A/N: I lost my mojo for a long while. If anyone's still keen on reading this, here's another chapter for you. I've got this story still stuck in my head and I hate leaving things unfinished, so I'm back at it.
BIG thanks to a gaggle of other authors for continuing to write amazing LG fics: CuddleFae, Mustbethelabcoat, Nirvana19, lynedele77, rightersblock, Author8096, somewhataddicted, ginNharry, Nic James and MotherFaer to name a few of my favs.
This chapter's for TL4EVA who's been super supportive of this story.
Bo
The last time I'd used the hell shoes, I was focussed solely on Kenzi, allowing that focus to guide me where I needed to go. It was instinctual, felt out. Valhalla looked a lot different than last time around.
I held onto Dagny's hand tightly as we trudged on through dense forest, the ground covered in snow, an icy wind whipping across our skin. I had no clue which direction we were going or should be going. The landscape wasn't changing at all, every tree looked a clone of its neighbour in height and shape, all spaced at identical distances.
My hand pulled free of Dagny's as she stopped dead in her tracks, looking suddenly anxious. Her eyes were darting around the white capped landscape as though searching for something, her breath coming thick and fast. "This isn't what I was expecting". I'd barely heard the words through the relentless wind.
Welcome to life as a Fae; nothing's ever what you expect, is what I wanted to say but I held it back. She grabbed my hand again and I pulled her in against my side, wanting to give her my body heat.
"It's OK; I'm surprisingly not that cold".
"We need to keep moving". I scanned around again, starting to move us away to the left but Dagny pulled me back. Her body was turned in the opposite direction. "I have no idea why, but I think we need to be going this way".
Everything looked the same to me, leaving no reason to argue. I was apparently running blind here. On we trudged, heads down to avoid the stinging and bitterly cold air, our progress slow but my mind running a million miles an hour, trying to stay alert. It was almost a relief to hear a lone branch snapping off in the distance, proving this was real and not some mind fuck.
In the tiny space of time it took for me to turn my head towards the solitary out of place sound, twenty plus armed Valkyries appeared in a tight circle around us, pressing in.
Judging by the smiles on their faces, pulling my dagger was far from threatening. In response they all unsheathed their own weapons.
"Well, shit". My voice sounded louder than I was expecting, all wind suddenly gone like calm before a storm.
"We came to see Acacia". A single Valkyrie stepped forward from the group.
"She's busy. You can deal with me".
"And you are?"
"Ava". She smiled as she announced her name but it wasn't in welcome. I smiled back, sheathing my dagger to my thigh to show I was nowhere near intimidated either. I wasn't counting her as a threat. I was cold, post scared shitless from using the hell shoes but doing it anyway, knowing I needed to. My heart was in a million pieces, some here and on task and others back with Kenzi, Dyson and especially Lauren.
"I know who you are succubus. And you shouldn't be here". She looked from me to Dagny, studying her closely. Dagny for her part maintained eye contact and kept her body language neutral. "You on the other hand….."
I stepped in front of my sister. "Like I said earlier, we're here to see Acacia and you're not her".
"I don't care what liberties you think the hell shoes afford you. You have no right to make demands here. You see, your aim's a little off. You're stuck here in Valhalla's borders until you gain rightful passage". Ava followed my earlier lead and settled her sword across her back. "I'd be more than happy to give you that rightful passage, the traditional way, in death".
Power rippled through me in response to the threat and I knew my eyes were shining a steady blue, my succubus always just below the surface, at the ready. I cocked my head casually to the side when I saw Ava's own face change, not wavering as I took in her skeletal features.
I could feel the waves of her Valkyrie powers, trying to penetrate my will and resolve with doubt. I responded to that force easily. "I still doubt myself every second of every day".
She concentrated harder, my head lolling to the other side as her efforts went without impact. "But I've learned to live with my doubt, to push through and conquer it".
At my words her eyes closed and she staggered back, looking momentarily weak before she recovered with a snarl. Her sword was out again a moment later, the group advancing in formation.
I glanced to Dagny, her face stunned yet fascinated as she looked at me. I started the pull of chi slowly with Ava, taking a second to relish the power it provided before feeding in mass, my arms naturally stretching out to my sides.
"Enough".
