Lauren
Lauren wasn't ready to turn in for the night like she thought. She put her boots back on, checked her appearance and left her hotel room.
It was weird being out in public now. There wasn't much she couldn't do, or nowhere she couldn't go. Nothing she couldn't get if she wanted it. At the moment she wanted a cheeseburger. So she popped into a local joint nearest to the hotel. It wasn't busy, so she was able to find a table, and wait to place her order. She sat facing the door. She wanted to be able to people watch while she ate. She was sure the Fae were looking for her. Dyson. Kenzi. She was done being the go to for all things Fae, even Bo.
Bo. Bo did the same things. Always calling when Dyson got himself into a jam. Lauren's life is not as long as his, so why should she waste what little time she has to get him out of thousand year old crimes? He was never the nicest Fae. He mocked her as much as he wanted to. That is when the Ash wasn't around. She did hold that small protection and status over him. Then Lachlan was elected. Same office, different attitude.
She dropped those thoughts out of her head when her beer arrived. She moaned at the taste and how frosty it was.
She can't go on forever like this. She has to find something to do. She was never one to sit on her ass and shoot the breeze. She'd feel like a freeloader. It was embarrassing enough to have Isabeau's money at her disposable. But she took it in the good faith that it had been given. She didn't feel bought off. She didn't feel like a prostitute. She felt protected. She felt like she had a new friend.
Isabeau wasn't exactly a friend, but she wasn't a stranger either. Lauren thought of that night after she had just drained the Lich. The power in her voice. The look in her eyes as she stared straight at the Doctor. Why didn't she drain her? She was just a human in the Fae world. One small turn of her head to confirm that she had drained the Lich and his entourage, and she collapsed to the stage floor.
She never told Bo what the Succubus said, only that she took the chi out of all of them. Even Christoph. Bo was sent to retrieve him, but her Succubus didn't give a damn about him. Only Lauren.
For all of the years she had been with the Fae. Lauren had never seen a display like that. The Succubus glowing body and blue eyes all at play.
"Ma'am? Your order has been sitting on your table a good five minutes. Would you like it to go instead? The waitress asked softly.
"Oh! I'm sorry. No I will eat it here. Thank you". Lauren smiled shyly as the woman nodded, and walked away.
The Doctor bit into her burger. It was still fairly hot and so were the french fries. She nodded her approval when the waitress returned with a fresh beer, and gave a thumbs for her meal. After she finished eating, she paid her tab, left a hefty tip, and left for her hotel. Now she was ready for a shower and bed.
Kenzi and Hale
Kenzi was starting to go stir crazy. She had been home for days, and the only time she went outside was to make sure the world hadn't ended all around her.
"Kenz I'm telling you. Sit your ass down". Hale said as he watched the woman pace back and forth.
"Where's Bo? Where's Dyson? Kenzi asked frantically. Her family needed her, and she had no idea where they were at the moment.
"I think you know where Bo is, and Dyson has his own shit to deal with". Hale replied.
"But they need me! Kenzi screamed.
"And I need you to stay here. Safe". Hale said softly reaching for the woman, but she rebuffed him.
"Take me to Isabeau. I can talk to her. Reason with her to set Bo free". Kenzi said turning back to Hale.
Hale shook his head and rolled his eyes. This girl wasn't getting it. "Isabeau is still Bo. She knows everything that you've ever told Bo. Your hatred of Lauren. Your preference of Dyson. All of it. She will not allow Bo to return on your say so".
Kenzi sighed. She was starting to miss Bo. Miss their talks, and shenanigans. Truth is she and Bo haven't been all that close for weeks. Not since Taft's. Not since before then, when she and Lauren became official. Lauren was never like Dyson. Dyson would come over and hang out with all of them. Not just take Bo to bed and leave for the labs. He cared about Kenzi too. Cared about her safety. Like with the foot soup, it was Dyson that came to find her. It was Dyson that looked her in the eye on what she thought was her death bed, and promised her that he would always be there for Bo. Well as far as she could see Dyson was out there living up to that promise, while Lauren was probably living it up in a bubble bath in a swanky hotel somewhere.
"They are my family Hale. I just want them back. Both of them". Kenzi sighed quietly.
