OMG I'm trying to get all the chapters posted before finals roll around again **eek!** Where does the time go?! As always, thanks for sticking around to read more :)
xxxxx
At the center of Fae village
Dyson stood tall and still like the strongest of mountains, but inside he errupted like the fiercest of volcanoes. The anger raged with such strength that he could feel every heart beat pulsing behind his closed eyelids. The pressure so great that he felt certain finding any way to calm down was necessary for his health, despite the task feeling damn near impossible.
He didn't know how long he had been standing there. Since returning to the village on Bo's command, Dyson proceeded to the center of the village and had not moved since. His mind wandered as he ignored the chatter from the few nearby clan members. He knew their gossip would quickly spread but it would be just that: gossip. While none of his clan knew exactly what transpired to put him in this dreaded space, Dyson imagined their speculation was wildly out of line.
Blocking out the sounds of hushed whispers, Dyson slowed his breathing and repetitively told himself to calm down. It took time but eventually his heart rate slowed enough to lessen the physical strain on his body. As his emotions rolled from rage to embarassment and back again, Dyson mentally reviewed hundreds of memories. Details of a multitude of events flashed to mind; events that culminated over time that brought him to this space. It was not just his attack on Lauren that put him here. Images of his life, time with the clan, and more importantly, time with Bo, all piled together to create a perfect storm that nearly brought him to kill the one woman Bo had chosen over him.
Over him.
Bo had not chosen Dyson. Rather, she had chosen Lauren.
It was a painful admission, but he didn't question why Bo chose her. Dyson had stopped questioning why Bo did anything years ago. Instead, he questioned why he did it. Why did he ever fall for Bo in the first place? Why did he get so carried away with making plans in his head, only to see them never materialize? Why did he have such jealousy issues? After all, if Bo didn't want him, why on earth would he want her? And why, of all questions, did he attack Lauren like he did?
He fell for Bo when they were teenagers, and he welcomed all her succubus charm every day since. He got carried away with making plans in his head because he loved her, and he loved the idea of having Bo as his mate. He had jealousy issues because he wanted her to look at him as he looked at her: as the one and only. But she was a succubus, and eventually he realized she wanted more. He didn't like her various escapades with other clan members but in the end, she always came back to him at some point. That he could live with.
But now, Lauren was in the picture. Lauren was different. Lauren had found the way into Bo's heart that Dyson never had. Lauren had somehow taken a succubus beyond her very nature. It was that realization that triggered Dyson's harsh reaction. And that is why he wanted Lauren out of the picture for good.
Bo's disappointment and anger at his behavior was not something lost on Dyson. While the clan leader never directly told him to not harm Lauren, he knew the extent of her feelings for the human. Yet he still reacted harshly, and it was his actions alone that put him in this predicament.
His impending punishment could range from one extreme to the other, and he had absolutely zero input on it. There was no democracy in this village. The rules were literally set in stone: you disobey your clan leader, and you would pay the ultimate price. It was black and white. He knew the rules. He broke the rules. Sort of.
While he didn't technically disobey Bo, he still harmed someone important to her. Knowing the gravity of the situation kept his feet firmly planted in place. He kept his head bowed and his eyes closed as he stood at the center of the village, facing that very special, tiny tree. He still wasn't happy about Lauren's involvement with Bo, but he had no control over it. All the wondering would not change the situation one bit.
But maybe wishing would.
And that is exactly what he planned on doing.
Making wishes next to this particular tree was actually quite common for his clan members. Such a small tree with such a large presence. It was held in such a high regard: an intensely special place in their village, one that could elevate a clan member's status or completely destroy it. He had witnessed its power in the past, and all he could hope for was that it would choose now, choose him, to show its power again.
Dyson's reasoning to stand there was two fold. He was required to await his punishment, no matter how mild or severe. He knew that he lost his value to the clan because Bo surely would not trust him anymore, and without her trust, what possible value could he ever provide to the clan as a whole? He had shamed his very own honor, and while his anger was still boiling within, he found himself the only one to blame. And so he wished to be spared; wished to receive a lenient punishment; wished to somehow escape this entire situation with minimal consequences. All those wishes were directed at that sole tree rooted before him.
While he had no idea how long he would be waiting for punishment, he spent every minute evaluating possible outcomes. He made multiple wishes as he stood in that very special space, hopeful to be spared from the ultimate punishment. Yes, he wished for Bo to change her mind. Yes, he wished that he would find strength to move on. And yes, he even wished that none of it had ever happened. It would only be a matter of time before he would learn of his fate, but until that time arrived, Dyson could do little other than wish, wonder and wait.
Before Sunrise- Outside the Medical Complex
Bo paced behind the trees not fifty paces from the medical complex property. She had been there the majority of the night, exhibiting her best attempt at patience while Amelia and Lauren ran "tests" on her best friend. Helpless was the only feeling Bo focused on. For hours, Bo stared at the night sky, or the lights in the nearby parking lot, or the trees surrounding her, but all her thoughts remained focus on Kenzi.
She struggled to accept her own inability to save the woman, despite months of seeking out the one item she thought would be the cure to Kenzi's illness: the moonlight daisy. And while it had helped, in someway, it was not a cure. Somehow in the matter of the few minutes it took for Lauren and Amelia to explain it, everything changed when Bo found out the flower was poisonous to humans.
For much of the night, Bo cried or lashed out in private. Her emotions had become too much to bear and so privately, hidden in the trees, she pounded her fists on the ground where she sat sobbing. She stomped up the mountainside and smashed sticks against tree trunks. She repeatedly pounded rocks against the solid earth. It took hours to calm down; hours to rationalize that she did what she thought was best. Hours to tell herself that she wasn't responsible for Kenzi's illness, despite the guilt eating through her chest because she wasn't able to be the one to save her. Helpless was truly an understatement.
As the night wore on, Bo calmed her frustrations as she impatiently waited for Amelia or Erin or Lauren to emerge from the medical complex with information about Kenzi's condition. The solitude was a double edged sword really, fueling her fear but allowing her time to calm at her own pace. She feared what was happening to Kenzi, mostly because she didn't understand human medicine well enough to trust it. Yet she trusted Lauren, despite the short amount of time she had known her. Without a doubt, Bo was confident Lauren and Amelia would do anything they could to help her best friend.
Her focus on Kenzi was only distracted momentarily when Tamsin arrived every few hours to provide updates on the thieves' whereabouts. Bo's absence from the hunt, plus Dyson's impending punishment, put Tamsin in charge of the clan's search and destroy mission. The Valkyrie was precise; driven. She arrived like clockwork to keep Bo abreast of the situation, and Bo clung to Tamsin's allegiance as her sole thread of hope toward resolving some issue impacting her clan.
The blonde checked in on Bo several times that night, always cautious of the condition in which she would find their clan leader. The first few visits were timed poorly as Bo's emotions were quite unruly and caused the brunette to be short with her words. Once was enough, but three consecutive visits made Tamsin cringe at the thought of returning. Yet she did, knowing that a loyal soldier always proved her worth in the hardest of times.
These were certainly the hardest of times.
The fourth visit brough Tamsin in the wee hours of the morning. The night sky was still cast in darkness, and she dreaded arriving yet again without any good news. With a careful landing, Tamsin touched down to the earth in the same spot she had on every prior occassion before walking through the trees to where Bo sat upon the ground. She approached Bo from behind, watching the succubus flicking rocks at nothing in particular. She cleared her throat to alert Bo of her presence. It was her own precaution to ensure Bo didn't go on the offensive.
Tamsin sat down on the ground nearby, close enough to converse quietly in the night but far enough away that she was beyond an arm's length away, should Bo's anger surface unexpectedly.
Bo recognized her presence but sat quietly, patiently waiting for any good news that Tamsin could bear.
