The Ash
Hale had been busy all afternoon. Just when he thought he could leave for the day, a call came in.
"This is the Ash". Hale said tiredly, but professionally.
Hale slammed the phone down. "Damn it". He groaned as he grabbed his dress jacket, pulled it on and walked out of his temporary office. He was still on a trial run. The Light Elders were skeptical of his prowess with Trick gone. Blackthorn was circling too.
Ten minutes later, he used his handprint to open a door.
"What the hell happened now? Hale asked angrily.
"I was on Lauren's scent. Just when I went to lunge at her, she put her foot up and it hit me in the ass when I turned around to keep from being kicked in the face". Dyson growled.
"Dude you know you are my boy, but you are the dumbest shit, I've ever met. And I've met some dumb folks over the years". Hale said.
"I just wanted to talk to her". Dyson groaned in pain. He felt worse every time he touched his face.
"So what the hell happened there? Hale asked.
"Aife. She caught up to me, and I couldn't fight back because my ass was burning, literally. Until I jumped into a pond". Dyson explained.
"You keep screwing around with either Succubus and it will end in your life being taken". Hale said looking over the wolf. Dyson had never once been in the Light Fae labs under these circumstances before. He always went home and slept it off.
But looking at his ass, Hale saw large bandages. This is why he put Kenzi up somewhere the Succubus would never think to look for her, his family compound. Val protested over and over again, but once he said her life was in danger, she backed off. Even though she still didn't like the human.
"Well why did you call for me? Hale asked.
"Lauren's still a ward of your office right? She has to come home". Dyson groaned as he let go of his face. Aife had given him a couple of black eyes, and possibly a broken nose. He was sure of that because he couldn't really smell anything.
"Your ass is in a big band-aid, your eyes and face look like Aife stomped the hell out of you, and you want me to pull rank on Lauren? Nah dude, that's not happening. I will arrange for a room for you to recover here in the compound, but I will not summon Lauren. Yes I am the Ash, but I like my body and my boys in one piece". Hale replied. He rolled his eyes over Dyson's obsession with Bo. The woman had told him and shown him more than once that she loves Lauren. Even if they weren't a couple right now. She still did. Even on Dyson's word to Hale.
"I can still walk. I can still run. These injuries aren't as severe as they look". Dyson groaned as he leaned over on his right side.
"Leave if you want, but it will be your funeral, and I don't think Bo's Succubus will be bringing you back this time". Hale said quietly.
"Come on Hale. Just do me this one favor". Dyson pleaded.
"No. Leave Lauren be. From what you told me, Isabeau hasn't gotten to you yet, and she will if you try that shit again". Hale said straightening his jacket.
"Hale I have saved your ass a few times. Even on the Police force. I am just asking you to make Lauren come here. Evony is somewhat out of commission, so she won't protest". Dyson said facing his old friend.
"I will not. Calling Lauren here would be exactly like summoning Isabeau. She hasn't done anything yet that requires the Ash office to step in. I still have a mess to clean up since Trick and the Una Mens died. I can't devote my entire office to your mate business". Hale countered.
"See you know Bo's my mate too". Dyson said softly.
"I didn't say that. I said she's your mate, I never said you were hers". Hale said walking around the small room and read a bit of Dyson's medical chart.
"Well where is Kenzi? She will and can find Lauren. Once she reminds her that I'm wounded, she will come on her on volition". Dyson said rolling back on his back.
"Hell no Dyson. Leave Kenzi out of this. She and Bo have their own issues, without you trying to anger her Succubus who from what I've heard doesn't like her very much. Kenzi's my girl, and you know this, so stop. Kenzi's a human, she can't fight that Succubus". Hale replied as he walked towards the exit.
"Hale please, Lauren's a human too". Dyson growled in anger.
"Leave if you want, stay if you want. But don't bring this to my office or any office under my command again". Hale said as he put on his hat and walked out. The Ash shook his head when he heard Dyson's wolf growling. But he really wasn't concerned about that. He was concerned about saving Kenzi until all of this blew over, if it ever does.
Santiago Compound.
Kenzi was eating a huge meal that the chef had prepared. Val was sitting across from her, not saying a word.
"What? Kenzi mumbled with food in her mouth.
