48 hours earlier.
It only took one breath. One moment Lauren was standing outside the hospital and the next she was gone-blanketed by complete darkness.
She was dead.
No. She only felt that way. Grasping for breath, her lungs burned and a tight squeezing sensation filled her body. On the verge of passing out, a deafening blast broke the silence, and the world burst back into an explosion of color.
Flashes of images fired rapidly at her, as she continued to struggle for air. She fought to focus, and faltered seeking something to cling to, but found the space empty. She wondered if she was hallucinating, if she'd finally cracked under all the pressure.
"What is happening?" Lauren gasped, her voice shaky. She focused on reducing her rapid panting as her head pounded. It was the most disturbing feeling she'd ever experienced.
"Calm yourself. Take deep, full breaths. The sensation will pass if you don't fight it," a deep voice whispered in her ear, and she followed his instructions.
Closing her eyes, she tried to block out everything and focus on steadying herself. Slowly, the lightheadedness faded, taking the nauseous feeling with it.
Looking down at her body, she strained to stand upright. "Who are you and why have you brought me here?" She demanded, her tone thick with exasperation.
"I felt it was important to remove you from your current path and bring you here. For a chat."
"And where exactly is here?" Lauren asked, gesturing to her surroundings.
"Nowhere."
"I suppose you're the Caretaker," Lauren said, trying to keep her voice level. "I thought I already told you no."
"Yes." He stepped into the light, revealing himself in the form of an older man. "My job is to observe the Temple, to keep an ever watchful eye on events," He said, half his body cast in darkness, making him appear even more intimidating.
"What do you want?" Lauren asked. Her options seemed limited, at that moment, she decided to glean information to use against the Temple.
"You're hardly in a position to demand answers, Dr. Lewis." His expressionless eyes focused on her.
"You're the one who wanted to chat." She shot back, glancing around her but finding no clues as to where she was.
"From what I've witnessed, you have proven to be much more impetuous than I expected. Your presence here has changed the rules, accelerated the timetable, and I can't ignore that any longer."
Lauren raised her eyebrows with a smirk and channeled Bo. "Let us go, and I'll no longer be a bother."
"Bo derailed the natural order of the Temple. I'm here to offer you your last and final deal." He said with a condescending tone and a patronizing smile.
The mention of another deal caused Lauren's skin to prickle with rage. "I'm not making any deals." She stepped back. She didn't want to hear any nonsense from the Caretaker.
"That's where you're wrong. You will if you want to save Bo. We both know there are plenty of ways to make Bo suffer in this place."
Lauren squeezed her eyes shut and tried to unpack her muddled thoughts. Staving off a rush of dizziness, she stood tall and shook her head. "Your threats aren't going to stop me." Lauren's voice echoed through the empty space.
His mouth lifted into a grin. "Save your breath. The Temple must have its revenge, but I'm sure we can work out some kind of arrangement. What's Bo's life worth to you?"
"I'm not making any deals." Lauren's mouth pinched in determination and her emotions rolled into a boil of anxiety. "There is another way out. I know it." She said, a glint of doubt crept in, mixing with her other emotions.
"There isn't, Lauren. How do you imagine all three of you will survive? Don't you understand there is no magical solution to save all your souls? This isn't a fairy tale, without sacrifice there is no way out. A price needs to be paid. Bo can't cheat her way out of this."
"I don't believe you."
"The temple must have its revenge either by Bo staying here forever or suffering in your world. Bo will have to make a choice, leave behind someone she loves or be trapped forever."
Lauren stared at him, her anger and hatred pinching her eyes. "Bo doesn't like to be forced into anything, especially something she would never choose for herself."
"If you care anything about Bo's life, make it as easy as possible when she has to make her choice." He crossed his arms looking bored. "The fact remains that you are only human. You're not like Dyson and Bo. The sooner you accept that, the better. Your life is meaningless in the grand scheme of things. But Bo will have thousands of years to help endless amounts of people. And Dyson is fiercely loyal to Bo. It solves everyone's problem. Bo's free, and we get our vengeance by taking something precious from her."
Her anger burned, hot and fierce. "No." This made no sense. There was something she was missing, but she couldn't place it.
"I expected erratic, irrational behavior from the succubus, but not you. Fear clouds your rational thoughts. You'll only make all this harder on Bo by fighting us."
