Lauren and Nadia.
The ladies stood staring at each other. Lauren was tiring. This whole thing was tiring her. Years she spent trying to wake Nadia up, wasted. Wasted sucking up, and bowing to the very people that cursed her gf. Nadia wasn't giving an inch of understanding. Not a single one.
The Doctor was angry. She was angry that she had spent a good majority of her life helping someone that seemed ungrateful. She felt like she had just treated a Fae. That's how Dyson treated her. Like her little needles, and lab tests were toys he could play with or break. He often did when he came into her lab, that is after Bo showed up. Everything about Lauren repulsed him. The closer she got to Bo, the more his hatred grew. It wasn't because she was a human, Kenzi is a human. It was because she was a threat to his longevity plan with Bo.
She didn't know what she was going to do. The only thing that seemed to calm Nadia down was her pursuit of Aife. Lauren wasn't so sure she could trust them around each other right now. Nadia looked like she was ready to punch someone, and she didn't care who.
Lauren took a deep breath and readied herself for round three or four. She had lost count. "Nadia can you sit and listen to me for five minutes?
"Oh yeah. I will sit, but it won't change anything". Nadia laughed sitting in the nearest chair. Lauren stayed where she was halfway across the room.
"Nadia. I understand that you are angry about Bo and me. I have apologized for that, but I won't say it again. I understand that things are confusing, and uncertain right now. But as someone who has had to live with, and put up with the Fae, going after the other Succubus is not a good idea. Especially right now, with your emotions all over the place. I understand that too, because my emotions are all over the place. They are a dangerous group of people. Well all of them except for Bo. Bo will protect us. She wouldn't have come after us, if she wasn't going to". Lauren explained.
"What did they do to me? What did they really do to me? Nadia asked.
"I don't know. Your eyes were open like you said, but you just couldn't move at all. I think if you could have moved, you would have busted out of your own pod". Lauren said softly.
"Somebody has answers, and since you don't maybe that other Succubus or somebody close to her does". Nadia snapped standing up.
"Nadia please". Lauren sighed.
"No! I am not afraid of her or these other freaks. The worst that they could do is kill me, and that wouldn't be much different than sleeping awake in a pod". Nadia groaned. She was getting tired of Lauren. But since she knew these freaks, she could bring her to the Succubus, or the Succubus would finally come to them. She didn't miss the resemblance to her in Bo's features.
Bo
Bo had left the Dark Fae compound. Aife found her own car to drive. Bo needed some air. Real air. She wanted to cry, but didn't need her Succubus surfacing right now.
She wasn't the one that trusted Trick and Dyson. She wasn't the one that slept with him over, and over again. The more she thought of it, Dyson was merely an extension of Trick. His yes man, because he certainly never said no to anything Trick wanted him to do.
Like keep Aife's real identity from her. If he knew who Bo was than he must have known who Trick is to her. Her grandfather. What? Her grandfather? Aife's father? The man that sat in front of Bo, and told another lie. Aife was way more important to him than he had led her to believe. Why didn't he say anything? Why didn't they know where Aife was when Bo first arrived? Why did he treat Aife like she was infected with a deadly Fae disease? Why didn't he tell her any of this from day one?
Bo had been lost in a world, that she didn't understand. Thinking that she was a monster. That she was a natural born killer. But she had never killed a Fae or human, until she accidentally killed Kyle. She tried to keep the monster under control, but she was basically homeless on the streets. She was hungry, and couldn't control her Succubus. She fed when she wanted to, and relented when she wanted to. The only time she ever stopped herself, was with the guard at the labs when they were trying to save Kenzi.
Trick knew all of this shit. He didn't say a word. He watched Bo walk around not knowing who she really was, what she was really capable of. He basically told her to stay away from the one woman, that could answer every question she had. Bo's anger had now intensified. They lied to her, over, and over. There was no way around it.
She thought about the night she, and Lauren slept together. How she ran to confront Vex. How Dyson showed up. How her Succubus nearly surfaced again, and he said nothing. She thought about him saying Aife wasn't his secret to tell. What the fuck kind of friend is that? To keep someone's mother from them? Especially someone Bo was looking for. Longed to meet. Longed to know who she really was. How Succubus lived, fought, fed. Everything.
She thought about the night she caught Aife with Dyson. Was Aife lying then? Did Dyson put up a fight or did he just sleep with her because she was a woman? If he was really Aife's thrall, why didn't he wake up that way in Bo's bed that morning.
Bo had seen Aife's thralls. Those men were almost robotic. Nothing about Dyson that morning seemed robotic. Unless Bo's reverse chi suck reversed Aife's thrall, Dyson had been playing her again.