"I'm sorry Bo. The darkness has hidden the thieves too well. We are all still looking, but at this point they may have left the jungle. We are hoping they emerge again soon. We may have to wait until daylight."
While it was not the news Bo wanted to hear, she appreciated the honesty. Time had calmed her immensely and it reflected in her tone.
"Thanks for the updates Tamsin. I appreciate you taking the lead out there tonight."
"No problem."
Tamsin sat a moment longer, waffling between leaving quietly or asking the burning question she had been thinking of since seeing Dyson waiting for punishment in the village. She must have waffled too long, for even Bo noticed she had something on her mind. Bo's assumptions, however, couldn't have been more off base.
"Tamsin, if you're lingering because you want to get into this Fae/human debate, don't. I suggest you save your speech about how your chi is better than anything a human could ever offer. I'd certainly hurt your feelings with my response to that, and I don't want to fight with you. Simply put, nothing you say will convince me that Fae shouldn't be with humans."
The lack of daylight hid Tamsin's smile. This conversation was certainly one she did not plan on having with Bo. While her time with Amelia and Erin changed her views drastically on the other species, that complete change of heart wasn't something Tamsin wanted to reveal to her clan leader. Revealing her new found opinion, especially alluding to her actions with the two humans named Erin and Amelia, would reinforce the fact that she agreed with Bo on the latter: she really didn't see a problem with Fae being with humans. Her cocky behavior would always have her believe her chi was better than anyone else's, human, Fae or otherwise, but her prior thoughts on avoiding humans altogether had simply withered away once she had the opportunity to open her mind.
Strategically, Tamsin avoided this admission by deflecting to the real reason she had remained with Bo a bit longer: her curiosity about Dyson's punishment.
"Well, uh...I uh, I have no debate for you. I think that's more of something you need to worry about with Dyson right now anyway. But, rumor is he attacked your human, and now he's waiting for banishment. I'm just curious if you are going to send him away."
A flash memory of Dyson standing face first against a tree in the center of their village popped in Bo's mind. Rarely did any occupy the space for as long as he did, and Bo immediately knew his presence there would certainly cause a whispered stir among the clan. Bo certainly didn't help matters, pointing out his position to Tamsin while never offering an actual reason or explanation of the situation. If anything, it simply added fuel to the rumor.
The very reason that image appeared so unusual was due to the history of that tiny patch of land in their village. Fae history defined it as the very center of the island, where one single tropical tree existed for hundreds of years but never grew beyond it's current size. Not more than twice the height of an average adult, the small tree simply lived in that space and never showed progressive growth in height nor width. It didn't ever shed bark or leaves for that matter, except on very rare occassions when something monumental was about to occur.
Those changes, or monumental events, were not taken lightly.
The last time anyone witnessed a change in that tree was when it flowered: the very day when Bo's best friend Kenzi first stepped foot in the Fae village all those years ago. Brilliant, colorful flowers decorated the tree unlike anything anyone had ever seen prior. The change was considered a sign, and it was the very reason Kenzi was so quickly accepted in to their clan despite being human.
The clan considered the tree, and the small patch of land surrounding it, a mystery. No one held answers to the many questions formulated over the years. Through time, part of that mystery evolved into respect. Some clan members considered it a sacred space all its own, where one would stand to cast wishes in hopes that they would come true. Even Bo had done that recently; the morning after Lauren had spent the night with her. She had hoped that tree would offer some recognition of Lauren's presence, moreso that Bo had been falling for the human. Unfortunately, no change had come about.
On the flip side, the space was also feared. Historically, it was also the place punishments were served to any clan member guilty of committing an infraction against one of their own. Rarely did that happen, but when it did the offender would stand there and hope for mercy. The tree had never saved a guilty party from punishment, and over the years while Trick was the clan leader, he had served up a fair number of punishments for various crimes.
But never did a clan member defy orders of the clan leader, for that carried the greatest punishment possible: banishment from the clan and from Fate Island.
Truthfully, Bo considered banishing Dyson for his actions, but she knew that would serve only to prove her power. Having the ultimate decision for handing down a punishment was a difficult position to be in; Trick had warned her for years that the punishment must fit the crime. She never realized how difficult that would be until now, as her personal feelings were involved. If anything, that swayed her toward wanting to issue a harsher punishment for Dyson.
Wanting to be a good clan leader was still a priority though. She was angry and upset that her most loyal clan member attacked Lauren, but she knew that Dyson did not defy her orders as she had never given him any. While defying the clan leader's demands would always bring an immediate banishment considered worse than death, Dyon's behavior was more of a teachable moment: one that explained that neither his, nor anyone else's jealousy, would ever be acceptable in the form of physical brutality. But what punishment fit that best?
"He did attack Lauren. But he is not awaiting banishment. Punishment yes, but he never defied orders."
Tamsin remained quiet as she had taken up Bo's habit of flicking rocks into the darkness. She processed Bo's short explanation as just that: clarification that Dyson was in trouble but wasn't getting kicked out of the clan. Just knowing the truth was more than enough for her to feel comfortable resuming her cocky attitude once again.
She shrugged before standing up from the ground, extending her wings carefully between the nearby trees. She stretched her arms toward the moon, enjoying the pull on her muscles as she prepared for a return flight to rejoin the hunt for the thieves.
"Well I hope that tree doesn't save him from all this. I'm sure he's making a million wishes right now. And, if you haven't decided on his punishment yet, I suggest making him spend a week with Atticus and Lachlan. Those two will drive him crazy."
A full day spent surrounded by Atticus and Lachlan's inappropriate, childish behavior would drive anyone crazy. A week would surely render one temporarily insane. Either that or completely reduce a proud soldier into that of a silly, playful goof. Bo smiled at the thought.
"I'll consider it, Tamsin."
Tamsin glanced up to the sky.
"Well whatever you decide, obviously you have my support. Anyway, I'll be back before sunrise, hopefully with better news. Time to get back to the hunt."
xxxxxxx
In the medical complex
Erin watched the clock for as long as possible until she couldn't remain silent any longer.
"Guys, it's almost sunrise. People are going to start coming in to the complex, making it very difficult to get out of here undetected. Plus Isaac is expecting us to meet him for breakfast. If one of us doesn't go, he may come looking for us. We need to get moving."
Amelia glanced at Erin and then glanced at the scans for the fifth time. Lauren studied them over her shoulder. They had run every test available in that facility, and they had done it all alone. Since they returned to the medical complex from the Fae village, Amelia and Lauren had carried out any tests they possibly could while trying to conceal their processes from others in the buildings. The few overnight employees on the grounds rarely wandered through the medical complex, fortunately providing them with the privacy they wanted. Even sneaking Kenzi in the side door proved much easier than any of them anticipated. The lack of serious security at the medical complex was something they simply took full advantage of for the entire night.
Amelia glanced at the wall clock Erin had been staring at. It had been five hours since they arrived at the hospital and three since she determined Kenzi would need surgery. While nothing new had become more pronounced with the various other tests performed during those final hours, Amelia took care to ensure every angle was looked at with the limited equipment available.
"Well I think we have our answer," Lauren stated.
Amelia glanced at Lauren and nodded.
"That we do," Amelia replied.
Erin rolled her chair next to Amelia's. While the doctors had been focused on medical explanations and potential procedures, Erin had quietly allowed her detective's mind to analyze scenarios. It was now time to share her ideas with the others.
"So you need to get Kenzi to Seattle then? For brain surgery." Erin asked.
Amelia frowned and nodded. The task seemed complex and unattainable. Well, almost.
Erin saw the worry in Amelia's face, but the detective held less worry and fear than either doctor in the room. Perhaps it was due to the hours she spent considering various scenarios in the case that surgery was the outcome. She had worked on plans in her mind should they need them.
