"Well," Tatum says, entering the foyer. Her eyes sweep over the tiny snoring girl. "At least this isn't Withering Honey Ash."
"And thank the fucking gods it's not," Tamsin says, striding in behind her. Tatum flinches when an eight-inch velvet stiletto heel shoots out from the mumbling body sprawled on the couch.
"Down bitches! Down! These be limited editions!" Kenzi snaps in her sleep. Kenzi jerks again, slashing the air with her heel.
"Then again I don't have any experience dealing with drunk humans." Tamsin crosses her arms and shrugs, stepping away from the couch.
"I am not just a drunk human," Kenzi slurs, suddenly sitting up. She lurches forward as her momentum threatens to carry her off the couch.
"Woah there Kenz," Bo says, quickly leaning forward to catch the tiny girl. Bo struggles to prop the flailing girl against the couch. Bo takes Kenzi's face in her hand and checks her eyes before throwing her arms around her shoulders. "Oh Kenzi. I'm so sorry," Bo says, gripping her tightly.
"And you should be, bitch," Kenzi says. Bo leans back and stares at the intoxicated girl.
"What?" Bo says. Kenzi raises an arm and points at Tatum accusingly.
"Who the fuck be you?" Kenzi slurs. "Another one for the harem?!" Tatum's eyes widen as she shakes her head. "I know you a Succubus, but you be getting greedy, motha-fucka," Kenzi says, poking a finger in Bo's face. "If you's not careful you goin' wind up on The Hoarders Hot Bitches Special…"
"I'm not-," Tatum says before Kenzi cuts in.
"Throw me a fucking bone here, Bo Bo!" Kenzi whines. "Water water all around but not a drop for Kenzi?" Kenzi hiccups and leans into Bo's side. "Can you please just order a sizzling side of beefsteak next? I'll eat it for you since you're all vagitarianish," Kenzi says, looking up at Bo. "Props for a little variation this time," Kenzi says as she gives Tatum a quick once over. "I'm feeling the exotic flavor, Russell Simmons," Kenzi says, winking at Tatum. Tamsin and Dyson stand shoulder to shoulder, fists held over mouths in a weak attempt to stifle laughter.
"Well, I can certainly say I like her more like this," Tamsin says.
"Kenz?" Bo says as Kenzi slumps against her. The tiny girl's eyelids droop. A loud snore rips from her slack form.
"Well, glad to know she's in good health," Dyson says, helping Bo lay her down again.
"This is her in good health?" Tatum says, raising an eyebrow.
"Sorry about that," Bo says, giving Tatum an apologetic smile. "She's really…Russian. It's pretty severe once she gets to this level."
"When can we get to this level?" Tamsin asks, looking around the foyer for the booze.
"You want to get drunk? Here?" Tatum asks, crossing her arms.
"You're right," Tamsin says. She strolls to the front doors and locks them. "Let's see what the second floor has to offer."
"Shouldn't we be finding a way out of here?" Bo asks.
"What's the hurry? You got Kenzi back," Tamsin says, glancing at the snoring girl sprawled on the couch.
"Where are you going?" Bo calls out after the Valkyrie disappearing up the grand staircase. "Are you guys just going to let her go?" Bo asks, staring at Dyson and Tatum. Dyson and Tatum both nod in unison.
"She's right. We have Kenzi, and she's fine," Dyson says. "We need rest," Dyson adds.
"They have Lauren," Bo says.
"Who Bo? Who has Lauren?" Dyson asks.
"I know she's in trouble Dyson. You don't know what I saw. It was real," Bo says.
"Real? Real like the maidens you were chasing less than a day ago? Like the fucking magical tree you thought you were climbing?" Dyson asks. "Bo, we're all here for you, but you need to get a grip on yourself. This isn't like anything we've dealt with before, or haven't you noticed?"
"Dyson," Bo says.
"We rode a real life Pegasus," Dyson says, combing both his hands through his hair. "I grew up hearing tales of them from my grand parents," Dyson says. "We are not in the real world anymore, Bo. Get that through your head and maybe we'll all get out of here alive," Dyson says.
"I know Lauren isn't exactly high on your list of priorities, but I need to find her. I won't leave this place until I do or die trying," Bo says.
