Chapter 26: Old Friends, New Lives
Bo and Lauren had spent most of the late morning with John, Madge, Beli and Vesta. The couple had been invited to the Farmhouse to discuss their Druid Quests, wedding, ascent to the throne and the prophecy. They learned that they would be able to combine a more traditional human wedding ceremony with the traditional Druid rituals that were necessary for them to take the throne together. Beli and Vesta had once again emphasized that a Druid wedding was an eternal bonding of two souls so they gave them one last chance to back out. All Bo had heard was that unmarried, Lauren would not be recognized as her Queen. Once that news was presented, Bo had asked for a moment to talk to Lauren,
'Well, there's your out if you don't want to be Queen. We can continue our relationship without actually getting married and you wouldn't have to deal with it. Are you sure you want to do this, Lauren? I feel like you're getting extra stress and pressure added to your life because I happened to be born into this crazy family of mine.'
'Bo, I am honored to be your girlfriend, mate, lover and friend… but I want to be as committed to you as possible in this life and beyond if you'll have me. If that means I must assume the throne with you, then so be it. Are you sure you want me there with you?'
'I don't want to influence your decision, so you'll have to pardon me for not answering that question. I want you to feel free to choose your path in life. You were a slave for long enough. I wouldn't end us if you didn't want to do the Druid wedding. We could still do the Fae one so we could get divorced down the road if you got tired of dealing with my Queen duties.'
Lauren chuckled, "I know but Bo… where you go, I go… okay?'
Bo was smiling ear to ear, 'I'm so happy to hear you say that because I have a feeling I would suck… badly… as Queen without you there. You give me balance, Lo. You know how I can be when things happen that I think are unfair for the little guy. I lose control and turn into a killing machine. I think the Druid people would be in trouble if I didn't have you with me on that throne.'
'Then I'm there, Bo. It's that simple. I'm in this… all the way.' Lauren leaned in and gave Bo a light kiss on the cheek before pulling back and sharing a smile with her.
"Sorry, we just needed a moment. So… we'll take weddings and rituals for a thousand, Alex." Lauren and Madge chuckled at Bo's Jeopardy reference as Beli and Vesta began the discussion.
They told the couple that the wedding ceremony could happen in the same day as the Druid ceremony. It would involve two primary rituals that would be built right into the main event. They promised Kenzi would know everything she needed to know to plan their dream wedding.
Madge's parents, Morgan and Aaron had entered the room for the next topic – taking the throne. Lauren kept her eyes on Bo as she noticed she had become visibly agitated through the entire presentation. She had been thrown off kilter when they informed them that taking the throne was a four-day event.
First, the elders emphasized that the couple needed to either do this next month or wait until after the children were born due to the physical nature of the events. The elders would not approve initiation of the royal trials if they could not physically perform the first trial without risk to their unborn. They explained the four-day event to the couple and later to Kenzi.
"Remember, you are to be Queens of a people, so all of your challenges are meant to demonstrate to them that you will serve them well. On the first of the four days you will face what is called 'The Hunt'. This trial is intended to determine your true nature and willingness to defend the essence that is the center of Druidism. We are not permitted to share any details of the challenge with you as threats to our existence due not usually announce themselves." Aaron explained.
"I get it… it would be like seeing a copy of the test before test day." Bo said.
"And when the Fae come for us, we could very well be out for a relaxing day of fishing. It will demonstrate that we cannot be defeated – even if caught off guard." Lauren added.
"That is correct my friends, although"
Morgan began, "The second day is 'The Receiving'. This day is divided into two parts. You will make yourself available to your people beginning at sunrise and remain available until sundown."
"When you say 'available to our people', exactly what are we available to do?"
"Meet them, speak with them, discuss their concerns about life in their clan. Remember girls, the Martini clan is a very small group within the world's Druid population. Your people will come from far and wide to meet and talk to you."
Bo and Lauren looked at each other. Bo was the first to speak, 'Couldn't we just do the hunt twice?'
'Bo, you don't mean that.'
'No, but I'm definitely dreading listening to people complain to us all day.' Lauren smiled and turned back to Morgan,
"So the second half of the day?"
"There will be a feast at sundown followed by your attendance at 'The Jury'. Here, the elders will hear objections to your ascension to the throne from the people. Once objections are heard and noted by the elders, the royal couple is given the opportunity to defend the community objections."
Bo frowned as she summarized what she had heard, "So, people who don't know us get to say why they don't like us and then we're supposed to defend our own honor."
Lauren was pretty sure at this point that the process of taking the throne would be one of the first things Bo would want to change if and when they actually passed these rituals.
John spoke, "On day three, you will be separated to attend your own personal Vision Quests similar to what your son just accomplished. Bo, you will be sent to 'find yourself'… well, more specifically, to find your beliefs and your purpose as Queen. You will be teleported to an undisclosed location with a bottle of water, a knife and your Druid/Fae skills for a twenty-four hour period."
"And Lauren?"
"Lauren will be sent to 'discover her path' as your Queen. She must learn how she will support you without losing herself. Like you, she will be teleported away with the same possessions for one day."
'Bo… I'll be alright. I'm not a mere human anymore.'
Bo sighed, 'I know… but I still don't like it.'
"During your Vision Quests, you will merge with Gaia and the four chief Anemoi – Aquilo, Notus, Zephyrus and Eurus. Your Father told me it was the most incredible experience of his life to join with these five powerful beings at once. He said it was enlightening. I think you'll like it… both of you."
Madge jumped in to discuss remaining challenge, "Finally, you will reach day four. This would be 'The Clan Breakfast' where the elders of the Druid Clans will come, pay their respects to the royal family, and deliver offerings in blessing of your throne. After the Clan breakfast will be 'The Coronation' ceremony performed by the elders of each clan."
"Can I just ask… there aren't really actual crowns we have to wear on our heads, are there?"
"There are crowns, yes but they are always under lock and key unless you have occasion to wear them."
"And what sort of occasion would that be?"
"Weddings, burials, clan gatherings…"
"Okay, okay… I get it. So, that's it then?"
Madge shook her head, "No, the final step is at sundown. As bonded mates, you will merge with Gaia and receive your marks."
"Our marks?"
"Think of it as your invisible crowns. They are basically very complex tattoos that will burn into your skin somewhere on your body. They are a representation of your devotion to peace, all beings of the world and each other. It also represents your willingness to defend the ideals of Druidism at all costs."
Bo and Lauren sat quietly until Beli and Vesta rolled up their sleeves, "My young Ysabeau, lay your eyes on the marks of your grandparents. They burned in over the course of an hour's time while we were distracted by our conversation with Gaia."
Bo and Lauren stood up to lean across the table so they could see the marks. They were intricate patterns that were woven around their left wrists.
Beli explained, "Your father's mark appeared on his left hip. There is just no way to predict where Gaia will place your marks but the location will mean something personal to you both. The marks are tied to the person as a sort of alarm system. If one of you is in trouble, the marks of all living royals will glow and burn. It is a royal's oath that they go immediately to save a fellow royal except the reigning royal."
"Wait, so you mean if Lauren is in trouble, I'm not permitted to go after her when my mark begins to burn me? I have to leave her fate up to the rest of the living royals?"
Vesta raised his hand, "Uh… living royals sitting right here. Hi, we're your grandparents… the ones who would die to protect you and Lauren. And… by the way… you have yet to best me with fire."
Bo smiled, "I'm sorry, Grandfather. I meant no offense. It's just that… well, when Lauren is threatened I don't often have control over my actions. Saving her has always been the singular goal of my Succubus if she is threatened."
"We can vouch for that, Vesta." John commented as Madge nodded her head in agreement. "We just tried to keep them apart of a few days and her blue banshee came out to play."
"I see." Vesta and Beli smiled, looking at the couple. "It seems the two of you are everything the prophecy predicted and much more."