I broke the flow of chi at the sudden commanding voice. Acacia stepped her way into the fray of Valkyries, dark grey wings slipping back into place slowly, her face a mixture of amusement and disappointment while looking around the circle of woman slowly.
"Return to the main hall ladies. Weapons practice would be a great idea considering you just barely managed to pull them". Ava didn't speak a word as her wings appeared; a sign of her immediate actioning of Acacia's directions, but she did throw me a pointed look which I returned with a smile.
Once the group had taken flight, Acacia smiled warmly at Dagny, the two of them sharing a long intense moment, sizing each other up. Acacia was the first to break away from the staring match, taking a step towards me. "Well, well…..the succubus. You finally grew a set and decided to make the journey here. Have to say, I was expecting you sooner". She smiled coyly, the leather of her jacket squelching as her arms uncrossed from her chest and she turned back towards Dagny. "You on the other hand are right on time. I'm just wondering why you piggy backed a ride and didn't let those wings of yours free".
Dagny flushed pink and immediately looked uncomfortable. "I don't….." she paused mid answer, taking a deep breath before meeting Acacia's eyes yet again and remaining silent.
"I can feel the untapped power buzzing all around you. Your wings are practically itching to break out but you force your nature to submit. Kind of impressive I have to say, but it'll get exhausting".
Acacia's stance and smile remained surprisingly warm in the silent moments that followed as she and I both waited for some kind of response from Dagny but none came.
"I remember my first life clearly, all emotion and power, flooding you at warp speed, it feels like drowning because you don't know what to do with any of it, you haven't had the time to experience the truth, beauty or devastation in anything. This life, your first life, you'll reach maturity at what would be considered snail's pace by Valkyrie standards, each subsequent life it'll happen faster and the things you learn in your previous life you'll maintain and build on". There was silence still before Acacia finally let out a sigh in semi frustration.
"You're here to experience Valhalla. That much I know. Tamsin's new day…..well your mum was involved in a change of management. My job is to ensure every Valkyrie reaches her full potential". Acacia absently ran her fingers over the chunky necklace just visible at the rim of her dark grey t-shirt.
"Brisingamen". Dagny's voice rang out clearly and she flinched as though that one word had come out far louder than she'd intended.
"You paid attention in history class". Acacia's wry smile and intense eyes had returned. "But history is an easy thing to skew. Valhalla isn't the Hilton and we don't supply drive through window employees to In-N-Out Burger anymore. Your mother was one hell of a Valkyrie and your father; yeah I know who he is. What you need to figure out is who you are. If you want to enter Valhalla, you'll need to embrace your doubts and your wings".
Just as the words had left Acacia's lips, her own wings spread wide from her back, moving gently yet still powerfully enough to disturb the heavy snow around her feet. There was something about the sudden display that had my eyes shining blue and my body moving closer to Dagny who was clearly at war with herself, shaking and not from the cold.
"It's OK you know. Remember your power is your own and no one else's to command. I'm here, if you need me". I hoped the words of encouragement would help. After a long pause, Dagny dropped to her knees in the snow, then onto all fours. A soft moan escaped from her lips and then everything seemed as though it was in slow motion. Her wings emerged, pure black, so much so they almost seemed to shine purple in the waning light. They fluttered gently from side to side but Dagny didn't move from her position on hands and knees except for a slight lifting of her head, her eyes filled with tears as she looked at me and smiled. I managed a smile back before her head dropped again and her wings flopped down then swept in to cover most of her body. I felt a deep breath leave me in a hurried gasp as she disappeared in an impressive flash of light, a single inky black feather falling softly as though to mark the occasion.
When I looked up, Acacia was toe to toe with me, wings still outspread. "Well this should be interesting succubus". She turned to her right, closing her eyes and raising her hands as she spoke words I had no understanding of, an intricate iron gate appearing and then creaking ajar in the distance. "It'll stay open for the next fifteen minutes and only you will be permitted to enter". She smiled briefly before a mask of seriousness appeared and she stooped to collect Dagny's rogue feather. "Black wings". There was something in the way she'd said the words that had me on edge. Acacia held the feather out to me and I accepted it instantly.
"Fifteen minutes succubus. If you doubt the hellskor then you better start walking". With that parting remark Acacia was gone, vanishing in a similar fashion to Dagny.
