A/N: Okay, this chapter is SO long and did not go according to plan at all, but I got to what the chapter is ALL about, finally, and let me tell you, my response was to go HAH! and tell everyone I knew who knew about me struggling to get to that point. 'I DID IT!'
Of course, I had no internet at the time, so I just sat manically laughing to myself. And then of course I struggled to write another word after the scene JUST began. Dammit.
Let me just say that a) writing is hard b) characters never do what you want them to do c) Lauren especially in this fic. Last chapter was supposed to be 2-3k AT THE MOST, but nooooooo Lauren had OTHER ideas. *mutters* And this one was only supposed to be 6-7k. I have 16 more chapters to write… But they shouldn't all be this long.
But, I do so hope you enjoy!
3. First Time
Lauren deleted the number. Moving instead to focus on her work. She completed overtime through lengthy hours that had Everett eventually sending her home for bed and rest. She couldn't go there, instead Lauren pushed herself into overdrive for Nadia, looking through books, old journals, and fairytales for anything that might be some miracle cure. Something attainable rather than seeing over and over again, things like phoenix tears, fountain of youth, or golden apples.
But she'd take anything. Anything that might distract her.
She was afraid to sleep, her dreams filled only with horror or terror, there was no in-between. Either she dreamt of Evony, or she dreamt of execution.
Evony made not be horrific, or terrifying, but the reality of what she presented to Lauren was.
So she ignored her. Ignored the phone calls, and marched on. Evony was the one good thing Lauren had in the fae, without something to look forward to, Lauren felt it all become overwhelming once more.
The fae spoke in whispers around her, about her, and one ever daring to speak in clear earshot. Lauren snapped, the comment coming out of her quick and harsh, "perhaps if you spent half the energy working on patients as you did gossiping, you might at least manage to pass as competent."
Doctor Everett grabbed her, throwing her outside. She was pushed through the doors and left to awkwardly stand, furious against a wall. On some level, Lauren knew she was out of line.
Still, she waited for Everett who paced up and down before finally spinning on her heel to face her. The woman's green eyes were alight, casting her fury in Lauren's direction, "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"It's true," Lauren said. She folded her arms, holding a deep breath in her lungs.
"It may be, but you'll keep your mouth shut."
"So it's fine for them to drag me down, but you expect me to take it? Just hold my tongue?"
"Yes!"
Lauren glowered. "That's bullshit."
"What do you expect Lauren? You're human in our world, few will ever see you as anything more than that. If you want to survive-"
"I refuse," she snarled. Everett turned, beyond furious at her, the lights seeming to dim around then. "What are you going to do? Threaten to execute me?" Lauren laughed, the sound hollow and barely masking her feat. Everett grabbed her again, pushing her against the wall.
"Listen to me, and listen to me carefully, I don't know what's gotten into you, but I suspect it has something to do with the social life that had you bouncing on you feet last month. You're being ridiculous and-"
"Human," Lauren returned.
"Emotional. Get a hold of yourself and grow up!"
"No," Lauren snapped back. "I'm done. I'm done working with no thanks, I'm done listening to them tear me down. I'm not your pet, your child, your slave. I'm a person, do you get that?" Everett blinked at her. "I can work at the pace you give me, I can do menial tasks over and over that you already know I'm competent with, but I am exhausted of receiving nothing back. I don't even own the key to my apartment! I'm a pet, who's fed and washed before made to do tricks and I'm done! I am more than that."
"And what about your girlfriend?"
Lauren glared, the threat making her fear burn into anger. "Before you get the chance, I'll take Nadia to some hospital. Somewhere far-"
"Where you'll die. You don't get to leave, do you get that, Lauren?" Lauren's mouth opened, ready to argue before it was cut off. "You swore an oath to the Ash to serve until Nadia returns to full health. If you don't keep to that, you'll be executed. For fuck's sake, you don't go back on an oath with the fae, Lauren. They'll kill you, and the first thing they're going to do is drain all your talents from you and give them to someone else. The fae don't like to waste talent and you're brimming with it."
"What?" Lauren felt her lungs tighten, her legs give way. Still, Everett held her to the wall, keeping her standing. "No," Lauren whispered. "No, I-"
"Made a deal. Do you get that? You leave, you'll be executed. You don't live up to the Ash's expectations, you be executed. You become more trouble than your worth-"
"I'll be executed," Lauren said.
Everett sighed, stepping back. Slowly, she let go, lifting one hand to cup Lauren's cheek. "You have so much potential."
"Don't do that," she said, tugging away. "Please. Not now. I…" Lauren blinked down, taking a deep breath as she felt panic rise inside of her. Slowly, she exhaled, looking up at Everett. "I can't live like this," she whispered. "I can't…I can't keep going. I'm tired, I'm so-"
"You will, because you have to. You're strong Lauren, but sometimes you have to make yourself malleable to keep moving forward."
Bowing her head, Lauren squeezed her eyes shut. When that didn't work, she slowly tilted her head back to stare at the ceiling. Her cheeks were red and wet, her jaw trembling as she tried to hold it firmly in place. "This isn't what I agreed to."
"You made a deal with the fae. Every fairytale you know warns you about the consequences."
"This isn't-"
"Disney? No. There's no fairy godmother for people like you." Hot tears slipped down Lauren's face. "So, as I see it, you have two options. You can throw in the towel and see how long you'll make it on the run, I'll give you a week, two at most depending on how busy the Ash is. Or you can take a breath, lift your chin up and deal with this."
Lauren shook her head, feeling her knees almost give out again before she started nodding. This wasn't about her. This was about Nadia. If she found a cure, if she got her way, she could get out. She could take Nadia, hand over her claim and be off in the human world, going back on track with her life as if nothing happened.
"Okay," she whispered, nodding still. "Okay, I can do it."
"Yes. You can." Doctor Everett stepped back, looking Lauren over. "Go home, sleep, deal with what you've just been handed, because right now, I don't think you're safe to work on paperwork, let alone patients."
Lauren swallowed, nodding.
"Good. Go and rest. I want you in the labs by seven, tomorrow."
Lauren didn't miss the carrot and stick being handed to her then, disgust rolled in her stomach. She could practically heard the words, good girl being spoken to her.
She went home, walking rather than taking a taxi, since car use within the fae had to be logged in. God, looking at it now, Lauren could see how gilded her cage was, how obvious she was, trapped inside their world. She couldn't drive without permission, her allowance only had enough for groceries and the occasional 'extra'. The apartment she stayed at was not only owned by the Light, but more likely than not, monitored. She worked a sixty hour week on an easy week.
She was a slave, a pet, anything and above, but she wasn't a person. She'd never be a person to them.
So Lauren walked. She walked down the road, down the streets, crossing without looking, twice hearing a car slam on the breaks, as if hoping that maybe…
She'd never take her own life, not actively. But in her state of mind, she was loose with her life.
The stairs to her floor were long and arduous. She opted for the route rather than taking something mechanical, something easy. She wanted her legs to ache, to feel that pain in her chest from the exercise, she wanted to feel something.
Because right now, all she could feel was a low, steady rhythm of her feet hitting the floor, her mind going over and over was Everett said.
She'd made an oath. The only way out was to wake Nadia. She could do it, would do it. But she needed time.
Turning the handle of a door she didn't own the key to, she stepped inside, light already filtering through her windows, only to find Evony on her lounge, flicking through her journals.
"What are you doing here?" Lauren yelped, slamming the door shut as if someone might see. Evony snickered, continuing to turn pages.
"You weren't answering my calls," came the reply. Lauren blinked. She'd deleted the number, not that it helped. Every time Evony rang, the number appeared on the screen, staring at her, reminding her of what she did. And every time, she allowed it to ring out.
She didn't even check the voicemail, deleting it before she could allow temptation to take over. Just seeing the number reminded her of how wet she'd been, of how hard she'd come for the first time in so long from her own hands. Actually hearing Evony's voice, even now, was another thing entirely.
It shouldn't have been like that. It shouldn't have happened. God, it was a few weeks later and she could still remember her hips lifting of the lounge, her breath gasping on the phone line, and Evony's pleased noise when it was over. "See, wasn't that fun?"
Evony was looking up from the journal, staring at her expectantly. She wanted to know why she was being ignored. Lauren felt vague excuses rising to her tongue. She was busy, she was uninterested, she was a hundred and one other lies.
"I was…" she swallowed, adrenaline fading from her system. She moved, sitting down on the armchair perpendicular from her lounge. Her bag was dropped by the door, her body loose and tired. The games Evony would want to play were too much. "Why are you here?" Lauren asked, snapping her exhaustion into irritation.
Evony dropped the journal against her chest, frowning at her. "You look horrible."
"I feel horrible."
Evony perked up, snapping the book shut. "I could fix that."
"You shouldn't be here."
"I'm the Morrigan, I can be where I want." Lauren looked at her. Evony had her legs stretched over the lounge, her heels off, on the floor beside her. She was dressed in slacks, a red dress shirt with a neckline flirting dangerously with immodesty.
Lauren could see a jacket strewn over her kitchen chair. Evony had, quite comfortably, made herself at home.
"You'll get me in trouble the longer you stay, and I've had enough of being yelled at."
