The Gaian Spirit: Aife's Return

Chapter 21 – BrotherFae of the Wolves (21.1)

The next morning, Dyson groaned as he rolled over, a hand landing on Nuana's hip.

His eyes slitted open to look at his woman, traveling over the silhouette of her body that was barely hidden beneath the sheets. She was asleep at the moment, her face a picture of utter peace, her mouth slightly open and her eyelashes fanning out over her cheeks. Her hair was down as he preferred it, fanning out over her like a second sheet, some of it tangled and knotted from sleep.

Visible just below her jaw line was a mark, a purple bruise, right where her pulse was. It would have worried Dyson if he hadn't known what it was but the sight of it didn't elicit worry or anger. It was him who had made the mark just last night and not entirely by accident. He could also remember Nuana liking it too.

Dyson's wolf liked the look of the mark on her neck. It was more than just a mark or a part of their play to Dyson's wolf side. It was proof that Nuana was theirs and that they would protect her from anything she needed protecting from. It was also a warning, proof that others could see that Nuana was Dyson's and no one else's. Nuana was theirs and no one could hurt her. Dyson's wolf would tear into anyone or anything that tried. Dyson's wolf purred because he thought it was the smart thing to do.

Dyson had to admit, the mark didn't look bad on her skin, the dark purple a stark change from her pale skin, almost like her many tattoos.

"It's rude to stare you know,"

Dyson was grinning long before his eyes met hers.

She gave him a contented look as she shifted, pulling her knees up against her belly and turning her face into the pillow. She stayed like that for a moment before turning her face to look at him through the veil of hair that had fallen over her face. He brushed the veil out of her face, pushing it over her shoulder, letting his hand drift down her side.

She remembered something abruptly.

"Someone told me that you don't like to be touched,"

She couldn't remember who'd said it. Trick, maybe. Or Hale.

"Not usually," he admitted, as his hand drifted back up her side. "But I love your touch. Touch me anytime. Any place. Anywhere."

She had a sudden vision of him talking to Bo or Trick and her with her hands in inappropriate places. She almost started laughing and would have shared the picture with him but decided against it when she got a good look at his face. She could tell how heartfelt and honest he was being and she didn't dare break this moment.

Dyson pulled her on top of him, pressing her flush against him, one of his hands caressing one of hers, lacing their fingers together so that he could bring it up to kiss it.

"Pet me," he told her. "I like it."

Her heart was beating so hard she could hear it. There was something empowering in having Dyson at her mercy. This was a man that seemed gruff and sturdy that even a wave crashing down upon him could move him. He was strong and handsome, every inch a warrior with an equally strong heart. Being able to touch him and kiss him freely felt momentous and empowering to Nuana, like she was in charge and cared for for once in her long life. And she loved it.

Nuana ducked her head down and kissed him lightly on the mouth, then did it again to his nose, then his forehead, and then his cheek. He growled at her playfully. For the first time in a long time, Dyson was being teased and played with and he was enjoying it.

Later- much later- that day, Dyson and Nuana were walking down the street in comfortable silence, hand in hand. It was Dyson's rare day off and the couple was planning on spending the day with each other without any drama. Nuana had offered to stay in for the day and she could just cook as they talked but he had rejected this idea. He said that they would end up spending the whole day in bed if he had anything to do about it. She'd grinned at him devilishly. So instead the two were walking down the road with two brunettes trailing behind them with a bag of bloody clothes for Dyson to sniff. He refused to sniff and it only made Nuana roll her eyes in amusement while the two brunettes became more whiney.

"Come on, Dyson," Nuana sighed after a three blocks. "They will not leave us alone if you do not give them their answers,"

Dyson sighed, vaguely hiding the smile that curled the corners of his mouth. He pulled out the shirt far enough to scent the blood that colored the shirt.

"It's blood, right?"

"What am I? A German Shepherd?"

Kenzi's wide grey eyes grew wider. "Oh my God. Guys, this just in; You're a policeman who's also his own police dog! How did I not see this before? Seriously, dude, this is-"

Dyson took Nuana's hand and started walking away again. "Goodbye!"

"Come on! Dyson, help us,"

"Please?" Kenzi begged in a cute fashion, punching him in the arm after the fifth please.

Dyson sighed and nodded. "Yes, it's blood,"

"Well, I know its blood. But is it his or hers?"

