Kenzi's eyes had fluttered open and she found herself alone in Dyson's enormous bed. She let out a little sigh and reveled in the warmth that clung to the bedding, obviously Dyson hadn't been gone very long.
Although she had woken up alone Kenzi knew all that she had experienced in the hours since the trial was real. She and Dyson had actually shown each other how they felt. They may not have said the words out loud and more than likely wouldn't until everything was sorted out.
But there were two issues marring the whole thing for her and she had absolutely no control over either of them. The first being the Ash- demanding that she take part in the trials or be banished forever from the Fae world. And who knew what his end game was...did he want control of her? Dyson? Bo? Or was there something else at stake? Or someone?
And having made it through the trials, she and Dyson escaping despite her collapsing after having experienced her worst fear, a broken and bleeding Dyson on a marble altar.
The second issue being Bo's reaction to her and Dyson. Ok it was probably a bit of a shock to find them together having just done the deed, several times, but really? Like she's with the doc and happy so why is Kenzi being with Dyson such a problem for her?
Kenzi let out another sigh but this one was tinged with a bit of frustration and sadness. But rather than laying there and waiting for Dyson to return to her, Kenzi decided she would go find him. She shifted the covers and dropped her feet to the floor.
Eventually she found her clothes and managed to get them on. She ran her fingers through her tangled hair trying to tame it. She walked quietly over to the bedroom door. She managed to open it silently and she could hear Dyson and Trick over the other side of the room, clearly something had happened.
Using her shadow thief training she succeeded in crossing the space without them noticing her to hear the last part of their conversation.
"We have a few hours to prepare. I'm going to continue going through my library to see if I can find anything..anything that may help us. But this is an uncharted area I'm afraid, no human has ever been such a part of our world that they have had to undergo the trials. Let alone actually passing them. They've been slaves, food, at best held at a safe distance for centuries. It would only be our Kenzi who would manage such a thing." Trick finished with a small smile on his face.
Dyson smiled and as Trick turned to leave, Dyson reached out and gently grabbed his arm. "Thank you Trick...for everything. We've placed you in awkward position...yet again I'm afraid."
Trick shook his head, smiling. "Dyson we have been friends for far too long to let a little disagreement with the Ash come between us. Besides you know I love Kenzi as if she was my own flesh and blood. As if I wouldn't take her side in any argument regardless of who the opposition is."
"Well that's good to know" Kenzi quiet voice crept between the two men as they both turned to look at her. "But what about if the opposition is actually your flesh and blood? What if it's Bo?"
Dyson moved to her side, wrapping his arm around her and drawing her into his warmth. Trick looked at her carefully "You are family to me, Kenzi, blood or not. No one will ever change that. Now I must get back to the library to see if I can find anything to help us." And with a quick nod to them both he disappeared down the hallway.
Dyson guided Kenzi back into his rooms closing the door behind them. He pulled her onto his lap as they sat down on the sofa again. He wrapped both arms around her pulling her closer still. Dyson nuzzled her neck "You ok La Llorona?" he breathed in her ear.
She patted his arm "Sure D-man, a-ok!"
"You're not worried about the meeting with the Ash? You don't need to be you know. Trick will be there, Vex and Tamsin. I'll be right at your side, nothing, no one will hurt you while I'm there. Pinky promise!"
Kenzi noted he hadn't mentioned Bo in her list of allies but she had to laugh out loud at the pinky promise part. "Well I'm not just worried about that. Where is the meeting? Time? Do we know yet?"
"Trick came with that information. It's at the glass factory, after sunset." Kenzi swallowed audibly. "Hey...hey! Remember what I said- nothing, no one."
Kenzi rubbed his arm again "Yeah, yeah." she responded slightly distracted.
"You're still worried about Bo, aren't you?" Kenzi became very still and quiet. Her silence spoke volumes. "She'll come 'round. You know it, you've been through too much together in this crazy world for her not too. She loves you like a sister. It'll be ok!"
Kenzi nodded and added in a soft voice "I hope so..."
Dyson gave her another squeeze. "I know I'm right...superior genes you know."
Kenzie delivered a quick elbow to his ribs as she scoffed "Superior genes my foot!"
"Elbow.." Dyson huffed out. They laughed together as Dyson shifted in the seat. "We need to get ready. Do you want to eat first or shower?"
Food sounded rather unappealing at this point and so Kenzi went "Shower!"
"Ok, I'll show to the bathroom and organise the food while you're in there." Kenzi nodded and slid off Dyson's lap
While Kenzi showered Dyson buzzed the kitchen and ordered some food. He answered the door in suitable attire when it arrived and he laid everything out ready for Kenzi to eat.
When Kenzi emerged from the steam filled bathroom Dyson had it all ready. He guided her to a seat and poured her a cup of coffee with a good shot of whisky in it to calm her nerves. He then disappeared to shower himself.
They eventually emerged from Dyson's suite awhile later to meet Trick coming to the door. "Well Trickster what news do you have for us?" Kenzi drawled out.
Trick's shoulders slumped "Nothing...nothing of use, unfortunately. You, my exceptional human being, have been a first- the first human to undergo the trials and survive them. There are no precedents set about what is about to happen."
Kenzi gave Trick a broad smile. "I've always liked carving my own path and now others can follow. Thanks for looking out for me." She gave him a warm hug. "Well my fae entourage let's get this show on the road and go see the Ash-hole."
The men both smiled at her but they both felt a heavy weight in their heart. They had both hoped Trick would find something in his extensive library, something in their history that would help them. But, unfortunately not and so into the unknown they all walked together.