Tamsin heard her sister rush out quickly with instructions but knew something was very wrong when she heard Arin grunt in pain over the link.
Like a change in the direction of the wind, Tamsin, felt a dramatic drop in the link with her sister. Tamsin felt the loss and it was the same feeling she got when Arin died in battle.
"SHIT!" Tamsin spat out and spun around looking for her sister. Her eyes scanned the room and found a lone Valkyrie on the floor with destiny sticking out of her chest. Freya obscured the view as she placed her shield down in front of the downed Valkyrie.
It was Arin, since besides Bo and herself, Arin was the only other person in the room who also had on civilian clothes.
Tamsin tuned the world out and rushed toward Arin forcefully shoving the closing ranks of Valkyries aside.
Arin was fading fast but she already said her peace to Tamsin. For Arin, after what she did to Kara and her unit, it was the least she could do for Freya.
Now she knew why Tamsin hid all her misdeeds from her. Tamsin was shielding her from awakening the demons inside of her. Even though Tamsin would do the worst of the worst, Tamsin always made sure Arin stayed straight as in an arrow.
It was odd Arin mused that Tamsin had a conscience the whole time. It wasn't Bo that gave Tamsin one. It was Bo that told her how to listen to it.
She did a salute to Freya to say in a way that she was sorry to letting her down and discarding the tenants of her creed so easily. It was also her life she wanted to willing forfeit in payment so she may have the chance to start anew.
Her face contorted with pain not so much due to the dagger, but it was regret.
Valkyries never felt because of this complex emotion. If a Valkyrie just carried regret from one life to the next in perpetuity, then their lives would be a living hell as time went forward.
Arin's only regret now was that by the time she would be reborn and remember anything about her past, her sister will not be there. In addition, by the time she grew up, which took a couple years, she would be able to remember this faded past life, but would it matter since she would just be poignantly reminded who she was and that she wasn't there to keep her sister Tamsin safe.
At the very least, she was finally able to tell her sister that she loved her. It was very un-Valkyrie of her, but it was fitting.
The Valkyrie twin sisters of light and dark were legendary, but Arin knew that Tamsin was the talent the entire time. Arin just rode her coat tails to stardom. Now Arin felt she messed up her chance to be the one that would lead for once.
Tamsin shoved her way past the last set of Valkyries in time to see Arin finish what looked like a salute to Freya. She then immediately fell limp exhaling quickly her final breath.
"No! No. no. *Noooooooo!*," Tamsin screamed, tears freely flowing down her face.
Tamsin bolted forth and knelt next to her sister. She bent over to shake her and keep her awake. If she held out long enough Bo may be able to heal her but Tamsin knew Arin's heart had already stopped.
Bo may be able to heal a Valkyrie, but didn't know is she could resurrect the dead. Even then, when a Valkyrie's heart stops, their soul, if the god they serves permits, will immediately go to the temple for rebirth.
"Arrrrrinnnnnnnnnnnn! Open your eyes! Oh gods NO!" Tamsin shrieked loudly through her hitched breathing. She hugged her tightly now is if holding onto her soul.
Tamsin felt and sometimes was there when Arin passed, but it never took away the raw emotions of loss cast on all, but Tamsin especially. Tamsin and Arin just shared a much closer bond by the sheer nature of them being twins. Valkyries may have never shown the loss outwardly, but it was always a cause for a sort of quiet mourning by those close to their fallen.
Now, because of Bo, Tamsin felt and expressed all emotions and it never occurred to her that she was crying in a place where it was frowned upon. It made a Valkyrie look weak, but Tamsin really didn't care at this time.
The loss of her sister took a heavy toll on her in the aspect that not only will she probably not see her again, but it was Arin that was to take her place when she left in what Tamsin felt like days.
Essentially Bo would have no one she trusted to protect her succubus.
Freya put an arm around Tamsin to console her. For any god or goddess in Valhalla to react to, much less show any emotion was rare, if not non-existent.
Freya, being a Valkyrie herself probably did relate to Tamsin in some manner when she whispered in a soothing voice, "Arin will be reborn Tamsin. I will see to it that she will no longer have to bear the burden of her violating her oath to me. She is one of the best and I'm sure everyone including Odin will agree."
Tamsin leaned down and kissed Arin in the forehead and spoke to her in the midst or her erratic breaths. She mumbled, "Arin, I never told you… that you ALWAYS belonged… in … in a higher order than my own. You just … humbly chose to be ordin… ordinary when you were nothing short.. of .. of amazing."
Tamsin was so preoccupied that she barely registered Bo ordering all the Valkyries blocking her view to part.
Bo took in the scene before her quickly and it brought her back to reality. Her alter ego, the power hungry, vengeful, monster inside of her, finally gave way to more reason.
Normally this was a side of her that Bo couldn't control and it was only through another person that she was able to come back down. However, this was different.
Bo felt Tamsin's pain and anguish and it was only up to her to fix the mess she made, for once alone.
Seeing Tamsin just hollering for her sister to stay awake made her eyes well up.
Bo was still keeping Odin in a sort of strangle hold and finally released him as her red glow faded slightly.
Bo concentrated hard to keep her alter ego in check. Too much meant that she was an uncontrollable monstrous power hungry freak and too little meant she would pass out, especially in lieu of the amount of power she was using now.
Bo got off Odin and glared at him and stated with venom still several octaves lower, "The NEXT time you meddle with *MY* family or bonded partner, you won't be so lucky."
Odin, who remained expressionless, just changed into smoke but materialized standing in time to catch Bo tossing him the remnant of her stick which was his in the first place.
She rushed over and looked down at Arin. Bo innately knew her limitations. Healing a Valkyrie and maybe granting them a small portion of their powers was one thing. Resurrecting them was something totally different for one can't heal someone when their soul was gone. For Dyson when he died during her dawning, it was different. His soul hadn't left him since his soul didn't immediately depart as is the process for a Valkyrie rebirth.
Bo kneeled and tried to put her arm around the still sobbing Tamsin. She hated to see her in this state.
To her surprise Tamsin shot up and pushed her away in anger.
"Don't you DARE touch me Bo!" Tamsin yelled, backing up into Freya bubbling over with both distain and grief.