I took a deep breath and pocketed the feather, my thoughts scattered as I looked back out at Valhalla's gate in the distance, the wind from earlier now whipping around me with a vengeance. "And again…shit".
Lauren
Bo and Dagny had been gone for over 24 hours now. I wondered if time moved slower or faster for them than for us here. I was used to my mind drifting in multiple directions and being able to focus on each tangent simultaneously but today that focus was somewhat lacking. It felt like Groundhog Day; check Evony's cells and find they're still stable and very much Fae once again then deal with the turmoil of that, leading me to loiter somewhere between excitement and terror. Next up, contemplate the seriousness of moving the serum and trial cells to the home lab's vault.
When thinking about Evony became too much I'd move on to Dagny. There were no hidden abnormalities in her blood markers or DNA make up, nothing sinister or extraordinary. Well that wasn't true exactly; she was fascinating on a cellular level. The ease with which her body naturally accepted accelerated physical development was nothing short of extraordinary. That wasn't what Bo was looking for though, she wanted something concrete, to develop a weapon or advantage if Hades pulled another rabbit or should I say 'Pyrippus' out of the hat.
Bo had me reeling, everything we'd talked about and her hauntingly beautiful, fire red eyes. It's what had my focus waning; the memory of her skin flush against mine, her touch seeming to burn into me while those eyes left me aching to feel everything she had to give. Our lovemaking had triggered some natural impulse for the first time. I had a theory; I just didn't know where to look for information on testing it. I'd dug up every Pyrippus resource in existence long ago, sifting through Trick's collection as well as the light and dark archives.
"Dr Lewis". I looked up in a daze to the now open lab door. I pushed away all other thoughts as I noted the frustration and slight look of fear in my colleague's eyes.
"I know you're rostered off from the clinic floor today but there's a patient who refuses to be seen by anyone but you. I'm sorry; I've offered him every other available alternative".
I rose to my feet a second later, in some ways thankful for the distraction. "That's OK Rodney, I'm happy to take a patient. I absently smoothed down my lab coat as I took the patient file being offered and walked out through the clinic's reception area.
I stopped in my tracks once I'd actually read the name on the file. Repulsion rumbled up fast; at the mere thought of him, everything he stood for, was trying to accomplish and how. It wasn't a new feeling, I'd experienced similar many times throughout my years with the Fae. Those experiences had schooled me in the art of pushing down my feelings and its how I was sure my face showed nothing but poise and confidence as I met his piercing eyes.
"Elder Marcos". He was standing unnaturally still, just within the curtained cubicle.
"Dr Lewis". His response was immediate. I made my way towards the cubicle, just about to pull the curtain closed and get this shit show on the road when Astrid appeared at my side.
"Dr Lewis, I'd be more than happy to assist you with the patient". Her eyes were concerned and imploring, but I knew whatever this visit was about, I'd be handling it personally.
"I appreciate the offer Astrid, but I have time available, it's no problem". She shot a glance into the cubicle briefly before meeting my eyes again. I could read the 'what the hell are you doing' she wanted to say but couldn't.
With one more look at my patient and a pointed one at me, she took a step back. "Well I'll just be at reception charting if you need me". I left her with a firm nod; hopefully relaying that I was grateful.
Just as I'd attempted to do earlier, I pulled the curtain closed, effectively trapping myself in the situation. As soon as I turned his eyes stole my breath, burning with orange fire, serpentine momentarily before returning to a more neutral brown. The quick display of power set my chest and back alight with a sharp, biting pain where the arrow head had entered and exited. The wound had healed, leaving a simple looking scar although it had never been the arrow itself that had done the real damage but rather the poison it had been laced with. A poison I'd discovered in time had been born of a Fae's blood, the very Fae now standing in front of me.
I hoped the flash of pain I'd felt hadn't shown on my face but looking up at his pleased expression, I was unfortunately assured it had.
Steeling myself, I pushed forward. "What can I do for you, Elder Marcos?"
"I appreciate you using the title of 'Elder' although it's an interesting choice…more of a novelty wouldn't you say? Considering that system of power has been stripped".