Thoughts raced through her mind, and she could feel panic mounting. "Why not free Bo and just keep me here? Why make her choose?"
He ignored her question. "This is your last chance. Bo has 72 hours to finish her Dawning and make her choice. It's the only way. And just so you know, that I'm serious, I'm going to send my pets after her, and it will rip her flesh bit by bit, but she won't die. No, she'll suffer for eternity."
"Your words mean nothing to me." She was bluffing, she looked into his eyes, fairly certain he was telling the truth. But she did think he was withholding vital information.
"Would you give your life to save Bo?"
"Yes," Lauren answered without hesitation.
Within a blink, the world shifted again, and Lauren stood in front of the hospital. She sat on a bench, trying to make sense of what had happened. Her mind still tumbled in confusion and anxiety, and she weighed her options. Best-case scenario the keeper was lying, and there was another way out. Worst-case scenario, he wasn't, and Bo would have to make a choice. Lauren wasn't feeling very confident about the former, a piece of her heart wilted in despair. Lauren thrived on being prepared, but there was no way to be prepared in this situation.
She checked the time and stiffened, fear constricted her chest, making it hard to breathe. She had been gone two days. It had only felt like minutes. Something wasn't right. Something was off. Was she starting to lose her grip on reality?
The thoughts of Bo nearly suffocated her with worry until the sound of a car approaching the hospital interrupted her thoughts.
A woman past her, mumbling to herself. "The walls are crumbling. The link is breaking. You are dying."
Lauren stood and jogged to the woman. She placed a hand on her shoulder to stop her. "What did you say?"
She pointed a finger at Lauren's chest. "Tick-tock, tick-tock. It's ticking for you."
Lauren searched her eyes. "The link is breaking? Tell me what to do?"
The woman brought her hands together in a slow, methodical clap, echoing into the night air. "You're failing fast, and you won't last much longer…" The woman's voice broke, and she composed herself, blinking quickly. "I'm late." She declared, before marching into the hospital.
Lauren's heart hardened, and she pulled herself together, determination replaced her anguish. Eager to get to Bo, she walked away. She was ready for the whole thing to be over with, one way or another.
XXXXX
They didn't speak. They didn't need to. They would communicate a different way.
The door to the hotel room slammed shut, and it took only a few strides before Bo stood in front of Lauren. Bo looked directly into Lauren's eyes with calm confidence as she reached for Lauren and in one swift movement lurched her forward into her body.
Too overwhelmed to think, Lauren's heart raced fast instead. Bo's smoky brown eyes pinned hers, lust lit up her face. Her right arm captured Lauren's back, and her other hand cupped the back of Lauren's head, turned it and captured her lips.
With their lips and bodies pressed together, a long-dormant fire combusted to life again. Lauren was an assault on Bo's senses, and she was lost in how good it felt to be back in Lauren's arms, she longed for it, like a constant thirst needing to be appeased.
The roughness of Bo's kiss shocked Lauren's system, but she welcomed her by opening her mouth so Bo could push her tongue inside. Any self-restraint Bo had slipped away as she immersed herself in Lauren, deeper and deeper, taking all she could get.
With one hand splayed across her back, Bo reached into Lauren's hair, taking command, Bo tangled her fingers around her locks and held Lauren in place. She needed to have Lauren, desperately wanted her. It was hard to think with Lauren's tongue sliding warm, soft but forceful against hers, but really she didn't want to think.
The haze of arousal fogging her mind, Lauren's hands fisted the edge of Bo's jacket, pulling her to her. Mouths still connected, Lauren yanked it down her arms. Smiling into Lauren's mouth, Bo shrugged it off and dropped it to the floor.
Holding a firm grip on Lauren, Bo's mouth ravaged her, as she walked them backward, through the room to the bed.
With a loud exhale, Bo tugged her lips away and trailed kisses down the delicate, smooth skin of Lauren's throat. She licked and sucked her earlobe, curled her tongue around it, sending a quiver down Lauren's body, setting her insides aflame.
Fevered and desperate for more, Bo's hands ripped the shirt from Lauren's body, not caring that she was destroying it. She tossed it beside them, tearing a moan from Lauren.
Bo's hands grazed the sides of Lauren's rib cage and Lauren upstretched her arms as Bo undid her bra. With a flick of her wrist, she threw it away. She glided her fingertips over the smooth skin of Lauren's back as her lips found Lauren's again, rough and frenzied.