"Tamsin, I sorry about Arin. It was an ACCIDENT," Bo's said emphatically as her red stated faded more.
Tamsin just peddled back some more away from Bo and finally just vented, "Gods Bo, I TOLD you not to come!"
Bo stood up slowly with her hands in front of her to calm her Valkyrie down, "Tamsin. Please, let's talk about this later. I love you Tamsin."
This just incensed Tamsin even more, "Gods, it's a wonder how I'm even bonded to you!"
Tamsin looked up and shook her head with tears still rolling down her face. "You're a fucking trouble magnet! Is this some sort of round about punishment for defying you Odin?" Tamsin said glancing at him standing a couple arm lengths away from Bo. Odin just said nothing and Tamsin turned her heated gaze back to Bo. "Arin was supposed to stand in my place, to look after you when I expire …. Which is VERY soon you idiot!" Tamsin said intensely pointing at Arin's lifeless form.
"In 5 to 6 earth days," Odin added coldly while his he made his staff remnant go up in smoke and a new one materialized so that he could now set is hands on top of his cane in front of him.
Tamsin just ignored Odin, but being a god that saw to it that Valkyries get reborn, was probably on target. "And here you go just killing her. GREEEAAT PLAN Succubus! Don't you think I am old enough to plan too?! YOU NEVER FUCKING ASKED. *COMMUNICATE*! That's at least what loving couples do!" Tamsin spat out.
"You NEVER wanted to tell me the WHOLE story when I DID! I have to do some detective work to figure your shit out. I don't use my powers on people I LOVE, so what the frack am I left with but to use my human skills and wiles on you. SHARING! THAT'S what loving couples do. I am freaking SICK and TIRED of people holding crap back from me to keep me 'SAFE'. I'm a big girl and I can take it." Bo spat back jabbing her index finger towards Tamsin as her own voice quivered and her red almost disappeared.
Tamsin then saw Bo's red state beginning to blink away. Tamsin realized quickly that whatever she just said really hurt Bo. She felt her heart constrict and get tight with regret and guilt, both foreign to her several months back, but she adapted the best she could.
Tamsin then remembered that Arin's last words were to forgive Bo and heal Kara which echoed in her mind.
Those words resonated inside of her despite all the emotional turmoil she was experiencing. For Tamsin, it meant she had to focus even though every fiber of her being was telling her to kick Bo's ass and/or run away.
Tamsin also realized that in order for Bo to heal Kara, she had to remain in her red alter ego state.
Bo looked away and to the ground. Tamsin's words cut her deep. How could she do this to Tamsin, Bo thought? She felt like a failure and all she wanted to do was help Tamsin. Killing Arin was an accident from Bo's and even Odin's part, but Bo knew what Tamsin acutely meant. It was her and her only that made the choice to throw Destiny and no one else's. Bo was unaware however, that she was near the edge of fainting.
Before Bo could think about it further, she unconsciously stepped back from Freya, Tamsin and the now lifeless Arin.
Tamsin overrode everything to at least get the most pressing of Arin's requests out of the way. She was still crying a little, but burst forward and held Bo's shoulder and shook her slightly to get to her pay attention.
Bo just didn't know what to do or say. She was speechless. They just never fought before verbally and it was Bo for once that wanted to run. Run away from all the death and destruction that befell her family and now her lover Tamsin. She had managed to hurt one of the most patient people she knew.
To Bo, Tamsin was no longer a Valkyrie in her mind, but she turned into a person.
She wanted to back up even more with doubt filling her being. She also felt tired and faint.
Run away. Something Bo used to be good at and made a life out of until the Fae found her.
Bo was brought back to reality when Tamsin rushed forward and grabbed her and stated with urgency, "Bo! HEAL Kara now before it is too late. It's the ONLY way for me NOT to join Odin's ranks permanently!"
She met Tamsin eyes and even though she no longer had confidence in herself, just nodded to Tamsin. It was the least she could do.
Bo approached the bloodied Kara who was now unconscious but barely holding on. She had lost a lot of blood after all. Without a word, Bo drew in chi from the surrounding Valkyrie units and it flowed into Kara once more.
Kara's wounds sealed up quickly and she sharply took in a deep breath of air. Kara then shot up in apparent shock that she was not dead yet and Bo collapsed into Tamsin's waiting arms.
Everyone in the room gasped as Bo's red all faded away and fell into Tamsin's waiting arms.
Freya stepped forward to ensure that Bo was ok but Tamsin reassured her and everyone else in ear shot, "Don't worry, she's ok, she just need to sleep it off and maybe pull some Chi a little later."
Odin just watched as Kara in her confused state just kept trying to piece everything together.
Tamsin thought about what to do next. She could revive Bo but she was now conflicted how she felt about her.
On one hand Tamsin loved her and on the other she despised her too. Bo had a certain way of doing things that wasn't her way. She was impetuously stubborn and today it killed her sister.
More so than that however, when Bo kissed Lauren, she felt pain in her heart due to the bond. Bo just didn't know that it wasn't the knocking of boots with someone else that caused it, but more so the feeling of love for another besides her.
It was vexing to know that Bo wanted her and not Lauren because that at this rate, Bo's actions constituted cheating on Tamsin and rightfully so. Valkyries don't feel and for Tamsin to feel and have to deal with such strong emotions kind of made her susceptible to dealing with these new feelings alone. That also meant that she didn't have the best coping mechanisms as well.
Tamsin in a word felt betrayed. Normally this would not have been a problem if Tamsin just remained a full Valkyrie in Odin's order or if Bo followed 'the plan' and reunited with Lauren. She also just made it her policy to never get close to anyone or allow anyone in. Bo made it to her heart however and Tamsin allowed it.
She found it ironic that the very feeling she was trying to avoid, betrayal, she felt it now.
When Tamsin was trying to sooth Bo when she found out Lauren's full history in addition to reliving the Nadia incident, Tamsin couldn't relate really. She could only tell Bo to listen herself and have her hold to her own ethics and morals.
Tamsin however was beginning to remember small snippets of their past. She did remember Bo's monologue to her in the hospital.
It burned her to know that Lauren was able to sway her succubus's heart. If Tamsin was Bo's, the doctor was a good as dead if she ever saw her next. How dare she take what was rightfully hers. But then, Tamsin brooded, did she have the right to do so? The plan was to give Bo away.