"This isn't about Lauren, Bo," Dyson says. He drops his hands and hangs his head in defeat. "I'm going to look for food and water," Dyson says before walking out.
"Can you help me with her?" Bo asks. Tatum nods and moves to lift Kenzi.
On the second floor, they settle on a small bedroom. Bo tucks the snoring girl into a giant four-poster bed as Tatum fills a crystal pitcher with water from the adjoining bathroom.
"Wait," Tatum says when Bo holds a glass up to Kenzi's lips. She takes the glass from Bo and smells the water. Tatum swallows a large mouthful before slipping onto the bed next to Bo.
"What are you doing?" Bo asks, watching as Tatum lies down.
"Checking to see if it's poisoned," Tatum says, closing her eyes. She reaches up to slips an arm under her neck, exposing several inches of tan midriff. Bo coughs and looks away.
"So it's fine?" Bo says, when the girl grows still. "Tatum?" Bo says, reaching out to shake her shoulders.
"It's fine," Tatum says, opening her eyes.
"You needed to get comfortable for that?" Bo smirks.
"No. But I've found that it helps if it's really poison. Crashing to the ground might not kill me, but it fucking hurts," Tatum says.
"Do you make it a habit of testing things for poison?" Bo asks, setting the glass on the clawed nightstand.
"Fast metabolism, fast healer. It's just better for everyone else," Tatum says. She walks to the door and closes it softly. The sound of a turning lock reaches Bo's ears.
"I thought we weren't supposed to be alone," Bo says, arching her eyebrow.
"We're not," Tatum says, gesturing towards Kenzi. She slides onto the bed next to Bo. "Can I ask you something?" Tatum says softly. Bo swallows, her eyes fixed on Tatum's lips.
"Sure," Bo says with a nod.
"What's the deal with you and Tamsin?" Tatum asks, studying Bo's face.
"What? What do you mean?" Bo says, quickly looking up.
"Why is she here for you?" Tatum asks.
"I. I uh," Bo struggles with her thoughts.
"You must mean a lot to her. She doesn't usually go out of her way to help anyone...And the last time I checked, she doesn't kiss her blood relatives like that..."
"Oh we're definitely not related," Bo says quickly.
"Then why is she risking death during the weakest part of her life cycle?" Tatum asks.
"I don't know," Bo says honestly. Tatum leans closer and locks eyes with her. Hunger bubbles up as Tatum invades her personal space.
"Are you two bonded?" Tatum asks, giving Bo a wary look.
"I don't know what that is?" Bo says, scrunching her eyebrows.
"Yes!" Tamsin whispers loudly when she finally spots a crystal decanter and tumbler set. She hurries into the study at the end of the hall and snatches the cognac filled decanter. With a satisfying pop, the ornate stopper pulls free. Tamsin closes her eyes as the liquid runs a warm path down her throat. "Damn," Tamsin says, looking at the crystal in her hand. "That is some good shit." Tamsin grins at the bottle before taking another long pull. "Woah. Slow it down woman," Tamsin says out loud when she realizes she's downed more than half the bottle in a single swig. Her eyes perk when she sees another decanter sitting on a large mahogany desk. "Or not," Tamsin says, lifting the decanter to her lips again. The sound of a door locking echoes down the hall. "Guys?" Tamsin calls out.
"Find anything yet?" Dyson's calls from downstairs. Tamsin ignores him as she hurries down the hall, panic growing in her stomach. "Tamsin?" Dyson calls again.
"Where's Tatum?" Tamsin says.
"Helping Bo with the Ruski," Dyson says, looking up from the foyer.
"Shit," Tamsin says, throwing open a door to an empty room. She quickly moves down the hall. "Tatum!" Tamsin shouts, jiggling the locked doorknob. "Bo?"
"She seems a little jealous if you ask me," Tatum says, studying Bo's reaction as the Valkyrie thumps on the door. Tatum stands and moves to the other end of the bed.
"I really don't know what you're talking about," Bo says as Tamsin begins throwing her weight against the door.
"Really?" Tatum asks, glancing at the shuddering door.
