Next chapter, I'm definitely feeling better now. I don't know what the last chapter pulled on me, as some of you stated, it wasn't overly dark but it still was kinda hard to write for me. This chapter is a little friendlier again although we have more evil coming as well. As always, thanks to all of you for favoriting, following, reviewing or just reading the story. Oh and I can't state it enough, if you have any more questions, feel free to write me a message! Enjoy!

Silence lay over Sulpicia's mansion as everyone was preparing for the final bonding ceremony in one way or the other. Trick had excused himself as there were special things needed for the ritual he needed to get from his office. Bo had asked him to bring Kenzi back to the mansion with him, she was probably at the Dal anyway. Sulpicia and Irina had locked themselves in the sitting room where they and Trick had agreed the ritual would take place in the morning. They was preparing the things they could without the Blood King and didn't let anybody watch them. It had to be that way, the older succubus had informed Bo when she asked why she and her mate were being shut out. Lauren was more or less back to her normal calm self by now, stating that they should just wait as they would know in the morning anyway. Bo agreed and so they went up to the room Sulpicia had assigned them for when they were staying here.

Lauren lay on her side of the bed, staring at the ceiling and Bo was sitting next to her with her legs crossed, only in a top and panties. It was a very different bed from the one they shared back at the Clubhouse. It was very low, not more than a foot above the wooden floor. Still, sitting on a small podium it overlooked the large modern room. Bo looked down at her fingers that were laced with Lauren's. The brunette was playing with the doctor's long fingers, finding comfort in the small distraction. The blonde herself let it happen willingly, not really paying attention as she stared at patterns on the ceiling that only existed in her head, favorably structures of large molecules. It, too, was a distraction technique. She didn't need to analyze the structure of the molecules she imagined, she knew them by heart, but it still calmed her over-worked brain to do something she deemed normal.

"Lauren?" Bo's voice was quiet, trying not to disturb the peaceful atmosphere created by the dimmed lights of the large room. Her mate looked so relaxed, one hand behind her head, the other one in the brunette's lap, eyes drifting from one place on the ceiling to another in a pattern only Lauren herself knew. When she heard the soft call of her name those honey-colored eyes flicked to Bo, fixing her in a loving stare. Bo smiled as she slowly lay down next to her mate, keeping the doctor's warm hand close to her, enclosing it with her own. Lauren turned her head to keep looking at the brunette, their noses almost touching.

"I love you." Bo brought Lauren's hand up to her mouth, kissing her fingers tenderly. Doing so, she leaned slightly forward, her nose bushing against Lauren's, who in response showed the wide toothy grin she used more and more often since she became her tiger equivalent on regular occasion. Bo adored it to no end.

"As I love you." Lauren's voice was as soft as her mate's as she leaned forward, nudging her nose against Bo's before kissing her lovingly on the mouth. The brunette squeezed the hand she was still holding as she kissed back, slowly exploring her mate's mouth. They kissed slowly for quite some time before Bo sighed contentedly and, giving Lauren a last peck on the lips, settled into the blonde's embrace, resting her head on her shoulder.

"We will make it tomorrow." Bo whispered.

"Of course we will. We'll complete the bond and then we'll go after Vassily." Lauren emphasized her statement by pulling Bo even closer to herself.

"Baby you don't have to.." Bo started but was cut off before she even finished by the blonde's passionate voice. "No, Bo. I will fight Vassily by your side. I don't like killing, it's not in my blood, not in my nature but that man is responsible for so many crimes, for so much grief that I will consider it healing the world from an evil tumor. I won't let him take away what I love. I won't let him destroy us."

Bo smiled at her mate's words, pressing a kiss to her throat. "Well, then, I wouldn't have it any other way."

The blonde chuckled, surprising Bo by pulling her arms back from around the brunette until she understood what Lauren was doing. They often slept like this over the past weeks, Lauren either in her tiger or were-cat form. Way more graceful than in the beginning Laurens bones repositioned, her body becoming longer while her legs became shorter, hands and feet turning into padded paws and fur covering the blonde's body. When the huge cat opened her amber eyes they were still full of love for the succubus sitting next to her. With a strong paw she pulled her back into her long body as Bo had sat up to make space for Lauren in her tiger-form. Bo sighed as she sunk into soft and warm fur, cuddling close to the large cat who curled up around the succubus, her tail resting comfortably across Bo's stomach. The brunette made sure to place her head near Lauren's as she leaned back, enjoying virtually being surrounded by her mate. The light golden tiger nudged Bo softly with her nose, licking her cheek when the succubus turned her head to look back at her. Bo laughed, cuddling even closer to Lauren. It's how sleep took a hold of them not much later, finally finding rest in each other after a day that had threatened to have a much worse ending.

-x-

"I think we're done here." Sulpicia stood up from where she had placed the two glasses in the middle of the room on a small table. Other than this, all the furniture was pushed to the walls to make as much room as possible.

