Lauren's POV.
I woke up late that morning. I showered and ate breakfast or what I could get the Dark Fae to part with. That's how it was, I was hardly ever fed without having to steal it or offer some favor in return. I had spent the majority of the night with Kenzi and Dyson. Dyson had left to make arrangements for Hale's memorial service, leaving Kenzi to my care.
Although I am a Doctor, my specialty is medicine and not Psychology. So I could not in good conscience answer her questions why Hale had to die and why by her words, Bo was tripping. So I did my best to comfort her as Lauren.
Once I was up, presentable and fed, I ran off to the Dark Fae archives. Massimo was a constant there and he had gone off for the day. If I wanted to find out anything quickly, I had to act fast.
Bo: She's talking to us.
The Succubus: I know. Shut up!
I had gone through book after book trying to find something on him. They were all out of order thanks to Massimo, I'm sure. It pissed me off. How could Bo abandon Kenzi like that? According to Kenzi once Dyson and the others came for Hale's body, Bo felt that she needed to spend time with Rainer in order to find out what was going on with her and them. Now the Doctor in me did understand that, but Bo shunned my medical advice unless it came to helping one of her lovers, which I wasn't at the time. I knew she was trying to hurt me because of how she flirted in front of me with Dyson knowing how I felt about him. The guy was still an ass, it just wasn't as blatant anymore.
But I wasn't working just to save Bo, I was working to save me. I was tired of people telling me where to go and what to do. I did lie to Bo about that at Evony's party. Everything came with a price with my abilities, Doctorly and otherwise. But I had never succumbed to Evony's cheesy advances.
The woman is not my type. She's arrogant at best and evil at her worst. I was subjected to many violent deaths just to show me how easily she could kill me if she wanted to. We hadn't agreed on my status with the Dark Fae yet. Only that she would provide protection from the Una Mens. But that need died with them. I understood I had Bo and Rainer to thank for that. But hell if I will ever thank him for anything. He knew I was a threat to him and Bo because he never addressed me or my presence at all. I have been in the medical field and with the Fae long enough to know when I was being snubbed. I didn't need to speak to him either. What little eye contact we had I am sure he felt my disdain.
The books I was able to find the ink kept disappearing and I had nothing to wipe my hands on. It didn't matter because what I rubbed off on the pages, magically appeared back on the page within minutes. This wasn't right. Then I got to Rainer's description and I had him. I had him. The man in the picture looked nothing like the asshole Bo was shacking up with. A fraud amongst the Fae. I could take him down and even Evony would be impressed enough either to let me go or allow me a lot more freedom.
The Succubus: She warned you.
Bo: I know. I know now shut up.
Speak of the evil, she's downstairs. I crept over to the side and looked down, keeping my head out of sight as much as I could. She's talking to someone. Who it could be I don't know but I don't think she would talk to Massimo about a plan of hers. Her son was a loose cannon that she allowed to play on the grounds.
Everything would be easier if the Succubus was dead. I heard her say. I didn't have a choice. It was now or never. I had to go and waited a long while for Evony to walk out the back. I nearly jumped down the ladder and headed off to the clubhouse. I hated it. I knew who would be with her. Rainer and his weird gf/friend/kiss ass combo. But I sucked it up and went. Bo needed to know so she could protect herself from Rainer and Evony. I knew the Succubus would kill either one of them if it came down to it, but Bo was another story.
I arrived at the clubhouse and of course, they were all there. I be damned if I turn around now. I had to steal Evony's car just to go over there. I am pretty sure she has a flat now, so I was pretty much going to walk back or call and ask Dyson for a ride or to change the flat. I went with the latter because Dyson was a stickler for rules and he wouldn't go to the Dark Fae compound unless it was under dire circumstances. Long story short. I went, she didn't believe me thinking I was pulling some high school jealousy shit. I left. I left the book right there on her bed. I am sure Rainer burned them after I left. I wasn't going to walk by her or back inside to get it.