"Bo!" Tamsin yells. She steps back and slams her heel into the door. Bo jumps as the doorknob rips free from the door and flies across the room in a shower of wood splinters. Tamsin lowers her foot and rushes into the room. The Valkyrie pauses when she sees Tatum and Bo sitting on opposite ends of the bed with Kenzi snoring between them. Tatum gives Tamsin a hard look before getting up.
"Good chat," Tatum says, patting Bo on the arm. She gets up and brushes roughly past Tamsin.
"What the hell was that?" Tamsin asks, staring at Bo.
"You tell me," Bo says, crossing her arms. "Better yet, you tell me what the hell is going on."
"Excuse me?" Tamsin snaps.
"First you're supposed to kidnap me. Then you grow a heart and help me. And now you're in here, for me. Why?" Bo asks.
"I…" Tamsin stalls, remembering the decanter in her hand. She quickly pulls the stopper out.
"Seriously?" Bo says. She gets off the bed and reaches for the crystal. Tamsin quickly presses the decanter to her lips and attempts to take a last swig. Bo yanks the crystal from Tamsin's hands, splashing cognac over the Valkryie's neck and chest. "Sorry?" Bo says when Tamsin glares at her. Bo steps back when Tamsin reaches out for the crystal. Bo drops the liquor in shock when Tamsin's hands forgo the bottle completely and slip behind her neck. She backpedals as Tamsin presses forward. "Tamsin?" Bo says, feeling the wall behind her back. She looks up into the Valkyrie's face.
"Just shut up," Tamsin says. Tamsin's expression softens as she looks into Bo's eyes. She sighs and leans forward, resting her forehead on Bo's. The sound of breathing fills Bo's ears as they pause, frozen against one another. Tamsin's thumb brushes softly against her cheek.
"What are you doing?" Bo asks with Tamsin's lips hovering millimeters from her own. Tamsin leans forward and presses the length of her body against Bo's. Bo shudders as Tamsin's fingers slip into her hair. "Tam-," Tamsin's lips quickly find Bo's, finally silencing her. The kiss deepens languidly, as the women take their time in tasting each other. Bo reaches up and wraps her arms around Tamsin's neck. A low moan escapes from Bo's lips. Tamsin pulls back, breaking the kiss. Before Bo can speak again, Tamsin pulls her close, cradling her face in the crook of her neck.
"I'm not good with words, Bo," Tamsin whispers into Bo's hair, feeling her heart thundering in her chest. Bo runs her hands down the Valkyrie's back soothingly. Tamsin closes her eyes, feeling Bo's lips press against her neck in a soft peck.
"I once told you I knew I couldn't trust you. That was a lie."Bo says softly.
"You don't know that," Tamsin says.
"I do," Bo says, pulling back. Tamsin's eyes shoot down to her hand as Bo interlaces their fingers. Bo freezes, picking up on the tension filling Tamsin's body. "Hey," Bo says, tearing Tamsin's attention away from their interlocked fingers. "What's Withering Honey Ash?"
Tamsin drops an armful of smooth stones into the fire pit. She toes a stray stone back into the pit before nodding at her sister. Kristin kneels, drawing a long knife from the small of her back. She holds out a dry branch and begins shaving it over the pit. Content with the size of the tinder pile, Kristin quickly snaps the remaining segment of wood into small chips. Her hands move quickly, striking flint against blade. Within seconds, the young blonde is blowing gently at a small flame.
"How's she doing?" Kristin asks, poking at the growing flames with a twig. She blinks her hazel eyes as honey scented smoke wafts into her face.
"She's fine," Tamsin says. She looks across their campsite and spots Alexandei sitting on a pile of rolled bedding. "It's like she was never hit at all…" Tamsin adds as afterthought.
"Maybe we should talk to the reason why she's not bleeding out on the ground," Kristin says, not daring to meet Tamsin's gaze. Tamsin looks down to where her sister's crouched. "I mean, maybe you should," Kristin adds, feeling Tamsin's disapproving gaze on the back of her head.
"Kristin…" Tamsin says.