"So, when do we get to know the rest of this prophecy? I mean, we've heard what our generation knows but Madge tells us you all hold a piece of the it."
"That is true, Ysabeau. All will be revealed in time. When your Father arrives, you will receive full disclosure of what you must know. As we've told you before, he has never shared his piece of the prophecy with anyone other than your mother."
"Great." Bo said sadly.
"So, can you give us an idea of what life in the day of a Queen would be like?" Lauren asked, trying to get Bo's mind off of her parents and the parts of the prophecy that continued to elude her.
Beli answered Lauren who kept her focus half on the answer to her question and half on Bo who was quickly nearing her tolerance for any more discussion of the drama that is her life. Lauren tried to redirect her full attention to Beli as she reviewed their daily duties once crowned. They would have weekly meetings with the elders to discuss various items of clan business over the next year and would need to complete their training prior to the coronation. Beli and Vesta assured they would both be more than capable of doing so. Bo had become even more upset to know that they had to complete a physical challenge to end their training, so Lauren directed the conversation back to the wedding and the decision she and Bo had made to take the name Martini as their family name. Madge and John were beaming with pride as they hugged Bo and Lauren and thanked them for honoring Bo's father by taking the surname.
Well, Lauren thought… at least the meeting ended on a happy note.
… … … … … … …
The couple left the farmhouse just before lunch, so they went to Main Street for something to eat before doing as much of their Christmas shopping as possible. Bo had been quiet most of the afternoon, but once they got into buying gifts for Ethan, her mood had lifted. Lauren hated the burdens Bo was seemingly destined to bear all of her long life. She could only hope that Bo would always allow her to be there for comfort and strength when she needed it.
They returned home just before dinner to a full house. The entire miniature golf gang was back and they were divided between quiet conversation in the living room, a card game at the kitchen table and video games in the entertainment room. Bo and Lauren managed to sneak in unnoticed so they could hide the packages they had purchased for various family members. All of Ethan's gifts went up into the attic because Lauren knew he would be snooping around.
They returned to the room and moved around saying hello before checking on Ethan to find out how he had made out with Druid golf. He gave Bo and Lauren a play-by-play of each hole and how he was able to use wind, water and earth to solve each hole. Even though he didn't have the best score on any hole, he was still proud that he had been able to use his skills. He was a little upset because he still couldn't produce more than a flicker with fire, but Bo assured him that they would work on it together.
They stopped and gave Kenzi an update on the construction discussion they had with John. They would break ground on Monday of next week and would need her input by Wednesday of this week. She had naturally told them not to worry. A day and a half was plenty of time to pull it all together. They briefly talked wedding ceremony and she told them she had talked to Madge about the whole coronation deal. She was worried about 'The Hunt' but Bo and Lauren assured her they would be fine since they were fighting together.
They asked Kenzi if she would mind holding down the fort so they could go for a walk on the beach. The couple needed some quiet time to discuss all that had been thrown at them today. Kenzi apologized for bringing everyone back to the house but they assured her it was okay – a beach walk would help them to clear their heads.
Before they left, Kenzi told them she would order pizza and wings for dinner if that was okay with them. Neither was in the mood to cook, so even Lauren agreed with the unhealthy dinner plan. They asked that she be sure to order some type of meat for Ethan but Kenzi said he shifted as soon as they got home so she had fed him a nice raw steak. The young Druid explained that his little cousins had held the bowl for him while he ate and cleaned up his fur when he finished because it got on part of him that he couldn't reach with his tongue.
"What got him to shift back?" Lauren asked.
Kenzi explained, "The boys were playing video games and he was laying on the floor watching the screen like he usually does when someone plays. When the game ended, Little John offered him the remote. He did his little growl-meow sound… you know, the one he makes when he gets stuck?"
"Yea, so how did he shift," Bo asked.
"Joshua and Little John got on the floor with him and rubbed his chest and belly. Eventually he just relaxed and shifted. They grabbed a blanket for him and took him back to his room to change but they detoured to the hall closet and threw one of Chase's sweatshirts on him instead since we weren't leaving again tonight."
"Why'd they put him in that?" Lauren asked.
"So he wouldn't rip anymore clothes if he shifted again."
"Smart kids. Why didn't we think of that?" Bo said.
"A Yale doctor and a Druid-Fae Queen… the world is in trouble if you guys couldn't figure that out before those two little dudes." Kenzi laughed, "Well, go on then, scoot. I have this crowd under control. Enjoy your walk."
"Thanks Kenz."
… … … … … … … … … … …
They had been walking for about an hour talking about the events of the day, re-affirming their commitment to each other and apparently saving the world as well. They were almost back home when suddenly Bo noticed something white in the sky.
"Lauren, what's that?" Bo said cautiously as she tried to make out the object moving towards them from the sky.
The doctor, too was staring at the incoming object, "I don't know, Bo but… wait… it's a flying horse…"
"Horses can't fly… I mean… wait… Unicorn… Can you fly, Lauren?"
"Yes, but I don't… it's too obvious."
"Wait! You can fly and you haven't taken me flying? You can fly – like that!" Bo pointed to the object in the sky. "What do you mean too obvious?"
"Uh… flying horse, Bo? Humans?" Lauren said as if Bo should have figured that out.
Bo knew she had sounded like an idiot, but why didn't she tell her she could fly? She turned her attention back to the latest big bad that approached, "Apparently whoever that is didn't get the memo. Well, either memo."
Lauren looked at Bo, "What memos?"
"The ones that say humans shouldn't see flying horses or the one that said I'm trying to spend quality time with my fiancé not deal with whatever shit storm this is!"
Bo put her hands up in frustration that they could never just relax.
They both watched, "What do we do?"
Suddenly, Beli and Vesta were standing next to them, "Relax, girls. They are your friends."
"What?" Bo said but then gasped, realizing that on the front of the horse was Tamsin with Dyson mounted behind her. She laughed.
"Sweetie?"
"That's Tamsin on the front of the horse and Dyson riding bitch! How will his ego ever recover!" Bo said as her mate slapped her on the arm, "Ow! What was that for?"
'Be nice, Bo. Please… don't make a scene. You will have time to deal with Dyson but not here and not in front of your grandparents… please?'
'Okay, but you know I'm not going to let this go. We WILL have words, Lauren.'
'I'm fine with words – just don't kill him.'
The pair landed about fifty feet from them. Tamsin leaned down and whispered something Bo couldn't understand in the horses' ear and the wings disappeared. Bo looked at Lauren with curiosity as Tamsin spoke to the horse.
"The runes, Bo. It's what gave the horse wings. She has to speak another set of runes to hide them."
"I can't wait to learn those." Bo said.
"It will take years, babe."
"Shit! I hate homework." Bo whined as Lauren, Beli and Vesta all laughed.
Dyson hopped off the horse and then lifted Tamsin off as well. They walked towards Bo and Lauren with a smile on their face. Bo and Lauren both noticed Tamsin immediately,
"Tamsin! You're pregnant!"
"Yea… talk to the wolf here. Can't keep it in his pants long enough to let me get a pill down. I don't know how you ever put up with him, Succubus."
Tamsin may have been pregnant, but her usual swagger and sarcasm was firmly intact.
"You look happy. Pregnancy suits you." Bo said as she gave Tamsin a hug.
"No, this last life cycle suits me. You, Kenzi and Lauren raised me right this time around. I feel… well, everything, really. I'm letting myself love and cry and laugh. But most of all, I'm not drowning myself in a bottle or avoiding what I truly want… Like this guy here."
The couple turned their eyes to Dyson who stepped out from behind Tamsin,
"Bo, good to see you."
Bo gave Dyson a punch on the arm, "Dyson. You look happy." She gave him a weak smile. She knew Dyson had started to come in for a hug, but she just couldn't. She heard Lauren's warning voice in her head and immediately calmed.
He looked at Tamsin. Bo was so happy to see so much love between the couple,
"I am." Dyson replied.
