CHAPTER 38
"Hello Trick."
"Where are you? The Ash sent some of his security detail here looking for you." Trick asked, as he looked at the door leading back to the bar. The men who had shown up had left ten minutes ago.
He told them the truth, he had no idea where Dyson was and had not heard from him in days.
"It's better if you don't know. I should have told you earlier, but it couldn't be helped." Dyson replied, as he adjusted his back pack on his shoulders. "You're not having second thoughts about this are you? It's a little too late for that now."
He began walking through the countryside. It had taken him a few hours to get everything packed and ready to go.
He smiled as he breathed in the crisp clean air. When he arrived in Greece, he had to get a plane to arrive on the island of Thelasonki.
It was a breathtaking spot. He had never made it this far in his travels and wondered if he'd ever have a chance to come back again.
"Dyson..."
He had stopped along the side of the road, making sure to park his rental car out of sight. He had looked at the satellite photographs of the place Bo and Kenzi were hold up. If it hadn't been for the gravel driveway he would have driven closer.
"Trick – I wanted to thank you for all you've done for me all these years..." he told him, as he closed his eyes. Trick had become a father figure to him and thinking he probably would not see him again left him melancholy.
Trick began pacing in his office. This was not what he wanted to happen.
Not exactly and he had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. "Where are you?" he asked.
"Oh, I'm on my way to have a chat with Bo."
"Dyson, she's in Ontario, you won't be able to find her. We spoke yesterday."
Dyson laughed. "Oh Trick." he shook his head. "Bo isn't in Ontario."
"Of course she is." he replied.
"No Trick, she lied to you." Dyson pulled out a pair of binoculars he had brought with him. He looked through it and could see the villa. He scanned the front of the building slowly. He frowned when he did not see any movement. Perhaps they've gone. He was about to put the binoculars away when he saw the curtain part. 'Hello Kenzi.' he thought when he saw her at the window.
"Dyson, what kind of game are you playing?" Trick said, interrupting Dyson.
"The one you started." he said as he turned away from the villa. "I couldn't finish Lauren off..." he said, offhandedly.
"I told you, I don't want to know!" Trick yelled, slamming his hand on the desk.
"It's too late for that now, don't you think? Did you know that Bo has been playing you this whole time, just like you did her?"
Trick frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"Your majesty, she knew. They all knew. This is why Bo and Kenzi are in Greece and not Ontario. I'm not sure how or when they found out, but they know. Do you think she'll ever trust you again?"
Trick paled as Dyson's words resonated. "You – you're wrong." he shook his head. No, it can't be true. Trick braced himself against his desk as his legs threatened to give way. "No." he whispered.
"Oh yes."
No.
Trick could not lose Bo, not like this. He had to fix this somehow.
"Dyson, whatever you're going to do, I beg you to stop!"
"Wake up!" he shouted. "There is no coming back from this, not after what I did, after what we did."
"There's always a way out!" Trick countered.
Dyson laughed. "Not for this and I wouldn't think about writing in your book Blood King. Things never turn out the way you hope, do they?"
As much as Trick wanted to deny Dyson's words, he could not. His blood called out to him – to use it and fix the mess he found himself in.
He was helpless.
He was hopeless.
"I'll... I'll call her as soon as we hang up, you know that don't you?"
Dyson sighed. "I know you will, but I'm pretty sure it won't do you any good. They probably already know I'm on my way over."
Trick was grasping for straws. "I... I can explain..."
"What? What can you explain? How you wanted the baby gone? The one you said you'd help Bo with? I'm sure she'll understand that it was a mistake and you had her best interests at heart. I'm sure she'll understand you never meant to hurt her. Oh yeah, I can just see her welcoming you with open arms." Dyson shook his head slowly. "It's not going to happen."
"You don't know that..."
"You are delusional! I know what I've done, I understand the consequences of my actions and I'm ready to face whatever happens. I know why I'm doing this – I'm not sure you do." Dyson turned back to the villa and what stood behind its doors.
His destiny.
He was determined to meet it head on.
He reached inside his shirt and pulled out the necklace he wore.
The Koushang felt heavy in the palm of his hand. Although he may be ready to face his destiny, he wasn't going in empty handed. He had not survived this long without thinking things through.
"If this is the last time we speak, I want to tell you I don't regret a thing I've done your majesty."
Dyson hung up. He looked at the phone for a long time before dropping it and crushing beneath the heel of his boot rendering it useless. He had no need for it any longer.
"Dyson! Dyson!" Trick yelled.
He stared at the receiver before hanging it up. He sat down heavily on his chair.
Everything Dyson had said was true.
Bo would never forgive him.
He had put Dyson on a path of no return, for either of them.
"What have I done?" he asked himself. He looked at the phone, taking a deep breath he picked it up once more. He dialed Bo's number.
It went straight to voicemail.
He hung up after leaving a message. He doubted Bo would return the call, not after what Dyson told him.
