A/N: A couple more chapters until we have a Lauren reunion... a lot to learn before then... hope you enjoy!
Chapter 8: A Storm is Coming
Journal Entry 1,235
It's a little after eight o'clock in the evening. I left Madge with all of my journals bound together with string. I had attached an envelope containing a letter I had quickly written to you before handing over the saga of my journey over the last four years. Also inside the envelope was the necklace you gave me… the one I have never taken off… until now. I wrote in the letter that I only took it off to prove to you that it was truly your Bo that had come for you and not someone who wished you harm.
We were alone the night you gave it to me so no one else would know the events of that night. I am sure the writing and words were a mess because I didn't have much time, but I wanted to be sure you knew… well, so I hastily wrote down my memories of that night and briefly explained the reason for the very large pile of journals. I explained that they were my conversations with you while journeying to find you… as well as a record of sorts – for you – that if anyone had been successful in capturing or killing me that they would somehow find their way into your hands so you would know – even if you had fallen in love with someone else – that I had always loved you and wanted a life with you.
For now, I am hoping the journals will help you to trust that I have always been yours. That I've been fighting for you… for us… since you disappeared from Taft's lab. I left Toronto and never looked back. I only looked forward to you and whatever our life together would be. I assured you we don't ever have to go back, I just want a life with you in whatever capacity you will have me.
So, I had planned on watching the sunset with you tonight, but apparently Madge said there was a sudden prediction of a nor'easter moving in – I guess it's her Druid powers that tell her about the weather. Well, apparently the storm has made landfall. I can hear the ocean that is just about a block away and the bay has whitecaps and large swells. I always thought bays were supposed to be calm. It's crazy out there... crazy scary, actually…
Therefore, I'm opting for a rare night in my motel room after another great dinner, courtesy of John. My mind is racing because I'm not sure if Madge has told you about me being here yet. Have you seen the journals? You love to read… but will you find anything about me worth reading about any more? I've heard you have been with someone else to feed your succubus. Madge said she doesn't know what the actual relationship is but I want you to know that I am prepared to step aside if it is what you need… or want.
Naturally, my hope is that she is your Dyson and that you will want to take the time to read them… that you have been secretly aching for me to find you and won't be able to wait to read them. I'd like to imagine that you are there with them now… reading them and tearing up at how I've been searching for you all of this time. That you'll come running to me… desperate for me… of course, that's one to many viewings of The Notebook with Kenzi talking. Real life – our life – just doesn't work that way. I've done a lot to shatter your confidence in my love for you. I know it was always hard for you with me… stressful even…
Bo stopped writing, "SHIT! Emotions! Strong emotions trigger her shifts! FUCK!"
Without hesitation, she jumps off the bed and runs for the door, journal and pen in hand, across the street through the thunder, brilliant lightning strikes, hurricane force winds and the torrential downpour to the diner. She busts through the door, dropping her journal and pen on the front counter as she rushes to John in the kitchen.
"You have to stop her – you have to stop Madge! My journals…"
"Relax, Bo – we've already thought of that. Like you, we know Lauren loves to read. Hell, she'll probably stay up all night and read every one of them. I've watched her read three books in one night… well, into morning actually. She sure can put away the information, that one. Are we sure they didn't inject her with some kind of mind-control Fae?"
John chuckled but Bo didn't think this was funny – four years of her life were on those pages, if Lauren lost control… poof! She'd never know everything Bo went through to get to her. She wouldn't believe her if she just told her – she had to see the struggle – every word of it, so she would know. She didn't choose Rainer or Dyson or Tamsin or anyone else… it was always her. Bo was sure she would have to read it to believe it. Hell, the whole purpose of the journals was because both she and Kenzi knew Bo would never remember everything that had happened in four years. She was an emotional wreck most of the time since Lauren had gone.
"But John – I think you're missing the point…"
"No, Bo – I get the point – I'm a fire Druid… can you imagine how hard it was for Madge to not think I was some kind of pervert whenever we went out on a date? I used to burn the clothes right off her body. As a joke, she showed up one night in a fire retardant suit she borrowed from a friend who volunteered at the local human fire company!"