"I said talk, not release!" Kristin sighs, tossing the twig into the blazing pile. She stands and claps her hands, brushing dirt from her skin. She wipes at the smoke induced tears on her cheek with the back of her hand. "I'm going hunting," Kristin says, not waiting for an answer before jogging off towards Alexandei. Tamsin frowns, watching her sister stop next to the brooding girl. The girls exchange a few words before Kristin reaches down and offers a hand. Kristin shuffles her feet for a moment before a smile finally appears on Alexandei's face. The girl sighs before allowing Kristen to pull her to her feet.
"We're going north, northwest," Alexandei calls from across the campsite. She pauses to sweep her long, golden brown hair into a ponytail, tying off the thick hair with a strip of leather. "We'll be back before dark," Alexandei adds before jogging after Kristin into the woods.
"Fucking kids," Tamsin mutters, watching the girls take off into the woods. Tamsin scowls at the inquisitive looks peppering her from the remaining girls. "Aren't you supposed to be gathering fire wood?" Tamsin snaps.
As promised, with the sun hanging low on the horizon, the sound of two bickering voices floats into the camp. Tamsin looks up from her sword sharpening to see Kristin and Alexandei approaching the camp with a heavy mountain goat in tow.
"We catch it, you clean it," Kristin says, plopping the limp carcass at Tamsin's feet.
"Good kill," Tamsin admits. She grips the goat's hind legs and swings the body into the edge of the fire pit. "Syban! Help me with this," Tamsin calls to a girl, tan with Carthaginian blood. Syban nods before relinquishing her sack of wine. Kristin grins and reaches out for the skin of wine.
"Got a fatty today," Syban says rolling the goat with her foot. Content with the amount of fur singed off, she sets to work, slitting it from chest to groin. Within minutes, she has the goat cleaned and salted.
"How are you feeling?" Kristin asks quietly as they watch Syban and Tamsin prop the disemboweled goat over their fire pit.
"I'd be perfect if everyone stopped asking me how I felt," Alexandei says.
"I was just asking," Kristin mutters. She hooks a finger into Alexandei's neckline, peeking at the tiny pinprick of a scar left from the wolfling's sword. Alexandei frowns and swats her hand away.
"Sorry. I just. I was hurt but now I'm not. I don't know what else to say," Alexandei says.
"Do you think she had anything to do with it?" Kristin asks, pointing at the parked wagon with her chin. "I'm just curious!" Kristin sighs. "Aren't you?"
"Of course I am! We all are," Alexandei says. "But if Tamsin's not talking to her yet, there's a reason."
"Tamsin's usually right. But she saved you. What's the danger in talking to a girl in a cage?" Kristin says, watching Tamsin wash the blood and guts from her hands in the makeshift basin hanging from the end of their caravan. "Come on," Kristin says, grabbing another two skins of wine.
"What? Looking to get drunk already?" Alexandei says, eyeing the wine in Kristin's arms.
"No. But you and I both know the quickest way to get that scowl off her face is with food and wine. Lots and lots of wine," Kristin says glancing at Tamsin. Alexandei smirk at this and grabs the skin balancing in the crook of Kristin's elbow.
"We're sorry for always doubting your decisions," Alexandei says. She nudges Tamsin in the side before holding out a skin of wine. Alexandei leans against the wagon, waiting for the reluctant Valkyrie to succumb.
"We'll probably do it again, but you should know that we do listen," Kristin says. Tamsin sighs and uncrosses her arms to reach out for the flask. She takes a long pull before handing it back. Kristin shakes her head.
"What am I smelling?" Tamsin asks, scrunching her nose. A smile grows on Kristin's face. She produces a strip of roasted goat skewered on a blackened branch from behind her back.
"Dinner," Kristin says, holding up the skewer. Tamsin stops scowling for a moment as she takes the skewer.
"I wouldn't eat that," Tatum's voice floats out from inside their covered wagon. Tamsin pauses, the skewer millimeters from her mouth. Alexandei stares at the sisters quizzically before pulling a flap open. Tamsin glares into the hastily constructed cage.
"And why wouldn't you eat this?" Tamsin asks. Heavy chain links clink loudly as Tatum shifts, extending her legs along the ground. Kristin and Alexandei step back in unison as shadows start edging into Tamsin's eyes.
"Because if I did, I'd be very, very sick. Just about after the sun sets," Tatum says. She looks up at the setting sun through the wagon covering, avoiding Tamin's gaze.
