A/N: As per usually, thanks to all who follow and added this story to their favorites. Thanks to those who take the time to review. I love knowing how everyone feels towards this story; it inspires me to keep writing. Once again thank you for standing by and waiting for this story to be finished. The end is quickly approaching. Huge thanks to the talented S.W. Anderson (somewhataddicted) for her input on the chapter. Years later and I still rely on you for help lol.
Together they headed towards the destroyed building. Bo stopping right outside the door, she turned around to her friends. Lauren and Kenzi were the ones right behind her. She pulled them slightly ahead of the others. She spoke low, barely above a whisper, "Kenzi, binding everyone to me makes me stronger, but it can also give me the push towards the darkness within me. You cannot let me become my mother. You have to break the bond with this." Bo pulled a piece of paper that was scrolled up from her pants pocket. She placed it in the tiny goth's hands. Kenzi nodded in understanding. The brunette put her attention on her ex-lover. "If it doesn't work, if I stay dark, you need to kill me."
"Like hell she will Bo bo," Kenzi shook her head from the succubus to the pothien.
Bo gently smiled at her best friend. "Kenz, don't let me become a monster." She put her attention back on the blonde. Lauren nodded in agreement knowing her friends would never do what only she could. Bo straightened up, "Ready for it." This time she didn't stop as she went into the broken door. It was swinging loosely from the one hinge holding it in place.
The only light was coming through areas that were collapsed. It threw rays of dimming light like candles dancing. No one spoke trying to listen to anything that might be headed their way. This was an ancient evil he would not be alone.
"I hate to be the one to point this out but perhaps it would be better if we split up." Hale leaned forward as he spoke to his friends.
"Oh sure that's a great idea, nothing at all like every single scary movie, where some idiot goes alone to check the noise from the basement." Kenzi snorted at the idea. "Let me know how it turns out when you run into Michael Meyers of the fae world."
"Actually he is right. This building is huge and it's in shambles. The Garuda can rewrite history with the Blood King. Our best chance at finding him is to go into teams." Kimber was scanning the perimeter around them.
The succubus didn't like the idea; she couldn't argue with it either. The only way to protect all her friends was to be with all of them. Trick's life also depended on them moving quickly. She was the champion this was her responsibility. "Vex and Dyson go left, Hale and Kenzi go right, and we will continue forward." She wasn't going to let Lauren out of her sight. Regardless of how the light fae doctor felt towards her didn't change how Bo felt. She did want to separate Dyson and Kenzi, knowing he'd be too worried about the human to concentrate. The shifter in him always wanted to be her guardian. Bo had faith in Kenzi she worked with her for a while now and the tiny human proved to be stronger than expected continuously.
"I'm not leaving Kenzi." Dyson straightened up with a firm tone as he faced his mate.
Kenzi went over to him, pulling him down to kiss away his fears. "I know you want to be my Guard Dog but someone needs to watch him." She glanced towards the Mesmer. "I'll be fine; I've got my own siren to whistle for help." She elbowed Hale, "Get it, siren, whistle." She giggled a little before getting serious again. Dyson kissed her one more time before turning the corner with Vex.
The unusual pair went into a room where two fae were standing waiting to attack. Dyson's eyes turned yellow as he prepared to fight. Vex grinned next to him, "Down boy, I've got this one." He moved the larger fae's arm to stab the smaller fae next to him. Then, just for fun, he had the larger fae repeatedly stab the other one.
Another two entered and Dyson half shifted. His claws extending from his fingers as his canines grew. The shifter let out a growl as he went after the two new comers. Grabbing each one in a free hand slamming them into the wall behind them. He slashed at the first one slicing his throat open. The other fae punched him in the face. Dyson shook it off as his attention was left on the fae remaining. He did a fast upper cut, his claws jetting through the bottom jaw of his assailant. Proud of how swiftly he was able to take out the two. He turned in time to watch Vex have the larger fae slash his own throat wide open. The blood came gushing out. Vex was celebrating their victory. The shifter saw the mace come down, "VEX LOOK OUT!" The warning was too late. With his enhanced hearing Dyson listened to the bones shattering in the Mesmer's arm.
Vex instantly jumped back in pain covering his injured arm. Dyson ran at the new fae like a linebacker. His arms wrapping around the guy's waist pushing him backwards. Grabbing the mace and yanking it so hard he heard the fae's shoulder dislocated. The shifter didn't waste time as he snapped the assaulter's neck. He rushed over to the dark fae, "Are you alright?"
