Chapter Twelve – Good Vibrations
Lauren flipped a flapjack high above her head. In one smooth motion she spun around, snatched a plate, and caught the pancake behind her back. She slid the dish across the countertop, into Bo's waiting hands.
Bo clapped, and Lauren took a bow. "I'm starving." The Succubus said, tilting the bottle and drowning her breakfast in a sea of maple syrup.
"I'm not surprised. Human beings, and presumably Fae, burn a significant number of calories during sexual activity. And considering your, shall we say, stamina, it's only natural that your appetite would be particularly voracious this morning." Lauren tossed another pancake in the air, and Bo grinned. The Doc was wearing a t-shirt, and nothing else. When Lauren lifted her arms to catch the pancake, Bo caught a brief glimpse of one lusciously hot backside.
"I'm shocked that you can even stand up, let alone do breakfast gymnastics." Bo took a bite, and washed it down with an ice cold glass of milk.
Lauren laughed, and sat across the corner from Bo. "I'm in excellent physical condition."
"I can see that." Bo winked.
"You know," Lauren grabbed what was left of the syrup, and poured a little over her food, "I'm a little bit surprised you're even here this morning."
"What do you mean?"
"I assumed that a Succubus would be more the type to hit and run." She took a bite of her pancake.
Bo's face fell. "You want me to go home?"
"You did just blow through almost half a bottle of maple syrup. You broke my picture frame. My bedroom is a mess. You haven't exactly been the most considerate houseguest."
"I also gave you the best sex of your life."
"Meh." Lauren shrugged. "It was okay."
"What do you mean, just okay?" Bo's eyes flashed.
Lauren grinned. "For a Fae that feeds on sex, you're awfully sensitive the morning after."
"I'm just not used to being someone's second best, that's all."
Lauren sucked a breath between her teeth. "I don't know about second. Third, for sure, but not second." She took another bite. "A distant third."
Bo dropped her fork on the counter with a clang, her pancake forgotten. Lauren fought the urge to laugh. "Third?" Bo growled.
"A distant third." Lauren looked at the clock. "You could try and improve your standing. I don't need to be at work for another sixty minutes." She smirked, and licked the syrup off her fork.
Bo frowned. "You're trying to get under my skin."
"No, I'm trying to get under your clothes."
Bo stared at the grinning Doctor. Without warning, she stood up and swept the plates off the counter, sending glass shattering across the kitchen floor. She reached across the counter and pulled Lauren up by her underarms.
"Why do you keep breaking my things?" Lauren laughed, as Bo spun her around.
"Shut up." Bo kissed her fiercely, and pulled Lauren's t-shirt over her head.
"Who's going to clean that mess?"
"Shut the hell up, and lay back." Bo licked her lips. "You're about to find out that I'm nobody's third."
The Morrigan sat at her desk, and picked up the Entertainment section of the Toronto Star. Her boy toy and his band of dreamboats were number one on the charts again. She was raking in the cash, feeding off their talent. Her career couldn't be going better. But The Morrigan was concerned. Someone – some abysmally stupid someone with a death wish – had dared to break into her compound, into her own bedroom, and steal something that belonged to her. If she didn't find the people responsible, she would lose face and faith among the Dark.
Lizzie hustled into the office, looking upset. She bowed deeply. "Ma'am, you have a visitor."
The Morrigan pulled out her cell phone and checked her calendar. "I have my morning cleared for a massage and a facial. Send them away."
"I'm sorry ma'am, she arrived unannounced. It's The Ash, ma'am."
The Morrigan raised an eyebrow. "Ballsy move, showing up in Dark Territory. Send her in." She swiveled her chair and crossed one tanned leg over the other.
Lizzie bowed and practically ran out of the room. She was replaced by the sleek, sophisticated form of Val Santiago, The Ash. Val strode confidently across the room in six inch heels and a tight black dress to match the best The Morrigan herself owned. She sat across the desk from her Dark Fae counterpart, and smiled.
The Morrigan smirked. "You're looking awfully put together for a woman wading through a shit storm the size of a hurricane."