He tried to explain his actions, but they rang hollow in his own ears. Dyson had said that both Bo and Kenzi were in Greece – trust Salus to keep them as far away from Costa Rica as he could. It would have been the first place he would have looked or thought of.
Trick pulled open one of the desk drawers and took out a bottle of two hundred year old scotch. He poured himself three fingers worth. "I'm sorry Bo." he whispered as sipped on his drink. "So very sorry."
His tears fell down his cheeks as a sob broke from his body.
He had failed his wife.
He had failed his daughter, now he had failed Bo.
He did not deserve the title of Blood King.
He could not put things right.
He deserved whatever pain and agony came his way.
When would he ever learn?
He had lied to Bo from the start and had continued to do so. Now his lies had caught up to him and culminated in this: His biggest betrayal.
His words would fall on deaf ears.
He sat up straight as he went over the telephone conversation.
From what Dyson had told him, Lauren was still alive – perhaps if he spoke with her?
She was the level-headed one in the relationship. Bo was more emotional, more passionate. He could trust Lauren to listen dispassionately.
She would understand his fears for Bo.
Of course she would listen to reason and explain it in a way Bo would understand.
"What am I thinking? She'll never listen to me."
Neither he nor Dyson wanted the child to be born.
Lauren would not understand. She would not be the voice of reason.
Trick recalled how Lauren pleaded with Bo to think about the consequences if she went through with the pregnancy.
How could he not be moved by her selflessness? She had been willing to sacrifice her flesh and blood to keep Bo safe.
How blind could he have been?
How set in his ways had he become?
Bo, his amazing – heroic granddaughter stood up to Fae laws, held them to the light and snubbed them. She wanted the child as much if not more than Lauren.
They would have the child and Lauren had looked relieved.
In that moment, his life changed again.
There had been many moments in Tricks life he could recall with startling clarity. How they changed his life in one way or another.
When he first became the Blood King, something he never wanted, but strived to do as good a job as was possible.
His wedding, he had never been happier in his life.
The birth of Aife. How he swore he would give his life to protect hers, how much love he felt for his baby girl was immeasurable.
The betrayal of his best friend, leading to the death of his wife and the fragile truce between the Light and Dark Fae.
His abandonment of his daughter, something he still paid the price for even now.
Each of these moments led to this.
Instead of looking forward to the birth of the child, one Bo was determined to raise as her own, with Lauren by her side.
He stared at the abyss, only seeing the negative.
The endless running they would have to do if the Council of Elders ever found out about the child's existence.
Bo and Lauren would never know a moment of peace. They would never be able to live in one location for any period of time without the fear of being recognized.
This was not the life he wanted Bo to live.
Trick wanted nothing but the best for his granddaughter.
He had made the mistake before, when he kept his identity from her. He regretted that decision and he promised himself he would do better by her.
Then the pregnancy knocked him for a loop.
He stood at the precipice.
He could have chosen differently, he could have been there for Bo as he said he would but he took the final step and began to slide down the slippery slope of deceit, believing he could get away with it.
Just as he thought he could bring everlasting peace between the Light and Dark Fae.
He thought of himself – how the child was no relation to him, therefore he should not have to care for it.
He should have known better.
He should have.
Trick saw the familial bond between Bo and Kenzi, it was there. There was nothing they would not do for each other.
Why could he not see that happening for the child?
He did not want to.
He had lost so much he did not want to lose Bo as well...
And without so much as lifting a pen and writing in his book, he had.
He had lost Bo.
Dyson shrugged off his backpack, letting it drop to the ground with a puff of dust billowing up. He reached into one of the side pockets and pulled out satellite photos he had brought with him once again.
He squinted against the brightness of the day. The breeze coming from the ocean was very refreshing. He took out an apple and bit into it while reviewing his options.
If he were to attempt to approach the villa head on, he would not be able to surprise them: although the Fir trees provided cover, it wasn't enough to keep him completely hidden from their view.
They would be able to see him coming.
He frowned.
After looking at the topography, the only thing he could think of was to go around.
The ground cover was better he could get closer to the villa before they knew he was there. He'd simply have to double back a mile or so.
Dyson nodded as he made his decision. He put the photographs away and picked up his backpack, settling it on his shoulders.
"Nice day for a walk." he told himself as he turned his back on the villa and cut across the property.
"What do you mean you think I'm in labor?" Bo yelled into the phone.
"Labor? Are you shitting me?" Kenzi gasped, wanting to yank the phone out of Bo's grip and tell Lauren a few things. Like: This is no time to joke!
"Bo, are the pains in your back, are they coming closer together?" Lauren asked, as she hopped into the waiting town car.
She slid across the seat and waited for both Jacob and Hale to get in.
"I don't know?" Bo said sarcastically. "I haven't been paying attention – I've had other things on my mind like, I don't know, thinking you were dead!"