Bo almost burst out laughing – she never thought of that. She had pretty much suppressed her fire powers all of her life – she tried to ignore them as a method of keeping them under control. She knew that's why she let her succubus remain the dominant part of her even after her Father's training. Her Druid powers were very strong… almost uncontrollable to an extent… they scared her.
"Madge has a great deal of experience with fire from 1044 years with me, Bo. She sprayed down your journals with a special solution the Fae make and also placed a protection spell on them before she even went to see Lauren." Bo's shoulders relaxed until she really thought about what he had said…
"One thousand forty-four year... but Madge told me you had only been married for 44 years?"
"We can't very well run around telling people how long we've been married, Bo. We just stick to the last two digits as long as they make sense to a human for someone our age with our history. We're full Fae married, Bo. There will never be anyone else for us – even in death. The pain of losing a bonded mate is excruciating… sadly, we watched your mother go through it when we thought her mate was lost to us. Madge tells me you said that wasn't the case, so there's hope for them. Full Fae marriage is a joy if it's your true mate but even then, one of you will eventually die and the remaining partner will have to feel that loss – much more than any human ever would. They are vows not to be taken lightly. Is that what you want with Lauren?"
"Why, John. I think you want me to ask your permission to marry your daughter." Bo chuckled. She was drenched and getting cold. She sure could use a little Lauren fire right now. "Well, to answer your question, there is no answer because the question doesn't even need to be asked. Lauren is my heart and soul. I have been lost without her – wandering all of North America. When I reached Florida, I was going to start jumping continents starting with the Congo in Africa."
"Ah, the Congo. I've heard stories about the great Dr. Lewis and the Congo – she is legendary with the Fae and Druids throughout the globe because of her cure. Lauren should have been treated as a hero among our race, Bo. Instead, she was enslaved – I don't even care which side enslaved her. It was just wrong. I think that's why Druids isolate and distinguish themselves from the Fae as they do. We believe all beings are part of the earth and have a purpose on this earth – in whatever realm they may exist. It is that belief that drives all of our actions."
"If I didn't know better, I'd think I was having my first John Martini Druid lesson."
"You are, Bo… that is, if you're interested. Madge is concerned that you haven't been using your Druid powers. She said you haven't fed."
"Madge, you tattletale!" Bo surrendered – she wouldn't be able to deny it anymore. She was avoiding her druid nature. "Okay, okay… yes – I haven't fed and yes – I'm avoiding using my druid powers. There! Are you happy?"
"No, I'm not, Bo. You will need your Druid powers for what is coming."
"Oh no, not you too! Please, John – don't tell me you're going to go on about all of this prophecy stuff. My grandfather used to talk about it all the time. Apparently, my relationship to this prophecy is why he didn't want me to leave Toronto. He wanted me with him. My grandfather was always telling me what to do… always bringing up some new horrible thing that could happen if I did this or that. He kept pushing me to choose the Light Fae and Lauren… well, don't even get me started on him and his thinking about my relationship with Lauren. He wanted me with Dyson… 'He can protect you and sustain you, Bo'... It's all I ever heard! Gods! He made me so mad! At least my father only mentioned it once – he dropped it when it made my powers all wonky during our lessons. He was accepting of my choices… of whatever made me happy." Bo's eyes welled up with unshed tears at the thought of her Father. She missed him and Trick could go to hell if he thought she was ever going to let him influence her decisions again.
"Your grandfather is the Blood King, Bo. He has his own reasons for the things he does. I have one motive and it sounds like a Hallmark card, but my sole mission – any Druid's mission in life - is peace on earth to all species – Fae, Druid, Human, animal and others – and peace within the elements. When the elements are in chaos – like they are tonight – it makes all Druids edgy. Tonight would not be the night for you to experiment with your powers. Things may get, well… wonky… wonky? Is that even a word, Bo?"
They both laughed and smiled until they couldn't laugh anymore because their sides hurt. He was right, they were both on edge tonight – it was nice to know that she wasn't feeling this way purely because of her nervousness about what would happen after Lauren read her journals.
"I get it, John. So about this nor'easter – storms are controlled by Druids, right?"
"Created… control is what other Druids do to help the druid who creates the storm. When we lose control, the storm that rages in us emotionally manifests itself in our main control elements. You and I, for example may create fires, volcanic eruptions or explosions. Tonight's storm is likely from a druid who favors water and wind." John gazed at Bo waiting for her to catch up.