When Bo pulled back to look at her face, she was breathing hard, and her lower half simmered. A flame sparked in her eyes as she raked them over Lauren, settling on her lips before she brought them back to meet her eyes. Her hungry gaze devoured Lauren, silently expressing everything they were both feeling inside.
Lauren's breathing picked up, lost and waiting, needy for more. "We should really talk," She whispered, trying to slow down her breathing. "We should…"
"Yeah?" Bo's voice was quiet, and she furrowed her brows. "I don't want to talk." Her voice thick with desire as she studied Lauren's face. "Can't we just have one moment? A moment about us and nothing else?" Her mind was consumed with thoughts of love and intense lust, and she didn't want to worry about stopping. Not now.
Bo didn't wait for a reply. Her gaze dropped to Lauren's mouth, and she inched toward her slowly. The hand on her back lifted, and she grabbed Lauren's hair, tugging her head back. And then, Lauren was being kissed with so much force it blinded her. Words entirely left her, she completely forgot about stopping, only the undeniable pull to Bo remained. It was rough, driving Lauren to give up any resistance, to enjoy the moment and the passion burning between them.
Bo groaned into her mouth, holding her tighter, claiming her mouth with wild abandon. Clearly, showing her desperation.
Lauren clung to Bo's neck to steady herself, afraid to let go, afraid she couldn't stand. Overwhelmed with Bo's intensity the heat building in her stomach raged, making her dizzy.
Bo's hands roamed her body, one hand pressed against the small of Lauren's back, pulling her hard against her.
Bo released her, and in one movement, Bo fell to her knees, with her lips instantly on Lauren's stomach, her hands slid up until she found the curve of Lauren's firm backside. Lauren's every nerve taut in expectation, her body revving up with every brush of Bo's lips.
Lauren moaned at Bo's touch, encouraging her. Lips to Lauren's stomach, Bo peeked her tongue out, trailing down the salty skin, smelling her, tasting her, down to her belly button. She swirled her tongue around it, a few times, in slow movements.
No words were necessary as their desire for each other built with every heartbeat. Enjoying Bo's teasing, Lauren nipped her lower lip, her head fell back, and her body trembled.
Bo's mouth hovered hot and breathy on Lauren's stomach as she yanked down the zipper on Lauren's jeans, and tugged them off.
Quietly moaning, Lauren dug her fingers into her hair, and Bo pulled her underwear down. She was rough as she pulled them off, and cast them aside quickly. Bo's actions were so full of lust, Lauren was dismantled to pieces, waiting.
The cold air hit Lauren's skin, and all her hairs stood on end. With her body exposed to her, Bo looked up the length of Lauren's taut, naked body and her breathing accelerated, a flood of desire warming her blood.
She ran her tongue up her inner thigh and across the front of her center. The tip of her tongue dipped in, just a little. Just enough for Lauren to shudder at the first caress of her tongue, she sucked her stomach in and tensed.
Within a split second, Bo stood, heat pulsed her belly. She raked her sharp eyes over Lauren, narrowing them on her breasts. Her body throbbed, a blue flash in her eyes brightening. She was surprised how she had forgotten how delicious Lauren looked, naked and exposed. She ached to touch her or run her tongue all over her.
Bo moved her leg up between Lauren's knees, coaxing them open. Lauren shifted lower and rubbed herself along the length of Bo's thigh, seeking friction to satisfy her growing need. She gripped Bo's shoulders, her pulse quickened wildly, already soaked in desire, her body begged for Bo's touch.
Bo encircled her arms around Lauren. She angled her head, her mouth nearing Lauren's. Her warm lips brushed over Lauren's, teasing her into responding. Lauren eagerly accepted her kiss. Barely breathing, Bo let her explore her mouth with her tongue.
Lauren's hands caught the hem of Bo's shirt and pulled it up, breaking their kiss for only as long as it took to get it off over her head. She dropped it to the floor, and Bo pulled her back into her arms, her lips landing on Lauren's again.
Bo couldn't take it anymore, couldn't wait anymore. She caught Lauren's shoulders, backed her up until her legs hit the edge of the bed. Bo kissed her deep, rough, her mouth hard against hers.
Bo twisted them and pushed all of her weight against Lauren's shoulders. Lauren fell backward, hitting the bed, taking Bo with her.