"So, mated for life?" Bo asked.
"It's the way wolves do it. We were married just after Kenzi went 'missing'," Tamsin used air quotes to emphasize the word since she knew where Kenzi was after reading the message. "Thanks for the message by the way."
"You're welcome." Bo said as she leaned into Lauren.
Dyson turned to Lauren, "It sure is good to see you alive my friend."
Dyson's eyes filled with tears as he dropped to one knee before the doctor,
"I'm so sorry I couldn't… didn't get you out of the there. I pledge that I will do everything in my power to keep you safe from here on out, Lauren. I'm so sorry for everything in the past… all of it. I will always support you and Bo."
"Get up you big lug and give me a hug," Lauren said as she wrapped her arms around her former nemesis.
He stepped back, shocked. He held tight to both of Lauren's hands as he ran his eyes up and down her body, "You're really Fae?"
"Yup. I'm really Fae… well… multiple species, actually…" Lauren smiled realizing she was about to go onto a geek speak rant, "It's a long story that I'm sure you would both like to hear over breakfast in the morning. You are staying, right?"
"If we are welcome." Tamsin turned her attention to Beli and Vesta.
Simultaneously Tamsin and Dyson unsheathed the swords from their back, knelt before the Druid Elders, raised their swords level with their bowed heads and placed them across their opposite forearm, "We are here to serve the Druid King and Queen."
"We accept your fealty on behalf of the coming Queens. Your service is accepted. We are grateful for your pledge. May I introduce the rising Queens of the Druid Clans, Queen Ysabeau Martini and her bride-to-be Queen Lauren Martini."
Tamsin and Dyson looked up at the couple in shock but turned and bowed to the pair, "My Queens, my sword and my body is at your disposal."
Bo and Lauren looked at each other stunned into silence, "Well… uh… thanks you guys, but can you get up now, please. It's sort of embarrassing." Bo said as Tamsin and Dyson stood. They all looked at each other before they all burst out laughing. After a few moments, they calmed.
"So, Queens of the Druids, eh? How did two Fae become Druid Queens?" Dyson asked.
Bo raised her hand like a hesitant high school student, "Uh… daughter of the Druid King Aidan here."
"THE Aidan? The one and only all-powerful Druid King? That's your father? We thought it was the Dark King! Gods, I'm so relieved! Shit! The Druid King is your dad? He was my idol growing up, Bo. He was the master of all of the elements!"
Bo found it endearing that Dyson was so excited about her father being Aidan but she was pretty sure he didn't realize he was going on like her six year old son in front of Aidan's parents. She interrupted to save him further embarrassment,
"Uh, Dyson. These are my Grandparents… Aidan's parents… Beli and Vesta."
The look on Dyson's face was precious. He blushed but noticed that his excitement barely waivered, "You… ended the Great Fae War with a single order. I can't believe you still… I mean…"
Vesta saved Dyson and further embarrassment, "It's okay, son. We suppose you're a light Fae wolf?"
"Yes, sir. Dyson Thornwood."
"Ahh… I see. Son of Stefan the Nobel, then."
"Yes, sir. He fought by your side…"
"I know the story well, son… lived it actually. Your father was one of the bravest and most honorable Fae I'd ever known. I regret that…"
"It's okay, sir. I am well aware that you tried to save him. I've never harbored any ill will against the Druids. My father was opposed to my king's plan to enslave the Druid people to do their bidding. He believed very strongly in free will for all beings much like the Druids… and much like these two fine ladies here."
Dyson smiled at Lauren and Bo, "I'm only sorry that thousands of years as the liege of the Blood King led me to stray so far from my father's teachings. I am grateful for this stubborn Succubus and her human friend for pushing me to change my thinking. I am forever in debt to the doctor who saved me from a fate similar to her own."
His eyes watered with tears as he held Lauren's eyes, "Gods Lauren, I am so sorry for every horrible thing I ever said or did to you. I beg your forgiveness for it is all I can do."
"Dyson, you were forgiven about a month ago." Lauren looked at Bo who gazed back into her lover's eyes.
Dyson pulled his wife into his side and looked down at her with a smile then back at the happy couple,
"Thank you, Lauren. We are serious about pledging our fealty to the Druid people." Dyson sniffed the air… he had been…
"Dyson? You smell trouble?" Tamsin asked.
"Just… I've been smelling…" he looked to Bo and Lauren... "It's just… they have a similar smell to you… it's so confusing… wait… oh my Gods! You're both pregnant!"
"Guilty." The couple said in tandem.
"But how? I mean… obviously you used a donor… but…"
"Nope, no donor needed. Apparently a female Succubae can impregnate another female with a chi exchange."
"That smell you kept saying you smelled on me before I left, Dyson? It was confusing for you because you were smelling multiple Fae as well as my pregnancy."
"You were pregnant?!" Tamsin and Dyson said together.
"Yea, we have a six year old son named Ethan Dennis Lewis. We'll be adding Martini to that after we're married."
They looked at Bo confused, "You knew?"
"No, Lauren knew the Fae wouldn't accept her as she is now, so she figured they would also take or destroy the child since it would have been considered an abomination. She ran and hid as she was fighting to save her own life. Her DNA was unstable until last month."
"You're okay? I mean, no offense, but we are sort of shocked to see you alive Doc. The way those scientists of Taft's were talking, you wouldn't have survived much longer than… well when we last saw you. We didn't tell Bo-Bo here. It's why we originally wouldn't let her go looking for you. We just thought she wasn't accepting the fact that you were surely dead. So… uh…" Tamsin didn't know what to ask next.
"It's okay, Tamsin. I'm pretty shocked to be alive myself. There were many times that I should have died but luckily I always seemed to run into the right doctors at the right time." Lauren looked knowingly at Vesta and Beli.
Vesta spoke, "And that all ties to a Druid Prophecy which you, my dear Valkyrie should be all too familiar with."
"Yes, sir. It is actually why we are here. I went to see my mother some time ago for her blessing on my union with this wolf here. She agreed immediately which seemed odd to me. Apparently the two of us were 'destined' to be together and to serve together as the 'single right hand of the Druid Queens in the final battle between Fae and Druid'. Apparently this is going to be epic."
Bo had to chuckle at Tamsin's off-handed approach to just how epic this battle would be. It was what always attracted her to fighting with the Valkyrie. Somehow she always made Bo believe they would survive… and win. It was good to have two of the fiercest warriors she had ever known here to protect and defend her family… her people… all people.
"And Freya's intentions, dear?" Beli asked the blunt question of Tamsin.
"I believe her exact words at the meeting in the Great Hall at Folkvangr were,
"Send word to all Valkryie in every realm from Folkvangr to Valhalla to Earth and all that lay between. The Valkyrie will rise with all noble soldiers led to Valhalla for one last great battle. They will stand with the Druid people and the noble Fae that stand with them to bring a final state of peace and balance to this realm and all realms beyond."
"Then she told me to get my ass here as soon as possible."
"Hmmm. Nice speech, don't you think?" Bo whispered to Lauren. The doctor just chuckled at her wife's antics.
"She has made the call to arms so soon?" Beli asked.
"She means to raise the dead from Valhalla and train them in the ways of the Valkyrie runes, my Lord. It will take some time. She asked me to tell you that she will come at specific points in time. The coronation of the new reign… of course, I didn't know exactly what that meant until now… the birth of her Grandson and the return of the king."
"Father." Bo said it almost as a whisper. Beli moved to her granddaughter's side and pulled her close,
"I told you, Bo. You will see him again." Bo looked up at her grandmother as tears welled in her eyes and smiled before putting her head on her shoulder.
"So… two more seats for the wedding, the coronation and a place to stay?" Lauren asked.
"We wouldn't miss it for the world."
"Will you be making your home here? I mean… permanently?"
