Okay so I've kinda retired my other Lost Girl story for now, because I got sucked into the vortex that is Tamsin x Bo. So I hatched this little egg, I've actually been sitting on this for a while so I decided to give it a try and see what everyone thinks of it. I've once again added a new character of my own creation because I want us all to get to know Tamsin a little bit better since she's such a smash hit; and if you don't like her just leave now cuz she's my main focus! Lol
I will also warn you I proofread this myself (like 4times) so if there is a mistake I apologize; I can only review this so many times before the words blur together lol. And if there's an area of a lot of confusion just let me know ^_^ and I'll try making it clear for you. But I chatted with one of my pen pals about this chapter and I think it's discernible about what's going on.
So shout-out to Frosty! ;) thanks for the help! Tayla
Tamsin sighed and leaned against the bar of the Dal and as she drank the rest of her Vodka. In short she was beyond annoyed to be at the Dal when she could have been at the gym keeping up on her workout regimen. But no she had to be present for this ridiculous inauguration… The sound of heels clicking brought her out of her annoyed haze, she ventured a guess at who those heels belonged to so she didn't bother to look, hoping the owner would just walk right by. But it seemed this day she wouldn't be so lucky.
"Tamsin, what are you doing here? You're Dark Fae…in case you've forgotten…" Bo said getting a small verbal dig in. She knew that Tamsin knew what today was; Dyson could not stop his boasting all week that his ex-partner was going officially inaugurated as the Ash. He thought the Light Fae could do no better and he could not be more proud of his friend who claimed to hate politics.
"Haha, very funny Succulette," Tamsin looked over her shoulder at the brunette and noticed the smaller brunette and her partner in toe. The younger brunette was scoping out the Dal; that seemed to change completely overnight in celebration. "The Morrigan demanded I be present as part of her bodyguard detail. I don't know what the insistent need was for it to be me but hey, who am I to question it? The woman is bat-shit crazy." This comment produced a chuckle from her partner, who; Tamsin thought once again becoming annoyed, had the day and night off. Tamsin looked back behind the bar for Trick so she could have a refill but didn't find him. He had been running around the small establishment like a Hobbit with thirteen Dwarves in his house.
Tamsin began to reach behind the counter to retrieve the bottle herself but Bo stopped her by grabbing her arm, "Tamsin, seriously? I think you can last one day without that stuff."
Tamsin made no immediate move to shake her off just slowly turned her head with an accusing glare, which just made Bo stare back with a 'what' stare. "Listen little Succulette, you don't have to shadow the Queen-B for this whole pointless celebration while being surrounded by Light Fae; which I'll remind you, Dark Fae aren't the best of friends with." She slowly twisted her arm out of Bo's grasp and stood to tower of the younger Fae, "So I'd be careful if I were you, I'm authorized to use deadly force tonight and right now you're getting in between me and my drink." Tamsin gave her that cocky-ass grin, daring the Succubus to continue and Dyson laughed once again because Tamsin's standards were not above fighting someone for coming between her and her drink-he had seen it firsthand.
"I'd need a drink too." Kenzi mumbled out which caused Bo to shoot her a pointed look. "What, Slamsin has a valid point; I'd need several bottles in order to deal with that witch all night."
Dyson clapped his partner on the shoulder with his smile still in place; Tamsin doubted anything could tear that smile off today, even though she toyed with the idea of trying... "Here partner, have one on me." Dyson moved behind Tamsin to retrieve the bottle she was reaching for and Bo rolled her eyes.
"Please Succubus, feel free to try taking my drink away, it will make my day all the brighter." Tamsin said with her ever present sarcastic voice once again daring Bo to make a move. Bo just narrowed her eyes at the Valkyrie, she never understood how someone who continued to help her when no one else would, could turn around and act like this to her consistently…she just could not figure this woman out.
From across the pub a voice carried across, "I see you're as pleasant as ever, Tamsin."
Tamsin cut her eyes across the pub to the one who spoke and Bo could only describe the look on the Valkyrie's face as one that would make even steel shiver. "I see you're still a fucktard. Haven't gotten any pussy yet? Such a shame." Tamsin's smirk found its way onto face again while Bo and the others were confused by what had just transpired.
"Ah, I'd forgotten how unattractive your vulgarity could be." The woman calmly stated back. She was a few inches taller than Bo but not quite to Tamsin's height and she had long black hair that was tied back in a tight ponytail with long bangs framing her face. Bo noticed that her black hair made her blue eyes appear more vibrant than they probably were, she also notice how cold they appeared to be.
Tamsin laughed, "You think that was vulgar? Why don't you bend over while I find a harpoon, and then I'll try fishing out that pole that's been jammed up your ass your whole life." Dyson hid his shock well; he knew he could trust Tamsin's judgment. Tamsin usually acted like a hardass to people but for her to be this crass right away with this woman, he knew there had to be a valid reason. Also there was the fact that the woman spoke so boldly to Tamsin, that hinted that they had a past.
Bo and Kenzi however; did not hide their shock well. Kenzi looked mildly impressed at the Valkyrie's words and Bo just seemed to be shocked thinking that that kind of language did not belong in this atmosphere. Just as she was about to say something to Tamsin someone beat her to the punch.
"Tamsin!" A voice from the side entrance of the Dal drew their attention. Another woman and a man approached both with the same pitch black hair as the first woman who spoke to Tamsin. "What are you doing here?"
Tamsin crossed her arms under her chest and cocked her head to the side, "I could ask you the same."
"Here guarding the Dark Elders, of course." The second woman spoke again as she continued to approach with a smile on her face. "Randin is going to freak when she see's you here."