Bo landed on her body, and Lauren rolled instantly, trapping Bo underneath her, all the while she kept their lips together, hot and needing. Dizzy with exhilaration, Lauren's tongue slid into Bo's mouth. She swept her tongue over Bo's lower lip, igniting flames that danced over Bo's skin and down her spine.
Always wanting to get Lauren off first, Bo rolled them over, so she was on top, settling her weight on Lauren. Bo stared at her, beautiful and wild, her eyes hooded with passion.
Lauren knifed up, undid Bo's bra and pulled it away. She wanted to see and feel her body. Tenderly but with purpose, she ghosted her fingers over Bo's skin until her thumbs slowly stroked the curve of Bo's bare breast.
When Bo got too turned on and couldn't take it anymore, she arched her back and nipped Lauren's shoulder before pushing her back against the mattress.
The moment Lauren laid back, Bo moved over her to straddle Lauren's hips. She came to a stop above Lauren, her dark gaze burning into Lauren's. The look said everything. She wanted Lauren, and she could have her. Through her slow blinks, a hint of blue shone in her eyes.
Bo's eyes fluttered closed, she lowered, eager to get rid of the fabric between them and have skin-to-skin contact with her. She made fast work of her remaining clothes, stripping them off. With her toes, she yanked them off her body.
Lauren breathed hard, fighting to calm herself enough to speak. "Do you feel something?" She asked, her voice a ragged mess. She had seen Bo's blue eyes and wondered if Bo's succubus side was coming through.
Lauren could feel the emotions filtering through Bo's eyes. Lust. Passion. Need. All of which matched her own.
A smile spread across Bo's mouth, keen and bright. "Hungry," She answered another bright flash of blue. Pressure rose, and heat swelled in Bo, and she ran her tongue along Lauren's jaw. Bo's eyes sparkled as her hand found Lauren's bare breast, she palmed it, thumbing her hard nipples.
Her warm lips trailed an invisible map starting at Lauren's neck and moved downward. Her tongue teased her nipples, and then closed her lips around it and sucked in hard. Lauren's back arched and Bo drew her nipple in harder. Lauren bucked underneath her as her fingers dragged down the skin over Bo's spine. The surging anticipation was so great. Lauren was beyond words or any rational thoughts.
Locking her gaze on Lauren, Bo pressed her palms against the mattress. She bent forward, Lauren's hard nipples pressed into her skin. She captured Lauren's lips with hers, slid two fingers inside and teased Lauren's raw flesh. Lauren reacted instantaneously, working her body against Bo's fingers, feeling herself growing wetter with each stroke.
Bo withdrew her fingers out of Lauren, leaving Lauren hot and wet in their wake. A protest was on Lauren's lips, but Bo lifted her hand, dragging her fingers across Lauren's mouth. Lauren parted her lips and released a breath as Bo slipped them in. She gripped Bo's wrist and stared at Bo with half-closed eyes as she sucked and licked Bo's fingers, her teeth lightly nipping her flesh.
Bo eased her fingers out of Lauren's mouth, and a sexy gasp escaped Lauren that caused tension to swamp her, pooling in Bo's gut, lingering there.
Lauren relaxed into the bed, the ache between her legs grew. Passion and need spiked inside Lauren, driving her to surrender to them, to give herself over to the yearning and the moment. She yielded and let Bo lead the way. Desire directed her, and it led Bo too.
Sensing what Lauren wanted, Bo placed her hands on Lauren's knees. "Spread your legs, Lauren," Bo whispered, her voice full of carnal lust.
Lauren parted her thighs and slowly revealed herself to Bo's piercing eyes. Her eyes widened, and blue flared around her enlarged pupils.
Quickly, Bo shifted Lauren's legs over her shoulders, and Lauren shivered with anticipation, eager to feel Bo's tongue on her. So turned on, she couldn't wait.
Bo's fingers parted her, exposing her clitoris. With the tip of her tongue, she stroked it, teased it. Her warm breath brushed Lauren, and she licked the length of her, from her slick opening to her tip. She felt her stomach tighten when the taste of Lauren hit her mouth. It had been so long since she'd touched her, tasted her.
After a moment, Bo wrapped her lips around her clit and sucked slowly. Lauren screwed her face up, trembling all over, struggling to catch her breath as Bo licked and sucked her. The breathy moans from Bo added to the ecstasy carrying her away.