Kendra and Arin told Tamsin that she had been saluting Bo with Hildr's salute for some time now and at a subconscious level she meant what is represented.
It meant she had to also do the one thing she hated to do. Something that was never coded into her DNA. Something Arin also instructed her to do as well.
FORGIVE.
Forgive Bo for making an honest mistake about choosing to throw her dagger, but in addition, in a broader sense, forgive Bo for being Bo. Accept Bo for her faults since her intentions were always good.
But how?
Tamsin wanted to go like a Valkyrie and with only 5 or 6 days left. She knew that she could probably join on unofficial missions with her sisterhood within 4, 1, 8.
Tamsin then acutely remembered that she told Arin that even her needs were secondary to her succubus.
Tamsin came to the conclusion that her bond with Bo required her forgiveness and also it meant that Bo's needs superseded her own. Tamsin was at a loss on how to accomplish this.
Kara had gotten up, straightened out her clothing the best she could since they were still torn and blood soaked but as a glib comment while scanning Arin stated after a long silence with everyone looking on, "Damn. Can't say Arin didn't have it coming for her. That'll teach her not to mess with me or the…."
Tamsin was incensed by her comment and shot up from her kneeling position like a cat and slapped Kara so hard across the face that she flew against a column several meters away with a loud thud.
This action put a look of shock to everyone's features except Odin most likely due to Tamsin's speed and force. Tamsin seemed extremely fast for a human or even a Valkyrie.
Kara sat on the ground shaking her head trying to process what just happened and Tamsin grabbed her and lifted her up in the air by the neck with one hand. Kara was suffocating and couldn't speak with her feet no longer touching the ground.
Tamsin just yelled at her, "You UNGRATEFUL bitch! It was Arin's dying request to save your pathetic life and as such, Bo healed YOU. You have no more lives and you were supposed to be gone already!" Tamsin then threw her on the ground and kept the vise like hold on Kara's neck as Tamsin pulled her dagger and rested it on her exposed throat.
"I will gladly dispatch you now and when you go to hel, TELL him who sent you, BECAUSE I'm coming for him next!"
"Please Odin… gods of Valhalla… MERCY!" She cried out as she shed a couple of tears. It was apparent that Kara finally knew that this was her last life would do anything to keep it however fleeting.
"Your GODESS can't hear you BITCH! Bo Dennis, Blood Daughter of Odin OWNS you now and since I am her BONDED partner, I fucking call the shots got it! DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM with giving Bo Dennis and ME YOUR fealty because you belong in her order now," Tamsin forcefully stated less than a couple inches from Kara's face. Shadows began to appear on her face.
"Fine! I'll do it," Kara gurgled since Tamsin was applying more pressure to her neck and her blade began to cut into her.
Tamsin stood up releasing her grip sheathing her dagger and said for all to hear and demanded, "Kara, I'm waiting."
Kara looked unsure getting up and dusting herself off. She looked first at Freya who just nodded and then at the steely gaze of Odin, who, after some hesitation, nodded ever so slightly and then spoke, "Kara formerly of 3,4,8, as much as I would like to disagree with Tamsin, my decree still stands which your current life and futures lives were deemed forfeit and hence you will not part take in rebirth. However, my daughter, Ysabeau, had chosen to graciously save you from your final walk to the afterlife. I and Freya therefore are not the ones you should pay homage to but as a consolation, I will allow you to retain your Valkyrie powers. Use them wisely as I may still change my mind."
Kara just stood there dumbfounded. Kara turned to Tamsin. I looked of deep distain, hurt and abandonment marred her features. Kara was normally stone cold as is a normal Valkyrie, but Tamsin knew this situation was overwhelming for her.
Tamsin wanted to laugh, but she also empathized with Kara. Tamsin still couldn't believe that she felt for others as a Valkyrie, but she knew Kara was processing the loss of her entire livelihood and it had to hurt. She also knew Kara would hesitate to kneel to her, but it would be better if Bo was conscious.
Tamsin also finally had a plan to both forgive Bo for everything and be with her until her end of days. This plan however, needed her to tie up some lose ends of course.
Kara looked like she was about to kneel when Tamsin spoke up, "Kara, just pledge you fealty to Bo later."
Kara just nodded slowly still processing what happened.
"I need you to get Bo to my apartment in the 69th district. Just let her rest and I will be back to revive her. Until then, protect her with your life since she is your god now. Understand?" Tamsin said calmly. She didn't want to bark and order at her since Kara was still in a dazed stated. It was probably nicer to request. 'Nicer' gods Bo really screwed her up Tamsin thought offhanded.
Kara nodded once more and finally sharply genuflected before Tamsin and the still unconscious Bo and solidly proclaimed, "I serve no other deity but Bo Dennis, goddess of the new order, and am privileged to be part of her ranks. What you ask will be done."
This had the effect of everyone in the 12th division looking on to gasp in surprise. This was several fold since Kara just decreed in front of Odin and Freya, that Bo WAS the goddess of the new order, something that no one dared to repeat in front of them. Also Kara HATED all the stories and tales of Tamsin, the missing Valkyrie and Bo with a passion of a succubus.
Tamsin just nodded to Kara as Tamsin lazily tossed the keys to her apartment to Kara.
Kara immediately gathered her weapons but also kneeled before Arin to remove the dagger, Destiny, from her chest. She approached Bo and put the dagger back into the sheath mounted on her leg.
Kara then hoisted Bo over shoulder and brought her out to a waiting armored horse.
Tamsin turned her attention to Freya at the sound of a horse galloping away.
"Freya, with your permission, I would like to attend Arin's Phoenix ceremony," Tamsin asked genuflecting before Freya.
"Of course Tamsin. You may not belong to Odin or myself, but you will always remain her twin sister. It is already night so we will begin in an hours' time," Freya responded but also closed her eyes briefly, to which division 12 began to move out and it also seemed that Odin's unit of 1, 1, 2 consisting of 6 Valkyries entered the hall and took up guard positions once more.
Kendra entered the break room and immediately recognized Detective Jane Rizzoli from all the press she got. She was the first to get up and shake her hand. Kendra found that she was quite tall, about as tall as Tamsin.