Played her when she used him to heal after bursting through a glass window. Played her when he said he wouldn't interfere in her fight. She did remember a warmth. A warmth that felt like it was flowing in her veins. She did think of Dyson, but that was only when she thought she was about to lose the fight. She remembered the look in Aife's eyes when they fought. Dyson getting his love stolen, wouldn't have affected them both. She was done playing in her head. She wanted answers and was going to get them.
Evony's office.
"Damn that bitch is strong! Evony groaned still trying to get up.
"How long do you think we will be stuck here? Dyson growled.
"Forever if that slut has her way. I do not need to be seeing you, like this". Evony said closing her eyes. She had to think. How to reverse a Succubus thrall. Shit if she knew that, she would already be on her, feet and after the mother Succubus.
She laughed internally thinking Bo was her only problem. She would take Bo over Aife anytime. The girl is so young, and inexperienced. Didn't know she was Aife's daughter, and Trick's granddaughter. Lived in that rat infested building, when she could have been living so much better.
"If I could get to my phone, I could call Trick or Kenzi". Dyson groaned. He moved his ass hoping it would pop out of his pocket, and around to his boots. He could use the heel to tap one number. He always kept the Dal on speed dial.
"Uh could you try not to move. From the smell of you, you haven't bathed in days". Evony gagged. Damn that Aife for leaving her like that. Damn her guards for allowing her in. She would be buying a No Bitch Allowed sign, once she got out of her predicament.
Aife
Aife hated leaving Bo. She hated that her daughter was hurting, but that's what being any kind of daughter to the Blood King, felt like. Aife was beneath him. Wasn't worthy of his blood, only his curses.
He never cursed her with his blood, only with his mouth. When he gave her over to the Dark, he told them to do whatever they found fit to her. Fit? She was going to find something to fit him. Namely her boot up his ass, or pull every ounce of Chi from his body. So what if she killed her father. In a way he killed her mother. Always off somewhere looking into some bullshit. He could have corrected all of it, by writing in his blood.
He spent a total of two days investigating Isabeau's murder. He basically told his young daughter that the Queen took one for the team. What team? Trick never believed in teams. Unless he was the only captain. The captain of the Fae, and everything he wanted them to do. Bow to him. The only time Aife would bow to him would be to ask him to kiss her ass.
Her Succubus stirred when she thought of Bo again. She would never lie to her daughter, or sit on a lie for Trick. No that is how Dyson operates. The keeper of Blood King Secrets may as well be a tattoo on his ass. She laughed thinking of where Dyson was. Nobody could break her thrall, not even Bo.
The Dal
Bo had arrived and had sat in her car long enough to compose herself. She felt like just draining the place, but Kenzi was likely still there.
Climbing out of her car, she noticed how full the parking lot really was. Her Succubus would be fed for weeks, if she released her now. She rounded the corner to the front door, and entered. Men and women lined the small hallway. Taking another deep breath, Bo pulled the door to the bar open, and screamed.
"Everybody out! Now! Bo screamed in her Succubus voice. A patron's shot glass broke in his hand. He bowed his head to Trick, and was the first out.
"Bo? Bo wait a minute". Kenzi said.
"I suggest that you wait in his lair or whatever room you were sleeping in". Bo seethed. She never took her eyes off of Trick. Not even when he tried to retreat to his lair.
"Stand where you are Trick! Bo screamed again. Her hair flew in the wind that the fleeing patrons passing by her caused.
"Bo? Lets talk about this first". Kenzi said.
"I said go Kenzi, unless you were in on this too. I haven't forgotten how you flaunted Dyson in front of me, like he had a golden penis". Bo seethed again.
"I can see you are in that mood, so I will go". Kenzi said downing a shot before she did.
Bo slowly walked behind the bar, and poured herself a shot. "My tabs on you, right grandfather? She seethed.
Trick hung his head. He knew Aife wouldn't hold that little morsel in. He shook his head. He needed a starting point. It was never easy knowing how to talk to an angry Succubus. Bo was third in line, literally. He looked at her, and all he saw was a young, raw Aife.
"I could empty this bottle, and it wouldn't diminish my anger". Bo seethed again breaking the bottle over the counter top.
"Bo I can explain". Trick started, and jumped when Bo's Succubus laughter shook every glass in the room.
"That is so rich. I thought you would say it's not your secret to tell. Well guess what grandpa, your secret is out. Out of the mouth of my mother. You remember her right? The one you, and Dyson wanted me to believe was the wicked witch of West Toronto". Bo snapped.