Bo moved to Lauren's side as Dyson looked to Tamsin who smiled back at him, "Is that possible? I mean we're not Druids… we're Fae…"
Beli and Vesta looked to Bo, "Granddaughter, our Queen to be… what would be your decision about a Fae and Valkyrie living on Druid hallowed ground?"
Bo felt like her grandparents were setting her up to give the wrong answer. Was this question a test? Druids were about peace and balance. How could the world ever find balance if they were always segregated from one another?
"Grandfather, the Valkyrie have always proven themselves friends of the Druids, yes?"
Vesta nodded as Bo continued,
"Well then, unless something points to a change in that trust, I see no reason that the daughter of Freya would not be welcome to live among the Druids. The wolf, however has proven to be difficult in falling into line with Druid philosophy. He fought me every step of the way as I chose to live a balanced life accepting of all beings whether human or Fae. But as he stands before us today, he pledges to fight with us in the coming battle. Maybe his time with this Valkyrie has helped him to access the lessons of his honorable father Stefan. It is my hope that this wolf shifter is a changed man worthy of residence with the Druid clans. I will grant him residence until such time that his truth is found to be more in line with the beliefs of the Fae that wish us harm. And if that should be the case, I will personally order his execution."
Dyson swallowed hard under Bo's gaze. This was not the Bo he once knew. Her eyes were steel, her jaw set and her words precise. She was indeed the Druid Queen.
"Very well, Granddaughter. Your reasoning and wisdom are sound. Proceed." Vesta agreed.
"Mr. and Mrs. Dyson Thornwood, I grant you sanctuary among the Druid people. You will have our protection as long as you maintain your promise of peace and balance in your daily living amongst us."
"You have our pledge and thanks, your grace." Dyson and Tamsin bowed.
Bo quickly jumped out of her 'royal shoes' to get on with finding a place for her friends to stay,
"Okay, you guys must be exhausted… especially preggers here, so you want to eat, crash, what?"
"Starving… eating for two here," Tamsin commented, "And I'm craving a nice cup of herbal tea and some cookies?"
Lauren smiled, "I have a great variety of teas and oatmeal raisin are Ethan's favorites so they're always in the cookie jar. Just don't eat them all or you'll have quite the battle with our son."
"Awesome! Dyson, can you call some hotels?"
Bo raised her voice, "NO WAY! I have a cottage that you can stay in. It's perfect – right on the bay. You'll love it. You can stay there until we can arrange something more permanent."
"But Chase…" Lauren contradicted…
"You and I both know that Chase is staying in Kenzi's room every night. We just have to blow their cover so Dyson and Tamsin have a place to go." Lauren chuckled nodding her head in agreement with Bo.
"Are you in real estate now?" Dyson asked.
Bo and Lauren looked at each other, then to Beli and Vesta. All four Druids laughed, "You could say your friend Bo has become a real estate mogul of sorts, yes." Vesta commented.
"What?" Dyson was confused.
"Come on Dyson, we'll explain it over dinner. Your wife needs to eat. Doctor's orders." Lauren smiled.
"WAIT! Before we go inside… Bo, we have some things we need to tell them… Ethan?"
"Oh, Gods. Dyson… I think we need your help, actually."
"Sure, anything for you guys… you know that."
"Well, Dyson… Lauren and you…"
Lauren took over the conversation,
"We're blood-kin now, Dyson. That's probably another thing you smell. Remember how I took your bone marrow at Taft's facility?"
Dyson nodded,
"Well, one of the things injected into me was your shifter DNA. I'm sure it was yours because you were Taft's big prize. You were the only shifter he had captured." Lauren waited unsure of what Dyson's reaction to the news would be.
"You know, when I was a kid I always asked my parents if I could have a kid brother or kid sister. So, if I couldn't have one when I was a kid born the natural way, I'm happy to have one now… and I'm honored that it's you Doc."
"Well, the other piece of news is that Bo and I had conceived Ethan after I was injected. Part of Ethan's DNA is shifter, so you actually have a blood nephew as well."
"Dyson's eyes grew wide. I'm an uncle! Did you hear that Tam? You're an aunt! I'm an uncle!"
Bo couldn't help but smile at Dyson's reaction. He was so light and happy… nothing like the brooding wolf she had known. Is it really possible that he had changed? Still, the anger over what he had done to Lauren still lingered in the deep recesses of her mind.
"So Dyson, the reason I'm telling you all of this before you go inside is that Ethan has started to shift."
"Wait… you said he was six. The vision quest for a shifter doesn't take place until age ten."
"Uh… vision quest?"
"Yes. It's like the dawning for all other Fae. Wait… Lauren didn't have hers yet?" He looked to Beli and Vesta.
"Yes, Mr. Thornwood. Lauren has had hers and made her first kill. Her shifter rites were completed second only to her Phoenix."
"Phoenix? You're a Phoenix?" Dyson asked, shocked.
"And a unicorn, Succubus, Nereid and Druid." Lauren stated plainly.
Tamsin jumped in, her anger apparent, "Jesus Lauren! How are you not fucking dead! Dyson we're going back to the dungeons right now to kill those fucking bastards!"
Dyson immediately grabbed his wife, "Calm down, Tamsin. The baby."
"Baby shmaby! They are NOT going to continue to live!"
Bo moved and placed a soft hand on Tamsin's shoulder,
"Tamsin. Please. I need you to listen. I know the Valkyrie in you wants to fight but you are among Druids now. They will pay in time. Lauren is alive – that is all that matters. They will be judged. I promise."
Tamsin took a deep breath, "I'm sorry, Bo. You just granted me sanctuary to live among Druids for the rest of my days and I'm going off talking about killing people. It's just going to take me a while to adjust, okay?"
Vesta spoke, "Valkyrie, trust that we will have need for your sword. For now, find peace with your husband and your coming child. Plan for the life you have ahead for I sense it truly will be your last."
"Yes, your grace. This is my last life cycle before I go to my mother in Folkvangr." Tamsin looked up at Dyson who pulled her into a hug, kissing her forehead.
"Then enjoy what the good mother has granted you before you must leave us."
"I will, sir." Tamsin nodded to Vesta before turning back to Bo, "Sorry about that, Bo. So you need Dyson's help with Ethan?"
"Apparently. Yes to the shifting and no to the vision quest. He's six years old."
"I've never heard of a shifter accessing their powers prior to the quest, Bo. It's new to me."
"Well, the problem is that he cannot control the shifts and he gets stuck when he tries to shift back. Not to mention the fact that he is tearing his clothes, his bedroom walls and the furniture to shreds! Beyond that he has now bitten several people and scratched several others telling Lauren that they smell good and he can't resist. Once he gets a taste, he goes to town."
Dyson chuckled, "I see your problem. Have either of you ever trained a dog?"
"Horses and dogs, yes." Bo commented.
"Cat." Said Lauren. Everyone spun around to look at her. "What?"
"You trained your cat?" Bo asked.
"Yes, her name was Penelope and she used the toilet instead of a litter box." Lauren stated flatly, defending her cats honor. "Besides, you should know Dyson that Ethan is a tiger cub… not a wolf."
"A cat?" Dyson laughed.
"Be careful, Dyson." Bo cautioned.
"What's wrong with him being a cat?" Lauren asked.
"Tamsin, please." Bo begged Tamsin to pull Dyson from his current line of questioning as Beli and Vesta started to take several steps away from Lauren. Tamsin caught the movement of the Druid royal couple and looked at Bo who was eyeing her mate cautiously. Tamsin went to put an arm on Dyson's, but he pulled his arm away.
"Aw… do you like kitties, sis." Dyson teased.
"Actually, I do wolf. Especially since my son… YOUR nephew is one. You have a problem with cats, wolf?" Lauren almost spit the word as her anger for this man began to rise.
"They're weak and don't fight fair. Wolves are strong and noble."