"Bo!" Lauren snapped. "You think I don't know that? Do you think for one moment my first and last thought wasn't about you? And not just you, but the baby as well?" Lauren rubbed her forehead and noticed Jacob and Hale not looking at her. "I hate that I've caused you this much pain. I hate that I'm not with you right now. Don't you understand? I can never make this up, not to you, Kenzi, the baby, anyone." Lauren took a deep breath to calm down. "You lost your Grandfather, Bo. You've lost your friendship with Dyson..."
"I don't give a shit about them! Do you understand?" Bo interrupted, angrily. She was beyond tired of Lauren taking the blame for everything. "They will never be as important as you are, or Kenzi and especially the baby. I'm so sick of this bullshit. We deserved some happiness, all of us." Bo said, grimacing as her back cramped.
"BoBo?" Kenzi asked, worriedly. She could only watch and listen to the conversation she and Lauren were having and could only guess that Hot Pants was doing the self-sacrificing bit again. When was she going to put herself first?
When was Lauren going to realize she was important in the grand scale of things. In Bo's life, hell, even hers.
Kenzi shook her head. Not only was Bo trying prop Lauren up, there was the slightest possibility Bo was experiencing labor pains. And that scared the hell out of her. It if were true - how was she going to take care of things?
She had no idea how to deliver a baby.
Did she put a pot of water on to boil?
Did she need to get some towels?
Should she go on you tube and see if there were any home delivery baby videos. 'I think I just threw up in my mouth.' She thought as she gagged at slightest hint she might have to deliver the baby on her own.
"Shit!"
Kenzi was pulled out of her thoughts when she heard Bo and looked down when she noticed Bo doing the same.
"Um Bo, that isn't what I think it is, is it?" she asked, gulping at the puddle beneath Bo's legs.
Bo gritted her teeth as another contraction – yes, that's what it had to be her mind reasoned – she was having contractions. "What do you think Kenz? I didn't just pee on myself!"
"Bo..." Lauren gasped, as she held on tight at the town car took a corner rather sharply. "Listen to me!" she shouted to get her partners attention. "Are you listening!?"
"Yes." Bo winced.
"I need to you tell Kenzi to start timing the contractions."
Bo nodded as she listened to Lauren's instructions. "Kenz, Lauren wants you to time the contractions..."
Kenzi blinked. How was she going to do that? She didn't have a watch and she doubted Bo would calmly hand the phone over so she could use the stopwatch feature. She snapped her fingers. "Be right back."
She ran out of the room.
Bo briefly wondered where her erstwhile friend was going until she realized that wasn't important.
She was about to have Lauren's baby.
Of course she knew that. The changes in her body, all the tests she went through, those were a dead giveaway.
It simply seemed so esoteric.
Yes, she felt the baby move, but if she really wanted she could explain it away as whatever dinner she had didn't agree with her.
Now she was looking down and swallowing her nausea as she saw the mess she had made. In that moment, it hit her like a freight train.
She was going to give birth.
This wasn't something she could fight off with her favorite dagger or short sword. This wasn't something she could pulse away or suck the chi out of.
She had no control of her body and it scared her.
It was far too reminiscent of her lack of control which left a wake of bodies in its aftermath. It did not matter to her that women had been doing this for eons...
What mattered to her was Dyson was out there somewhere and she wasn't going to be able to protect the baby.
He could attack while she was in the middle of delivering the baby and she would be helpless. She would not be able to protect Kenzi either.
If Lauren had had to have surgery for God knows what type of injury Dyson had inflicted on her, what would he do to Kenzi?
Would he spare her life because of the friendship they shared?
Bo knew instinctually Kenzi would do whatever it took to protect them.
What if Dyson thought Kenzi was getting in the way, would he not simply get rid of the obstacle?
Bo rubbed her stomach as her vision became cloudy with tears.
Dyson was not coming over for a friendly visit.
Their last telephone conversation had sealed both of their fates. One, if not both of them where not coming away from their confrontation alive.
Bo's only thought was to keep the baby safe, keep the baby alive, even if it meant sacrificing her own life.
Lauren's child would survive and thrive.
Bo nodded her head.
She could live with that decision.
She laughed humorlessly at the dichotomy of her inner thoughts.
She could live with her decision to die for the baby.
"I've got it." Kenzi yelled out, as she re-entered the living room holding something in her hand.
"What do you have?" Bo asked.
"An egg timer!"
"A what?"
"That's a wonderful idea." Lauren interjected as the town car finally came to a stop. She looked out the window.
She saw a sign, it read: Tayyalrd Travel Agency.
Author's Notes:
Now, I know I said I wasn't going to post this chapter until the next one was in the bag. BUT... and brother its a BIG one. I noticed as I was typing out chapter 39, I fubared myself. So, instead of re-writting the entire thing. I'm just going to type it out and see how I can fix the problem.
I can't just cut it out.
I've got too much going on and if I did cut it out, the chapter would be MUCH smaller. So, I'm posting 38 now. And am plugging away at 39. I'm still plugging away on chapter 40.