A/N: Thanks to everyone who takes the time to write reviews. I truly appreciate all of them. Thanks to those who follow this story and have added it to your favorites. It means a lot. There was one review I had to delete because I swear the Guest reviewer read my mind lol. To reviewer Mammon, Lauren can't keep compelling herself. She is already compelled and the compulsion stays. Doccubus will be endgame, but you're going to have to read to found out how.
Lauren placed her phone back down as she rubbed her eyes. Overtired and frustrated, she needed another minute before reading the text. This was not her normal. There was never a problem she couldn't solve that involved science or anything medical. So much has happened in just the past 24 hours. The endless battle with Bo coming to a halt, revealing her dirty little secret to the Blood King, and now all of this. Leaning back in her chair she finally read the message. I left something for you on your car. Get it alone – Bo. That was it. Short, simple and to the point, which is usually the total opposite of the succubus. She grudgingly pulled up from the chair going to where her bedroom was to grab some clothes. The pothien was hoping that whatever Bo left her was something to help her figure out their current problem. Being at a dead end wasn't giving her many options. She glanced at Kimber making sure the hysminain was still sleeping. Picking her jeans up off the floor and as well as the crumbled up white button down shirt. Slipping out of the room silently as she entered. A few minutes later she was in her elevator with her hair pulled back.
The pothien headed straight towards her BMW seeing nothing on it. She looked next to it, under it, still nothing. Putting her hand to her face brushing the blonde strands behind her ear as she tried to figure out what Bo left her. Then it clicked. She marched over to her Aston Martin and saw the letter under the windshield wiper. Lauren pulled the envelope free, it wasn't sealed as she took the note out.
Lauren,
There was no point telling you this face to face. I know you probably won't feel any gratitude in what I did. That being said I did it for you, for all the countless times you saved my life. I love you and that will never change. I went to Vex and together we over threw Evony. I had her in my thrall as she confessed to everything. It was her idea to have Nadia put in a coma. She gave the Shaman to the Ash and used you to be her slave. I wanted to kill her, for you, for us. For everything she has done. Seeing and feeling my own pain changed that. It made me realize she needed to suffer the way she has us both suffering. Even if you don't feel the torment, I feel it enough for the two of us. I told her even if she went to the Fae Elders to take you both down it wouldn't happen. Without you they have no champion. Without you there is no way to defeat the Garuda. Thank you Lauren for loving me as strongly as you did.
You have my heart always,
Bo
The doctor read the letter twice. Trying to force herself to remember anything, to feel anything, against her own judgement. She wanted it to be as touching, as sentimental, as it was supposed to be. There was nothing. Just a hollow emptiness. There was one thing she was feeling though, unsettled. She knew Evony a lot longer than Bo. She was glad she took her car keys with her. Without giving it another thought she slid into the driver seat of the BMW.
KENZI AND DYSON
Kenzi fell onto the shifters bed without bothering to lift her head to look at the man she loved. Everything seemed to be happening at quantum speed. She wanted to be singing from the rooftops that she found this incredible man that truly loved her. He chose her as his mate. Normally Kenzi would be celebrating at the Dal with her friends, drinking of course. At her current state she didn't even want alcohol and that was very serious for her. "This is like Carol Ann in the TV kind of shit." She mumbled into the pillow.
Dyson didn't know all the movies the petite goth referred to but this one he did. "I was thinking more Jack Nicholas in the Shining kind of bad." He sat on the bed beside her as he tried to make the small joke using her humor.
She propped herself up on her arm, elbow on the bed, head in her hands as she gazed at the wolf. "Normally I would love that in the way Gollum loved the one ring, but right now babe my head is spinning worse than a tilt a whirl." She closed her eyes as she felt the pressure building between them. "This is beyond a shit storm. Bo is broken, Lauren is half her & half humanoid, and oh there's Guru trying to kill us."
The shifter tried not to smile but the tiny human's lack of fae knowledge was amusing to him. "Garuda," he gently kissed the top of her head. He pulled her into his arms, comforting her with his strength. "I will do whatever you need from me Kenz. I will not give up on finding a way to help Lauren and Bo." He paused making sure he didn't come across that it was not important. "I think first, we should make sure we all live."