"I just killed the goat. There's nothing wrong with it," Alexandei says.
"I didn't say there was anything wrong with the meat," Tatum says, leaning her head against her cage. She studies Alexandei through the spaces in the wooden slats, ignoring Tamsin's stare of death.
"Come on. We'll deal with her later," Tamsin says, turning back to the camp.
"Then what is it?" Alexandei asks, venturing closer to the cage. Tamsin rolls her eyes before walking away.
"You see those trees over there?" Tatum asks, pointing at the dry, leafless trees surrounding their camp. "The wood might be bone dry, but it's also really, really poisonous," Tatum says. She lowers her hands, resting the chains in her lap.
"Why are you telling us this?" Kristin asks. "Wouldn't it suite you better if we all died?" Kristin says, knowing Tamsin is well within earshot.
"I never said it'd kill you. Why do you keep on bending my words?" Tatum asks, a small smirk on her lips. Alexandei raises an eyebrow and steps up to the cage.
"Then what exactly will it to do to me?" Alexandei asks, pressing against the barrier.
"It lit in an instant right? Smells like honeyed smoke?" Tatum says. Kristin nods unconsciously. "Withering Honey Ash has the nasty habit of gifting unsuspecting folk with sudden, explosive bowel evacuations…in their sleep." Tatum gets to her feet and rests her hands on the wooden barrier. "You all have the option of running away, but I'll be stuck here in the evacuation zone," Tatum says, glancing at the row of bedding laid out around the caravan. "That is not in my best interest," Tatum says, eyeing the skewer in Kristin's hand.
"Why should we believe you?" Kristin asks.
"If I'm right, it'll save you a mess. If I'm lying, you'll barely lose a scrap," Tatum says crouching to meet their eye level. "Think. Why would I lie now if I jumped into a fight with Morags and wolflings for you? I could have hidden in the spring," Tatum says, looking into Alexandei's eyes. "Eat, but stop using the withering ash."
"Tamsin!" Alexandei calls out. "Wait!"
"Tam," Kristin says, giving her skewer an unpleasant look. "Maybe we should listen?"
"Stop!" Tamsin calls out to the girls beside the fire pit. She crosses the camp in a few long strides. "The wood is poisonous," Tamsin says, knocking the spit down with her sword before the girls can set another section of the goat on the pyre. Kristin quickly tosses her skewer into the fire.
"But Syban already finished a leg," a girl says.
"I got hungry," Syban shrugs. "I feel fine."
"See she feels fine," Tamsin says. "We'll just have to make her first watch tonight," Tamsin says quietly to Kristin. The girls all jump when a loud clang rings out in the camp.
"Hydra!" Syban, screams, kicking her discarded sword into woods. She hurls the remainder of her skewer violently into the dark behind Kristin's head.
"What the hell was that?" Tamsin shouts. "Syb?" Tamsin watches curiously as the young women draws a sharpened axe from her waistband.
"Fucking Hydras!" Syban yells, striking a defensive pose. The veins on her hands and neck start popping up as she grips the handle tighter. The rest of the girls quickly scan the perimeter of the campsite, hands lingering on sword handles.
"What's wrong with her?" Kristin says as they all stare into the empty woods.
"That would another wonderful symptom of Withering Honey Ash poisoning," Tatum whispers. "Hallucinations of a hundred poppy fields…or so they say." Tamsin turns and glares at Tatum.
"You couldn't have told us sooner?" Tamsin snaps.
"I could have used water sooner. Maybe I'm just getting tired," Tatum shrugs. "She'll be fine by morning. I'd disarm her and get her next to some running water for the night," Tatum says, eyes lingering on Alexandei.
"What's the easiest way to take a Valkyrie's weapon away from her?" Alexandei asks rhetorically.
"You make her give it to you," Tamsin says, motioning towards the coil of rope hanging from the side of the caravan.
"Syb!" Kristin shouts, waving at the disoriented girl. Kristin ducks as Syban swipes at an imaginary foe two inches too close to Kristin's skull. Tamsin quickly reaches up and snatches the coiled rope.
"Over there!" Alexandei yells pointing towards a thick tree trunk.
