Bo cursed as she kicked a boot over. She opened the door and screamed "What!?
Trick was taken aback at the tone in her voice. "Good morning, Bo."
"What the hell do you want this early and how did you find me? Bo growled.
"I've had you followed for a while. I'm sorry to come here so early, but I have some news you and Lauren will be interested to know." Trick never moved until Bo gestured for him to come in.
"This better be good, Trick. Lauren is still sleeping." Bo glared hard at the old man.
"I'm awake, Bo." Lauren spoke behind the succubus.
"I'm sorry, Lauren. I really am." Bo looked embarrassed that Lauren had been woken up by Trick's thoughtlessness.
"It's okay, Bo." Lauren gently raised her hand. She watched Bo and Trick make their way to a few chairs they had recently acquired.
"So, tell us, now." Bo raised an eyebrow.
"Dyson went to the Norn last night. He did something that you both need to know." Trick waved off a drink.
"What is a Norn? Bo asked.
"A Fae flea market, so to speak. She bargains with her customers, but she always, always wants something in return." Lauren replied as she took a seat next to Bo.
"Okay. So, what will this cost me and Lauren? Bo grabbed the blonde's hand.
"It won't cost you anything, but it gave you something. When I say you, I meant Lauren, specifically". Trick readied himself for the onslaught.
"Trick, just spit it out. Lauren needs to get back to bed." Bo rolled her eyes. She hadn't known Trick long, but she was already tired of his circus act around the truth.
"Aife had gone to the Norn before Dyson did. She made an arrangement for Lauren to receive Dyson's mate once it was offered up. Dyson offered it up, and she granted his wish, on the back of Aife's threat." Trick replied.
"He gave me his mate with Bo? Lauren laughed.
"Lauren? Bo looked at the blonde.
"I don't want or have ever accepted charity." Lauren laughed again.
"Trick thank you for coming to tell us, now, please leave". Bo suddenly stood and walked him out.
"Of course,." Trick quickly walked out the door and never looked back.
Bo blew out a few breaths watching Trick be driven away. It wasn't Dyson's car, so that made him even more mysterious.
She cleared her throat and returned to their bedroom. Lauren had already fallen asleep. So, their talk will have to wait.
The Dal
Kenzi and Dyson sat at a table. She stared at him. He hadn't said a word since he went outside the night before. She hadn't slept much during the night either. She nodded off and on, but that was far as it went.
"You don't have to stay here Kenzi. I don't need a babysitter." Dyson spoke lowly.
"Dude you broke a lot of car and business windows last night. If Trick hadn't called a few people, your ass would be at the mercy of the Elders, Trick spoke of. You nearly exposed the Fae to humans. Not all of them will be as forgiving the next time." Kenzi rambled off.
"She was mine Kenzi. Bo was mine. I gave my mate up thinking nobody else would get it. I never thought it would go to the one person that doesn't deserve it." Dyson growled.
"I don't like Lauren either. But what good does this do for you to sit here moping about it. If you can't mate with Bo again, you can at least try to date her again." Kenzi shrugged.
"What's the point of dating someone I can't love? I've done that for years, until Bo. She's young. She's new. She's…..she was mine." Dyson violently rubbed his beard.
"So, try again?! Lauren has to accept this mate thing first in order for it to work right? Kenzi asked.
"No. Once Bo is her mate, she's her mate. For my entire life span." Dyson answered.
"Well, shit. Yeah. You better start dating someone else." Kenzi ordered a few shots.
"You can talk to her Kenzi. Talk to her to see if she would be willing to give me another chance. Yes, my mate is gone but Bo is still capable of loving me. She can love me, and we can be a couple. She can dote on me like I'm sure she's doting on Lauren, right now." Dyson suggested softly.
"I can try but as soon as I say your name, I am sure Bo will back off." Kenzi shrugged. She will keep her word. She will try and talk to Bo. But she can't guarantee anything. She is not sure about her own relationship status with Bo is still in good standing. "I'll call her." She pulled her phone out.
Aife and Trick
"You shouldn't have interfered, Aife." Trick sighed.
"Isabeau is my daughter. I will do whatever I want to do to help her. Don't cast your own parental shortcomings on me." Aife seethed.
"The Norn is not stable." Trick looked up at her.
"Who is? Aife laughed.
"Aife." Trick shook his head.
"We all know what your blood can do. It runs in my veins. The same way it runs in Isabeau. That's why I named her that. So, you will see another Queen rise." Aife smiled thinking of her dead mother.
"Your mother would not like you playing with her granddaughter like this! Trick snapped.
"It's not like I gave her up to be raped over and over." Aife fired back. She knew she hit a nerve when Trick backed away. "Always a pussy."
Trick walked away from the Succubus. Their conversations were never cordial. Especially when all he was trying to do was guide her in the right direction. But he was starting to see that his efforts will always be futile. She is angry and bitter. Everything her mother was not. She murders and maims without a second thought of the consequences.