"Oh boo," Evony said. She stood up, moving to the kitchen where she pulled out two glasses and Lauren's wine bottle from the fridge. "Danger makes life thrilling." Lauren didn't even comment, too tired. But when a glass pressed into her hand, she thankfully took it.
The glass of white was sharp on her tongue, cold, even in this weather, before warmth seemed to flood through her veins. Maybe she could finish the bottle to herself, crawl into bed, sulk for a few hours before she was forced back into the Light Fae compound.
"So," Evony said. "What terrible secret did you find out to put you in such a bad mood?"
"The truth," Lauren said. She opened her eyes, seeing Evony perched on the arm of the lounge. "Are you aware that if Nadia dies, I'm forever in debt to the Light. If Nadia doesn't wake up, I'm forever in debt to the Light, if I decide that it's too much and leave, I'm executed, if-"
"Oh honey," Evony reached forward, swiping a tear from Lauren's cheek. "You're crying over spilt milk."
"This isn't spilt milk! This is my life, do you get that? I'm stuck here until I can find a cure. I'm a pet, or chattel as you prefer. I'm nothing. I'm not a person, my autonomy is stripped like I'm a slave. I feel like I'm cornered and every piece of control is being taken from me."
"Most humans don't even get the chance to opt out. You already knew all of this, ever since that little stint where you were almost executed. If that wasn't a reality check, I don't know what is." Lauren huffed. She didn't want her intelligence to be insulted. If she wanted that she would have stayed in the compound. "You've just been living in some ridiculous denial that that was a fluke and darling, you're far too clever for that."
"Why are you here?" Lauren glared. "I don't want to play games. I don't want this bullshit. Just…leave me alone."
"No, I suppose not." Evony plucked the glass from Lauren's grip, settling it on the table. A few hours earlier and Lauren's heart may have raced when she felt Evony's fingers tips brush her own. Now, she was just tired, not in the mood. And frustrated with the fae.
"Don't," Lauren said. "Not tonight."
"You just worked out that your whole world is a lie. I think this calls for a different turn of conversation."
"I don't want 'a different turn of conversation'," Lauren snapped, baring her teeth at the woman. "I want Nadia, I want my life. I want to get married and have children and not be threatened with execution at every turn!"
Evony tugged her to her feet. Too tired to complain, Lauren allowed herself to stand.
"What now?" she asked, staring at her. "Why won't you leave?"
"Because you don't really want me to." Evony stepped behind her and Lauren froze before suddenly melting at the hands on her shoulders, thumbs in her back. She wanted to drop, to allow herself to fall down and just have Evony massaging her shoulders until the world was over. But before she could even properly begin to enjoy it, it was over.
Then, Evony was in front of her again, her shirt being undone, tugged down her arms, before Lauren realized what was happening. "No," she said weakly. "No, you can't be here, you can't-"
A mouth pressed to hers and Lauren exhaled, feeling it slip away. There was hands on her waist, holding her still as she stepped back, soft, confused from the kiss. "There," Evony said. "Isn't that nicer?"
"Why?" Lauren asked. Her bottom lip trembled, her eyes blinking and Evony was looking at her like she was crazy.
"Well, because kissing m-"
"No," she shook her head. "Not that. I mean why are you being nice to me. Why are you chasing me. I'm more trouble than I'm worth. I'm with the Light, so even if I voluntarily come over, you'd have to expense care for me to stop any assassination attempts from having broken the oath. And as I've broken my oath, it's possible I'd do it again and-"
Evony kissed her again, this time, her lips pressing over hers, kissing until Lauren responded. Slowly at first, then all at once.
A sigh pulled from Lauren's lips, the words hushed in the kiss. She was kissed, and kissed, until there was no complaints, no anger or frustration and on any other day, Lauren may have fought against her because kissing words away wasn't appropriate, it wasn't right.
But she was tired, and Evony was so warm.
Kissing her slowly, feeling fingertips on her waist, her body tugged closer. Lauren felt her legs loosen, aware that she was hovering a few centimeters taller than Evony without the woman in heels. She ran her hand through dark hair, the kiss growing, until she could feel tongue, then teeth.
It was too much. She dropped her hands onto the Morrigan's shoulders, tugging her mouth away. "Evony…"
"Do you want me to stop?"
Lauren could feel fingertips on her waist, drawing lazily. Her mouth parted, eyes feeling heavy. "What are you doing?" she asked, her words light and breathless. She didn't feel like she was going to cry anymore, but it didn't ease the edge of frustration underneath her skin.
"I'm seducing you," Evony replied. "I thought that was obvious."
"That doesn't answer my question."
"That's the point."
"I'm not sleeping with you tonight," she informed her. "I can't."
"Lauren. I wouldn't sleep with you tonight if you begged me to slip inside of you, and fuck you until you couldn't come anymore," she stepped forward, holding Lauren in place. "But you look like you need to feel like someone wants you or you might go off and kill yourself. And that would be a tragedy."
"You're a bitch."
Evony dipped her head forward, her breath sliding over Lauren's neck. "I want you."
Lauren shuddered out a breath, squeezing her eyes shut as Evony's hand brushed over her cheek. "I don't understand why. It's not logical, it's not reasonable."
"I want you. Save your logic for the labs."
"But-"
"I'll kiss you again."
"…Okay," Lauren nodded. "Okay." She nodded and felt Evony's head lift, felt her brush over her neck, her jawline, until her lips were against hers again. Evony pulled away, tugging at her hand as she guided her to her bedroom.
There, Lauren laid on the bed, on her belly before her bra was removed and Evony straddled her back, her hands on Lauren's skin again. Long, slow movements, running over her muscles, over her spine firmly, kneading the knots until they loosened. Deep, low moans pulled from Lauren, and on a few occasions, she could hear Evony laughing softly to herself.
She relaxed, giving in completely for the first time. And slowly, Lauren's eyes shut as she felt the pressure shift and change, always firm, always knowing where she needed it most. Her muscles manipulated, her body eased into a lulled state until she could feel herself drifting asleep.
Somewhere, in the back of her mind as she heard her bedroom door shut and Evony climb down the stairs, Lauren was aware of the euphoria rushing over her as she fell into a deep asleep. She knew what she wanted to do, tomorrow. She knew how to survive.
She didn't hear from Evony after the incident. A part of Lauren was disappointed over the next few weeks as winter came to an end, and spring begun. Evony didn't appear in her home, lounging on her bed or chair as if she owned the place. But Lauren did notice, the day after when she went downstairs with her body feeling the best it had in years, that half her journals were missing.
Nothing but a sigh pulled from her, frustrated that Evony didn't even think to ask. Of course she didn't, why would Evony ask?
But Lauren focused on her work, focused on Nadia. This time she was careful to not overexert herself. She stopped listening to the fae, stopped trying to prove herself. Moving instead to focus only on herself; on giving the best care, on being the best in her field, on being better.
Everett beamed at her, offering only a small, "Well done." But it felt right, it felt good, even with just that gentle praise.
Nadia, however, didn't go anywhere. Any cure she found, any potential new information she discovered, was quickly always ruled out.
Only once, out of frustration, did Lauren throw her papers from her desk, glaring as she stood up and ran her fingers through her hair. She breathed, made something to eat, drank water, cleaned up the mess, and then set to work again.
In the second week of spring, when the winds were still cold and snow still fell on the odd days, there was a visitor to the labs. A man with dark skin and dark eyes. He was tall and muscular and had Lauren been so inclined, she may have felt her breath stop as Everett's had.
What she did notice, however, was that he was extraordinarily symmetrical in his features, and smelt good. Like lime and mint and an overall scent of being clean.
"Elena," he smiled to Everett, then to Lauren. "Excuse me, I don't believe we've met."
"Lauren Lewis," she said, holding out her hand. Everett stopped her, quickly pulling her away behind her. Lauren looked to her curiously, a hundred and one toxic fae running through her head.
"Remmy."
He looked hurt, brushing it off quickly with a small smile and a tight laugh. "Don't be like that. How long have we known each other?"
"You say that like we're old friends," Everett returned, quirking a brow. "Lauren, this is Remmy, he's sixteen."
"Sixteen?" Lauren yelped, turning to look at him. "Sixteen?" Not sixteen hundred, or sixty misheard, but sixteen.
He laughed, a low, deep chuckle that Lauren was sure made many hearts thud in their chest. Good natured, as it was. Though Lauren watched his smile, saw it sag briefly, before it dropped all at once. "Did you hear what happened?" he asked. "Stupid question, of course you did, that's why you dragged her away."
"You're new," Everett said, "It's to be expected. But I am sorry."
"He was a good friend."
"I know."
Lauren blinked, confused as she looked between them.
"My mother had to tell my father. She'd hoped that I'd take after her, that she could keep him away. But…" He shrugged. "It is what it is. And I shall go on through my life impregnating women and haunting their dreams."
"Incubus," Lauren said out loud, then closed her mouth, looking to Everett. "I thought they fed from sex."
"They do, they're the brother-species to succubi. Different. Both species are singularly gendered. Incubi only birth incubi, and succubi only birth succubi, regardless of other genetics in play. It is what it is," she said, quoting Remmy.
"So they're not the same?" Lauren asked curiously. She'd looked into succubi briefly, when considering it a species for Evony, however information on them was limited.