"Lauren…" Bo said the words like a pained prayer… this storm was Lauren's doing. She was in pain. Bo looked at the clock. The storm started at about the same time Madge would have been talking to her.
"Yes, Bo. News of your arrival is no doubt very emotional for her. Without proper control of her powers, this was bound to happen. The Druid community sensed a storm was brewing for a few days now. Again – we are all energy… the chi of the earth sensed you coming – it sensed your emotions and, in turn, the trail of energy manifest itself as a nor'easter. It makes sense based on the route you took to get here. Keep in mind that the energy of your previous journey along that corridor still exists as well."
"Previous journey? This is my first time here."
"As an adult, yes but Madge has told you of your escape when you were but an infant. You have surely realized the overlapping paths. As soon as Madge made the connection yesterday, she made some calls. Maine, Provincetown, Chatham, Boston…"
"They were all Druid clans?"
"Yes or descendants of… the Martini clan is a purebred Druid line, but not all are. I believe you met Maive, Reid and Chase. Well, Chase was born of a nymph mother and druid father. An interesting combination… the result, something unique."
"Yes, I met Mr. Unique – we had to come to an understanding." John raised an eyebrow to Bo. "It wasn't like that, John. He was a perfect gentleman. His powers just pushed all of my succubus buttons but I made it clear to him that I will not betray Lauren. I will not cheat on her."
"Are you sure you're a succubus, Bo?" John laughed silently. "So about feeding, then… you've had no sex?"
"My father taught me how to harness chi from the earth."
"Well that's great! Why was Madge so worried then?"
"To be honest, I sip chi from multiple humans in bars where the sexual energy is high, then I take what I can from the earth. I'm not very good at it, so it can't satisfy my appetite."
"So you have never experienced being filled by chi from the earth? You have never had a full feed on nature's chi? I know that's how your father kept Aoife alive before they became lovers, so it should be a way you can feed as well."
"My father fed me the day we first met. It's when I had been without sex for about four weeks. I had been missing Lauren badly and couldn't bear the thought of having anyone else touch my body. I felt… ashamed of what I'd put her through... I felt… dirty. So I was only feeding by sucking chi but when I almost killed a human because I was so hungry, I decided I would starve to death before I would put another human at risk. When my father found me, I looked horrible, so he fed me. The only other time in my life I had felt that full was when I had had chi and sex from multiple strong Fae."
"Will you let me help you, Bo?"
"I would be forever grateful. I had planned to wait until my father returned to this realm to continue our lessons, but I haven't seen him for years. I know he is alive – I think I would sense it if the Dark King had killed him – but he is definitely not in this realm. John, I would be honored to have you as my teacher."
"Okay then, how about you go back to your motel room, take a warm shower and get a good night's sleep. We'll schedule our lessons around my grill schedule… mid-morning after breakfast, mid-afternoon after lunch and right after dinner. Okay?
"Sounds great, John. I can't thank you enough. Where should I meet you?"
"At the grill."
"The grill? I thought we were going to commune with nature?"
"Come with me." John led Bo back to the kitchen. Bo watched as he turned on the grill then lifted the top to reveal the blue flames from the gas jets. "Bo, meet Fire... Fire, meet Bo."
Bo smirked, "Of course. Silly me. Hi Fire. Nice to see you, but John – you want to teach me to use fire inside of your restaurant? No offense, but are you nuts?!" John chuckled, ignoring Bo's fears. He knew he could contain any fires a baby druid could create.
John picked up the flame and pulled out Bo's hand. "Welcome the flame into your hand, Bo. Welcome its warmth and beauty." He proceeded to move the flame towards Bo's hand. She flinched, pulling her hand back as she looked at him – fear in her eyes. He nodded for her to trust him. She cautiously held out her hand and he placed it in her palm. She looked at it – she felt no pain. She tilted her hand from side to side, watching the flame roll back and forth across unburned skin. She was mesmerized – it was beautiful and warm just like John said. She rolled the flame up to her fingertips, onto the back of her hand, around her wrist and back to her palm. This was so cool! She looked up at John and smiled. "Embrace your inner Druid, Bo. You are more powerful than you know."
