So guys, the home stretch for this story is upon us, I think. The rough outline in my head has one more chapter in it for you guys – what do you think? Comments, questions, concerns, suggestions? Review, review, review! And enjoy.

xxx

I do up the top button on my pants, and look up at her again. "Thank you," I say. "I know you don't have to do this."

She rolls her eyes, something she is absurdly good at. "Yeah, yeah," she says, and her tone is so perfectly offhand and uncaring – so perfect that I know it may not be genuine. In fact I'm pretty sure it isn't. "I guess I'd rather it be me doing this than say, half the population getting wiped out."

"I don't know about half the population," I say, wondering if that's true. "Just… well, definitely a few." It's weird, still. Scary and weird. Thinking about how powerful I've become, and how things have changed. It used to be that I could feed off any average Fae and they'd live – only humans I had a tendency to kill.

Now even the Fae aren't safe from me.

"Hey, is this yours?" I look up at her again, and she's holding out a simple leather bracelet.

"Oh. Yeah," I reply, standing up. I hold out my hand to take it, but instead she starts to tie it around my wrist. I decide not to remark on that, and instead explain where I got it. "It's from the shaman – the one I was telling you about. The one who helped me with my powers, and everything, while I was away."

Her eyes quickly dart up to meet mine, and there – ah, this is the sort of thing that makes me suspect she's not as much of a bitch as she tries to be. There's caring in her icy blue eyes, an honest curiosity about this bracelet. And about me. "That's it?" she asks, her fingers deftly finishing the knot around my wrist. "It's just a token – no special powers?"

I smile at her. "That's it. Just kind of a memento."

"Interesting," she says simply, looking down at it again. Then back at me. And a hint of a smile plays around her lips. "It suits you."

I'm caught off guard. I often am, with her, though. "Thanks," I say, somewhat awkwardly.

"Hey chicas, am I interrupting something?"

I look up quickly, surprised. Which doesn't happen often these days – weird I didn't hear or smell her approach. But Kenzi's at the door of the Dal's basement, one eyebrow colourfully raised. I see her quick gaze flash over the two of us.

"Only the leftovers, don't worry," comes the sharp reply from Tamsin, as she very quickly drops my wrist and moves back a step. She grabs her coat from the back of a chair. "Anyway, I was just leaving." Her gaze meets mine, briefly. "Let me know when you need my help again."

And she's gone, sauntering boldly past Kenzi on her way out. As soon as I hear the slam of the door upstairs, Kenzi opens her mouth. "Well I'll be shittered," she quips, a smile on her face. "She likes you."

I think about denying it. "I know," I say instead, wondering what expression I have on my face. "I mean she's only helping me with my feeding – she's uh, kind of the only one around here who can take it easily any more. But yeah. I know."

Kenzi walks into the room, and drops into an armchair – the one Tamsin's coat was on. She frowns. "Take it easily? What, has she got a vag of steel or something?"

You'd think this comment would make me wince, but instead I laugh. I'd forgotten how Kenzi makes me laugh. "No but thank you for that image," I say, shaking my head and smiling. "No – she's just… strong." And then I don't know what to say. Is this something I should ask Tamsin's permission before sharing? "She's a… um – "

"Valkyrie. Right?" Kenzi says, completing my sentence and furrowing her brow in concentration, trying to remember. "Or something like that. Lauren told me about – "

But then we both freeze. She's said the magic word. Lauren.

I don't know how I've been feeling, the past couple days. Numb. It's like I can't believe it – can't comprehend it. But I know it's true. Kenzi and Lauren. Together, with each other. "I guess we should talk about that." I say. Gotta start somewhere.

Kenzi looks nervous. Which doesn't happen often. I see her swallow, steadying herself. "That's why I'm here. I mean, other than to see you, hun." She gives me an unsteady half smile. "We didn't really get a proper reunion."

I love Kenzi. But with her words, come back the memories. And then I don't really feel like being gentle. "Why?" I ask curtly, cutting to the chase. "I mean – You didn't even like her."

She looks down. Uncharacteristic. Maybe I should feel bad about the way I'm going about this, but I don't. She peeks back up at me from under dark ebony bangs. "I'm so sorry, Bo," she whispers. "I couldn't – help myself. I missed you, we both did. She was the only one who knew how I felt… I could let everything inside of me out. She knew every part of how I was feeling." She pauses, looking down at her thin knees. I see a pained smile. "And we started talking more and…"

"But it's more than that," I say, cutting her off. "It's not just a comfort for you guys. There are real feelings there. I can see them."