The Succubus: Dumbass
Bo: I know and shut up I need to hear this.
The Succubus: We need to hear this.
So it was Evony. Now or never. Either I execute my plan that had been in the works for weeks or sulk back into the servitude of the Dark Fae flavor.
So I went back home and gathered everything I needed and headed back to the Dark Fae compound. It was time. Once I had everything I needed I was on my way. Then I ran into Massimo. He seemed more arrogant than ever and once Hades showed his face, I knew why.
Massimo and I went back and forth until he showed. Then Hades and I went back and forth until Massimo planted his knife in my back. Hades had tricked the fool into doing his bidding. I remembered almost blacking out as he continued his assault after Hades left. The next thing I remembered was Valhalla. Freyja and everyone were so welcoming. I had a lab made of gold. Until the portal opened taking me to Aife.
The Succubus: Shit! I never asked her how she died.
Bo: I didn't either.
The Succubus: I wish I could put both of those bastards back together just to kill them all over again.
Bo: I wish we had those powers but we don't. All we can do now is help Lauren.
The Succubus: Well duh that's what I'm here for.
Lauren felt warm sensations in her arms. The Succubus grabbed a cool towel and placed it on her forehead. She had been in and out of it ever since she took her from her mother's room. For her safety she was placed on another floor while the Doctors on duty ran tests on the orange type chi the Succubus had given them. She wished Lauren was lucid enough to do it herself. Then they would be out of there.
But Lauren was still sweating and mumbling for almost an hour. The Succubus would have found it adorable if she wasn't so worried.
"Well what's the word? The Succubus asked.
"We don't have anything this color here. Perhaps when it entered her body, it turned orange coming back out", The Doctor answered.
"But it is all out of her system right? The Succubus asked.
"From the blood work we've ran over and over, I'd say it is", The Doctor answered.
"Good enough for me", The Succubus smiled rubbing her hands.
"For heaven's sake I'm fine", Lauren laughed looking at the Succubus.
"Uhh you were sweaty and seemed out of it. I wouldn't call that fine", The Succubus replied.
The Dal.
"I warned your dumbass", Aife screamed walking in and immediately over to Blackthorn and Trick.
"Aife please! Trick screamed matching Aife's tone.
"Look bitch if you think I am going to allow you to come back from the dead or wherever the hell you were and take over the Fae, you are mistaken", Blackthorn spat.
Aife didn't flinch at being called a bitch. In fact she quite enjoyed it. It means he was just as pissed off as she was. He had once again gone behind her back to the Elders and tried to have them denounce her as leader. She didn't care much for either of them but found them amusing as they scrambled to keep up with her orders but what was not amusing was Blackthorn doing what she clearly instructed him not to do and she needed to make an example of him.
Pulling his chi and pinning his arms behind him, she shoved him against the bar. Once he was in place, she grabbed his head and pulled her blade from her sheath. The next thing that was heard was a ear shattering scream as she cut his tongue out. Trick could only wince at the sight and grab towels to wipe up the blood spouting out and over the bar counter. Once she was satisfied, she let Blackthorn go, when he grabbed his mouth she grabbed his pants and pulled them down. Bending him over she took his tongue and shoved it up his ass just like she had threatened to do. The Blackthorn was finally getting his. How could he talk without a tongue? She would allow him to live just for the Fae to see what she had done and why. They would learn never to disobey her orders no matter how flimsy they thought them to be.
"Aife! Stop! Trick screamed handing Blackthorn towels and a makeshift first-aid kit from behind the bar.
The Fae that were present stood shocked.
"Let this be a lesson to all of you, don't fuck with Aife! Aife laughed as she cleaned herself up a bit and waved her hands at Trick alerting him to take Blackthorn away. Not that anyone besdies Trick could or would help him. That alone would be defying Aife.
The crowd whispered and pointed at Trick and Blackthorn. Some laughed as Blackthorn was struggling to walk.
