A/N: Phew, Lo's feelings finally back, it only took 3 years to get to that chapter lol. Continued thanks to those who read this story and stuck through my very long absence. Thank you for continuing to follow it, adding it to your favorites and taking time to write a review. It really means a lot to any author to hear what readers think, good and bad. I appreciate it all! Once again thanks to somewhataddicted for her continued input on each chapter (seriously she's an incredible author if you haven't read her books, go to amazon and look for S.W. Andersen, 3 books to choose from and you can't go wrong). One chapter left in this crazy ride, on to this chapter…
Slowly the group started to come to, all but Kenzi. Dyson rubbed his forehead, everything was blurry, even without perfect vision he spotted his mate. He army crawled over to her. Kenzi wasn't too far from where he was. The shifter didn't want to make any fast movements. He didn't know where Bo was or who Bo was for that matter. Kenzi was out cold but breathing. His eyes flickered around the room. Dyson saw Hale and Trick awake, but not moving. Everyone was focused on Bo. The brunette's back was towards him. She was crouched down, kneeling beside Lauren. That's when it hit him, Lauren died in front of all them, and it did something to Bo. At this point not even aware that the pothien was brought back to life.
Dyson felt the human beside him start to stir. He put his finger to his mouth letting Kenzi know to stay silent. The fae were all observing Bo, waiting, not making a sound till they knew she wasn't dangerous. Trick's eyes wide with alertness as he watched his granddaughter. He cautiously sat up. Bo didn't even glance his way. The Blood King cast a skeptical glance at Hale and Dyson letting them know he was moving in. Peeling himself off the ground he made his way over. "Bo," he carefully called out. That's when he heard it. The small sob coming from the succubus. His body instantly relaxing seeing the tears trickle down Bo's face. He was hurt to see her hurting, yet relieved to see Bo back.
Bo was leaning over Lauren. She could hear her slow, labored breathing. The succubus barely noticed anyone around her. The only thing the brunette concentrated on was Lauren. The blonde was alive. Bo tried waking her but so far nothing. She felt the hand on her shoulder. It was meant to comfort her. "We will take care of her Bo." The succubus heard her grandfather, she couldn't take her eyes off of the pothien. The way Lauren said her name still playing through Bo's mind. There was emotion. It was just her name, but how it was said. The pain and sadness wrapped into it tugged at the brunette's heart. No longer that emptiness whenever the pothien said her name. This was like the old Lauren, her Lauren. Bo was vaguely aware of her friends now surrounding them. Nothing tore her attention from the woman she loved, hanging to life by a thin string. The brunette fell over Lauren.
1 MONTH AFTER DEFEATING THE GARUDA
"Babe, I need to go, like Gone in 60 seconds fast," Kenzi kissed the shifter again before pushing him off as she rolled out of bed. Picking up her scattered clothes, getting dressed as she disappeared into the kitchen.
Dyson laid in bed grinning as he watched the tiny human struggle to multi-task. "You sure you don't want to just come back into bed. I promise to keep you warm."
Kenzi reemerged, black tight jeans, heels that made her at least 6 inches taller, and a red tight shirt with black string tied through the sleeves. She went over to the bed, kneeling down beside it as she pulled out a duffel bag. "You can be my humane fur coat later. For now, I'm on BFF duty. Hale will kill me if I am late again. You'll kill him, it'll be like a really bad version of Scream." She talked over her shoulder as the tiny human already was in the kitchen filling the bag with food.
"Scream huh," Dyson sat up knowing he had to get to work. Sometimes he didn't follow her comparisons despite the many movies he has watched since the two became a couple.
"Yeah you know friends killing friends because they are bat shit crazy," she pulled him down for a kiss that deepened. Kenzi had to peel herself away despite wanting to give into to her boyfriend's advances, "Heel or I'll be forced to call in Cesar Millan. I will see you later." She made her way out the door knowing if the shifter tried anything else her resolve would fade away. Turning around to blow him a kiss before disappearing.
TEMPORARY LIGHT FAE COMPOUND
Hale paced outside of the medical facility, glancing at his watch when he saw the human coming down the hall. "I love you and D but you need one of these." He lifted his wrist as he pointed to the Movado.