"You made your choice Kenzi. You want Bo with Dyson. Bo chose Lauren and you can't handle that. Well Bo and Isabeau both chose Lauren because she's the only one getting Isabeau's protection right now. Even though you are claimed by Bo, Isabeau won't give a damn. So just wait and let this play out". Hale said as he stood to leave. He was late to the office as it is, and Kenzi didn't appear to be heeding his warnings.
"I'll leave some guys outside. Please stay here Kenzi". Hale said as he put on his hat and left the woman alone.
The Dal. That's all they had planned a few days ago. As soon as they freed Dyson, Bo promised hotdogs and beers at the Dal. How the hell it would come down to this, nobody saw coming. This Succubus had never surfaced and kept control this long. Kenzi sighed wondering if the Succubus had finally caught on to what Aife was saying about a Succubi's control.
She expected Bo to walk into the Una Mens lair with the shoe, and release them. They would shower, eat and party. Lauren chose Evony for fucks sake. She could have just gone home to that new loft she was so proud that Evony hooked her up with.
Kenzi looked around the clubhouse. Everything about Bo was starting to fade. Her scent was even gone. While Dyson wants Bo back for obvious reasons, Kenzi just wanted her friend back. She'd even tolerate Lauren more this time.
Dyson
Dyson growled as he slowly crawled on the ground. He could shift but his ass would be exposed, and it hadn't quite healed yet. He would look like a wolf with a diaper on. That's how big his bandage is.
He just wanted to get to Lauren to ask her to talk Isabeau into giving Bo back. This side of Bo didn't like him or Kenzi at all. After all they had done for Bo, surely even she could see that and appreciate it. He just wanted to keep Bo safe. Be her protector. Love her for the rest of the century and beyond. Then the Una Mens took over. Bo said she tried to kill them once for threatening Lauren, and failed. So how did her Succubus succeed so easily? She could have killed them for chaining Dyson up, as he waited to be executed.
It was all falling apart, and he had no help in trying to put it back together. Kenzi was still his friend, but no friend of Isabeau's. He laughed wondering if she even had friends besides Lauren. Aife is her mother, so she doesn't count as a friend. He had nowhere to retreat to. He was going to have to heal where he was.
Isabeau's POV
So back to that long ass day that started all of this. I had left mom to deal with Dyson. He's going to feel that burn for a long time. But that's what happens when you play with fire. He kept stroking my nerves and finally got burned by my chi inside of Lauren.
I don't trust that bastard as far as I could throw him. But Bo did and still does. He's always her fallback guy when things get too complicated. Like Lauren choosing to stay with the Dark. What horseshit of ignorance was Bo living under? Lauren was right to stay with them because Bo had always feared me. I fear nothing. She got her ass kicked because she cared, I didn't and never did. Those bastards got what they deserved and then some. Imagine threatening Lauren and living. Had that been Kenzi or that dog, she wouldn't have been so afraid of me then.
That's why I never used Lauren for feeding purposes. I wouldn't ever allow her to think that she needed to fear me. Her injections tickled more than anything, but they always worked because we always worked.
The gang and Fae were always more important to Bo. More loyal in Bo's eyes. Fuck them. What the fuck have they done to make Bo happy? Her misery is wrapped up in all of them. Trick. Kenzi. Dyson. Hell mom was the one that told her about how to be a Succubus and yet she still feared me. The Lich threatened Lauren and she was crawling all over the floor because of bullet wound. A human made bullet at that. That's why I had to take over. He would have sliced Lauren's throat. No. He was never going to get that far.
There are some real bastards in the Fae and human worlds. Mom is currently fighting one. I was just about to make my move when she told me that I only exist because Hades raped her over, and over again for years. I feel like a guest star on Law and Order Special Victims unit.
Except Hades won't be going to jail. He will be going to hell once mom has had her fill of him. He's too dangerous to be allowed to live. To exist. I am not quite sure how powerful he is, but I am sure how powerful I am. Hades won't be another Lich. He won't even touch Lauren. It's not like she could never protect herself. It's just a beauty like that shouldn't have to deal with such trash as this bastard is.
Mom's doing well for herself. She's kicked him in the ass and head multiple times. I even heard a few bones popping. They are having some kind of hand fight that looks like fireworks exploding between them.
"I shall have my daughter. Especially since the Blood King is now dead, and you will soon be joining him Aife". Hades smirked.
"Enough! Isabeau screamed as her voice shook the ground.
Hades looked startled and dropped his hand.
