Next chapter, I really had a good feeling while writing this I hope you guys share my opinion :) Thank you again and again to my amazing readers, keep leaving reviews, writing me messages and of course following and favoriting! Enjoy! :)
Trick stood in his usual place behind the bar. He was polishing glasses, not having much of anything to do right now as it was still early and apart from three patrons in a booth at the back of the Dal the pub was empty. It was always like this. It would get terribly busy later on but the early hours always gave Trick time to think about everything and he was grateful for the peace.
As he reached for the next glass, his mind drifted to Bo. He knew his granddaughter had issues with Lauren choosing the light, he could sense the tension between the two when they left last night. Trick himself was proud of Lauren for choosing a side. It would help them a great deal with what he knew was about to be coming for the two of them. He sighed. He should really tell them but something inside of him wanted Bo and Lauren to just be happy for a while before they had to fight for their lives once again. His memory reminded him that they hadn't looked to happy yesterday, especially Bo but whatever reasons Lauren had had for choosing the light, Trick knew his granddaughter would eventually understand. The doctor was had been the most intelligent human the Blood King had ever met, and now that she was Fae she would just continue to amaze everyone.
"See ya later, Trick!" The three Fae who had occupied a booth in the back were making their way to the exit. Trick smiled and nodded in their direction, as always. He heard the door swing shut and he was left alone with the towel in his hand and the glasses to polish. About to drift off into deep thought again, he heard the door open again. Strange, he thought. Normally he would be alone for quite a while after the three Fae left every day. Looking up to see if it was someone who was new in town or just a regular popping in at an unusual time, the glass he was currently polishing almost dropped from his hands. There were faces Trick would never forget, no matter how long he hadn't seen them. He had heard from Bo and Lauren that she wasn't dead but actually seeing her confirmed it.
Sulpicia smiled her succubus-smile. Equal parts irresistible and warning of a darkness that lurked behind it. It was a smile Trick was glad to never have seen his granddaughter wear. It showed the whole nature of a succubus, always out for the next greater pleasure, not caring how many dead bodies and, maybe even more cruel, how many dead hearts they left in their wake never to find happiness again with a normal person after a succubus had left them. Trick steeled his jaw. Bo was nothing like the dark Fae in front of him and again he was grateful for that.
He had been so focused on Sulpicia that he didn't notice the second figure until they stood almost directly in front of the bar. Where the succubus was dark and alluringly beautiful, the other woman was shining brightly, equally as beautiful but in a whole other way. She was blonde, very tall, Trick guessed about 6'2'' and had an athlete's body with broad shoulders and long, muscular limbs. She had high cheekbones and piercing green eyes that held a certain coldness.
The Blood Kings attention was pulled back to Sulpicia when the succubus drawled in her deep seductive voice "Fitzpatrick, long time no see." Her eyes were twinkling.
Trick cleared his throat. "And I don't assume you are here to just chit-chat about the past few centuries."
"No, but I'm hurt that you would automatically think that." She gave her voice a wounded tone that was obviously fake and placed one hand on her chest over her heart. Trick sighed inwardly. This melodramatic behavior was what he hated so much about dealing with most succubae. At the display, he also noticed the hint of a smile playing around the mouth of aristocratic blonde next to her.
Trick tried hard to keep his voice friendly. "So what brings you here, Sulpicia?"
The seductive smile faded from the succubus' face. "Your granddaughter and her beloved mate. You know what is about to happen again."
The Blood King nodded gravely. His suspicions just confirmed themselves.
"And as last time, I will stand by your side. The two lovely ladies need training, they can't complete the bonding like this. They will kill each other. They have to learn control."
"Don't you think I'm aware of that?" Trick's voice was becoming louder, showing his anger.