Aife watched Trick leave. She had to. She didn't trust him as far as she could throw him. He's the Blood King. Everyone's lives have a price. If he wants you dead, you will die. Which is another reason she worked out the deal with the Norn. They could go after Lauren for dating a Fae. Fuck that. The Fae are legendary for wanting to hold women back or down. This is for her. This is for Bo. This is for Lauren. The rest can kick big rocks.
Bo and Lauren
Bo lay on her side watching Lauren sleep. She never moved in fear of waking the doctor up. Lauren is so beautiful. Even in her sleep. Bo smiled wondering what was going through that big brain of hers.
You almost lost all of this. Moments like this, she corrected herself internally. She gently turned her head to look around the room. She is close. They are so close to having the life Bo has always dreamed of. Love. A house. Family. Normalcy. She lived that growing up and always wanted it for herself after she was kicked out. There were nights when she would sulk thinking her personal monster wasn't going to afford her all of those things. She cried. She slept. She jumped up in the middle of the night. But all of that stopped with the blonde in her bed. She's calm now. She's loved now.
Then she thought about Trick's visit. He could have told them over the phone. If Bo would have answered her phone so early in the morning. Trick must want something in return. Bo's loyalty or for her to return to the life they were all starting to lead. But none of that lead to Lauren. This is their life. They will talk about the mate thing but only when Lauren is ready. Going back to bed so quickly proved that she is not. She looked offended too. Not so much offended at the thought of being Bo's mate but offended that they thought to do this to her. She's right too. She should have been consulted first, but now that it's done, they can deal with it, together.
"How long have you been awake? Lauren whispered.
"Since Trick left." Bo replied.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gone back to bed so suddenly." Lauren sat up and Bo did too.
"You said we will get there. I never thought it would be due to Dyson or the Norn. She's dangerous Bo. Who's to say she hasn't cursed me in some way or form? Lauren rubbed her eyes.
"I'd kill her." Bo's eyes flashed blue and back to brown.
Lauren shook her head. She knows all about Fae politics. She never once went near the Norn's house. The old witch is a walking scary house.
"I know we have not known mom long, but I don't think she would risk us getting harmed. We can go and see her later. I'll use my powers to make sure she's telling us the entire truth. Okay? Bo squeezed the doctor's arm.
"Bo. I hope you weren't offended that I laughed about being your mate. But when the Norn is involved there is always, always a reason or reasons to be cautious." Lauren looked into dark eyes. She can't read auras, but the Succubus looked stressed.
"I understood Lauren. I wasn't going to force this conversation on you. It is a lot to take in. I was stunned by it too. I didn't know that could be done and honestly didn't know Dyson had mated with me." Bo blew a breath out. But you know better than me, what exactly is a mate and what can happen?
"It means that I will live as long as you and only love you. That we can feel each other when we aren't around each other. It sounds like being enslaved again. But with better perks." Lauren pulled her hair back over her head. She hadn't even looked in a mirror to make sure she didn't look like a horror movie star.
"I have a theory." Bo's eyes went wide.
"And that is? Lauren asked curiously.
"If my Succubus mated with you, maybe hers overrides Dyson and we won't have to feel like we owe him anything." Bo turned to Lauren.
"That is an idea. Since he did this last night, it's very possible." Lauren smiled.
"I know Dyson. He won't let this die. He will use this as a means to get into my bed. But my bed belongs to you." Bo seethed and smiled at the thought.
"It seems we have a few errands to run today." Lauren stretched out to sleep again.
"We do." Bo smiled as she did the same. She turned over and spooned Lauren until she falls asleep. She closed her eyes and inhaled Lauren's shampoo. She was already warm, and it was a wonderful feeling.
The Dal hours later
The bar was hopping, Trick was busy mixing drinks, and the music was loud. Kenzi and Dyson had both gone home to shower and returned to sulk again.
Kenzi was upset that Bo never answered her calls for hours. Dyson was upset that they still didn't have answers. Will or would Bo be willing to date him again? Lauren may be her mate, but she doesn't control Bo's heart or who a Succubus sleeps with.
The music suddenly stopped, and the crowd turned around to see Bo holding the plug in her hand. "Everybody out."
The next sounds heard was heels hitting the floor and bottles and glasses hitting the countertop.
"I'm glad you are all here. We need to talk." Bo pulled Lauren to a clean table and gestured for her to sit.
"Aife's not here, Bo." Dyson looked around.
"I don't need her here for this. This can be handled between the five of us." Bo paced back and forth around Lauren's table.
"Bo, what is so important that you shut my bar down? Trick asked.
"What was so important that you woke my mate up for this morning? Bo fired back. She was still upset about that intrusion.
Dyson growled. "You mean my mate that was given to her!
"Down dog." Bo's Succubus warned. His wolf whimpered at the sound.
"Bo what is this about and why haven't you been answering my calls? Kenzi asked.
"We were sleeping. We would've been up a lot earlier had our actual sleep not been interrupted." Bo spat.