Irina nodded. "Yes, I hope this will do." She had been arranging the last pieces of furniture so that they would hopefully only suffer minimal damage and, more importantly, wouldn't inflict as much when someone was thrown into them. She dusted off the black leather pants she was wearing, more out of habit than need and walked over to the door that led back out into the garden and eventually the forest around it. She picked up her black jacket and moved to put her light buckskin boots back on, preparing for the night in the woods, where she always slept since they had moved their training to the mansion. Not quite understandable for anyone but herself was her need to go in style even though she would sleep as a snow leopard, not at all needing the clothing. It was just something so typically Irina to always be dressed to perfection, not a hair out of place. She was just tying the laces of her second boot when she felt Sulpicia coming closer. She didn't need her sixth sense to know where the succubus was, it was like she had a sense just for her that hadn't died in the centuries she hadn't seen the woman.

Irina stood back up to her full height once she was finished. It was something the succubus had always loved about the Russian woman. She was tall and strong, with broad shoulders and defined muscles. She could match Sulpicia in power, never backing down to her.

"Irina.." the brunette's voice was low, inviting.

"Good night, Sulpicia." The tall blonde steeled her jaw and walked towards the door. She saw the hand coming that wrapped around her arm to stop her, she could have dodged if she had really wanted to. She immediately felt the pleasant feeling that came with the succubus' touch. Irina knew that if Sulpicia had really wanted to make her willing right away, she wouldn't have stood a chance once the hand touched her arm but instead she just felt light-hearted.

"Stay the night. Inside. It's too dangerous out there." The succubus moved behind Irina, resting the hand that was not holding her arm on the blonde's hip. Irina turned half way, looking at Sulpicia over her shoulder, emerald eyes glinting.

"Do I look like I couldn't defend myself?" Her words held a double meaning that the succubus noticed very clearly, almost as clearly as the Bai-Ze's aura that was pulsing strongly, lustfully. Irina saw Sulpicia's eyebrows go up ever so slightly, someone who didn't know her all too well wouldn't have noticed. For the first time that day, she allowed herself to look fully at the brunette, her curves in all the right places, her alabaster skin, her full lips that curved into that sinful smile she knew so well. How could anybody look at this woman, even without her powers, and deny her a single wish? How could anybody not want her, or want to be wanted by her? Irina inwardly laughed at herself. Not wanting her wasn't the problem. She could deal with attraction. She was used to it, had had numerous lovers over the many years of her life but while their names and faces faded in her memory, the brunette succubus reigned supreme above all of them. Their flirting over the past weeks had been so blatantly obvious that even Bo and Lauren had noticed. It had always been like this between them, always showing each other that they were interested but something really happening was a rarity. As familiar as this routine was, the blonde felt different this time. Why, Irina didn't know. She had a theory but she wouldn't admit it, even to herself.

"You look like... no, I know you can hold your own." There it was again, that smile. Sulpicia's eyes changed color to their swirling ocean-blue and Irina knew she was lost. She made one last attempt to walk to the door but found herself whirled around and pressed against the wall next to the door, the brunette seductress pressing herself up to her body. The Bai-Ze decided that, even if she would regret her decision, two could play this game. She would just see where it led them when she stopped holding back.

Letting out a growl she wrapped her arms around the smaller woman, pulling her up on her waist and turning them around, pressing Sulpicia to the wall instead of herself. The brunette laughed. Her laugh was dark and sexy, just like almost everything else about her. Her voice was husky when she leaned in whispering "You know I love my lovers aggressive.." She threaded her hands into Irina's hair, wrapping her legs around the blonde's waist. "Take me to bed, Ira." The succubus commanded and there was no creature on earth that would deny her such a request.

-x-

"My dear fiancé by now has probably spilled everything. That should speed things up." Vassily chuckled and looked at the woman next to him.

"I don't know why you still call her that. That was hundreds of years ago and we all know you will never be actually getting married." The woman told him with a frown.

"Please don't tell me you're jealous. That would really kill my good mood." He sighed theatrically. "On the other hand, maybe we will. Who knows what her decisions would look like in the new world that dear Ysabeau will create. A world we have been waiting too long for." Vassily looked out the large window of his office that overlooked the city. The last light of the sun was beginning to fade, leaving the world in his favorite state, darkness. "Speaking of Ysabeau, we need to set the final plan in motion."

"Should I sent word for everything to be prepared?" The woman bowed her head in submission when Vassily shook his head. "Not quite yet. I would like a word with the beautiful doctor first." One could see how his eyes flash dark blue in the reflection of the window in front of him. "Maybe there will be a way to... persuade her."

"How will you get her to meet with you, especially without her mate?" The woman asked. Vassily turned and motioned for her to come over to him. When she was close enough he pulled her to his body, like they were a long time married couple at a family gathering and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. "I have my ways." He snapped his fingers and immediately one of his ogre-guards brought forward a person, hands tied behind the back, pale blue eyes staring daggers at Vassily while trying to articulate numerous curses through a gag but failing miserably.