"Detective Rizzoli, It's finally nice to meet you. I normally only get to see you gracing headlines in papers," Kendra reached out to shake her hand. As expected, Jane had a firm but refined grip.
"Likewise Captain Shaw. You are legendary at the BPD. You managed to beat out all of our snipers in open competition for Massachusetts these past few years, and I see Long Shot and On Target I assume through your training beat out several of our own as well in addition," Kendra spoke with a genuine smile.
"Doctor Maura Isles, Chief Medical Examiner with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts," she stated formally shaking Kendra hand but cocked her head to the side and asked, "So your other sniper's official names are On Target and Long Shot?"
Kendra just smiled glancing at Jane who corrected for Maura with a grin knowing that she didn't get it.
"No Maura, those are their call signs and Kendra and team use them as affectionate terms."
"Oh like calling someone T-dog, Maverick, or Terminator?" Maura said sheepishly, "So what's yours Kendra?"
Jane just covered her face with her hand.
Kendra chimed in, "I don't have one, but we do have a Terminator and that is for Lieutenant Detective Tamsin Jennings who had to attend to some family emergency but will be here later."
"Anyway," Jane cut it signaling a shift in topics, "Thanks Kendra for seeing us so soon."
All just took seats. Jane and Maura sat on one side of the table while Kendra took the opposite side.
"So what is so urgent that you need to see my team specifically that it couldn't wait Detective?" Kendra asked getting to the point as well.
"Kendra, do you remember the high profile bank heist several months back in Boston?" Jane asked.
"Yes," Kendra said looking up trying to recall the pertinent events, "The robbery hit the main National Bank branch in Boston using C4s to break into the building at the beginning to the day, right as the timed safe was opened by an employee. The 4 suspects all had class C body armor and high powered, high capacity assault rifles. When your precinct showed up, several officers were shot and killed even ones behind buildings with cinderblock walls."
Jane just nodded at Kendra as she continued with her eyes shifting to Maura, "Doctor Isles, you were decorated with a medal of valor since you not only gave immediate medical assistance to downed officers that day but more so, you pulled several of them to safety yourself while taking on fire in an area were active shooters were present."
Maura smiled and humbly mentioned, "Well my adrenal gland dumped cortisol and adrenaline into my blood stream. When coupled that with elevated oxygen and blood pressure levels, it boosted my intrinsic strength at the time. Studies suggest a boost of over 50% under the right conditions."
Kendra's eyes then met Jane's, "And you Detective Rizzoli personally took down one of the shooters even though your service weapon was useless against their body armor. You rammed one of the suspects with your squad car, taking a bullet through the chest which penetrated your body armor and also one in your left dominant arm but still managed to pull Detective Frost into your vehicle and then drove to safety. From what I understand, it if wasn't for you, he would have bled to death. You also achieved a medal of valor but it was issued to you by both state senators in addition to the Mayor of Boston for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts."
"Frost is my partner and close friend. I would never let him go out like that," Jane admitted.
Kendra respected both of them but curiosity did get the best of her.
"Detective, you are carrying you service weapon on your left side. I hope your left arm is fully healed," Kendra mentioned.
"It fine …. most of the time. I'm in PT (Physical Therapy), but I was able to qualify with it just fine," Jane said with a smile blowing it off with a wave of her hand.
Maura just whacked Jane's arm lightly and admonished her, "I told you to learn to shoot with your right like over 90% of the world does and let this one heal properly."
Jane just whimpered out of frustration at Maura and covered her face with her hands, "Whhhhy do you have be to soooo … soooo like my mom."
"You mean magnanimously patient with you and RIGHT all the time?" Maura challenged.
Kendra found their odd dynamic entertaining. They were good friends by all accounts, which was not real a surprise, but it also looked like they argued like a family members do.
"OK, let just get to the case," Jane finally said changing topics giving up.
"As you know Kendra," Jane continued seriously, "3 were killed but one escaped. One of our CIs (confidential informants) heard that the fourth, Manuel Morales was looking to score again since he dropped the cash in his attempt to escape during our pursuit"
"Really?" Kendra asked sitting back in her chair digesting all this. "So why is the FBI involved and what does this have to do with my team?"
"Well," Jane stated, "The FBI is involved since the assailants managed to kill a couple agents in the area who were on a tasked for to find convicted felon, Manuel Morales for also killing ICE (immigration and customs enforcement) agents with DHS months earlier when a random shake down at a residence erupted in violence."
"We understand that Mr. Morales is gathering a new team consisting of Ex-Mil formerly with special ops. He will not make the same mistake twice. He is looking for a bank but in an area that has less law enforcement coverage. That would be one of yours Kendra. District 71 looks like the target since they are traditionally understaffed and by the time your team responds, they will be long gone," Jane succinctly stated.
"So what's your relationship to the case and why couldn't you tell me this over the phone or email?" Kendra asked getting to the bottom of the mystery.
"He killed several of my friends at the precinct and I have been working on finding him as well. I know his movements, habits and MO better than anyone. This case means a lot to me Kendra, and I want to see this through and put him away for good but since this attempted bank robbery could happen any day now and it is out of my jurisdiction, I need your team's support," Jane concluded.
Kendra thought about just taking the case and just sending Jane and Maura home, but Jane had a point. Kendra didn't have enough coverage for a quick hit like that and needed every advantage she could get.
Kendra also read Jane Rizzoli's profile after the raid on Jane's own precinct and she was always brilliant as a detective and avoided skirmishes but that didn't mean she was a push over. If one came her way, she still packed quite a wallop. She was definitely not as gun hoe as Kendra and team due to the fact it was their job to resolve already tense and often time's hostile situations.
As for Maura, Kendra already knew that she was Jane's friend but seemed to be Jane's eyes and hence that is why they stuck together on and off work. Rumor had it that Jane's real partners weren't Detectives Barry Frost and Vince Korsak although close, but it was Doctor Maura Isles.
"Granted," Kendra stated, "My team will be here in an hour and you can brief them at that time. Do you have accommodations for your stay here?"
Jane answered shaking her head, "None yet, but we will find one later."
"No need, I have an unused safe house next to Terminator … um Detective Tamsin Jennings. That way you still have a guide for our area in addition to added protection…. Not that you need it ladies."
