Kendra awoke to her cell phone vibrating and ringing on the bed side table. Kendra noted that the time was 3:30AM before she answered the call from the precinct. She also remembered quickly that Mia was holding her from behind.
"Shaw," she answered the phone in the most alert voice she could muster.
"Captain, this is Sergeant Alderson, we just received a silent alarm at 600 Ash Dominion Road. We have attempted to call them back without success. It also has an entry in our system to call you or your designee," the officer on duty at precinct 69 reported formally.
Kendra knew that address, it was the location of Light Fae compound and residence of Hale.
Kendra whipped her legs out of the bed and now fully awake asked rapidly, "Have you tried to call..."
"Yes Ma'am. Tried to initiate contact with Hale Santiago with no response and also the onsite security team with the same result. Shall we send out a squad car to check?"
Kendra furrowed her brows and thought.
Mia jarred awake at Kendra breaking her hug. She knew something was wrong as soon as she overheard the sergeant and whipped out her tablet and began to log in the surveillance system at the compound she just got access to yesterday.
Mia immediately pulled up the live video feeds of all the sentry points and found no one at their posts. Upon closer examination, she found the remains of security team members stewed in the halls all badly burned. There were also several right outside of Hale's quarters as if they had a last stand. This was apparently a slaughter.
Kendra found that Mia shoved a tablet in from of her with all the security feeds pointing out the charred bodies of what remained of all the onsite security. It seemed like a coordinated and swift attack.
"NO," Kendra barked putting him on speaker phone grabbing her clothes, "I want the entire on duty precinct to be in full tactical gear to surround the site and establish a 2 block perimeter NOW. NO ONE IN OR OUT. Got it?"
"Yes Ma'am."
"WAKE the next shift and have half report into the precinct and other half to reinforce the perimeter, FULL GEAR. We will be onsite ASAP. No one MOVES without my team," Kendra sternly ordered hopping into her underwear and snapping on her bra.
Mia was going to say something but knew that the precinct did not know they were staying together. Mia instead hurriedly got dressed in the bathroom. She quickly dialed Drake.
"Hello? Drake Cruz."
Mia just sternly ordered, pulling on her pants, "GET UP. The Light Fae compound was just attacked. Get OVER THERE in full gear with Alex and WAIT for us. Perimeter is being established now."
"Yes Ma'am. I'll inform Talan as well."
It was a blur of events as Kendra and Mia grabbed what they needed and sprinted to their SUV. Kendra drove.
In the car with Kendra weaving through streets at insane speeds with the sirens on, Mia dialed Evony.
"Hello?" a woman said weakly after several rings, "This had better be good or SOMEONE is going to die ..."
"The Light Fae compound was just attacked and overrun! Looks like an ambush. Check and DOUBLE your security," Mia warned cutting the Morrigan off.
Evony was silent.
"Hello?"
"I heard you human. No need to be annoying. No need to yell, it's bad for your blood pressure. I hate to say this, but Hale left the party early for his place. If the Light compound was indeed overrun, he may be in there. Does the Goth pet know?"
Kendra shouted so that Evony could hear, "NO. And don't wake her. She is of little use unless she can teleport."
"I can teleport, but the light Fae compound has a magic shield around it that prevents it, but it can get within a couple blocks," Evony added.
Kendra thought quickly, "Can Bo use it?"
"Yes, but she is incommunicado in Valhalla. I can have Vex and his team be onsite ASAP," Evony offered.
Kendra knew that light and dark didn't really get along but then she thought about Lauren's team. They could use it but before she said anything Mia beat her to the punch.
"Can Lauren's team use it?" Mia interjected.
There was silence.
"Well... Can they?" Mia pushed.
Kendra liked Mia. She pushed just like she would.
"Well yes. I suppose," Evony exhaled out in disappointment. "I'll call my compound to be on guard and wake me next time with an 8 pack masseuse at the ready."
Kendra then used her headset to dial Talan.
"Yes Kendra?" Talan reported.
"Get half your team ready to go in full gear on my mark. Evony has a way to teleport your team within a couple blocks of the light compound. Get ready to go when I give the ok. Got it?"
"OK. I'll let Lauren know as well."
"Keep it quiet."
"Of course."
Mia then noted that another SUV with sirens and light blaring joined just behind them. It was Drake and Alex.
Not a minute later Kendra and team made it to the perimeter and were ushered in.
Drake and Alex jumped out of their truck. Drake pulled out his shot gun and Alex donned on her AR.
Kendra loaded her MP5 but slung an AR over her back. Her AR with Beowulf rounds was overkill, but Kendra wanted to be prepared just in case. She noted that Mia pulled out her AR but noticed a couple magazines were of a different color on her vest. Most likely they were the magazine with explosive ordinance.
The team approached the compound and all looked peaceful and calm with Dyson taking the higher ground a short distance away.
Mia tapped away on her cell phone mounted on her left forearm. "No human heat signatures on approach. No movement on interior cameras."
Kendra nodded signing to swap channels on their radios and for Drake and Alex to circle around and take the back.
Kendra then let Dyson run off to do recon of his own. He was much faster and more agile than the team.
The place was eerily quiet and Kendra rushed in with Mia through the front door.
Mia had Kendra's back was happy that she actually got to see Kendra in action in terms of an actual raid.
They passed security guards check points and bodies.
Everyone was dead and just like clockwork Alex and Drake converged on them to meet at Hale's bed room door.
