The Dal
"Where is she? Where is Lauren? I swear I am going to kick her a... What's going on? Tamsin choked out. She didn't see anyone after she had stormed in and immediately heard a manic laugh. She put her hands over her neck as if to try and stop it. Her eyes were starting to bug out but she was going to hold out as long as she could. She knew what was happening. Someone was pulling her Chi.
"No No. Isabeau. That's not how I should you to do it. Now try again." Aife laughed from the shadows of the dark Dal. Not a single light was turned on. No candle was lit. Everything went dark when Tamsin's heavy footsteps were heard.
"What do you want bitch? Tamsin bristled looking out into nothing. She fell to her knees once the Succubus stopped. All she heard was heels tapping across the floor in her direction.
"Surprise! The Succubus said grabbing Tamsin's neck from behind.
"No. No Isabeau. You had your fun allow me to have mine." Aife laughed pulling the Succubus away.
"What the fuck is going on now? I was only looking for Lauren..." Tamsin said.
"No. It sounded to me like you just threatened Lauren." The Succubus snapped angrily.
"I just need to talk to her." Tamsin mustered as the Succubus' cold hand was still around her neck.
"I know you bitch. Your daddy's little helper so nothing you want with Lauren can be good." The Succubus said coldly tightening her grip.
"She was my daddy's helper too. Such a shame I got to Rainer before you did huh sweetie? Failed the Blood King huh? Aife laughed again.
"Shut up! Tamsin snapped at Aife. Bo's Succubus was not the pain in the ass that Aife's had always been over the years.
"Before I let mom have you what do you want with Lauren? And it better be worth it because she will drain you so hard your eyes won't be the only part of you that turns mascara black", The Succubus said.
"I helped her find the entrance to Tartarus and she shoved me into the Valhalla door." Tamsin said tiredly.
"So? Aife laughed.
"So Freyja was pissed off and nearly exiled me agin. If you two would stop killing people maybe I could rest." Tamsin sighed.
"Now where is the fun in that and besides we could put you out of your misery." Aife laughed turning the lights on. She never liked the woman. She used to kiss Trick's ass more than Dyson did. But she knew it to be them wanting Trick for a daddy. Why they wanted such a disloyal asshole was beyond her reasoning.
Tamsin eyed the women. Looking back and forth between them was like looking from one devil to the other. She knew Bo had good traits but she never trusted her Succubus. She wondered where Trick was. This was still his bar after all. She jumped when she heard heavy footsteps behind them and she longed for it to be Kenzi. Kenzi could get to Bo.
"Hello boys pour you a drink? Aife laughed.
"You! You're the one that took down Blackthorn! Grab her! Sheldon demanded.
"Go big! The Succubus said.
"Or go home! Aife said pumping fists with the Succubus.
"Not in the Dal! Trick screamed running up from his lair after he heard all of the commotion.
"What you come up for this but not for me? Tamsin asked staring Trick down.
"Tamsin not now." Trick said watching the Succubus' storm the men that had come for Aife.
"You won't touch us Succubus." Sheldon laughed folding his arms.
"Oh honey I won't have to touch you to drop you." Aife laughed
"Not you. The baby Succubus." Sheldon laughed as he pointed towards her.
"I'm not a baby and she's right I won't need to touch you to drop you! The Succubus seethed stepping towards him.
Once his men stomped towards them the only sounds to be heard was glass shattering, tables breaking and loud kicks and punches.
Once they were out, Aife stood over them laughing while pulling their Chi like a waterfall.
"Boys! Sheldon screamed.
The Dal was filled again with more men. And just like the previous group Aife and the Succubus disposed of them again.
"Got anymore? The Succubus licked her lips laughing as she dropped the body in her hands to the floor.
"That was fun! Aife laughed strutting around the bodies.
"You two bitches will pay for that! Sheldon snapped.
"Buddy you're about to pay if you don't get the hell outta my bar." The Succubus said.
"But the Blood King." Sheldon said.
"Won't be able to stop us." Aife said walking towards him and smiled when he turned to run out.
"What is it what those idiots? Trying to take us down? The Succubus laughed.
"It happens sweetie. Men thinking they run things when they don't realize that we do." Aife said wiping blood from her hands.
Lauren and Stephen
"Karen..I'm sorry Lauren." Stephen laughed watching Lauren walk into his room.
"Shush you and that's actually what I wanted to talk to you about." Lauren said.
"What's up? Stephen asked stretching out his legs. The beds were no longer comfortable and he wasn't the one sick.
"A friend of mine has expunged our criminal records so we are in the clear. At least the heat won't be after us anymore." Lauren said.
"What? How did this friend do that? Stephen asked. Over the years he wanted to change his name as Lauren had but decided against it. He wanted her to be able to reach him if she never needed to.