"Then it is a good thing we are here. We will help them gain control." It was the first time the tall blonde had spoken and Trick found her voice to be very melodic, almost like she was singing. The small man nodded, thinking over his options. He came to the conclusion that he didn't have any. He turned his face to the woman standing next to the succubus. "Dr. Lewis became a Bai-Ze through the blood bonding she completed with my granddaughter." The woman nodded. "I know. Sulpicia told me she was human before. I will help her gain control over the cat inside her."
"Are you..?" He didn't get the rest of the obvious question out as the blonde nodded, flashing him a grin that showed pearly white fangs. "I'm Irina by the way."
-x-
"Yes Kenz, everything is fine. We talked about it." There was a pause. "As a matter of fact we did and why is our sex life any of your business?" Bo was leaning against Laurens bedroom door from the inside. Her mate was down stairs, making breakfast while the brunette was talking to her best friend on the phone.
"Trust me I really don't want to know but even I notice that you use sex as an avoidance technique. Not cool, dude."
"We don't. We're fine. It's just that I still don't really know why she chose the light."
"Then perhaps you should just ask her? You know, without the screaming and tantrum-throwing because she did something you didn't expect."
"She didn't even think to talk to me before she decided!" Bo was raising her voice.
"I know and that's shitty but you have to let her explain, for real."
Bo sighed. "You're probably right, Kenz."
"You know I am. I always am." Her tone was playful before it got serious again. "Oh and before I forget, Trick called, said he tried but couldn't reach you. He wants you guys to come to the Dal, ASAP. Sounded important."
"Ok, we will. Oh and Kenz, thanks."
"No probs Bo-Bo. Now go be with your lady."
The connection ended and Bo rested her head back against the cool wood of Laurens bedroom door. She had to gather herself before she went back downstairs.
Lauren was standing in the kitchen. She was glad Bo had finally hung up, it had been really trying to not listen into what she was saying. Damn her new super accurate hearing, She didn't want to spy on her mate. Lauren sighed. Even without really listening she knew she had to come clear about her reasons, which meant she had to be honest about her fears. As she put the bacon on a plate and placed it on the counter, she for a moment closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. She felt the tiger's interest shift to her, waiting, as she tried to reach for it. She tried to touch the presence as she had tried before, to get used to it. The result was the same. As soon as she made contact the tiger tried to push her down, to come out. Lauren felt herself start to shift and fought against it. She didn't notice Bo coming down the stairs, didn't hear her gasp as the brunette saw her hunched over, claws piercing into the counter top, panting heavily through her open mouth, fangs clearly visible. The succubus rushed to her mate's side, wrapping her arms around her. "Lauren, baby?" Deep down the doctor finally succeeded in closing the cage door on her tiger. The cat roared furiously, clawing at Lauren who finally changed back, unconsciously leaning back against her girlfriend, shaking badly.
"Bo.. I'm so sorry." She whispered, a single tear running down her face.
"For what?" Bo tipped her head to the side, trying to look at Lauren but she turned her head away.
"I can't control her. No matter what I try, she won't listen and she.. she is so strong. Stronger than me." The blonde's voice almost broke at the end, causing Bo to turn her around in her arms and immediately Lauren pressed herself against the succubus but still refused to look at her girlfriend, instead burying her head in the skin of Bo's neck.
"Baby, you can't expect to control her after just a few days. I had to run for years before you finally taught me how to control my hunger. And even now I sometimes have problems. It must be even harder for you. I lived with my succubus for a while before she began rattling her cage but you, you suddenly have a whole new aspect to yourself. Whatever you need, tell me." Bo's voice was soft as she spoke comfortingly into Lauren's hair as another sob shook through her girlfriend.
"Bo I don't want to hurt you."
"You won't."
"Maybe I won't, but what about her? She's way to strong and it takes everything I have to hold her down."
"You'll learn to control her. I know it. If anyone can do it, it's you." Bo assured her mate. "Fate chose this for us, remember? It wouldn't do that without knowing you'll be ok."