Kendra looked over to Drake for a report and he just shook his head.
'No one alive and no resistance,' Kendra thought. This hit was fast and probably there was no one left. What was off about this was that so far, it looked like nothing was taken. Why kill people if they didn't take anything?
Kendra motioned to Mia to take point and open the door to Hale's room. An odd thought came to Kendra briefly. She normally put the strongest people up front that didn't hesitate or freeze up under pressure but here she was using Mia. Mia did seem to hesitate a lot less these days.
Mia kicked the door open and they fanned into Hale's room and quickly search it.
Drake strode hurriedly into the bath room, "Clear!"
Alex broke off of Drake to the balcony, "Clear!"
Mia barged into the large walk in closet, "Clear!"
Kendra walked toward the bed and just murmured out, "clear," preoccupied with her gaze locked on a single charred corpse right in front. The corpse was holding onto a picture of Kenzi and Hale together albeit badly burned with a hat not far from his side.
Dyson sprinted into the room and ran to Hale and sniffed then nudged his lifeless body. Dyson just whined at first and then pawed Hale to get him to move.
"Oh shit," Kendra stated in a near whisper with tunnel vision on Hale trying to figure out what to say to Kenzi.
Dyson finally sat down and then did a long mournful howl lifting his head to the ceiling.
"Kendra?" Mia noted paying attention the wall just above the head board.
"Kendra?" Drake also requested looking at the wall as well.
Kendra was zoned out until Alex slid beside her and forcefully stated as if issuing an order, "CAPTAIN SHAW!"
Kendra snapped out of her trance and brought her attention to where Alex was pointing.
On the wall above the head board written in blood read:
Kendra: Payback is a bitch.
All humans and human lovers must die!
Kendra acutely knew what that meant. Hale was working with her and for that he paid the price. Also now several humans were also policing Fae kind. Mia and Drake were both at least in part human.
Another howl of mourning echoed in the room.
Kendra's expression broke for just a moment showing vulnerability but hardened back up again as she calmly ordered Alex, "Call Trick NOW to assemble an emergency council session to elect an interim Ash. I want Talan's team here NOW to secure the site until backup arrives. I also want all of Lauren's remaining team on high alert under lock down and I'll see if I can get my team to augment them later."
Kendra then turned to Mia, "Mia, I'll leave you in charge here. I'll be back in an hour."
She then looked down to Dyson, "Akin Lobo, Stay here with Kenzi."
Mia noted the walls Kendra put up and right now, she was the MOST dangerous human ever to cross. She also knew deep down that Kendra regretted her decision to rock the Fae world all because of her desire to avenge her fiancé Eric. Mia did have a question as to where Kendra was going in light of this and that answer was as clear as day. Who would have a vendetta against Kendra and spill all this blood? Kendra had a list but one name was at the very top.
Kendra strode away quickly and with steely determination. She had her AR but needed more BeoWulf magazines and maybe a couple grenades. He wasn't going to get away with this and no amount of protection he had would stop her now. Nothing would get in her way. This could be a one way ticket, but she didn't care. It was one thing to go after her, but another thing all together to make others 'pay' for her crimes against the shifters.
Kendra turned sharply to leave ignoring everyone else, then briskly and jogged down the hall. She heard Mia call out for her but no one was going to change her mind. She'd be long gone by the time she caught up.
Then out of nowhere Dyson caught up with her stealthy and grabbed a hold of the leg of her pants. He yanked her back whining the whole time as if urging her not to go.
Kendra tried to yank free, but Dyson's vise like hold was too strong.
"Dyson! Let me GO!" Kendra yanked hard again even trying to drag him along to no avail. He was just too powerful and held her in place whining.
She could see Mia come into view sprinting towards her.
Kendra just finally, exasperated and boiling over with HATE, slapped Dyson hard across his muzzle, "Let me GO Dyson! Grizzal and his fucking cronies won't get away with this!"
Dyson yelped in pain but held her strong.
"Let me Goooooooooooo!" Kendra painfully screamed knowing full well she was hurting her life mate.
Her love.
Kendra open hand slapped Dyson again even harder.
Dyson yelped in excruciating pain but he still didn't let go.
Kendra raised her hand once more as streams of tears erupted from her eyes but it was blocked when Mia firmly grabbed her wrist.
Mia hated to restrain someone she looked up to ordering, "STOP Kendra, PLEASE!"
Kendra just shoved her away and yelled at Mia ignoring the wolf clamped on her pants leg and spat out in distain, "Your FATHER did this! I can't believe I TRUSTED HIM!"
"We DON'T know that!" Mia shot back upset as well.
"Oh yea! You heard it yourself at Lauren's that he didn't know if he could EVER forgive me. Now look at what your fucking vindictive asshole of a father did! PAYBACK!" Kendra accused pointing at a dead guard.
Dyson finally released her.
Mia knew her god father Grizzal was many things, but this wasn't one of them. It just didn't fit. He was on the road to somehow, in his own way trying to forgive Kendra. If that were not the case then why even bother to talk to Kendra before the tribunal. Kendra's accusations however made her not only upset, but fuming mad as well.
Before Kendra knew it Mia slapped her hard across the face and it hurt as her jaw rattled. It almost knocked her out but Kendra reeled back and reflexively put her hand on her baton ready to draw it.