They needed them.
"I think we can do it."
Erin spoke clearly, ending her statement with a cautious smile. Her confidence immediately attracted Lauren and Amelia's attention.
"How? There are so many obstacles." Amelia whispered.
"I've been thinking about it. A lot." Erin replied.
Lauren appreciated Erin's enthusiasm, but she too had very little hope of making this transpire.
"Erin, we all know it's a long way to Seattle. Looking at Kenzi's health, she's going to have withdrawal from those flowers. And soon. Sedation is an option, but chances of making it through that long flight are slim."
"Well, if Amelia flies with her and never leaves her side, she can administer sedatives the whole way. That's as good a chance as any."
Amelia chimed in.
"I can do that, but what about her identity? For travel? We would need a passport."
Erin folded her arms across her chest and smiled.
"I can get her a fake American identity. I just need to snap a picture. I'll make the calls on my way to the diner to meet Isaac."
Lauren raised a brow at Erin's statement. Even Amelia seemed pleasantly surprised by her abilities.
"You can get a fake identity that fast?" Lauren asked.
"You know how it goes Lewis. Calling in favors..."
Lauren immediately thought back to all those favors she called in to get on this damn island in the first place. She only imagined a detective had many more favors available than she did as a doctor.
Amelia quickly added, "I know for a fact that I won't have any problems at my hospital in Seattle. I can handle all the staff with ease. But how are we going to get her on a flight from here to Seattle? She needs a flight asap. This operation should have happened a long time ago, and she's running out of time."
Lauren straightened her posture as her own uncertainty faded away. She glanced to Amelia quickly; just as quickly as the answer to the flight problem popped to mind. It was only the day prior that Lauren tried to get off the island with an early flight but failed. There was, however, one flight that was ready to get Lauren off the island, all thanks to the favor she called in to her good friend, Frank Marsh.
"That's it!" Lauren blurted out.
Both Amelia and Erin stared at her with confusion.
"What's it Laur?" Amelia asked.
"I have a flight today. It is scheduled to take me to Canada."
"What?" Erin asked.
Lauren leaned forward, her elbows pressing into her thighs as she stretched her muscles enough to shed the exhaustion settling in.
"Yesterday, when I locked myself in the bathroom, I called Frank. I told him I wanted off the island ASAP. He's going to have a military flight for me this morning. I'll need to schmooze his military men to take you two instead, but you and Kenzi can go in my place. It's perfect."
Before either Amelia or Erin could respond, Lauren quickly looked at Erin.
"If I can make this flight work and get Kenzi into Canada, can your connections get her from Canada to the States?"
Erin immediately thought of the one woman who had connections like this and knew the answer. She didn't hesitate to respond.
"Consider it done."
It was just the answer Lauren wanted to hear.
"Perfect. I'll go find Bo and give her the news."
Lauren left the room, giving way to a private moment between Erin and Amelia. They hadn't found any time to share alone since waking Lauren from her flower-induced haze the day prior, and with Amelia's pending departure from the island sooner than anticipated, Erin found a need to say something to her. She just wasn't sure how to say it.
"So, you feel good about her chances?" Erin asked quietly.
Amelia smiled, knowing Erin's question was simply small talk leading up to a more important conversation between them.
"Yes I do."
Erin unfolded her arms. She pushed her feet against the floor, spinning her chair left and then right while trying to think of the right things to say. She imagined she looked nervous, because truthfully, she was nervous. Out of the blue, she had started something with Amelia. It was enjoyable, it was nothing heavy or serious, but it wasn't something she was quite ready to end either.
"So Shepherd, when all goes well for the patient, are you going to fly back here with her? To cash in your favor from Bo?"
Amelia smiled.
"You have confidence that I will pull this off."
"Of course I do. You're Doctor Amelia Shepherd. I may not know a lot about you, but I know enough."
Erin's compliment put a blush on the doctor's face. Amelia was also confident in her abilities, but running her mouth in the past had burned her on more than one occasion. She nodded to Erin as an acceptance of the compliment before addressing the second part of Erin's question.
"Thanks. But I haven't really thought that far ahead on returning here. I don't see why not. I'm sure I can think of a good favor by then. In fact, how about I make you a deal."
Erin looked over the doctor carefully.
"Go on," Erin replied.
Amelia placed her hand on Erin's thigh, stopping the detective's nervous spinning motion in the chair.
"If all goes well, Kenzi won't be fit to fly for several weeks. And if we are both right and we actually do pull this off, I'll bring Kenzi back to the island, and I'll request my wish from Bo at that time. But I'll only use that wish if you come back here too."
Erin flashed Amelia her priceless smile and simply replied, "That sounds like a deal I'd be a fool to refuse."
xxxx
Outside the medical complex, immediately before sunrise
The sun was rising, forcing Bo to remain hidden deeper within the trees. She stayed away from the dirt road to avoid being seen, not that anyone had been near that area. She had moved further up the hill to maintain her cover, but that move also concealed her from the very woman she had waited to see all night.
"Bo, where are you?"
Bo heard the voice whispered through the trees. Lauren's voice ignited an entire slate of feelings to surface. Quickly,Bo jumped up from the ground, brushing off her shorts as she stood. The sky was still dark and cautiously Bo took a few steps in the direction of Lauren's voice. She manuvered through a thick patch of trees as she heard Lauren's voice again.
"Bo?"
"Here. I'm here," Bo whispered.
Bo stepped around another tree and Lauren appeared in Bo's view. Both the sight of Lauren, and the knowledge that the blonde was about to deliver news about Kenzi, sent Bo's pulse racing high. She felt her heart in her throat before it plunged quickly to the pit of her stomach. The anxiety flooding her had the strength to bend nerves of steel. Bo's emotions were an utter mess; a mess that began to unravel as she and Lauren joined in a needy, mutual embrace.
While Lauren's hold was weak from exhaustion, Bo still enjoyed being wrapped in her arms. She placed quick kisses over Lauren's cheek and jaw, her affection a display of gratitude for Lauren being in her presence once again.
"Hi," Lauren whispered. "I'm sorry it has been hours."
"Shhhh, don't apologize. I'm just glad you're here."
Lauren wrapped her arms around Bo, falling into her hold between jungle trees and under fading moonlight. Bo's kisses crossed Lauren's cheek tenderly until their lips finally met. The welcomed kiss triggered Lauren's grip to tighten on Bo's shoulders. Her fists balled the edges of Bo's touristy-looking t-shirt in her grasp as that single kiss stimulated a deep rooted hunger inside the blonde. Her hands and arms tingled, matching the waves of sensation slowly radiating from her chest.
Bo's hands wrapped around Lauren's neck and her fingers wound their way through her golden locks. She pulled Lauren closer, deepening their connection from a gentle kiss to a shared stream of chi. The initial taste Bo pulled from Lauren flooded her eyes with a brilliant blue. Instantly, she shifted that stream and pushed it back to Lauren with a renewed vigor to give the doctor energy.
The moment that blue light crossed her lips, Lauren recognized the same smooth, warm texture coat her throat and mouth. The heat in her chest increased rapidly, and all the time in the world would not be enough for Lauren to stand there and enjoy this feeling.
The kiss quickly ceased, ending far too fast for either woman. Bo gently trailed her fingers under Lauren's hair along the soft skin of her neck, gazing at her lovingly as Lauren took a few slow, deep breaths and finally reopened her eyes. Matching blue eyes gazed upon the same, and neither woman denied their individual smiles at recognition of such. Lauren kept a tight hold on Bo; while the chi from Bo sat squarely in her chest, it once again felt trapped. A locked treasure chest containing the riches that could give her a much needed energy boost, but she simply had no key.