"Oh, is that what you've been taught by your pack? Did they ever introduce you to shifters outside of your pack who chose other forms or did they just stereotype them like you Fae used to do to humans like me?" This was getting ugly fast. Bo and Tamsin were now holding onto each other as Dyson and Lauren circled each other. Beli and Vesta moved to the two women and spoke,
"I'm sorry ladies, but this has to happen. Shifters have a hierarchy to themselves and these two are blood kin. Whether it be as the alpha or a pride or a pack, a winner must be determined. Their shifters are in full control right now. They are no longer the Dyson and Lauren you know, although any past animosities will certainly come into play right now as you've heard."
"Wait… you said 'pride'," Tamsin finally realized the word that had been spoken. "Bo, is Lauren a…"
A mighty roar broke through the night, echoing across both land and see. Bo had never heard that sound come from her mate before and her eyes flashed blue in warning. Vesta placed an arm across Bo's chest as she took a step forward,
"Bo, this is Lauren's fight. Valkyrie, stand down. This is between them. Control your Fae or face me." The pair looked to Vesta and instantly pulled in their rage. The looked to each other,
"Bo, he can't win against… " Tamsin looked to see Lauren shifted into her massive white tiger form. Her deep blue eyes glowed in the night, teeth bared, "A white tiger… she's incredible, Bo."
"I know. Dyson's going to get his ass kicked."
"Stupid wolf. His pride won't let him back down. He's going to get himself killed. Can you do anything, Bo? I'd rather my husband get to see his son before he gets dead."
"I can talk to her if things get out of control, Tamsin."
"Well can you start yelling to her now?"
"No, I mean… I can push into her thoughts and tell her to stand down."
"What?!"
"We have this mind link thing… I can't explain it but we can talk to each other and feel each other."
"From anywhere?"
"Well, it seems to get stronger every day. The furthest we've tried is from here to the Cottage where you're going to be staying until I have a house built for you."
"Wait, you're going to build us a house?"
"Yes, Tamsin. The home of your dreams and that's all I want to say about that right now. You should know that when Lauren was enslaved, Dyson was one of the many guards who beat her when she was put in the dungeons for… well, whatever they decided a human needed to be punished for doing."
Tamsin gasped, "He… he did what?!"
"Lauren told me they talked about it before she left… they put it behind them… but right now, if there is still anger there, it may come in to play here."
"Bo, I'm so sorry. You must want to kick his ass."
"I do, but I promised Lauren I would try to let it go."
"Well, you do that. He's going to get a piece of my mind. I treated Lauren like shit but she's a good woman. I mean to set things right with her, Bo."
"Thanks, Tamsin. Now, Let me talk to Lauren so she doesn't kill your husband."
"Don't!" Vesta stopped Bo. "This has to happen, ladies. I'm sorry. It's the way of the shifter. If we don't let this happen strictly between them, their shifters will remain at odds until it happens according to pack rules." Tamsin and Bo moved to protest, but Vesta held up his hand,
"Better here and now where we can step in before someone is killed than out in the woods somewhere when no one is watching. The winner must concede to the alpha."
Vesta eyed Bo cautiously. She knew what that meant. If Lauren didn't win this, she would not be considered strong enough to rule by her side. Bo pushed into Lauren's mind,
'Kick his ass, baby.'
'You won't be mad?'
'Heal your past, baby. I understand. I don't mind at all. Be my champion, tiger.'
'I won't kill him, Bo.'
'I know but don't you dare let him win.'
'Wouldn't think of it.'
Their silent conversation was interrupted by Tamsin's shouting voice, "Dyson if you die I swear to the Goddess Freya I will come to Valhalla and kick your stubborn ass!"
Bo and Lauren laughed into the link just as the tiger saw her opening and pounced.
The two growled, nipped, bit and rolled for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, the wolf went flying through the air and landed on his back with a loud cry. Bo looked back to see the damage done to her mate. She had two long scratch marks on her mid section but they weren't deep. She looked back to Dyson who had moved to his feet. He was in bad shape. He was struggling to use his right front leg, he had a gash across his face, one down his back and several on his sides. The shifters circled each other again, the low growls piercing the evening air. Suddenly, Dyson pushed up making his move but Lauren was already a step ahead. She was above him in the air, placing two massive front paws on his side, pressed him to the ground hard as they landed. She leaned down with a mighty roar, biting down hard as her large mouth gripped his neck.
Bo recognized the position she had Dyson in right now. It was the same position she had used to kill a wolf in the woods.
Suddenly, all anyone heard was Tamsin's scream, "Dyson! Lauren no! Please!"
Lauren looked at Tamsin, then down into Dyson's eyes. She stayed there glaring at the man who had beaten her when she was a slave. It would be so easy to kill him right now – to just let all of the anger she had felt towards him and the Fae, for all of the times he pushed she and Bo apart… it would be so easy… But who would she be? She wasn't a killer… she wasn't a monster. She paused a moment before she felt him relax and his eyes close. She released him from her grip and took several steps back, her eyes never leaving his form. She stood before him as he rose as best as he was able, lowered his head and shoulders in a submissive pose. Lauren was alpha. The battle was done. He could never hurt her again.
'I love you, sweetie.' Bo said to Lauren, relieved she didn't kill him. She knew the doctor never would have forgiven herself if Tamsin had to raise their unborn child alone.
'I love you too, Bo. Now the past is in the past.'
Suddenly out of nowhere, Dyson was pushed to the ground by an enraged tiger cub. He flipped the youngster over and put a paw to his chest. Bo screamed,
"Dyson! NO! That's Ethan!"
Lauren charged hard and clawed Dyson in the side, pushing him off Ethan. The wolf howled with pain as the alpha bit down again on his neck hard in warning, her canines very close to his carotids and her grip again positioned in the right location to snap his neck.
Dyson relaxed and Lauren released him, her strong legs remaining over him. He did not move, but watched as his alpha moved to the cub. Picking him up by the scruff of the neck, she turned and headed towards the beach house carrying her son with him.
Beli moved to Dyson who shifted back into his human form, "Please, child. Allow me to attend to your wounds. I am a Healer."
Dyson lowered his head, "I would be honored your grace."
He knelt down as Beli began to work on his wounds. Tamsin watched in awe as her husband's gashes became glowing violet patches before becoming clean, new skin before her very eyes.
"Tamsin! Dyson!" Kenzi came running out!
"Kenzi? My God Kenzi it's so good to see you! You crazy little human! I can't believe you left without telling us!" Tamsin pulled her friend into a big hug.
"Psshhaw… I knew you'd figure it out Tam-Tam." Kenzi pulled away to look down at the bulge she felt when she's hugged her friend.
"Your preggers? Shit Tamsin! I mean…" Tamsin held up her hand.
"And married!? I thought I was gonna plan the wedding!"
"Yea, well my mom had other ideas. Something about a prophecy."
"Yea, there's a lot of talk about that going around."
"So, my human friend, how is life among the Druids?"
"Well, apparently that Stella chick was right about me not being human. Apparently, my family tree isn't a bunch of gypsies… it's a bunch of Druids in hiding."
Tamsin stepped back, shocked. "Really?"
"Yup… 100% Druid Mamma right here, babe."
"Kenzi? Everything all right?" Kenzi turned to hear Chase's voice.
"Ella's in there healing the hell out of Lauren and…"
"Chase, I'd like you to meet…"
"Tamsin?"
"Chase?! Oh my Gods! Look at you!"
"Look at you! You're pregnant! I thought that whole 'family' thing didn't appeal?"
"That was many lives ago, Chase. I'm on my last one and I'm making this one count."
"Last one… Geez, Tammers. I'm sorry… I…"
"Hey, it's okay. My mom has agreed to allow me to stay as long as my mate lives."
"Mate?"
"Full-on till death do us part shit. How about that?"
"Oh my! He must be some guy to land the eternally single, all I need is my sword and a bottle Valkyrie!" They both laughed as they hugged again.