"But what if I don't?" Bo had never heard the blonde's voice so small. "I need to learn control and if I can't I don't want to be near you. I don't want to hurt you, ever. I.." She trailed off and sobbed again, making her next words incomprehensible. The succubus just held her tightly, eventually picking her up carefully and carrying her to the couch where she sat down with the blonde on her lap. Bo rocked Lauren gently back and forth. She had never seen her girlfriend fall apart like this but it was definitely her Lauren, not the cat inside of her.
After a few minutes Lauren finally started shaking but she was still crying softly into Bo's shoulder. It was then that something dawned on Bo. The realization hit her like a ton of bricks. Lauren felt the sudden stiffness of the brunette's body and lifted her head just a little bit to look into Bo's eyes. She saw them staring back at her with indescribable love.
"That's the reason? You don't want to hurt me? That's why you chose?" Bo's voice was just above a whisper.
At first Lauren didn't know what the succubus was talking about but quickly realized. She nodded and answered equally low "A big part of it. I was so afraid I might hurt you and I wanted as much help as I could get in controlling her."
"You're the sweetest little tiger ever." Bo laughed, pulling Lauren into another deep hug, then leaned back a bit to keep looking at her mate. "What's the other part?"
"Well.. I couldn't leave my lab now, could I?" Lauren's eyes were twinkling again, Bo noticed with delight as she chuckled with her mate at her antics. She kissed the blonde square on the lips, smiling into it. "You should have said so before." The succubus quietly scolded her.
"I was afraid." The doctor admitted.
"No need to be. I'm right here with you." Bo grinned. "By the way Kenzi called and told me that Trick wanted to see us at the Dal." She added, changing the subject.
"Ok. But first, let's finally eat breakfast and get changed." Lauren was glad they were obviously done with this subject for now and they got through talking without sex she noticed and smiled to herself. Bo nodded and made a point of carrying Lauren back to the kitchen, feeding her bacon and toast while she was still in Bo's arms no matter how much the blonde protested. The objections were half-hearted, Bo knew by the way Lauren wrapped her long legs around the succubus. The food was cold but they didn't care as Bo held Lauren tightly to her hips with one arm while reaching for another piece of bacon with the other to share in a greasy kiss.
-x-
Sulpicia and Irina were waiting at the now closed Dal for the two women who were running terribly late. Trick had assured them that they were going to be here soon. That had been two hours ago. The Blood King had excused himself not long after to go into his office, searching for more information to help them. It left the two Fae alone in the bar. By now they had made their way to the pool table, Sulpicia suggesting a game but being shot down by Irina telling her how much she disliked the gamble.
"It's only a gamble if you don't know what you're doing." The succubus purred. A second later she found herself up against the pool table with piercing green eyes only centimeters from her own black ones.
"And I take it you know what you're doing?" The tall blonde whispered back, her gaze falling to Sulpicia's lips and back to her eyes.
"You know I do." The succubus pushed herself against Irina who used her height advantage to keep Sulpicia from reversing their positions. She pulsed the Russian woman who gave a small growl in return, her eyes turning feline, pupils becoming longer. The succubus could feel the arousal coming off Irina in waves. She had always reacted so strongly to her, more so than anyone she had ever met. Her eyes flashing deep blue she leaned in for their first kiss after hundreds of years only to be pushed back with raw force, Irina untangling herself and stepping away instantly.
"What the hell?" Her voice was frustrated but the tall Russian just shot her a sly smile. "It's just a gamble." Her voice was just above a purr before she turned to the door. "We will be having guests shortly." She adjusted her tight black jacket just as Bo and Lauren walked into the Dal.
I already wrote a little more than I'm posting right now, I just couldn't stop myself. :) If the good feeling I'm currently having with my writing holds up the next chapter is sure to follow soon! Of course that's also part of your great support, I just love the feeling of posting a new chapter, knowing I will get to hear your opinions again! :) So keep commenting, I especially love the people who take the time to leave a really long comment! :) Until next time!