"No," Remmy said. "Unfortunately. I would have liked to have been a succubus, but they're a rare breed. Incubi are more predatory, succubi just thrive in sex. Though my father speaks of Aife as-"
"He never knew her. He was born after the war."
"Who's Aife?" Lauren asked.
"An old legend from the war," she said shortly, then, looking over to Remmy. "I'm sorry. I am, but there's nothing I can do to change that."
"I came here for a serum," he said. "Or a cure, or whatever. I don't want to hurt anyone else. My father won't teach me control, not real control anyway. He thinks that the essence of incubi is…chaos," Remmy spat. "He's wrong, and stuck in his ways like all the screwed up Elders are."
"You shouldn't speak of your father like that, he's a respected man," Everett clipped. "And I don't know what you're asking from me, but if it's anything to disobey your father's wish…" the tone was a warning. Lauren stared at her. She'd never known Everett to knock back someone asking for help.
"He won't teach me control. He'll teach me the way of the incubi, their traditions. Please, he'll…he'll make me choose Light." Lauren shivered. The way he said the words were like he was afraid of becoming Light. The Light were good, Lauren believed. They were order to the Dark's chaos.
She blinked then, thinking of the Light, of what they've done to her. And what Evony had done for her.
She looked to him then, wondering if Evony was alike that to everyone.
No. She wasn't. Lauren wasn't deaf, she'd heard about her reputation, knew that Evony would kill just as swiftly as the Ash, as any other fae. She was just as dangerous.
"The Light is-"
"They're traditionalists. I won't be able to visit my mother at her home. I'll…" he swallowed, glaring bitterly "I need something."
"I'm sorry Remmy," Everett looked away. For the first time, Lauren witnessed her mentor ashamed of herself. "I don't know how to help you."
"You swore an oath," he said.
"You're not broken, you're not damaged, or hurt. You're scared, and the only thing I can do is-"
"I killed someone!" he snapped. "My best friend because I couldn't stop feeding. How is that not broken, or damaged or hurt? I'm killing people. And right now, I'm starving." He stepped forward, threateningly and Everett's eyes snapped to his. There was a moment, a bust of anger and he stumbled backwards by whatever Everett had done.
Lauren didn't see the ability, but she could feel it, like a pressure that brushed over the room, making the lights dim. It was a threat, a strong warning.
"Your father will take you to his clan, it's not my place interfere. I'm sorry, truly. But if you threaten myself or anyone working within the medical or science facility again, I will be forced to take action."
Remmy glared, turning away before he stormed out through the doors. Confused, Lauren looked to Everett. Her heart slowing to its usual rate in her chest again. She wasn't sure if the fear came from Everett or Remmy, or perhaps both, but it clung to her like a bad taste.
She took a breath, watching her mentor relax.
"Return to work, Lauren." Everett said. "And forget that you ever saw him."
"It's not right," Lauren told her. "If he's hurting people, it's our duty of care to-"
"It's not our place, Lauren. We don't interfere with the individual clans. They have their own way of teaching."
Lauren stopped, glaring as she looked from her to where the door Remmy left was. He was sixteen, viewing himself a murderer and her own mentor refused to help because of an Elder. "Are all fae like this?"
"The Light are. The defining difference in Light and Dark is that the Light are traditionalists. We keep to our rules. The Dark don't. Everything is subjective to them," Everett rolled her eyes. "In the Old World, we were Seelie and Unseelie, separated by lands, though we could move between them as long as we agreed to their rules. It's interesting to know that some rivalries will always exist in the fae."
"I thought there was a war," Lauren said. She'd heard whispers of the war, mentioned like an old legend. There was a great war and before that, there was no Dark or Light. Only the fae and their clans.
"There was, once. We were united, separated from the four courts of the Old World. There, humans were viewed similarly to how we once viewed slaves. We'd take them from their land, bring them to our own, and use them as we wish. Feeding off them was limited, in the Other World, the fae saw feeding off humans similarly to how humans view beastiality I suppose."
"But some didn't, some-"
"Some said it was ridiculous, they had other ideals. Feeding off humans was like how humans eat meat. It was good for us. They separated from the four courts, forming their own, and moved into the human world. Eventually we were disconnected from the Old World, most of the doorways shut. A great war followed soon after. Conflicting ideals. Those of the Seelie wanted tradition, convert the people to their ideals, those of the Unseelie wanted to move with the world."
"When did the war happen?"
Everett hummed, looking to her confused.
"You mentioned the war was soon after. I wondered when the fae appeared."
Everett smiled. "I suppose 'soon' is different between you and myself. I was born just before the war, in truth, most of what I know, I know from my mother and the fae that existed before. It was a couple of hundred years, I suppose. Six hundred, maybe? It matters not." Everett turned, taking a breath and looking to Lauren carefully. "The fae are old."
"I know."
"Some are far older than they appear, and some are younger. The Ash, for example, is only a millennia."
Lauren resisted the urge to snort at her superior. "Only," she quoted. That was over ten times the life expectancy of most humans.
"Evony is far older."
Lauren paused, looking to her mentor. She wouldn't have guess it. "How much so?"
"Who knows." Everett shrugged. "Watch them carefully when they interact. Evony's older, and smarter than she lets on. She likes to play games, run around being a petulant child who causes mischief, but she's far more patient than she shows, and far more powerful. If you ask me, she has a greater plan in play that she's not letting on."
Lauren blinked, confused by what her mentor was saying. "I don't understand," she said.
"No, I don't suppose you do." Everett exhaled, looking almost disappointed with her. "Stay away from the Dark, Lauren. Especially Remmy."
Lauren opened her mouth, prepared to argue.
"I know you want to help him, but interfering will cause trouble. The Light are rigid with their rules, it would be wise to stand with them."
"But-"
"Focus on Nadia, on the direction I give you. Learn from me, and trust me." Lauren's mouth shut tightly, the argument sharp on her tongue. She knew it was wrong. He was just a boy, he was sixteen and had killed someone because of his abilities. He needed help.
But she nodded instead, agreeing with Everett only because she knew it was necessary.
"I want to keep you safe, I want you to move on from here. Don't get stuck, don't die." Everett turned to look at her. "You are too good to be wasting your talents here forever indentured to the Ash."
Lauren's mouth parted, surprised for the first time. "What…what do you think I should be doing instead?" she asked.
"Something fantastic," Everett smiled. "There was once a human who separated from both the Light and Dark. They were clever, but lucky in truth. They started their own practice, helping both the Light and Dark. Maybe you could end up doing something like that."
Lauren sat across from Everett in the restaurant, there was a storm pouring outside, lighting up the sky occasionally, as they read through a file between them. A week had passed since Remmy's arrival, and Lauren hadn't heard from him since. In a way, he settled in Lauren's mind, worry fretting inside of her of a boy terrified of his own abilities.
For the first time, Lauren was aware that the fae were once scared children. She'd never had a child patient. Everett had delivered a few children in Lauren's time with the fae, but Lauren had never been present.
Seeing Remmy, meeting him, she became aware that he was sixteen. A child. The fae were all, once, children.
"Here," Everett said, shifting the file around to face Lauren. "This is a case I want to send you on."
"Shifters?"
"Cats," she paused. "Well, panthers. But they're very docile. You don't need to worry." Lauren looked up at her, not convinced. The last time she said that, Lauren had needed six stitches. "It'll be fine, you'll need to go to their place. Just show the Ash's mark and they won't harm you. I promise, they're very lovely."
Lauren nodded, swallowing before she looked up. Everett had been attempting to slowly ease her into working by herself, diagnosing by herself. Here and there, Lauren made the mistake, or came to the conclusion slower than she'd like, but overall, she was rapidly progressing. "Thank you," Lauren said.
"Well, I do so hope you'll enjoy it," Everett reached out, taking Lauren's hand over the table. "Look, I haven't had the chance to tell you this, but I wanted you to know that I'll be leaving, soon."
"You will?" Lauren felt her heart drop. A waiter appeared, placing wine on the table, before Everett waved them away with a pleased, 'thank you, we'll order in a few minutes'. "Where are you going?"
"It's short term placement. I'll be gone for a few months." Months, Lauren felt the word echo. Months of the fae, months of facing their anger, their spite. Handing cases by herself without a safety net. Lauren swallowed, trying to smile. Everett was telling her because she was excited. She should be happy for her.
"That sounds exciting," she said. "Well, I hope you have fun," she picked up her wine glass, tilting it in Everett's direction. Everett returned the gesture, smiling fondly.
"It's on placement. The Ash wants me to work in one of the rural areas for a time, they don't have a doctor out there. Apparently he was attacked by a bear." Everett pulled a face, making Lauren laugh softly. She had to agree, it was odd to imagine the fae being attacked by a bear. "But, no matter. It's just until a replacement comes."
"I'm really ha-" Lauren was cut off by a phone ringing, blinking, she watched as Everett rummaged through her handbag, pulling out the phone. There was a quick conversation, before Everett stood up, picking up her handbag. Lauren stood up, only for Everett to wave her down.
"Stay. Eat. Have the evening off," Everett said, walking around the table to kiss Lauren's cheek. "You're incredible Lauren, but you need to breathe sometimes. I'll see you tomorrow morning." She left, a soft smile on her lips as she walked out the doors, taking her umbrella in grip, and leaving Lauren alone in a restaurant.