With a weary smile, Lauren leaned back slightly. The added space provided her a better view of Bo, and she couldn't help but cast a hungry eye over the brunette dressed in typical human attire. Outside of her brilliant blue glowing eyes, Bo looked just like a typical tourist but the entire view was absolutely gorgeous.
"That chi didn't help your energy levels again, did it?"
Lauren shook her head to Bo's question, instantly recognizing the disappointment in Bo's eyes. Lauren thought an energy boost at this very moment would do wonders for her exhausted body, but she also didn't want Bo to worry about why the chi wasn't performing in a manner that Bo thought it should.
"No, but that's okay Bo. We will find out why in time. There are more important things to discuss first."
Bo nodded, her continued strokes over Lauren's neck soothing them both with the constant, intimate touch. While the small amount of chi Bo took from Lauren was just as powerful as it had been on prior occassions, it was still no match for the worry plaguing her heart: the worry about Kenzi.
"So how is she?" Bo asked quietly.
Lauren offered another warm smile. The explanation was complicated. She wanted to take her time explaining things to Bo without rushing through it using medical jargon sure to frustrate the succubus. When she didn't immediately answer, Bo's expression shifted from hopeful to realistic as she started to make fast assumptions.
"Just tell me: is there hope?" Bo asked.
Lauren nodded yes. Her smile encouraged Bo but the brunette was still cautious.
"Does she need to leave the island?" Bo asked.
Once again, Lauren nodded. Bo tensed, shifting her eyes to the sky as she felt the weight of her decision grow heavier.
Lauren stared at those blue eyes searching the sky for answers. She saw Bo's worry and fear. The doctor gently slid her hand along Bo's cheek, soothing the brunette with a sensitive touch.
"You trust me, right?" Lauren whispered.
Bo redirected her gaze to Lauren.
"Yes," Bo replied immediately.
"Good. Go to my rental house. Wait by the pool again. Amelia and I will see you there shortly."
xxxxxxx
Outside the village diner
The village square was fairly empty at such an early hour, but Erin still stood strategically off the path where no one would hear her phone conversation. After helping Lauren and Amelia transfer Kenzi from the medical complex to the jeep, she issued what she deemed would be a temporary goodbye to Amelia and a promise to meet up with Lauren later that day. She had walked from the medical facility to the edge of the village square on her way to meet Isaac. At this early hour, no one lingered anywhere nearby, granting her the privacy she needed to initiate a phone call for her biggest favor request yet.
She pulled her phone from her pocket, dialed the number and waited. She listened to the voice mail pick up before repeating the process to get the same results. Only on the third try to she finally reach her intended recipient of the call.
"Benson."
Erin could hear the rushed tone in her greeting. It had been awhile since Erin had spoken with Olivia Benson, but she was a respected member of law enforcement from New York and had connections far beyond Erin's. Their past had brought them together on the job, working a multi-city crime ring that spanned from Chicago to New York. They worked well together, and their work ethics were mirror images of one another. While Erin tended to walk this side of the law a bit more than Olivia, they were allies who both knew how the game was played. Sometimes getting things done meant using rather untraditional methods to accomplish goals.
This was one of those instances where untraditional methods would make or break success.
"Olivia, hey it's Erin Lindsay, Chicago PD."
The pause was brief and the silence was quickly filled with Olivia's surprised yet happy tone.
"Detective, long time no chat! Something must be urgent to get a triple call from you."
Erin smiled.
"Sorry for the urgency. I wouldn't do it if it wasn't important."
"Chicago PD okay?" Olivia asked with concern.
Erin watched the lights flicker on inside the village diner across the way. The restaurant was about to open but there was no sign of Isaac yet, so she continued her conversation with Olivia.
"Ahh yeah, I guess. I'm actually out of town right now."
"On the job?"
Erin waffled, unsure of how to explain this job. Despite being out of Chicago, this was definitely a job.
"Sort of yeah, and I need your help."
Rarely did Erin Lindsay ask for help so directly. She was a confident, competent detective; a calm and collected woman. One that took care of business, not meddled in it. Everyone knew it, including Olivia Benson. It was exactly that reason that Olivia softened her voice to encourage Erin to continue.
"Talk to me, Erin."
The trained detective had an impeccible way of telling just enough, but not too much, when she needed to share information. This conversation was nothing short of her high standard. She kept her request short and efficient, explaining the need for an American identity and the need for it to come through asap. She provided a brief overview of a flight to Canada, although she had yet to even know which city, and she explained her need for a flight from Canada to Seattle. She avoided all conversation about non-human entities and instead, kept the explanation focused on the medical reasons, eliminating any explanation about the oddities almost too far-fetched to believe anyway.
Like the professional Olivia was, she asked the right questions: the ones she needed answers to while avoiding the ones she simply would rather not know. While a New York Police Sergeant didn't really have the right pull for a fake identity, she knew the right people who did.
"Listen, I'll call Alex. She's friends with JJ down in Quantico. Between the two of them, they'll make it happen, okay?"
"Alex Cabot?" Erin asked.
"The one and only..."
"She on the job still? Even after witness protection?"
"Yes, but not as an Assistant District Attorney. She's with the Feds now, and technically, she's still with me."
Erin smiled. She always knew those two had a thing between them.
"That's great. You think JJ will buy in without knowing much beyond that?"
"You know how this works, detective. Traded favors...both Alex and I have tons to cash in."
"Excellent. Do you have a pen? I'd like to give you the contact information of my people you should connect with after you speak with them."
"Ready when you are."
xxxxxxx
At the rental home
Lauren tugged open the back door. A quick scan of the patio and the swimming pool showed no signs of Bo, but the rustling sound from the jungle told her the brunette was present.
"Bo?"
Lauren's voice prompted Bo to emerge from the treeline. Her blue eyes were still a sight to behold. Lauren smiled at the sight. Even when Tamsin stepped out of the treeline behind Bo, Lauren's smile remained in place. The doctor was confident that Bo's blue eyes burned for her, and her alone.
The Valkyrie actually carried a pleasant attitude in her stance, absent that old familiar jealousy. Instead, the blonde appeared more watchful than anything. Tamsin had scanned the area visually as they stepped into view, and the simple act reminded Lauren of Erin's detective nature, like a protector making certain there were no unexpected threats lurking nearby.
Bo walked around the pool and crossed the concrete slab to where Lauren stood. Tamsin remained at the jungle's edge, guarding the space diligently. Bo tilted her head in Tamsin's direction as she addressed Lauren.
"She's going to wait out here until you and I can leave here. Together."
"Where are we going?" Lauren asked quietly.
"To my village. I want answers about your blue eyes and why chi only worked for you that one night."
"You think someone in your village has answers to all this?" Lauren asked.
Bo shrugged. "We will find out."
Lauren nodded. A firey ball of energy still sat squarely in Lauren's chest, but she simply couldn't figure out how to harness it. Knowing there may be someone who had answers about it was encouraging.
"Okay that sounds like a good plan." Lauren looked over her shoulder into the house. "We can leave here shortly, but first there is something else we need to take care of."
"And what is that?" Bo asked.
Lauren took Bo's hand in her own, offering a supportive hold while she explained.
"Kenzi is leaving on a plane this morning. With Amelia. They're both inside now. Bo, I trust Amelia more than any other doctor, but whatever happens, Amelia will make sure she is brought back to the island. I have a few minor details to work out, but there will be some people arriving here any minute to take them to a plane. I thought you may want to see her before they leave. Kenzi is sedated on the sofa."
Bo's sharp inhale supressed her emotions enough to hold back further tears. She didn't hestitate to enter the house, feeling the need to see Kenzi immediately. She released her grip on Lauren's hand and marched through the back door.
Lauren followed Bo inside, leaving the back door wide open. She proceeded past the bedroom doors and into the living room, where Bo had slowed her steps as she approached Kenzi laying on the sofa.