"He is my heart and soul, Chase. A good man… an honorable man and warrior… even if he is stupid enough to take on a cat three times his size." She nodded to where Dyson now lay under Beli's hands.
"I may be more Druid than Nymph, but I still remember my Fae studies, Tammers. It was the shifter alpha test, so it had to happen. I heard little Ethan took a cub-sized chunk out of your mate's neck."
"Yea… came flying out of nowhere and landed on Dyson's back just as he had surrendered to Lauren. Dyson flipped him over and put a paw on his chest, then Lauren picked him up and carried him inside."
"I hope she isn't too hard on the little guy." Chase said as he looked to Bo.
"Well, I wouldn't yell at him at all if he was my kid. He knew his mom was in trouble so he came to defend her honor against a bigger and stronger foe. That kids' got spunk. He must be yours, Succubus!" Tamsin nudged Bo.
"I better go inside. I have a feeling Lauren might yell at him for biting."
"I'll go, Bo." Chase offered as he turned and went inside to try to rescue little dude from the wrath of tiger mom.
Dyson interrupted, "Bo, she can't yell at him for defending her. Biting is an instinctual thing…"
"I know Dyson, but we can't have him run around biting people all the time. When he's shifted we can't talk to him unless he's touching us or if Lauren is partially shifted."
"Wait… you can talk to your son in his shifted form?"
"As I was telling Tamsin while you two were ripping at each other's flesh, Lauren and I have this mental link that allows us to speak to each other over distances. Like, she's likely listening to everything I'm saying right now even though she can't hear you. Ethan has developed the ability to talk to us the same way only he has to be physically touching us, thank God. Otherwise, I'd never get laid."
'Bo!' She heard Lauren push into their link.
"See? I just got yelled at for that last crack I made. So anyway, when they're both shifted, Ethan and Lauren talk like Lauren and I do when we're in our human form."
"Wow. That's incredible." Dyson winced a little as Beli rolled him onto his side.
"Last one, Mr. Thornwood, but it's the biggest and deepest." Beli continued to pull Dyson's skin together as the wolf tried to remain still for her.
"So will you help?" Bo pleaded.
"Tiger Cub Training, eh?" Dyson scratched his beard.
"Yes, tiger cub training… otherwise known as helping your nephew."
Dyson looked at Tamsin who put her hands across her chest daring him to say no, "Of course, Bo. I'll train him."
"He'll need to prepare for his Vision Quest."
"And that's going to be a problem." The succubus interjected quickly, "He's no where near ready for that. You're going to have to fix his head first, Dyson."
"Why's that? It's his nature, Bo."
"When he was young… maybe three or four… he was kidnapped by Evony's faeries and several Ogres. Lauren was able to track them down and when she found them, Ethan was covered in Faerie cuts and bruises from the Ogres. They had tortured him for information on Lauren's whereabouts. He never gave her up, Dyson. He denied he was her son the entire time. If she hadn't found him…."
Bo stopped to catch a sob, "Anyway, she went feral and literally ripped them all apart… there was very little left of them when she was done if you know what I mean."
"And I take it Ethan witnessed all of this?"
"He was duct taped to a chair and gagged, not blindfolded."
"Nightmares?"
"The worst. Lauren is having them too – from Taft's lab. Dyson… the cage you and Hale found? She was in it… it's where they kept her. Each scientist got to draw a random DNA sample to inject. They did it for fun… she said they knew it would kill her slowly. When the Fae broke into the compound, she was more terrified of them than she was of the scientists. She shifted, chewed and clawed her way out of the cage."
"Bo, that cage was made of steel… quarter inch steel ribs! It's meant to hold lions and tigers!"
"Well, apparently not one Lauren Lewis terrified of being captured by the Fae. None of us will really ever know what she endured at the hands of the Fae for the last five years, Dyson."
He hung his head. Bo hoped he would just fess up right now and be honest. But he remained silent. She continued,
"Dyson, she breaks out of that cage screaming every time she has that nightmare. A couple nights ago, she shifted in bed while trying to get out and hurt me… badly. We had a rough night trying to remind her she wasn't a monster."
"She's not a monster, Bo. That tiger I just fought was in full control. A feral tiger would have finished me quickly. Once I saw what she was, I knew I didn't have a chance. She's incredible, Bo."
"I know, but she feels like a monster because of what she did in front of our son."
"He would have done the same for her."
"That's the problem. He doesn't want to kill like that. He's afraid to kill."
"Which is why his shifting is all off. He's afraid of his tiger, so he's not consciously bonded to it. He's treating it like something separate to himself. It's like an arm, Bo. It's part of him. Lauren should know that if she has truly embraced her tiger."
"I don't know that she has, Dyson."
"I'm here, Bo. I'll do what I can. I won't quit until your mate and your son feel whole. I promise. I owe Lauren… I owe her more than you can possibly imagine." His eyes were sincere as he looked up at the Succubus.
"Your sister, Dyson… your sister and your nephew. Get used to it – I know I've had to. Gods, here I have grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. The family I always wanted but never knew I had."
"Do you think Trick knew, Bo?"
"I do, Dyson and I'm not happy about it. He was afraid I would side with the Druids and he knew I was to be the Queen of the Fae. My grandparents told him I would be Queen of the Druids. He had a book and Beli only got to see it once before he caught her with it. He hid it from her after she'd learned that I was destined to be the one queen… the true queen as the other Elders informed me this morning. Lauren and I were out here taking a walk to talk about everything that was revealed to us this morning from these prophecies."
Vesta spoke, "Dyson."
"Yes, sir?" Dyson sat up as Beli gave him the okay. He felt good as knew as Tamsin threw a pair of jeans from the horses' saddlebags at him so he could cover up with clothing instead of his hand.
"I take it you have knowledge of the prophecies from your time with the Blood King."
"Yes, Sir."
"And would you be willing to share that knowledge with us so we may be better prepared, knowing it would be the end of many Fae if you were to share that with us?"
Dyson turned to look at Tamsin who nodded to reassure him that what they were doing was the right thing to do.
"I stand with my Valkyrie wife, my Fae kin living here among the Druids, the unaligned succubus and her mate. Before I left my people, I rejected my fealty to the light…"
"So that means Trick…" Bo lowered her head.
"Yes, Bo. I'm sorry. He wants you in power as Queen of the Fae, Bo. But the Morrigan wants you dead."
"He wants me in power so he can try to manipulate me. And what about Lauren?"
"He just wants to make sure she's dead or working for the light and Evony wants her back in her lab."
"And you?" Vesta asked.
"I am now known as 'The Betrayer' along with several of my Fae brothers and sisters who await our call to come and join with Druids. The battle sides are forming, sir. It is why we came while my wife was in such a delicate condition."
"Delicate my ass, son. A Valkyrie will fight nine months pregnant, deliver the kid and keep fighting if she must." Vesta chuckled,
Beli commented, "She is right my wolf friend, I have seen it so."
"I do not take lightly the pledge I made to Ysabeau earlier, sir. I have done everything required of me to be truly free and unprotected by the Fae before coming here. I have no attachments to the Fae other than my wife and unborn child. I now have a new blood attachment here to a sister and a nephew. Your queen is about to become my sister-in-law by blood, so my loyalties lie here with the Martini's. I will give freely to you all knowledge that I have."
"No holding back, Dyson? No puzzles or cryptic bullshit?" Bo asked, knowing that she couldn't get this from him in the past when he was mated to her.
"I swear my life on it, Bo." Dyson waited staring between Bo and Vesta for some hint of their belief and trust in what he was offering.
The wind began to blow as Bo's eyes began to change, "Okay, Dyson. But I swear if you are working with Trick or lying to us, I will turn the entire Druid army on your ass so fast you won't even see your death coming. I may be half Fae, Dyson but I am to be the Druid Queen. My family and my people come first and any Fae that stands in the way of them finding the peace and balance they seek so that humans can live free will be put down. Do you understand?" Bo's eyes flared a bright blue as thunder rumbled behind her.