Lauren deflated, sitting in the chair with the feeling of strangeness in her gut. Everett was leaving, she'd have to face the fae alone, but…Everett had absolute faith in her too. She thought she was incredible. It was the first time anyone in the Light had said that to her. Smiling, she felt herself sit back in the chair, a warmth spread inside of her. She could handle the fae.
After all, she couldn't rely on Elena forever.
The restaurant Everett had brought her too was an expensive, new restaurant in neutral territory. Mostly human occupants, but it was owned by a Light fae woman from Hong Kong, and her Dark fae son. The wine was rich, and the menu overpriced, though Lauren expected as much.
She settled for something moderately priced, and read through the file as she waited. However, not soon after she'd begun reading, the doors of the restaurant opened again, making the sound of rain apparent. Lauren took little notice, even as thunder cracked outside, before a sudden, familiar laughter came from the door. Then she froze, looking up from the file, over to where Evony stood in a burgundy dress and a dark jacket, laughing with a middle-aged appearing male accomplice who was dressed in an expensive suit.
He had an umbrella, placing it down before he turned to the hostess.
Lauren froze, staring at Evony, who tensed, then looked over to her as if sensing her gawking. Surprise slipped over her own features, before a smile pulled over them. Turning to the hostess, she pointed over to where Lauren was.
Lauren's stomach dropped. Before she could say anything, two more places were set at the table, with wine being poured in either glass. Evony sat on her left, her jacket slung over the back of the chair, and the man sat on her right. Lauren quickly placed her file away into her handbag, dropping it under her chair as she schooled her features.
"Lauren, this is Anton, Anton, this is Doctor Lauren Lewis. She works for one of my rival companies." Human, then, Lauren realized. She smiled, shaking his hand with a how do you do, before a quiet settled over them.
"So…" Lauren began awkwardly. "How are you?"
"Bored, I spent the day doing paperwork in between meetings on some redevelopment I don't care about," she began, before continuing on about how terribly dull it all was. Especially the paperwork. Anton agreed, leaving Lauren to mutter that she liked paperwork.
"Good, then you can do mine," Evony said. "I'm sure I could find some way to pay you for all the handwork."
Lauren felt herself blush in Evony's presence, looking away nervously only to hear both Evony and Anton laugh at her embarrassment. "She's teasing," Anton said.
"Half teasing," Evony replied. "Which she's well aware of."
Lauren went further pink, thinking of Evony straddling her back, hands running over her back, her sides. Though always sure to only skirt close to breasts and rear. She'd take that over any orgasm, nine times out of ten. Regardless, she didn't like that the thoughts appeared in present company, especially with someone she only just met.
"Well now I don't know what to think. And here I thought I was special," he laughed. "Unless…"
Lauren's embarrassment flushed away. "I don't think so," she said politely, taking a sip of water. She looked to Evony, who still appeared absolutely delighted by the turn of conversation.
"I see," Anton said, deciding it best to move the conversation along. "So you mentioned you were a doctor?"
"Scientist," she smiled.
"Where did you study?" Lauren felt her smile tighten, then relax as a hand placed down, onto her knee from Evony. For a moment, Lauren remember Nadia sitting next to her, squeezing her knee as they had dinner with the most irritating artist Lauren had met.
That woman had gone on and on about how the homeless were lazy, because she struggled too, sure she had food, housing, family and friends who'd take her in if the worst happened, but she struggled.
"Sorry?" Lauren asked, smiling blankly at him.
"I asked where you studied. I had a friend who was a scientist," he said. "I know there are thousands living in Canada, but it's a surprisingly small word at times."
"Yale," she replied, then glanced to Evony, the woman was sipping wine, looking relaxed. "I studied genetics, actually."
"Ah, well he's a microbiologist I think," the man frowned. "Most of it goes over my head, but he's happy enough. So what company did you say you were with?"
"Private," Lauren said. "If you don't mind, I shouldn't actually talk about my work."
The man laughed. "Classified?"
"Something like that. What about yourself?"
"Anton actually is also a rival company," Evony said. "He owns another talent agency, I've been trying to get our companies to merge over the last few years. This evening is another attempt to no avail, I suspect." She smirked, lifting the glass of wine to her lips. Besides Lauren, Anton laughed along.
"Perhaps your friend can convince me," he said.
"She is surprisingly convincing," Evony agreed, looking to Lauren. "Somehow, I suspect you could get whatever you want from me."
Lauren smiled, feeling the low, warm tug in her belly from her comment. That was a tease, she doubted strongly that Evony would ever do anything she didn't want to.
Conversation moved about, from talent agencies, to shared clients, and somehow, the topic of war arose midway through their meal. "I'm just saying," Anton said. "That there is a certain type of people that go to war."
"What type?" Lauren asked.
"People who want to murder," he replied. "Why else would you go to war?"
"To fight, to defend, to serve your country?" Lauren suggested. "The pay, to feel like you're doing something good. People have different motives, and not all of them revolve around murder."
"Have family in the war?" he asked, humored by her response. "I mean, you don't really think that, do you? Look at all the horror the american army did in Afghanistan. All the problems that arose from corrupt people in the barracks."
"I know. Better than you."
"Oh?" He smiled, "Brother?" he asked.
"Myself," Lauren returned. She took a sip of wine, looking to him. He'd paused, staring at her, his own glass frozen in grip. "I was a field doctor. There may be people who go to war to be murderers, but they won't last long. Your team has to rely on you, to know you'll have your back. If they can't trust you, they're not going to do whatever's needed to get you back if something goes wrong. Soldiers are people," Lauren shrugged. "Perhaps I was just lucky, and all the soldiers I knew had families. They'd count the days until leave, telling themselves that every day they were making the world a safer place for their siblings, parents, or partner, and children."
Beside her, Evony was paying attention, listening attentively.
"I'm not saying," Lauren said, "that there weren't issues, strong, bad issues that definitely need to be fixed. But it's not the army that's corrupt, it's certain people who don't take action and let others get away with horrendous acts. It's a far more complicated issue that you seem to think it is."
Anton paused for a moment, taking a breath. "I see." He said. "But it is a brutal, crude job. The people that go in there, don't do it because they dreamt about being a soldier when they were little."
"Some do, some do it for the money, some do it for other reasons," Lauren shrugged, thinking of her own, "But there's no one motivation. You can't say 'all soldiers are x'. It doesn't work like that. Some people go in there because they want to learn skills."
"For a long time," Evony spoke up, "war was an honorable practice. It was about defending, battle, glory. You'd fight for your king or your gods and there was talent involved. Now all the talent is in the command, making war tactics in their safe little houses, far away from any battle. It's all dreadfully boring. I say we should forget guns and chemical warfare, and return to swords. Melee combat. That was fun. There's honor in that."
Anton laughed. "I suppose you're well equipped with swordplay."
"Don't let the dress and heels fool you, I have my talents," she teased.
"Daggers, maybe. Something small and discreet, but I don't see you with any large weapons."
"Then you're not using your imagination," she smirked.
"You'd like that," he teased back. Lauren felt herself suddenly become the third wheel, awkwardly cutting at her meal until the conversation moved back into warfare. They spoke of ethics, the cold war, Nazis. No topic was off limits, and the more they spoke, the more Lauren heard snippets from Evony.
Eventually the night finished, when Anton retired early, giving Lauren a handshake for the fascination conversation. "I'm not sure I quite agree with you about war, but it's a different perspective," he said, smiling. Then to Evony, he took her hand, kissing in gently, before winking and departing. "I admit, I half refuse this merge only because I doubt I'd have your company afterwards."
"All you have to do is ask."
"Doctor Lewis," Anton said, turning to face her. "What do you think? You're an intelligent woman."
"I…I don't have enough knowledge in business."
"You know Evony, however. Do you think she's trying to rip me off?"
Lauren felt her tongue, thick in her mouth. Looking from Evony to Anton, she smiled. They were teasing her, she realized. Regardless of what she said, both their opinions were grounded. "She's yet to lie to me," Lauren smiled.
Anton laughed, amused as he looked to Evony. "I'll consider it, Ms Marquise. After tonight, I think I know more about you than all our other evenings combined." He departed then, nodding politely before he left.
Evony hummed, sitting back in the chair as she looked to Lauren. "I'm glad we came here and not to that italian one across the street. I think you just did for me in a night, what I could do over the last four years." Evony sat up, turning to look at her. "Are you sure I can't keep you? Continue doing that for me, and I'll let you have whatever you want."
"I'm sure." Lauren felt her heart beat, a soft warmth in her chest from both the wine and the company. Looking to Evony, she smiled.
"What?" Evony asked.
"Nothing," Lauren said. "I just…enjoyed myself," she said.
"Ah," Evony nodded. "Come to the Dark darling, I'll take you to all the fabulous joints. You can even meet Vex!"
"Vex?" Lauren questioned.
"My right hand, so to speak. Fascinating company…in small doses." She smiled, picking up the clutch from beside her chair. "Desert?"
"No, I should…also retire," Lauren said, grabbing her own bag. She'd pay for her dinner with the petty cash Everett had given her. But as she pulled out her money, Evony's hand pressed to her own, halting the exchange of money. "No, please-"
"Save it for something. Science equipment for your self."