With that Kenzi pushed off of him and went into his kitchen. Opening the cabinet, she knew to have liquor in it. Not caring what she grabbed as she popped the top and let the fluid slowly burn down her throat. She pulled the bottle back so she could glance at what she was drinking. "Ugh, scotch." She downed another sip. "Yeah faepocalypse here we come." She was back in Dyson's lap before she finished the sentence. "Promise me that when we kick The Emperor's ass that we never give up on helping them." Kenzi knew they couldn't always make it their first priority but Bo was her family, and so was Lauren. She knew when she was in danger the two of them worked fast to save her life. Now it was her turn to show them that humans could be as strong as any fae.
DARK FAE COMPOUND
The pothien was tired of everything. Of being used by both the light and dark. The aggravation of getting nowhere with Naga Venom. Of everyone wanting her to find a way around her own compulsion. It was tiring that they were seeing her as cold when how could she be anything else? It was like taking a computer saving a bunch of important files then erasing the motherboard. Would you be upset that the computer didn't magically save the pictures somehow? Lauren could not control the emptiness she felt towards Bo. There was nothing that could fix it. This wasn't the wizarding world of Harry Potter. Dumbledore wasn't going to be able to swoop in, wave his magic wand and POOF everything back too normal. It was growing tiresome that no one was grasping what she repeatedly was telling them. It did hurt her to see how much it affected Kenzi. That was the only one the pothien wished she could comfort. Catching the eye of the guard outside of the dark fae compound her eyes instantly dilated. "Open the door for me," she demanded as the guard did as she commanded. She grinned loving her ability. Using her power on any fae she encountered as she went straight to the elevators. Hitting the 13th floor. The only thing the Morrigan loved about humans was their superstitions. She found them highly entertaining. The blonde stood patiently as the doors parted open. Knowing her way all too well, she hooked left heading straight to the bedroom. Stopping in front of the giant double doors. With Evony you never knew what would be waiting on the other side. Pausing she took a deep breath, she waited for this far too long. No longer caring she pushed them open entering at a fast pace. Seeing the closet door ajar she went straight to it.
Evony was just putting a robe on as someone approaching. She rolled her eyes thinking the succubus was back. It wasn't until she glanced into those dilated pupils that she knew who entered. "Where's Vex?" Lauren wasn't sure what the Morrigan was up to but one thing she would bet on was once Bo left Evony got the upper hand. Completely under her trance there was no hope for the dark fae leader. She lifted her arm and pointed to the wall behind her headboard as if it was done by invincible strings. "Don't move," Lauren barked out the order as she made her way past the bed. Pushing on the fake wall, half of it moved backwards, sliding behind the one now in front of it. Revealing the plain simple room, it kept hidden. The ceiling was the only thing that was light in the whole hidden chamber painted a light gray. The walls and floors were a black marble. Vex was bond to a metal chair that was spiked into the floor like a railroad track. His eyes pleaded with Lauren unable to talk with the gag digging into his mouth. She shook her head as she pulled down the vice. "Ow, love you are a doctor try being a bit softer with the patient." He licked the blood from the corner of his lips.
"Or you can say thank you." She wasn't a number one fan of the Mesmer's considering his part in all that was done to the pothien. "What did you promise Bo for this?" She might not have the emotions for the succubus that didn't erase the other things she knew about her. If Bo made a deal with Vex he got something he wanted for something she wanted. That part was left out of the letter and it wasn't unnoticed.
"I think this is rather ungrateful. I helped the unlove of your life to over throw Evony and what do I get? Imprisonment and harsh treatment." Vex lifted himself from the chair as Lauren finished unlocking his chains. He went over to Evony waving his hand in front of her face. "Nasty bugger this one is."
Lauren stood in front of the broken Morrigan. Her eyes dilating again, "Take a seat Evony we are going to have a little chat." She watched as she did what was asked. Moving like a trained animal at its master's command. The blonde left the room emerging with a chair that she placed in front of the bed. Vex sat down on the bed keeping some space between the two. He wanted to see what the pothien was going to do.