"Bo I had to be sure. I had to be sure who you were. I couldn't say anything until I was certain". Trick said finally facing her.
"Bullshit you had plenty to say when I asked about her. You had plenty to say through Dyson's mouth. Oh and don't bother calling him for help, he won't come". Bo snapped.
"What did you do Bo? Trick gasped.
"Don't worry. Spot is still alive. He knows how to sit, but he can't run and fetch right now". Bo snapped again.
"What happened to you Bo? You at least gave me a chance to explain. To talk". Trick sighed rubbing his forehead. He jumped when he heard more glass break.
"What happened to me?! Mom happened to me, but you call her Aife. Aife is bad for you Bo. Aife is dangerous Bo. Aife will kill you Bo". Bo said mocking him.
"What else did she tell you? Trick asked worriedly.
"Just that you were my grandfather, and that Dyson doesn't have his balls anymore". Bo seethed again.
"Bo...
"You said that already, and I am really tired of playing with you, so tell me what else you know". Bo said slowly approaching him.
Trick needed to get more space between them. He jumped backwards, but froze in place when Bo's hand was suddenly around his neck.
"Shit. That's cool! Bo smiled wickedly.
"Bo...
"Tell Bo what you know. Look at that, I rhymed! Bo smiled again.
Trick struggled to break free. He was strong but she was too strong for him. He needed to get to his blood book. This is how Aife snapped on him after her mother was murdered. He had such high hopes for Bo. To mold her into the Succubus that he always wanted Aife to grow up, and be. Just when he thought he would break away, Bo tightened her grip.
"Tell me". Bo said sending pulses into Trick's neck.
"That won't work on me Bo. You are my blood". Trick choked out.
"Tsk. I will have to ask mom who my father is. Because I know my pulses work. Now tell me". Bo smiled wickedly again.
"After your grandmother died, Aife went crazy, just like you are doing right now...". Trick chocked out. Bo tightened her grip and sent constant pulses inside of him.
"In order to keep the peace between the Light and the Dark, I had to give her to the Dark. They put her in their dungeons, and nearly starved her to death. I thought they had killed her, but she was taken from them. I was told she was raped, but never told by whom. That's how you were conceived. She gave you up as a child, to humans. Once I found out where you were, I had people out looking for you. Until you showed up in town. I had to keep my distance. The Fae would never understand me welcoming my daughter back into the fold, not after she viciously killed some Elders as revenge for Isabeau's death. Isabeau was your grandmother.
When you arrived, I asked Dyson to keep an eye on you. It didn't hurt that he fell in love with you. I wanted you to choose him as your mate, but he said your eyes went black. Your Succubus doesn't like him very much, and didn't mate with him like he did with you. I had to be sure who you were, I couldn't just say you were my granddaughter without proof. When Aife showed up, and found you, I had my proof". Trick choked out. Bo dropped him, and stepped back.
"Kenzi get up here! Bo screamed.
"Bo...". Trick coughed.
"Bo? Trick? What happened?! Kenzi screamed stumbling up the stairs.
"Get your stuff. We are leaving". Bo said turning to her.
"Bo wait. Let me...". Trick coughed again.
"You're not just a coward. You are a coward asshole. I won't kill you. I will you leave you for mom. I am sure she wants you to die slowly". Bo seethed rinsing her hands off with a bottle of water.
"She's dangerous Bo! She will kill you or cause you to do things that you don't want to do! Trick coughed out again.
"The only one in danger right now, is you. You are lucky I am leaving because if I stay, there wouldn't be anything left of your body". Bo seethed.
"Bo what's going on? Kenzi asked running up wth her duffel bag dangling off of her shoulder.
"You are coming with me. You are still my human, and nobody I care about will sleep another night in this dump". Bo said.
"Bo? You can't mean that. Look at the top shelf". Kenzi said grabbing a few bottles, and stuffing them down in her bag.
"Lets go Kenzi. Now! Bo snapped. Kenzi jumped. Bo had never used that tone with her before. She wondered where Dyson was, but trusted Bo to tell her once they were out of the building.
Trick continued coughing long after they had walked out. He stumbled over to his phone to call Dyson. Or anyone that could find Aife for him.
Bo's car.
"Look Bo I don't know all of the deets, but Trick really is a good guy. He just made some mistakes". Kenzi said quietly.
"You're right you don't know. A good guy wouldn't try to keep my mother from me. A good guy wouldn't have gave her to the Dark to be raped, or a fate worse than that. He lied to me over, and over again! So please spare me the good guy mumbo jumbo! Bo snapped.