Bo had so many things she wanted to say yet she said none of them aloud. Kenzi appeared comfortable, resting peacefully on the sofa. Bo immediately forced her mind to think that Kenzi was just sleeping and would wake up any minute and want a mango dessert, but deep down, Bo knew that Kenzi may never wake up. It was a harsh reality she had been trying to face yet still struggled to accept. Fighting her sadness, Bo knelt down next to Kenzi. The entire room was swallowed by the weight of her sadness.
While Lauren wanted to offer Bo support, she also wanted to provide her some privacy. Lauren didn't need to listen to Bo say goodbye to her best friend; she simply needed to give her the space and time that she needed. Rather than linger, Lauren grabbed Amelia from the kitchen and tugged her out the front door. She pulled the door shut slowly and took a deep breath when the latch clicked in place.
Lauren looked out toward the ocean. She watched the sun slowly appear over the horizon, and the first few rays of sunlight warmed her skin as it fell upon her.
"My stuff is packed, so now what? We just wait? What time did Frank say they would here?" Amelia asked.
"Any minute. Frank said his military guys would be here in the morning. In the military world, that means sunrise."
Amelia glanced in the direction of the sun, enjoying the few moments of calm with her best friend.
"Do you really think they're going to let someone else go in your place?" Amelia asked.
Lauren shook her head.
"I can be very convincing. It's my hope they simply view it as if they have no choice."
The faint sound of tires on the gravel road could be heard in the distance. While she didn't see the vehicle right away, Lauren knew it was Frank's men. They were right on time. Without waiting, she pushed open the front door to tell Bo to leave the house but when Lauren glanced to the sofa, she only saw Kenzi still resting. Alone. Bo had already fled out the back door.
Amelia stepped inside, proceeding immediately to her bedroom to grab her luggage while Lauren waited in the open doorway. She stared at the gravel road and listened to the approaching vehicle until it came into view. The oversized military vehicle slowed until it was stopped immediately next to the jeep.
While Lauren didn't show it, she was nervous. This was the one chance to get Kenzi off the island without creating an international incident. She still didn't have a fake identity, and all she could hope was that her former military background, name dropping about Frank Marsh and protocol, and her ability to offer creative conversation was enough to win over Frank's men.
All those fears shifted the minute the driver door opened and Frank Marsh stepped out of the vehicle. His smile as brilliant as the day Lauren first met him, he glanced at a completely stunned Lauren Lewis now gripping the doorframe for support. Dressed in his standard military field gear, Frank walked confidently across the gravel lot until he stood immediately in front of Lauren.
"Frank?" Lauren whispered. 'Wha...how...?"
He hugged her fiercely; the strength of a lifelong soldier evident in his grip. He held her in his arms while her hands still gripped the door frame for support.
Shock was the only word that described Lauren's expression.
"Are you okay? You scared the shit out of me with that phone call."
Frank released her from his protective hold. He put his one hand on her shoulder, recognizing the surprise on Lauren's face while she stood there speechless.
"Lewis, you barely said two words to me on the phone twenty four hours ago. I just flew half way around the world, so now that I'm here, I want more than two words. We can start with something simple, like hello."
"Frank? You were just in Toronto? How did you...why did...?!"
Frank put his hands on his hips.
"I'm here to fly you home. You cashed in your favor. Remember that phone call?"
Lauren smiled, and Frank's smile quickly followed. His presence reminded her of why he would always be the big brother she never had. She had a connection with Frank that not many would understand. Their friendship began due to military service but remained after all these years because of trust and honesty. The man had just flown half way around the world to fly her home. That in itself was unconditional support.
Lauren was not prepared to give Frank a speech like the one she was planning to offer his men. And truthfully, that worked out even better, because now the doctor was more confident than ever of getting Amelia and Kenzi on that plane.
"I remember the phone call Frank, but now I need to amend my original request."
"Oh boy."
xxxxxx
Outside the village diner
Isaac walked down the dirt road to the village diner, smiling to himself as he thought about his breakfast plans. He was excited to have breakfast with Amelia and Erin again. Conversation with both women had always been enjoyable so far, and just a quick thought of Amelia's gorgeous eyes had him blushing. He took a relaxing breath, the comfort of a morning stroll offering a lovely chance to simply enjoy the peace granted daily on the island. While he was the only technical form of law enforcement around, his job didn't amount to much enforcement of anything on a regular basis. His presence was merely a reminder to keep the peace, and Isaac was completely okay with that.
As he navigated along a narrow path along the edge of a small building, he caught the hints of a sun attempting to rise. The faint glow on the horizon made all the other spaces appear even darker, the contrast of light and dark a little hard on the eyes. Despite the shadows standing up against that approaching sunrise, there was no mistaking the sounds of a struggle that brought his feet to a grinding halt.
The sounds of muffled arguing captured Isaac's attention at once. There, ahead on the darkened dirt path, Isaac saw shadows of what appeared to be people in a scuffle. He squinted his eyes, an attempt to see exactly what was unfolding, but that didn't stop his legs from moving again as he jogged as fast as he could in the direction of the incident. The sounds of the nearby ocean waves were cut fiercely by the sound of a hand connecting with a face and the groan that followed.
His feet moved quicker; his heart raced faster. He took a direct approach toward the commotion and his chest burned from the push and pull of oxygen from his lungs. Closing the distance, Isaac widened his eyes, hopeful that one barely visible ray of sunlight would allow him to see clearer. And sure enough, it did.
Doctor Lee shoved Detective Erin Lindsay in the back seat of his rusty vehicle. Her body was limp and her feet remained hanging out the rear passenger door. Angelo ran the back of his hand over his lower lip, the blood covering his mouth and chin from where Erin's fist connected with it just moments prior. The entire situation was strange; more than strange, it was completely unexpected and certainly unacceptable. It sent Isaac's confidence skyward as he knew he must stop this entire situation from proceeding.
"Hey!"
Isaac's voice plowed through the quiet space. He charged forward, several paces away from them as he fought through his own lack of physical shape and painfully burning lungs. Unfortunately, his yell only alerted Doctor Lee and Angelo to his presence far too soon. For as he took his final steps to fulfill his duty as sheriff and help protect the injured detective from whatever these men were about to do, Isaac ran directly into Angelo's fist.
Isaac grabbed his face instinctively. The pressure in his cheek bones and nose brought tears to his eyes. He barely had time to recognize he was punched before another blow landed to the side of his head. And another. And another. He raised his arms to block those punches to no avail. Wildly he swung his arms from side to side, hoping to deter what was happen. He yelled for them to stop, over and over but nothing stopped the beating he absorbed. He never thought to run away, never thought to escape these men as he only thought to help Erin. But his delay in helping himself only made the situation worse, as the blow that struck him in the back of his head was the last one he felt before losing consciousness and falling to the ground below.
xxxxxx
In the Fae mountainside village
Secured in Tamsin's hold, Lauren enjoyed the breeze that washed over her face as they soared toward the Fae village. Bo's hand was in her own as it had been since Lauren went out the back door to find her after Frank left with Amelia and Kenzi. She didn't want to let go of Bo's hand honestly. It felt like the only concrete, realistic thing in her life right now.
She had lost a lot of tension since Frank agreed to her amended flight request. That man really did trust Lauren, probably more than any military man should but Lauren was grateful nonetheless. Now that the pieces to that puzzle were slowly falling into place, Lauren hoped she could put a bit more focus on the other puzzles still waiting for assembly. Getting to the Fae village would hopefully offer the start toward solving another one.
With a soft landing, Tamsin's feet connected with the ground near the center of the Fae village. She released Lauren and Bo from her grasp and instantly stretched her arms and neck. Her wings folded carefully behind her until they completely disappeared from sight.