"Awww my baby. My Succubus". Hades smiled as he slowly walked towards Isabeau.
"I'm long past being a baby. You look like a son of a bitch though". Isabeau laughed as she twirled her arms in the air prepared to fight.
"Careful Isabeau. He's a bastard". Aife groaned where she stood. Hades had wounded her deeply. But as long as her daughter was still alive, she was going to fight. True warriors fight to the death.
"Rest mom and then we will find a feed for you. This won't take long". Isabeau laughed. Hades looked frightened at the thought of Isabeau's confidence.
"Anything you can do, I can do better. I can do anything better than you". Isabeau sang mocking her father.
Hades growled at the young Succubus and lunged for her.
"Ah ah ah. Not below the belt". Isabeau laughed as he fell to the ground.
The man gritted his teeth, fixed his hair, and stood again.
Aife was shocked at what she saw next. Isabeau was matching him blow for blow. Streaks of lightning was coming off of the both of them. Followed by balls of fire. Isabeau never looked winded or frightened. She looked elated.
"How does it feel to know you're a baby of rape? A monster". Hades laughed as he threw another ball of fire at Isabeau and she batted back at him. When he screamed, she laughed.
"There is beauty in this world. But I suspect you know that. That's why you sent Tamsin after her. After me. Because even a human Doctor has a far more powerful weapon at her beck and call, that you don't, me". Isabeau laughed as she violently threw a ball of fire at Hades.
"Perhaps I should go and have some fun with her. She's at the hotel right? Hades laughed.
"Old man. You aren't going anywhere that I won't send you". Isabeau said turning serious.
"She doesn't love you. She loves Bo. You're just the evil part of my daughter. A monster. You can never escape who you are, mine and hers". Hades laughed pointing at Aife.
"I've had enough of this bastard! Aife screamed as she marched over to the man.
Hades turned and stopped Aife dead in her tracks. His fingers turned to blades as he prepared to cut her throat. "Die like your mother!
"How do you know about that? Aife snapped through his grip.
"She needed to die. Trick's death would've never driven you mad. I needed your Succubus to be sloppy. Then Trick helped by turning you over to the Dark, where I could finally get my hands on you". Hades smiled wide at the pain in Aife's face.
Aife's eyes turned blue but Hades was too strong to overcome.
"Queen Isabeau was to you, like Lauren is to Bo, you're only weakness". Hades laughed.
At the mention of Lauren's name, Isabeau snapped. She pulled Hades off of Aife and threw him into the air before firing fireball and lightning at him at the same time.
"Here Isabeau! Aife screamed throwing a small blade at her daughter, and nodded when she caught it. Hades fell towards the ground and Isabeau had her chance. She held the blade up and it went through him.
Isabeau took the blade and cut the head off of the body that Hades had possessed. The previous occupant was no doubt dead already.
"He'll come back. That bastard can never die". Aife fumed.
"And we will be ready for him, if he ever comes back. Now lets see about finding you a feed". Isabeau said as she walked over and picked her mother up.
Isabeau walked Aife to her car and helped her in. She took off when they were fastened in. She didn't drive long before she found a Fae bar.
Once she saw Aife inside, the Succubus found an old friend and told Isabeau that she would be fine if she wanted to leave. The young Succubus looked around. This wasn't her crowd. Some looked thousands of years old, and dull.
She finally nodded and left. She had one destination in mind. She checked the trunk and saw that she had everything that she needed for the night. She found a hotel, checked in, showered, and went to bed.
The next morning.
"Good morning". Isabeau smiled softly.
"Good morning Isabeau". Lauren smiled back. She was sure the Succubus probably spent the night in her car in the parking lot of her hotel. But she didn't look like it. She looked gorgeous.
"How did you sleep? Isabeau asked.
"I slept well. Thank you". Lauren nodded as she walked over to the woman.
lsabeau took all of Lauren in. She looked beautiful as always, and her stance was a lot better than it used to be. Lauren often looked like if she stood wrong, she would be punished for her laziness.
"You didn't come across any strangers last night did you? Anyone eyeing you specifically? Isabeau asked.
"No. No. I did go out to eat, and immediately returned to the hotel". Lauren answered as she took in her surroundings.
"I need to explain something to you". Isabeau said quietly.
"Ok". Lauren said raising an eyebrow.
"Hades came for me last night. Mom and I fought him off to vanquish him for the time being. But I know he might come back and soon". Isabeau said seriously.