"Tell your friends, those of you that have friends. Look at that fool. He will be mumbling and gumming his food for the rest of his miserable life" , Aife laughed as she threw her towel on the bar and made her way out.
The Beatties
Stephen was having a hard time understanding his parents. Since the Succubus left they had been happy, babbling idiots. He almost wished he was still napping but the Doctors told him what had happened with Lauren and he felt obligated to watch over them until she returned. He didn't quite trust the other Doctor's to tell them that they were really ok.
Lauren and the Succubus
Lauren had been pacing back and forth. She had a huge problem on her hands and it wasn't her health. She felt better but then she felt worse. There was the huge matter of her parents to deal with. Even when the Succubus removed the thrall, they would still remember Lauren's eyes changing colors.
"They're fine Lauren. But they look like they are driving your brother batty", The Succubus said as she returned from checking on them like she had promised Lauren.
"What am I going to do? I can't tell them about the Fae. They would never understand and it would put their lives in danger", Lauren said while continuing to pace back and forth.
This took her back to Nadia. How she held back all she knew about the Fae. How she told her she found a job that allowed her to work from home and that's why she had microscopes and Petri dishes all around her loft.
Her parents were no pushover. Even the most genius explanations would always be questioned. This had to work. She had to find a way to protect them. Then an idea finally hit her.
"Eros. I need to see Eros", Lauren said looking towards the Succubus as she pulled out her phone.
Aife
"This ceremony needs to happen and soon. I want all Fae in the area in attendance. They will all see I am not one to be fucked with", Aife said outloud as guards scattered around trying to finish the preparations.
Aife's first order of business was to knock down the old Dark Fae compound and build a new one. She didn't want anything of Evony's. Certainly not that old design. She loved the location. It was high atop the mountains. She would literally be able to look down on all of the Fae and they would have to look up at her like the Queen she would soon become.
Her second order of business would be to weed out the pain in the ass Fae that refused to accept her as ruler. Who did they think they were? Nobody would dare test the Blood King's daughter. "Not even the Blood King himself", she laughed to herself.
"Aife if there is nothing else you need my assistance with Dr. Lewis requires my help too", Eros said from across the room. He had been watching Aife order the guards around and found it to be quite amusing.
"Go. Go. It must be important to her", Aife smiled warmly. She knew she had picked Lauren to help her for a reason. Reasons that could turn out to good for all that she was trying to do now.
Trick and Blackthorn.
"Blackthorn you are going to have to write that down because I can't understand anything you are trying to say", Trick said. What a mess Aife had left him with. He thought the other Aife was a hot mess but his daughter really was back with a fury.
"I told that old fool to get out of town. But this is almost as good", Christos laughed.
Trick shook his head. Why was he left being his nursemaid. He should have called on the Doctor's from the Light Fae compound but quite a bit ran when Aife came to town. Probably because she preferred Lauren.
"What did he write? Christos asked sipping his beer.
"Nothing that I would agree with", Trick said.
"If it's regarding the Succubus, he may as well give up. She could have killed him. I could have killed him", Christos asked. He was still pissed off about the Garuda and all the damage they were still dealing with. Hundreds of Fae were lost and some of them were relatives of Christos.
Lauren, the Succubus and Eros.
"Well what happened? The Succubus asked.
"It was just as I suspected. Mom took one look at me and started freaking out", Lauren sighed. That all but confirmed her parents remembered the earlier events.
"I'm sorry Lauren. My thrall can only control them, it can't control what they remember. Or at least I think it can't. I'll have to ask mom about it", The Succubus said.
Lauren thought about all she had read about Succubi but then again Isabeau had never been your ordinary Succubus. But she found nothing in her memories that would help them right now. It broke her heart watching her parents nearly attack her. She was grateful that Stephen was strong enough to hold them back even if he couldn't calm them down.