Mia spewed out in anger, "Stop JUMPING to fucking conclusions. Is this all you do when a race wrongs you once? You put them on a black list to permanently eradicate them? ARE the Dire Wolf Shifters still on your fucking hit list to make extinct because if that's the case, you got one right in front of you!"
Mia's glance locked into Kendra right hand. It looked like it was resting on a weapon but she didn't know which since that side of her was turned away. Kendra expression was that of a killer and this was not good.
Mia backed up and just shook her head taking a couple deep breaths, "Kendra, my relationship with Grizzal aside, we still don't know what happened. This attack is atypical for Dire Wolf Shifters. I just ... "
Kendra knew she was in kill mode and it dawned in her that she was ready to lash out to Mia with a baton. 'CRAP' Kendra thought to herself. Kendra slowly released her grip on it to hear Mia out.
Mia swapped tactics. Cold logic does not move people to action, emotions do.
Finally Mia stammered out but made an impassioned plea, "I... I LOVE you, and you're actions HURTING me Kendra. You're also hurting Dyson, your true life mate. STOP hurting the people closest to you. We want justice just as much as you do, but don't give into your dark desires. PLEASE. We would gladly move the world for you but please let us do what is RIGHT."
Kendra was surprised that Mia could say she loved her that easily and it stopped her dead cold. In any case, Mia was correct but before she could say anything their radios came to life, "Kendra, Kenzi came through the portal Evony opened, she's on her way to you now."
Before either could react, a blur of a person whizzed by them headed for Hale's bedroom.
"Shit!" both exclaimed knowing that by the time they issued orders, Kenzi would already be there.
Dyson, Mia and Kendra sprinted to the room as Kenzi could be heard screaming, "Let me in Alex! HALE! HALE! Where is he?!"
Kendra and Mia came around the corner and Dyson was already there looking at a thick vine and branch barrier with Kenzi pounding on it wildly.
Kenzi had her modified AK strapped across her back.
Kendra tepidly walked up to Kenzi and Kenzi finally stopped and just stared her down asking, "IS IT TRUE that you called to elect a new Ash?"
Kendra just nodded and calmly empathized, "I'm sorry Kenzi. By the time we arrived, the perps that did this were long gone."
Kenzi just had a one word question and asked in a shaky but knowing voice, "H... H...Hale?"
Kendra shook her head ever so slightly. She hated to be the bearer of bad news.
Kenzi was pissed off and kicked the branch barrier in a fit of rage demanding, "I want to see him. NOW! He's my fiancé!"
Kendra just raised her voice with her eyes still locked on Kenzi, "Alex! Let her through."
Alex quickly retracted her branch barrier and not a moment sooner Kenzi scampered to be beside Hale's charred body, knelt down then reflexively clapped her hands over her mouth taking in the aftermath.
"No... no .. .no" Kenzi muttered in denial under her breath surveying the burnt body but the picture in his hand, the Ash pendant and the hat nearby told it all.
Kenzi, in shell shock shook her head vigorously with tears rolling off her cheeks then abruptly began to search his pockets of what remained of his suit.
Kendra let her but took a step back since she also had a clear view of the writing on the wall. It wasn't a generic message, it was for her.
This was HER fault. She might as well have been the one to kill him.
Regret overshadowed all of Kendra's features and normally she would have hardened her heart and gone on a rampage, but Mia and even Dyson brought her back to reality.
Kendra kept trying to grasp that massive towering monument of hate which was the source of her power and when she did so this time, it wasn't there. It was lying in ruins ever since she professed her unwavering love for Dyson. Now that Kendra could love again, she was all too human: All too vulnerable as well.
Kenzi shoved Hale upset but now balling her eyes out and yelled in agony, "You were suppose to have the Twig of Zamura on you." Kenzi transitioned to a whimper.
"Why!" Kenzi demanded of Hale. "Where IS it!"
"Whhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhy!" Kenzi cried. "Y... you IDIOT!"
Kenzi final broke down and snatched Hale in tight to a hug, tucking her face next to his and sobbed uncontrollably.
"Somebody HELP him!" Kenzi whimpered though her tears.
Talan sprinted in with Demetri who were both out of breath not a moment sooner.
Demetri made a dead stop once he took in the scene and just took his cap off in respect standing in the back. He knew how much Hale meant to her. Hale was her world. Just when she was about to find a place in the Fae world and settle down, this happened. What she needed now were people to be there for her. He also knew Kenzi's temper which was hard to manage at times.
Talan first felt for a pulse then used a small flash light from his belt to shine a light into Hale's eyes.
"Hang in there H...honey," Kenzi stroked his arm still holding into a shred of hope.
Talan shook his head and just got up saying apologetically, "I'm sorry."
Kenzi just hugged Hale tighter and thought of Bo who was incommunicado at the moment. Bo could heal Hale, but he felt cold, which meant that he was long gone. That was probably was even beyond Bo's powers.
Kendra took another small step back noticing that Kenzi was now reading the blood scrawled writing on the wall. This was too much responsibility to bear she mused and she was in for it the moment Kenzi dead panned to her.
Kenzi knew who did this. Grizzal had his sights on eradicating Kendra for a long time and now he succeeded in getting back at her and the whole family which she was now a part of.
She shot up and grabbed Kendra holding her firmly on her shoulders and just emphatically ordered, "What are we waiting for Kendra?! Time to put a cap in Grizzal's ass!"