"Thanks," both Jane and Maura stated getting up from the table.
Kendra's team did make it into the precinct shortly thereafter. Jane and Maura melded quickly with the team and started the process to bring everyone up to speed and get a plan hammered out.
Kendra did hope that Tamsin and Bo were ok.
Tamsin dismounted Ajax and rushed into an extremely small room in Valhalla. Her eyes were red and bloodshot from crying. She knew by the time the rebirth ceremony was performed, it would be after the Valkyrie trials in a couple of months.
In a couple months however, Tamsin knew she would have already passed on. The 5 maybe 6 days Odin stated was a fact and it felt about right. Tamsin was barely healing now and Tamsin missed her opportunity to tell Arin how much she did care for her.
Regret.
Another human emotion which Tamsin had issues wresting with. She already was collapsing under its herculean weight from her history of evil deeds alone.
She just entered and expected her cold mason built room to have a layer of dust since no one would dare go in her room since she was fallen but found it in immaculate condition.
It was in no way a hotel, more like a Spartan efficiency with shared facilities. All one had to do was knock down the walls and you had barracks. As a matter of fact that did happen at times.
Everything was in neat and in place, neater than when she left it.
Tamsin thought she was in the wrong room until she saw several stacks of hand written papers addressed to her. Upon further investigation, they were written anonymously from Valkyries using pen names or general unit designations.
The top one read:
"Tamsin, the Missing Valkyrie,
You are in inspiration to us all.
The goddesses of the new order eyes are brown and blue.
Blue represents trust, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, and heaven. But most of all freedom since it is the color of the ocean and sky.
Blue then is the color of the sash belonging to the goddess of the new order. Please accept this offering in your closet.
7,3,2"
Tamsin forgot that for the Phoenix ceremony, she would not only wear her standard Valkyrie uniform, she would also wear a sash denoting which god she worshipped. Right at this moment, it was Bo who didn't have a color, but blue was close enough.
She stripped quickly out of her SWAT uniform and gear and hung it up. She was amazed that her uniforms and sashes were clean, but more so, there were several other new items and most likely offerings in her small closet as well.
In essence, her room had been turned into a secret alter of sorts for those that follow Bo, but since this was her room, it only confirmed that she was an idol of sorts albeit an unwilling one.
She donned on her white flowing Valkyrie uniform and then a blue sash. They fit her well and looking in the mirror briefly, it was nice Tamsin thought, to be able to wear it one last time.
A Valkyrie is what defined her even though it was lost being in a fallen state.
She looked down at her clothing adjusting it slightly and smiled broadly. It felt like home for a fleeting moment before she turned to get the rest of her gear.
She reached out for her standard gear which was nothing really special since all the good stuff was earth side but stopped to look at other offerings and found in a her closet shrouded by a non-descript blanket was the form of a shield.
Upon pulling the blanket off to reveal it remaining contents she was awestruck at what she saw.
It was the Shield of Achilles, with matching sword and dagger.
These items were thought to be lost altogether, but apparently, someone in the sisterhood was able to find them.
While the sword and dagger did have some magical properties, the shield is what most people and Fae sought. It was this shield that was said to give it wielder invulnerability against attack. It made you sort of invincible. It was nice to be able to have it. Gods only knew she needed it since every second she was in Valhalla; she was in danger of getting into a fight with Valkyries that don't necessarily prescribe to her ways. That group ironically included Kara until recently.
She donned the shield on her back and also mounted the matching sword and dragger.
She rush to leave out the door but hesitated, she quickly at the spur of the moment, walked back to her desk, took out her bag and thrust all the piles of paper written to her in it.
She exited the building and Ajax wasn't far off munching on a patch of grass. Upon seeing her, Ajax dutifully trotted towards her and Tamsin took some time to mount Ajax since he didn't have a saddle. It did cross her mind to put one on him, but Ajax had already done his duty to her and the sisterhood and as such, it was Ajax's free will to follow her now.
Tamsin knew Ajax was far more intelligent than anyone gave him credit for and it was demonstrated both on the battle field and by the sheer fact that now Tamsin didn't need to put reigns on him to lead him. For some reason, he just knew.
Tamsin, now sitting on his back, leaned over and patted him caringly and whispered into his ear, "Let's go see Arin,"
Upon hearing it, Ajax snorted and trotted off just look good old times.
"OK, Intel from Detective Rizzoli shows they may hit tomorrow or the day after in the AM but we don't know which bank it will be yet. So split up into your respective teams to cover the banks that we identified that are possible targets," Kendra announced to her team of 20 in the room. "Team lead for district 72 is Carrot Top. 71, me. 70, Long Shot. Hump day 69. Oh yea, Chica!"
"Si?" She said raising her hand in the back.
"Take care of our weapons packages, and you got point for 73," Kendra stated sternly.
"Si. Es muy importante (Yes, it's very important)," Chica responded quickly.
"We have to leave districts 74 through 76 without SWAT presence since the banks there don't seem to meet the criteria of Manuel Morales and possibly his 3 to 4 unsubs (unidentified subjects)," Kendra stated to all.
"I've put a BOLO (Be on the look-out) for Manual Morales and hopes he slips up and gets caught so he can be brought in for questioning," Kendra concluded.
"Aren't you spread kind of too thin Captain?" Maura asked in the back of the room raising her hand shyly, "75% of encounters in which the assailants have the element of surprise do come out ahead especially when…."
"Maura, she knows what she is doing," Jane interrupted tapping her forearm.
Kendra looked at Maura and she did have a valid question. She didn't have enough SWAT members to go against 4 to 5 heavily armed assailants with body armor. At this rate, 1 maybe 2 SWAT members will be assigned to each of the banks. She also didn't want to pull cops off their regular beat since the districts she mentioned were already too thin and also they didn't have the necessary hardware and experience.
"Until we narrow or isolate which bank they plan to hit, these are the plans for now. I'm having my team work the evidence we have thus far in addition to Detectives Frost and Korsak from the BPD. If it comes down to it, we might at able to pull a couple people across the precincts but not too many. We are thin as is," Kendra clarified.
"Hey," Jane raised her hand as 4 people quietly entered in the room towards the back. "I can join your team if you have the spare hardware."