Just after she enlisted, they fought her about that too. It wasn't just they didn't want her to leave, they didn't want her to grow up and that's mainly why she enlisted. She wanted to break free of them trying to control her life. That made her decision all the more difficult. Maybe they would want to be close to her. But being close to her would immediately put them in danger and she can't live her life constantly worried about someone attacking them and she can't constantly worry about anyone outside of her small circle finding out they are her family.
"Dr. Lewis you called? Eros said walking in.
"I did and thank you for coming", Lauren sighed. Finally she would get an answer to her most nagging question.
"What can I help you with? Eros asked. By the looks of Lauren and the Succubus worry looked like it would be a permanent resident in their heads.
"Will Hebe's powers allow me to erase some of my parent's and brother's memories? Lauren asked. She knew it was crazy but she had to ask.
"How much are you talking about? Eros asked.
"Just after Isabeau brought them back to life. Or at least the last few days. Stephen doesn't need to know about the Fae either", Lauren said. She had a few ideas on how to handle the rest. She just needed this part of her plan to work.
"So you want to make them forget the last few days? I must warn you that is dangerous territory", Eros said.
"I just want my family to forget about the Fae. It's the only way I can protect them", Lauren said.
"I won't lie to you Doctor. It is possible but you may wipe their memories completely if it fails", Eros said.
"But it's possible she won't fail right? The Succubus asked. She understood why Lauren wanted to do it and she supported her decision.
"Yes it is possible she won't fail but again it's dangerous", Eros said.
The Succubus and Eros watched Lauren pace back and forth. She had done many procedures during her lifetime. She had Doctor's hands after all. She knew when to pull back and when to go full on.
"I have to try. They will always question me making themselves vulnerable to attack. I am sure I have made many enemies over the years", Lauren said.
"What does she have to do? The Succubus asked.
"It's a quick procedure. It won't require much to complete, if she can complete it", Eros said.
"Lauren please think about this. We need to be sure. They may forget all about you and each other", The Succubus said.
They watched Lauren think about it again for nearly ten minutes. She could only imagine how hard all of this was for them and what was going on in their room. She felt like an infectious disease the way her mother was screaming at her as she walked out of her room when she went to see them earlier.
"I can do this", Lauren said confidently. She felt her powers amp up with her excitement.
"You will be with her right? The Succubus asked Eros.
"Yes of course. We can all go", Eros said.
"Ok Lauren let's go", The Succubus said softly. The sooner they did it the better the Doctor would feel. At least about this part of whatever she was planning.
The two followed Lauren to her parents room. When they got closer, she could hear screams and other noises. When she rounded the corner, she stood back a bit.
"Lauren it's ok, they won't attack you", The Succubus said. She wasn't sure how they could be so angry with her thrall still in place but she wasn't sure how strong the thrall was at the moment. Maybe it had started to wear off and she did something wrong when she placed them under it.
Lauren walked in and just as she expected her mother and father started screaming at her and calling her a monster. The Succubus and Eros stood defensively beside her.
"When you are ready Doctor just lift your hands and point at them", Eros said.
"Wait the Succubus said walking towards Lauren's family. She reached her hands out and sent strong pulses into them to calm them down. "Now Lauren! She screamed over her shoulder.
Lauren raised her hands and watched as their eyes changed.
"That should be enough", Eros said softly after a few minutes had passed
Lauren lowered her arms and walked towards them. Her mother and father clung to her for dear life.
"Karen! Mrs. Beattie beamed.
"Karen is she ok? Mr. Beattie asked noticing Mrs. Beattie's hospital gown.
"She's fine", Lauren smiled warmly. She had to control her emotions before her eyes changed again or this would all be for naught.
"Well done Dr", Eros smiled warmly.
"Thank you. I couldn't have done it without you and Isabeau", Lauren said gently touching the Succubus' arm.
"Isabeau? Who's Isabeau? The brunette asked in a soft voice
"You are sweetie", Lauren smiled towards the Succubus.
"No I'm not, my name is Beth. Beth Dennis and who are you? The brunette asked.
TBC.