Kendra tried to shake Kenzi off and jerked back but she was being held securely. Kendra stammered out, "N... No Kenzi. I can't."
Kenzi just got more agitated, "You mean you don't want to right this fucking massacre! SNAP out of it!"
"No!" Kendra sternly stated breaking the hold, "Mia still needs to assess what really happened here."
Kenzi just blew up and shoved Kendra back, "We KNOW who did this! Grizzal just killed my fiancé and NOW you chicken out just because it isn't Eric!""
"Th... that's NOT fair," Kendra retreated with pain evident in her voice jabbing an index finger to her.
Mia cut in, "Kenzi, STOP."
"YOU," Kenzi pointed sharply at her, "Have NO say in this Mia. You'd do anything to cover your God Father's ass."
"That's not TRUE Kenzi. If he did this, he has to answer to the council ..." Mia put forth but was cut off.
"Oh but they overlooked ALL of his clandestine drug smuggling crap, and AS a matter of fact, he got a promotion for it and was elected an elder," Kenzi wagged her finger at her.
"I'll get justice for us all and I think it's time for you to leave," Mia bluntly mentioned with conviction putting a hand on her hip and the other on her tazer. Kenzi was barking up the wrong tree and Kendra oddly was in full retreat.
Demetri finally chimed in from the back with his heavy Russian accent analyzing Mia's combat readiness, "Kenzi, let's take a breather ok?"
Kendra was confused. She was being pitted against Mia and her conflict of interest with Grizzal. It was a valid point. Kenzi on the other hand wanted action NOW. Sure Kendra could drop in and question Grizzal to see if he did it or was involved but going in HOT was a recipe for a guaranteed fight. She needed time to think this through.
Kenzi just threw her hands in the air and just announced, "Uggggg! Fine. I'll roll up on his ass without any of you."
Kenzi unslung her rifle from her back with a slight blur.
Upon seeing this, Kendra realized that she didn't have time and Kenzi was about to zip out of there and no one could stop her.
"STOP!" Kendra yelled at the top of her lungs and everyone froze.
Kenzi just halted mid step facing away from Kendra and Mia.
Kendra quickly asked Mia, "Mia, as a sworn member of the police force, do you promised to uphold the law?"
"Of course," Mia incredulously maintained a little insulted that Kendra had to ask.
Kendra then asked, "As a member of the Fae world as well, will you maintain the Fae laws governing both light and dark?"
"Yes, I carry that burden too," Mia clarified trying to figure out where Kendra was going.
"Do you love your God Father, Grizzal?" Kendra asked carefully as Kenzi turned around hesitantly to look at them.
"Of course. He is both my father figure and mentor in the Fae and human world," Mia replied without hesitation. She had no need to sugar coat or lie to Kendra since she loved Kendra too. If it made her any less worthy to be part of the happy sunshine gang, so be it. At least she was honest with her best friend.
Kendra was still impressed that Mia wasn't holding anything back and that is exactly what she needed Kenzi to hear.
Finally Kendra asked, "Do you love me?"
Mia smiled broadly with love struck eyes on the one person she looked up to and cared deeply about and stated, "I loved you the moment I set eyes on you. You pulled me out of my darkest most hopeless moments. Tethered me and kept me strong since you were and are always my rock, even when you didn't return my affections. I love you without hesitation with the brilliance of the sun and the glow of the moon."
Kendra was taken aback at Mia's almost poetic response. She didn't know Mia loved her that much and what dark moments? Kendra knew she screwed her over, but didn't know she helped her in that way. Mia literally was saying that she worshiped even the ground she walked on. Then if things didn't get weirder Mia finally added after a short pause.
"Yes I love you, with the same quality and commitment that Dyson has for you," Mia concluded and didn't even bat an eye. She noticed the room fell into uncomfortable silence. That was their problem not hers, Mia brooded.
Dyson was sitting next to Kendra and tilted his head first to the left and then to the right.
Kendra noticed this and wondered how much did Dyson understand?
Alex and Drake had no idea until now. They just glanced at each other in shock.
Kenzi was great at reading couples, but didn't detect that Mia's affection and love for Kendra ran that deep. Then of course, Mia was new to the gang.
Millions of questions ran through her head about this, the most obvious was that if Dyson was her life mate then where did Mia fit in? Through this proclamation though, Kenzi did deduce that Mia could not take a side since she LOVED both Kendra and Grizzal in different but equally moving ways.
Kendra surveyed Kenzi meticulously and waited for her to process this and finally after a long pause made her intensions clear to Mia in an order.
"Captain Mia 'Harbinger' Tate, please take over this investigation and follow it through. I am no longer fit for duty since I am too emotionally invested and as such, I need to recues myself from this matter."
Mia just tersely replied, "Yes, ma'am."
Kendra then changed her tone to one of caring towards Mia, "I am depending 100 percent on you and I trust you will do the right thing when I am gone."
Mia nodded and added, "I will and I know Alex will keep me in check."
Alex nodded to Kendra as well.
Kendra finally addressed Kenzi, "Kenzi, please give Mia and her team a little time. Violence only begets more violence but if it turns to that, we need to make sure who it is we are against."
Kenzi wiped away her tears smearing her mascara even more but finally nodded slightly and asked, "C.. can I have some... some time with Hale, alone? Please?"
"Sure. Mia and her team will be outside if you need anything," Kendra replied solemnly and turned to leave with Dyson onerously walking beside her.