"You're on the Elder protection squad?" Tamsin questioned again before narrowing her eyes, "Don't tell me that Bitch is actually in charge on this assignment." Tamsin said nodding her head in the general direction of the woman she exchanged words with earlier. "Where is the Kid anyway?" She asked after a brief pause, and the woman only chose to acknowledge that last question.
"She's outside setting up the parameter with some of the others." The woman answered and Tamsin looked down in thought before glancing at the side door of the Dal as if contemplating leaving.
"Um, Hi. Yeah, would you mind doing introductions since you two seem to know each other?" Bo finally said after being forgotten. She didn't know if the blonde was purposefully ignoring them during the conversation or if Tamsin just got lost in the conversation since she seemed to know this woman well enough to just start holding a normal conversation with her.
"Um, no." Tamsin replied shortly; she didn't need the little sun-shine gang knowing people from her past, it would only raise questions from the little touchy-feely group. "Why is the Kid out there while her sister is in here calling the shots?"
The woman laughed, "Why do you think? She's a hard worker but she doesn't think she has the drive it takes to be leader. Nothing has changed with her, Tamsin." She seemed disappointed after she finished speaking but after a moment's pause she turned to Bo. "My name is Kiara, this is Al." She said gesturing to the man standing beside her, who had yet to say a word.
Tamsin grumbled at Kiara's comment about this "Kid" they kept referring to and the look on her face said she was extremely annoyed. "I thought I beat enough sense into the Kid before I left…damn idiot."
"Yeah, Leidolf finally stopped trying to push her to become Alpha and has started to back Tala. Their Mom still says something from time-to-time but you know she never harped as much as their Father has." Kiara said plainly, she too seemed annoyed that this 'Kid' wasn't in charge.
"Tamsin?...TAMSIN!" Tamsin's head snapped back to the main entrance of the Dal, and standing there was a girl about Bo's height with black hair pulled back in a pony tail and long bangs cast over the left side of her face, and not-to-mention the biggest-brightest smile on her face.
"What'd I tell you…" Kiara mumbled out smirking and watching Tamsin's face.
I walked inside the little bar where the inauguration was taking place, the parameter was easy enough to set into place; it was always the tedious part of the job. But we had it set in place and the Elders were fifteen minutes out, what I was going to do for the next fifteen minutes was beyond me. I walked back into the main room to report to Tala and was met with the instant smell of mead and beer, and then just as my eyes found my sister I smelled a fresh snow…with a hint of metal, the unmistakable sent of my mentor. No matter what perfume she had on I would always smell that same crispness of a snow and metal around her.
"Tamsin?..." Then my eyes searched before landing on the tall blonde standing by the bar and there was no doubt. "TAMSIN!"
Bo watched the girl scream the Valkyrie's name and dashed across the bar with speed that immediately said she was Fae.
Tamsin watched as the girl got closer and unfolded her arms, and just when she knew the girl was going to pounce and try wrapping her in a hug, she strong-armed her with a left hook on the girls right cheek. She heard Bo inhale as the girl's momentum caused her to get air borne as her body jolted from Tamsin's fist.
Running right into a sledgehammer was not what I had expected, to say the least. Pain radiated out from my cheek without delay. "Fenrir's Father! SERIOUSLY TAMSIN!" I shout as sit up from the floor glaring at the towering Valkyrie. "I haven't seen you in almost 130 years and you strong-arm me? What the fuck!"
She refolded she arms and bends down slightly, "I hear you're still riding bitch." She glaring at me and giving a subtle nod towards my sister.
I roll my eyes; of course she'd pick a fight about that first. "Tamsin…" I grumble out as I push myself off the floor and gingerly touch my cheek, it was slightly swollen now.
"Is the parameter is in place?" Tala spoke in an even tone as if gravity didn't just use me as its bitch.
I heard her and chose to ignore her, "Tamsin, come on. It's been one-hundred and thirty years, that can't be the first thing you want to talk about."
"Oh, I'm sorry." Tamsin gave me a smartass smirk, and I knew what was coming. She clicked on the best 'girly voice' she could bullshit and spoke again. "Hi, how are you? What fascinating things have happened in your life-oh wait, that'd be nothing since your still letting your sister ride you to the top." Her voice died into a bored tone as she finished her speaking and she gave me a very unimpressed look.
"Is the parameter in place-" My sister started and I cut her off.
"Yes! The damn parameter is in place!" I shouted with a growl resonating in my throat.
I signed, I had thought about seeing Tamsin again in her absence and in at least one scenario she acted something like this; I had always hoped she wouldn't though. She had been my mentor for fourteen years when I was younger, and it took about half that time to get under her Valkyrie armor. She never said anything acknowledging exactly how close we had gotten but for a Valkyrie, actions speak louder than words and she acted like I meant something to her. To me she was family and I would bleed for her if needed.
My eyes were soft when they met her angry glare and I reached up and barely gripped the sleeve of her jacket with my fingers, "Please Tamsin…" After a pause I saw her eyes start to search my face and I knew I was still under her armor even after all this time. "I missed you….please."
I didn't say anything more for a moment; I learned a long time ago when not to pressure Tamsin and from what I've seen so far she hasn't changed, at all. After a few more seconds she sighed and rolled her eyes to the sky before turning her head slowly and pinning a little Goth girl-who had her phone in hand-standing just feet away with a glare. "You take a picture and your car is going to be in a thousand pieces by the end of the day."
"Hey! It's my car!" The other woman said in protest.
Tamsin shrugged, "Shit rolls downhill Succubus." And with that she slowly uncoiled her arms and opened them to me. "Get it over with." She said looking across the bar with a bored expression.