The feelings and emotions were swirling throughout the pothien. Part of her just wanted to grab Evony and watch the life drain from her eyes as she strangled her. Feeling her body go limp at the blonde's hands. For fooling her so easily. The other part of her wanted exactly what Bo accomplished, or at least almost accomplished. To have the Morrigan suffer for many decades to come. She was trying to decide which part of her was more sensible. "Why did you do it to me?" Her words were as cold as the Toronto winters.
"What part sweetie?" The soon to be ex-Morrigan was under her spell but it didn't mean she could clarify what the pothien was referring to. There were a few things that Evony did to Lauren.
Lauren's knuckles turned white as she gripped the arms of the chair so tight she might have cut off the blood circulation. Thinking of how many things might have been done. "Nadia?" She growled through clenched teeth. It was becoming impossible to control her emotions and not just lunge at the woman in front of her.
Evony started to laugh at the memories of the human. So many fae were mesmerized by the fae before her and none had a slight chance till a weak mortal. It was the perfect opportunity for the dark fae. "Isn't it obvious? I pride myself on the dark fae being smarter, stronger. What better way to make that more true than to have my own pothien?" Nadia gave Evony that. Years before she tried to find ways to have the blonde swayed to the dark. To be loyal to the Morrigan even if it was in secret. What was better was this gave her light fae information.
She could feel the veins in her forehead pulsating. "YOU DID THIS FOR MY FAE TYPE." The words dripping from her lips like venom. It was the last reason she expected to hear. It all came down to that. To the one reason Lauren kept all others at a distance. Everyone drawn to the pothien wanting her for one thing or another. If she was being honest with herself, it was one of the reasons she was so drawn to Nadia. Her fae ability wouldn't have pulled Nadia in to her like it did with other fae. It meant Nadia liked Lauren for Lauren not the pothien.
If the Morrigan wasn't being compelled she would have jumped backwards. The doctor was usually in control of her emotions. Even if Evony couldn't hear, you could tell just by glancing at the blonde. Her eyebrows knitted together, her nose scrunched up, and her face kept turning shades darker of red. "Who wouldn't want your fae type? I also had the benefit of my own little undercover agent." The compulsion kept her words blank of emotion just answering what she asked.
Vex stuck his hand in his pocket pulling out a pill. Closing his fist around it till he brought his hand palm side up to the blonde. "I think you should take one of these before you blow a blood vessel."
Lauren barely acknowledged the Mesmer. Giving him a quick shot that made him quickly put the pill back in his pocket. She heard him mumble something about her being testy. Her eyes focused on the woman across from her. "You set it all up. Me, the Ash, Nadia? All of us played right into your hands." She stopped screaming but she didn't sound any less menacing. There was an edge to her voice that was as sharp as a katana blade. If words could slash through you these would leave deep penetrating cuts.
"I know genius right?" It made staying ahead of the light so much easier having her own private reporter. Not that she wouldn't have been able to without Lauren, it just made it that much easier. She'd be lying if she denied liking short cuts.
The pothien wasn't sure who she was more furious with, the Morrigan or her own stupidity. She knew better than to trust the dark. Even doubted Evony the whole time she heard about the Shaman. It wasn't till she went to him with Vex. Seeing for herself what removing the nail did. It blinded her. Made her forget who exactly gave her the information. Things that she should have questioned. Bo was right having Evony suffer was the better option. Her interrogation wasn't over just yet. "Why have me compel myself? I was still your informant."
Evony waved her hand as if to dismiss it. "Ugh please, I wasn't going to lose you to that unaligned succuslut. You looked at her like she was the stars in the fucking sky. It was sickening really. I mean I think I did you the favor on that one, your welcome." Soon as the last word left Evony's mouth she felt her head fly hard backwards. It was at such a force she was surprised she didn't break her neck or pull a muscle at the very least. That's when the pain seared through her whole body as she felt like her nose exploded. She gently touched it, glaring at the blood on her finger tips. Her eyes met the blondes who was now standing above her.