"Sure," Kendra nodded but was distracted by what looked like DHS agents entering in the room and they all looked oddly familiar.
"Kenzi Solo from DHS," someone announced from the back, "My team is locked, loaded and ready to go Captain Shaw."
Kendra couldn't believe who walked in. It was Kenzi, Alex, Drake and Talan. They had DHS uniforms but Kenzi was dressed in her normal somewhat formal gothy attire but had a DHS badge. What the heck where they doing here she thought?
"I thought the DHS had no interest in this and had no people power to spare?" Jane asked curiously turning to Kenzi.
"You must be Detective Jane Rizzoli," Kenzi said with a broad smile. "Well ICE agents Drake, Talan, and Alex, beg to differ and so do I. Mr. Morales killed 4 of our agents and we plan to append him and bring him to justice. *IF* he is still alive. Ya never know. LOTS of things happen when bullets start to fly."
Kendra just covered her face with her hand and then looked up and said, "Agent Solo, may I have a word with you in private?"
"Sure thing cap!" Kenzi stated as they walked into the empty hallway.
"Twitchy!" Kendra stated exasperated in a low voice, "*THIS* isn't a game. Last time they hit, scores of officers died. And also what if Jane looks you up? You're not DHS."
"Calm down Captain America," Kenzi said with a smile, "All our credentials are valid. Check it out yourself. I know people, that know people, that know people, who… ummm have access to…"
"NEVER MIND," Kendra stated cutting her off shaking her head, "So where's your gear?"
"I'm a forensic and cybersecurity specialist. So, I can help you if you need another set of eyes to look over the intel you got," Kenzi offered.
"All right, so WHY did you bring Drake, Talan and Alex? Did you just so happen to pick them up hitchhiking?" Kendra asked flippantly getting to the point while crossing her arms.
"Wellllll, Doc Hot Pants thought Tamsin needed some backup so Drake and Talan came along," Kenzi quickly summarized.
"And Alex is part of the Burning Cypress Clan. So may I ask HOW she fits into all of this?" Kendra asked warily.
"Oh her, she reports in to you right? That's what Alex told me," Kenzi mentioned putting her index finger on her lips and then stated, "I heard that Drake tried to shake her but she stuck to him like a pair lovers in bed. Speaking of….."
Kendra just held up her hands defensively in front of her and cut it, "I DON'T want to know."
"K. Suit yourself. By the way, where is my Succu-charmer and T-sam?" Kenzi asked curiously looking around.
"Last time I saw then was a couple hours ago. Tamsin and Bo were here but left in a hurry. Frankly, I don't know where they went but if I know them, they are probably ironing things out," Kendra looked away deep in thought.
"Soooo let go over the intel and see what we can find?" Kenzi mentioned bringing them to the task at hand.
"Don't screw this up Twitchy. I accepted Jane Rizzoli into the team since she had excellent field experience. As for you and your team from 'DHS', I have yet to see you or Talan in action. Drake barely has enough experience for the team," Kendra finished opening the door to the conference room again.
Ajax trotted toward a large gathering of Valkyries in the middle of the field. The center of which was already scorched and therefore barren.
Tamsin was in a daze as she realized that Ajax had stopped several meters from the perimeter of the crowd. Her thoughts were not only preoccupied with the loss of her sister but more so of who was left that she trusted to looked after her succubus.
It wasn't Kara. Even though she pledged her allegiance to Bo, there was no telling how faithful she would be. She was one of Odin's and Tamsin herself didn't get along with her either. The only reason why she trusted her for now was simply because she was the only other Valkyrie that was allowed to leave Valhalla that was not affiliated with Odin or Freya. Tamsin brooded that she would have to talk to her to.
At any rate, Kara would have to be 'on loan' to Odin anyway to collect souls.
Tamsin got off her horse leaving her small pack on the ground. The moon was bright and several Valkyries held torches.
The crowds parted as Tamsin walked directly toward the center. She kept walking and then realized that there were much more Valkyries here than normal. Most of the time, it was a couple hundred that showed up but this time it was over a thousand. It also seemed an equal mix of Odin's and Freya's Valkyries from across all orders.
Normally the Phoenix ceremony didn't get much attention with the exception of Valkyries closest to you since this was more or less looked on as a formality before re-birth.
Tamsin was impressed that Arin was doing exactly what she told her to do when they were at Lauren's place which was to lead the Valkyrie's by their heart.
An ominous silence was lingering the air as Tamsin made it to the center where a 3 foot tall pyre was constructed with Arin resting peacefully on top.
In the center as with any Phoenix ceremony, Freya and her Valkyries took one side and Odin's took the other.
Tamsin? She was neither so the just stood between the division of gold and black sashes.
Tamsin was a wreck. Her emotions were running her mind in circles and she was short of not being able to function but she stuck with it. She just needed to hold on for a little longer.
Freya then stepped forward to address all, but instead of using the standard lengthy and morose ceremonial psalms that Tamsin and everyone heard countless times, she proclaimed something different.
"Arin, Daughter of Freya and apprentice to Odin through her ascension into 3, 4, 8, remanded her soul to me to be reborn," Freya announced but paused.
Tamsin never knew that Freya would even acknowledge Arin's new order, but in a way, it honored her sister and it also warmed Tamsin to know that Arin DID get to be in an order higher than her own after all.
"It is said that road to hel is paved with good intentions. Arin, although unquestioningly defending the ideals in our core tenants, made an egregious error today that could have thrown the entire kingdom into chaos. She however was able to stop the avalanche of events that would most certainly have followed but gave us the ultimate sacrifice of her life," Freya stated motioning to Arin.
"The Phoenix ceremony is normally to prepare fallen Valkyrie warriors for rebirth through fire. For from the ashes, like the Phoenix, we rise and are reborn. But fire also cleanses for we are all fallible. We make mistakes but now is the time to wipe Arin's slate free and make her right again amongst the gods and the sisterhood as witness," Freya relayed to all.
Tamsin was crying again quietly standing ALONE.
She didn't have Bo with her now to guide her. She also didn't have Arin to lean on either. Tamsin was in a state of emotional turmoil which Valkyrie's weren't ever accustoming to. All the human emotions were taking a toll on her.