"It'll get me half a stethoscope," Lauren replied dryly.
Evony chuckled, handing her card to a waiter before Lauren could complain. "How about," Evony said instead, "you buy something else. What do you do in your spare time?"
"Work," Lauren said. "The fae, paperwork, medical journals to keep up to date with, science papers to keep up to date with, biology I'm behind in, anatomy, overall physiology on all the fae and their underfae contrasts. it doesn't end," Lauren said. "If I'm not aware that this fae can't be around that because of these allergies, a huge screw up could happen. I can't wear-"
"How about," Evony broke in, looking rather confused and attacked from Lauren's words. "You do whatever you want with the money?"
Lauren deflated, biting her cheek, "Sorry."
Evony's brow quirked.
"I didn't mean to rant at you."
"You have a lot of pent up frustration, it would do you well to channel that into something else. Something useful."
"Like work," Lauren sighed. "I know."
"…Or sex, as I was going to suggest, but sure, drive yourself further into work and grow more frustrated. I'm sure that's healthy for a young, growing mind."
Lauren sighed, looking up at her. Evony was smirking at her, looking absolutely gorgeous. Her hair fell in thick ringlet, over her face, most of which was tied back in a loose knot. Looking at her, Lauren was overcome with the sudden desire to watch Evony's smile slip away until her lips fell into an O shape. "I should go home," she said. "I just need to call a taxi."
She reached for her handbag again, moving for her phone when Evony spoke, "Nonsense. I'll drive you home."
"A taxi-"
"Will be hard to get in this weather," Evony said, rising from the table, her credit card returned to her as she looked to Lauren. "I promise I'll only bite at request."
"This feels like a bad idea," Lauren admitted. The Morrigan laughed, placing her jacket on before walking to where her umbrella was kept by the door. "I'll just call a- ah!" she yelped as Evony yanked her by her arm, bringing her close.
They were outside, the umbrella was up and she was standing very close to Evony, breathing in her perfume. She froze, feeling Evony's arm wrap around her waist as they walked out into the rain. Slowly, Lauren felt her own arm place awkwardly around Evony's back, aware of how much of herself was pressed against the woman.
Evony was standing only a few inches taller than herself again, the difference lessened by the boots Lauren wore, giving herself an extra two inches at most.
The difference was nice. Mostly because Lauren knew that out of the two of them, she was taller than the Morrigan.
"Pray, tell," Evony said, turning to look at her. "What you plan to do with yourself this evening?"
"Read through a file, research everything about shifters-"
"I can give you more information than any book. Depending on what your after."
Lauren chuckled, looking away, "Dos and don'ts?" she said. "What's socially appropriate and what's not, I suppose. The most important thing for me is to have a relationship. They need to trust me, and being human…"
"Shifters are more difficult for humans. They generally avoid them because of the history of man versus animal," Evony paused, tilting her head.
"What?"
"Sorry, I was just considering a television idea."
Lauren laughed, "Is that your job?"
"It was, once. I knew what ideas would take off, however, television and movies can be unpredictable, you can have a fantastic idea and an avid fan base, but sometimes it's just not what the networks are after. These days, you can begin with webisodes and move from there. But it was all so terribly different once before."
"Like Star Trek," Lauren said.
"It had many hits following it, and there's a new movie in the works so I don't think that's quite the point I was making."
Lauren paused, stopping their steps in the rain. "Are you serious?" she said. "Which-?"
"Original. It's a re-boot. However, I don't know much," Evony smiled, watching Lauren's face grow hopefully. "You know, if you're nice enough, I'll take you on the set."
"Don't tempt me," Lauren laughed. "But…" she took a breath, smiling. "A new movie? That would just be…" amazing. Lauren almost wanted to run to the nearest wifi connection, get on the old chat forums and see what everyone thought. She wanted Nadia. Nadia used to love Star Trek almost as much as she did.
"Come," Evony tugged. "My heels are getting wet."
"But…" Lauren said. "What's your job then?"
"Talent agency, dear. Weren't you listen to Anton and I?" She smirked, looking over Lauren as they walked over to the parking lot. "Or were you distracted, perhaps?"
"The Ash doesn't work."
"The Ash doesn't need to. He feeds through other means."
Oh, Lauren realized. The job was a means to an end. "And how do you feed?" Lauren asked. "I mean, if that's…" she paused, glancing at her shyly. She wasn't Evony's doctor, wasn't consulting on a case. She was just curious and that was a very big question.
"You haven't figured it out?" she asked.
"I thought you were a succubus," she admitted.
Evony laughed, shaking her head. "No, no. I'm sorry. Darling, when you meet a succubus, you'll know. They're not much for foreplay," she winked. "They like to get straight to the point."
"Ah," Lauren hummed, frowning. "Okay."
The umbrella dropped, now undercover in the parking lot. With the storm overhead, the gold, fluorescent lights seem to shine even brighter than usual. Lauren looked around the lot, heading in the middle of the road, and immediately knew what car Evony's was.
"Oh," she said. "I…figured you meant…"
"Hmm?" Evony opened the door for Lauren, letting her slip in. It sat low and Lauren had to duck to climb in. It was spotless, it still smelt new, with Evony's perfume lightly following her. Her door shut, Evony climbing in the other side. Lauren watched her pulled her heels off, dropping them in the backseat, before she smirked. "So..?"
"I figured that you…had a driver, or something."
"Sometimes," Evony said, buckling her own seatbelt before starting the car and flicking the music off. "For functions I may play the damsel who doesn't lift a finger, but I prefer being in control."
"Of course."
Evony smirked. The car reversing. "Except in sex," she said casually. "But I'm sure you'll figured that out soon."
Lauren stared awkwardly forward, not sure in how to reply as they pulled out into traffic. The car was gear-shift, Evony's hand flowing fluidly as she changed gears. The bracelet on her wrist would sound as she slowed from fourth down to first, the back up again as they went through lights, turning around corners.
"Don't look so worried," Evony said, humored as Lauren fidgeted in her lap.
"You're very different from the Ash."
"Not as much as you think," Evony replied. "Elijah and I have a shared history. Just moments here and there. Unfortunately he has little interest in sex," she frowned to herself, than shrugged. "Though I suppose that works in your benefit."
"Why do you say that?"
"What do you humans call it? They don't necessarily get aroused? Anyway," she continued, "fae don't usually claim humans for a singular cause. They generally use their services however they see fit. There are many like Elijah who have no interest in sex, however that doesn't mean they're all good, but in fairness, I would say you hit the jackpot."
"What about you," Lauren asked.
"Hmm?"
"Your claimed humans? How do you use them?"
"I don't claim humans. Not anymore." Evony turned away, she was quiet for a moment, before a stiff smile spilled over her features. "I could make an exception if you're offering."
Lauren laughed. "I don't think I can just unclaim myself, then claim to you."
"No, I suppose not. If he were to die, however, you would not immediately be in service to a new Ash. You are chattel and would eventually move from one Ash to the next if he wanted you in his service. But more often than not, humans are discarded. I'd suggest, if the situation were to rise, however unlikely it may be, you very quickly make a decision."
Lauren swallowed, wondering quietly if Evony planned to assassinate the Ash for whatever reason.
"However, I wouldn't worry. I'm quite certain that your brilliant mind will find whatever ails your dear girlfriend in time. Then I suppose you'll be off in some sunset, hmm?"
Lauren laughed bitterly, "Well I'm glad you have faith in me."
"I read your file, Doctor Lewis." Evony pulled up into her apartments parking lot, her car standing out against the other occupants. Shifting the car into park, Evony looked to her. "You found the cure to that little situation in the Congo. I think you deserve some faith, don't you?"
Lauren looked at Evony, her heart racing as she unclipped the seatbelt and pushed forward, crushing her lips to Evony's. The woman gasped, before relaxing, returning the kiss. She didn't know what came over her. If it was the wine in her belly, or Evony's perfume, or just that for the first evening that Lauren could remember, she honestly felt good.
Not just nice, not just better, but good. Normal, excited, happy. She was happy in a way that her guard crashed down and all she wanted was to keep it, because she knew that the moment she stepped out of the car, reality would come back.
Pulling back, Lauren fell back into her seat. Evony looked just as surprised that it ended, as it had begun.
"I'm sorry," Lauren said, running her hand through the blonde hanging over her face. "I'm sorry, I just-"
"Stop apologizing." Evony dropped a hand over Lauren's knee, smiling at her. "Was I complaining?"
Looking away, Lauren bit her lip. She could taste lipstick, bitter against the wine. She could taste something sweet, underneath it all. Taking a breath, she looked back over to Evony. "I'm giving you mixed messages. That isn't fair," she said.
"No, but I think you're aware of what you want, Lauren." Evony unclipped her seatbelt, pushing the door of her car open before she stepped out. Lauren followed, closing it behind her. She didn't know what she wanted, and she didn't know what Evony was after, either.
"What do I want?" she asked.
"You want me to convince you, but I won't. The decision is entirely yours."
They walked into the elevator, Lauren stepping inside, clicking her floor. She half expected Evony to kiss her there and then, until she couldn't breathe and was dizzy with the taste of wine just to contradict what she said. But she didn't. The elevator went up, a silence obvious between them, before the doors opened again. There, Lauren lead Evony to her door, mulling over the question.