"Thank you for flying the friendly skies. This pilot is about to retire. Sheesh!"
She added an additional stretch while she cast an unusually pleasant smile at Lauren. The doctor glanced at her twice to ensure it was a friendly smile. Lauren considered that her lack of sleep could be potentially giving rise to hallucinations. After all that she had experienced, nothing was out of the realm of possibly in Lauren's eyes. But it remained just that: a friendly smile, so in a rather cautious return, Lauren smiled as well.
All the while, Bo ignored them both and set her eyes to exploring the nearby surroundings. The brunette recognized the sheer emptiness of her village. None of her clan were lingering about except for Dyson, who was still fixed in his same position at that tiny tree where she last saw him. He had been there all night.
Turning to face Tamsin and Lauren, Bo finally replied to Tamsin's earlier comment.
"Well you can retire after you find those men named Angelo and Doctor Lee."
Tamsin smirked. Her attitude had returned but it lacked the defiance she held prior. While she was still quick to offer a smartass comment, it contained very little insult.
"I have the entire clan on patrol, oh faithful leader. By the way, can I have some kind of warrior title over this? I mean, considering I'm not even your second in command but somehow I'm in charge of the search and all." She paused briefly for Bo to reply, but when she was only met with silence, Tamsin quickly added, "Or maybe not."
Bo's lack of response was not due to surprise or disinterest. Completely the opposite, Bo considered Tamsin's words carefully. While she was not about to create a new title within the clan, Tamsin's suggestion actually prompted a reward Bo found fitting to offer Tamsin for her actions. It would also be an equally as fit punishment for Dyson.
"I'll make you offer: take care of these men on my behalf, and you will become my second in command."
Tamsin's expression revealed her surprise. Her eyes widened and her mouth fell open instantly. She never thought Bo would ever allow her to surpass Dyson in their clan ranks. Even this clan had politics, but Tamsin wasn't about to argue or question something so favorable to her. With a quick change in attitude, Tamsin stood tall and nodded proudly.
"Consider it done. Shall I report back to you here or somewhere else?"
Bo took a long look across the village before replying.
"Lauren and I need to visit Trick. We'll either be with him or in my quarters."
"I'll confirm when it's finalized."
With a salute, Tamsin's wings appeared again before carrying her quickly out of the village. Her absence left Bo and Lauren in a moment of quiet peace. Bo slipped her hand softly into Lauren's, pulling a smile and a comment from the blonde.
"Something has changed in her. Have you noticed?" Lauren asked.
Bo glanced to sky and then back to Lauren.
"Yes. I don't know why, but whatever the cause, I'm rather grateful."
Lauren nodded.
"I know what you mean by grateful. It's good to have people in your corner."
"Yes it is," Bo replied. "You have people like that too, including this Frank guy."
Lauren agreed. "Yes I do. I'm eternally grateful for Amelia, for Erin, and of course for Frank. They are all so loyal. They are all key in making any of this possible. It makes me humble and appreciative of having such friends."
The depth of her words resonated with Bo. Loyalty was something embedded in the history of her clan. Despite Tamsin's earlier exhibited jealousy of Lauren, and even despite Bo's orders to refrain from harming the blonde human, Tamsin never grumbled or carried on with excessive, divisive talk or behavior. Yes she wore her frustration visibly, but she never overstepped boundaries like Dyson recently did. It defined Tamsin's loyalty, and for that Bo was also eternally grateful.
"Loyalty is everything, Lauren. Unfortunately, Dyson is learning that the hard way."
Simultaneously they both turned their heads toward Dyson. His head was still down, but by now his shoulders were curled forward. The weight of his stance must have been exhausting at this point.
"Are you going to talk to him?" Lauren asked.
Bo immediately shook her head. "Not yet. Talking to Trick is more important. Let's go."
By Bo's lead, Lauren walked hand in hand with the succubus as they crossed the village. Their gentle holds felt comfortable, lacking excessive grip but still maintaining a welcome possessiveness. Never in all of Bo's thoughts did she imagine this sight: strolling across her village with a human at her side. A human that propelled Bo's emotions to a height they had never been.
Across the village and a few steps inside another carved mountainside archway is where Bo tugged open a worn, wooden door.
Lauren stepped inside, the scent of whiskey hitting her nostrils before crossing the threshhold. The strength of the smell caught her breath instantly. The space was dimly lit, and Lauren paused while her all her senses adapted to this cavelike setting.
"Wow, is this your village pub?" Lauren asked.
Bo smiled and replied, "That easy to tell, huh? It's called The Dal. Where we gather for meetings or to unwind. It's sort of like the mother ship."
"Or the grandfather ship."
Trick's voice echoed from behind the nearby bar. Lauren returned his smile and began to take in her surroundings as they crossed the room.
It appeared very much like a room designed for gatherings. Several tables and chairs were set about, and while what Lauren deemed was the bar appeared more like a small counter, the rows upon rows of liquor bottles behind it gave this room all the makings of an official watering hole. There were a few taller chairs near that counter as would appear in any standard human bar, and one of them was occupied by a man Lauren had never met before.
Bo and Lauren's presence diverted that man's gaze from his empty glass to their approach. His intoxicated stare lacked expression as did his tone.
"Bo. Is she...did she...?"
Bo glanced at the man's empty glass and wrinkled her brow. It was barely past sunrise and she could see the haze in his eyes even in this poorly lit room. Lauren slid into an empty chair as Bo stood next to her. Bo addressed him from a few paces away.
"She'll be back, eventually. Go home. Get some rest Hale. Please."
Bo wanted to explain; wanted to give him some comfort of knowing Kenzi's whereabouts or even hope they could support each other through this ordeal, but at the moment, Hale needed to sleep off his drunken stupor. Trying to explain anything while he remained in this condition would do more harm than good.
Hale seemed to understand that as well for he did not put up a fight. He nodded and carefully stood from his seat, finding his footing and smiling weakly at both women. His expression perked up slightly when he looked at Lauren.
"You are her? The one who brought back Halima?"
Lauren nodded yes. Hale immediately bowed his head, whether from humility or intoxication, Lauren did not know.
"Thank you. I hope you can bring Kenzi back too."
Nothing more was said as he turned toward the door. He left a wake of silence as he walked, no one uttering a sound until he was gone. When the door closed behind him, Bo exhaled deeply and took a seat next to Lauren. She was quick to offer an explanation.
"Kenzi's boyfriend. He's been a mess, for obvious reasons."
Lauren refrained from showing surprise in her expression, but she was quick to voice her curiosity.
"Is he...is he Fae?" Lauren asked.
Trick cleared Hale's empty glass from the counter as he answered.
"He's a siren. One that can whistle a tune to soothe or to destroy."
Lauren glanced to Bo. "Can Kenzi whistle a tune now as well?"
Bo smiled, giving Lauren an indication that she understood the direction of her thought process.
"No she can't. Which is one of the many reasons why we are here to see this man."
Bo turned her attention to Trick. He grabbed two empty glasses and placed them on the bar. He glanced to Bo concerned. The last time he had seen her was when she had Kenzi removed from the village.
"How is Kenzi?" he asked.
Bo hesitated but with a sigh issued a reply.
"I don't know. Amelia is taking her to North America."
"Really?" Trick asked.
Bo sighed again. She struggled with accepting this entire ordeal, and she had very little fight to try to convince others that it was the best option.
"Look, Amelia needs some other machines or something to save her. Equipment that isn't on this island. It's Kenzi's best shot, and I'll live with this decision no matter what."
Trick never argued. He paused only a moment, deep in thought before offering any comments on the matter to Bo.
"I know how hard it is to make tough decisions Bo. If it's her best shot, then I would have done the very same thing."
Bo visibly relaxed. One less argument was certainly welcome, but Trick's stated acceptance of her decision gave her encouragement.