His words were clipped, dripping with barely concealed distain. Then like a light switch flicking off, he forced a tight smile and moved to sit on the small consult bed, seeming calm once again.
"I'm not here to discuss Fae politics with you, even if you are now afforded the opportunity to do so".
"Why are you here then?"
"As an elected member of the new Fae Counsel structure, it's important that I lead by example. Health care is a high priority to the overall agenda for the Colony. My assistant reminded me I'm overdue for the annual Fae flu vaccination".
I wanted to laugh at that, but of course I didn't. I wanted to tell him I knew exactly why he was here; because he knew Bo wasn't. It provided him the perfect opportunity to remind me of his presence and of opinions and agendas similar to his. In his eyes I was feeble; all humans are to Fae like him.
The fact that he was the mastermind behind the attempt on my life he'd veiled but not nearly well enough. Maybe he'd underestimated Bo, Dyson, and my own human body or maybe he thought once I was gone, Bo would have unleashed hell and it wouldn't have mattered who'd been the instigator, that she'd lose sight of that in her self-destruction. Essentially the Fae who'd shot the arrow had taken full force Dyson's swift anger as a starter and then Bo's heartbreak to close things out. The price for following orders had been his life.
My own life had been saved by Astrid. She was brilliant, managing to fuse together Fae and human triage techniques and counteracting the effects of the arrow's poison, giving my body a chance at recovery. It had taken 23 days for me to regain consciousness. Things had changed in the space of those 23 days and continued to change rapidly after. It could have been the turning point Dracone Marcos had aimed for, a way to make Bo lose control of her baser darkness and appear out of control to those Fae who were rallying with her and wanted the changes she was instigating. From what Astrid had told me, it had been Dyson and finally Kenzi swooping in and out of town during my recovering who had kept her together and focussed, in control.
Bo had known who was behind my attack and so had Dyson. She'd blamed herself for having me in the middle of what had practically been a war zone, even though I'd made my own decision to be there, it's where I belong and nothing she could have said would have kept me from the fight. I'd never told anyone about the conclusive evidence I'd extracted from the poison in my body. Elder Marcos had given his blood as a base, knowing it would burn me from the inside out. What he had failed to think about however, so sure of his success, was that he had gifted me with his DNA.
"As a Dragon Fae, you and I both know you're impervious to all illness and any known virus. The vaccination would be a placebo at best". It was no secret that most Fae liked to keep their genus to themselves and with it their strengths and weaknesses. It would have been clear to him that I knew his strengths which were many and his weaknesses of which there were basically none.
"Still….. I want it and I want you to administer it". Without another word spoken I went about preparing the injection. I kept my head down, concentrating on his arm and the needle as it pierced his skin and became instantly hot to the touch, so hot I couldn't hold in the hiss as I quickly finished and placed it heavily back onto the cart beside me, the metal clanging loudly in the small space between us.
He looked satisfied with himself while I only felt angry. His message had been received loud and clear; he still looked at me as a target and he could walk in here any time. He wouldn't hurt me now though, not directly. It would be political suicide for him and he knew it. I had the ace up my sleeve, he just didn't know it. His DNA and what I could do with it assured he'd never want me to give him another needle freely.
"We're all done here". It was all I could say to him. My mind had already shifted to the most worrisome fact for me in all of this. He knew Bo wasn't in town right now, it was the only reason he'd come here. He was somehow keeping tabs on her.
"Thank you Doctor Lewis. It was a pleasure seeing you again". I only nodded in response as he opened the cubicle curtain and thankfully disappeared from my sight.
Bo
"Well that's the full tour ladies". I stepped up beside Dagny once again, Acacia's gaze firmly on her now that we were back where we started. This 'check-in' area which last time I'd been here looked a whole lot different seemed to be the hub of action.
"No more five star hotel feel".
Acacia finally lifted her eyes from Dagny and met my own, her shoulders shrugging. "Yeah well…..change of management also meant a remodel so to speak. The guts are the same really, those who earn a place here still continue in the grandeur they deserve but the Valkyrie needed more of a…home I guess is the best word, as much as that's possible anyway".
The three of us stood silent and still as the comings and goings of Valhalla processed efficiently around us. Again I noticed an intense stare between Dagny and Acacia, as though they were communicating silently. With a nod and a pointed smile, Acacia broke away.