Freya then reached her hand out and a Valkyrie handed her a torch. She then lit a corner of the pyre on fire as she continued to speak.
"Arin of 3,4,8 will therefore be reborn, without any blemishes or scars for any of her past for the fire will consume it away as the purity of her soul rises into the heavens once more," Freya concluded walking back to the front of her ranks again to face Arin once more as the fire grew higher.
The fire spread quickly and soon the fire engulfed Arin's body.
Tamsin couldn't take this anymore as her breathing began become erratic. Seeing Arin go up in flames to never be seen again was too much.
Tamsin needed to run away and immediately genuflected towards Freya who returned a nod and as she strode out quickly, genuflected before Odin as well.
Odin raised one of his brows in curiosity, but nodded back.
She really didn't care about Odin, but she also knew that she had to at least give him some respect since Arin may go to his order. If that happened, Tamsin didn't want to sour their relationship all because of her.
She briskly walked toward Ajax just clearing the surrounding Valkyries when she sawing something appeared out of the corner of her eye and her gut instinct told her it was a threat.
Tamsin immediately drew her Sword of Achilles and went into a fighting stance.
It was Odin standing before her calmly assessing her with both his hand resting on his cane in front of him.
Her gut instinct proved correct.
"What do you want," Tamsin demanded wiping away remnants of tears from her face with her free arm.
Odin was emotionless as always but said calmly, "Do you remember what Bo told me during our fight that she saw the future?"
"Yea, she mentioned that she was going to…" Tamsin stopped herself from saying 'kick your ass and take your throne and be the one god for Valhalla.' She knew that would not be wise to taunt him. Tamsin also adroitly sheathed her sword in process. She didn't want to find out if this sword could cause him harm just yet.
"… RULE over Valhalla as the one true god which was foretold in ancient scrolls," Odin completed and continued. "While that may be true, I too have received glimpse of the future as well; a not too distant one."
"Fucking spit it out, I need to get back to Bo," Tamsin gazed at Odin as she grew impatient.
Odin never got mad and then said, "Tamsin, keep careful watch over my daughter for she will be ambushed by Fae on earth in the coming months."
"You freaking STOP play tricks and under mining Bo! She my bonded mate and of course I will protect her. If I can protect her against YOU, I WILL prevail," Tamsin pointed at him accusingly with her left hand ready to draw her sword again with her right.
Odin raised his voice slightly, "I do not 'play tricks' on my daughter especially on the gravity of this magnitude. In the vision, saw hundreds of Fae moving towards her like waves in an ocean. They were not of a specific species, but all intermixed with one goal, to kill my daughter."
Tamsin got curious but stated, "Bo, as my bonded mate, I will protect her. There is no way someone would get the balls to rally hundreds of Fae from different walks to life to go against Bo. She could easily drain them all at a whim. Not to mention I will be by her side as always."
Odin frowned for once and then carefully said, "Tamsin, I saw the beginnings of that premonition and Bo fought ALONE with a half Kitsune named Kenzi. Bo, as you call her, was on the losing end and you were nowhere to be found."
Tamsin snapped and stood defiantly face to face with him. She switched her hand to her dragger for speed but said with venom, "Then fucking STOP it from happening!"
"I tried, but for some reason I keep getting that dream. I have sent Valkyries to look after Bo but it keeps occurring. You are her only constant as my Valkyries keep being recalled to collect souls," Odin broke her stare with Tamsin and looked down before meeting her eyes again.
Tamsin never saw that expression on Odin before. One of defeat and he was telling the truth. Even as a god, he could only do so much being bound to Valhalla. Putting the puzzle pieces together quickly, Tamsin realized that maybe the reason why Odin wanted Bo to be in Valhalla was ultimately to look after her. No hordes of Fae would dare, nor could they even enter the kingdom.
It bothered her that she wasn't there for Bo. Did they have a falling out or maybe it was more simplistic. Did she expire already by that time? She needed to get back and think.
"I've gotta go," Tamsin said tiling her head and scrunching her face backing up and turning to pick up her bag and mount Ajax.
Odin spoke once more, "I would normally offer you your powers back since I know you would be too stubborn to ask but you don't seem to need it."
Tamsin got on her horse trying to decode what he was saying but spat out, "I don't fucking want them back. I finally get to be away from you and be free!"
Odin just stared at her, "You will NEVER be free of me Tamsin for I live in Ysabeau as well. But more to the point, you don't need your powers back since you dealt with Kara in a way that clearly demonstrated to me that you do have more power than my first order Valkyries. The rumors are true then."
Tamsin just huffed out a laugh and patted Ajax, who began to gallop toward her room and then to the nearest portal but she thought back to Odin, 'Because I am wearing the Xanther rune. Do your research next time Odin.'
Odin closed his eyes briefly and communicated back, 'But you're NOT wearing it. You should at least heal like a regular human. You take orders from no one now but your fealty to protect my daughter makes us allies, at least in the short term Tamsin, bonded partner to my Ysabeau Dennis.'
Tamsin forgot that she was no longer wearing her Valkyrie pendant or the Xanther rune. She just assumed that she had powers when she went against Kara. That was odd but at least she knew that if she wore the Xanther rune, she would be twice as powerful.
She still needed to think and get on with her plan.
Tamsin got to the portal and dismounted her horse and Valkyrie unit was there from the 7th order which belonged to Freya's.
The unit sharply genuflected before her as she turned to face them and didn't get up.
Had she amassed that much respect amongst the sisterhood she thought?
She knew they wouldn't get up so she nodded like Odin or Freya would and they got up and snapped back to attention once again.
She patted Ajax and just murmured, "Thanks boy."
Normally Ajax would have walked or trotted away by now but in a surprise turn of events just stood there.
Tamsin patted him once more and said a little louder "OK Ajax, you can go now."
Ajax again didn't move so Tamsin just huffed out a laugh and began to walk toward the portal when Ajax just jumped in front of her hand whinnied.
Tamsin, try as she might, couldn't get around Ajax
"Come on boy, I gotta run," Tamsin said a little frustrated, but Ajax simply did not let her through. It looked like he wanted to be pet, but even when she did, he would still block her path. The last time she saw him act this way was in battle when she was gravely and seriously injured. He would simply not leave her even when his own life was at stake.
