"I want to prove to you, how good of a friend I can be."
Bo immediately started panting as soon as the Morrigan turned her around. Evony's proof of friendship was slowly walking towards them. The Succubus couldn't take her eyes off of her gift. Lauren. Lauren Lewis was walking back to Bo after she had walked away from Bo the last time that they saw each other. This is it. This is going to be their chance again. All the Succubus would need to do is to get the Doctor alone, so that they could talk. Evony wouldn't mind, and Bo didn't mind that she's Dark. It was a delicious perk of having Lauren dead in her sights.
Bo felt herself pulled away as she continued staring at the blonde Doctor. They were shoved into the building and into a quiet room at Evony's insistence. Damn, Bo thought. The Morrigan was pouring it on thick, but again she didn't mind. If the Morrigan wanted them to have sex, they were going to have it and very loudly. Many, many rounds of it. She had been hungry for the Doctor for weeks.
"Lauren". Bo stepped to her.
"Don't". Lauren raised an eyebrow and walked past the woman. She picked up a piece of quiche off of a serving tray and bit into it.
"Lauren I…". Bo started again.
"I said don't". Lauren mumbled through her food.
"Lauren I want to talk to you. There's a lot to be said between us". Bo rambled off before she could be interrupted again.
"I know everything you are going to say, and I still don't want to hear it". Lauren slammed the nearest glass of wine. She had been starving for days. It is a shitty thing to do at a time like this when human newlyweds were murdered, just so Evony could have her little party there. The Dr. was highly disgusted at the sight but what could she do? She's not exactly free or safe in the human world either. Yet here stood the most powerful Fae she knew, probably wanting something from her too. She knew what that something is, and she was nowhere near in the neighborhood of being in the mood for that either.
"Lauren are you going to talk to me at all? Say anything at all? Bo asked quietly standing behind the woman. But not too close to be imposing or breathing down her neck.
"You are a guest of the Morrigan's, not mine". Lauren replied over her shoulder.
"What? Bo gasped.
"You are not here for me Bo. You and I both know that. You are here for Vex, on some misguided quest to free yourself from the Dark". Lauren shrugged.
"What do you mean by misguided? Bo asked.
"Because contrary to what you, Dyson, Kenzi, Tamsin and whomever else warms your bed thinks, I am quite knowledgeable of all things Fae. There is no way Vex can free you". Lauren replied as she wiped her hands with a napkin.
"She tricked me!? Damn it! Bo stomped her foot down.
"Before you accuse me of hiding something from you, the man you seek is Rainer. He's the only one that can free you, and there is no way you can get him or will ever get to him". Lauren turned and walked out of the room.
"Lauren!? Wait! Bo screamed.
"No". Lauren said quietly from the door.
Bo shook her head. What the hell had Evony done to the woman? She was never this cold with Bo before. She was almost robotic in her words and thoughts. She was starting to wonder if that was Lauren at all. She looked around and wondered if the Fae had cloned Lauren and killed the real one. Her eyes flashed blue as she rushed out of the room. She had waited too long, Lauren was gone.
She marched downstairs with her mind set on finding the Morrigan again. "What the fuck was that Evony? Bo snapped as she grabbed the woman from behind.
"Most Dark Fae call me the Morrigan. But you're still a rookie right? Evony laughed.
"I will call the undertaker after I snap your neck. Now tell me what the fuck was that? What did you do to Lauren?! Bo moved closer to the woman. She looked around the room when the crowd started to laugh. Some of them bent over in glee.
"Play it! The Morrigan screamed.
"Any word?
"Not lately. But it's better she stays away safe from all these unknowns. Lauren's smart, she can handle herself".
"Well since I have to protect myself from all these unknowns, I should get a hit below the belt".
Bo slammed her eyes closed and shook her head. "Tell me she didn't….
"Oh honey, there's more". The Morrigan laughed and nodded her head.
"Lauren, I don't know if you're the best rival or worst, but I know this, you are smart, and you are resourceful. So whatever needs to get done, you do it. Because right now you're on your own."
"What the fuck is going on?! Bo screamed angrily.
"Pretty sure that was your wolf, and the only finger I needed to lift was to order that pay phone at the diner and his boxing gym to be bugged". The Morrigan laughed.
"Lauren." Bo said softly.
"Has been fucked by you both, again. Tell me, was it good for you? The Morrigan laughed.