"Understood." Dyson said with his head down, fear in his eyes. Bo walked away leaving Kenzi, Dyson, Tamsin, Beli and Vesta standing in silence.
"Yea… Queen Ysabeau. You don't want to fuck with her and her mate. They're scary alone and even scarier when they're together."
"So, by my tally Dyson you owe ten dollars to the swear jar, Tamsin owes five dollars and Kenzi, that will be another dollar for you." Beli stated plainly as she held out her hand snapping her fingers at the group while Vesta laughed.
"Aawww, man! The kids are nowhere around! Can't you just let it slide just this once?" Beli shook her head as Kenzi pulled a dollar out of her pocket and put it in her hand.
"What is this swear jar?" Dyson asked as he pulled out his and handed Beli money from him and Tamsin.
"It's doc's idea. She doesn't want the kids growing up with our potty mouths, so we have to pay a dollar every time we say a bad word. The kids will call you on it if the adults don't, so watch your words, kids. That dang jar keeps me from having any money in my pocket at all." Kenzi whined.
"No actually, your lack of a job keeps you from having money in your pocket, my young Padawan." Vesta laughed as he took his wife's hand and walked towards the beach house.
"Young Padawan? What is this, Star Wars?"
"They're my Druid mentors. Apparently the Martini's are huge Sci-Fi fans so there's always some references to a bunch of shows and movies."
"I see. I dig Star Wars." Tamsin said matter-of-factly.
"Okay but you being all married and preggers isn't going to keep you from doing Zombie movie nights with me, is it?"
"Oh, definitely not cheeka! I just can't do the vodka right now… gotta be responsible mother and all… and speaking of responsible mother, I need to feed the kid! I'm starving!"
"I'm sure Chase has steaks on the grill by now, kids. Let's head in!"
The three friends made their way inside to have something to eat.
… … … … … … … …
The first week Dyson and Tamsin had been here was all about introductions and getting them started on lessons in Druid philosophy. If they were going to live here on Bo's land, they were going to understand what was expected of them. That much Bo had insisted upon. The Succubus knew they couldn't change their warrior nature, but they would damn sure respect the culture of the people who had taken them in when they were alone and unprotected.
In addition to their lessons, the couple had meetings with the Druid elders ever day. The couple along with the most experienced of the Druid elders primarily worked to thread all of the Fae and Druid prophecies together using books Tamsin and Dyson had 'acquired'.
"So what is the status of the Fae currently?" Arranz asked of Dyson during one meeting early in the week.
Dyson reported, "All of those who have rejected their fealty have become known as 'The Betrayers' like me. We are considered a threat to the blood laws written for all Fae. So rebels like us are being hunted and brought in to their appropriate leader dead or alive. It seems Evony and Trick intend to remain in power as leaders of the light and dark regardless of what their people want. Ysabeau is the rightful Queen of the Fae and some people – especially the younger Fae – are insisting she be given her place as the rightful ruler over the elders and leaders of the Light and Dark. According to our laws, with the coming of the rightful Queen, the elders, Morrigan and Ash are to become simply advisors."
"In other words, they are to lose all power." Arranz stated plainly.
"Precisely." Tamsin smirked, "And Trick and Evony don't like that tune one bit. Trick wants Bo in power so he can try to control her and Evony wants Bo dead."
"And Lauren?" Arranz asked.
"They want her imprisoned. Her knowledge of science is valuable and they want to make use of that. But if they can't have her, they will kill her." Tamsin stated flatly.
There was a great deal of commotion after Tamsin's declaration about Lauren. Tamsin and Dyson sat staring between each other and the elders not knowing what was coming next.
"And are they aware of Lauren's location?" Alam asked.
Dyson answered, "The last we knew of someone having a lead on Lauren's location was a little over a year ago. There was talk of a boy who she had been treating for a disease at a Boston hospital. Since talking to Bo, we believe that boy was Ethan and we also believe that lead led to the incident in which Lauren shifted and killed the faeries and the ogres sent by The Morrigan."
The commotion began again as several conversations happened at once. Adoni asked the next question, "Do they know of her condition?"
Tamsin answered, "They know she was injected and experimented upon. No one but those who reside here are aware of her specific powers. Trick believes her dead based on the information provided by Tafts' scientists. They did not see a way she could have survived what was done to her. It was clearly their intent to kill her with the combination of Fae DNA she was given. Trick gave his consent for Bo to seek out her truth. She vowed if she did not find her, she would not return, as she would not be able to exist without being a danger to others. Since she has not returned, they must think Lauren dead." Tamsin lowered her head. Clearly these people were huge Lauren fans. She didn't need to be so blunt. She continued,
"Evony has not had access to Taft's scientists and Trick is keeping that information from her. Those scientists are power for Trick. For that reason, we do not think he will give Evony information about what was done to Lauren. As for the scientists, he can enslave them and use them as Lauren was used in exchange for sparing their lives. They are not as skilled as Lauren, but they would be worthy assistants for her."
"And why would we want them as assistants for her?" Beli asked.
"You wouldn't. They are the scum of the earth, but Trick would see them as smart enough to succeed her thereby making Lauren expendable in his eyes. Remember, the Blood King thinks all humans are replaceable. While I believe he really did care for Lauren and respected her knowledge and contribution to many battles, she deserted the Light Fae to work for the Dark before leaving the Fae altogether. In his mind, she is now a Betrayer. He also blames Lauren for the loss of his granddaughter, so it is personal as well. Sir, Lauren is a target. Period." Tamsin stated with 100% certainty.
Beli nodded and said, "Understood."
"So now that the two of you are gone, who leads in your stead? And what of the dark? You are light Fae. What control can you possibly have over them?" Arranz asked.
Tamsin spoke, "If I may, sir. As you know, a Valkyrie who resides in this realm must declare fealty to a Fae side. If she does not, she must return to Valhalla, Folkvangr or seek asylum in a Druid Sanctum. I was actually Dark Fae before denying my fealty. I switched my allegiance from the Light Fae after the Great Fae war not choosing to remain under the rule of the Blood King. I am the one who has led the Dark Fae rebellion – my husband is Light. In our stead, we have left Hale Santiago of Clan Finarvin as leader of the Light and Vex the Dark Mesmer as the leader of the Dark. They are the ones who have brought these books into your possession. We are merely the delivers of the literature."
"And if they are captured?" Arranz continued with his concerns.
Tamsin began, "First, each of them would be difficult to capture. One is a siren who can take down an army of Fae before they come near him and the other is a Mesmer who is feared even by the Fae elders."
The Valkyrie stood and stuck her hands down her pants which led to a lot of muttering voices. Finally, she pulled a small bag of six pills from her pants and tossed them on the table before continuing,
"Second, all of the Betrayers carry a drug actually created by Lauren that prevents any form of mind probing or mind control."
She pointed to the pills she just threw on the table.
"Dyson has them too. A Light Fae security guard who is working undercover for us took the formula and gave it to the lab tech who worked under Lauren. She created the drug in sufficient quantities while we were small in number but eventually our numbers grew to great for her to safely make the drug in the Light Fae lab. So, she began smuggling out necessary equipment to do the manufacturing underground. We now have a fully equipped fortress where the drug is manufactured. Each of us carries with us six pills to be taken prior to interrogation. It lasts for seventy-two hours. Hale and Vex carry the pills as well though they are currently safe and loyal in their fealty to the rebellion. Hale is the keeper of the Light Fae weigh station working deep undercover. Trick believes he is his new right hand after a staged argument in the presence of a very large crowd at the Dahl for which the Blood King was present. He denied his friendship with Dyson and told him he no longer knew who he was or what he stood for. It also helped that Hale had been dating Kenzi and they broke up further strengthening Trick's belief that Hale was all about the Fae."
Callum asked, "And this Vex fellow? Mesmer's can be dangerous Fae."