She didn't know what was going to happen, but when she turned to look at her, grabbing at her door handle, Lauren knew that she had two choices.
Turning the handle, she found the apartment unlocked as always. The door opened and she stepped inside, before turning to face Evony and blocking her entrance.
Evony waited, smirking at her. She was similar to a cat, Lauren realized. Slow, steady movements before she'd suddenly pounce. Lauren opened her mouth, trying to find the decision she wanted. "Goodnight," she tried to stay, wanting to thank her, but also to make it clear about their boundaries. Instead, she said, "Would you like a coffee?"
Evony stepped forward, her jacket slung over the back of the armchair as Lauren shut the apartment door. She turned around, and before she could do anything else, Evony grabbed her, fingers curling through her hair as she kissed her until Lauren fell back against the door, arching.
It wasn't the right decision. It wasn't a decision, Lauren decided, feeling hands undo her buttoned shirt, squeezing over a bra cup.
It wasn't a decision. She tugged at Evony's lip, her mouth pulling away to stare at Evony briefly. She wanted her, wanted her more than she could understand with physiology. Evony was quite symmetrical, she was aesthetically pleasing, she emotionally appealed to her, Lauren understood all of this and more, but… there was a mouth on her throat, hands trailing down her sides and tugging the shirt off her shoulders and Lauren blinked up at her ceiling, not sure.
"Wait," she said, her voice breathless. Evony pulled away, stepping back far enough that Lauren could still feel her body heat, but didn't feel her hands on her skin.
"I can't," Lauren whispered. "I can't do this."
"Why?"
"It's treason."
"It is," Evony agreed. "But you've been committing treason for the last few weeks, so I don't think it's that. Unless you suddenly had an overwhelming sense of morality."
"I have a girlfriend."
"You had a girlfriend when you made that delicious noise on your phone for me."
"Exactly!" Lauren said. "I did that and it was wrong, and-"
"Lauren," Evony said, moving her hands to touch her shoulders gently. "I'm not going to stop you. This is your decision. But before you make a decision, you need to know why you're doing it."
"I don't know."
"Yes, you do. Otherwise you wouldn't be making these bullshit excuses. Focus, it's not that difficult."
"You could try being nice."
"I am nice," Evony said, fully believing the words in that moment. "But I don't sugarcoat." Lauren stared at her quietly, her head falling back to thud against the door. She didn't know what Evony wanted from her, didn't know how to find the answer. She was awkward and confused and…
Lauren took a breath, shuddering as she stared at her. "I'm scared," she admitted.
"Of me?"
"Of your intentions. Of why you want me. I mean, I'm the Ash's. This isn't about just seducing me, to screw with him. You're…you're making me happy, there's no reason to do that to seduce me, I don't get it! What point would you have? I can't unclaim from the Light to join the Dark, it's physically impossible!" Lauren stared at her, feeling her chest rise and fall. "I don't understand what you want and I keep thinking of the worst case and-"
"You," Evony replied, smiling at her. Lauren glared back, unamused. "It is true."
"You could have anyone, so don't give me that bullshit of you wanting me. There are many others who play hard to get better than me. There are many people more attractive, intelligent, interesting who aren't having moral dilemmas over working for the fae and cheating on their girlfriend!"
"True," Evony nodded. Lauren huffed, both appreciated and hating the brutal honestly Evony brought. "Lauren, you're looking for a rational reason, when there isn't one. I mean, sure I want to feed from you but if all I wanted was that, then, well. I wouldn't have gone to such lengths, now would I?"
"Feed from me?" Lauren blinked, focusing on the particular point. "Why?"
"Because you are…" she trailed off, running a finger through her hair, "So bright, Lauren. I don't think Elijah quite knows what he found when he met you. However, I wouldn't feed without your consent."
"And I assume you ask all of your humans, beforehand?" Lauren asked dryly. The fae didn't ask, they took. Everett taught her that the first day. That the fae would take and take and sometimes, she wouldn't even know it was happening.
But Evony just smiled at her. "Oh course. That's why there are contracts."
Lauren felt her stomach drop, the pieces clicking into place. "You're a muse."
"Close, darling. So very close."
"That's why I always feel inspired after…you…" she pulled away from Evony's hands, stepping beside her. Lauren felt violated, Everett's words coming back to. "Have you fed from me?"
"I've given you something in the past, but I've never taken from you. Not yet at least." This was still a game, Lauren realized. Evony was hunting her.
"Why?" Lauren asked.
"Why do I give or why haven't I taken?"
"You can't feed without consent, you told me that. Which means you feed from your hosts slowly."
"Only the ones I like to keep around longer than a few minutes," Evony said. "And to answer your question, because I wanted to. There isn't always some super secret ulterior motive behind my actions. Sometimes I just do things because I want to. And I think it's worked in your favor twice before, hasn't it?"
"But…" Lauren exhaled. "There's a reason, there's always a reason. Even if you don't understand, there's-" Evony tugged her hand, dragging it close to her. Lauren felt it land over Evony's breast, where the heart should be. She couldn't feel anything, and then, she could. It was slow. A slow, long heartbeat.
"Now," Evony said, "I could show you why, because I don't think the fact that I want you is getting through your pretty head."
"Don't," she said, snapping her hand away. "I'm more than just-"
"I'm aware, as are you," Evony said.
"I don't want you to feed off me."
"Liar."
Lauren glared.
"But if that's your desire in this moment, than I shall submit to your will," Evony smirked, stepping back to lean against the door where Lauren had stood previously. Only then did Lauren realize how their positions had altered.
"I want you," Lauren admitted, frustrated as she stared at Evony. "I want you and I don't even know if it's because you're fae and using your powers and I'm-"
"I'm not," Evony said. "There are aspects of my biology that are intended to sway your opinion in my favor, but nothing purposeful." She tilted her head, looking to Lauren. "You want me, Lauren, because I make you feel closer to humanity than any other fae."
"You're mean," Lauren sad.
"And so very nice. It's such a perplexing contrast isn't it?" Evony stepped forward, only for Lauren to make a further step away. Pausing, Evony looked at her. "Are you afraid of me?" she asked.
"I don't know. You're a two-thousand year old woman, who feeds off…talent," Lauren deduced. "I don't think I can trust you at this point."
Evony nodded, considering Lauren's point slowly. "Okay," she said. Walking forward, she grabbed her jacket and slipped it on. "I can't say I'm not…wishing things had ended differently, but I understand. I don't think it's wise for my company to remain any further."
Lauren's jaw clicked, conflicted as she stared at Evony. She was quiet, watching Evony leave. The door opened and before Evony stepped through, she tossed a half smile at Lauren before shutting the door with a quiet click.
The first day Everett left, it was noticeable. The fae who worked with Lauren may have had grudging respect growing for her, but it didn't stop some of them saying slighted comments.
But they weren't the problem. There were many patients who had no regard for Lauren, even as her patient. She could save their first born's life, and all it would receive was a 'Everett would have done it faster'. It was insulting, disrespectful and had Lauren not being a bigger person, she may have done more than side-eye them over her clipboard.
The truth was, she had no one to protect her. Losing control could result in a patient lashing out, taking it personally in a way that meant some death in the coming future. No one cared enough to stop a situation like that from arising.
So she learnt how to mask her features, bottle up the frustration and let go of it in the privacy of her apartment. Importantly, she learnt how to take every remark without it hitting her.
However, in middle of spring, there was an important case that caused her to do one thing she really didn't want to do. She was asked, by Everett's request, to take on one of their patients from the past. The patient was just feeling off color, and it was probably to do with her third pregnancy, but she just wanted to be assured that that was the case.
They would be arriving the coming weekend for a check-up.
Lauren remembered them, and also remembered that their physiology was complex, especially in pregnancy when half their system was completely shifted. However, when she went to look for her notes, Lauren became aware that the necessary journals were missing. She panicked, going over half her apartment before remembering how they went missing.
It'd been a month since she'd last heard from Evony in person. There were comments, remarks about her merging with a human company and possibly taking on more than she could chew with running both the Dark and a large company, but Lauren disagreed. Evony was leanan sidhe. She knew talent, could see everyone's best assets and place them according.
She was the perfect candidate for the Dark. It was the politics that maybe didn't come as naturally to her.
Still, the Dark thrived. Rich in wealth where the Light was in allies. If war ever broke out between the two, it'd be difficult to know who would win.
"Yes, darling?" Evony answered when Lauren rang.
"You have my journals."
"Do I?"
"Yes."
"Let me see…" she paused, there was a quiet sound of shuffling, then nothing. "No, I don't think I do."
Lauren closed her eyes, frustrated. "You took them from my apartment…after the first night you were here."
"Hmm." Evony was toying with her. Again. Lauren felt herself grip the phone tightly, "I don't know. I've been quite busy these last few weeks."
"Please," Lauren snapped. "I have a case, I need my notes. There's important-"
"When?" Evony asked. "And for whom?"
"Basajaun. And this weekend. If you want the rest longer, that's fine, but it should be in the books dating from late August to early September. I think there's only two…or three. I'm not sure."