Hearing what she just said, Mia observed that Kendra excluded herself. Could it be that Kendra was going to go on her several month long back packing trip and hike with Dyson starting today? Mia knew she'd miss Kendra but Kendra really needed Dyson back and also step back from all this insanity.
Mia was the last to leave the room sweeping the interior one more time and observed that Kenzi cradled Hale and began to talk to him as if he was there. She could hear what Kenzi was saying. Not that she wanted to, but she needed to make sure Kenzi was safe too.
"Hale, do you remember the time we first met in the alley? You were with Dyson and wanted to bring Bo and I in to see the Ash?" Kenzi started and chuckled even with a couple tears streaking down her face, "Yea well Dyson was hot, rough and tough, but only one look at you and I saw a handsome man with smooth moves. Smoother than mine."
Kenzi wiped her errant tears away and just mentioned kissing him on his cheek, "You wore dorky hats, but worked the Fae out of those suckers."
Kenzi then got all teary eyed and muttered in another language professing, "Ya vsio vremya dumayu o tebe. Hale, Ty nuzhen mne. Ty lyubov' vsey moey zhizni! "
Kenzi broke down and streams of tear hit the ground repeating, "Ya tebya lyublyu! You hear m… me! Ya tebya lyublyu!"
Mia closed the door behind her. Alex and Drake were already on guard. Talan and Demetri were just standing a short distance away hovering over a body trying no doubt to gather clues as to who did this.
Mia rounded the corner and saw at a distance that Kendra was kneeling in front of Dyson who was sitting. Kendra was whispering something to Dyson while gently stroking his muzzle with shaky hands. Regret washed over her face. Dyson for his part put his paw around her and rested his head on Kendra's shoulder. He just executed a hug and Kendra reflexively return it murmuring, "Salamat Akin Lobo. Mahal na mahal kita."
Mia realized that Kendra was probably apologizing to Dyson for hitting him earlier. Dyson was beginning to understand and show more and more complex levels of thinking. Shifters prefer to be in their human form to do this since their Dire Wolf form made that cognitive ability much more difficult. In Dyson's situation however, he had no choice but it showed that he was both healing and making his way to shifting back to a human. How long was the only question.
In any case, she let them be, turned around and tapped on the touch screen of her phone which was mounted on her forearm. In the immediate term, she needed to gather clues to not only figure out what happened here, but restore order. Also, Mia realized that Kendra, by not staying with the rest of the team, had really given up her entire command to her and those where big shoes to fill. Kendra had EARNED everyone's respect and she was new.
No matter. Mia was determined to find out who did this and follow it through to the very end: Anything for her best friend.
Upon accessing her phone she realized that her translation app was still running. She always had a habit of keeping it on so that she knew what was being said at all times when she questioned people as part of an investigation. It was not supposed to be on. It read however:
Language Auto Detect: Russian
I always think about you.
Hale, I need you.
You are the love of my life.
I love you.
I love you.
Language Auto Detect: Tagalog
Thank you my wolf.
I love you very much.
Arin and Hrist sat down on a marble bench catching up.
Arin smirked and asked, "Hrist? I know I gave you instructions to give my tessens to Lauren in the event of my death."
Hrist tilted her head and asked, "You remember that too?"
"Yea," Arin stated swing her legs since they barely touched the floor. "Well I remembered most everything within a couple days after I was reborn, all thanks to Freya for forgoing tradition. Oddly however, I only remembered bits and pieces of her and I think I know why now."
Hrist bit her bottom lip and shifted uncomfortably since she was the only Valkyrie that Arin told about her love for the human doctor. Love was still a taboo subject for her and Valkyries in general.
Arin stopped turning to Hrist to ensure she captured her attention, "I know I look like a kid to you, but I feel like I have the mind of a full Valkyrie trapped inside a kid's body for now. Will you give me an honest answer as my best friend?"
Hrist with a poker face replied tersely, "Of course sister."
"Dr. Lauren Lewis is not my assigned hero that I have chosen to return to. Rather, it was I that found her and I chose to return to her of my own free will. Am I correct?" Arin asked indirectly knowing how unsettling this conversation must be for Hrist.
Hrist, also being indirect, did Hildr's obsolete salute but knew it would get the point across.
Arin just hugged Hrist. She got the answer she needed. What to do about it was even a bigger one. It was hard for Arin to imagine. She did as she was trained throughout all her life times which was not to fall in love for fear of the bond, however, it looked like Lauren was hers. The images she had to them kissing over dinner which she had when she touched her tessen only reinforced the truth. Lauren was right, which was to take her time. That was probably the best course of action since all the flash backs she got when she held her tessen didn't have any emotions attached to it, which in this case was probably good.
This peace was interrupted with Hrist jerking her head to look towards the outside.
"What is it?" Arin tugged her sleeve urgently knowing she probably got a message over the link since she heard or saw nothing.
"Arin, Kara is going outside to be beheaded by Tabitha for her sins against the sisterhood," Hrist shot up out of the bench.
Arin shot out of her seat as well and transitioned into a sprint to the exit, "Nooooo! Hrist send orders to STOP it!"
Hrist could do no such things since Tabitha belonged to Sigun's order, but thought to Sigun, 'Arin, sister of the missing, requests to STOP this lynching immediately!'
'I CAN'T. Kara will not allow ANYONE to intervene on her behalf!'
Bo turned red ready to force her will and decree on to all.