Other riders said he was stupid and obstinate, but Tamsin knew that Ajax was extremely loyal and that quality saved Tamsin many of times. And now for some reason, Ajax just knew that she was dying and refused to leave her.
Tamsin finally gave up and nuzzled her head to his petting his neck and said, "Ajax, in order for our lives to have any meaning, it needs to have a beginning and an end. Valkyries cheat death all the time since we are reborn but while I have gone through several lives now, I was never 'living' until I met Bo. Now my end is near and for once I am happy that I get to achieve Omega on *my* own terms, in the arms bonded partner Bo…. This is just a fact of life … well ordinary life …. Understand?"
All the Valkyries in the surrounding unit faced forward to the portal never removing their gaze from it, but a single one did. The Valkyrie closest to Tamsin turned to see and listen to the events unfold between Tamsin and Ajax.
Ajax just snorted in apparent understanding after a long pause. It looked like he got it and backed off a little but held his head down in apparent disappointment.
"Oh don't be like that boy," Tamsin said in a faux cheery voice scrunching her face. The afterlife did scare her since she knew where she was headed, but at least she didn't need Ajax to worry. Odd Tamsin thought, she assigned human qualities to a horse, but it was hard not to. Ajax was never a thing to be owned and conquered; he was his own 'person' the whole time with his own personality and Tamsin let him be just that while others didn't.
"Tell you what, let me give you that massage I promised you and then I have to be on my way. OK?" Tamsin offered and Ajax apparently accepted by lying down in his side.
He was old and it took him a little longer but he made it.
Tamsin didn't care who saw her and just spent some actually quality time with him.
In the end she got through the portal and took a taxi to her apartment.
Tamsin made sure to let Kara know via the link she was entering before she opened the door with her spare key.
Tasmin just plopped her bag at the entry of the door which also had her sword and shield inside. She kept her dagger on her as she proceeded to walk to her room.
Upon entering she saw Bo peacefully sleeping on her bed covered up nicely with Kara sitting stiffly on a chair next the bed with a sword drawn and ready to go but also had a Glock that Tamsin had running around as spare on the bed side table.
"Jeeez, at ease soldier," Tamsin said flippantly to Kara.
Kara just ignored Tamsin but said, "You got any drinks around here? I need to get at least a little sloshed to forget about today. And tomorrow, most likely I will be in integrated into 4, 1, 8 for a larger mission."
"I don't drink much anymore since I am fallen, but I keep some spare under the couch cushion back. Some movies just go better with a LITTLE HELP," Tamsin relayed with a click keeping her stare at Bo.
"OK, you got her and I'll be right outside," Kara and walked out without feeling.
Tamsin went over to the bed and kissed Bo on the forehead and found that Bo was overdressed. Kara only took off her shoes. So Tamsin made sure to redress her in a sleep shirt and even then it was still overkill for a succubus.
Through the night, Tamsin stayed in bed with Bo and spent it busily writing. It was early AM as the sun came up when Kara came in to check on them.
"Did you even sleep Tamsin?" Kara asked wondering what was going on.
Tamsin just ignored her and sealed another envelope and wrote who it was to on the front.
"Hey," Kara stated, "Odin is calling and needs me to be form up with 4, 1, 8 in like 2 hours."
Tamsin finally stuffed the pile of paper that she got from her desk back into the bag and approached Kara.
"I need you to do something for the new order," Tamsin stated formally.
"Sure, command me," Kara confidently stated.
"This bag goes back to my desk in Valhalla and let Sigun know that I have written back responses as needed," Tamsin stated formally, "and also THIS letter goes to Kendra Shaw first and foremost immediately. Please ensure you hand it off to her personally." Tamsin handed her the bag and a very thick envelope with Kendra's name and precinct address.
"OK," Kara said a little confused.
"Pledge your fealty to Bo when she awakens which I will do in a moment but I need to do something first which you must never tell her got it?" Tamsin ordered sternly.
Kara finally spoke up, "I think I know what you are about to do, and that it is a heinous sin to commit on any Valkyrie."
"NOT, if the Valkyrie is a willing subject Kara. I don't expect you to understand this immediately, but being with Bo is a blessing. She is the most giving and forgiving pers… Goddess I know of. It is your choice how you view it and it is also your choice on how you live out the remainder of your life. THIS is MY CHOICE which Bo must NEVER KNOW. NO ONE must know that includes our gods and the entire sisterhood," Tamsin retorted seriously.
Kara just nodded with a vexed look on her face.
Tamsin turned to Bo who was still blissfully sleeping and whispered sincerely to her, "I love you Bo, but this is the only solution that can keep up together. I am yours…. everything that I am… until my final breath."
For Tamsin began to remember more of what they had as each hours passed and how deeply they were in love. But that love also cut her deep to know that Lauren had Bo's heart too.
At the conclusion, she took Bo's left hand and made small cut in it enough to draw blood and Tamsin did the same to her left and tightly held their hand together.
Their blood mixed and the effect to Tamsin was immediate as her pupils dilated briefly.
All of Tamsin's reservations, Bo's betrayal with Lauren, anger at Arin's death, even her own personal wants and needs which were contrary to what Bo wanted all disappeared. Even the angst over the ending of her life no longer mattered to her anymore.
Tamsin's higher order thinking was quelled and calmed as she now had an overwhelming insatiable compelling desire to keep Bo happy.
Tamsin wanted to be solely with her succubus and obey her, not matter that cost.
It was love today that demanded Tamsin's soul and it was her soul she gave willingly to Bo; all of it without reservation.
LOVE was a scorned 4 letter word akin to an expletive to almost every single Valkyrie out there, but for a very select few, LOVE was a 4 letter word which was to be upheld, embraced and cherished above all else.
Tamsin kissed Bo deeply, gently and with passion. She missed Bo and pulled her into a tight embrace and Bo began to pull her chi.
Bo felt her Valkyrie's loving kiss and immediately began to kiss her back while pulling chi. She was hungry, but made sure to only pull what she needed.
Her eye's finally opened to meet Tamsin's deep expressive green eyes. She looked at Tamsin stopping her pull of chi from her and found a happy, bright, caring and beautiful Valkyrie before her. HER Valkyrie. God how she missed her as their kisses continued in the unspoken language of love.