Bo dropped the flame back into John's palm. John closed his hand around the flame to extinguish it and returned the grill to its normal position. "See you tomorrow Bo. Get some sleep."
"John, before I go… well, Father… he uh… he could… well, could you feed me? I really am hungry and if I see Lauren tomorrow… well… let's just say one of us is going to need to be able to control their powers." John took Bo's hand and led her outside onto the porch. They stood together watching the rain, looking out over the view of the glassy dock and rocking boats. The wind was strong… the thunder and lightning still raging. "I wish I knew if this meant she was upset, happy or flat out lusting for me."
John laughed, "I understand. Madge's main element is the wind. Whenever it kicks up, I'm wondering what I did wrong or if she just misses me. The difference is, that we've mastered our powers so we can talk to each other through the wind… well, when it's not as chaotic as it is right now."
"So is Madge one of the Druids who is helping to control this storm right now?"
"One of many… the Druid Elders have been staying at her sister Emma's with us and will continue to do so until Lauren is…" John stopped not wanting to upset Bo.
"I get it… until she either masters her Fae and Druid powers, goes crazy and has to be put down or dies from the DNA transition. It's okay John… you don't have to feel like you're walking on thin ice around me when we talk about Lauren's situation, okay?" Bo placed a hand on John's shoulder and looked at him with all of the sincerity she could muster. Somehow she felt a strong connection to this man and she never wanted him to feel like they couldn't be honest with one another.
"Thank you Bo. Well, let's get this feed started. First, unless you want to sit in the puddles at our feet, this will likely be a little different that how you fed with Aidan. We are going to draw our energy from the storm. What can we physically be in contact with?"
"Well, I feel a spray of rain."
"That's not going to be enough energy. What is the most powerful element you can actually feel right now?"
"Wind… I feel wind… a lot of wind."
"Indeed. Now Madge would be able to stand here, close her eyes, take a deep breath and have a nice snack from it. For you and I, we will have to breathe in much more to be fed. Since I can harness the wind more than you, we'll hold hands so that I can pass you additional chi. Do you remember what we have to do first, Bo?"
Bo shivered as she spoke. She had left the hotel in a T-shirt and shorts. What little clothing she had on was now cold and wet. She wanted to get this feed over with and get back to take a warm shower and crawl under the covers. Bo refocused her attention on John's question.
"My father taught me all of the steps, I just can't seem to sustain my feed once I start. I just feel like I get distracted and it just stops. It's really frustrating because I know one good feed from the earth can fill me up for a few days. Don't get me wrong, I'm a succubus so I still always have a sexual hunger but I just… put it this way… the average person walks into a buffet and sees a bunch of foods they want to taste right away. If I walked into that same buffet, I would see a bunch of foods that look okay, but the one thing I'm really craving, the only thing worth the effort of picking up a plate is not on the menu, so I turn and walk out."
"I get it, Bo – you only want to have sex with Lauren."
"Yes! Is that so wrong for a succubus? Why does everyone always think that just because I'm a succubus that everything has to be about sex? Everyone makes me feel like there's something wrong with me because I don't want to have sex with just anyone. Is there something wrong with me, John?"
"From where I stand, Bo – succubus or not – there is nothing wrong with someone who wants to share their body with only the person who holds their body's heart."
"I haven't had sex for a very long time, John. I'm afraid that when I finally see that item missing from the buffet, I won't be able to keep my control."
"Can I ask? Did you refer to your… inactivity… in your journals?"
"Yes… I mean, I think it is implied. Why?"
"Then Lauren will know that you may have issues with control, right? Think about what you wrote in all of those journals. Lauren will know your heart after reading them – and she will read them, Bo… and it will be soon. Although considering the storm I'm sure the journals are already sprawled out all around her on her bed.
"IF she believes what I've written is true. She has a lot of reasons to doubt me, John. I was a terrible girlfriend when we were together."
"Bo, no one wanders for four straight years and writes almost every day if they're lying. Lauren's DNA is changing, but her brain is fully capable of reasoning – she'll believe Bo. Now, let's get you fed and put to bed so we can raise your fire skills tomorrow. I'd hate to see Lauren burn you to death because you were too anxious to take care of yourself. Now – again, what do we do first?"