He simply nodded before pouring a clear liquid from an old brown decanter into an empty glass. He slid the offered beverage across the countertop to Bo before capping the decanter and returning it to a shelf behind him. Trick selected another unmarked glass bottle, pouring its contents into the second empty glass resting in front of Lauren. This liquid came forth cloudy with a light orange haze. It contrasted starkly to the clear liquid Bo held within her glass. With a nudge, he slid the second glass toward Lauren, who eyed the drink suspiciously.
"Drink," Trick stated.
Both Bo and Lauren wore uncertain expressions. Neither knew what he had served them, but Lauren was the first to question him.
"Um, what is it?" Lauren asked.
He looked at Bo and pointed at her glass first.
"Yours is an ancient Fae essence. It enhances certain traits within you. Through history, it has been consumed in moderation by our leaders during challenging times. With Halima, Kenzi and the thieves all weighing down upon you, I'd say now is an appropriate time for you to have your first taste."
He then looked at Lauren and pointed to her offered drink.
"And yours is what humans refer to as a good old glass of orange juice."
Bo lifted the glass to her nose, sniffing the strong scented drink.
"I think I'd rather have the oj," Bo whispered.
She held the glass outward, just enough distance that Lauren leaned over carefully to sniff it as well.
"Mmmm, smells like banana," Lauren whispered. "I think I'd rather have the Fae essence."
Bo and Lauren laughed together, but their sounds were quickly silenced when Trick raised a hand and spoke firmly.
"No swapping. I don't know what Fae essence will do to a human."
Bo returned her attention to Trick as she placed the full glass of Fae essence on the bar before her.
"Well that's actually something we need to discuss," Bo replied.
Trick stood curiously in place.
"Lauren drinking Fae essence?" Trick asked.
"No, Lauren having blue, glowing eyes."
Lauren held her breath as Bo said it aloud. She watched Trick carefully but again, he showed no irrational outward reaction.
"Go on, then," he replied.
Lauren took the opportunity to provide a summary for the man.
"There are moments when my eyes glow, like Bo's do. And, there are also moments when I can take chi from Bo or use that chi as energy. But it doesn't happen all the time, and I'm not sure how I'm doing it or why it doesn't work all the time."
"Yeah," Bo whispered.
Trick stared at nothing in particular. His eyes were focused on the bar as his mind processed the small pieces of information. Nervously, he turned away from the bar and grabbed a dry towel before picking up a recently washed glass and drying off the moisture. He remained silent for several minutes, drying three glasses before finally making a comment.
"I see. So what is it that you want to speak with me about?" Trick asked.
Bo threw her hands in the air.
"Well, I want to know more about it. Why didn't anyone ever tell me this would happen with a human? Why can't Kenzi exhibit Hale's characteristics but Lauren can exhibit mine? And is it going to hurt her?!"
Bo's tone was laced with concern. She didn't even know if Trick would have any answers, so she was pleasantly surprised with his reply.
"Well I never told you because it's rare, Bo. A multitude of things must happen in order for it to occur. Things I didn't think were really possible for a human; things that not even Kenzi has experienced despite living within our clan."
"What things?" Lauren asked quickly.
Trick expelled a deep breath.
"Well for starters, the human has to experience, or share, in your Fae abilities at some point."
Lauren confirmed, "You mean exchange chi with a succubus?"
Trick blushed. "In your instance with Bo, yes."
Bo smiled, her pride evident in the way she gazed over Lauren.
"Well that's a given."
Trick rolled his eyes and continued.
"Kenzi most certainly experienced Hale's notes of a siren at some point, seeing as how the man is always whistling. But as far as I am aware, she has never experienced any of the others."
"Okay, so what's the second thing then?" Bo asked.
Trick replied, "There is no way to develop Fae characteristics without stepping onto Fae sacred land either."
"Oh."
Bo spoke that single word quietly. She looked away from Trick as she thought back to taking Lauren into Cathedrals Den. Trick was right: Kenzi had never even stepped foot into Cathedrals Den. Even when she healthy and the clan gathered in Cathedrals Den for a burial of a clan member, Kenzi remained in the village or elsewhere in the jungle. It was one space Trick advised to keep her from, and it was one request that even Kenzi never wanted to break. She thought the idea of standing on sacred ground was a bit creepy anyway.
Bo had no way to deny her actions with Lauren.
"I did it. I took her to Cathedrals Den. It was my way of thanking her for helping us, to show Lauren how important her decision was to our clan. I never knew..."
Bo's explanation to Trick was heartfelt. While she didn't regret taking Lauren at all, Bo wished Trick would have previously advised her of this information.
Trick nodded as he tossed the towel aside.
"I should have told you sooner, but it's not really something many clan members know about at all. I was planning on sharing that information with you eventually, now that you are the leader. Things have just been extremely busy lately."
Trick took a few steps from behind the bar and turned his attention to a small shelf lined with books. He immediately grasped a smaller one tucked near the edge of a lower shelf and slid it under his arm before returning to the bar.
He placed the thin book on the counter and flipped to a page near the back.
"But even though Lauren has been on sacred land, there is still another component to all this and that is the one that stumps me," Trick announced.
Lauren looked at the old book placed before her as Trick scanned over a page of unfamiliar text.
"Oh?" Lauren replied.
Trick traced his finger over lines of script until he tapped the page with his index finger.
"Yes, according to all our Fae history, only those in possession of a Fae spirit can exhibit characteristics of a Fae."
All three of them stared at one another, wondering how that was possible. And all three of them had no answers.
"A Fae spirit? Hmmm, well I have no clue then," Bo replied.
Both Trick and Bo looked to Lauren. She shrugged.
"I have no clue either. I'm human. I don't have a Fae spirit."
Her words escaped quickly, the pronounciation of each syllable vibrating through the air. That familiar heat centered on her chest returned. It spread outward over her flesh just as it had done before, warming her further as it traveled across her entire body. Her arms tingled wildly. The sensation pulled at her chest, and Lauren quickly glanced down. There, she caught the sight of that stone necklace dangling on the same tattered black cord it had been on since Bo slipped it around her neck. As she pinched it between two fingers and held it out from her chest, the stone began to throb a beautiful blue light.
Bo and Trick both stared at it with amazement, joining Lauren's gaze as they watched the light pulsate repeatedly from that stone. Not only was it a beautiful sight, but it filled the airspace with a sense of calm; one that washed over them and through them peacefully.
Lauren smiled. Her fingers tingled where they touched the stone. It was not a similar tingling sensation she had come to know of in her arms, but instead was more of a low vibration that not only gave her that same sense of calm but also a sense of understanding. She may be human, but she was certainly in possession of a Fae spirit.
Bo extended her hand cautiously, hovering her fingertips close to the stone before she touched it. With just the pad of her index finger, Bo connected with the stone and a spark of heat flooded to her core. It was an instant wave of adrenaline, feeding her with a fire she had never felt with such strength. She quickly glanced to Lauren's eyes, whose own appearance indicated that she was feeling it as well.
Without reason, Lauren and Bo both released the necklace simultaneously. The blue glow remained but lessened, and only after a few quiet minutes did the color completely fade away.
"Wow," Lauren whispered.
"Yeah," Bo replied.
"She wears your necklace Bo?" Trick asked.
Bo nodded. "I had no idea...the stone..."
Trick closed the book and smiled.
"That necklace is made from a chip of a stone from Cathedrals Den. Many years ago, one cracked. Rather than destroy it, we saved the pieces for various reasons, including that necklace. The stones house our spirits in the afterlife. That's why they glow in the earth. The glow reflects the the spirit of the individual."
Bo's mouth hung wide open. She never knew where that stone came from. Not until now.