"Lets move this party to my office". With those words she moved to stand an arms-length away from the blank off white wall to our right before touching the necklace adorning her chest and softly uttering words of some language I sure as hell didn't understand.
"Open Sesame". Dagny spoke with a laugh in her voice before stopping in shock at the fact she'd naturally understood the words Acacia had used.
The world around us shifted in a blur, making me dizzy. When it finally righted itself sure enough we were in an office of sorts, although it looked more like a high end cigar lounge, all dark wood and leather.
"Have a seat and let's cut to the chase here. We all want to take down the not quite dead scum bag and I have something you need in order to do that". Acacia's fingers were once again running over the necklace she wore, a smile on her face.
"Yep it's that easy. He created Brisingamen to trap Freyja. It's more than just a necklace".
"It's bonded to him".
Acacia nodded with a quirked smile. "In a way….yes. That bond needs to end but not yet and not by you".
I was on my feet a second later, now unable to keep still. "Sit back down Harry Potter; I know you want to destroy the Horcrux". She was calm and that pissed me off. Yet again I felt like I didn't have all the information.
"None of this is funny. Hades is dangerous…..to everyone".
"Oh believe me, I know that. I know exactly what he is and what he's capable of".
"So you need the necklace to maintain your leadership, is that it?
Acacia's face changed, her expression hard set, all traces of humour long gone. "I'm a Valkyrie; I'd invite any person who wanted to challenge me for leadership to step on up so we could settle the challenge the old school way. Brisingamen was made for a Valkyrie and needs to be destroyed by one".
"Of all people, I didn't think you'd be one for being cryptic".
"I'm not".
Dagny's voice startled me and Acacia from the rising tension. "Bo can we…I mean, I just need to talk to you".
She turned to Acacia quickly, questioning silently if that was OK. Acacia seemed to understand easily and gave her a nod in response. "I've got a few things to sort out with Ava. I'll be back soon".
Dagny was nervous, that much was clear. She was staring at her feet, her fingers mingling and fiddling before she finally looked at me but remained silent.
"Why do I get the feeling I won't like whatever you're about to say".
"I think I need to stay here".
Her words registered and I consciously took a deep breath, trying to slow the dread that I was feeling before responding. "It's my job to keep you safe and being in Valhalla right now, there are no guarantees its safe here…that anywhere is safe. That's why I want you close. You can't stay".
"It's not your decision to make".
I couldn't help but to shake my head and smile at the fierce look of determination on her face. "You had this planned didn't you?"
She sighed loudly, deflating slightly as her head hung for just a moment before lifting once again. "Yeah, I guess I did. I think this is where I belong right now".
"You belong with your family; me and Kenzi, Lauren, Dyson, Mark and yes even Vex. I know we're not a conventional family, but that's what we are for each other".
"I don't know how to deal…..everything I'm feeling is just, I'm a Valkyrie and I know what that means, I do, but I have a lot to learn if I'm going to be any use in ending him. You all have this mission and it's because of me. I just don't think I can be any useful part in that right now".
I turned as I felt the energy in the room shift, Acacia's voice sounding out between us. "When it's time to face him, you'll be ready".
I looked back to Dagny even though my words were for both of them. "I get that you feel you need to learn to fight, like literally fight, but facing Hades will be about so much more than that. Something I learned last time, there's probably nothing we can do to prepare. We just need to stay together, be one in this".
I waited patiently, hoping to have changed her mind, wishing with everything that she'd reconsider.
"If you're trying to tell me to follow my instincts…..I am doing that. This feels right".
I didn't want to understand her point, but I did. I'd been lost before, fumbling to find myself. "I might not agree with your decision, but I respect it and I'll support it". I turned to Acacia once again. "If anything happens to her…"
She raised her hand to halt my words, one hand on her hip the other holding an ornate sword by her side. "When the time comes for battle lines to be drawn again and I think we both know that time will come; you and I will be standing side by side facing his minions". She looked to Dagny and I could see the softness in her eyes and the pride. "I'll protect her with my own life".
I gave her a nod, happy that we had an understanding. "Kenzi's gonna kill me for not dragging you back, you know that right?"