"It's cow blood, ladies," he told them with a satisfied smirk. "Enjoy,"

Both Dyson and Nuana turned as they heard something crash down in the alley just next to them. Neither Bo or Kenzi seemed to notice, the human exclaiming about how the man they were looking for having ran off with the butcher's wife. Nuana stayed at the opening of the alleyway as Dyson investigated alone.

"Oh come on, Dyson," Bo whined. "You aren't mad, are you?"

Suddenly, Nuana watched as a man- purely Fae if he could sneak up on Dyson- jumped down from the overhead fire escape and onto Dyson's back. Nuana just rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest as she watched the two wolf shifters tussle with each other. The two wrestled around until they were finally separated by Bo and a powerful water hose aimed in their direction.

"Hey! Hey! Hey!"

"Bo! Shut it off!"

"Hey! We're friends, babe!"

"Are you kidding me?" Bo shouted, throwing down the hose. "Dyson, what the hell?"

"It's a pack thing, babe,"

"Oh my God," Kenzi muttered, seemingly grossed out and annoyed by the two.

"Come on. I'll buy you a drink," Dyson told the new arrival, clapping him on his back and leading him towards the Dal.

This left Nuana, Bo and Kenzi to follow behind them, speculating about who the Fae male could be, though Nuana had a much better knowledge base to guess from. The boys and the girls separated once they enter the Dal, Cayden and Dyson moving to the side room while Nuana, Bo and Kenzi stayed at the bar. Kenzi did a few walk by's but didn't come up with all that much information.

"Way to go, Mata Hari,"

Behind them, the boys had an arm wrestle, Dyson winning as he slammed Cayden's arm down into the table.

"Really?" Bo murmured, confounded by what she was watching as Nuana lazily sipped at her tea on the other side of her. "So, that is normal male behavior?"

"Oh, yeah. Celebrating a bestie's physical triumph is like a girly squeal over a seventy percent off sale at a show store… Or in your case, the anything-you-can-unsheathe store. Yeah, it's like say, 'Way to go BFF. You done good,'"

"Yeah, but if that's his BFF, how come we've never heard of him before?"

"It is a riddle, cloaked in a mystery, wrapped in layers of hot, hot manliness,"

Behind them, the two wolves pressed their foreheads together and roared, wolves full and at the surface.

"And that would mean…?"

"Uhh… it's either something vaguely bi-curious or they're just hungry," Kenzi tried, giving the two wolf shifters a confused look. "Either way, I'm just glad they're not sniffing each other's butts,"

Just then Trick arrived, giving the three of them a look before turning to leave again. "And on that note…"

"No, Trick, wait!" Bo exclaimed, bringing the short Fae bartender back over to them. "Who's Dyson's mysterious friend that we've never heard of?"

"Yeah, dude, what's the deal with Benicio Del Lobo?"

"Dyson and Cayden once ran with a pack of shifters almost a thousand years ago," Nuana spoke up nonchalantly, grabbing both girls' attentions. "Mercenary warriors from all over, bound to the Fae King of Ailech. They were called the Laighnach Faelad; feared by anyone and everyone,"

"Talk about your pillow talk," Kenzi murmured.

"Actually, I was around back then," Nuana corrected the human. "And the Norn's tree was actually in his territory. I never actually got to see Dyson back then but I knew of his pack when I was home with my mata,"

"And you didn't bother to mention you knew all this before I did, like, three walk by's?"

Nuana smirked. "Nope,"

"And you're saying that Dyson was a pack-matey, liege-serving, warrior dude?"

"Until he severed his allegiance to the King. After that, he left the pack and Ailech forever,"

"So, not really the same lone wolf we know today?" Bo murmured. "So, what happened?"

Trick and Nuana both shrugged.

"What happens in the pack, stays in the pack," Kenzi nodded. "I can feel it,"

"The thing about wolves is they typically serve their king until his death. So, either Cayden severed his ties, too, or…"

"King-y went bye-bye. Maybe he'll stick around…"

Behind them, the boys were now shouting at each other in Scottish, Dyson's dormant accent coming out with his friend nearby. The two settled back into their seats with their drinks, Cayden downing his as Dyson kept his dangling from his knee. It felt good to have another wolf around. It had been so long since he'd been around another wolf shifter that wasn't trying to kill him. Cayden had been a good friend back when they were pack. It was good to see him again.

"And you? What, are you looking for a new king now?"

"Naw. Freelance," Cayden smiled smugly, leaning forward in his seat. "You can make a good chunk of change pulling mercenary jobs for international security companies,"

"Uh huh," Dyson nodded thoughtfully, his mind on a woman from his distant past. "And Ciara?"