"You gave me this necklace on my tenth birthday. With the book! I never knew that was the source of the stone, only that it was an ancient relic of some sort."
Trick nodded. "It was your tenth birthday."
Lauren stared down at the stone. "Where are the other stones Trick?"
His smile was polite, and Trick knew that Lauren was certainly the curious type. Not that it was a problem in his eyes.
"That's a story for another time."
Bo's surprise shifted to uncertainty. "But wait. How does Lauren have a spirit in that stone now? No one is dead."
Trick shrugged.
"That I don't know. It is possible that it has part of your spirit because you've worn it for so long. Or maybe it's another spirit all together. I honestly can't be sure, but judging by the blue color, I'd say it's very much a part of your living spirit, Bo. I'll have to read up on it a bit to see if I can find out anything more, or I may need to consult some of the other leaders from other clans, but this may be one of those things we just don't understand. Like the tree in the center of our village."
Bo smiled. It wasn't everyday that Trick did not have an answer to a question.
"And here I thought you knew everything, Trick."
Trick tried to suppress his own laughter, but his smile was quite visible.
"Well we can always learn new things, including me."
His statement pulled a laugh from Bo. The brunette glanced at her full glass still resting on the bar surface, eyeing the liquid while she appreciated learning something new. She still didn't have solid answers on why Lauren couldn't use the energy from chi all the time, but perhaps Trick was right: maybe it was just one of those things they didn't understand.
What she did understand was that while Kenzi's life hung in the balance, and two men were wandering the jungle searching for her kind, Bo felt confident she now somehow shared a Fae spirit with Lauren. While there were very few things to celebrate at this point, she found a sense of excitement in thinking she was now linked to Lauren in a way she never thought possible.
Bo smiled and lifted her full glass to eye level. She looked to Lauren and then to Trick.
"To learning new things."
Lauren smiled before picking up her orange juice and clinking her glass with Bo's. Together, they drank. Lauren sipped the sweet juice and returned the half full glass to the bar surface. Bo emptied hers in one large gulp and slammed her empty glass to the bar. She very quickly placed her hands flat on the bar top.
"Whoa," she whispered.
Her eyes widened and instant pools of tears welled against her lower eyelids.
Trick smiled as he cleared her empty glass and carried it to a nearby bin.
"You okay?" Lauren asked.
Bo's eyes flashed blue. An uncontrollable smile crept upon her face as the Fae essence flooded her senses. Fearlessness. Pride. Bravery. Determination. Confidence. And above all, desire. She felt the strength of her clan roar through her with the burning needs of a succubus at the forefront. She turned her head to face Lauren, glancing over her seductively as her blue eyes burned even brigher.
"Okay?" Bo repeated. "I'm more than okay."
Bo stood from her chair and snaked an arm around Lauren's waist. Their lips connected quickly, a heated kiss melding the human and the Fae into a passionate, spontaneous moment. Lauren willingly fell into the embrace, returning the kiss and exposing her own hunger for the brunette wrapped around her. But the moment Bo's tongue slid in Lauren's mouth, the building desire within the doctor was quickly overshadowed by an explosive tingling sensation in her mouth. It spread to her cheeks, heated the edges of her ears and flooded down her neck. The feeling was foreign, nothing like tingles from Bo's touch or glowing stones or any prior occasions. It filled Lauren with a fire she would never have the strength to turn away.
"Bo!"
Trick's voice caused Bo to jump. Her sudden movement separated her lips from Lauren's, frustating the succubus at his horribly timed interruption. Bo glanced at him, seeing the very stern and unhappy appearance of her grandfather staring at her.
"What?! You said it would enhance certain traits. Guess you didn't realize which ones, huh?" Bo joked as she slid her hand over Lauren's thigh.
He shook his head before glancing at Lauren. The blonde remained perched on the edge of her chair, lacking any response to Bo's statement. She had not moved since Bo broke their kiss, and she literally appeared to be frozen in place.
"Lauren? Lauren?!"
Lauren closed her eyes, the faint sounds of her name growing more distant in her mind. The taste of orange juice mixed with the unfamiliar banana taste of whatever Bo had consumed; of the Fae essence that Bo had shared unknowingly with that kiss. Lauren licked her lips and inhaled deeply while that lingering tingle spread throughout her body. That moment of unresponsiveness ended quickly as a sudden energy burst filled her. It was enough energy that all remnants of exhaustion from lack of sleep disappeared, forcing her eyes wide open. Her smiled matched the one Bo previously wore; a smile that dared state she had one thing on her mind.
The Fae essence certainly did enhance certain traits.
Lauren felt it immediately.
"Are you okay Lauren?" Trick asked.
She never answered Trick. She didn't need to answer Trick. He saw the look in her eyes as did Bo; the rapidly appearing blue glow surfacing right before them. Its brilliance matched Bo's, shining bright with a need that Lauren felt she had little ability to control.
Trick looked at Lauren and Bo. Two dueling sets of blue eyes locked to one another. He may not know why Lauren's eyes could glow blue or why she was exhibiting traits of a succubus, but he did know the best thing for him to do was get out of the room. Fast.
"Oh boy,' Trick mumbled. "I'm just gonna...go away now..."
Neither Bo nor Lauren shifted their eyes away from one another. Trick retreated to the confines of his living quarters quickly. The minute it took him to leave was enough to elevate the energy surrounding Bo and Lauren to near dangerous levels.
With quick movement, Lauren stood from her chair and pressed Bo against the bar. Her hands searched out skin contact immediately as she nipped fiercely at Bo's neckline. The moment her lips found Bo's skin surged her needs even higher.
Bo's breaths were heightened, her body responding to Lauren's advances. She slid her own hands over Lauren's hips, and the energy between them crackled with their combined desires. Hungry grasps pushed and pulled them together. A chair toppled over but neither woman tore their focus away from the other. Frenzied movements reversed their positions, and quickly Lauren was pinned against the small, makeshift bar. Lauren gasped from the arousal coursing through her. If fae essence had the power to unleash her succubus spirit at this maddening level, Lauren feared no other arousal would ever compare.
She stepped into Bo, shifting the brunette back a step and then another. Kisses drown the other in oceans of hungry need desperate to be fed. They kept steady footing in one another's arms, and their movements only ceased when Bo pressed Lauren against the smooth rock that formed the interior wall of The Dal. The haste of their need reflected in each and every motion, where clothes were never even shed but merely pushed aside as hands dove inside waist bands and lips latched on to visible skin surfaces.
The warm rock pressed against Lauren's back and the warmth of Bo's body pressed against her chest were no match for the heat traveling across her lips and down her throat. She didn't need to open her eyes to know that the flow of chi was passing through her again. She didn't even know which of them was causing it. All she knew was that this was the perfect way to burn all that built up energy, and Lauren was well on her way to making sure Bo used up all her energy as well.
Lauren's head leaned back against the wall as Bo trapped her in place. Torn between accepting and giving, Lauren enjoyed the haze of hurried need enveloping them. She entered Bo with ease, the gasps that followed in tune with their rocking hips and flexing fingers. Seconds stretched to long, pleasurable minutes. There was no break in sharing chi between them. It was a constant exchange; as constant as the pleasure both fed upon.
Anchored to one another, both women's actions were met with perfectly calculated reactions. It was fast; it was needy; it was mind blowing. It was everything Lauren craved, so much that her orgasm rocketed through her fiercely once, then twice as she unleashed a vocal match to the pleasure flooding her senses.
Bo stayed in step with Lauren, her own erruption of desire filling her and overflowing much like Lauren's. Her kisses never ceased, even as her moans surfaced. The feelings in her heart and the feelings in her body surpassed any previously known happiness. Bo knew in that moment that she would never want another, never need another.
Lauren was her everything, and Bo would do anything to stay with her forever.
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