The pleasurable burning inside pulled a gasp from Lauren, she arched upward, begging for more. Her hands clenched the bed sheets, squeezed her eyes shut, her heart beating quickly.
Lauren dug her heels in Bo's back as she gently rolled herself up, offering Bo more, seeking her mouth, encouraging her to take everything she had.
Bo's tongue delved deeply, tasted her so eagerly that Lauren's insides constricted and pulsed from her ferocity. Lauren moved against her face, unable to keep still. With each plunge of her tongue, Lauren gasped out a breath.
She licked upwards again and drew her lips around her clit. Lauren tipped her head back and breathed hard, and gripped her hands on the headboard to steady herself. Lauren's body flushed and grew hot under Bo's attack. Her tongue skillfully made the scorching desire in Lauren's stomach unfurl, unraveling her by the second.
Bo's fingers curved around Lauren's backside as she moved her tongue with care coupled with wildness, moving slowly and then quick, taking her time to taste and feel her. With her mouth on Lauren, she stroked her as though she couldn't get enough.
Gently, Bo moved a finger into Lauren's body. She pushed deeper inside and pumped another finger into Lauren's wetness. Building up her pace, she teased her clit with gentle licks, reading Lauren's breaths and movements to guide her.
The sensation was so piercing with a quick reflex, Lauren clutched Bo's hair as Bo suckled strongly at her and thrust inside her.
No longer breathing, Lauren reached her peak, and for one heartbeat she felt almost weightless, floating. Then the climax claimed her completely. Shuddering all over, she sighed out Bo's name.
Bo kissed her inner thigh, her hands skimmed down the smooth flesh of her stomach.
Still lost in a haze of passion, Lauren went limp, breathless, and smiling. Lauren's hair spilled over the pillow, her body glistening wet and gorgeous. Her eyes half closed, her face flushed with gratification. With the taste of her still on Bo's tongue, Bo kissed her, deeply. Lauren's mouth was hot and hungry over hers, tongue slipping in and out, drawing out a groan from Bo.
Pulling away from Bo's lips, Lauren lifted up, at the same time, Bo shuffled up sitting on her. Her bare thighs were warm against Lauren's legs. Lauren kissed Bo's forehead, and she shifted onto her knees, her body around Lauren.
Lauren's eyes met hers, and they sat face-to-face, staring at each other for a moment. Bo's eyes were swirling, vivid blue, hunger etched in every line of her face. Lauren knew what she was seeing. Bo's succubus side, but she didn't stop. She pressed one hand to Bo's back and stroked Bo with the tip of her finger, her slick wetness inviting her inside.
Bo kept her eyes locked on hers, desperate to feel Lauren inside her once more, she eased herself down to Lauren's fingers, drawing her deeper into her.
Losing herself in the moment, and the beautifully warm feel of Bo, Lauren's teeth tugged on Bo's lower lip. She slid her finger up fully inside her with her other hand palming her backside. Lauren watched Bo's face, mesmerized by the obvious pleasure she saw move across her features and the breathless moan that accompanied it.
Bo's fingers clasped the back of Lauren's head, her body writhing against her hand, her breasts bounced with each motion. Her stomach trembled, and her skin turned to fire as she moved in rhythm with Lauren's thrusts.
Shamelessly, Bo ground harder against Lauren's fingers. The feel of Lauren sliding in and out soon had her head tipping back. She closed her eyes and clung to Lauren, each ripple of her body around Lauren's fingers tore an answering moan from the back of her throat.
Lauren raked her gaze over Bo's beautiful face, watching every flash of pleasure blooming across her features, the warm trickle of her wetness ran down her hand, it was blissfully arousing to witness and feel.
Bo's breathing mounted, and she buried her face in Lauren's neck, inhaling her scent as she rode her fingers, hard and fast.
Bo raised both of her hands and settled her palms against Lauren's cheeks, holding her face. Kissing Lauren, Bo focused on the warmth of her lips against hers and the way her fingers slid sensually against her core with each long, hard stroke.
She spread herself further and moved her hips as Lauren withdrew and added two more fingers. The swells of excitement speared through Bo and Lauren deepened her thrusts and pressed her thumb against her swollen clit, eliciting a moan of pleasure from Bo.