"One must appear composed, confident, and unaffected at all times. Yes, a Light Fae elder was murdered in my family home. But the situation is being taken care of. And no one liked Arthur Naia anyway." Val looked at her fingernails before continuing. "How is your head?"
The Morrigan grimaced, and tilted her head forward so her long brown hair spilled around her face, covering four fingertip-shaped burns along each side. "Just fine, thank you. I'm told the burns will dissipate within a few days. Scarring won't be a problem."
"And the internal damage?"
"My dear, a pain eater cannot feed on what doesn't exist." The Morrigan waved a dismissive hand. "I have no pain, and no regrets."
"None at all?"
"Well, I do regret not taking my time with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Thirty-five was much too young to lose such a massive talent. Live and learn, I suppose. Everything in moderation."
Val shook her head. "You're unbelievable."
"Tell me, how did a Fae with such a useless ability end up as leader of the Light?" The Morrigan chuckled. "Stealing voices? Someone was spawned in the shallow end of the gene pool."
"Careful." Val pointed at the newspaper. "I'll take your cash cow away. Those boys can't sing if they can't speak."
"Is this why you're here? To threaten me?"
"Not in the least. I simply enjoy a bit of verbal sparring in the morning."
"As do I. But other obligations await. I'm a busy and important woman. State your business."
"Is that an order?"
The Morrigan sighed. "It's a respectful request, from one powerful woman to another."
Val frowned, and leaned forward. "I think we have a mutual problem."
"Go on?"
"We've both been made to look foolish in our own homes. We've both had artifacts of immense power stolen from underneath our noses. You, with so many fighting to usurp you, cannot afford this. And I, still new in this position, need to assert my authority. I'd love a chance to flex my muscles, so to speak. It stands to reason that both the Llangareth and Orsedd Stone were taken by the same person.
"A sensible conclusion. Have your brother Hale and his dog made any progress in their investigation?"
"We know the Boraro was manipulated into allowing the culprit to pass through our barrier."
"Did he give up a name?" The Morrigan snapped.
"No."
She rolled her eyes. "You pansy ass tree hugging hippies couldn't even…"
"I assure you, our interrogation techniques were thorough. The Boraro is still in recovery. He has no memory of making any deals," Val said.
"And where does that leave us?"
"If our mysterious thieves went after the Llangareth and Orsedd Stones, they are almost certainly after the Siancyn as well."
"Where is it?"
"No one knows. It disappeared somewhere in Europe during the Black Death, in 1349."
The Morrigan grimaced. "Ugh. What a disgusting time. Bodies in the streets, flies everywhere. Humans make the worst messes, even when they're dead. Especially when they're dead. I spent three years in Africa to avoid the stench. I met the most talented shaman…that man could charm the pants off a…never mind." The Morrigan stopped abruptly at Val's amused gaze.
"Anyway…" Val suppressed a laugh, "I have a man on my side who thinks he can find the Siancyn."
The Morrigan leaned back in her chair. "Let me guess. It's that meddlesome way station keeper…what's his name? Kerry? Dougal? O'Grady?"
"Trick. His name is Trick."
"And how does our ambitious cocktail mixer plan on accomplishing this?"
"He didn't say. But we need to let him try. Trick also told me about the legend that accompanies the stones…"
"Yeah, yeah. Vague prophecies, immense power, blah blah blah. I've heard it all before. Do we know, for a fact what these stones can do?"
Val sighed. "The Siancyn was hidden for good reason. Whoever holds all three stones holds the capability to render their victims powerless."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning, the holder can take your Fae abilities from you. Permanently. Leaving you virtually human."
The Morrigan involuntarily shook. "A fate worse than death."
"Agreed." Val nodded. "It's imperative that we find the Siacyn before the thieves do. It isn't just our reputations on the line, but our lives."
"What would you do if you couldn't steal people's voices?"
Val narrowed her eyes. "You're a bitch."
The Morrigan laughed heartily. "Honey, you have no idea."