"Right. Succu-vision," Kenzi says. She bites her lip, thinking. "And… I know. I honestly don't know how it got there, but you're right. I, well. I think I love her, dude. I do love her." She looks at me tentatively. "But I love you too, Bo. And I really did never mean to hurt you, and I am so sorry I did."

I don't say anything, I just look at her. I don't know what there is to say. Kenzi hurt me. She's my best friend, and she got the girl I loved to fall in love with her. They're happy. And it's unfair.

But maybe it's not.

I've always known Lauren and I would have something. Since she first treated me, touched me. Since I first touched her. I was just learning about the Fae, reforming my identity, and Lauren represented that newness – she was part of that world, and part of my old world. She was human, and that comforted me.

It's different now. She's a part of my world, yes. But her humanness… far from comfort, it was honestly starting to worry me near the end – I used to have to hold back, thinking my kiss would kill her. Now I'm almost certain it would.

I love her. But maybe I shouldn't. And as much as it kills me to think it, or acknowledge it, maybe she needs to be with someone of her own kind.

But Kenzi?

"Uh, Bo. You haven't said anything in a preeetty long time. Should I leave? You're not gonna like, go rogue on me are you?" She's sitting kind of on the edge of her seat, looking vaguely spooked.

Despite everything, I smile. "No, I think you'll be safe." I sigh, then. "Listen, I have to tell you this isn't easy for me. But after all, I can literally see how you feel about each other. And even though I'm not that comfortable with it… I understand."

I can see her face light up, jaw dropping a bit. "For reals?"

I smile thinly. "For reals. Although maybe hold off on any dinner invitations for a while. You know, a grace period."

"Oh definitely," she says eagerly, holding her palms up in a show of submission. Then she sort of cocks her head. "So uh, there was something else I wanted to talk to you about."

I lift an eyebrow. "Something else?"

"It's not bad!" she says quickly. "Well I mean, I don't know if it is, I guess." She looks at me searchingly, and I am surprised to see a bit of concern in her eyes. "You okay, Bobo? I mean, we haven't been talking. And you're going through like, Fae puberty 2.0 here. You having crazy mood swings? Should I have bought you some chocolate?"

I smile. "It couldn't hurt, but that's not exactly necessary." Then I sigh, wondering how to explain it. It's true – this whole thing has kind of got me thrown for a loop. And I've missed having my bestie to talk to. "It's just… weird. Every day I feel different. Stronger. And I can feel how intense my power is getting even more now."

Kenzi's face sort of twist. "In your… heart-thing?"

I laugh. "Yeah, my heart-thing. It's still a heart, I guess. Just a new one."

She grins. "Right. So, what about the hunger thing? You said Tamsin was the only one who could ah…" She smiles wider. "Satiate your appetite?"

I am unsure if she's just poking fun at me for the sake of it, but I decide to answer anyway. "The hunger's getting stronger, too. Definitely. And every time I feed, my body wants a bit more." I shrug. "Tamsin's strong. She has a unique brand of energy, and she can stand pretty much anything."

I don't like the way Kenzi is looking at me. Sure enough, her grin quickly turns mischievous. "Well, well. You totally like her too."

I roll my eyes. "Okay okay, don't push your luck." I stand up, cueing Kenzi to as well. "Tell Trick I want to talk to him on your way out."

As I push her towards the door, she keeps up a stream of chatter. "That's another thing – does the Trickster know what you were using this basement for? That is one accepting Grandpa. Or did you just tell him you and Tamsin were down here knocking a few back, instead of knocking boots…"

I fold my arms and frown sternly. "Kenzi, I can take back my blessing, you know."

My best friend pauses for a second doing up her jacket, a brief flash of panic lighting her clear blue eyes. I try hard to keep a straight face, but just like she always could, Kenzi quickly sees right through me. A smile plays subtly along her lips. "Good to have you back, Bobo."

She hugs me, and I relax in her thin arms. "You too, kiddo." She pulls away and heads up the stairs. As I sink into a chair in the basement and pull out a book on ancient Fae evolution, I can hear her voice yelling from the bar.

"Hey Trick! Bo wants to talk to you! Don't worry, she's totally done nailin' Tamsin now!"

I sigh, dropping the book. "Goddamn it, Kenzi."