A smile sprang across my face and I leapt wrapping my arms around her neck and pulling her into a bone crushing hug. If I had a tail right now, it'd be wagging. I turned my head into the crook of her neck and inhaled her scent-snow and metal; I missed her so much. When she left all those years ago it felt like a molten rod had been driven through my chest, and I licked my wounds for a long time. Everyday it pained me when she wasn't there because we had been nearly inseparable before she left. After a few seconds I felt one arm lightly come and rest across my waist and she returned the gesture, turning her head towards my neck and inhaling, and it only made me glow with happiness.
"Holy crap-balls, this is better than watching a Nun, watch gay porn." I felt Tamsin's jaw clinch and she pushed against my waist signaling the hug was over. When we separated she glared at the small Goth girl again.
"One more word klepto, one more word." Tamsin growled out. I looked up at her again; the only thing that had changed was that she looked more tired than I remember. All of the fierceness, strength, and determination was still there, hell even her hair and skin tone were the exact same!
A handsome man who I hadn't noticed chuckled and stepped forward extending his hand, "Hello, I'm Dyson, Tamsin's partner."
"Partner?" I said shaking his hand and giving Tamsin a curious look, had she really shacked up with a guy finally?
"It's not what you think, I'm a cop now." Tamsin said once again in her bored tone.
"Haha, you have the worst luck!" I said laughing at my mentors obvious misery. I turned back to her partner and gave him a once over; he was lean, tall, had a great smile, and to top it all off I could smell that he was some type of shifter. "Hello, I'm Randin." His smile grew at my appraisal.
Tamsin was not amused, "He's Light Fae."
This time I glared at her, "Fun-sucker, way to ruin it."
She just glared back, "Like I'm going to stand here and suffer through you hitting on my partner, you'd have a better chance of Odin storming this place."
Dyson's smile didn't fade, "I'm honored that a Fenrir took notice of me."
Then a stunning dark haired woman in black dress spoke up, "Fenrir? Why does that sound vaguely familiar?"
She definitely had to be some kind of enchanting-fae, women as gorgeous as she always had a certain pull over people and even I could feel hers, and she wasn't even trying… "Fenrir is most commonly known from Nordic legend. He was the great wolf son of Loki who had a terrible destructive ability, and during the time of Ragnarok he devoured Odin." I reply with my kind educational voice. Then I extend my hand, being polite. "And you are?"
She smiled brilliantly accepting my handshake, "Bo. So how do you know Tamsin?"
"She was my mentor when I was younger." I replied once more.
Bo laughed, "Tamsin a mentor? I can't picture that, she's not exactly the best 'teacher' material."
Tamsin glared at her, "It wasn't by choice Succubitch, I'll tell you that much."
"Randin! They're only five minutes out, I need you in position. Your reunion with the old crow can wait." Tala shouted across the bar.
"Who are you calling an OLD CROW you flea ridden BITCH!" Tamsin shouted back with the true fury of a Valkryie causing the lights to flicker in the establishment.
I just rolled my eyes…there was no getting around Tamsin's hatred of my older sister, practically from day one Tamsin despised her. I regained Tamsin's attention, "So, drinks and story swapping after this whole inauguration thing?" I gave her a smile knowing she wouldn't resist an invitation to drink, "Drinks on me of course."
She chuckled and a small smile actually broke through, "You still remember the way to my frozen heart."
"I'd never forget," Then I stood at attention and raised my right arm in solute, "Commander." I was rewarded by her smile staying in place as she lazily raise two fingers to her forehead and gave a small solute back.
"Kid."
I approached with Fenris group with a smile on my face that my sister couldn't even knock off if she tried, which I'm sure she would. She was currently trying to organize our selective pack of about thirty-two individuals for the reception of the Dark Fae Elders. She was essentially creating a walkway between two lines of the Fenrir for the Elders to walk down.
"Done groveling at the Crows feet?" Tala asked not expecting an answer as she spoke again. "Come stand here, you're at the start of this line, I'm across from you."
I walked down 'my line' which just happened to be comprised of our pack members who I considered my friends, and in the line opposite were the pack members who hung on my sisters very word. As I passed Kiara she smiled at me, "Hey girl, how was it seeing your old mentor again?"
She knew I was beyond excited to see her but she was a good friend and asked anyway. "Fantastic, except for my self inflicted face-punch. We're going out for drinks after to catch up, told her I'd treat so she couldn't back out." We both laughed because even if I learned anything from Tamsin it was how to drink.
"Enough." My sister snapped. "And take that sweater off Randi, look presentable for the Elders."
I rolled my eyes and pulled my sweatshirt over my head, revealing a trimmed-to-fit dark purple button down. I preferred to dress for comfort, so more often than not I was seen in a sweatshirt and a pair of loose fitting pants. But for this particular occasion I came prepared with a nice shirt underneath and black pants. To show some kind of authority, heavily joking here, I passed my sweatshirt to Kiara. "Do something with this would ya." She did, she cocked her eyebrow at me and tossed the damn thing right over her shoulder and we both laughed. I'm sure someone picked up it and did something with it but we could care less. My sister gave us a small growl from her throat and I returned with a smaller one, before she could reprimand me we all head car doors open outside and all eyes were on the door.
The first Elder to walk in was a woman, she had brilliant golden yellow hair with vibrant teal eyes, and did not appear 'elder' at all, she appeared young and vivacious. The man who followed had a very strong build; he had thick chestnut hair and blood red eyes. He didn't look quite as vivacious as the woman but Randin chalked that up to the glare that seemed to be stuck to his face. The man and woman, and every Elder that followed, were wearing proper all black attire fit for the occasion.
Randin easily picked up on the conversation between the woman and her sister, "Which one of Hel's daughters are you?"
"Tala, ma'em."