Dagny laughed brightly but it soon faded. "Yeah I know. Can you give her this please?" She held out a sealed white envelope and I took it, tucking it into pocket of my jacket. "Tell her I'll see her again soon and that….that I love her". She shrugged her shoulders and sighed. "I mean, the letter says all that anyway but….she needs a chance to live her own life again, without looking out for me".
"I'll give her the letter, I promise". Dagny and I just stood there for a long while, eyes holding each other but staying an arm's length apart. Sure enough, she was the one to break the stalemate, hugging me tightly. I held on for as long as she let me before we pulled apart slowly. "I'm sorry for what I said at dinner. My mum…..she made her own decisions, and some of them from what I understand were shitty ones. I don't blame you; not really, just needed someone to take my anger out on and I guess you were the natural choice".
"Yeah well, I think that's what sisters are for right?" I'd purposely kept my response light, not wanting to dredge into the past, but to move forward.
Dagny took a step back from me. "I just got you back in my life. Leaving you here, now, I know it's what you want, it still just feels wrong". I kept thinking back to what Levi had told me, knowing he would be feeding from her still, even here.
"You told me you promised her to protect me. Right now, the best way you can do that is to break these bonds he has. I'll only be in the way of you doing that. Deep down you know that. I know where to find you if I need you".
I nodded slowly, her eyes holding mine as she moved to stand next to Acacia. I closed my own eyes, knowing I needed to leave her now or I wouldn't. I wanted to tell her I love her because it was the truth and I wanted her to know. But I didn't. I'd only ever been her sister from afar and she only really knew me from the stories Kenzi had told her. Maybe from her point of view I hadn't earned the right to say those words and have them returned. Kenzi was who I focussed on, using her as my sat nav back, the letter Dagny had given me burning a hole in my pocket.
The atmosphere rumbled around me and when I opened my eyes again Kenzi wasn't in front of me. I was at the top of a staircase I immediately recognised. If I took the steps down, I somehow knew Trick would be there.
Lauren
A pint of beer sat in front of me on the table top but I hadn't touched it. I never really wanted to drink it; it was more of an accessory considering I was in the Dal by myself. The softly falling condensation on the glass gave me something to concentrate on while I tried to escape my thoughts before heading home.
"Oh honey, thinking that hard will give you wrinkles". I startled in the semi secluded booth I'd hidden myself away at. Of course it had to be Evony right at this exact moment in time, now sitting across from me and smiling like the Cheshire cat.
"That's why I always have fun". She sipped what looked like scotch on the rocks, leaning across the table further and shrugging. "Or I get a little Botox, for which I should send you the bill".
The words were on the tip of my tongue; "My latest serum is stable. I can make you Fae again". I said nothing. I took my first sip of beer. A chug might be more accurate.
Evony took a long look around the bar, again smiling wide when her eyes returned to me. "All alone, that's interesting, and she didn't leave the wolf to keep guard. Her game's slipping".
"Bo knows I'm more than capable of taking care of myself should the need arise".
"Oh I know you are. It's just far more fun when being around you is prickling your precious succubus".
"Wow, it's a unique relationship we share isn't it".
Evony's smile had remained bright through our entire exchange, confident and comfortable in her place. "I've grown to love our snarky little human friendship. Even more so since your girlfriend found out exactly how it all began; with you between my thighs".
The memory of that revelation was etched into my brain and I groaned internally. It had been exhausting talking Bo down followed by hours of intense lovemaking.
I put the beer down on the tabletop and leaned back into cool aged leather. I refused to bite back at Evony's quip. It was irrelevant now, how the journey had begun. Amazing was what had happened since then, all that had been achieved even through murky, self-indulgent motives.
It struck me then, the opportunity to ask the question I'd been wanting to ask since the moment I knew the serum was stable. "You've accomplished so much in the human world. Do you even know why you want to be Fae again?"
Evony rolled her eyes and scoffed at me, gesturing between us with her hand. "It's just business Lauren. I know you like to think I've become this grand medical crusader to ease your guilt over stripping me of my Fae and then having the metal to test what should have been my serum on yourself". She stopped then, smiling salaciously before leaning across the table towards me.