The Mesmer could barely focus the pain making his vision blurry. "Do I bloody look alright? Let me smash all the bones in your arm and ask if you're alright." He knew he shouldn't have joined the light fae in their impossible mission. He felt like a team member of the suicide squad.
Dyson understood that Vex was lashing out from the pain. He scanned the area listening to hear any nearby footsteps. For the moment it was clear. He grabbed Vex's good arm as he helped him walk. "We need to go now." The shifter wanted to back track to find the rest of the group.
Kenzi was next to Hale as they slowly headed towards a broken down hallway. Debris was everywhere. They had to go over large chunks of the building, ducking under a few as well. She spotted an attacker and grabbed the sai at her side tossing it down the corridor. They both followed the weapon with their eyes, watching it as it was swirling through the air hitting the fae in the middle of the chest. "WHOA! Score 1 for the human, fae 0. Like Robin Hood with a Sai." She marched towards the fallen fae.
Hale could barely keep up, "Not so fast little mama." Her tiny frame allowed her to maneuver much faster than he could.
The small human got there and glanced down at there would be attacker. She spun around to see how far back Hale was. "And here you were worried about…" Her sentence was caught off as the fae lying by her feet, used what was left of his life to pull the sai from his own body, letting the smaller part of the weapon penetrate through the goth. Kenzi let her head drop down as she observed the metal protruding from her body. Hale got there in just enough time for his best friends mate to fall into his arms. The siren wasn't going to take the way they came to go back. He had a hard enough time getting through on his own never mind carrying Kenzi. He felt his shirt get warm; he barely gazed down seeing the deep crimson staining his shirt. He moved faster needing to find the light fae doctor, "Stay with me Kenz."
Bo and Kimber were back to back both fighting two fae of their own. Kimber glanced over at the pothien. Lauren was in a hand to hand combat with a male attacker. He was about Hale's height and size. Kimber grinned when she saw the blonde's pupils dilate. The hysminain rammed her sword through the abdomen of the fae to her right. Not pulling her weapon back out she used her strength to slam the now dead fae into the one on her left. When he lost his balance, Kimber tripped him, pulled her sword free and brought it down, killing both.
The succubus cut the one's stomach open jumping back as his intestines spilled out onto the floor. She crinkled her nose with disgust. She pulled the free fae close to her draining him of his life as she pulled on his chi. Occasionally checking on the pothien. Relief flooding through her each time she saw Lauren easily holding her own against anyone who dared to come against her. She peeked over at the blonde again, panic setting in as she saw the light fae doctor coming right at her. Those dilated eyes, "Stab yourself through the heart." Bo stood still wondering why she didn't do as commanded. The spray of blood splashed across her arm. She twirled around in time to see the giant behind her fall to his knees, the dagger sticking out of his heart. It hit her that Lauren just saved her life. She half smiled, "Thanks." The pothien just gave a small nod.
They turned the corner slamming into Kenzi. Bo's eyes widened at the sight of her best friend. "KENZI!" She rushed to her side. The goth was barely conscience. Lauren was right beside Bo. In the past few months she has become extremely close to the tiny human. They had formed an unbreakable bond. Bo brought the two close, and for that Lauren was grateful. The doctor started examining her immediately. "Can we get to your medical facility?" The brunette didn't know what she could do to save her. One thing Bo knew was she wasn't going to watch Kenzi die.
"She won't make it." Lauren tore her eyes off the wound. She faced Hale, "You need to hit a high pitch frequency with your siren ability to stop the bleeding and cauterize the damage to the tissue."
The howl startled them all as they saw Dyson come in with Vex. The shifter was next to his mate. He stared at his longtime partner. His eyes pleading with Hale, "You can do it, I believe in you."
The siren wasn't as sure as his friends but for all of them he would try. He has grown to love Kenzi in his own way and he was happy for Dyson. To see one of them have a happy ending was the one thing that has been refreshing in the turmoil they've all been in lately. He inhaled deeply as he concentrated on the still bleeding gash. He aimed his whistle at it, watching the blood slow down as the wound started to close.
Knowing Kenzi was going to be okay Lauren lifted Vex's arm. She lied him down. "How are you feeling?" She didn't meet his gaze as she continued to inspect his injury.
The Mesmer glanced over at his mangled arm, "Oh peachy, lying down has relieved the pain in my shattered arm completely." He couldn't ignore the immense pain he was feeling even through his sarcasm.