"The less you know the better but the good news is nobody will be looking to arrest us anymore." Lauren smiled.
"Are you sure your friend was telling you the truth? Stephen asked.
"I know she was. I was there when she did it." Lauren said.
Stephen paced back and forth. He was still wary about all of this. "So what now? He asked finally stopping.
"You go out there and live your life! Lauren said poking him in his chest.
"Lauren I don't like the sound of that. It sounds like you are running me off." Stephen said stepping closer to her.
"Stephen you have to get out of here. Take mom and dad and go." Lauren said never taking her eyes off of him.
"I don't like it Lauren." Stephen said.
"Stephen I have thought long and hard about this. You guys have to go. Take them home and see how the house is and I will work on getting some money together for repairs if it's needed." Lauren replied.
"We won't see you again will we? Stephen asked. He loved his sister enough to be able to know when she was pushing him away for his own good.
"It's not safe here. Especially for mom and dad. I would feel a lot better if they are back in their comfort zone. I will come and visit when I can but I can't guarantee it." Lauren said with her emotions of the moment starting to get to her.
"I know it's different here. I just didn't think you'd be shoving us off so soon." Stephen said softly.
"You know mom and dad they will ask tons of questions and I am not sure they will understand my life here. I'm always busy with something so I wouldn't hardly have time to stop and visit." Lauren said.
Stephen laughed out loud. Lauren was right. Their parents just had to know everything about them. Every little detail and he took it to mean that Lauren was doing her Doctor thing. Something they hadn't always approved of but he understood. She had always been geeky about everything.
"So how do you want to tell them? Stephen asked turning serious again.
"I haven't planned it all out yet. But I guess we can just tell them that you are taking them home. Mom will surely want to get her vegetable garden going again and dad will be back to building things in the garage." Lauren said. She took a moment to herself and closed her eyes. She was trying to tap into her foresight abilities to make sure that nothing bad was going to happen to them once they left and she saw nothing.
The Dal.
"Damn what did I miss and please tell me you didn't bust up the good shit." Kenzi laughed. The Dal was such a mess Trick would need a push broom to clean it up.
"We had a little company." Aife laughed drinking a beer.
"Well I can see that but it looks like a bunch of bottles busted and I loves me some Vodka Mama Succubus." Kenzi said still looking around.
"Mom kicked Blackthorn's ass and his friends didn't like it." The Succubus said pouring Kenzi a shot.
"Where's Trick? Kenzi asked. He wouldn't leave his bar with these two lurking around.
"Tending to or talking to Tamsin I suspect." The Succubus said looking towards the stairs to his lair.
"What happened to her? Kenzi asked.
"I had to warn her about threatening Lauren." The Succubus said.
"Warn how exactly? Kenzi asked looking around the room.
"She doesn't have any fatal wounds if that's what you're asking." The Succubus responded.
Kenzi stared at the Succubus. She hadn't actually talked to Bo in days and was starting to wonder if she would ever surface again. Not that she didn't like the Succubus but her choices lately were becoming alarming. She couldn't imagine how Tamsin had threatened Lauren but knew the time for bullshit was long over.
"Have you talked to Lauren lately? Kenzi asked softly.
"Lauren is busy with her family. That's the most important thing for her to be concerned with right now." The Succubus said taking a drink of water.
"But...
"There are no buts Kenzi. Lauren and I will be fine. That's why I told the Fae that Lauren is off limits. If anyone and I mean anyone starts shit with her or talks bad about her in any way, they will be dealt with." The Succubus said making sure anyone was emphasized. She knew how Kenzi felt about Lauren long ago. She knew she was trying and part of her believed that's what ran Lauren off to Tafts. None of them had been supportive or there for Lauren. She was a sitting duck for the Fae, namely Evony. That was over. She wouldn't allow her to feel like that ever again.
The Beatties
"Hey dad. Mom how are you feeling? Lauren asked pulling her chart out and reading it over.
"Karen where have you been? We thought you weren't ever coming back! Mr. Beattie said.
"I've been busy with other patients and catching up on other things." Lauren sighed softly. This was already getting hard.
"Well when can we leave? It's drafty in here and your mother is liable to catch the flu or something." Mr. Beattie said pointing to his wife.
"That's what I came to tell you. I found nothing in mom's blood work that indicates she needs to stay any further. Her vitals look well too." Lauren said setting the chart back in it's folder.
"Karen you don't sound right. Is there something else wrong or something you're not telling us? Mrs. Beattie asked.
"I'm fine mom". Lauren said clearing her throat.
"But you look tired. See this is why I was against you becoming a Doctor. Too many long hours." Mr. Beattie groaned.