Lauren couldn't stop herself. Who was the Morrigan to decide who she should or shouldn't love. To know that she had that, and to that level. It was the straw that broke the camel's back. The anger rippled through her moving her body against her will. Hitting Evony square in the bridge of her nose. It happened so fast if you blinked you missed it. Vex fell off the bed with the lightning speed. The pothien's whole life she wondered if love was even possible for her. Not knowing who truly wanted her for her. Nadia was her glimmer of hope that it was possible. Now all she could do is guess that she had something so strong, raw and powerful with Bo. Guess, at best. Grabbing the dark faes robe she yanked her so close their foreheads were touching. She could feel the beads of sweat that were forming on Evony. Lauren's pupils dilating once more as her words came out like shards of glass. "You will resign as the Morrigan. You will announce Vex as your replacement. You will not try to have the position of power back. When the fae elders ask you why, you tell them you've had enough of the politics and want to enjoy life as a Leanen Sidhe again. If they ask you to stay you refuse." She released her grip as she headed towards the Mesmer.
Vex was smoothing his clothes out from falling off the bed. By the time he looked up she was in his face. He shut his eyes so hard if eyelids could hurt he'd have a migraine.
Annoyance was spreading in every part of the blonde. She lightly tapped his face. "I am not going to compel you Vex." All she wanted to do was leave this building for good without having to return, ever.
"Consider me a bit untrusting." He kept his eyes closed.
"You said you told Bo you would fight with us. We need you. Till this shit is over with the Garuda you will be staying at the Dal under the watch of the Blood King." She wasn't asking. There was no more pushing her around by anyone. Light, dark or unaligned. "I mean now." Her hand wrapped around the back of the Mesmer's neck as she steered him out of the compound. "Oh you're being a bit rough I think I might be getting aroused." She slapped the back of his head as she pushed him into her car.
LAUREN'S LOFT
The blonde got out of her BMW and just leaned her back into the driver side door. Her head was spinning. The past fifty years of her life was all a lie. Plus, she had to take Vex to the Dal and wake Trick. She was thankful he wasn't sleeping when she got there but doing his own research into the Garuda. He was less than pleased to see his new guest. Lauren had to tell Trick everything that happened. Bo's letter which she left with Trick, and her going there. Vex made himself home opening up liquor bottles as he jumped onto the sofa asking where his telly was.
Lauren didn't remember walking to the elevator yet she was already on her way up to her loft. When the doors opened she groaned on the inside seeing Kimber sitting at her kitchen counter. She hesitantly went next to the hysminain.
"Least I know you didn't run away." Her humor was dry. It was meant to be. She was less than pleased to wake up at 4:11 in the morning to an empty place.
The pothien didn't want to get into the details with Kimber. They technically weren't in a relationship and the last thing she wanted to do was explain her actions to another person, fae or anything in between. At the same time, she knew she had to say something. "It's time I tell you about our impending doom and my role in it." She grabbed Old Rip Van Winkle 23-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon. It went for about 15,000 a bottle. This was a night that it was okay to open it. Watching as Kimber cocked an eyebrow definitely intrigued just by the drink of choice. "You know, as most fae, that there is a change coming. A threat to us all. Have you heard of the Garuda?" Watching Kimber's eyes widen as she grabbed the glass gave Lauren the unspoken answer. She gave a small laugh at the predicament. "Well, Lochlan picked Bo to be his champion to defeat the Garuda. The unaligned succubus and her little army against an ancient evil." She lifted the glass in a cheers manner before downing the amber liquid in one shot. Refilling the glass, she continued, "And I have the task of getting the only venom that can possibly kill him. Yet I have no idea how to make it the weapon that I need."
Kimber sipped the bourbon as she listened. She wasn't a fool, she could sense the threat, and heard the rumors. Her fae type responded to it. Her muscles contracting to the upcoming battle. The way a human with an injury could sense rain or snow, was how her fae type could sense fights. Her very essence told the hysminain. "What can I do to help?" The dark hair fae knew they weren't exclusive; it didn't stop her from caring for the light fae doctor.