"Evony, I am going to kill you! Bo snapped as she raced over to the woman.
"Touch me, and she dies right here, right now, in front of you. You're Dark now Bo, I own the both of you. Which means, I have a front row seat to her justifiable disgust of you". The Morrigan winked.
"She's right Bo, if you strike the Morrigan in any way, it will mean immediate death to whomever she orders it on". Bruce said quietly.
"Fine but I want to see Lauren again, now". Bo backed away.
"She doesn't want to see you. Get that through your head, Succubus". The Morrigan laughed.
"Lauren misunderstood". Bo said quietly.
"On second thought, go ahead. Go tell a Doctor with more degrees than you could ever pronounce that she didn't comprehend that you were so worried about her safety that you just took Dyson at his word and slept with him. Tell her that you loved her while on top of him, in his boxing ring and in his arms. I'm sure she will misunderstand that". The Morrigan smiled into her glass.
"But I do. I do love her". Bo looked at the door, and hoped Lauren was on the other side of it eavesdropping.
"She's not out there." The Morrigan said seriously.
"I want to see her Evony". Bo said coldly.
"Young shits think they know it all. No. You will not see her. If I so much as hear about you being near her, she will die, and you will still be mine because nobody and I mean nobody knows where your sponsor is, so your ass belongs to me. But unlike Dyson, I won't need it twenty-four seven". The Morrigan walked over to her desk.
Bo was tired of the woman. She was getting nowhere with this merry go round conversation. She quietly left the room.
"Bo? Where have you been? Or what happened to you? Kenzi rushed over.
"She's here." Bo sobbed.
"Oh balls. Please tell me you're not talking about your mother? Kenzi looked around and cringed.
"No. Lauren. Lauren's here". Bo smacked her face with the palms of her hands.
"Where? Kenzi spun around.
"Don't". Bo grabbed her.
"Don't what? You're not making any sense Bo". Kenzi wrinkled her eyebrows.
"If any of us go near Lauren, she will die at the Morrigan's hands". Bo wiped tears away so she could see.
"You have got to be shitting me". Kenzi jumped back.
"I wish I was." Bo had no clue what to do. Not a single one.
"Wait? What about me? I'm not on the chopping block too am I? Kenzi asked.
Bo rolled one eye and replied. "No Kenzi."
Kenzi shrugged and turned to look for Tamsin. The girl had disappeared on her.
"I have to get Lauren out of there. Out of this mess". Bo blinked fresh tears away.
"Did you talk to her at all? Kenzi asked.
"I did. I swear Kenz, that was not Lauren. She was cold, and..and….distant". Bo shuddered at the memory.
"Well we are Dark Fae now, that should help you, shouldn't it? Kenzi asked.
"That doesn't matter Kenzi. Lauren said Rainer is my sponsor and I will never find him. The Morrigan said the same thing. I'm Dark forever. But Lauren doesn't have to be". Bo walked over to the window.
"Wait, did you say Rainer? Kenzi asked.
"Yes, and why? Bo turned around.
"I've seen that name before Bo, and you are not going to like where". Kenzi stepped backwards.
"Tell me where!? Bo screamed.
"At the Dal, Bo. In one of Trick's books". Kenzi moved further away.
"Go steal that book. I don't care how you get it, just bring it here". Bo stepped forward and moved Kenzi out of the room with every step.
Bo had an idea and ran off.
Lauren
The Doctor sat in her drab room looking out a tiny, and filthy window. There wasn't much to see but an old graveyard. She cried looking at Crystal's plot. The Morrigan had made her bury the woman. She felt for Crystal. Even after her death. She had fallen into the same trap that Lauren had fallen into. The Fae world. It's like a gang, once you're in, you can never get out.
Everyone in their human lives would always be in danger. She had nothing. No mother. No father. No brother. Nothing but the black dress given to her by the Morrigan. All of her research at Taft's had been destroyed. But she had memorized all of it. For the moment, it was her only comfort.
She had left with him because he had threatened to expose her. Put them all in danger. She couldn't stay behind. She couldn't even tell Bo. The Bo she thought she knew anyway. Not the woman she was just talking to. She cared so much for Lauren's safety that she took Dyson at his word, that she was safe. Wrong. She hadn't been safe since she removed her Ash necklace. Ever since leaving Taft's with his brilliant plan to run, she had been on the run. Then the Morrigan caught her, like a mouse, with a piece of cheese named Crystal.