"That for one. It's rude to eat with your mouth open". Val said watching crumbs fall from the human's mouth.
"You are sitting there staring at me, and calling me rude? Kenzi scoffed.
"I know your reputation. You will not steal anything out of here. Not the silly girl that gave up the Twig of Zamora". Val said coldly.
"I didn't know, OK! I didn't know". Kenzi seethed.
"Of course not. Eveything is expendable to you. Even my brother's life". Val snapped. Never blinking. Never moving any other part of her body.
"I understand that he's your brother. But he gave that Twig to me. To protect me". Kenzi snapped.
"Exactly. It would have protected you from any Fae, and you gave it away to the dumbest fuck among your kind". Val said waving the servants off.
"The guy seemed to know his stuff. I thought I could trust him to give me Fae powers. Permanent powers". Kenzi replied putting her fork down.
Val buried her face in her hands and laughed out loud.
"What now? Kenzi asked.
"Your doctor friend knows how to turn humans Fae, and yet you went with a fraud. But then again, she's not your friend is she? She never has been. Because you want to be the only human in the Succubus life. How's that working for ya? Val laughed again.
Kenzi frowned. She was right. Lauren could have turned her Fae. She still could, but she was so pissed off at the Doctor for not helping them to get Bo back from the Succubus.
Dyson told her Taft was a Cabbit. Fast as hell, but immune to him because of Lauren. If she could turn him Fae, she could Kenzi too. But Kenzi would have to do a lot of crawling and begging, hell basically a lot of ass kissing to get Lauren to help her.
Then there is the Succubus. Bo's Succubus. Aife's Succubus. She was pretty sure no matter what kind of Fae she turned Kenzi into, she wouldn't be as powerful as Bo or Aife. Aife is a straight up crazy bitch. She has no loyalties to anyone not named Isabeau. At the sight or sound of any threat, she'd snap on Kenzi. Which is why they need Bo back. Kenzi picked up her fork an started to eat again. Val laughed when she realized she rendered the swindler speechless.
Isabeau and Lauren.
The Succubus gently placed Lauren inside of her car and slowly peeled off for parts unknown. She thought of taking Lauren back to her hotel so that they could talk privately, but she didn't want to impose on the Doctor's sanctuary.
They drove in silence taking in the light warm night air. When she finally decided on a spot to park, she did. She sighed gently as she turned the ignition off, and turned to face Lauren.
"Do you want to sit in here and talk or do you want climb out and talk? Isabeau asked.
"We can talk outside". Lauren said.
"Ok". Isabeau said softly and climbed out of the car with Lauren right behind her. The women walked to the hood and sat on top of it.
"Whenever you're ready, just start asking questions". Isabeau said.
"So anything that I touch burns? Lauren asked.
"Not everything. Threats will burn. But if you are treating a patient, it will heal them. If you are cooking or doing every day tasks, anything you touch won't get burned". Isabeau answered.
"But Dyson he was just running..". Lauren said.
"He was coming for you Lauren, and not in a good way. Now as I've said before, I can remove my Chi. But they will all come for you. To harm you. None of them like you very much. As someone with a front row seat to all things Bo, I know this for a fact. Dyson lied to her when he said he didn't know where you were. Then days later he came back and told her that he lost you. That's bullshit because you'd have to know where something was in the first place for it to be lost.
Kenzi has always favored him for Bo. I guess because he's Fae, and Bo is his mate. He is not hers nor mine". Isabeau said softly.
"I thought we were all getting along now". Lauren sighed staring out at the view in front of them.
"I know, and I know that hurts and I'm sorry. But you needed to know. Hell Trick didn't care much either but he's dead so his bullshit died with him". Isabeau said.
Lauren gently put her hand up. "I'm ok. Thank you for telling me the truth".
"I'm so sorry Lauren. I really am. Bo can put up with that fake shit, but I can't. That's why I brought you out of Dyson's memories. That bullshit was his to fix, not Bo's. Sitting on his ass like always wanting people to rescue him again. Well stop getting yourself in trouble asshole! Isabeau snapped.
Lauren half smiled at Isabeau's rant. She was definitely more vocal than Bo ever was. Stuff just flies out of her mouth. But she is right though. If there is someone that would know everything that Bo knows, it is her.