With such a build up, the assault on her nerves was becoming too much too soon. Lauren drove her higher and higher with more force. Her skin misted with sweat, and she closed her eyes savoring every thrust Lauren gave her.
Bo's quick breaths grew more ragged, Lauren dragged her free hand up over the lush swell of Bo's breast. She cupped and kneaded it. She thumbed her nipple before pinching them between her fingers.
Deliberately, Lauren began to circle her fingers, stimulating Bo's most sensitive flesh, willing her to reach a climax, arousing her further.
Feeling herself achingly close, the tension built, growing fierce. Bo rode her hand faster and faster, the spasms of her core quivered around Lauren's fingers. Seized in ecstasy, Bo surged her hips as her release claimed her. It spread outward until she was tingling from head to toe.
The faint scent of sex filled the air, Lauren slipped her fingers out, and Bo let out a long satisfied sigh, holding a dreamy smile.
Lauren curled her arms around Bo's body, drowning in the raw heat radiating from her.
They held each other, arms and legs tangled, absorbing the glorious hazy aftershocks as their breathing slowed and leveled.
Stroking Bo's hair, Lauren was all too aware that the time they had left was fading quickly. She couldn't ignore the possibility that this might be one of their last moments together. The road ahead would be uncertain and dangerous. She closed her eyes, trying to hold on to the moment, but her thoughts consumed her.
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Lauren wasn't sure how long they had remained there, their bodies intimately entwined together, enjoying the calm and connection. It was only when Bo took a deep breath that Lauren came back to the world.
Bo slanted her head, brushed her mouth up Lauren's jaw and, in her ear, said. "I want to stay like this forever…I could…" She stated in a broken whisper against Lauren's ear. "What's wrong with us? Why can't we get it right? We should have never been apart."
Breathing unsteadily, Lauren didn't answer, her palms pressed hard against Bo's back.
Bo drew back, held Lauren's face and brushed her thumbs across her cheekbones. "What's wrong?"
Lauren blinked herself away from her turbulent thoughts and shook it off. Lauren hesitated long enough that Bo suspected she wasn't going to say anything.
"It's nothing."
A spark of concern appeared in Bo's stormy eyes. "Tell me." She said, stroking Lauren's cheek.
"I won't let anything happen to you, Bo." Lauren's words came out wearier than she intended.
Bo was suddenly hyperaware of the fact that she was still very naked, straddling Lauren's legs. "I'm sorry for not believing in you, for not trusting you."
"Bo, you don't have to apologize to me. I had to earn your trust back, I understand."
Bo slipped off Lauren's lap and wrapped a sheet around her body. She gathered up a blanket and covered Lauren's shoulders with it. It was a thoughtful gesture and Lauren smiled.
"Let's make an agreement." Bo rested against the pillow and stared up at Lauren. "No more leaving each other."
Lauren's smile faded and she looked away for several seconds. Dread replaced her sense of calm. "The key to this place is in the details around us, and I fear I've missed something paramount."
Bo's throat felt tight, mindful that Lauren was dodging her statement, but she pushed her question out. "What does that mean?"
Lauren eased down, facing Bo. Her eyes were filled with exhaustion and admiration. "We don't have much time to finish this."
"What are you talking about?" Bo wondered with a frown. "Is something wrong?"
Lauren reached out and brushed the damp strands of hair away from her face. "You felt something, right? Before? I saw your eyes start to change."
Bo's eyes went wide in thought. She scooted closer to Lauren and whispered. "I think so."
"That's encouraging. Your old self is shining through. You're growing stronger, and it might help you remember."
Bo had a twinge of uneasiness that something was wrong, that Lauren was holding something back. "So what aren't you telling me, Lauren?"
Bo's face was so earnest that guilt hit her in a rush. "We must get to Grimley in two days, sooner if we can. It's our escape. This isn't your world, Bo. I can get you home, back to your family, but you have to trust me."
Bo's thoughts were blank as if she couldn't quite comprehend what Lauren had just said. She clenched her jaw, unsure about what to say. "What are you talking about?"
"It's a bit complicated for you to understand, but we are trapped in another reality, that's separate from our real world. All your memories are false, twisted by the Temple. We need to get you home."
Bo stared at Lauren with a puzzled look. The words sent a shaft of panic through her chest. "Honestly, I don't know what to say to that."