"Ah, and will your parents be joining us this evening? Or did they just send you so they didn't have to sit through it?" The woman gave her a kind chuckle but my sister held her professional face.
"They should be arriving shortly, Mother thinks she adds to the pressure when they're present and I'm trying to organize everything. It honestly makes no difference; I'm very efficient at my duties." I started to tune out at that point and just watch as more Elders came through the door, there should be seven total and only five had entered at this point. All of the scents were starting to mix with one another, but I at least knew that the woman who entered first was a Phoenix and the man was and Each Uisge; both extremely dangerous in their own rights.
Then the Phoenix caught my attention, "So you're Hel's other daughter, Randin correct? She will be so proud that you two are so well prepared and organized." She gave me the same kind smile she offered my sister, and I returned it.
"Yes I am, and I hope she is. But the evening is young I could still mess something up."
She chuckled and stepped closer to me to let the taller man pass, he gave a disgruntled huff as he did. "I hear your Dawning is approaching, a few Elders-myself included-are very eager to see how your path will unfold since we've heard such impressive things about you, child."
"Oh, thank you ma'em." I wasn't sure exactly how to respond but I thought that fit. My eyes quickly flicked over to my sister and her eyes connected with me briefly letting me know she heard even though she was holding a conversation with another Elder. Great…now there will be some kind of hell to pay later.
Wanna piss off my sister, praise me about anything. She's always been very paranoid that if anyone gave me any kind of attention that they would forget about her completely, and that was something she could not afford if she was going to be the next Alpha.
The eye contact passed quickly and I looked back to the Phoenix and she gave me a wink before proceeding into the bar room. I watched her curiously as she left…I hate politics and the political figures that come with it, both are impossible for me to decipher. Did she just say that to get a rise out of my sister or did he honestly mean it?
I continued to nod and greet the Elders as they entered; Minotaur, Erinyes, Jorogumo, Aswang, and Elf. I felt a shift next to me and I looked over to Kiara, who looked very uncomfortable. My guess as to the reason was being surrounded by so many figures that were clearly our superiors. For hounds, it's natural to accept two individuals as your dominant's, but with seven powerful Elders and the leaders of the clans occupying the same small vicinity as us it was a bit overwhelming. It made us feel like a heavy pressure was settling over us, and that feeling could make a hound lash out. I felt it too, but I just simply accepted it I guess…
I reached over and placed my hand on her arm. When she looked at me I could see uncertainty, teetering on fear, in her eyes. I offered her a smile and gave a gentle tug on her arm telling her it was okay if she wanted to take step back. She nodded in thanks and took half a step back. I then quickly scanned the rest of the Fenrir and most were just as uneasy in appearance as Kiara was. I then looked over to my sister to see if she to noticed this, but she was only focused on the Elders. We were here do to a job, no matter the comfort level. I knew this but I still wanted to ease the tension that was building but there wasn't much I could do, given protocol.
So I just waited for the last Elder to walk past; which happened to the Minotaur, and as he passed me I fell into step beside him as if escorting him. I physically put my body in between him and the rest of the Fenrir in 'my line' and I could see their bodies relaxing as I approached next to the Minotaur. The Minotaur only spared me a glance but thought nothing strange of my actions since it did come off as professional. His presence however, did send a chill down my spine and it actually made me uncomfortable but I didn't let it radiate to the surface. His power trickled off of him and gave the promise that he would shatter your mind without even a flex of his neck muscles; which were huge. I was never one for mind games, I'm more of a straight forward fighter, so Fae who played minds games always made me uneasy, he just more-so.
"So mentor, hn?" Bo said grinning like a loon towards Tamsin and Tamsin's small smile immediately fell of her face.
"What of it Succubus?" Tamsin did not have the patience of a saint; and by default, did not have the patience for the curiosity of a Succubus who just had to have her nose in everything.
"Oh come on! This is like a totally different side of you Tamsin! We only see 'I'm a hardass who can make anything tremble in my wake' Tamsin, not the 'Here let me teach you a few things' Tamsin." Bo said enthusiastically. Tamsin knew how to hit the damn nail the head-if she did say so herself, the little Succubus was curious.
"She does have a point Tamsin." Dyson said smiling yet again, and Tamsin had the distinct feeling that it was at her misery this time and not in joy of the inauguration of his friend, so she narrowed her eyes at him.
"I don't have to explain anything about my past to either of you. What's in my past is mine which means you're not privy to it." She said pointedly looking at Bo.
Bo huffed, "Seriously? Why are you so crabby Valkryie? Someone clip your wings?"
Said Valkryie, had heard enough from the curious Succubus and decided to make her shut up, "Speaking of which, aren't you awfully cheerful for someone who's girlfriend just dumped them? Or are we still calling it a break?" Tamsin did air quotes around the last word before giving a quizzical look to the other two standing behind Bo as if asking them. Dyson growled out her name and Bo's face was sapped of all the happiness it previously held.
Bo walked up to be with a breath of Tamsin, "That was shitty."
"Well I don't know how to make it more clear that you really need to mind your own business." Tamsin said tilting her head from right to left as if a bird studying her prey. In all honestly it would be so easy to let the younger Fae in; Tamsin's character almost yearned for it at this point. But Tamsin is the groundwork of stubbornness and it wasn't logical for her to let in the Succubus, a creature that thrived on passion and who was the polar opposite of a warrior. She was the guardian of warriors, she was to be leaned on, not laid on.
"What goes on between me and Lauren is our business not yours." Bo snapped back partly using the Valkryies words, and with that she stormed away.
"You're so good at making friends sweetie, that's why I keep you around." The sickly-sweet voice of the Morrigan greeted the small gang as she approached; with nothing short of a lumbering giant following her.