"Ok. Ok I get it. Now where are we going? Kenzi asked.
"I am going to see Lauren. I am taking you to Hale's. If you are about to open your mouth, and say something nasty about Lauren, I will throw you out of my car, and you can walk! Bo snapped. She noticed Kenzi's aura the minute she said Lauren's name. She was so pissed off, she saw it in the moonlight.
For the rest of the ride, Kenzi kept to herself. She leaned against the passenger door as close as her safety allowed. She had never seen Bo like this. Her hands were gripping the steering wheel so tight, she looked like she was going to rip it clean off.
She had almost forgotten that Bo was a Succubus. Powerful enough to get the truth out of anybody. She closed her eyes thinking if she had any secrets. She was Bo's human, and even that made her vulnerable. Bo had snapped. Her eyes flashed brown, and blue in the rear view mirror. She didn't know where Dyson was. But she needed him. They needed him.
The Dal
"My, my what happened up in here? Aife laughed slowly strolling in. There was glass everywhere, and Trick didn't look to be cleaning it up. In fact he looked tired.
"What did you do to Bo?! Trick snapped over his shoulder.
"I did what you never would. I told her the truth. Something you have never been capable of, until it fits your needs. Bo needed the truth, the whole truth, and she got it". Aife said slowly strolling over to Trick.
Trick stomped back, and forth to the amusement of his daughter. He had no response. He needed Bo to listen to him. To understand that he had her best interests at heart, not Aife. He was starting to wish Aife had never come back to town. It was going to take so long for him to repair the damage she had done with Bo, and whatever she was plotting to do in the immediate future.
"Get out of my bar! Trick screamed. Aife winked at him and slowly walked out. There was nothing she wanted in that joint, not right now.
Once the Succubus was out of sight, Trick threw a bottle across the room, and watched it smash against the wall.
Lauren and Nadia
Lauren and Nadia had sat, still staring at each other. Trying to read each other. Nadia saw nothing but betrayal written all over Lauren. She never thought the day would come when Lauren would cheat on her. Leave her in a pod while she went out, and did whatever to, and with Bo.
Lauren closed her eyes, and opened them again to get a fresh look at Nadia. Nothing had changed. Nadia was angry. Resentful. Ungrateful. Everything negative feeling she carried for the Doctor. Lauren was starting to feel like a babysitter. A babysitter of Nadia's hang-ups, and misconceptions about her. Target practice when she was never a threat to Nadia. Not once.
A babysitter keeping her safe from going after Aife. Or any of the Fae that she clearly didn't understand, or knew about. The kindest one Lauren ever met was Bo. It was shocking. World changing. Eye opening. A breath of fresh air in the dull Fae world atmosphere.
"You're thinking about her again aren't you? Why don't you just go. You're free right? Get out of here! Nadia snapped.
Lauren had, had enough. "The minute I leave, you're dead. They will kill you Nadia. That's why I never left before, they would have killed us! You were a lot safer than I was. They dragged, threw, pushed, poked, and stomped all over me. I could have left a long time ago. But I stayed. I owed it to you. I owed it to us. As quick as I left, they would have killed you without remorse. Just another body in the morgue, soon to be ashes. Like I said before, you have a right to be angry about being cursed, but you will not curse me with your anger, and resentment, when you have no idea what I went through trying to cure you". Lauren snapped.
"Well look who is finally talking, and growing a backbone. Too bad you never had one the last five years". Nadia snickered.
"Maybe if you would of talked to me about what you saw instead of hiding it, you wouldn't have been cursed! Lauren snapped. She spent years as the Fae punching bag, Nadia was not about to keep swinging at her.
"Oh. Like you were ever around to talk to. You took me on the trip so that you wouldn't be alone, yet I was the one that spent most of my time alone. You were always off trying to help someone, cure someone. You had a job here! We didn't need to go over there! Nadia snapped.
"Oh really? And what job was that? Sitting home waiting to nurse your fists, ribs and face, because you lost another boxing match? Lauren countered. If Nadia wanted to play, the Doctor was game.
"You are such a bitch! Nadia said as she nearly slapped Lauren, but the Doctor was too quick, and dodged her swing.
Both women jumped when they heard a sound. They both turned, and saw a seething Succubus, standing at the door. She was growling as she stared Nadia down.
"Get. Away. From. Her". Bo snapped as she slowly stepped into the room. "Awww look the Succubus has come to your defense". Nadia laughed.
"Step away from her Lauren". Bo said softly.
"I am not afraid of you. If Lauren likes you, you must be a pussycat to deal with". Nadia laughed.