She can't trust anything out of Bo's mouth. How many times had she left her so-called girlfriend, and friend in danger? Her cases? Taft's? She heard Bo order Dyson to kill the man. She thought Bo would look for her, thoroughly, and didn't. She gave up and settled for her true love, Dyson.
She stood and walked around the small room to stretch her legs. Lauren Lewis had been down and out like this before. She will rise again. She just needs to plan. Form an immediate escape. She picked up a pen and a pad of paper and took her seat again.
Kenzi
Kenzi poured some liquor on a towel and set it on fire. She hid in a cubbyhole until she heard two sets of footsteps coming up the stairs and rounded the bar.
"How did this start? Dyson growled.
"I don't know. There isn't anyone here". Trick said.
Dyson smiled as he sniffed Kenzi's scent. She had probably come for a bottle and ran out before they could catch her. The woman put two fingers up and smiled as she snuck down into Trick's lair after he went to get a few buckets of water. She left through a secret door, she had discovered long ago.
Vex
The Mesmer groaned in agony. The Una Mens had been pure assholes and his hand looked like he'd deep fried it. He kept looking over his shoulder in case they showed again. The sneaky bastards could appear out of nowhere at will. It wasn't his fault they couldn't find Dr. Lewis. He had told them where she was, and they failed. He did find a bit of amusement in the fact that she was right under their noses in the Morrigan's den. For once he was glad, he didn't hold that office.
"Just the Mesmer I was looking for". Bo said quietly behind him.
"No. Don't turn me into the Morrigan. She's still pissed I almost foiled up her plan to get your ex". Vex pleaded.
"For a price, I won't turn you in". Bo stepped to him.
"Eww not that. I don't know where you've been". Vex shrieked.
"I want you to use your Mesmer to control Evony's eyes and ears for about an hour". Bo stepped towards him again.
"I won't be party to your dirty sex with the Doctor." Vex laughed.
"Fine. Then I will call the Una Mens. I am sure they would love to know a few things about you". Bo turned to leave.
"No. I will do it. Just tell me when". Vex grabbed her arm.
"In two hours. Don't fail me Vex. I think my Succubus is faster than your hands". Bo turned back to him.
Vex rolled his eyes and waved her out of the room. Bo smiled. She was going to be free by the end of the day, and so is Lauren.
Trick and Dyson
"I have been robbed! Trick screamed.
"It's nothing but harmless fun Trick". Dyson tried to calm his old friend down.
"Dyson you don't understand, someone has taken some very important books. Books that I must get back, now". Trick looked up at the wolf.
Dyson almost turned ghost white. "Kenzi".
"What about her? Trick asked.
"She was here Trick. If your books are missing, she must have them". Dyson hated selling his friend out, but sometimes Kenzi messed with things she didn't understand.
"Let's go! Trick shook his head in complete anger. Dyson had screwed up. He could only hope Kenzi hadn't.
Bo and Kenzi
"Is this the book? Bo asked.
"I don't know, I only had a matter of minutes to grab a few and get out of there. I also started a small fire as a distraction". Kenzi confessed.
"Was anyone hurt? Bo asked.
"No. Just a small liquor fire. They were putting it out as I left". Kenzi took a seat.
"Well time to fix my life and Lauren's". Bo said.
"Are you sure she wants this? Kenzi asked.
"Lauren has always wanted to be free. This is our chance". Bo said as she picked up the books and started to read one. The two spent the next hour reading book after book.
"As far as I can tell he cursed Rainer to the Death Train. Our combined blood would release his curse. I just want to be free, I don't want that bastard here". Bo set the book she was reading down.
"You know what to do". Kenzi handed her another book.
"Well I am Trick's blood too. This should do it". Bo said as she grabbed her sheath and cut herself.
"This could be dangerous Bo. That big bitch in you could come out, and mama's chi isn't enough". Kenzi said.
"I will feed off of the Fae first". Bo said as she started. She cringed at her blood but had gotten used to it since Lauren started giving her injections.
Lauren she thought. What had happened to them? What had turned Lauren so cold to her? Could she really trust that Evony played those recordings for the Doctor? Of course, she could. Of course, she could and should be mad at Dyson too, but she accepted all of his bullshit as the truth, so she really can't judge him. But she can keep her distance from him.