"Well at least someone wants to keep you around." Kenzi grumbled out as she left to follow her friend. Dyson just raised his glass in parting knowing that saying anything to Tamsin at this point would only fall on deaf ears.
"Ready for a fun-filled evening, Sweetie?" The Morrigan asked and Tamsin glared at her because the way the Morrigan said 'Sweetie' sounded an lot like 'Tweety' so Tamsin wasn't sure if that was on purpose or not. Then that's when Tamsin put it together; this was her punishment for disobeying…the cleaver bitch.
"Whatever, you can keep all the fun to yourself; I'd hate to throw my back out in all the excitement." Tamsin rolled her eyes and made a lame crack at their age different; she didn't honestly know but Tamsin had a good assumption that she had at least a century or two on the Morrigan.
"None sense! If I have to be here out of good posterity, I could think of no one else who deserved to be here with me more, Tamsin." The Morrigan replied and then acknowledged the Dark Fae elders entering in the adjacent room, "Well at least the both of us won't suffer alone. Come on little bird." She said no more as she walked away towards the Elders and Tamsin let out a huff of air realizing the 'Tweety' was intentional and tried to brace for a long evening with the Morrigan.
Tamsin's eyes wondered around the room, light Fae clan heads intermingling with Light Fae Elders, and she was surprised to see some Light Elders being social with some Dark Elders. As she eyes scanned the room she located Randin once again. The younger Fae had removed she sweatshirt and was donning a dark purple button down that flatter her toned figure. Then Randin spotted her and a smile broke across the young girl's face and Tamsin couldn't help but smirk and sent the girl a wink.
It was almost like the old days when they were both on assignment, they had gone on many adventures together either at the request of the Elders or because they always seemed to get into trouble together. Okay, it was mainly Tamsin who got into trouble, but that didn't ever cause the Kid pause or hesitate; if Tamsin charged in the Kid wasn't far behind. At times they had been the most destructive force to be witnessed; Tamsin casting doubt to the edges of the horizon and Randin inciting fear from the edges of every shadow. Tamsin had watched the Kid push herself harder everyday when she was mentoring her and Tamsin knew that back then, the Kid was pushing herself so hard because of Tamsin. She couldn't ever pinpoint exactly what she did to gain such loyalty and respect from the wolf but when she did Randin pushed herself beyond her limits every time so as to not disappoint Tamsin; and she could not be more proud of her protégé because of that. Tamsin had transformed her into the perfect warrior, having no limitations and always pushing forward with hesitation.
Tamsin was broke out of her reserve by Bo crashing through the door, "Tamsin!" It took the Succubus a few seconds to find the Valkyrie but when she did she raced over to her. "Tamsin! They took Dyson!" She said frantically as she shook her head so as to unjumble her thoughts, "They drugged him with something and took him! Please you have to help me!"
"Oh no, one less dog breathing in my face tonight, what else could possibly go right?" The Morrigan said rather cheerfully and then proceeded to drink her wine.
Tamsin watched the frantic Succubus and the room grew hushed for a moment before murmurs bubbled in the room. "Slow down Succulette, who took Dyson?" Tamsin wasn't really sure what to make of this, Dyson was a strong man, no one could just take him if they tried, they'd lose a few limbs first. But the drugged part tipped Tamsin off that these people were at least slightly coordinated and this worried her.
"I don't know they-"
A light Elder cut her off, "Dyson the shifter? How could he be kidnapped? Don't the Fenrir have a parameter in place? How did they get in?"
"They're responsible for our safety not yours, in case you've forgotten." A Dark Elder with golden blonde hair responded. "But this is troubling." She amended before pausing to think.
Then a tall thickly built man with a bull ring through is nose spoke, "Fenrir, check the parameter outside, they can't have gone far. And check the abduction site for any leads." His demanding voice left little room for argument, but apparently that left just enough room for Tala.
"Why should we help them?" Her voice rang out and the room quieted once again. Her voice was strong but not resolute like his. "He's Light Fae; we have no obligation to him."
Randin was in shock that her sister just questioned a direct order from an Elder. Tala was right, they had no obligation to help the Light Fae; they had made it clear centuries ago that they didn't want any kind of help from the Fenrir. But to openly object like that…in a setting like this, there was still a line that should not be crossed.
The larger man had no patience for her it seemed because he turned and nodded towards me gaining my attention, "Check the parameter. Try finding the men who did this."
I was not one to question his hard tone like my sister had, I simply nodded in return and pulled my phone out of my pocket; there was no time to waste since they already had a few minutes head start on us. I turned towards Bo, "Do you know what kind of vehicle they were in?"
"No, they held me at gun point and told me they'd shoot me if I followed them outside." Bo replied before looking back to Tamsin, searching to see if the Valkyrie would help.
I rolled my eyes at the Succubus; of course she wouldn't follow…Succubae aren't known for being brave. I held the phone to my ear and after two rings finally Tate picked up, "Tate, we've had an abduction. A shifter was taken from the inauguration, we don't know the vehicle but if tradition holds it should be a van or SUV. Has anyone seen one leave the parameter in the last few minutes?" I spoke quickly and then paused allowing him convey the message over the walkie to the others. I heard Tala in the background ordering some of the Fenrir outside to reinforce security, wouldn't want anyone being taken that would make us look even worse…
As I waited I walked over to Bo and spoke in fixed tone, "Show me where he was taken, maybe I can pick up a scent."
She shook her head, "Whoever they were they didn't want Dyson to know and used Skunk ape to mask their scent…unless you can smell through that."
I let out a small growl and then I heard Tate over the phone, "Varkus says he saw a white van leave not five minutes ago."
Tamsin finally spoke up taking half a step closer to the Succubus to let her know she was willing to help. "I'll go to the station and put out a trace on Dyson's phone; as long as it's still on and hasn't been destroyed, we can track it."