"Got it!" Syban spins around and hurls her hatchet. The hatchet sinks into the trunk, splitting the dead wood with its sheer force. Before Syban can realize she's effectively killed a tree, Alexandei and Tamsin both crash into her. Within seconds Tamsin has the rope tightly secured around her midsection, effectively trapping her arms to her sides. "If you guys wanted to cuddle you could have asked!" Syban shouts. "Acacia! What are you doing in the trees?" Syban yells into the empty trees.
"Alright, let's get you to the stream," Tamsin says, motioning for Kristin to help her move the struggling girl.
"Don't worry. Tatum said she'll be find by morning," Alexandei says as Tamsin and Kristin lift the girl.
"What did you just say?" Tamsin asks, pausing to stare at Alexandei. "So you're on a first name basis with her now?" Tamsin asks, eyebrow raised.
"Tamsin, she saved my life." Alexandei says quietly. "And we should have listened when she told us not to take the northern pass," Alex continues, looking up at Tamsin.
"Let's just get Syb to the stream, please?" Kristin says, quickly stepping between her sister and Alex.
"We'll talk later," Tamsin says, glaring down at Alexandei from over Kristin's shoulder.
"First of all, explosive evacuations? Double yuck with an extra side of ew! I'm sorry I asked. And second, it really took you a whole year to warm up to Tatum?" Bo asks.
"I let her out of the cage in a month!" Tamsin says defensively.
"But she's so nice!" Bo says. Tamsin frowns at this. "I mean. She's been really good to me, considering her kind fucking hates Succubi."
"Being too nice tends to get you killed," Tamsin shrugs. "Not to mention everyone is always stab and behead first, talk later."
"Are all Valkyries as nice as you? Or did I luck out?" Bo teases, nudging Tamsin with her shoulder. Tamsin rolls her eyes and gets up from the edge of the bed.
"Don't push your luck Succulicious," Tamsin says.
"Speaking of, I know you're normally pretty tasty, but you're looking a little extra succulent right now," Bo says. Tamsin uncrosses her arms and studies Bo's face, watching as the Succubus visibly struggles with her growing hunger.
"Now you're feeling shy?" Tamsin asks.
"I mean, Kenzi's right here," Bo says, not breaking eye contact with Tamsin.
"Then I guess it will have to be just a snack," Tamsin says, walking up to Bo.
Dyson drinks hastily from the kitchen tap. He gasps when he finally breaks away from the water. He shuts the tap when the sound of rustling echoes in from the darkened living room.
"What are you doing?" Dyson asks quietly. Tatum jerks at the sound of his voice.
"Shit. You scared me," Tatum says, holding a hand to her chest. Dyson looks around the room and raises his eyebrows at the mess of disassembled handgun pieces on the floor.
"What's this?" Dyson asks, crouching to look at the spare parts.
"I found all this hidden in the basement," Tatum says. She checks another clip and before dropping it in a pile of empty magazines.
"Any luck?" Dyson says, picking up a rusted Makarov pistol. He frowns, noticing the missing firing pin and crushed muzzle.
"Only if you consider this useful," Tatum says, tossing Dyson an 1840's Colt Dragoon Revolver. He flicks the cylinder open and frowns even harder.
"Paper?" Dyson scowls in disgust as a trickle of powder leaks from the aged paper cartridge. "I fucking hated these."
"I was hoping for anything other than ball and powder," Tatum sighs. Dyson nods, agreeing vehemently.
"What's that?" Dyson asks, staring at the sack of supplies at her feet.
"Nothing. I was just going to explore a little," Tatum lies.
"I couldn't make out everything, but I heard you two talking out there," Dyson says. Tatum bristles at this, visibly tensing. "Relax. I just want to know what's going on," Dyson says, holding up his hands when he sees Tatum's fingers edging towards the folding knife tucked into her waistband.
"We found who Bo was looking for. Now I have something to do," Tatum says.
"So let us help," Dyson says.
"You won't want to," Tatum says sadly. "I'm sorry." With that she dashes to the front door.
"Wait!" Dyson shouts, chasing her into the night air. "Shit!" Dyson growls, watching Tatum sprint to the grazing Pegasus. The girl mounts the steed in a flash. Golden wings shimmer in the sky as the Pegasus takes flight. "Tamsin!" Dyson yells, running back into the mansion.