The brunette and hysminain guarded the others, keeping a watch on the area around them. Bo talked over her shoulder not taking her eyes off of any possible attackers, "How is he doing?"
Lauren gazed down at him assessing the damage. "It's not good I have to get him somewhere safe. Go on without us. Hale needs to recharge, Kenzi is just coming to." She looked over at Dyson. He had the petite goth wrapped in his arms. She knew the shifter for a long time, "Dyson isn't going to leave her side and I have to wrap Vex's arm to prevent further injury."
The thought of the pothien not being in her line of sight scared her more than the Garuda. She would rather die than let any harm come to this woman. She didn't care if Kimber was there or how Lauren didn't feel. The brunette marched over to the doctor, pulling the blonde towards her. Bo's lips crashed onto Lauren's. Her tongue sliding in with familiarity. She deepened the kiss, tugging at her chi as she backed away. The succubus didn't meet her eyes. Didn't want to see the emptiness in them that she became all too familiar with. Instead she went passed Kimber, "Let's go." As she kept moving.
The pothien was motionless for a split second before snapping to attention. She didn't feel anything, not that she assumed otherwise. The blonde let the kiss happen. She wasn't exclusive with Kimber and if Bo needed a power up, Lauren was fine with helping out. The pothien could never complain about a kiss from a succubus. Back to work instantly, she went to Dyson tapping his shoulder to get his attention. "We need to move now." She was trying to maneuver fallen chunks of the ceiling from a blocked door. Watching as it suddenly started to move. Dyson was beside her, his yellow eyes glowing as he lifted it out of the way. They opened the door and got everyone in.
The shifter's eyes returned to their sparkling blue ones. He gently placed Kenzi down on a fallen slab. It was sturdy enough for her weight. He pushed her hair back as he caressed her face never letting his eyes leave her. He waited for her to come to.
Lauren ripped the sleeve off of her black button down shirt and did the same for the other side. She was putting together a make shift sling that would hold the Mesmer's arm still. Vex just watched, "Thanks for the arm porn but I really don't think this is the time."
"Shut it Vex." Despite his comments she knew he was trying his best to brush off the discomfort he was feeling. Hale started to get his strength back, helping Kenzi left him winded. He helped Lauren as soon as he was able to.
Kimber and Bo were walking side by side cautiously turning corners. Not knowing what allies of the Garuda would be there. Five fae were coming from behind them. One was a bit larger than the others. He looked like the Rock from WWE. Three were about the same size and height. Not overall tall or built but had weapons. The last one was the smallest of the five. He had messy dark blonde hair with silver eyes. His tongue slithered out like a snake's. Bo tilted her head, "That's new." She went for him first. Twirling her sword easily around in one hand. Bringing it up as she swung it at the small fae. He jumped back in just enough time. The tip of the brunette's sword sliced open his shirt but missed any flesh. He smiled exposing pointy triangular teeth. One of the triplets came behind Bo. She turned to the side to fight the two. "Why do guys always want to tag team a girl." She swung her sword sideways slicing deep into the larger faes arm. He stumbled backwards. Bo faced the smaller fae as he was moving fast towards her. She swung up like a baseball bat hitting the ball out of the park. She watched as his head detached from his body.
Kimber fought off the other three taking them out in time to see Bo decapitate the fae. She lifted her eyebrows, "You really must be the champion or you're the world's fastest learner with swords." The hysminain fell in step with the succubus once again. Both had blood splatters on their clothes and face. "You still love her." Kimber took the opportunity of being alone with Bo to address the elephant in the room.
Bo was a little shocked at the statement, especially given their current situation. "I don't think now is the time to discuss Lauren." Nor did she ever want to discuss her ex-lover with the woman who was sleeping with the blonde.
"She loves you too you know." It was a reality the hysminain started to accept.
This caught Bo's attention. She didn't stop moving knowing her grandfather's life depended on her. The succubus couldn't prevent the snort of laughter that erupted from her. "She has a funny way of showing it."
Kimber took the quiet moment to stop walking. She reached out grabbing Bo's shoulder forcing the succubus to face her. "Her mind may not remember it but her heart does. That's why she can't give it to me or anyone else for that matter." She let her hand slide off of Bo. Kimber started to walk again knowing they didn't have time for a true heart to heart. "When we win, when we beat the Garuda. I will back off."