"What makes you think you can leave little bird? You're my body guard for the evening and I didn't dismiss you yet." The Morrigan cut in with her sickly-sweet tone, "The first mutt was right, he's light Fae, let them sort it out."
"Varkus is on the west border of the parameter correct?" I asked into the phone double checking my memory; I was notoriously forgetful.
"Yes."
"Okay, I'm sure I'll be seeing you soon. And it goes without saying, everyone is to be alert." I said evenly before ending the call.
Tamsin studied the Morrigan for a moment, "And it goes without saying," She started using my line, "That my partnership to Dyson was implemented to build trust between the two Clans, was it not? So wouldn't my assistance in saving Dyson solidify this new alliance you're trying to form?" The Morrigan's gaze narrowed at the Valkyries words. The Morrigan couldn't openly speak out about her dislike for alliance that the Elder made her concede to. So at the moment, Tamsin had beaten her at her own game…she wouldn't forget it. "So if you don't have any objection, I'm going to take Bo to the station and find Dyson." Tamsin said calmly before turning and leading Bo out of the room.
I followed them, "I'd still like you to show me where they took him, just in case I can pick anything up."
Bo nodded, "Sure, this way."
Bo was right, the area by the bar reeked of Skunk ape, and I couldn't get anything off of the bartender who off'ed himself; other than he was Fae. I picked up the glass Dyson drank out of and gave it a sniff, whiskey and nothing else; these guys were good.
"Do you want to come to the station with us?" Tamsin asked me, but before I could answer Tala did.
"She'll stay here until the Elder's order us to take a more active role in the investigation. All we'll help with you right now is telling you the direction they left in; through the west boundary correct?" She said with her superior yet cocky tone and then continued without waiting for me to answer. "So they took him through that side door and drove out of the alley, turning left onto the main road. And if I had to venture a guess, I'd say their out of the town by now."
I spoke up trying to bring reason to my sister, "Tala they just told us-"
"He told us to check the abduction site and check in with the parameter to see if they saw anything, and we have. We've completed our part, leave it at that." She spoke in a cold tone with a growl resonating in the back of her throat as she spoke to me, and out the corner of my eye I saw Bo take half a step back. This was a tone I was not meant to argue with…
"Whatever, I don't have time for this." Tamsin said before walking past me and grabbing Bo's arm, "Someone's gotta do something or these guys are going to disappear. Catch up to me when you grow a backbone, Kid."
Tamsin knew that jab at the young wolf was rough, but now was not the time for Randin to roll over and let her sister dictate what she did. Her partner needed her and even though she would like to have Randin backing her in the search, she couldn't waste any more time waiting; she had to act now. Tamsin pushed her way through the side door with Bo still in hand and without waiting to hear Randin's reply.
Tamsin's words cut through me like a blade, she sounded disappointed in me… I watched the door close behind her and when it did something in me snapped and anger flooded my body. I let out a fierce snarl and spun around quickly knocking several chairs over at the bar as I did so; Tala didn't flinch. "She's right! We need to do something! And if you won't press the matter with the Elders I will!" I stormed past her back into the main room.
"It's not our responsibility Randin!" I heard her shout after me as I broke through the threshold of the room once again and I was met with noise.
"So I put forward the motion to for another Stag Hunt, since the current Ash has does nothing but give the humans' free reign apparently…" I heard the Morrigan speak over the crowd, "I also put forward that from this minute on all humans are to be marked terrorists. If they think they can openly attack us, we can openly teach them a thing or two." Most of the crowd seemed to rally behind the Morrigan's words surprisingly.
While they put her words to a vote I searched the room for the Phoenix and the Minotaur I had met earlier. I couldn't just sit here idly while Tamsin was out there, risking herself. What if something happened! No, no one would hurt her if I could protect her, and I'd be damned if the Elders still said no to me. The Phoenix noticed as I approached, "Please let me go help. Having us do something out there is better than having us sit here and puppy-guard!" I shouted looking right into her eyes unfazed that I had just yelled at an Elder.
She didn't seem to mind either and she replied rather calmly. "I appreciate your concern, and since I was one who voted for this cooperation experiment between the Light and Dark, I too want something to be done. But we can't have angry Fenrir running around the city aimlessly searching. When we have a clear mark for you to move on, you will be the first to know."
I bit back my growl that tried to ripple to the surface and clinched my fists tightly by my sides, and I told myself Tamsin was not weak, she could survive without me… And as much as I hated to admit it the Phoenix was right. After pacing for a few seconds and stopped and addressed the Phoenix again, this time with a more even tone. "May I go check in with the west border of the parameter, they reported seeing a van leave shortly before I called."
She nodded, "We will call if we learn anything."
I bowed and marched towards the exit and that was when I realized my parents were here. My Mom reached out and cupped my face with her hand, "Tamsin will be fine Randi…" She said in a soft voice.
I brushed her off, "Not now, Mom." I didn't need to be consoled right now, I needed to do something. I loathed sitting idle while someone I cared about in danger and I couldn't do anything about it! This was a thought that drove me crazy for a long time after Tamsin left, but my Mom had always kept me grounded by telling me Tamsin could take care of herself…I knew that but…I just felt better when I was there to guarantee her protection.
When I got outside I sprinted the four blocks to where Varkus was. I was barely winded, "Anything new?"
"No, nothing has changed. How did they get him, if you don't mind my asking?" Varkus asked.
"Apparently they had an inside guy who drugged the shifter and his dick-head friends were waiting outside to grab him." I replied studying the street hoping to see a sign of Tamsin; like I even knew what she was driving…
"Classic." Was all he said before the silence consumed us.