"Tamsin!" Dyson crashes into the room, panting heavily. Bo and Tamsin hastily slip off the bed and to their feet.
"What is it?" Tamsin asks, stepping away from Bo's side as Dyson's eyes sweep over their proximity and matching, blushes.
"Tatum's gone," Dyson says, ignoring the guilt on Tamsin's face.
"What?! Why?" Bo says, cheeks flushed and hair disheveled.
"She said she needed to get something done," Dyson says, staring at Tamsin.
"Shit. Shit on a fucking stick," Tamsin says pressing a hand to her forehead. "She's going to get herself killed," Tamsin says. "I'm sorry, I have to go find her." Tamsin paces for a moment. "Can you track her?" Tamsin asks.
"She took the Pegasus," Dyson says, shaking his head.
"Well, it looks like she didn't get that far with her," Bo says, glancing out the window. The Pegasus trots aimlessly around the front yard, noticeably absent of a rider.
"I have to go," Tamsin says. Panics wells in the pit of her stomach.
"We're going with you," Bo says.
"No," Bo and Dyson both say in unison.
"You need to watch Kenzi," Dyson says.
"If we're not back by sunrise, you take her and start moving north. Stay away from the shore," Tamsin says. Bo nods, watching them go. Halfway down the stairs, Tamsin pauses and turns around.
"Tamsin what-?" Bo says. Tamsin crashes into her lips first. Bo inhales deeply as she kisses the Valkyrie. Then, as quickly as she appeared, Tamsin turns and dashes down the stairs again. The front door slams loudly. Kenzi's snores fill Bo's ears again.
Outside, Tatum crouches in the bushes as the frantic duo dash to the grazing mare. Tatum squints in the dark, watching as Tamsin pleads with the great beast to take them to her. The great mare bows, allowing them to clamber on. Several moments pass and the night grows quiet again. Tatum slips two large stones in her hand and makes her way up to the front door. With a rough toss, Tatum sends a stone through the kitchen window. She listens as Bo's footsteps start thudding down the stairs. Tatum quickly throws the other stone, shattering a large glass door.
"Hey!" Bo shouts. She appears at the top of the stairs, wielding an antique musket like a baseball bat. Tatum waits patiently as Bo thunders down the stairs before charging into the empty kitchen. Seizing the opportunity, Tatum darts up the stairs silently. She slips into Kenzi's room and closes the broken door.
"Hey new girl," Kenzi mumbles sitting up. She reaches up to rub her eyes before pausing. "Ah! Can't fuck up the falsies," Kenzi says. She drops her fist and looks at Tatum.
"How are you feeling?" Tatum asks, moving to pour Kenzi some water.
"I've been better," Kenzi says, clutching her head. "But it's not everyday you wake up in these!" Kenzi exclaims, staring at the pair of five thousand dollar heels on her feet. "I thought I just having the best wet dream ever!" Kenzi quickly squeezes her eyes shut and presses on her temples. "Please use your inside voice," Kenzi whispers to herself.
"Here," Tatum says, reaching out to take her hand. Kenzi flinches as Tatum's fingers land on her hand. "Don't worry," Tatum says, focusing on pulsing her energy to the human.
"Ah…Ah!" Kenzi shouts as warmth travels up her arm. "Hey…" Kenzi says, reaching up to tentatively to rub her temple. She smiles, realizing the pain is completely gone. "What the hell was that?"
"You're welcome," Tatum says. "Can you remember how you go here?" Tatum asks quietly.
"I. I was with Bruce," Kenzi says. "Then we stopped for the night. There was vodka! And gin. And Whiskey."
"And?" Tatum asks, glancing at the locked door.
"And tequila and Sambuca..." Kenzi says.
"What happened after the drinking?" Tatum asks, cutting her off before she mentions another liquor.
I don't remember anything else," Kenzi shrugs. "Where is everyone?" She looks around the empty room. "What was your name again?" Kenzi says, turning to find an empty room.
"Shit!" Bo hisses, lowering the musket as she scans the empty room. She kicks at the broken glass on the floor before leaning the musket against the sink.