The Morrigan owed her no favors. Their mutual hatred is almost laughable at this point. As much as she would love to stay Dark and make her life a living hell, she didn't want to. She sure as hell didn't want Lauren under Evony's thumb. Or any other part of the woman's body.
"That should do it". Bo said as she set the book down and turned her head to feed off of nearby Fae. The Fae are never going to free Lauren. They will keep finding ways to keep her in their servitude. Bo is still shocked that Lachlan helped with Nadia. Lauren had her chance, and a ride out of town courtesy of Bo and she came back. But Bo would do this over and over again. She would free her from curse after curse. Contract after contract. She wasn't even Dark for five minutes, but she was already tired of it too.
She's not even sure Evony forced a contract on Lauren, but she is going to break their ties anyway. The thought fired up her Succubus. The Lich wanted Lauren. The sex club freaks wanted Lauren. No. They were never going to get her. Ever.
Kenzi watched Bo, and as awesome as it looked, it also looked frightening. They had all come a long way and were still so distant from each other. Fae and two humans. Kenzi hadn't always been friends with or trusted Lauren, but she wouldn't wish knowing the Fae on anyone. There's no way out of this life that doesn't end the same way in the human world. At least she still has Hale to lean on. He's a good one, like Bo.
"Hey. Hey Bo?! Are you okay? Kenzi slapped the blue-eyed woman and wasn't getting a response.
"Shit, I knew this would backfire! Kenzi screamed as she feverishly worked to wake Bo out of her daze. "Dyson! Help! She screamed into her phone. She jumped when Bo sat straight up and had a grin on her face.
"Oh balls. She's going to feed on me". Kenzi turned and ran out of the building. She slammed into Dyson and the wolf helped her regain her footing.
"What have you done? Dyson whispered.
"I just..it's Bo. It was Bo. Hell, I'm confused". Kenzi rubbed her forehead.
"Where is she? Dyson looked around.
"In there". Kenzi gestured towards the doors but didn't walk towards them again.
Dyson ran into the building and immediately fell down. His wolf growled when he couldn't get back up.
"Where are they?! Trick screamed at Kenzi.
"In there". Kenzi moved away from the man. She had never seen him that upset. She really didn't look at what books she grabbed, she just grabbed a few and ran.
Trick stormed the building and immediately flipped through the books on the table. He gasped at what he found. The Succubus and Dyson were both panting on the floor.
"What? What did they do Trick? Dyson growled.
"Bo is no longer Dark Fae". Trick replied.
"No. There has got to be something else". Dyson growled.
The Succubus sat up with her back against the wall and stood. She started laughing and it puzzled the men. "Tell him the rest grandfather". She laughed again.
"Trick?! Dyson screamed.
"Bo wrote in another book. The wrong book". Trick raised his eyebrows.
"What book? What did she do? Dyson asked.
"She wrote in a mate log. Accidentally of course, but it works for me". The Succubus laughed.
"What? Who? Aww you can't mean!? Dyson growled.
"Cheer up wolf. The Doctor doesn't even like Bo at the moment, but me? Well she's going to love me". The Succubus dusted herself off and left the building.
"Trick! There has to be a way to reverse this! Dyson screamed.
"There are two ways but none of them seem plausible". Trick stacked the books and gathered them into his arms.
"I know the first, Lauren has to die. What is the second one? Dyson asked.
"Lauren, Bo or her Succubus have to consummate their new bond in one week". Trick replied.
"And if they don't the bond is broken right? Dyson smiled softly.
"Yes, but don't get too cocky Dyson, you are forgetting two things". Trick walked towards the doors.
"And those would be? Dyson asked.
"Your competition is not only a Succubus, but a Succubus that seems to adore Lauren". Trick explained as they loaded everything into Dyson's car.
Dyson didn't say another word on the drive back to the Dal. He had a few hopes. One is that Lauren stays mad at Bo for a week and two that she shuns the Succubus for looking like Bo.
Lauren
Lauren stirred in her sleep. She felt different but knew she had been sleeping for hours. She closed her eyes again and settled back on an unused bed the Morrigan had supplied her with.
The Succubus smiled from the other side of the wall. "Sleep well my beautiful one, because tomorrow we have a lot to talk about". She whispered. Bo was naïve but she had done one thing right, and her Succubus was going to make sure she makes good on that right.