"Hades, Hades? Lauren asked.
"That's who my father is. He's an evil bastard. So I will understand if you want nothing else to do with me or Bo. But I do have a question". Isabeau said staring at Lauren without blinking. She was assessing her body language, and aura.
Lauren gestured for her to ask, and waited with baited breath for the question.
"Will you go away with me? Isabeau asked.
Lauren raised her head up. The Succubus could tell the question threw her off, and proceeded to explain herself.
"Just long enough for Hades to surface again so I can kill him for good. I can go without you, but he knows about you, and you will always be a target. My chi inside of you might not be strong enough alone to fight him off. If you prefer to stay here, I understand. He needs me, that's why he's after me. I know he would try, and take you to get to me, and I never want that bastard touching you. It is bad enough that when I touch you, a part of him is touching you too. So I will understand if your answer is no". Isabeau explained calmly. Even though the sight of Lauren in the sunlight was drying her mouth.
"Yes. I will go". Lauren said softly.
"Are you sure? You really don't have to. This is not a date or anything. I just want you near me so that I can protect you, and so he never gets his hands on you". Isabeau said looking at the woman.
"Just let me pack and check out". Lauren nodded.
"Ok. I will wait in the lobby". Isabeau said as they walked into the building.
Once Lauren was on the elevator, Isabeau pulled out her phone.
"Isabeau". Aife said answering her phone.
"I just wanted to tell you that I'm going away with Lauren. Hades might back soon, and I want to be ready for him". Isabeau said.
"Ohhh you finally asked her out huh? Aife laughed.
"Mom this is not like that. I just want Lauren with me because if I leave her here, he will come for her, and I can't have that". Isabeau said seriously.
"Ok. Ok. I understand". Aife said seriously.
"Are you going to be ok? Isabeau asked.
"I'm going to be fine. Just get out there and handle your business". Aife said seriously.
"Hopefully we won't be gone long. I don't want to keep Lauren from things or people that she loves here". Isabeau said watching the elevator and every person that walked in the building or off of the elevator.
"She might fall for you, if she hasn't already". Aife said sitting up in her bed.
"I'm not like Bo. I want to earn her love, not just have it handed to me because I'm a Succubus". Isabeau said seriously looking around again. She breathed a sigh of relief when Lauren walked out of the elevator and over to check out. She could have gone up to her room with her, but she didn't want to invade her privacy like that.
"This could be good for you and her. Just to get out of this shit hole town, and find someplace sexier". Aife replied.
"Not Berlin if that's where you're going with this". Isabeau said.
"I was only saying any place is sexier than here". Aife laughed.
"Lauren's coming. I got to go". Isabeau said standing up.
"Be careful. Hades is an omnipresent bastard. But have fun". Aife said.
"Which is why we are getting out of here. You be careful too. I will and thanks mom". Isabeau said loud enough for Lauren to hear her saying the Succubus name. She didn't want Lauren having any reservations that she was calling Kenzi or Dyson. To hell with them. They weren't in danger because Hades never mentioned them. He only mentioned Lauren. Damn if she was going to allow him to hurt the woman she loves, even if she didn't love her back yet.
"Ready?
"Ready". Lauren answered. She knew the danger and she was somewhat comfortable with Isabeau.
"This is not a date Lauren. Just time for us to get away and deal with Hades. That's all I am planning". Isabeau said as she carried Lauren's bags out to her car.
"So we're taking my car? Lauren asked.
"Yes. Since you are comfortable with it. We are taking it, unless you prefer to take mine". Isabeau said.
"No that's fine". Lauren said waving for her to put the bags in her trunk.
Once Isabeau retrieved her bags from her car, they pulled out into the street, and were on their way. To nowhere in particular, but somewhere they could try and relax. The Fae in Toronto would sell Isabeau out since she had kicked most of their asses recently or in the recent past. Which is why she wanted to get Lauren away from there.
Lauren allowed Isabeau to drive. If what she read about Hades was true. She really wasn't safe in her hotel or anywhere, but with the Succubus. She wasn't ready to decide on them, even though she knew it had crossed the Succubus mind at a time or two. She took two breaths and rested her head on the headrest. She hadn't even spent half of the money the Succubus hid in the car. But knew it could and likely would come in handy down the road. Which was a long one from what she saw in front of them
TBC