Kenzi's eyes light up like a Christmas tree. Her hands going to grab at it, "You're right a Movado is missing from my life. Thank you for noticing."
The siren moved his arm out of the way. "A watch, you both need a watch, clock, cell phone, you know something that tells you the time."
The goth moved her hand in a way that showed blah blah blah, her thumb and fingers moving like pac man. She stared at the doors in front of her. The smile faded away, "How is she today."
Hale's shoulders slumped back automatically. "Same as everyday Kenz." He shook his head, pulled the goth in for a hug and quickly went down the long corridor. The siren didn't want to get emotional in front of Kenzi he knew this was hard on her.
Kenzi took a deep breath before pushing open the doors. This room has become her second home lately. It was a private medical room. To the left was a wall with a door leading to a full bathroom. To the right was chairs, the back wall had a TV hanging from it, next to that was a dresser. The wall across from the doors had windows, a small table and a tiny fridge. The table was filled with flowers, some vibrant and full of life. Others were withering away, dead petals falling around them. The wall opposite from the back wall had the bed with all the machines. To the right of Lauren, in a chair, leaning over the hospital bed was Bo sound asleep.
The petitie human went over to the flowers, pulling the dead ones out as she tossed them into the trash. Moving as silently as her shoes would allow. Mumbling to herself on how she should have grabbed some new ones on her way over. Kenzi made her way over to the foot of the bed. Lauren looked peaceful in her coma. The machines were silent as lines zipped across them. Kenzi had no idea what it all meant. Light fae nurses and doctors checked on Lauren every few hours. They checked all the machines, took notes, adjusted things and would leave. The good news was she was breathing on her own. The pothien had a full face mask on to help with the oxygen but no tubes were needed to help her breathe. It was painful to watch. To Kenzi they were both her family. Lauren looked peaceful but it wasn't Lauren. And Bo. Bo was a mirror image of who she was. She lived in this room with the blonde. The succubus ate there, when forced to eat, slept there and showered there. The chair she currently was sleeping in could unfold to a single bed but Bo hardly ever moved it from where it was.
The tiny human wiped the tear from her eye with the sleeve of her shirt. Blinked a few times, pulling it together, and she went over to the fridge. Emptying the bag as she stocked the room with food. Closing the door, she grabbed a chair, carried it over to Bo and placed it down beside her.
The movement woke Bo. She didn't lift her head, squinting from the fluorescent light above the brunette. Her eyes started to focus on the goth beside her. The succubus sat up, leaning back into the chair, pulling her one leg up as she rested her head on her knee. "Hey Kenz." Bo missed her wild adventures with the tiny human. Kenzi became a large part of Bo's life from the second she entered it. Meeting Lauren didn't change that, nothing could change that. Meeting Lauren was meeting her true soulmate. Literally feeling complete with the pothien. When they started dating Bo always made sure to have Kenzi time. The brunette was elated when the two hit off so well, it made everything easier. Losing Lauren was the worst pain Bo ever went through till now. At least she made attempts to block out the emotionless blonde. Still doing things with Kenzi when she was out of her funk. This wasn't the same, Bo knew Lauren had her feelings back, she was sure of it but couldn't ask, couldn't celebrate. Instead she watched helplessly. Not even fully aware of how she was able to bring the pothien back from the dead. It caused the brunette to stay in the room, afraid if she was to leave, Lauren could wake up or slip away. Either way she didn't want to take the chance of not being around. Her friends all seemed to understand and support her. Her biggest support, was of course no surprise, Kenzi. Who spent almost all her time in the room. Much like Dyson, Bo was exposed to watching a ton of the movies the goth usually referred to. Sometimes they played games, card games happened to be a personal favorite of the humans.
Kenzi would fill her in on things going on in the Light Fae world. Trick was currently the acting Ash till the Fae Elders decided on a permanent replacement. As the acting Ash he decided not to tell the Elders about what transpired between Lauren and Evony. He saw her help in defeating the Garuda as repentance. The Light Fae Compound was also being rebuilt. Kenzi described it as Oz. The building was apparently an emerald green in color on the outside. A beautiful breathtaking construction, the inside filled with marble and granite. Naturally Kenzi took as many pictures as she could and would show Bo.