"I'll see what I can do." The phone clicked off, leaving Lauren stunned and pissed off. She couldn't rely on Evony returning. Rather than calling her again, or going over there and demanding her journals – as both options were ridiculously stupid and dangerous – Lauren began researching again, from scratch. Going through Doctor Everett's old journals for anything, along with the Light Fae's resources.
Late into the night, there was a knock on her door before it opened. Looking over from the couch, she watched, dumbstruck, as Evony stood in her doorway. Lauren went from the white shirt, with an extra button undone, to the black high-wasted skirt, stocking and heels.
She looked like she'd just come from a meeting, and like nothing Lauren had seen her wear before.
Evony walked over, dropping six large books onto her coffee table, her eyebrow arched expectantly as she looked down to her.
"What are those?"
"Take a look."
Lauren reached forward hesitantly. They weren't her journals. Taking the closest one, she picked it up, off the table and began flicking through it. On some of the pages, there were neatly drawn sketches, labelled accordingly.
"On loan, of course, as you're not with the Dark, but I'm sure they will have all the information you need." Evony smirked, looking down at her. "In fact, there's probably more there than you needed in the first place."
Lauren was stunned, glancing through the first book. Anatomy, biology, chemistry, all on basajaun. No doubt, the following books containing similar information. She blinked, looking up at Evony. "I don't know what to say." She stood up, awkwardly looking to the Morrigan. "This is…more than…" Lauren gestured, gaping in marvel. It was more than she could have received through scribbled notes and uploaded resources into the Ash's online library.
"A thanks wouldn't hurt," Evony smirked.
"Thank you," Lauren replied. She felt the familiar sense of adrenaline rushing through her. She wanted to bounce on her feet, to jump forward and do something. Instead, she remained still, staring at Evony. "Really, thank you. I don't know how to…"
Evony took initiative instead, stepping forward to tilt a teasing smile at Lauren. "I have some ideas," she said coyly.
She was flirting again, Lauren realized. Blinking, still stunned from the books, she mentally searched for an excuse that wasn't a lie as Evony stepped closer. She smelt different, a familiar smell that Lauren couldn't quite place. There was no perfume, nothing synthetic at least.
It was like…
Lauren swallowed, realizing the scent. "Tell me you don't want me, and I'll go away," Evony promised. Lauren felt the arm of the couch hit her legs. Felt her hand reached for the spine of lounge and hold herself steady against it as Evony stepped closer. "Because I want you, Lauren. It's not reasonable, it's not logical, and there's no answer in that great big brain of yours to answer why. But I want you. More than I should." She took Lauren's hand.
The finger weren't damp, they wouldn't be, Lauren realized. They'd have absorbed any moisture from the car park to her door.
But Lauren knew.
She knew.
Evony's other hand came up, brushing hair over Lauren's shoulder before she leant in, pressing red lips to her ear. "I've been thinking about you these past few weeks," she told her. As if it was some secret someone might overhear. The words slipped down Lauren's spine, the effect near instantaneous as it pooled in her belly.
Then she heard herself quietly ask Evony, her voice thick with arousal, "show me?"
She'd meant to say "tell me", but her mind had other ideas, and the hand holding hers, took her fingers down slowly.
Evony made it obvious what her intentions were as she guided Lauren's hand against expensive material, against skin, giving every opportunity for Lauren to refuse.
She'd didn't, instead, Lauren pushed the skirt up, knowing it'd bunch around Evony's hips and thighs as she slipped over skin, to where Evony guided her. She could feel Evony's breath brushing over the shell of her ear, slower than a human's. Fascinating and strange to hear, until it gasped as finger grew closer.
There, Lauren smirked, a shiver running down her spine. Her mouth parted and slowly she brushed over the sheer lace, hearing Evony attempt to conceal a vocal breath.
The sound was so quiet, that had Lauren not being paying attention, she may have missed it.
Daring further, Lauren traced the damp material, slipping beneath it because she had to know. Evony gasped in her ear, as middle and index finger curled, stroking against her sex. It was wet, so wondrously wet that Lauren's eyes fell shut, focusing on just the sensation of wet heat.
"Oh my god," she whispered.
Evony chuckled, the hand on Lauren's wrist dropping away, coming to land on her shoulder as the Morrigan rolled forward against her fingertips. Abruptly, the laughter stopped as Lauren's fingers curled, pressing firmly.
"Tell me you want me," Lauren said. Evony got a laugh, then a barely contained moan as fingers carefully brushed further up her sex.
"I want you."
"Good." She pulled her hand away, smiling at Evony. The woman looked almost cross with her. Eyes wide and scandalized by the audacity Lauren had.
Taking her hand, Lauren pulled her upstairs. She could feel Evony's fingers relax, understanding what was happening. "You don't have to," Evony told her. "I don't care where we have sex. So as long as I'm not left completely aroused and unsatisfied like last time." Lauren laughed. She suspected as much.
"I do," she said, looking over her shoulder. "I suspect I may suddenly remember my morals and refuse you the next time, so I better make the most of it now."
"Next time," Evony said, quirking her brow.
Lauren stopped, turning around before she tugged Evony close enough that Lauren could wrap an arm around her waist. "Regardless of what you want, if you're just interested in a single night to shake off whatever desire you have for me. I know that after tonight, I'm going to…" she trailed off, her fingers finding the zipper of Evony's skirt. Slowly, she tugged it down. The material spilled over waist and down her legs, falling around her heels.
It left Evony in a shirt bearing enough cleavage to show off the edges of bra cups, and falling far enough to only hide half of the damp lace.
The stockings she wore were stay-ups, and Lauren had half a mind to keep her in them, ruin them.
"You have half a mind to…what, doctor?" Evony asked, eyes flashing curiously.
Lauren blinked, whatever thought had been in her mind was long gone. "Sorry, what?" she asked.
Evony's smile peeled wider into a grin. Stepping out of her heels, she kicked them away before stalking past Lauren. "If memory serves correct, I believe the bedroom is this way?" she said, leading the way. Lauren, having fallen in a daze, followed happily behind her.
Whatever ground she'd held before, she'd lost.
There was still time.
Lauren stepped forward into the bedroom, feeling underdressed in her cotton pants and singlet, as well as overdressed when she saw Evony on the end of her bed, leaning back on her hands. She had one leg crossed over the other, bouncing lazily as she watched Lauren enter.
Knowing what she wanted, Lauren stepped forward, close enough that Evony's thumbs looped around the pink cotton singlet, edging it up. "Now," she said, lifting it up slowly. "I don't know what you like."
"I thought you knew everything," Lauren teased.
Evony smirked up at her, leaning forward to press a kiss between Lauren's ribs. There, Lauren hummed, feeling the singlet push higher, over her breasts where Evony held the cotton, kissing a trail up between both breasts.
Her body felt like it might give in and melt, arousal slipping her further into a clouded mind. It wasn't the books that seduced her, it wasn't how Evony dressed, or even that she came this evening. Lauren suspected that Evony knew how to play for the long haul, and over the last few months, she had so quickly made it so all Lauren wanted was her. Just once.
And god, Lauren didn't care what happened after tonight. She could never see her again and maybe, maybe it would be okay.
"I know what you want," Evony told her, "but I don't know how you'd like that achieved."
"What?"
Evony's hands slipped down, her mouth taking a taut nipple gently between her teeth. Lauren felt her breath shake, looking down to see Evony's eyes on hers as she let go. Her fingers curled around the cotton pants waistband, twisting around underwear too as she began tugging it down, skimming the material slowly over Lauren. Inch by inch, skin was exposed to the cool air.
Lauren's chest rose and fell with deep breaths, her hands on Evony's shoulders. "Tell me," she said. "Tell me what I…" her words cut off, feeling Evony's nails run bluntly over the pubic mound. She hadn't prepared, she'd showered not long after coming home, her hair was still cool, not wet enough to be classified as damp.
But whether Evony minded or noticed particularly, Lauren didn't know.
She was nervous. It'd been a while, she wasn't prepared and she didn't know particularly what Evony liked. But so far, Evony seemed less concerned about herself and more focused on Lauren.
The cotton fell around her ankles suddenly and Evony's nails were bluntly running along the back of Lauren's thighs. Lauren trembled, a whine in her throat holding back the sensation that shook at her knees, tensing the muscles in her legs.
Unable to stand it further, she grabbed the hands, moving one thigh, than the other, to kneel over Evony before sitting down on bare legs.
She held Evony's wrists, holding them to the bedspread as she rocked forward, moving to kiss her. Evony shifted her legs purposely, one leg suddenly pressing between damp thighs. Wetly, Lauren slid, feeling herself against Evony.
Lauren's head paused, a gasp in her throat as blinked and let go of Evony's wrists. "That wasn't fair," she said. The Morrigan was smiling at her.
"I never said I was going to play fair," she said, settling hands onto Lauren's hips. Carefully, she trailed a light pattern over the bare skin before reaching up and tugging the cotton singlet from Lauren's body. "There," she said, "much better."
Lauren didn't completely agree with that. Evony was still half dressed.
Leaning forward she kissed the woman's lips, tracing her hands over the buttons. One by one, they popped underneath her touch. Lauren's mouth kissed over Evony's, the movement slow and sure as she pulled open the shirt, slipping it down the woman's arms.