"Wait? Burn me to death? How could Lauren burn me to death?"
"Lauren is a fire Druid and a Phoenix and they are all about fire. You must learn to repel her fire should she accidentally use it on you. Lauren would be reborn if you turned her into a ball of flames. I'm afraid you would not be that fortunate, although your healing powers are more extraordinary than you know. Your bloodline carries powerful healers on the Druid side and a Succubus can heal as well. You will be able to hold your own with Lauren if you learn about your fire Druid. So… last time… what do we do first to feed?"
"We ask the earth permission to feed from her."
"And how do we do that if we are pulling from the wind? Gaia is the mother of the earth. She has help from her four chief Anemoi. Each is presented to us depending on the direction of the wind and the season. The first is Boreas – or as the Martini's will call him Aquilo, the latin name. He brings cold winter air from the north. Second, we have Notus who brings summer and fall storms from the south. Next there is Zephyrus who brings light winds from the west in spring and summer and finally, Eurus who brings the east winds. With this storm, Lauren is unknowingly calling out to Boreas and Erus simultaneously, thus the reason we call it a 'Noreaster."
"How am I going to know who to ask permission from? That's too much to remember on top of trying to figure out which direction the wind is coming from and what season it is. I can't do this, John!"
"Relax, Bo. You'll learn in time. Right now, you are tired and your thoughts are consumed with a certain blonde doctor. You never have to call to a specific deity to feed. You just call on the Anemoi as a collective to feed from the wind. The correct one will hear you because you will be talking on the wind that faces their direction. Keep in mind, all of them feed Gaia so when in doubt, hold onto something that is in contact with the ground and call to her. If you have her favor, she will eventually feed you even without you asking if she senses you are in danger. This prophecy, Bo –"
She cut her mentor off, "Please, John… don't."
"This is good, Bo… listen… if the prophecy is true and you are the chosen one, Gaia will be at your disposal whenever you need her for you will share the same goal… peace. For now, let's just try to call to the Anemoi since the winds are picking up again."
Bo smiled at John. He was the first one that made this prophecy sound like a good thing… a thing where she wouldn't be fighting for something alone. She looked back up at the water. The storm had worsened,
"Lauren must be upset. I hate when she's upset."
John looked at the young Druid with question, "Why would you assume she's upset and not lusting after you as you said before?"
"I don't know… just my gut. The storm just seems like total chaos to me… trust me… she's upset. Okay… so about the first step - asking permission."
"Close your eyes and focus on the wind. You feel the wind just as you felt the earth, yes?"
"Well, it's not really solid, but I guess I still feel it."
"Yes you do. So extend your arms out to your sides, close your eyes and think of the wind as giving you a big hug."
Bo did as she was told, but could not make a connection. She dropped her arms to her sides, "It's no use. I can't focus."
"Yes you can, Bo. Now try again," he raised the Succubus' arms, "I will listen to your conversation and help you along."
John stood behind Bo and placed his hands on the back of hers. He listened as she tried to quiet her mind but all he could sense were thoughts of Lauren. Bo was upset as well.
Bo lowered her arms and stepped off the porch into the storm so her bare feet were in contact with the ground. John took note of Bo's surrender and followed suit behind her. He placed his hands on Bo's at her sides as she closed her eyes and breathed in the cool night air. John listened for Bo's thoughts… they were very quiet, 'I am terribly hungry and in need of your chi – will you be kind enough to allow me to feed from you?' Bo waited… then she heard the quiet hum of Gaia's vpoice that signified it was okay to begin. She began to pull the chi from the ground through her feet as John turned her hands palms down and placed them on his. Bo felt a surge of power that must have multiplied her efforts by ten. John heard Bo's thoughts suddenly divert to Lauren. He quickly tapped her hands to pull her focus back. Bo felt the flow intensify – it was the same sort of surge she had gotten with her Father. She moaned as it filled every fiber of her being. Once full, John was shocked as he watched Bo drop to her knees, pushing her hands into the saturated soil beneath her. Sobbing, she spoke aloud to Gaia,
"I was so hungry – thank you so much. Thank you for being here for me."
She heard a voice whisper, "You're welcome my child. Love will always find a way."
Bo sat up, looking at John who stared back at her knowingly.