She should have told Bo no when she called to ask her to help with Dyson again. If what Isabeau said about him is true, and she's sure she'd never lie to her, he didn't extend Lauren the same courtesy. He told her to run. That she was basically on her own. A human in the Fae world. Without her Ash necklace, she was a sitting duck. Good for her Evony didn't like hunting, or her goose would have been cooked.
"Are you okay? Isabeau asked.
"Yes I'm fine. Sorry I was just thinking". Lauren said.
"So basically I can still be me as long as it's for innocent purposes, but any Fae, gets burned". Lauren rambled off.
"That's right. Or any human that tries to harm you. Just tell me the minute you want my Chi removed, and I will do it without question. But I will still protect you, no matter what you decide". Isabeau smiled softly.
"I don't want to be claimed". Lauren said raising her head.
"I would never claim you. That's like putting a new necklace around your neck, Nope. Never. Not again". Isabeau said as her eyes faintly turned blue.
Lauren nodded and sighed in relief. She dreaded that conversation coming up again ever since Bo suggested it. Kenzi is claimed by Bo and her life is still hell. Mostly hell that she brings on herself, but still hell.
"Now are you ready to rest? Isabeau asked.
"I'm not tired". Lauren smiled at Isabeau's concern.
"I know you're not, but I still want you to rest and relax. You don't have to solve any Fae cases anymore. You don't have to do anything that you don't want to do". Isabeau said.
Lauren smiled, leaned in and the Succubus pulled back.
"I'm sorry, but no Lauren. I can read your aura and you are not ready for that, and to be honest I haven't earned that from you. At least not recently". Isabeau said.
"Ok". Lauren said softly jumping off of the car.
Isabeau nodded, jumped off of the hood and into her car. She put the top up after noticing a dip in the temperature.
When Lauren was buckled in, she backed up and sped towards her hotel. Once she pulled up, she jumped out to open the door for Lauren. "Good night Dr. Lewis". Isabeau smiled.
"Good night Isabeau". Lauren smiled as she walked through the hotel doors.
Isabeau sighed and watched her walk until she disappeared from sight. That was close she thought. She could have kissed Lauren and they could have gone at it on the hood of her car. But she didn't want Lauren like that. Just because she said a few sweet things. She wanted to earn Lauren. To break the bullshit myth that Succubus can't not sustain from sex. But Lauren was never sex, even Bo would agree to that. She wanted to earn the right to make love to Lauren again. And she wants to do that as herself, and not Bo.
Tamsin and Acacia.
"Hey. Hey Tamsin. Christ Tamsin wake up". Acacia said slapping the Valkyrie's face. She looked like shit, but a dirty hole would do that to you.
"She's dead". Stacey said.
"And you've come to get her? Acacia asked.
"I have". Stacey said quietly.
"I thought you hated her. Shouldn't you be happy about this? Acacia asked.
"I never take pleasure in another sister's death". Stacey said.
"She's going to Valhalla right? She died at Bo's hands". Acacia said.
"She died at Isabeau's hands, but yes, that's where she's going". Stacey sighed.
"You know that's only a hop, skip and a jump from...". Acacia started.
"We are aware of him. Now if you are ready, I can take both of you now". Stacey said. She didn't like being down in any hole that she hadn't explored yet.
Acacia nodded and stood up. She watched Stacey lift Tamsin and carry her off. She nodded for her to latch on to one of her wings, and they were gone in a matter of minutes.
The Ash office.
Hale was busy working on filing paperwork. Trick's death certificate landed on his desk too. He took some time to look it over and think of his old friend. They had a lot of good times together, but Trick could be an ass at times too. Especially considering he was the Blood King and the number one reason for a lot of Fae problems.
The Ash jumped when his door was violently swung open.
"Sir I told her to wait...". A woman screamed.
"It's OK Ophelia. I got this". Hale said waving off the woman's panic.
"Good then I don't have to introduce myself". Isabeau laughed.
"I know who you are even with your eyes brown". Hale said as he sat back in his chair. He took in the Succubus. She was all Bo, except with a hell of a lot more attitude.
"Now I understand there has been some plotting to try and get Lauren here. I have come to stop that bullshit". Isabeau said.
"What..I..how do you know that? Did you bug my compound? Hale gasped.