"I woke you up for Lauren. I will knock you out for her too". Bo snapped.
"Bo. Don't". Lauren said standing near them.
Bo stared coldly into Nadia's eyes. Taking a breath, she backed away at Lauren's request. But she never took her eyes off of the woman in front of her.
Nadia smirked, and backed up. She kept her eyes on Bo as she slowly made her way over to Lauren. She started circling the Doctor.
Bo followed her every movement. "Lauren".
When Nadia grabbed the back of Lauren's neck, the Doctor flipped her over her shoulder, and on to her back.
Nadia was stunned. She didn't think Lauren had it in her. A medic in Afghanistan didn't sound very threatening. She always suspected Lauren was with her because she could protect her, and nobody would think a professional photographer would know how to fight.
Lauren woke up from the shock of Nadia touching her so aggressively, and bent down to help her up, but Nadia kicked her hard in her stomach. Stumbling back, Lauren slammed into the wall. She was still on her feet, but coughing.
Nadia found herself dangling in the air. "Strike one". Bo snapped with her hand around Nadia's neck.
Nadia spat in Bo's face. "Strike two".
"Bo. She doesn't know what she's doing, who she's messing with". Lauren groaned still holding her stomach.
Bo put Nadia down. She had forgotten that she was a human, and that she meant something to Lauren. Wiping her face off, she backed up, and stood side by side with Lauren.
"That's twice that I have saved your life Nadia. Attack me again, and I won't be so generous". Lauren snapped.
"When did you save my life the first time? What when you left me in a pod for years? That's more than twice sweetie". Nadia laughed.
"I don't get your attitude! Lauren did everything she could to wake you up. She's a brilliant Doctor. Too bad you are a idiot and don't see that". Bo snapped.
"Yeah. Yeah. Thank you for waking me up. But it should have been her! Nadia snapped pointing a finger in Lauren's face.
"Please get over yourself. Lauren couldn't have known the Fae cursed you. I'm Fae, and even I don't know everything about us". Bo snapped.
"I can speak for myself thank you". Lauren said softly , finally composing herself. Bo lifted her hand encouraging the Doctor on.
"You have always needed someone to fight for you. To talk for you. You are nothing but a coward Lauren. A fucking coward! Nadia spat.
Bo stepped forward, but Lauren gently pulled her back.
"I'm not a coward. A coward would have pulled the plug on your pod and ran. A coward would have said take her life, I still have mine. A coward wouldn't have given up five years of my own life, trying to save yours. But the lover, and Doctor in me couldn't walk away. The human in me knew the moment I set foot out of the colony, we would both be dead. I am done defending myself to a photographer that left me to fend for myself by not telling me what she saw through her camera lense". Lauren countered.
Bo was impressed. That was the most she had ever heard Lauren say at one time.
"Oh you are not going to get rid of me that easily. You are going to pay me back. You are going to pay me back for every second I was in that pod. Every month I was away from my family. Every year that I was without another's touch". Nadia snapped standing directly in front of Lauren.
"That sounds like a threat, and strike three". Bo seethed.
"No. That is strike three". Nadia said punching Lauren in the face. Bo snapped as she watched her fall to the floor. When Nadia lunged for Lauren, Bo pushed her out of the way, and helped Lauren up.
Nadia got to her feet, and started running towards them. She found herself in the air again. She smiled into the woman's eyes, recognizing who it was.
"Ah finally the Succubus". Nadia smiled again.
"My name is Aife! You have overstayed your welcome in my building, and my presence". Aife snapped gripping Nadias neck as tight as she could without breaking her fingers.
The ladies felt a gust of wind, and soon Aife had been pushed off of Nadia. Lauren and Aife watched as Bo's skin glowed, her hair was flowing, and her eyes were navy blue.
Aife tilted her head upwards, and smiled. There was her baby. The baby she wanted to see the week they fought. Her Succubus. Her protégée. Her Princess.
"I am your Queen. There will be no more Light, and no more Dark. There will only be me! Bo snapped raising her arms.
"Bo". Lauren said softly.
Bo felt her Succubus retreat. Lauren was right. If she was going to fight Nadia, she would do it as Bo. She was tired of watching Lauren be bullied by the woman. By nature Lauren wasn't a fighter. She didn't need to be. Bo would be her champion, and she was ready to rumble.
"Ready? Bo asked mocking Nadia.
"I thought you would never ask". Nadia laughed lunging at her.
TBC
Lauren steps between Bo and Nadia, and is knocked out.
A horrified Bo finds a Dr for Lauren, and leaves in shame.
Aife and Nadia face off.