Tamsin stood by Bo's side, but was caught in a catch 22. She wanted to keep Bo happy and stop this but at the same point in time, Kara was willing to pay for her sins and that was her wish.
Arin slammed into Tabitha with her shoulder at full force as she was executing her down stroke sending her tumbling to the ground.
Arin yelled, livid with Tabitha, "How DARE you!"
Tabitha got up slowly, incredulous that Arin, out of all the Valkyries even defended Kara.
Arin shoved her and continued on her tirade, "How DARE you try to take the life of my mom!"
All the surrounding Valkyries gasped in shock.
Arin pointed at Kara still keeling, "She has been nothing but good to me without fault in the short time she was and she still remains as my surrogate! Her orders from the Goddess of the new order were to PROTECT me and I find no other better suited than her!"
Arin paused taking a couple deep breaths turning to address all the surrounding Valkyries, "Only Nixon can go to China. Therefore only *I* am allowed to judge Kara. I remember everything from my past life since I was reborn early. So I KNOW all the times she bullied me and I know how it feels in addition."
Arin turned sharply to Hrist, "Can you confirm that my memories are both complete and sound Hrist?"
Hrist announced to all, "Arin's recollection is flawless. She remembers all her past lives like she was a fully grown Valkyrie. She has done so without the need for her diary."
Arin then addressed the crowd. She noted that Tamsin was smiling at her from the top of the steps and Bo, her mom whose red aura had faded, smiled with a nod of approval telling her to proceed.
Kara held her position since Arin just told everyone that out of all the people to behead her, it was Arin. Oddly enough, Arin was correct. She did betray and bully Arin relentlessly, more so than most. Now her life was in the hands of a kid.
Arin then turned to address the crowd, "She is now making amends for all her wrongs against us in her final life. DON'T let her get off that easily. Killing her here in Valhalla is her wish and YOU want to give it to her. Give her the easy way out. Her final life is MINE and mine alone. She will fulfill her debt to all of us and if she is anything but a loyal servant of the old code and the Goddess of the new order, I will strike her down myself. I have done so once already."
She paused and finally mentioned, "Not only am I the Twin sister of Tamsin, the missing Valkyrie, I hold BOTH Freya's and Odin's favor. The SAME gods you are sworn to protect and I also honor Bo, Goddess of the new order as my mother. As a third order Valkyrie which has dominion over all of you, I can command you to stop this squabbling, but I ASK you to treat give Kara with the same respect you give me. I am NOT asking you to forgive her nor am I suggesting any of you to condone her past behavior. But sisters, need to move forward as ONE."
Tamsin then decreed for all to hear, "One Kingdom, One Code, One God."
Did Tamsin really believe it? She was unsure. If she was gone, she didn't know if Bo would even take the throne. However, considering that the sisterhood was taking orders from a child at the moment, she needed to root what Arin said and relate it to the Valkyrie sacred texts.
Bo then asked nicely, "We are going to be late for dinner. Can you ladies help get us ready?"
A sea of Valkyries put their right hand over their heart, genuflected and off everyone went into a flurry of activity.
Tamsin was being swept off to the armory and asked Sigun walking into the expansive room adorned with weapons and armor, "I keep seeing that salute, where Valkyries put their right hand over their heart. How did Bo get that salute?"
Sigun ordered the glass casing be lifted from the chainmail armor on display Tamsin needed and explained, "Arin saw you talking to Bo and you did that a couple times in her presence, so we adopted it since using Hildr's salute would be inaccurate. Only you can use that. "
"Oh?" Tamsin huffed out a laugh doing an eye roll. "That's awkward but whatever floats your boat."
Kara was oddly enough being taken care of my Tabitha and Mist. They heledp her bathe and Kara never felt so out of place before. She was being given the same treatment as Tamsin, the missing Valkyrie.
She looked into their eyes and they were all business, but did their hardest to serve their enemy.
Kara knew the sacrifice they were putting forth and for once felt really bad and even felt guilty.
"Kara," Mist asked trying to work a knot out of her damp hair with a brush. "There is a new invention called a brush."
"No time ladies. Yea still Odin keeps me busy and so does ..." Kara stopped abruptly. She had no idea how the sisterhood would take that she fell in love with a human. "My other obligations," Kara added hesitantly at the end.
Tabitha just coolly worked the lather into Kara's hair where the tangles were and just added in a question, "Jason?"
Kara just thought it best not to answer and just relaxed in the tub with Tabitha and Mist sitting on the edge of the small pool with their feet in the water.
Mist clarified, "Tamsin told us a tall tale to let you near this sacred ground. She told us that you ... emmmm ... grew an affection ... a more permanent one for the human you call Jason."
Tabitha picked up her brush and worked out the knots, even ones that Mist could not get out. "You were already in a delirious state when we started to patch you up but you kept mentioning his name. He must be special to you."
Kara felt like she was being interrogated and laughed nervously, "Yup, you can say that."
Mist finally requested, "OK dunk and wash off. We would normally braid you hair, but your hair is too short to do so."
Kara sunk under water several times and rung the lather out and noticed that they were just staring at her like the wheels were turning in their head, but they were resisting saying their mind. So was she. This situation was unsettling to put it mildly.
Kara got a little frustrated and finally stood up without modesty to address this head on but at the last minute asked as calmly as she could, "Sisters, we all know how we feel about each other. Do you have a question for me before I get out of here?"