The next words she spoke were a whisper in my ear. "It's all about the power and money it brings me and nothing else. I have no intention of growing old Lauren. I'm always hungry, in a way that won't let up. I fund your human and Fae research projects because I know you won't stop trying to perfect a new serum. It's not in your nature to. You won't stop because you're just as hungry as I am. You'll never stop wanting her forever and I'll never stop wanting to feel the thrill of gorging on blatant power and talent".
There it was; the fine line of our 'friendship' splashed out before me. Every time I thought I saw genuineness and even generosity from her, I was reminded otherwise. Who was the real Evony now? She pulled back a fraction, looking over my shoulder before gently running her fingers through my hair.
"What kind of fresh hell is this Lauren?" Kenzi appeared to my left and even though her words had been for me, the scowl firmly fixed on her face was directed at Evony.
I rolled my eyes at the situation I was in. "I was just grabbing a quick drink Kenz. Please…." I looked across at Evony who was lounging back in her seat. "Please sit down, join us".
"Fine I'll sit". Kenzi then pointed a single stern finger at Evony. "You, keep your hands off my besties best girl".
"Oh please. Been there done that, literally". She raised her glass to me as though to toast some great success. "It's clear why the succubus always had her panties in a twist, bleeding her poor little heart out over the lovely Doctor Lewis here".
"Pfffft, I'm the one who had to listen to them". Kenzi's eyes met Evony's across the table. "Just so you know; I don't care if you're human now, I don't trust you".
"Smart move". Evony downed the rest of her drink and stood swiftly, her hair whipping and her eyes intent. "While I'd absolutely love to sit and chit chat all night, actually that's a lie. Anyway, I have things to do".
"You need to put your husband to bed with his meds?" Kenzi smiled triumphantly behind her glass. Unfazed, Evony shrugged and slid a folded piece of paper my way.
It was an address, outside the city not far from Evony's property. "Some help with your horse wrangling issues. I look forward to our progress meeting next week".
I nodded as my eyes scanned the paper in front of me again. She'd jumped back into friend territory with this gesture and it left me conflicted and off balance.
"I'm also looking forward to meeting Hades little Valkyrie offspring when she surfaces again". It didn't surprise me that Evony knew all about Dagny being here. Kenzi on the other hand went from shocked to defensive.
Evony eyeballed her with a satisfied smirk before making a fast exit.
"God I hate her. If she comes near Dagny….."
I folded the piece of paper back up and slid it into my back pocket. I'd had enough of this day. "She won't. Come on. Let's go home and wait. I'll cook you dinner".
"I hate waiting".
"Me too Kenz, me too".
"I do lurve to eat though".
XXX
I stopped my attack, stretching out my arms and taking a sip of water. Over time I'd come to appreciate the feelings associated with a good workout; like sweat dripping down my back,
aching muscles and burning lungs.
This type of physical training hadn't come naturally at all but Dyson had done his best to accommodate my lack of coordination. I was persistent though, much to Bo's concern I eventually developed some skill and moves that worked for me in a physical fight should I need them.
The door creaked and Kenzi tentatively entered with one hand covering her eyes. "My limit of being polite has expired. I'm starving. I know you said you'd cook but I can start".
I put the water bottle down, moving towards Kenzi as I towelled my face dry. "Why are you covering your eyes?"
"I didn't know what I'd be interrupting".
I shook my head and laughed to myself as I gently and slowly moved her hand down. She took a good look around, eyes bugging. "Huh. So not what I was expecting from a locked room in the basement".
"The door wasn't locked. It's just sticky, always jams. What were you expecting?"
"Oh I don't know….more bolo red room of pain rather than a replica of Dyson's old boxing gym set up".
We both stepped back into the basement main floor, my lab taking up majority of the space. "You know what…let's just forget you said that and move on shall we?"
"Oh god lets. I'm back at starving".
The next hour or so flew by in a blur of chopping, cooking and then eating the stir fry we'd somehow harmoniously created together. There was wine too and idle, meaningless chit chat because we were both worried but didn't want to voice it.
All of a sudden Kenzi's wine glass was plonked down loudly onto the table top and she moved from her spot across from me, now sitting at the chair beside me with a sigh. "This is weird right? You and me, sharing a meal together".
After putting my own wine glass down, I couldn't help but smile before replying. "Yeah I guess it is. It shouldn't be though. It doesn't have to be".