"Ciara?" Cayden repeated, remembering the woman that had been married to Dyson's best mate, the woman that had caused Dyson to leave the King. "She right as rain; took over the company after the King croaked. Making bank," Then the wolf suddenly began grin as his eyes blatantly traveled over Dyson's shoulder to the bar. There sat three beauties, one slight and snarky, another curved and seductive, the last elegant and exotic. But this last one had an interesting smell to her, one that Cayden recognized. She was a rare type of Fae known as a Gaian spirit. But that wasn't the only interesting smell about her. "Speaking of lassies… maybe you shouldn't be asking after another woman when that forest Fae smells like she does," Dyson's frown turned into a full out wolfish grin in a second as Cayden leaned forward. "When did the great Dyson get tamed?"

"Not tamed, just collared,"

"You were always the brave one. I couldn't have done it,"

"You'd be surprised what it can do for you. You might find you like it,"

"Nah," Cayden laughed, waving him off.

"Alright, then let's get down to business," Dyson sighed, leaning forward in his seat. "Only two things make a man travel this far- women or money. Which is it?"

"If only I were chasing tail, my friend. I'm looking for a weapon stolen two weeks ago from an armament contractor for the Light Fae. I'm talkin' a WMD that makes military-grade warheads look like laser tag. And I need your help finding it,"

Dyson laughed. "Why me?"

"'Cause it's in your backyard," Cayden explained. "Came in on a ship day before last,"

"The docks," Dyson nodded in understanding. "That's Dark Fae territory. There's a lot of places down there that I can't enter,"

"So you can't help me then?" Cayden asked, almost a challenge.

Dyson smiled, looking over his shoulder at the girls at the bar. "I can't. But I know some people,"

Cayden followed Dyson over to the girls, watching as Dyson snuggled up to his mate as he explained the situation to the women. Cayden found it interesting to watch Dyson converse with all three of them but still only be interested just in the one under his arm. It was like being surrounded by naked women and only going for the clothed one. She was pretty enough to not be a loss but Cayden's eyes kept traveling west to the beauty at Dyson's other shoulder. Now that was a catch.

"A Mongolian Death Worm?" Bo asked.

"Extremely rare and extremely dangerous," Nuana nodded. "They are Under Fae that is capable of creating energy beams that can vaporize almost anything. They were the inspiration for Archimedes' death ray before the Fae silenced him,"

"A brutal regime in North Africa has already been trying to get at it,"

"Oh that's great. The worst of the Fae criminals are gonna be after it, too,"

"If it is still in the city," Nuana frowned. "Whoever has it would not wait long to sell something so powerful and rare. It is probably already disappeared into the black market by now,"

"Wait, there's a Fae black market?" Kenzi interrupted. "Somebody has got to get me a Cherry Coke!" Everyone stared. "What? They're, like, really hard to find,"

"Look, if it is still in the city, there's a good chance it's at an arms dealer that we've been watching down on the docks,"

"I know the man you are talking about," Nuana commented. "He is a Fae that Bran and I have dealt with on occasion. Not so much for arms deals but through some interesting meetings. But the docks are Dark Fae territory,"

"Yes, it is," Dyson nodded. "However…"

"Oh, of course," Kenzi sighed. "Send in the succubus and the flower power,"

"Wait. So I'm just supposed to waltz right into an arms dealer joint and say…?"

"I will deal with that," Nuana sighed, crossing her arms over her chest. "You just make sure nothing happens to us,"

Nuana drove the two of them to the docks, Dyson and Cayden following in their own car to park across the street in case anything happened. Bo followed Nuana inside, watching with interest as she greeted the owner of the furniture store like they were old friends. Nuana was sweet and polite as usual while the man greeted her courteously. It was the handshake that spoke volumes. The Fae knew who Nuana was and already seemed suspicious of her intentions.

So Bo ignored them, curiously lifting the glass dome over a strange looking little creature on the counter. "How much for this cute little fellow?"

"Bo!" Nuana shouted, slamming the glass cover over the little creature than what Bo thought was necessary. "That is a Keukegen. It emits deadly gases when it is frightened or riled… similar to a skunk does when threatened,"

"Oh… sorry," Bo murmured.

Nuana rolled her eyes and turned back to the owner. "I apologize, Mr. Cumberbatch. My friend here is new to many of the Fae weaponry. I have come to show her a bit and I was hoping you could help me inform her,"

"My job isn't to teach Fae about weaponry, Miss Nornson, it's to sell it," Mr. Cumberbatch told her, a bit annoyed at the Fae before he realized just who Bo was. "This wouldn't be that unaligned succubus that I've heard has been running about?"