Tabitha looked away and so did Mist. They were doing their best to not engage and keep the tenuous peace.
"I assume it has something to do with the human I call Jason?" Kara prodded but sank back down into the pool and used a sponge on her arm. Mist and Tabitha were supposed to do that, but Kara really didn't have time.
Arin was shuffled off to get changed into her Valkyrie robes.
Mist finally stammered, "In all your relationships, ... you forged them for a ... a purpose that was to your benefit."
Tabitha finally added, "No insult intended but what is the benefit you get from your relationship with Jason? He is a weak HUMAN with no army, territory or influence."
Kara cackled and stepped out of the pool. Tabitha and Mist started to dry her off.
Kara finally replied, "You know, I can tell you everything to demonstrate how I have changed and that I am capable of caring for another. I can talk about how Arin and Tamsin trust me now, even Hildr to an extent, but you have to take a leap of faith and in my case, that leap is across a plunging and vast canyon. For those that believe me, no proof is necessary but for people that hate me, no amount of proof is good enough. I will always be that evil self serving back stabbing bitch to them. I'm sorry."
Tabitha and Mist stopped for a moment trying to digest the fact that 'sorry' was part of her vocabulary.
Kara knew they wanted more proof and as she was being helped into her Valkyrie robes finally offered, "Hildr has a log of heroes that will be allowed to enter the Hall and by whose authority. There is an entry in there for Jason, under Bo's authority. He is by no means equal to heroes there now, but he is mine. Bo, the goddess Bo, had the ability grant my lives back recently, but I traded in my lives for him to be there. It wasn't to MY benefit, as much as it is his."
And that was that.
Tabitha and Mist had a lot of thinking to do, but at the very least, they had just enough insight to help them move forward.
Bo observed that the chainmail that Tamsin needed was behind a roped off area in a tall glass display case. Tamsin and Sigun were talking to one another just outside of it.
The Valkyries finally ushered her forward and Tamsin hesitated.
Sigun and the Valkyries that were trying to get her dressed where looking at her expectantly.
Bo then observed that Tamsin still didn't move with nary a word as if frozen in place, her foot inched to the roped off area but not over.
Bo walked over to Tamsin and kissed her cheek and told those surrounding, "A minute please ladies?"
Everyone quickly departed the room and there they were alone in a room full of armor and weapons.
Bo stroked Tamsin's back and put her arm around her knowing that Tamsin was getting cold feet for some odd reason.
Bo just stayed silent since she knew Tamsin enough to recognize that she'd share in her own time and in her own way.
Bo however commented to break the ice, "Wow. Never knew armor could cause you to pause."
Tamsin looked down dejected and meekly mentioned, "It's not the armor, it's me."
Tamsin stammered looking Bo in the eyes feeling extremely uncomfortable, "I don't know if I can be that person or Fae. The Missing Valkyrie ... she's a hero, legend, and leader to the entire sisterhood. If I put that suit of armor on, there's no going back."
Bo hugged Tamsin, she loved Tamsin's vulnerable and human side. She knew Tamsin revealed it to no one but her and that is what made her Valkyrie so special. "There was no going back the moment you assisted Freya in killing Gordread."
Tamsin nuzzled into Bo more holding her tighter and tried her best to explain, "I... after Gordread threw me off of him, I was catapulted into the thick woods. In my attempts to slow down, I grabbed into every branch on my way down but my head hit a tree trunk and I was knocked out. When I regained consciousness which I guess was a day later, I couldn't move. Anyway, I waited until I could limp back home.
Bo led Tamsin over to a bench and knew that there was a reason why Tamsin never told her this story before and it was going to take time to work this out.
They sat down and Bo held Tamsin's hand just listening. She knew better than to speak up or interrupt.
Tamsin looked downcast and continued, "On my way back I came across the piece of Destiny that had broken off and since I was in such bad shape, I hid it in some fallen trees since I could barely carry myself. Anyway, Arin was fully grown then and never gave up searching for me. She found me a short time later passed out again when I made it to overgrown path. She was furious at me that I left our home in the midst of a battle. Although she was not at the battle with Gordread, she and some others were assigned to protect the Hall. To Valkyries, as long at the Hall of Warriors stood with a Valkyrie standing guard, Valhalla remained."
Bo nodded putting her arm around her Valkyrie, "So?"
Tamsin still didn't make eye contact with Bo and took a deep breath, "So. I told Arin that I was the person that assisted Freya in killing Gordread. Needless to say she didn't believe me since I was..."
Tamsin darted her glance away huffing out a laugh, "even then I was a trouble maker. Yes. Hard to believe."
"I told her I'd prove it later with Destiny if she gave me a ride. Arin didn't have the time since she was so busy with assisting Freya and even Odin in getting Valhalla somewhat back to normal. But during that time just sitting around watching the young Valkyries play since I was still recovering, I heard about ALL the legends, tales, and what the that Missing Valkyrie was supposed to be and represented. NOT only that, several kids still professed that they were the ones who battled against Gordread."
Bo just empathized and murmured, "That must have made you upset."
"Yea it did. I wanted to prove them all wrong and I was, but almost every character trait that the Missing had, as professed by all, even the gods ... I... I" Tamsin hesitated.
Bo rubbed her back and knew where she was going, "It's ok Tamsin, you know how much I love you just the way you are. I don't judge you. I did it when we first met and it was a mistake. Never again."