The small human smiled only a little, a smile with a twist to it, like a child trying not to weep. "Hey Bo bo," she slapped the brunette's thigh determined to act as normal as possible with the frail brunette. "Maybe we should, I don't know, get some sunlight." She turned towards the window, "You're starting to look like Casper. It's not a good look, and as your best friend, I feel the obligation to tell you that."
Bo's soft lips stretched into her own version of a smile, not quite reaching her darkened eyes. They were filled with a sadness that contradicted the forced expression contrary to her mouth. "Maybe later Kenz." She let her facial muscles relax, closing her eyes, her eyebrows fusing together. "I've been having weird dreams lately." Bo wanted to change the subject, she still wasn't ready to leave her lover's room. The dreams were disturbing her, interrupting sleep, and becoming more frequent.
Kenzi raised an eyebrow, "Ohhh, and are we talking like Fifty Shades of Grey kind of dreams?" She nudged the brunette next to her. Seeing the serious expression on the succubus, "Or is it about how you went all Carrie at the prom on us to save Lauren. Because so you know, I totally get it and completely forgave you for almost killing me." She grinned at the last part hoping Bo would laugh, even a small one.
The brunette's mouth twitched as she tried to fight the smile that played across her lips despite her best efforts to keep it at bay. "No, neither," she shook her head. Straightening up in her seat she glanced at Lauren one last time before putting her attention on Kenzi. "I don't know Kenz, they get intense. I am either trying to kill something or something is trying to kill me. I wake up sweating, panicked, it takes me a few minutes to realize it didn't happen." She rubbed her forehead trying to remember details. Jumping up a little in the seat, "Oh and sometimes, sometimes I am a defective version of myself, like not human."
"Well, Bo bo I hate to break it to you but you are not human, you're fae." Kenzi covered her mouth as if she was shocked at the admission.
Bo tilted her head as she gave her best friend the finger. "I know that, I mean, I have horns. Like an animalistic version of me." She thought about that for a minute. "Not animal in the good way like Dyson. Like creepy unstable half fae, half animal."
Kenzi got up from her chair, tapping her finger on her chin as she paced. Wishing she could wake up Lauren and tell her. Usually that's who the human went to when shit was hitting the fan. Lauren was an encyclopedia of knowledge having the answer to almost everything, except her own compulsion of course. She stopped in her tracks, "Trick!"
The brunette's forehead crinkled. "No, nothing to do with Trick."
The goth was back in the seat next to her. Half sitting as she leaned forward towards the succubus. "No we have to Ash Trick, Ash Trick," she moved her finger from one invisible word to the other.
Normally the brunette would be against it but the dreams were becoming more frequent. More realistic. More disturbing. She peered over her shoulder at the sleeping blonde. She didn't turn back around as she answered, "Yeah, you can tell him about it Kenz."
LATER THAT SAME DAY
Kenzi was hurrying with Trick towards the room that everyone became all too familiar with. Opening the doors, she couldn't hide the smile as she saw the shifter sitting next to Bo. The small framed goth wanted to run to his arms, the only thing that kept Kenzi from doing so was Trick's reaction to what she told him. He dropped everything he was doing as he wanted to see his granddaughter straight away. Kenzi was convinced it had to do with how dark Bo got to save Lauren. Trick didn't say a word on the way over. Whatever it was had her worried.
Dyson sensed it before noticing the change in the Blood King's demeanor. "Trick, what is it?" At this point he was sure there wasn't much they couldn't face as a group.
The temporary Ash ignored the shifter directing his attention onto his granddaughter making his way over towards her. "Bo, I need you to get some blood work done."
"I feel fine," her quizzical look matched the other two.
"I need you to trust me on this Bo." He took her hands in his. "Please."
The brunette sighed, "Fine, but I'm not leaving this room." Normally she would be asking a hundred questions on why he needed her blood. Nothing seemed to matter as much. Bo finally let go of the hope that Lauren would ever get her feelings back. She pictured if they defeated the Garuda a celebration of some kind where she could at least watch the pothien from a distance. It wasn't much but she would take it. To see those incredible smiles that could light up the darkest day, to stare into the softest brown eyes she ever gazed into, to hear that angelic voice. Bo came to terms that it would be all she ever got. Never figuring that Lauren would be her sleeping beauty.