"Remove that, I want to have a little chat with the pet." Vassily motioned for the ogre to remove the gag which he did silently.

"You're the son of a bitch that kidnapped the doc, aren't you? Well let me tell you this, once her and Bo find out where I am you are going down! They'll kick your ass from here to eternity!"

The rest of Kenzi's insults and string of curses was drowned out by Vassily's deep laughter. "You are an entertaining one, aren't you? I see the reason Ysabeau kept you. I think I will have lots of fun with you before anyone even knows where you are. Take her to her room." The tall incubus smiled evilly as Kenzi was dragged out of the room, still cursing at him.

"How did you get her?" The woman in his arms asked.

"Let's just say.." He chuckled. "The forest wasn't the only thing that was overshadowed today." He pulled the woman in for a passionate kiss while she chuckled with him, eventually picking her up and carrying her to his desk.

-x-

Bo woke up the following morning to Lauren stretching languidly behind her. The sun was already breaking through the large windows along the wall, making the tiger's fur glow like liquid gold as Bo watched her mate's slow movements. Lauren caught the brunette's eyes, winking with her own amber-colored orbs before sitting up and shifting back to the beautiful blonde woman she usually was. Bo watched in awe, as always. She couldn't seem to help herself. Whenever Lauren shifted the succubus could only marvel at her beauty. It was clear by now that her mate had always been destined to be just what she was now, it fit her so well.

With a peck on the lips Bo was pulled from her daydream. "Good morning, beautiful." Lauren smiled. The brunette pulled her in for a longer and more passionate kiss. "Good morning." She whispered against the blonde's lips when they had to come up for air.

They were interrupted by a knock on the door. It opened moments later, revealing Irina, her hair flowing over her shoulders in golden waves. As always, she looked like she had just stepped out of a fashion magazine, wearing a beautiful white backless dress and high heels, making her even taller. "I just wanted to let the lovebirds know that everything is ready for your final bonding ceremony. Get ready and be downstairs as soon as possible." She gave Lauren a small smile that got tight when she looked at Bo and then disappeared.

Before Bo could start her rant about the tall Russian again Lauren said "Let's go get ready. I want to know what this thing is about."

The succubus nodded and they went to get dressed, Bo strapping her black ceremonial knife around her thigh, Lauren opting the usual place on her belt for its white counterpart once they were done.

"Ready?" Lauren asked the brunette. Bo smiled. "Let's go do this thing." She took the blonde's offered hand and walked down the stairs with her mate.

The others were waiting for them in front of the sitting room. The door was closed, Trick standing in front of it with the two other women at his sides. "Good morning." Her greeted them friendly and after they wished him the same her went straight to business.

"Bo, Lauren, I'm going to tell you what to do when you get into the room so listen carefully. You will find two glasses on a table. They are filled with an elixir you have to drink up. All of it. It won't work if you leave something in the glass. I'm afraid it doesn't taste that good but drink it, nonetheless." He smiled reassuringly. "While you drink the elixir your hands have to be together and on a rune I drew on the table. There are more than one but it's the biggest and Lauren will know which one it is. I wish you the best of luck to complete the ritual." He stepped to the side, allowing Bo and Lauren to go through the door.

"What happens after we drink?" Bo asked her grandfather.

He sighed. "I'm afraid I can't tell you. But I am positive that you will complete the ritual."

Bo nodded solemnly. She looked at Lauren who smiled and nodded and together they walked to the door.

"Ysabeau." Sulpicia's voice was friendly, but serious once again. "Don't lose your heart." Bo nodded at her mentor as Irina placed a hand on Lauren's shoulder. She smiled at the smaller blonde. "Don't lose your head, cub."

Still contemplating the meaning of the words, Lauren and Bo walked into the sitting room, the door closing and audibly locking itself behind them. The table with the glasses was hard to miss as it was the only object not pushed to the walls. Lauren stepped around it, examining the runes that were painted all over it in red ink, at least she hoped that's what it was. Like Trick said, there was a larger rune in the middle of the table, surrounded by other smaller ones in a circle. Bo looked at it, too.

"What does it mean?" She asked the blonde who smiled as she answered. "It says 'eternity'."

Holding her hand out for Lauren to take, she placed her hand around the glass on her side of the table. The doctor did the same, hands joining on the rune.

"To us." Bo said, raising her glass with the black liquid inside.

"To eternity." Lauren answered, clinking her glass against Bo's.

Their hands gripped each other harder as the both drank the black, terrible tasting liquid to the last drop.

I already have part of what happens next written so don't you worry that it will take me long to update! That's it for today, please review, I'm always dying to read your opinion. I think that's really the best part about posting my stories, I get to hear what all of you think of them! :) Until next time!