I let out a sign and tried to relax my neck, casting my gaze to the sky. I guess I really had to wait for a call from the Elders after all. What would be the point in racing after Tamsin anyway? This was a new town and I had no idea where Tamsin went, and so the best bet would be to wait here so that way if Tamsin really did need me she would know where to find me.
Waiting for something to happen gives me the same feeling as putting a kid in a candy store and telling them not to touch the candy, they get really fidgety. It had been fifteen minutes since I joined Varkus on the west border and no word from anyone. I was now firmly seated on the ground because he told me I was going wear a groove in the sidewalk, and I could tell he was annoyed at my unrest so I decided to sit and brew. The sun was starting to make me warm so I set the fiery beast a glare before a yawn sneaked out. Then my phone started shrieking in my pocket and I rocketed to my feet and answered it.
"Hello, Kiara?"
"Hey Randi, I'm on my way to you, we've got a location." Kiara replied.
"How'd we get a location?"
"I'll explain when we get there; we're turning on to the street now." With that Kiara cut the line off and just like she said I was several black SUV's pull on to the street.
The SUV pulled up next to the sidewalk and paused just long enough for me and Varkus to jump in. Once I took my seat I realized that there the SUV was loaded with Fenrir. "Is everyone hitting the location?" I mumbled.
"Close to it, Tala only left eight of us behind." Before I could ask exactly how we discovered this location Kiara continued, "Turns out even in her old age Tamsin's still a clever girl. She hacked the Morrigan's contacts in the Dark Fae database and sent a text to the Phoenix Elder telling her the location she traced Dyson's phone to. So they sent us in and we're to kill all the humans we find." I looked over to her after she said this and she gave me a glance, "Both the Light and Dark Counsel Elders have decided to grant the Morrigan her requests, so as of right now, we're at war with the Humans."
I decided not to say anything. I had been in battles before-not a war per say-but I understood how things were supposed to go. I just wondered how far this particular line-of-war stretched; was this a large Human effort trying to take control from us, or was this just another nut-job crazed because we wronged him somehow? The latter I had been called in on before and they never went down easy… I watched out the window as the buildings began to decrease in size; we were moving to the edge of the city. "Are my parents coming?" I ask as the buildings grew even smaller and more spaced out; I can't imagine my Dad sitting idle during all of this either.
"No, they stayed with the Elders to ensure their protection if the humans dared to return." Kiara said as she checked our distance from the target on her phone.
That meant Tala was in charge. I let out a small sigh and sent a silent plea to Fenrir that she wouldn't make it an issue if I ran off to help Tamsin. We drove for another five minutes and at this point there were only houses speckled around the area. Then we saw it, a large mansion backed away from the road and surrounded by a variety of trees as if to seclude it from the road.
"That's it." Kiara announced and all of the SUV's came to a stop on the side of the road.
We all filed out of the SUV's and approached my sister as she studied the layout of compound; upon closer inspection there were a few building backed down the hill behind the mansion, almost out of view. Just as my sister was planning the best and quickest way to secure the location; I was planning the quickest way to complete her commands so I could search for Tamsin. I knew she could handle herself, but now that I was here and able to do something, you had been damn believe I would. Tala must have heard the gears in my head turning because when I turned my attention to her to see if she had orders she was already looking at me with a hard gaze. I was really that see through…I guess when it came to my family and Tamsin, I was.
"We'll hit this place with three teams. I'll lead the main group down the front driveway. Randin, you lead the right flank and hit the mansion and the back right building from the side, make sure to catch any runners. Al, you do the same from the left. I want to cut off any escape routes to the humans still within the buildings. Once we control the outside we'll hit the building inside all at once; controlled chaos. I want them to be lost in what's going on around them, which will give us the full advantage." Tala said in her authoritative voice and I could feel the excitement among the Fenrir build as she spoke of the chaos we were about to invoke, and fear was always a delicious byproduct of chaos.
I couldn't help but let out a low-groveled snarl and Tala let a wicked smirk crawl across her face, "We need to remind the humans where they stand in the grand scheme of things, and that is below the Fae. They think they can change their destiny with whatever they're doing there! But we're here to make them realize the perpetual and permanent difference between us!" Other growls and snarls started to build in the group. The humans had to pay for what they did to the Fae today and since Elders were involved it fell on us to make sure our laws were upheld, and with the passing of the Morrigan's requests it made our job all the easier. We could kill any human that moved in this compound without having to figure out if they were really to blame or not.
As my sister finished her speech Al came over to me and bumped his fist against mine and gave me a wink. "May the Dread Wolf silence your steps."
"And may he give you his voice." I sent him a smile before turning away as we all broke off in our groups. It was natural for us, routine even, to form the groups we always have. I had a pack of wolves to lead, as did Tala and Al. We all knew where we had to be and what each of us had to do. Even though my mind was focused on the task of taking the surrounding area of the compound, Tamsin was not lost on me. I knew that the quicker I did this, the quicker I could search for her. But she raised a good soldier; I knew I needed to complete this task first and without error because that would only delay me further.
'Nobody likes cleaning up sloppy seconds. So when you do it, do it right the first time. So you don't have to explain to me why you fucked up.' Tamsin's voice rang out in my memory.
"Alright, we hit them in silence and we hit them fast. Like Tala said, creating chaos will only benefit us, so no noise until we're upon them. By then there will be nothing they can do and then we can kill them like the pretentious vermin they are." I said as we sprinted down into the field to move into a flanking position.
Kiara and the others shuffled restlessly around me as I focused on listening to the faint sounds echoing across the field of the other group's movements. I needed to make sure our timing was on with the other groups. I heard gravel crunch under feet and I knew it was time, "Let's hit it!"