The brunette didn't know how to respond. So much was happening at such a rapid pace her mind couldn't keep up. "Why?" It was the only thing she managed to get out. Amid the intense danger that was commanding her full attention, the uncertainty of what laid ahead, Bo's heart still fluttered at the thought of winning Lauren back. The succubus would never give up fighting for the woman she so profoundly loved.
Kimber smiled, "I don't do triangles. Just don't give up on her Bo." They both abruptly stopped walking as if they hit an invisible wall. Both staring at the Garuda in the mortal shape he picked. Trick was next to him. The instrument to cut his hand, the scroll and pen all in place at the desk he sat at. The Garuda flashed his diabolical smile at the two, "Welcome, you're just in time for the show."
Everything Bo has been feeling for the past few months faded as the anger took over. She looked directly at her grandfather, scanning him over making sure he was okay. "Let him go," the succubus snarled the words at the ancient evil.
The Garuda leaned on the desk. Not seeming to care about the request or the ferocity behind it. He had one leg dangling from the desk the other planted on the floor keeping him in place. "You want him, come get him." He was hoping for a fight. "You know it's pointless. I've already won Bo. You can stop all this foolishness, save your friends and just join me." He taunted the fae who was supposed to be their champion. At this point there wasn't much she could do, the Garuda licked his lips as if he could taste his victory.
This was music to Kimber's ears. Whenever enemies got too cocky and think they've already won, a weakness is there. She talked over her shoulder to Bo, "We need to move now." She didn't wait on a reply as she rushed at the Garuda. Her sword at the ready as she charged the evil fae.
"Oh," he simply stated as he got up preparing for the charge. Kimber swung her sword down and he leaned his body back feeling the cold steel swish past him. Her assault continued, she lunged forward, the Garuda grabbed the blade in his hands laughing coldly as he did. His hands together, the way you would if you were praying, the steel in between them. He used the strength and power he had as he slammed the sword backwards. It entered through the hysminain from the handle. Pushing all the way through, the blood gushed out of Kimber's mouth. She turned to Bo mouthing sorry before falling to her death.
The succubus was stunned. The death was swift and gruesome. Her grandfather was still his prisoner. The brunette was nowhere near as good with a sword as the hysminain. There was no other choices or options as Bo lifted the sword high. Bo's hands tightly gripping around the handle as she moved towards the Garuda. She wouldn't charge at him like Kimber. She would watch his moves, and move with precision.
The Garuda faced Bo. He tilted his upper body back, as giant glowing red wings sprouted from his back. His lips curled back to a sinister smile as he pulled out a sword of his own. The blade itself burst into flames as his sword met Bo's in the air. Swinging it around together as they broke free of each other, they started to circle around. The fury was building in the succubus; she was trying her hardest to contain it as she continued to attack the evil before her. She plunged the sword straight at him, he easily deflected it. His cruel smile never faded, "Do you really think you will beat me this way?"
Lauren, Kenzi, Dyson, Vex and Hale came storming in the room. The blonde was the first to see the hysminain. She knew she was dead but it didn't stop her from crouching down next to Kimber's lifeless body. Kenzi was right next to Lauren. The small human was observing the fight in front of them.
The Garuda saw the cavalry arrive. He knew he could easily take them out but he didn't want to waste more time. "Perfect, time for the show. The Blood King's weakened state left him vulnerable." He mocked them knowing what he was about to do. With that he faded to an essence that entered Trick.
All of them watched in horror. No one taking their eyes of Trick, Bo stepped cautiously closer to her grandfather, "Trick?" She suspected the answer but asked it anyway.
Trick lifted his arms up, "Not here I'm afraid." This was easier than the ancient evil anticipated. He went to slice open the hand of the Blood King but something was keeping his one arm at bay. He glanced up to see the Mesmer using his powers on him. He took in the weakened state of the dark fae and grinned, he could wait a few more minutes.
Lauren saw Vex struggling. This was her chance; inside the old fae she can compel the Garuda. She couldn't make eye contact. Before anyone could stop her, the pothien moved right towards the ancient evil.
This caught the Garuda's attention straightaway. He knew the fae that was coming at him and the powers she possessed. He jumped out of Trick's body. Now he was agitated. The Blood King slumped down next to him, his body crumpling to the floor. The Garuda went at Lauren. He grabbed her by her shirt lifting her off the floor. His eyes glowed red. The pothien tried to compel him despite knowing it would be futile. It enraged him more. Lauren fought to free herself; her feet dangling from the floor, compelling him in his own body would be useless. She did the only thing that came to her mind as she head-butted him. He let out a horrific screeching sound then tossed the blonde fae with all his might straight across the room. It was the force of being hit by a train as Lauren's body flew between Hale and Dyson. The shifter heard all the bones in her body break as she slammed into the wall behind them. Her body fell lifeless to the floor.