"No I didn't bug your compound. But unlike my alter ego, I am not blind. You all want Lauren dead or long gone. Either way will not make me happy, but you will do my bidding or I will drain your ass right here". Isabeau said.
"Look Bo I have no problem with..". Hale started and stopped when the Succubus looked pissed off.
"Look Isabeau I have no problem with you, or with Lauren". Hale said.
"Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Lying to a Succubus". Isabeau laughed.
"I really don't have a problem with you, even though some of your latest activities have put a mountain of paperwork on my desk". Hale said.
Isabeau smirked and snapped her fingers.
"What? No! I can't do that! There's a protocol to follow". Hale said seeing a fresh stack of papers appear before him.
"Fine". Isabeau said snapping her fingers again, and the papers caught on fire. "That debt was settled when Nadia died, and you knew that".
"I couldn't release her. The Dark would have gotten to her". Hale said.
"And Evony didn't get her? Isabeau laughed.
"That was unfortunate, but in case you have forgotten, Lauren left on her own". Hale snapped.
"Lauren left because she was being blackmailed by Taft. But you little baby nuts Fae men, didn't ever acknowledge that". Isabeau said coldly.
"Dyson said he was keeping tabs on Lauren. How was I to know he lost her? Hale scoffed at Isabeau's demeanor.
"Don't ever say that name in the same sentence as Dyson's again". Isabeau growled as she took one step towards the Ash.
"If you came here to absolve Lauren of all things Light Fae, you've done that, now you can leave". Hale said softly. A colder tone would incite the Succubus anger. Not that she didn't look pissed off when she barged into his office.
"I think I will see the wolf on my way out. Perhaps I'll stop over and see Kenzi too". Isabeau laughed.
"Kenzi hasn't done anything to you! Hale screamed.
Isabeau growled and turned her head back in his direction. "You can't be that dumb".
"Kenzi's under my protection. I haven't done anything to Lauren besides try to protect her too. Can you not go after Kenzi for my sake? Hale asked.
"I won't make any promises. But you should have that talk with Kenzi too. Or I can and will". Isabeau laughed as she walked out.
Some time later.
"Oh where..oh where has that little dog gone? Oh where..oh where can he be? Aife laughed.
"How did you get in here? Dyson growled at the Succubus.
"You know those little bitches can't hold a candle to me. I wish I had a candle right now, I'd set your boo boo on fire". Aife laughed.
"What do you want? Dyson growled never taking his eyes off of the Succubus.
Aife laughed and punched him dead in the mouth. "Oh like I ever need a reason to see you. I just kick ass for the hell of it".
"Well damn mom, you're ruining my fun". Isabeau laughed as she walked in.
"Oh honey, I'll gladly share this pussy with you! Aife laughed.
"He's stuck here for awhile. Where is he going to go? He can't even sit on his ass". Isabeau laughed.
"Bo! Dyson smiled.
"Try again boy". Isabeau laughed.
"Bo please. I can help you". Dyson said.
"You couldn't even save your own ass from hundreds of years of Una Mens bullshit". Isabeau laughed.
Dyson frowned. She had him there. If it wasn't for Trick, he would have died years ago at the hands of the Una Mens. It was partly why he renounced his throne as the Blood King. They both needed to hide their whereabouts.
"If you so much as go near Lauren again, and I will drain the rest of your ass, even if I'm sitting on the toilet at the time". Isabeau said coldly.
She smirked when Dyson bowed his head. "He's yours mom". Isabeau said as she left them.
"Tell me where it hurts". Aife laughed as she pounced on the wolf. Isabeau bit her lip to hold her laughter in. He howled like a pure wolf at the hands of her mother.
It angered her thinking of how many days and nights Lauren cried in pain at the hands of the Fae, while trapped in their dungeons. Like that time she was in Lachlan's dungeon. Bo sensed it, and still walked off.
"Isabeau. How nice to see you". A voice came from behind the Succubus as she neared her car.
"Now I don't even know you lady. You look like a bad 1980s movie. So hello father". Isabeau smiled as she popped her knuckles.
Something stirred inside of Aife, so she rushed to the nearest window. "Oh hell no! The Succubus said running out of the room.
Dyson was in no shape to run after her. But she didn't need him to. The women could handle this.
TBC