I turned and sprinted before shifting into my wolf. I numbness spread through my body briefly and black wisps of smoke trickled off of my body and give way to pitch black shadows. Then from the shadows my beast grew, and I went from a shadow streaked form to a pitch black wolf that at the shoulders stood eight feet tall.
We raced through the tall grass deafly, our ears forward and erect on high alert; there was only a dull thud of our feet caressing the ground. Then just as I reached the tree line I heard shots ring out. The shots grabbed the attention of a guard just on the other side of the trees which gave me the perfect opening. I crashed through the tree line, jaws open, and easily snapped closed around his form before he had time to turn and react. I felt multiple pops in my mouth signaling the snapping of his bones and I gave my head a rueful shake before slinging him away. I quickly assessed the area, and my team was making easy work of the human's closest to us. Then I noticed four humans making a run for the back building and I narrowed my eyes while a growl thundered in my chest.
I raced past Kiara; who dropped the human she was devouring and raced along with me. Two of the humans turned and fired at us, one hit me in my forearm and I heard one lodge itself in Kiara but she didn't falter. Just as one of the humans reached the door to swipe the key card I curled my cheeks up and let out a fierce rawr that traveled through the air like an invisible pulse. It caused the humans blood to go cold with fear. The knees in the human with the key card buckled and he fell to the ground before he could reach the door. The two who shot at us lost all color in their faces as their pupils dilated and all the muscles froze in their body. The last human also fell to the ground when his legs knees decided not to work either, but his will to live was strong and he turned and fired at us. I quickly swerved out of the way of his intended shot and drove in low next to the ground and snagged the man with my bottom canines in his chest. I threw my head and back quickly snapped it back down, releasing the human effectively slamming him into the ground. Kiara took out one of the other gunmen so I focused my gaze on the key card guy. As I slowly closed the small gap between us Kiara leapt over me to tear into the second gun man; who was beginning to crawl away.
The key car man had dropped his card and now didn't dare to break eye contact and bend to get it. "No, no…" Was the majority of the mantra he was muttering right before he thought it was a good idea to run again. Before he got two steps I snagged him by his legs and whipped him back, hurtling him through the air, and right into Kiara's waiting mouth… Her jaws snapped shut in an instant and she gave a violent shake of her head before I lunged in and took hold of the other half of his body, and with a quick arcing of our necks he was in two places at once.
With a blood speckled muzzle and a thirst that was steadily growing, I turned my attention back the attack. I could now see Al's team cutting of the human's escape and now our teams were starting to merge and encircle the remaining group of humans as my sister and her group continued to push in. Several Fenrir released rawr's like mine into the crowd causing the panic and fear to rise in the group. The fear…it trickled through the air to us and caused our muscles to fortify with strength. That quenched one of my thirsts, now it was time for the other. Just when my sister's wolf lunged into the crowd, I dove in as well-and then it turned into a frenzy. I swiped humans to my right away from me as my jaws snapped tight around another. As I readjusted my hold on my human other wolves knocked into me in the mad scramble to grab one of the last humans. It was a flurry of bodies and limbs flying everywhere. I gave my human a shake causing my bottom jaw to crack against my sisters; who rewarded me with a firm nip on my shoulder before she continued to devour her human. I turned my attention to my human and began to do the same…
When it was all over we all shifted back into our human forms, slightly bloodies but not worse for wear. The bullet hole in my forearm was almost fully healed after our feeding frenzy. We were now donning tanktops and long cloth pants that were the same pitch black color as our wolf coats. My sister ordered everyone to go around the check all of the bodies to ensure they were dead and not pretending. I followed her up the main path to the front of the mansion while Kiara took a team around the side to check on the bodies we first dealt with upon our arrival.
"We'll wait for everyone to be done checking the bodies before we start clearing the buildings." I sister voiced to myself and several others following; who thought my sister was already Alpha. "Perhaps we'll hit one building at a time, see how much fear we can truly create…" I heard the smile creep across her face as she spoke.
I furrowed my brow slightly, "Won't that just give the human's more time to organize? You yourself said in their chaos is where we thrive, why take that away? We should hit all four building like we planned. It's better than all of us fighting each other to get a piece of the humans. If you divide us up into teams and we hit all of the building at the same time, everyone gets a piece." I said. I knew she was toying with the idea of the 'one building at a time' thing because she knew I was anxious to break away and search for Tamsin. Sister always made sure to keep me on a tight leash when Tamsin was around-or at least she tried. But my logic here really couldn't be argued with, everyone was wound up over the frenzy we had just created and everyone wanted another taste. So if she tried to funnel us into one building at a time, we would start snapping at each other to get a piece of the humans.
She came to a stop in front of the mansion and let out a long breath before turning to face me; at this point some of the wolves were starting to rejoin us. "Yes, I suppose it's best to go with the original plan."
All of the wolves except for a few stragglers had rejoined us and Tala was restating the plan to them. I was keenly aware that Kiara, Al, and Varkus were among the few who were straggling. I easily found them with my eyes, they were standing by a small tree line just off to the side of the mansion and Kiara looked very uncomfortable about something, while Al and Varkus looked to be at a loss.
I didn't say anything as I left the group and my sister continued to talk. Varkus noticed my approach and gained Kiara's attention and then nodded to me. She looked troubled.
"What's wrong? You guys find something-" Snow and metal…but this time the metal tang wasn't completely from her scent, it was the metallic essence that came with blood.
I thought it'd be cool if you all saw why I picked the names I did (well some of the names, other ones I just liked).
Randin= Randi-shield wolf, Ran=destroyer
Tala= stalking wolf (tal-ah)
Hel= daughter of Loki, guardian of the realm of the dead
Leidolf= wolf descendent