That was the push Bo needed. Her eyes immediately changing color. Not the brilliant blue they normally became. These were different, dark, much like how she was now. She could sense the weak pulse in her grandfather. That's how in tune she was with everything around her. Lauren's was gone. Her eyes peeled off the love of her life's dead body as she faced the Garuda. The succubus let out a predatory growl that caused her own friends to take a step back. The ancient evil sensed the change, stepping to the side. She didn't rush to him, instead every move was calculated. She practically glided next to Trick. Bending down by him, keeping her gaze on the ancient evil, Bo poured Isabeau's life essence into his slightly parted lips. The Garuda didn't stop her it was beneficial for him to have Trick alive. His blood was useless dead. It was the voracious behavior that was emanating from the succubus that kept the Garuda from charging at her. He was observing the change estimating how to handle the new woman.
Bo's eyes turned shades darker, pulling strength from her friends that were bonded to her. With Lauren now dead the energy was pulsating through every bone, muscle and tissue. She raised her sword once again, with an eerie calmness to her she went towards the Garuda. He was waiting. Their weapons clashing together once again so hard sparks flew from them. Bo swung it down to the right. The evil fae swung his red blade at her side. The brunette brought her blade up the pointy edge facing down as she blocked the attack.
Kenzi backed up, never peeling her attention from the fight. She made her way back to Lauren. The human watched in horror when her close friend hit the wall. Next to Lauren now she felt for a pulse, there was nothing not even the slight hint of one. Kenzi didn't move from the body when she noticed the way her best friend was glaring at her. As if she was a threat to the already dead pothien. This was no longer Kenzi's best friend, whoever the person was before her was not the Bo she knew and loved. This version of Bo terrified her. The way Dyson was gripping her shoulder tighter let the human know he also was weary of the unaligned fae.
The Gaurda used the distraction he plunged the sword forward. The succubus was so in tune that she sensed it coming lifting the sword in time to deflect the new assault. She turned towards the Garuda once more. A low growl coming from deep within her making its way out. The steel rubbed against each other once more. This time the brunette slid it down to her waist swinging it right. It made contact as it ripped the side of the ancient evil open. He glanced down at his wound, his malicious laugh directed at the brunette. "Do you think that can kill me succubus?"
This time she met his smile with a wicked grin of her own. "No, but this can," she lifted the empty syringe of the Naga Venom. The poison dripped from the blade of her sword.
The Garuda started to feel it course through his veins. His smile finally wiped clear from his face as the realization hit in. "NO, NO, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE." His body went into spasm. The venom attacking him internally as his body started to contort.
With the threat dying Bo scanned over her grandfather. He was already sitting halfway up watching his granddaughter cautiously. He didn't know what to do this was meant to break her from the potential danger she was becoming. Trick kept his eyes fixed on her, he was afraid to even move. He briefly glanced over at the rest of the crew, their eyes mirroring his.
Kenzi grabbed the shifter's hand as she cut it. She mumbled out the chat to break the blood bond that was linking them to the succubus. It did nothing.
Bo stood in front of all of them focusing only on the blonde she loves. Her arms at her side lifted up. "I can be more powerful than all other Fae. Everyone will kneel at my feet. There will be no more Dark and no more Light. There will be only me. My strength is unmatched. I will reign as queen and you shall all tremble before my power!" It wasn't the brunette's typical voice it was dark and demonic. It echoed through the walls. Bo started to pull the chi of not just her friends in the room, but of all the fae in the building. She tugged till she had what she needed putting her friends into a daze and knocking Kenzi out completely. The brunette headed towards the doctor with an intense focus. Squatting down she lifted Lauren's limp body close to her lips. Bo pushed all the chi she just stole into the woman who stole her heart long ago.
"Bo," Lauren whispered out, her hand grabbing Bo's wrist before her fingers slipped off, as the pothien passed out. It wasn't what she said it was how she said it. Two letters, one simple word, and yet a wave of emotion behind it.
Bo's eyes instantly returned to their normal soft brown. It wasn't the fact that Lauren was now breathing. It was how she said her name. Something so plain, but there was a huge difference, it was no longer empty, there was feeling in it. Lauren said the brunette's name without the coldness that Bo became accustomed to.