Bo shrugged. "Busted,"

"Interesting,"

"So… since it is very sticky to be unaligned, Mr. Cumberbatch, I was hoping you could help her pick out some weaponry,"

"Again, that's not my job, Miss Nornson,"

"I am aware… and that is not the only reason I am here," Nuana continued, leaning over the counter towards the man. "Some new employers of mine have heard of an interesting new weapon that recently was brought in… a Mongolian Death Worm?"

"Yes. That would be a specialty item," he smiled. "Follow me to the back,"

"Thank you,"

The two women followed the man to the back of the furniture store, ending up in a large warehouse filled with odd and miscellaneous objects. Nuana kept her eyes on Mr. Cumberbatch while Bo couldn't help but look around with interest as they passed furniture, statues and weapons.

"Very few people know about the Mongolian Death Worm, so how do you?"

"Like I said, I have recently come by some new employers. They are very interested in collecting rare weaponry,"

"And they would be?"

Nuana clicked her tongue as they came to a stop near the back. "Now, now. They would rather be anonymous in their purchases, Cumberbatch. That is why they sent me,"

"Fine. One can never be too careful," Cumberbatch sighed, moving towards a panel and a table of weapons.

Nuana stiffened. "Is there a problem?"

"Oh, no," he smiled, pressing one of the buttons. "Not at all,"

Nuana side stepped the net that fell from the ceiling, landing on top of a perfectly situated Bo who gave the net an annoyed look. "This is your idea of hospitality? You suck at it,"

"Really, Mr. Cumberbatch, I do not see the need for any of this," Nuana frowned, watching as he picked up one of the weapons and aimed it at her.

"What, you didn't think I was going to have a security system?"

"To be honest, this really isn't all that impressive," Bo snorted. "I mean, what happens now? I get crushed by plushies?"

"Let her go, Cumberbatch. I am simply here for my clients,"

"Really? One of the Norn's Gaians are coming here for weapons?" he laughed, gun still trained on her. "And then you tell me you're here for someone else. Unlikely,"

"The Norn and I have recently had a falling out. I work for others now,"

"Well how about I kill you and the succubus and then I'll see if your employers have a problem with it?" Cumberbatch suggested. "I wonder how much I can get for that fancy heart of yours,"

"You will never find out,"

The gun went off but Nuana was already on the move, stepping into Cumberbatch, throwing the heel of her hand into his elbow, forcing him to drop the gun. It went off when it hit the ground but she ignored it, throwing her elbow into his stomach and her heel of her hand up into the bottom of his chin. Cumberbatch dropped to the ground and didn't bother getting back up again.

"Did you know that most people are more likely to fight back if they are being held at gun point versus if they are being held by a knife?" Nuana asked him even though she knew he was more focused on his pain than her. "And that if you are within twenty feet of your attacker with a gun you could potentially overpower them, outside of that twenty feet however, they have the advantage,"

Nuana turned to Bo who was staring at her in shock.

"Oh my God… How awesome are you?" Bo laughed. "You just totally beat him up. I've never seen you do anything like that before. That was amazing,"

"Thanks," Nuana smiled shyly, lifting up the net so that Bo could come out. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, fine," Bo nodded before her face twisted. "But I got hit with a dart when that gun hit the- AHHHH!" Suddenly the succubus screamed, dropping to the floor to hold her shin as she cried out in utter pain.

"Come on. Let us get you outside," Nuana sighed, bending down to help Bo to her feet. "Can you stand? How is the pain?"

"I can handle it," Bo groaned.

"Maybe Cayden would be willing to heal you,"

The two women left the warehouse together, Bo finding a tablet to take along as a souvenir while Nuana tried to half carry her and guide her through the back door. They made it outside before they were met by Dyson and Cayden who were waiting for them. As soon as the boys spotted them, they were out of the car and running for them, Cayden scooping Bo up into his arms while Dyson pulled Nuana toward him.

"Are you alright?"

"Fine," Nuana answered from the near suffocating enclosure of Dyson's arms, looking over at Bo. "But Cumberbatch got suspicious and Bo got hit with some sort of dart. She needs to heal,"

"I'll do it!" Cayden exclaimed happily with Bo nestled against him. "I'd hate to see a good banging go to waste,"

Nuana scrunched her nose. "Ew,"