As I promised I have not abandoned this story. I'm not writing long chapters because it's almost coming to a close and frankly I still have some in the tank to draw out. I'd like to thank all of you still with me, thank you for the patience and I hope you guys enjoy!
Cheers eh!
Also none of the characters are mine yada yada yada.
The Joy in Dying
Chapter 13:
His booming laughter was heard through the space we were in. I couldn't lose my resolve and even though I tried thinking on my feet I was scared things wouldn't work out like it had in my head. I gripped Lauren's soul tighter hoping not to draw much attention to her.
"Ysabeau, do you take me for a fool? I know you will never want me." He boomed and I sighed.
"That hasn't stopped you before has it?" I spat back losing my nerve. I was losing time and I felt the darkness from Hell follow me here.
"I guess you're right. There's still the matter of that soul in your hands." He pointed at Lauren in my arms and I frowned.
"She returns to humanity there's no need for her to stay here." I countered firmly.
"So adamant… I suppose with a keeper of the underworld and my sexual desires quenched I can let the mere human go. What are the demands of this deal dear niece?" he asked creepily making a shiver run down my spine out of fear.
"You never try and hurt Lauren or my family from this point on, if that's broken not only will our deal be null but you'll take my place in the underworld." I mustered knowing this was the only way I'd have peace.
"What do I get in return for such a high stakes deal?"
"My life and servitude for eternity. No if's, ands or buts about it. No struggling or trying to escape and I of course would be the keeper of the Underworld as accorded. Free to travel from that realm to this one to assist your needs." I leaned forward extending my hand.
From my father's upbringing I knew shaking hands was key. His treacherous smile spread across his lips in mischief making him look deranged. I now understood why my father was so bitter for all those centuries. People regarded Zeus like a God, a model to be followed, yet he was this lowlife scum who only cared for his needs. My father on the other hand was hated and condoned at every corner when he was only forced into his servitude of the underworld by a trick Zeus himself had put onto my father.
The man menacingly towered over me within seconds as he gripped my hand shaking it. His menacing and sadistic smile came over his face and I felt like I was making a pact with the devil instead. As he let go of my hand he moved fast like a striking snake and pressed a disgusting chaste kiss on my lips. The anger sept through me as I felt my body tense in revolt against his chaste lips. In all honesty I couldn't quite believe what I had just agreed to, I just needed to get Lauren back RIGHT NOW.
I felt his coarse hand pull me closer and as I was about to protest to send Lauren home I felt him grip her soul forcefully as he ripped it from my hands. I lunged at him desperately and he pushed me against the wall with force as he tightened his hold on Lauren's essence. At this pace he would destroy her and I almost couldn't bare the thought. I was desperate as his voice traveled through the room.
"You will never be mine as long as this damn human is alive"
My chest rose up and down with dread as Lauren dangled from his fingers like a rag doll. She was losing the bright glow that accompanied her soul in the river and I knew I was running out of time. I almost wept out of time and ideas.
Suddenly it was as if I could hear water rushing from all sides into the room. Zeus' face twisted into fear as he still gripped onto Lauren and in seconds a tall dark man with dreadlocks was in front of us. His blue eyes and blonde skin made him look like a surfer yet there was something in his face I recognized somehow. The stranger's eyes fell on me and a fond smile crossed his features as he spoke up.
"It seems you've been bested at last brother. Your insolent ways will no longer be tolerated in this realm, you must go where you now belong." The dark man's voice towered over us and I watched as Zeus' eyes widened in horror.
"You must be joking! This is my realm!" Zeus demanded as I couldn't rip my eyes off of how tightly he gripped at my woman.
"Put the mortal down before I destroy you brother, you know I can under this circumstance as the keeper of the deals." The dark man advised.
Dejectedly with a glare at me Zeus put Lauren down slowly. The dark man grabbed her gingerly in his arms and I wondered if I should be scared about the exchange.
"I don't understand." Zeus' challenged but the dark man shook his head.
"You tried to harm the mortal, it was in the agreement." The dark man explained.
"She wasn't going to be mine like she agreed." Zeus spat and I could only watch the exchange pondering on my next move.
"And I quote: 'My life and servitude for eternity. No if's, ands or buts about it. No struggling or trying to escape and I of course would be the keeper of the Underworld as accorded. Free to travel from that realm to this one to assist your needs.' Nowhere in there does it say, brother that she had to be yours." The darker man challenged and Zeus blinked several times at his blunder as I gasped.
"No!" Zeus thundered all around us but in a second and the blink of an eye he was gone.
I stared at the darker skinned man in disbelief and he gave me a small smile. I knew better than to get into a fight between two Titan-esque creatures that would rival my father in cunning and strength. This man who now held Lauren was indeed referred to as brother.
"Don't fret Ysabeau, I'm your uncle and mean you no harm. I only wish to return you to your Father as soon as possible." The man explained calmly yet I couldn't trust his words this easily.
"How do I know you're not like Rapey uncle over there? Where the hell is he too!?" I was so confused now.
"Exactly there my child, Zeus is now the keeper of the Underworld by virtue of your deal. He defaulted when he tried to harm the mortal." He watched me wearily look at the soul in his hands and he smiled. "Who would've thought Jack would've been so good at being a Father."
"You really are my uncle, aren't you?" I mused as he nodded.
"I'm Posseidon, keeper of the seas my child. You have unburdened your father with something I never wanted for him. Zeus was a petulant brat who outsmarted certain people who trusted him, I'm glad you've righted things." He admitted.
He stretched Lauren's soul towards me tentatively and I looked at him questioningly waiting for it to be a trick. His eyes held mine firmly willing me to trust him so I did and reached for Lauren.