"What… Who… I heard a voice… it was what my father told me…" Bo asked.
"That was the voice of Gaia, Bo. It appears you may gain her favor. Now, let's get you off of the cold wet ground, Succubus. Doctor Lewis would set me on fire if I let you get sick."
Bo stood and gave him a weak smile.
"Now, about your feed… did you realize when you lost concentration?"
"Not at first, but then you tapped my hands."
"Ah, yes my darlin'. But do you know where you went before I tapped your hands?"
"No – I told you I had no idea why I lost concentration."
"It was Lauren, Bo. You began to think of how it felt to draw chi from Lauren and it was like you moved your mind to the air trying to draw her chi across the miles. It seems you are subconsciously calling up your powers of the wind. As I said before, Bo – you are more powerful than you realize. Your Father's Druid blood runs through your veins as well as that of your succubus mother, grandmother and the Blood King – four of the most powerful Fae to ever walk the earth. You have only just touched the surface of what you can do, Bo." Bo was shivering. He pulled her into a hug and continued as Bo absorbed his warmth, "I'd like you to do something for me. Think about what you've just experienced and learned. Think about what we've talked about. Then finish up your last passage in that journal you left on the counter when you came flying in here like a bat outta hell. I'm going to finish my closing duties while you write. Go on, Bo – get to it. Those journals are clearly good for your head."
They turned and walked inside. John grabbed a "Martini's Diner" hoodie and handed it to Bo along with a towel. "Put that on and wrap that towel around those gorgeous legs of yours so you get dry and warm while you write. I'll be here in the kitchen if you finish before me. Here – this will help." John turned to the grill and turned on the flame. He drew the flame to his hands and looked to Bo. "You ready? It will be soothing and warm to your chilled body. Welcome the flame."
Bo smiled and nodded her acknowledgement of what John was about to do. She held out her hand, but John pushed it away. "Welcome the flame, Bo." With that, he held the flame to her chest and with a strong breath, blew it into her. Bo could only close her eyes as she felt the warmth slowly radiate throughout her entire being. She opened her eyes to see John smiling at her blue eyes. "Well, I can finally say I got a Succubus hot. Don't tell Madge now." They both chuckled as John nudged her towards the dining room, "Go… be a great author of our life story so I can say I knew you when…"
Bo walked towards the kitchen door while John turned to finish his clean up. She sat down on her stool and looked at the wet journal and pen. She hadn't meant to be so careless with one of the most precious volumes she had written to date. Quickly, she opened the pages hoping the ink hadn't run…
"Whew… all good, just wet. Nothing the heater in the hotel room can't fix but I won't be writing on these wet pages just yet. At least I'm warm and dry now. Nifty fire trick, John." She looked up at John working in the kitchen and smiled. Okay, she needed paper. She looked around and spied Madge's order pad behind the counter. She walked over and tore a few pages off so she could write her thoughts in this moment. It had been a long and very emotional day. Bo stood up and took the pages and her pen through the side door of the dining room to the side screened porch seating area. She found a booth right against the window screen where she could feel the wind and have a view of the bay. Somehow it made her feel closer to her love. She stared out at the storm trying to feel what Lauren must be feeling to do all of this… wind, rain, storm surge that could be heard just over a block away from the coastline. Is it just finding out that I'm here? Is it something she's reading in my journals? Bo began to write,
Hi Lauren. The longer I stare at this storm and feel these strong winds, the more I can imagine how you must look if this storm is indeed a mirror image of your emotions. I've seen and felt these emotions from you before – the night I had told you I fed from Dyson… not just fed… had sex with Dyson... to heal or not, you and I were together… officially a couple… finally… and I cheated. The look on your face was more than heartbreaking. I had broken you, disappointed you, given you a sense that our love was hopeless if you didn't let me feed… let me cheat. You were clearly so hurt and I allowed you to compromise your heart for my health rather than look for another way. Lauren, now I've found that way… I can feed from the earth. I don't need sex to survive anymore if I allow my Succubus to accept my Druid nature.
Bo looked out at the storm…
Am I the cause of this pain? Is this storm a reflection of something I've caused you to feel?
Bo paused for a moment, closed her eyes and felt the strong wind on her face. She wished she could talk to Lauren right now. Be there to sooth her emotional turmoil.