Dyson answered, "Vex is the Morrigan's right hand but she has treated him more than unfairly on many occasions. He has had a rebirth of sorts after interactions with Kenzi, Bo, Lauren, Hale and Tamsin. He has sought a family all of his life and has found that with us. He has sworn his fealty to us but remains with the Morrigan to obtain high level Dark Fae information."
"Do we have any other connections with the Dark?" Vesta asked.
Tamsin began, "Yes. Being unaligned, Bo had friends on both sides. One guy she worked with was a guy named Mayer. We went to see him when we heard he was supportive of Bo's throne. He offered us help from his niece Cassie who is an Oracle."
Dyson continued, "She has worked with both Bo and Lauren on separate occasions, so has come forth in support of the rebellion. She is now dating Hale - quite secretly since she is Dark and he is Light. Cassie supports the elimination of the sides first because she supports Bo and second because she is young and believes that the old laws are – no offense to any of you – 'for old men who seek rules that would give them power'... her words, not mine."
Vesta smiled as he found Cassie's beliefs interesting, "And you, wolf… what do you think of this young Fae's point of view."
Dyson smiled and chuckled before he answered,
"Well, if I'm being honest, sir. I think she has a very good point. I have met with Cassie only once – Hale has handled most of our interactions with her - so Bo and Lauren may be a better source of information on her. What we have found so far is that she is a skilled Oracle and a young girl who owns her own mind. She can foresee the future both near and far in tasks both small and large. She has identified spies in the Dahl on evenings when we would prefer not to have them around. She is working as a waitress at the Dahl so her presence there is not suspicious." Dyson took a sip of water, then continued,
"Mayer's restaurant has been taken over by his nephews so that he can remain hidden and his experience used as an elder of sorts in the building of our army. He knows the Morrigan and her tactics best so is the best chance to defeat the dark side. As for Cassie, I found my meeting with her refreshing because she is an odd mix of both Bo and Kenzi. She's got Kenzi's persona and Bo's steadfast beliefs. I trust her, sir."
"So we have this Hale, Vex, Mayer, Cassie, a nameless security guard and lab tech in addition to the two of you? How do you plan to grow your numbers?" Beli asked.
Tamsin jumped in, "Ma'am, if I may… The Betrayers number in the thousands and reside with the underfae below ground. The leaders of the light and dark made the mistake of saying betrayers could be shot on sight. They are then burned in the mass grave started by Taft years ago. His facility was taken over and is now a prison and research lab. Betrayers who are captured become subjects of lab experiments since they are deemed no better than humans."
Beli asked, "Your army lives with the underfae?"
Tamsin continued, "Yes, sir. They wish to have peace and balance as well. For too long they have been treated as lesser beings in this world because they could not 'pass' as human. They wish to have an island – above ground – protected by the runes known to the Valkyrie and Druids. I am also fighting for them. We – including Bo, Kenzi and Lauren – have a friend named Bruce who is an Ogre. While he is lucky enough to pass for human after some surgeries, he is rather hard to ignore when in plain sight due to his size. He had a brother Steve who was killed before his very eyes by the Morrigan for making a comment that she felt was unintelligent. He speaks for the underfae and has become their reluctant leader."
"Reluctant leader?" asked Callum.
"Yes Sir. He does not wish to hold power or lord over anyone. He believes all should be free to live as they choose as long as they can be peaceful as they go about their day."
"And if they cannot?"
"Facilities like the ones Taft owned could be converted to be used to house those beings above ground. He believes that many could be trained if they were removed from their 'survival of the fittest' habitat underground."
Vesta asked, "An Ogre who wishes for peace? This truly is a new idea to me."
"If I may, Ogres are stereotyped throughout history in Fae history books and children's books. If you met Bruce you would better understand. He is a gently soul who does not wish harm to anyone." Tamsin chuckled as she thought of her friend, "His favorite hobby is knitting while listening to classical music."
The elders sat shocked at the information revealed, "And how many underfae reside in these tunnels?"
"Bruce believes their numbers – globally – to be about 750,000 in total. He suggested a hidden rainforest as their home. He knows of the runes that could be used to do this for them. There just hasn't been a leader willing. A rainforest would have all they need no matter what the species of underfae and if it were hidden, there would be no concern of them being discovered."
"Hmmm… we will think on this matter for it is one we had not considered." Vesta agreed.
Dyson added, "With respect, they are written in the Fae prophecies. The "great army of abnormals" we believe is referring to the underfae."
Arranz replied, "Yes, child. I believe you may be correct. We will think on this and reconvene tomorrow. If there are no traitors to your cause planted in your organization, your rebels may prove to be quite useful in the years to come."
"Yes, sir… if they survive the Fae portion of the war." Tamsin hung her head as Dyson reached out to place his hand on hers.
Arranz tried to give the Valkyrie hope,
"Tamsin, keep your heart and mind child. What you have done is clearly hard on you… both of you. In your hearts I'm sure you feel you have betrayed your people – even those that side with you as rebels as you've come here to live in peace while they struggle beneath the soil. I cannot imagine how hard this must be on your hearts for they must be heavy indeed. I would ask that you remember what is at stake. Your choices may very well save the world as we know it. Would you rather be known as The Betrayers who saved the world or the Fae who enslaved Druid, Humans and Underfae alike… because mark my words my young children, if we should fall the earth will die. The Fae do not understand the symbiotic relationship that exists between Druids and the earth. It is why we must remain free. The Fae cannot rule a planet that does not exist. Understood?"
"Yes, sir." Dyson spoke as Tamsin nodded. She placed her hand on her small baby bump as Dyson looked upon her. Beli noticed the pair looking at their unborn child.
She spoke, "He will know peace, Tamsin. Trust in the path you have chosen to walk." Tamsin looked up at Beli and smiled.
"Thank you, your grace." Tamsin smiled at the Druid elder. "And, your grace?"
"Yes, Tamsin?" Beli paused from her reading to look back up at Tamsin.
"Bo doesn't know how her people are living. She doesn't know that people are rising up to side with her. I fear that if she were to learn of how they were living, she would want to go there today and rip the Fae world apart. They would shoot her on sight, Ma'am. I spoke with Kenzi – she hasn't told Bo either. We all betray her trust by not telling her because secrets being kept are the greatest sin in her book. Her life has been one big secret and it hurts her… deeply. Someone needs to tell her… soon."
Beli looked to Madge and John then back to the couple as they stood to leave, "Understood. We will speak with Bo soon. If you wish to be present, that can be arranged."
When the pair had left, Beli looked to Madge and John, "We promised her no secrets."
"Then we will hold none. We will need Lauren's help for this conversation." Madge stated.
John added, "I believe that Kenzi, Jake, Josh and Chase should all be present in addition to the Valkyrie and Wolf. It would be better coming from them. They have just arrived and could not have informed Bo of what was happening. Her anger would be misplaced if she directed it towards them."
Madge replied, "But Kenzi will be a target. She knew and did not tell her best friend."
Arranz spoke, "I believe we should tell Lauren first."
"We would have Lauren hold that secret from her betrothed? I think not Arranz." Beli corrected adamantly. "Though I believe we should let the young Druid know of our plan to tell Bo her truth."
"Agreed." Stated both Madge and John.
The Elders all replied, "Aye."
"We will proceed then. Tonight the succubus will learn of her people's plight." Vesta ended the meeting as they all stood, "Keep in your minds thoughts of the underfae, my friends. I have heard young Kenzi mention this Bruce. He has been loyal and has saved her life as well as Bo and Lauren's on several occasions. I believe this issue warrants our attention for possible support."
Adoni asked, "In the end the decision will lie with the Queen, will it not?"
"Yes, but she will seek our counsel and I wish to have an answer when she asks." Vesta turned and took his wife's hand. The elders left leaving Madge and John sitting at the table.
"Bo's gonna be pissed Kenzi didn't tell her." Madge said.
"Indeed." Said John.