Lauren hesitated before sympathy filled her eyes. "You just have to accept that this whole situation is confusing. But it doesn't make it any less real."
Bo's expression fell away, and she struggled to choose her words. "I can barely understand any of this. Let's get it all out in the open."
Lauren took a deep breath and searched for a place to start. She wasn't sure Bo would believe her, but hopefully, once it was out in the open, they could work together. Without another thought, Lauren opened her mouth, and the words flowed out. They came slowly at first, and then quickly.
Bo sat quietly, focused on Lauren's words, but there was no denying the inner confusion she was going through. Quietly, she listened to Lauren tell her about her life, her friends, the Fae. For a moment, Bo wondered if she should question Lauren's trustworthiness, but they seemed to have moved past that. She brought her gaze to Lauren's and the seriousness in her eyes, spoke the truth.
Lauren opened her mouth, ready to tell Bo the next set of truths, but took a moment to catch her breath and gather her thoughts, instead.
In the silent moment, Bo barely registered much of what Lauren had told her but asked. "Dyson's a werewolf?"
"Wolf shifter, it's different."
Lauren stared at her for a long moment, trying to judge if she was understanding and believing her. She knew Bo was in turmoil, confused; she could see it in her face and body. She hoped hearing the truth would be enough to push Bo to action, seek a way out.
With her fingers tracing the outline of Bo's cheek, Lauren relayed the rest of the tale and told her about the Dawning.
They sat quietly, and Bo let out an almost haunted sigh. She twisted Lauren's words in her mind, trying to make it fit with what little she had seen for herself. Her entire life had been a lie. To think all her memories were false, her life, her feelings, it left her empty like she didn't know herself at all. Who was she? Was she really anyone without her memories?
Instead, of dwelling on that, Bo asked, "We're stuck here because I failed my Dawning or whatever?"
"I don't know why you're stuck here. I have no answers for that. But we need to concentrate on defeating the Temple. You need to finish this."
Something about Lauren's words tickled her consciousness. A shadow, almost, a memory hovered at the edge of her mind, but she couldn't reach it. Concentrating on small details helped give her some clarity. She needed to focus on the situation they were in now. "Okay…How do you know we need to go to Grimley?"
"It's the only lead I've got," Lauren said, she still wasn't convinced Bo was ready to trust her completely. "When I was missing, I was taken by the Caretaker of this reality, and he told me you needed to finish your Dawning. My theory is that all our clues are leading us back to your hometown."
Bo eyed Lauren a moment before she frowned. "We're not seriously planning on going there based on the Caretaker's words, are we?"
Listening to the Temple felt like stupidity, but Lauren found herself without other options. "We have to try. It's all we can do…" Her voice trailed off, leaving out the detail about Bo's choice, raked her with guilt and uncertainty. "How's your pain?" She asked as she gently pulled down the bandage to reveal the wound. She froze, and she looked up, her eyes wide. "You healed."
Bo followed her eyes and removed the rest of the bandage and inspected her skin. All her injuries were healed. "This isn't normal."
"It is for you. As a succubus, you always recover from injuries faster than others. Plus, sex. So, you are changing, your succubus is starting to reveal herself."
Bo laughed, struggling to keep up with all the new information. This whole situation seemed ridiculous. "I heal with sex? How absurd. Why didn't you tell me that before?"
"You'd think I was crazy."
"Obviously." Bo smirked with a slight amusement in her eyes. "So what's making me change?"
Lauren raised her eyebrows. "You're capable of many things, you've always been special. This place stole your life, your memories, but you have a power inside you that's brewing. It will help us, but you can't hold back. You'll have to fight your way out of this."
Bo's arms wrapped tightly around Lauren and Lauren sensed all her protective instincts had kicked in. If Bo felt half the need to protect her that she felt for her, Bo could be reckless, and that concerned her. Lauren felt responsible for the choice Bo would face, even though, it wasn't her fault.
"Bo, sometimes decisions are put in your path that take you to where you need to be. Even not choosing is a choice. I guess I just want you to remember that as you finish your Dawning."
"Then I choose to trust you and get us home." Bo declared, ignoring her phone as it rang with Dyson's name on the screen. "We have an advantage over this now because we are together."
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AN
Sorry about the wait for an update.
Next up: A Dyson, Bo, and Lauren scene.
Thanks for reading and reviewing.