"Bo!" Trick's voice calls out in the dark. Bo spins around. "Bo!" the voice calls again.
"Trick?" Bo says tentatively.
"Over here!" Trick's voice says. Bo searches the room carefully. She jumps when she sees a frosty image of Trick staring at her from a mirror.
"What the hell gramps?!" Bo says, hurrying to the mirror.
"I should be asking you that!" Trick yells. "What are you doing in the Elysium plane? In the damned Labyrinth?"
"The what?" Bo says.
"I've been looking everywhere for you," Trick says, eyes on fire. "There have been rumors that the unaligned Succubus entered the Labyrinth. I didn't think you were stupid enough to do it!"
"Excuse me?" Bo snaps.
"Do you even know what you've gotten yourself into?" Trick says. "Even my blood can not guarantee you safe passage back to our realm now!"
"What are you talking about?" Bo says.
"The Old ones can control time and space itself. Even the blood of a blood sage is powerless against the rules of their realm. That's why I could barely sense you, even with a full bottle of dragon's tears," Trick says, holding up a carved Amethyst flask. "You need to be careful Bo. Nothing is as it seems in there. Trust nothing, including yourself."
"What the hell does that even mean?" Bo asks.
"It means you could be stuck there forever," Trick says.
"Not if I don't die in here," Bo says. "What?" Bo says when Trick grows quiet.
"Bo. Your life force was technically separated form your body when you entered," Trick says quietly. "You're technically dead." He stares at her sadly from the mirror. From his end, he can see the blackness where her aura once shone in the viewing portal.
"What? I'm fine," Bo says, looking down to check her hands.
"When you leave our world and enter the Labyrinth, your life force remains at the gates while you pass through. If you attempt to come back without it, you'll expire for good," Trick says.
"Then how can we get out in one piece?" Bo asks.
"With a sacrifice," Trick says. "What did the boat keeper tell you when you entered?"
"That each of us was entering for love and we'd find what we're looking for. That we were true in heart, but we may not all make it out alive," Bo says.
"And you accepted this?" Trick whispers. Bo nods. Trick curses under his breath. "Did they say who?" Bo shakes her head. "I'll see if I can get you any help. Just stay in one piece ok? If you die in the Labyrinth, you'll never be able to return," Trick says. Bo nods again, head heavy with thought. "Bo?"
"Yeah?" Bo says absent-mindedly.
"I love you," Trick says. He holds a hand up to the reflection, touching her cheek.
"I love you too," Bo says. The frosty image fades. With a loud snap, long spidering cracks appear in the mirror. Bo steps back just in time as the mirror shatters in a cloud of black smoke. When the dust clears, a plain card remains, pinned to the wall. Her blood runs cold before she can open the card. She lifts the card to her nose and inhales sharply, smelling Lauren's perfume instantly. With fingers trembling, she opens the card. We're waiting.
"Bo! What happened?" Tamsin shouts, running in with Dyson in tow. They stare at the shattered glass surrounding Bo. Tamsin's eyes fall to the card crumpled in Bo's hand.
"I thought I saw something," Bo says blankly, gesturing towards the musket on the floor. "Why are you back so fast?"
"I asked the Pegasus to take me to Tatum but she just flew in a circle and we wound up back here," Tamsin says. "Have you seen her?"
"No," Bo says.
"Guys," Dyson says, holding up a hand to silence them. He sniffs the air loudly. "You smell that?" Dyson whispers.
"No?" Bo says.
"It smells like death," Dyson says quietly.
"What, like the guy in the robe?" Bo says, reaching for her crippled musket. Tamsin's face pales as an unmistakable stench wafts in on a breeze.
"Draugar," Tamsin says.
"Viking zombies?" Dyson says. "Those are real?"
"Yes and they're more than just Viking Zombies," Tamsin says, rushing to the window. "Sometimes they get kind of big."
"What is that?" Bo says, watching as the grass fields ripple. Dirt clods spray into the air as the earth moves beneath the surface, bursting under an invisible pressure.
"Everything locked now," Tamsin says. "Get anything useful and let's get upstairs."
"Guys!" Kenzi yells from the top of the stairs. "What the hell is that smell?"