"Dad. Please do not start that right now." Lauren said closing her eyes for the moment to control her annoyance. This was never something she wanted to talk about again. They had spent months talking about it when she was in high school because Mr. Beattie didn't ever want Lauren to go to college. He always knew she was brilliant but didn't want her so far from home and working long hours. He even went so far as to introduce her to Andrew. Just to get him off of her back and since Lauren was prepping to graduate early, she agreed to go to her high school prom with him. When Lauren stopped seeing Andrew, Mr. Beattie was livid. When she came home with someone else he was furious.
That's how it was in their house and family. Everyone wanted to tell her how to live her life, except for Stephen. Looking back on it now, she wished she would have moved out a lot sooner. Then maybe they wouldn't have gone after those pipelines. Then she and Stephen wouldn't have spent the majority of their lives on the run. It wasn't exactly true that they were free. Lauren spent many days and nights awake from the horrors of what they had done and with Stephen back in her life and free, maybe she would find time to go home if nothing else just to see him and talk about it, if he ever wanted to.
But Lauren was ready. She was ready to take them home. She still wasn't picking up anything to show that they would be in danger. Kenzi had all but wiped their records squeaky clean. There wouldn't be anything hanging over them. Which is why she wanted them to go. So the Fae couldn't hang them over her. She had a plan. She told her mother she was going to get her paperwork completed and she would be back.
That was actually a lie. What paperwork would she complete? This was her facility and basically a Fae facility. Any other clinic or hospital she would go to wouldn't know how to get ahold of her. But she would keep her records on file just in case her brother ever called and said they were needed.
Lauren walked down the long hall and into her office. She closed the door and called Isabeau.
"Hey are you up for a road trip? Lauren asked tiredly.
"Sure where are we going? The Succubus asked.
"I'm going to take my parents home and taking you would give me an excuse to leave early." Lauren said.
"When do we leave? The Succubus asked.
"Early tomorrow. I am about to bid them good night and then going home to get some rest". Lauren said.
"Sounds good to me. I'll see you there? The Succubus asked.
"Yes I will see you there". Lauren said hanging up her phone.
"Ok." The Succubus smiled warmly.
The Succubus hung up and Aife and Kenzi eyed her.
"Isabeau? Aife asked worriedly.
"It's Lauren. She's taking her family home tomorrow and wants me to go with her." The Succubus said.
"But? Kenzi asked. How was this a bad thing?
"She's so angry at me. Well at Bo mainly." The Succubus sighed.
"Dude if she asked you to go with her, she can't be that mad." Kenzi laughed. This was cute. The Succubus was just as insecure as Bo was.
"But it will just be us. She will likely ramble on about everything we drive past or see. The sky. The Sun. The trees. The stars." The Succubus rambled.
"Isabeau." Aife laughed.
"Mom? The Succubus said raising an eyebrow.
"Maybe I should ask Dr. Lewis to run a blood test on you. You can't be my daughter." Aife laughed again.
"What? What do you mean mom? The Succubus asked.
"You can't be a Succubus and not know how to turn this situation around." Aife laughed shaking her head. She had missed so much time with her baby. Had she been there, she would be a lot more comfortable in her own skin. Her own heart.
"Hey I know she doesn't have a problem with me but I share everything with Bo. Her eyes. Her hands. Her arms. Her breasts. Her vag...", The Succubus started.
"Dude we get it." Kenzi laughed.
"Isabeau you have a golden opportunity here. To have her all to yourself. Show her who you really are. Isabeau McCorrigan. Most importantly. You're my daughter. You have inherited my blood and the gift of gab. Make her see who you really are. But you damn well better succeed because if you don't mama will." Aife winked. She really didn't want Lauren that way but knew this would be a challenge for her baby Succubus.
"Mom I get it." The Succubus laughed. She knew this was going to be hard. She just wished Bo didn't have to tag along.
Bo: Hey!
The Succubus: Yeah you really need to keep quiet on this trip.
Kenzi laughed looking at the Succubus. She could tell she was having a conversation with herself again.
"Now get out of here and get some rest. You know how Hotpants is. That woman never really rests." Kenzi laughed.
The Succubus got to her feet taking another drink and started on her way home. Well Lauren's that is. She had already decided in her head that she would sleep on the couch. She had a long way to go to regain Lauren's trust even if it wasn't her who actually broke it. She pulled out of the parking lot and sped away. She thought of so much along the way. She would feed before they left to get her parents and at gas stations when they pulled over to rest or stop depending upon how far they needed to drive. For that reason she was going to rent a better car because hers wasn't very reliable and she would use this time to get to know this new Lauren. Not that there was anything wrong with the old Lauren. But this was who she needed to be bigger for and she would.
TBC.
