags on the blood. "What the hell is that?" Dyson asks. "It burns worse than bargain bin whiskey!"
"I don't know but it works!" Bo says, already at Tamsin's side with the bucket. She lifts Tamsin's head and presses the bucket to her lips. "Come on you stubborn bitch. Drink." Within seconds, Tamsin's throat starts moving beneath the skin. Her eyes jump behind her eyelids as the blood works it way into her system. Bo frowns when Tamsin stops drinking. Tamsin's brow furrows in disgust.
"Where the hell did you get Heart's blood?" Tamsin mumbles, eyes still close.
"Tamsin!" Bo quickly lifts the Valkyrie to a sitting position. She places a kiss on Tamsin's lips before she can realize what she's doing.
"Good morning Succulips." Tamsin opens her eyes tiredly and manages a smile at Bo. Her face falls. "Where's Dyson?"
"Right here," Dyson says, standing on his freshly healed leg. He hobbles forward and braces himself against the desk. "Glad to see you alive," he says.
"Well. I wouldn't say alive but I'm not dead yet," Tamsin smirks. Her eye catches the blood filled bucket. "Bo, how did you get this?" Tamsin asks whens she feels the heat still radiating from the bucket. Tamsin follows Bo's gaze to the couch where Tatum's form lies limply. Bo's dagger juts from her chest at an ugly angle. Tamsin squints at the slumped figure. She slides off the table and approaches Tatum slowly.
"Tamsin she stabbed herself before I could do anything," Bo says. She pauses when Dyson's hand rests on her shoulder.
"I know," Tamsin says softly. Bo and Dyson watch as Tamsin gathers the girl in her arms. Tatum's hair falls back, revealing her face. "It's in their nature," Tamsin replies to an unasked question.
"You know her?" Bo asks.
Tamsin closes her eyes as she pulls the dagger from Tatum's chest. The wound stops bleeding and seals, but Tatum does not open her eyes. Dyson studies Tamsin's face.
"Who is she?" Dyson asks. Tamsin shakes her head. Dyson kneels by Tamsin. "Is this Tatum?" Dyson asks.
"Tamsin? Who is Tatum?" Bo asks.
"Someone I should have killed more than a thousand years ago."
Coming up in Chapter 2
Violent sexy things will happen. Tamsin has a lot of explaining to do. Bo and Company hit the road in search of Kenzi, Lauren and Hale. Oh and Vex has been a bad bad boy.