"You should hold onto her, it will dissipate your distrust. We must get going, her time is fading and once it does nothing will bring her back." With that I snapped into motion hurrying.
TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
I took a large gasp as I waited for the pain to come, yet it never did. My chest heaved heavily as I frantically looked around the small room we were in. It looked like I was in a house of sorts and I was alone. I felt the tears come out of my eyes and I remembered everything that happened, like a wave feeling after feeling hitting me. I felt nauseous and weak yet oddly recuperated for some wild reason. The sun was shining in through the window casting beautiful shadows within the room. I wanted to get up and walk around, get some answers but I felt so weak I didn't want to risk breaking my nose.
Out of nowhere the doors swung open and in came Dyson of all people talking animatedly with no other than Kenzie. They seemed engrossed in what they were talking about and before I could voice my relief at seeing them I overheard Dyson's conversation.
"Come one help a kid out here sis. Just take a whiff and we're out. I just… there's something odd since we brought her home."
"She just came back from hell stupid, of course there's going to be a side effect or two!" Kenzie retorted and my eyes grew wide.
They couldn't possibly be speaking of me.
"Hell?" my voice was raspy yet it came out and traveled through the space settling in their ears where their heads snapped at my figure and they looked at each other in surprise.
"Go get dad" Dyson instructed and in a second I watched as Kenzie shifted flawlessly into a deep gray blue eyed wolf and ran as fast as her legs could carry her.
Dyson stared at me wearily as if he was scared I would break or explode, which one he didn't seem sure. I was anxious with confusion and decided to voice my questions immediately.
"Where's Bo? Is she alive? Where am I? Why am I not hurt? Where's Bo?" I fired off repeatedly as Dyson seemed to snap out of his trance and rush to me.
"It's alright Lauren, Bo's coming with dad, you're in our house… you're safe." He rushed and I looked up at his eyes as he examined me.
"What is it?" I sighed and he shook his head.
"I'm just… I'm glad you're awake Lauren… Bo went to hell and back to get you literally." He explained as my eyes grew wide.
"Is that why I smell weird?" I asked him without missing a beat as his eyes grew wide in surprise at the fact that I had heard him.
Before he could answer Jack came through the doors as Bo followed him closely. As soon as our eyes met everything was forgotten and I couldn't think of anything but her. She was here in front of me safe and sound. She crossed the steps between us rapidly and threw her arms around me as I started softly crying. The toll of the last events I remembered was finally catching up with me and I didn't know which was worse: fear of losing Bo to a crazy or getting hit by a truck. I felt her heavy tears wet my shoulder as I realized she was crying as well. She pulled back and then captured my lips within hers in an all-consuming searing kiss.
After a few minutes I hear a throat clear in the room and I pulled away from the Succubus slightly embarrassed at the loss of control. I saw Jack's wide smile as I realized he was the one who had cleared his throat.
"I need to examine the girl Ysabeau." He joked giving me a wink as I chuckled.
"Hello Doctor." I greeted him and he brightened up considerably.
"Hello there to you too Doctor, how are you feeling?" he asked me earnestly and I gave it a big thought as Bo ran her thumb across my knuckled not letting my hand go.
"I feel different but I feel healthy." I explained confused.
"That different could be a number of things Lauren… technically you died on us and Bo here went through great lengths to bring you back." She blushed as I turned to stare into her eyes. "You could be feeling that or the fact that Bo healed your body completely."
"You did that?" I asked amazed at the woman before me as she looked down at me with watery eyes.
I wanted to talk to her about this, I wanted answers of what was happening in my body, what had happened to it. I heard more footsteps and as my eyes rose I connected with my father. His short blonde hair was messy and his green eyes shone with unshed tears as Aife helped him to my bedside. I was mesmerized, I hadn't seen my father in a long time and I was perplexed that he was here, that they had found him. He gave me a gentle smile and pulled me into his arms as Bo took a step back with a small smile. I swallowed the knot in my throat long enough to speak.
"Dad?" I whispered as he squeezed me.
"Jesus Lauren you had me so worried." He breathed into my hair and I was in such shock I forgot to breathe.
"Come on Lauren breathe" Jack instructed me as I made an effort flabbergasted.
"Your mother should be here shortly." My father whispered with tears in his eyes "I'm so happy you're safe."
My eyes landed on a man who came through the door. My eyes watered as I saw his dark hair and skinny frame. I couldn't believe after all these years they were both standing before me. He had a pair of dark jeans and a dark button down. Even though he looked like a My chemical romance member I could recognize my brother anywhere. I saw him flinch when he met my eyes yet I want him to get closer.
"Paul" I whispered and he cringed.
"It's Vex now love." He corrected with a very thick English accent but he didn't dare move from the door.
I don't know what compelled me to insist. I wanted my brother closer, I wanted to hug him and touch him and smell him once more. I had missed him immensely and now he was acting as if we were strangers, as if he was going to break me. I raised my hand in an attempt to reach for him but in a confusing turn of events I could see him mirroring my moves. His eyes grew wide as he imitated me motion by motion.
"Bloody hell?" I heard Pau—Vex mutter under his scared stance.
"what in the actual fuck…" I whispered before my father fainted on the ground.
The commotion broke my brother and I apart from whatever that was. As Jack examined my father I felt crowded and scared but mostly confused. I threw the covers off me since everyone had conveyed around my father and in an instant I slipped from the room. I walked briskly not knowing where I was going or what I was doing. I just needed some fresh air, maybe some sunlight to give me clarity.
"I knew you smelled different." I turned meeting Dyson's yellow wolf eyes as he sniffed me "What are you Lauren what kind of Fae do I smell?"