Kenzi and Dyson stood in the corner waiting as the doctor took the blood vial. They waited as Trick left the room with the fae. Both not having a clue what was going on. The approached the bed, Kenzi going to her normal spot beside Bo, and Dyson pulled a chair on the opposite side. He let the girls talk as he stared down at the pothien. He fought the tears threatening to form. The shifter knew Lauren longer than anyone else in the room. He has seen her through so many different times in life. They had their own special bond. Dyson always admired how strong she was. Here she was hanging to life by a thread. He glanced across the way at his mate. She didn't notice as she had Bo engaged in chit chat. It tore him apart to think of how one day this would be their future. One day Kenzi would be hanging to life by a thread and he would be there in Bo's shoes, helpless to stop it.
Trick entered the room, all eyes were on him. He was still trying to wrap his mind around what he was just told. "Bo, you are going to have to leave this room." His voice was low and steady.
"Yeah that is not going to happen." She barely looked over.
"Bo, when you saved Lauren you tapped into unheard of powers. It sped things up for you." He paused as he faced Dyson, "Bo's Dawning is here." The shifter was on his feet and by Trick. Dyson lost that serious look he normal has on, replaced by pure shock.
Kenzi's eyes widened, "Oh shit like Dawn of the Dead." She had no clue what a Dawning was but for some reason that popped into her head.
Bo rolled her eyes. "My what?"
Dyson was the one to move in. He squatted down next to Kenzi. His facial expression speaking more words then his voice could. He took a deep breath knowing he had to breakthrough to the succubus at the importance of this. "Bo, a Dawning is something every fae goes through. Usually once a fae hits the age of 200. You have your baby fae years to prepare for it."
"Your pull on unknown powers seems to have sped up the process Bo, I am sorry." Trick was devastated at learning this was quickly approaching. His granddaughter was in no shape to be faced with the obstacles of the Dawning.
Bo stood up. She let her hand drag down Lauren's arm before walking away from the bed that the blonde was trapped to. "I don't care what it is I am not leaving this room. Unless the Dawning happens here, in this room, I'm, not, leaving." Saying each word slowly letting it sink in that she wouldn't waver on this.
Dyson was in front of Bo before she had a chance to move. His eyes capturing hers. "Bo you don't understand." His eyes drifted to the blonde. "You want to be here for her then you have to go through your Dawning. If you don't, if you fail, you become Underfae. You won't even recognize Lauren. Do you want that for when she wakes up?" He knew what to say because he knew what he would need to hear to leave Kenzi's side.
It seemed to work. Bo remained silent. Dropping onto the foot of the bed behind her. This wasn't leaving her many choices. She dragged her hands down her face, placing them together as her chin rested in her thumbs, her forefingers touching the edges of her eyebrows. "What do I have to do?"
Kenzi had her hand over her heart awaiting the impending heart attack. She naturally assumed that Bo would refuse. If it was possible, she just fell more in love with the shifter. Kenzi knew that it was what he said combined with how he said it, that snapped Bo to reality. "Whatever you need I will the Robin to your Batman."
"You are going to need a Lodestar," Trick chimed in already thinking of the one he needed to call. She was the best in the business.
"I've always been a bigger fan of crab but sure get some lobster."
Despite the seriousness of what was happening Dyson couldn't fight the tug at his lips. "A Lodestar is a fae that is a mentor or trainer of sorts, for the Dawning." He pulled Kenzi to him. He literally adored everything about her. Even her attempt at not pretending not to learn all things fae.
Bo had her hands on the foot board, her legs dangling free. Glancing over her shoulder every 5 seconds as if she could will Lauren awake. She wanted to feel that this was as important as the two light fae were making it sound but it was hard when her mind was somewhere, no, on someone else. "Is this long," she blurted out. Bo was beyond tired. Going through so many emotions when Lauren was compelled was exhausting in its own way. This brought it to a whole new level. It was Bo, who now felt empty.