Despite her best efforts she couldn't stop the half smile from forming. "How much do you know about Naga Venom or science? At this point I will take either?"
She finished the bourbon placing the empty cup down. "That would be, nothing. If there is a battle you are going into, I will be right there with you."
"I couldn't ask that of you." She knew without the venom they were all heading to their death. For that matter they were pretty much killing all fae and humans alike.
The hysminain smirked. "You didn't ask. You asked if I know about venom or science. The rest I offered." She shuffled out of the seat as she went around the counter to stand next to the doctor. Lightly tracing her back as she softly spoke. "One thing I know is wars and battles. Who is in Bo's army?" She might not be able to offer advice on the weapon but she could be useful in making a plan. This was what she was meant to do. Her inner fae would practically seek out fights.
Lauren grinned. It was almost funny and not funny at the same time how small of an army that they had. Choosing to no longer hide anything from Kimber except her part with the dark she went on. "Dyson, Hale, Kenzi, Trick, Vex, Bo, myself and apparently now we have you." She waited for the laughter that never came. She glanced at the fae next to her. Kimber seemed lost in thought. She paused barely taking sips as she kept her eyes on the hysminain.
Kimber was silent as she rattled off the few people in the fight against the ancient evil. Her mind going into action. This was who she is. Internal battles as well as external she could perfect. It was true that they had no army, more like a tiny gang. "It's not important." She could sense what Lauren was feeling on their small numbers. "The amount of fae, and humans, fighting isn't what matters. It's the skill set. We are all strong fae. I don't know Kenzi but if she can win over Dyson I don't doubt her." Her brain was firing off plans at a rapid pace. "What is the planning and strategizing you've done so far?" She realized only then that she didn't even ask. Maybe they had a plan that needed fine tuning and she would be the one to do it.
Lauren turned to face Kimber. "There is none. We just got Vex on board. We are all barely in the same room." It was her inner scientist speaking now. Science was logic. It had questions and answers. Theories with possibilities. Without the main thing needed was a plan even necessary?
The dark haired fae gently placed her hand on the pothien's face. Using her thumb to caress her cheek. She found the doctor's naivety almost innocent. "What's the point of a weapon if you don't know how to use it Lauren?"
The doctor was quiet pondering what was said. It was true even if she, by some small miracle was to create the weapon right now then what. They had no plan. "Bo is the champion she should be forming strategies." Lauren was broken out of her thoughts when Kimber spoke. Her eyes connecting with the hysminian. "What do you suggest?"
She went past Lauren as she started to pace back and forth in front of the counter. No longer making eye contact as she went lost in thought. Her hand rubbing her chin while her other folded behind her back. "Bo needs to get her army together. Find their strengths and weakness. Come up with a plan of attack for when the weapon is ready. That way when it is we move. You do not wait for your enemy to come to you. That can have dire consequences. Besides do we really want an ancient evil hunting us down individually or wouldn't the element of surprise be better?"
The blonde refilled her glass never taking her eyes off of the warrior in front of her. "Bo and I haven't really been on the best of terms lately." That was putting it lightly. More like they never spoke until the other day and that didn't go as well as she hoped.
Kimber stopped pacing and marched over to the blonde. Both hands firmly on the counter she peered into Lauren's eyes. "I don't know what happened between you two. Nor do I care. Neither should you, for that matter neither should she. This is for all of us not just the two of you. Whatever the differences are put them to the side." Her tone was coming out a little harsh. She didn't mean it to. It was the warrior coming to the surface. She softened it. "I know when she used to look at you; it was like you took her breath away. Put it to the side for now. Live first."
The pothien was wrapped up into everything the hysminian was saying. She made valid point after valid point. This wasn't the BoLo saga this was life or death. To the hell bad if the succubus didn't want to be in the same room with her. For this, there was no other option. Then she heard those last words. Took her breath away. Took. Her. Breathe. Away. TOOK HER BREATHE AWAY. Lauren slammed down the glass almost breaking it. "Breathless!" She stormed to her desk.