Please, Lauren, calm down so we can meet… talk. I want so much to hold you… to help you… to be here for you… always. You must be so focused on the pain that you aren't thinking of how you may hurt others with this storm. Those ships out at sea have men with families on board, Lauren. The people driving in cars trying to make it home through the storm could be hurt in an accident or a tree falling. You would never forgive yourself if you killed people with this storm, Lauren. If this is you, please… think of us… our first touch… our first kiss. It's how you used to calm my succubus – it's how you used to calm the blue banshee when she came out. You would touch my arm and remind me of a soft and tender moment we had shared. Be calm, Lauren… please… I'm here… I'm with you and I'm so very sorry I ever caused you pain.
Well, I don't have much time until John is going to kick me out. I'm sitting here staring out the window of the diner after he helped me feed as my father had taught me – with chi from the earth. I'm full of chi so I'm safe for you to approach – I won't lose control. I'm also full of insight into you... me… who we are now…
Bo stopped her pen and closed her eyes trying to imagine Lauren's face with a smile. She thought of their day at the lake again. Lauren coming out of the water as Bo looked on, drooling at the vision before her. Lauren chuckled and smiled. The image of that smile with the sun shining off of the water behind her made her girlfriend look like an angel. Bo recalled she had wanted that moment to last forever. She supposed it had since she could still see Lauren's face and that smile as if it was yesterday. The image warmed her… calmed her… still… years later. She took a breath before opening her eyes to continue…
So, the storm of the century… this is what you can do, Lauren? As I lay here listening to the wind howl, the waves crash on the beach, I want to reach out to you. I want to calm you the way you used to calm my succubus when I lost control. I don't know how to touch you from where I am. All I can do is close my eyes, think of you and send you my love and warmth. Our love is warm, Lauren. It's not cold like this storm. What triggered this… was it just knowing that I'm here? Was it reading my journals? I can only guess and guessing is making me crazy. I love you Lauren – I'm here for you. Please, read my journals. They'll tell you everything you may be questioning.
Tomorrow I start my Druid training with John. He wants us to start at the grill. He wants us to start INSIDE of the restaurant that has been in Madge's family for generations. I need to be well rested so I don't burn it to the ground. I will think of you and what you have been fighting. I will draw strength from you because you are the strongest woman I know. I love you.
-end journal entry –
Just as Bo inserted the pages into the driest spot in the journal she could find, John emerged through the side door.
"I was wondering where you'd gotten to… I guess that fire warmed you to the core, eh? Calmer now, Bo?"
"Yes, John – you were right. This journal is like my emotional lifeline. When I write to her, it's like I can feel her – she's here with me. It calms me to feel her near. Does that sound totally corny?"
"No, Bo – not at all. I think you may be using your wind power to sense Lauren."
Bo stood from the table and started to walk towards the side door exit. "Good night, John – see you around nine, then?"
"Sure, Bo… but I think you missed what I was trying to say..."
"No, John – I get it… I use the wind to try to tell Lauren how I'm feeling. Even though she can't feel me, it still calms me to send the message out there."
"Geez, Bo – when are you going to stop with the doubt… look outside, Bo."
"I don't think it's doubt, John – I'm just trying to be realistic. If I get my hopes up too high, I'll be so disappointed that I won't be able to be the friend Lauren will need when she wants nothing more." Bo pushed open the door, "Thanks again, John – see you in the morning."
"Stop! You stubborn, Succubus! I'm trying to tell you something… just stop, Bo. Do you feel any wind at your back, Bo? The door to the bay is wide open behind you."
"What?" Bo didn't understand and John was getting frustrated,
"Feel for the wind, Bo… do you feel it?"
"Um… no…" Bo swung around to look outside… "What? Where's the… what the… there's no wind… no rain… calm waters… the storm has stopped…"
Bo turned back around to look at John. He pulled her journal from her hands and began to turn the pages. Bo knew what he was looking for, so she pulled the pages from the dry section in the back and handed them to him. He browsed the writings for a moment, then looked back to Bo,
"Look at what you wrote and how it coincides with the power of the storm, Bo. It showed absolutely no signs of stopping when you came out here. I noticed the storm had stopped a few minutes before I came out here to send you on your way and you were just closing up your journal. You reached her, Bo. Look at what you wrote – you talked about being calm, you asked her to remember things that would calm her, you asked her to think of how she would feel if she hurt others. Lauren is a healer, Bo – you're right on in that point… she would never forgive herself. You calmed her Bo…"
"Do you think she knew it was me? Do you think she could actually hear me… or feel me?"