Tamsin finally locked into Bo's eyes, her face scrawled with insecurities, "Those depictions didn't apply to me. I fought Gordread ... cus.. well ONE of the reasons was to contribute to saving Valhalla.. but for the most part, I did it because... 'cus... 'cus…."
Bo hugged her and held her tightly and thought about what self serving reason would Tamsin come up with at that time and took an educated guess and just interjected, "You where that bored staying at home huh?"
Tamsin giggled and pecked Bo on the cheek. Bo had gotten it right and just nodded shyly.
Bo just talked about herself breaking the hug, "THAT is why I go out so shopping much. I hate being all cooped up."
Tamsin huffed out a laugh and jeered, "You know, you can stop shopping for a bit now that you probably have all the leather clothing selection there is out there."
Bo gave out a half hearted laugh.
Tamsin knew that laugh and it was as if she missed what Bo really meant and then she smirked and teased, "Oh THAT shopping. But you have been a BAD succubus, you've been shopping my Valkyrie Emporium WAY too long."
Bo stroked Tamsin's cheek frowning, "But I never get bored of your wares."
Tamsin loved that frown. Bo's frown was so cute that she'd do anything to turn that frown upside down.
Bo circled back and held Tamsin's gaze and just reassured, "I don't know at times where I'm going even with all these premonitions of the future, but I know where I have been. Tamsin, what you were in the past does not dictate your future. You already know that but we both still have the chance to take the roads that we didn't travel and succeed. Tamsin, I know what it's like to just get something dumped on you, but sometimes the only way out is sometimes through. You didn't give up on me and stayed by my side, even going as far as to sacrifice your powers and life times. I am flattered beyond belief that I am married to you and it's come to the point that I could never repay what was taken from you. NOW you have a chance to be more than a Valkyrie bonded to a succubus or goddess. YOU can shape Valhalla at your whim and all you need to do to put on the suit of armor, even if you don't feel like a Missing Valkyrie, act it and you'll be just fine because you WILL become it in time."
Tamsin thought about it and then asked, "The Missing Valkyrie is a legend not because of Gordread and her fighting skills, but because she is righteous and just. She follows the Old Code, but knows how to interpret it. I on the other hand might lead all into a revolution which might spell the end of Valhalla."
Bo smirked but morosely mentioned, "Valhalla is already dying and the Missing Valkyrie, YOU, is the last hope."
Tamsin's gazed sunk to the floor dejected, "And now I have to fix it. Tamsin, the fallen Valkyrie."
Bo just grabbed her to snap her out of it, "NO. *WE* will fix it, TOHETHER ok? WHO cares about anyone's titles? I sure don't and NOR should you."
Tamsin combed her hand through her hair and confessed, "Kara made me give my word that I'd fix Valhalla too."
"Then what are we waiting for? I see no conflict with what the Missing is and YOU. You are both one and the same," Bo concluded.
Tamsin was still hesitant, she still had no idea how her tendency to be 'evil' at times fit in but Bo answered it.
"Tamsin," Bo said, "I told you that you are my angelic demon. You did the worst of the worst under my dad, but that makes you unequivocally qualified to know what to avoid and what is right. You did it for me. Now do it for the sisterhood. For Valhalla."
Tamsin just nodded thinking about it.
Bo thought is was a time to give her a swift kick in the ass and sternly demanded, "Are you the Valkyrie that resurrected me in the hospital with only words?"
Tamsin just grinned and mentioned, "Yes."
"Are you the same one that tamed my wandering heart?"
"Fuck yea," Tamsin replied a little cocky.
"Are you the same Valkyrie that beat me at my own sex games?"
"You better believe it!" Tamsin said all chippy.
"Did you steal me out right from under Lauren in a couple days?"
"It was ALL too easy," Tamsin stated putting her hand over her heart glancing at the ceiling.
"Who rules over my red Goddess state?" Bo added knowing it was working. Tamsin was getting her self confidence back.
"I DO. I have her wrapped around my finger," Tamsin clicked.
"Who is the wisest Valkyrie and can fix all the problems your succubus goddess creates?" Bo asked smiling.
"It's ME Bo."
"Who doesn't need her fucking powers to best the Goddess of the New Order, the most powerful goddess out there according to your Valkyrie Ancient Texts?"
"Oh Yea, Tamsin, the Missing Valkyrie," Tamsin now said confidently.
"Are you, the Missing Valkyrie, going to lead us all to victory. The most powerful, wise, cunning and unstoppable Valkyrie of them all," Bo added knowing that her ego was back.
"You're gods damn right I am!" Tamsin nearly yelled then stood up energized pulling Bo to her feet.
Tamsin passionately kissed Bo. She felt like a god and nothing was going to stop her. Bo was right. She could be the Missing Valkyrie after all with Bo's help.
There they exchanged desperate kisses and finally Tamsin broke the kiss and shouted out an order to the door, "Sigun! Get your ass in here, we can't be late for dinner with the gods."
A/N: Comment, fav and follow please!
If you are NOT up to date on LG the show do NOT read the following (Spoiler Alert).
Sooooo Dyson has a thing for humans on LG the show and went as far as to claim her. That's a novel idea. I think I read it somewhere before. LOL. In any case, I think (IMHO) that this Kendra is a lot better. She is more Dyson's equal and not does not play the stereotypical 'helpless' female needing rescue role that the show presents.