The Blood King had left the room to make the call. Dyson was the only one left to answer, "Bo, everyone's Dawning is different. It's a mental test, it can be a physical one, it can be both or neither. No one knows for sure till you receive the invitation."
"Oh, it's like a mental sweet 16, I get it. Instead of hey sweetie you're growing up, it's hey sweetie try not to become a monster that eats children." There were many things fae Kenzi wished she could change.
Not much else was said while they waited for Trick to return. Kenzi was fearing for both Bo and Lauren, knowing Bo wasn't all in, and if Lauren finally woke up to a Bull-Bo. Dyson was worried for all three of the ladies that grew to be among the most important to him. All too aware of the effect Bo failing could have on each one. Bo was more concerned with leaving Lauren than the Dawning. The door closing had everyone snap to. Trick greeted the empty stares, "Good news, Stella Nashira will be your mentor. She is on her way."
Hale joined the group a little later on. They all stayed for a while going over some of the things they had to face in their own personal Dawnings. Each trying to prepare Bo for what was to come. She listened, but said very little. The only thing motivating her was to not become UnderFae so she could be there for Lauren. Everyone stayed late till Bo's eyes started to close against her will.
NEXT DAY
Trick entered the room with Stella in toe. Kenzi leaned over to Bo covering her mouth with her hand, "It's like Effie Trinket without all the make-up."
Stella appeared horrified when seeing the tiny human. "Humans are not supposed to know about Dawnings, it is forbidden."
"Kenzi is part of this family Stella, even as a human. She is also Dyson's mate, my loyal protector for hundreds of years." Trick stood proudly by the goth. Stella didn't agree with it, however she no longer argued with it either. Letting it go completely as she started to talk to Bo about how she would have to walk through the ritualistic doorway. It would be her first step in the Dawning process.
Only when Bo tried to go through it, and was denied entry that they group put together she had to have unresolved issues. Stella assured her it wasn't Lauren. The pothien compelling herself wouldn't count as an unresolved issue, technically it wasn't. The blonde still loved Bo it was her mind that was erased of that. Dying somehow reset her brain wiring. Therefore, it wasn't unresolved which led Bo to the conclusion it was how she left her human mother. Kenzi quickly volunteered to go with Bo back to her home town.
It was Dyson who told them to take Hale with them. He couldn't help but remember how the two first came into his life. Constantly in trouble with Bo on the verge of death. Knowing Bo could be very strong as he witnessed, he also knew she was partially present, the rest of her was with Lauren. Dyson assured Bo he would send texts every hour with updates. Unless something happened before the next hour, then they would hear from him sooner. He wanted to be the one to go with the two ladies, at the same time he also wanted to be there in case Lauren woke up.
The two returned a day later. Kenzi filled him on Lady Polly and how they were able to stop her. She also felt it might have helped Bo a little that she was able to confront her adopted mother. Not leaving any details out, that Bo's adopted dad passed away, and that her mom had dementia. On their way home a fae had come to them for help. The succubus at first refused but Kenzi pointed out that it could be part of her Dawning. Kenzi told him how they went to the Dal to tell Trick about it and Bo started some game. The duo was off for Brazenwood, this time leaving both gentlemen behind.
Trick phoned Dyson to let him know he had to play the game for Bo since she wasn't there. He agreed to stay by the blonde's side with Hale. Unfortunately, there was no change in the pothien's state. He spent a good portion of the day that he was alone with Lauren, talking to her. Almost hoping she'd hear his voice and follow it back. He knew it was a silly thing to hope for but it didn't stop him from trying.
Later that night the two burst through the door. Both looking a little shell shocked. Kenzi cleared her throat, "Okay so random thing, I kissed Bo, I don't dig the ladies but there it is. Maybe it's being around a succubus for too long you just can't resist them." She shrugged speechless by what happened.
Before Dyson had a chance to reply, Trick and Stella were in the doorway. "Um, I might have an explanation for that." The Blood King let them know how he had kissed Stella when they knew the test was passed. That their heads touched the machine and must have passed on to the girls. Kenzi sighed with relief.