"I really don't know, Bo. None of us have seen you and Lauren together, but I'm sure Madge will have an idea since she hears words on the wind. If she was listening to Lauren, she would have heard your words and know if they had reached her. Only she can gauge if you were what Lauren responded to since I'm not sure Lauren would have been consciously aware that it was you. She's skilled, but she's still a young Druid as are you. Again – we don't know what triggered the emotions tied to the storm, Bo. Don't jump to conclusions – it may have been a conflict between her various Fae again."
John's cell phone rang. He held a finger up to Bo asking her to wait. He nodded and then nodded again, "I see… uh huh… that's great news, Madge. I'll tell Bo. See you soon. Love you too." John ended the call and then looked up to Bo. "I'm sure you've guessed that was Madge. She called to inform us that Lauren has now officially completed the Dawning for her Phoenix, Shifter and Druid. She thought you would want to know."
"Know? Why didn't anyone tell me she was going through any of her Dawnings? Dammit people!"
Bo was clearly upset and John understood, but she was only proving their point. "Emotions, Bo – we've just been discussing this. Look at yourself, please Bo. If you love her, do what's best for her – have patience and trust her strength. When you went through your Dawning, Lauren was human and every Fae around you was capable of tempering their emotions. You have proven that you cannot do that right now and your hunger is uncontrolled. Bo, you must trust the Druid Elders and Healers they truly are helping her."
He gave Bo a moment to calm down. Still standing in the open doorway, she turned her face back into the night to feel the wind… calm… Lauren was still calm. She turned back to John. "She has done three Dawnings just since I arrived?"
"No, Bo. They didn't know to test her for post-dawning powers until you brought the idea to our attention. The Elders did her testing tonight and it was determined that her Phoenix Dawning had already been completed before you came. She only had to recycle her life to complete it."
"Recycle?"
"You know the Phoenix from Harry Potter, Bo?"
"Fawkes? She did a Fawkes? She burned to Ash and then became a bird again?"
"A Phoenix and yes, she did. She also had to heal with her tears. She healed a cut from a fishing line on my young grandson's hand. He's followed her around ever since." John chuckled at the young boys' infatuation with Lauren.
"She had also completed her shifter Dawning. About four months ago, she disappeared for fourteen days after shifting into her White Tiger. Madge was crazy with worry that someone had captured her. We eventually even looked into human zoos thinking she may have been tranquilized and captured. She finally returned one night, still in her tiger form. She was bloodied, cut and bruised, but alive. She had completed all of the natural acts of a Tiger… solitude, the hunt, the feed, the fight and the defense of one of her kind."
Bo knew there was one left… had she already done the Druid Dawning before she arrived as well? Bo thought to herself… 'Now I know how useless Lauren must have felt when I did not allow her to help me during my Dawning.' "And her Druid?"
"Just now. Druids must control all elements. She was triggered, Bo. They used you as the trigger this evening. They gathered the Elders and her Healer. They told her you were here. As suspected, it triggered a myriad of emotions – well, you saw the storm. She then had to control the storm. I think you and I both know that you just helped her."
Bo nodded her head and looked back outside again. The sky was slowly clearing… stars were visible behind the few clouds that remained. The wind was cool and easy and the rain had stopped completely.
She turned back to look at John and nodded – a silent goodnight was all they shared as Bo turned to walked through the door to walk along the bay then across the street to her motel room. She inserted her card in the slot of her motel room door and pushed the handle open. Before disappearing into her room, she looked back at the night sky, closed her eyes and imagined Lauren before whispering into the night breeze, "Goodnight, my love. Sleep calmly and know you are loved… so much."
Madge had just relaxed into the chair on the back porch taking in the view of the calm seas. She closed her eyes and listened to the calm on the wind when she heard Bo's voice calling to her love again. She smiled hearing the words from the woman as she felt Lauren calm and drift off to sleep.