"Bo, please get on with it." Trick sighed. He jumped when the entrance doors slammed.
Aife slinked inside and immediately laughed at the scene. Dyson and Trick both looked like they wet themselves and Kenzi hid behind the wolf.
Bo turned and walked over to Aife. She put her hand on her face and pulsed her. "Okay."
"Isabeau? Aife asked.
"Trick told us what you did. I just need to make sure he told us the truth. So, tell me, mom." Bo spoke softly.
"I arranged for the Norn to give Dyson's mate to Lauren." Aife replied and took a drink.
"Thank you. Have a seat." Bo touched Aife's face again, and her face went from red to blue.
"How did you learn to do that? Aife asked.
"Can you do that Aife? Lauren asked.
"Hell no. But I'm proud my girl can! Aife smiled wide.
"Noted." Lauren smiled. As a lover, she had all kinds of kinky thoughts. But as a Scientist, she needs to make notes of watching Bo pulse and reverse pulse another Succubus.
"Now, back to the topic at hand. Now that we have confirmed what mom did, there is something none of you know. My Succubus mated with Lauren before last night. So, we won't owe Dyson anything from here on out." Bo stunned the group. Not even Aife knew.
"She what? Kenzi gasped.
"Kenzi. Sit down." Bo gently pushed back.
"Bo you can't be serious. A Fae can't mate with a human! Dyson growled.
"Bo is not your average Fae, idiot. She can do whatever she wants." Aife laughed. Dyson is thousands of years old and still dumb as hell.
"Lauren is mine, and I am hers. Like it or not. I personally don't give a damn but never darken our doorsteps again with bullshit that can wait until we are out and about." Bo turned to face all of them. They still looked stunned. "I can see we are done here."
"Trick you know every Fae there is. Tell them this is not possible." Dyson whispered.
"Trick knows the Fae he can control above ground. Isabeau is not from here. That's why she's the most powerful Fae you will ever see or meet." Aife shut down Dyson's pleading.
"It doesn't matter what I can do. It matters what I have done. Lauren is my mate. Mine and that of my Succubus for the slow learners in the room. We don't owe you anything Dyson. Whatever you lost is because you went to the Norn in the first place. On your own." Bo explained quietly. There was no reason to get upset and upset Lauren because she was upset.
Lauren suddenly stood to get a drink and Bo followed her over to the bar.
"Do something Trick, before they leave. If they get out of this building, we may never see them again." Dyson pleaded to his old friend.
"Do something Trick, before they leave. If they get out of this building, we may never see them again," played over the speakers in the bar.
Bo growled and turned around. "I wouldn't suggest that."
"Bo it is a long, tired battle. Dyson has been like that for years with women he's dated. That's why he's single. None of them stay around or it cost them their lives." Lauren chimed in.
"Well, he can't cost you yours or me mine. We are safe." Bo gently took Lauren's hands. She stared into the woman's eyes and sighed.
"She doesn't know me, Bo. How could she? She's never dated anyone either." Dyson snapped. He was stunned when Lauren turned and slapped him, hard.
"Trick, you better claim Dyson. He will die right now, if you don't." Bo seethed.
"Dyson, please, stand down." Trick pushed the wolf back.
"But I have lost my mate to bullshit, Trick! Dyson screamed.
"That's not our fault! You know what the Norn does! You bargained with her before, but you didn't want to give up your precious wolf and be a lowly human like the rest of us." Lauren snapped.
"Easy babe. We are done here. Let's go. He is Trick's problem. Now and forever." Bo gently pulled on Lauren. They only came to tell them about their mate, not get into a pissing contest with Dyson. One he would assuredly lose. "So, you claim him right, Trick?
Trick rolled his eyes. He never had to do that before. Not in thousands of years. "Yes. Yes. I claim him."
"What about me? Kenzi asked.
"What about you? You are still my claim. Behave yourself and you won't get hurt. Remove your spy on us too, Trick." Bo spoke over her shoulder as they walked out of the bar.
"What the fuck was that? Kenzi gasped.
"Something you don't like. A happy Succubus." Aife laughed as she turned to grab another bottle of whiskey.
Thank you for that, Bo. I know it wasn't easy." Lauren spoke softly.
"I was more worried about you. I know a doctor doesn't like violence. Let me fight next time, okay? Bo squeezed the woman.
"Next time? Lauren squinted.
"We both know there will be a next time. Some fae that won't like us. Some jealous idiot that thinks she has a shot with me or with you." Bo licked her lips as they walked to her car.
"Or a man could want you too." Lauren noted.
"He can want all he wants. You are mine. We are in this forever, my sweet." Bo bowed as she helped Lauren inside.
"So, where too now, now that we got both errands taken care of in one trip? The day is still early. There is so many places we can go. So many things we can do." Bo revved the engine.
"Let's grab some take-out and go home to our couch and a movie." Lauren smiled.
"Sounds good to me." Bo smiled as she peeled out of the driveway.
TBC