That's when her invitation appeared. Bo went over to Lauren. She let her fingers slide through her soft blonde hair. Making sure to wash it at least every other day. She ran her hand down the side of the pothien's face, before bending down letting her lips lightly touch hers. "I will get this down as fast as I can to get back to you." She whispered in her ear before turning to her grandfather. "How do I enter this?"
Stella was taken aback on how fast Bo was getting through everything with no training. She glanced past the succubus at the sleeping doctor knowing the inspiration behind it. Love had to be the strongest motivator Stella ever saw. In all her hundreds of years training for this Bo was making record time. "I don't even have the weapons here for you to choose from to enter the temple."
Trick grabbed the Lodestar's arm stopping her. "Bo, if you were to pick a weapon you would have to pick a side, Light or Dark."
Dyson was sitting next to Lauren, Kenzi was on his lap. He knew what it would mean to offer being her hand. He breathed in deeply memorizing Kenzi's scent. He would treasure it forever. The thought of one day losing her broke the shifter. The wolf also knew if Kenzi was to lose Bo, on top of losing Lauren, she would be destroyed. He lifted Kenzi up as he stood, "I will be her weapon. I offer myself to be Bo's hand."
The Blood King didn't say a word, not a single word. He eyed Dyson up and down, knowing that the wolf was fully aware of what he was doing. It left Trick speechless. He wanted to shout no way, there was to much they were dealing with already with the pothien. This was also his granddaughter. Without help, broken as she was, she would die in there. How could the Blood King pick between his granddaughter and his loyal protector?
Kenzi had no idea what was happening. "Can you help her?"
Dyson stood tall and proud, "Yes, it's the only way to assure that Bo will get back." He decided to leave out that he would not be returning. The shifter knew Hale, Trick, Bo and eventually when she woke, Lauren, would all take care of Kenzi.
The succubus wanted to do this on her own. "Dyson, stay with Kenzi." Looking at the bed in front of her, "And Lauren, I will be fine, I always am."
The shifter grinned, "Bo you were always fine because Lauren was there to save you. I may not be saving you the way she did." His grinned widened knowing how the pothien used to always heal the brunette. "I will be helping you regardless."
"If it gets me back fast then let's get this party started." With that the two got ready to enter the temple. Bo insisted they stay in the hospital room and would only enter from here, nowhere else. Stella asked one more time making sure they were ready. When they both nodded she had the ritual entrance brought before them. Bo went to walk through the door first, stopping, half in the door frame the rest of her seemed to disappear. She watched the machines that buzzed normally above Lauren. With that she disappeared into the temple, Dyson followed, then the door vanished, leaving the room the way it was.
They were in a version of the Dal. It was empty, not for long as a man appeared, claiming to be the caretaker. He told Bo she needs to have the key in hand to get out. They looked at each, confusion written on their faces, as they tried to understand what the caretaker was telling them. Neither of the two fae noticed the horned fae that was observing them. It charged at them, getting their attention, but it was too late as the razor sharp claws sliced through Dyson. It hissed out its' victor, they ran, needing to examine the wounds. They went into what would have been Trick's chambers, but ended up in the boxing gym Dyson normally practiced in. Bo checked the lacerations knowing Kenzi would kill her if anything happened to the shifter. "Are you alright?"
The shifter flashed a smile, "Small flesh wound, I will be fine." He was glaring down at his cuts seeing how deep they were.
As the two were talking, the horned fae reemerged seemingly out of thin air. This time Bo noticed him, pushing the shifter out of the way, kicking the attacker as hard as she could right in the gut. He stumbled backwards and a key fell. Bo ran and dove for the key, her hands grasping around it as she disappeared from Dyson. The Shifter ran to the spot she just was, searching everywhere for her. His purpose was to help save her not lose her. He was stuck in the fake gym with no idea where the succubus vanished to.
One minute Bo was on the gym floor, the next in a pitch black room. She cautiously got up as she tried to see something, anything. Where was Dyson, was he okay? Where was she? Her heart rate increased as terror built from within her. Fear building at the thought of being stuck in the temple. The darkness engulfed her; Bo put her hands up to feel for a wall. "Bo, are you here." The succubus froze at the sound of the familiar voice, the one she has been longing to hear call her name once again. There was no mistaken who it belonged to, it was Lauren.