It caught around a gold bracelet. Tugging the jewelry off, Lauren pulled the shirt from Evony and discarding it over her shoulder, she pressed her down onto the bed.
Sex was similar to a dance for her, and one Lauren knew better than any waltz.
She slid her hands over Evony's skin, coming to the lace band of the bra. Too lazy, she pushed it above the breasts, one hand coming over to grab and squeeze over Evony's heart. She couldn't feel it beat beneath her touch, but she knew it was there, knew that there was a slow, steady beat, similar to a crocodile resting beneath a ribcage.
"I wonder," Evony whispered, pressing a finger to Lauren's lips to stop Lauren darting forward again. Slowly the finger dropped down to her chin, her thumb coming up to drag over Lauren's bottom lip. "Would you be selfish for me tonight?"
"No," Lauren laughed. The hand dropped away, Evony looking up at her disappointedly. "But I promise to hold back on logic. I'll 'save it for the labs'." Evony laughed, dropping her head back on the bedspread to smile lazily at the ceiling. Lauren sat up, still on Evony's thighs as she looked down at her.
She didn't expect it to be like this. To be lazy and fun. She expected unbridled passion, maybe. Something edging on rough. This, however, was exactly what Lauren needed.
Evony smiled at her. "You're going to be bad for business. I can just tell."
"You begun this," Lauren whispered. "And you're just in control of this ending as I am."
Evony sat up, a curious look slipping over her features, "that's just it, Doctor Lewis. I'm not so sure I am." She reached up, flicking blonde hair over Lauren's shoulder. "I have no self control when it comes to desirable things."
"And I'm desirable?" Lauren laughed. "You are such the flatterer."
"Look at you," Evony whispered. She sat up properly. shifting them so Lauren's was almost pressed against her. "Really think about your position. You are a talented woman whose bed I'm about to get in, whom I have no plan of feeding from this evening. Few could admit such feat."
"Flatterer," Lauren said again. "You're in this for the long game," she whispered. Everett said as much, didn't she? Looking at her now, Lauren knew she was right. There was something about Evony. Something convoluted.
"And what's 'the long game', Lauren?"
"You tell me." Lauren didn't wait for the answer, didn't care for it tonight. Her mouth came to Evony's, her fingertip slipping over skin. She didn't seek orgasms for Evony. They may only have tonight, and that was fine, more than fine, but just incase, Lauren decided she wanted to know Evony's body.
She wanted those noises again.
They moved further up the bed, Lauren spreading Evony's legs to hook over her hips as she kissed between breasts.
Evony, Lauren quickly realized, was a performer. She relished in loud noises as much as Lauren enjoyed causing them. Slipping a hand down and over Evony's leg to catch under the knee, she used her other hand to hold at the curve of Evony's back, dropping her mouth further down the Morrigan's body as she crawled back on the bed.
Evony's eyes were on hers as she used both hands to grab either side of the lace lingerie and tug it down. Her hips lifted, allowing the material to slip, before they were dragged over her knees. Shifting further back, Lauren allowed Evony's legs to be in front of her body, so both calves came together, slipping the last material from Evony's skin.
She tossed the lace away, leaving nothing but a held pause between them as stared at each other. Lauren calculating the odds of whether she should just dive in and spread the woman's legs apart again, or whether she should take it slow. She wanted to make Evony have a good orgasm, but good enough that she knew Lauren could do better.
"What are you going to do now?" Evony asked, tilting her head on a pillow.
"Depends on how long you want," Lauren replied. She moved, lying down on her belly beside her to trace over a thigh, lazily drawing patterns near the pubic mound. Evony didn't break out in goosebumps like a human, but her muscle tensed, her leg sliding up as her hip lifted just-so. "I could go slow, learn your anatomy in detail," her fingers traced over the lower belly, featherlight touches that had Evony tense then relax.
"Or?" Evony asked, her lips tugging into a smile.
"Or I could…" with one finger, she traced down, over dark curls to where the clitoral hood was. The touch was light, slipping between wet folds to trace over labia. Evony's thighs parted. "I need direction," Lauren said.
"That doesn't sound fun."
Turning her wrist, outward, Lauren slipped two fingers inside Evony. She watched eyes snap open, feeling thighs clamp around her hand. Lauren smiled, pleased. Evony's reaction was far quicker than a human's. "It's very difficult to know what you like. I've had sex with a fair few women over the years, and no two liked it exactly the same."
"You're a fast learner," Evony said, gasping over the words. "So learn. Quickly."
"How quickly?" Lauren asked, trying to pull her fingers away. Thighs held her firmly. Chuckling, Lauren slid back inside. Sooner or later, Evony would spread her thighs apart again, if only to allow for more sensation over her sex.
And Lauren knew, watching her amused as Evony glared playfully at her. "I despise you right now, I hope you're happy."
"You told me you like it when someone else takes control in sex," Lauren grinned, even more amused as Evony began to look conflicted.
"How am I going to deal with you?" Evony asked.
Moving forward, her fingers still inside, curling as she leant forward to kiss Evony's lips, Lauren whispered, "I'm sure you'll think of something." There, she felt Evony's thighs relax, her breath against her mouth. Lauren felt the Morrigan's hand slide over her neck, easing deeper into the kiss before pulling away. Nudging her, Lauren licked Evony's bottom lip, asking her "How much do you want me?"
"Lauren," Evony growled, nails digging into the back of her neck.
It was playful, and not in the least bit painful, but it put her point across. Laughing, Lauren kissed her again, sliding her fingers out, over the clit, then back inside. Instantaneously, Evony melted against the bed, head tilting back to expose her throat.
Lauren thought about dropping down, about her mouth going over the clit, her tongue sliding along the sex and feeling Evony climax around her fingers and tongue. But, she wanted something else, something more. She wanted to see Evony's reaction. Know what makes her breath rise and fall, then shudder. She wanted to see the mouth fall open when she couldn't make a sound, watch her eyes flutter, her brow pinch.
She wanted to map every reaction in her mind and catalogue it for later.
If she ever came into her bed again, and it was a big if, Lauren wanted to know what worked, what didn't, and what finally tipped her over the edge.
Lauren stroked, slowly at first, going firmer every odd stroke. So far, it was a tease, a game perhaps between them. Lauren wasn't sure what she wanted from Evony, not really. This was just learning her before they got into something better.
Maybe.
Hopefully.
When she was close enough, Lauren slipped one thigh between Evony's legs, curling inside of her against so the heel of her hand would rub at Evony's clit.
"Here," Lauren whispered, using her other hand to take one of Evony's and slip it over her own sex. She was knelt over Evony, her eyes falling shut as Evony felt how wet she was.
"I could make you come before me," Evony said, turning to look at her. The Morrigan's fingers slipped delicately over Lauren's clit, stroking, then circling. Learning what Lauren liked.
"I know," Lauren said. "Don't. I just…"
She felt Evony arch beneath her, one of her thighs pressing against her in the movement as a moan slipped from the Morrigan's mouth.
Lauren needed to feel her. She didn't care about an orgasm. She just needed something.
But Evony didn't play fair and more than once, Lauren found herself rocking on fingertips, her own hand falling in pace with Evony's before she remembered what she was trying to do. Between sounds, Evony's eyes would flutter open, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth knowingly, as she looked at Lauren.
Feeling her own orgasm edge on the horizon, Lauren quickening her pace as she pressed firmly against Evony. Her hand was wet, her fingers soaked with lubricant as she watched Evony's head tilt back, her mouth parting as a loud, high sound catch over the word "Yes!"
Sex with Evony, Lauren decided, listening to her name being called over and over again, until the words disappeared and all Evony could do was sound, was like sex with a porn star.
She felt Evony clench and unclench around her fingers, her hips rocking against her, before the last, loud sound finally poured from her mouth.
Evony's hand dropped away from Lauren, though the thigh pressing against Lauren's sex, pressed harder until Lauren finally pulled her fingers away, dropping her hand wetly on Evony's hip before she rolled off her, beside her on the bed.
Or so she thought.
Lauren fell off the bed with a yelp, staring up in surprise as Evony head peered over the edge, lazily staring over the covers. Her head was resting up on an arm to look down at her amused.
"Very graceful," Evony said, smiling at her.
"I could have sworn we were in the middle of the bed," Lauren said, blinking up at her as her cheeks blushed furiously. Evony laughed, watching at Lauren stood up and carefully sat on the end of the bed, looking up at her.
"Do you need a doctor, doctor?"
"I would prefer that we forget that happened," Lauren said.
Evony shrugged. "Suit yourself, but it's funny."
Huffing, Lauren glared at her.
"Oh please, as if sex isn't hilarious. There are more times than I could count that I've had similar situations happen. I once had a lover knee me in the face," she said. "And I've more than once fallen off the bed."
Lauren laughed lightly. "Well, on embarrassing situations, I once handcuffed myself to the bed to surprise my girlfriend once, and she came home with her parents."
Evony smiled. "See," she said, her foot nudging Lauren. "Sex is hilarious, it's good. God, if it was just perfectly rehearsed then I would be bored." She sat up, smiling at Lauren. "Now, what do you want?"
"Well…" Lauren said, looking at her. "You recovered quickly."
"Perks of biology, now get your bruised ass over here so I can make sure there's no serious damage done."
Lauren smiled, obeying the commands.