"Do we have an agreement? We pool our resources, find the stone, find these Fae…"
"And rip them to shreds." The Morrigan rubbed her palms together and smirked. "You have a deal." She stuck out a hand. Val cautiously shook it.
"Trick will need access to your archives."
"Done." The Morrigan still hadn't let go of Val's hand. "I'll have the key sent to the Dal this afternoon. And sweetie?" She grinned lasciviously at Val. "From one powerful woman to another, you come visit any time you'd like." She winked, and ran her thumb along The Ash's hand.
"I'll keep that in mind." Val stood and smoothed out her dress. "But don't get your hopes up."
"This is your ride?" Bo raised an eyebrow as Lauren wheeled a neon green motorcycle from her garage.
"She's not just my ride, she's my baby." Lauren ran a hand along the bike's metallic curves. "This is a Yamaha YZF-R1. Top of the line sport bike."
"I wouldn't have pegged you for a biker chick." Bo grinned, pleasantly surprised by this new development.
"What do you think I have all these kickass leather jackets for?" Lauren winked, and grabbed a helmet. "You think I just stand on corners with my jacket and my hair slicked back, spouting philosophy smoking cigarettes and picking up chicks? I'm the real thing." She kissed Bo's forehead and plunked the helmet down on the Succubus' head. "What's your excuse, Miss Leather Pants?"
"I'm in it for the fashion." Bo's voice was muffled by the helmet.
"Kinky." Lauren slipped a helmet over her blonde hair. "How did you get here last night?" She asked, tightening the straps.
"Taxi. My car wouldn't start."
"I can take a look at it, if you want." Lauren threw her leg over the seat and straddled the bike. "I'm good at getting a motor running."
Bo smiled behind her helmet. "Is there anything you can't do?"
"Nope. Hop on." She motioned for Bo to climb on behind her. Bo slid in, putting her feet on the pegs and pressing her body against Lauren's. Lauren pulled Bo's arms securely around her waist. "Now hold on tight, I don't want you falling off."
"I'm not going anywhere." Bo slid her hands under Lauren's jacket and shirt.
"And no fooling around either." Lauren slapped at Bo's fingers. "Not while I'm driving, got it?"
"Sorry." Bo dutifully pulled her hands away, wrapping them around Lauren's waist, outside the clothes. "I'll be good."
Lauren rolled her eyes, and in one swift motion kick started the bike. She revved the engine with the handlebars, and Bo's eyes shot open from shock at the vibration between her thighs. "Holy shit," she whispered.
"You ready?" Lauren asked.
Bo didn't answer, overcome by the warmth that was slowly building between her legs.
"Bo?" Lauren shouted.
"Yeah…yeah, let's go." She patted Lauren's stomach as a signal and Lauren popped the clutch, sending them speeding down the long driveway and swerving on to a residential road.
"What's the quickest way to your house?" Lauren yelled over the engine's roar.
Bo gulped and tried to focus. "Um. Uh. Um."
Lauren grinned. Judging by the way Bo was squirming, and the suddenly vice tight grip she had on the Doctor's jacket, Lauren was pretty sure she knew what was happening to the woman behind her. "You okay?" Lauren chuckled. She pressed the clutch and revved the engine, sending an unexpected flood through the Succubus. "You awake back there?"
Bo bit her lip, thankful Lauren couldn't see her face. "Yeah. Uh…just take McKee Avenue to the Warehouse District, as far as it goes."
"Got it." Lauren sped forward, and giggled when she heard Bo moan over the engines. She pulled onto an empty stretch of road. "It's quite the sensation, isn't it? That's 998ccs of power between your thighs." Lauren swerved the bike back and forth along the open road, revving the bike then cooling it back down, teasing and playing with the Succubus who was barely keeping control behind her.
"Do you know," Lauren shouted, "A woman can reach orgasm from just about anything if she's in the right state of mind. Exercise. Deep breathing. Foot massage. And most definitely the vibrations from a motorcycle." She grinned and popped a wheelie before taking off down the empty road, Bo moaning and groaning behind her.