"You're right". She rolled her eyes. "Of course you're right, you always are. It shouldn't be and yeah, it doesn't have to be. We can so do this, meaningful discussion and all that".
"Right".
Kenzi nodded and smiled, eyeballing me from across the now small space between us. "The whole warrior doctor look suits you".
"Thanks but, it probably looks more hard core than it is. I've never really been a physical person".
"I seem to recall you having a mean right hook. Piggies and a magic stick, am I ringing any bells?"
I nodded and laughed lightly. "I remember". I paused then, not sure whether to forge ahead or hold back. Kenzi seemed genuinely engaged so I decided to take a chance.
"I'm a logical person, I know my strengths and I stick to them. But that's just it, logically if I was going to be in the fight, with Bo, I needed to learn how to fight. I'm not pretending to be some great warrior I just need to be able to hold my own when I need to".
Kenzi gave me a wry smile, settling back in her chair and reclaiming her glass of wine. "I get that and I respect that. You're an overachiever, now I get the scary intense set up downstairs".
"I actually love a good workout now, especially if I've had a complex day. Today was definitely one of those".
"OK spill. It's just you, me and your impressively stocked wine cellar".
"Wow, you really have been taking a good look around haven't you?" Kenzi shrugged and went back into the kitchen to grab another bottle. "Some things change, some things don't".
Discomfort spread like wildfire thinking back to my surprise patient. There was no way I could discuss Evony with Kenzi but she'd been there for Bo after my attack and through my recovery, I felt like I could trust her with the worry that had been rapidly building since I'd left the clinic.
"I had a visit today from Elder Marcos, he's…." I was stopped short by the sound of Kenzi half choking on her wine and then slamming the stem down.
"Oh I know who he is. Asshat arranged the attack on you in plain sight. Same old game; trying to bate Bo into losing her shit, using you as collateral in the grand Fae political war. You almost died Lauren; Bo's been gagging for an excuse to suck that dude dry".
I sat silently and Kenzi just looked at me for a long moment. "You are going to tell her".
I wasn't sure if it was a question or a statement. I sighed deeply in response. "You guys are solid, happy. You've got the whole tell each other the truth and nothing but the truth so help you god thing going on".
I wanted to cringe openly, knowing there were several things I needed to talk to Bo about when she was back. "Of course I'll tell her". I hadn't intended to sound so defensive but even to my own ears I did. "I'm just really worried what his visit means. He's keeping tabs on her, he knew she wasn't around or he never would have come to see me the way he did. Everything's reasonably stable politically right now. With Dagny being in the picture and whatever goes down with Jack, Elder Marcos clearly thinks he sees an opportunity to get to Bo".
"You tell her when she gets back, we all make sure she doesn't flip out and we deal. Another day amongst the Fae". We both knew it wasn't that simple but in that moment Kenzi had managed to lighten the load at least somewhat. "They live for thousands of years but the A-hole's never learn. Only thing the freaky Elder be gettin from Bo is a gruesome end. It'll be well deserved".
My mind flashed back to the initial sting of the arrow entering my chest and then the pain, burning through my body. Everything else after falling to my knees and waking up weeks later is a blur of muted sounds and feelings.
"He didn't get what he wanted. Bo changed but not in the way he expected. She started to use her succubus abilities and even the Pyrripus fire as her weapons of choice, with control".
Kenz nodded firmly. "She told me it all felt like slow motion. She saw the shot fire and the arrow through the air. She knew she wouldn't get to you in time and it broke her heart".
"She didn't want me there but I refused to sit it out. I needed to be there for her and with her".
"I get that".
A small laugh of acknowledgement escaped me as I thought of Bo. "It's funny in a way; it's what I always wanted for her, to be all that she could be, to use all that she had at her disposal with harmony, even though deep down I knew part of her powers were dark in origin. He was the catalyst to getting her there".
"That's where you're wrong. He wasn't, you were. Bo's need to protect you is her ultimate source of power". We both sat back in our seats a little then, quiet falling over the room like a blanket. It was surprising comfortable.
"Ok, so we've taken a stab at the whole, sharing, in-depth convo thang".
"It's only been me sharing so far".
Kenzi glared at me then huffed. "Yeah well, we're gonna need more than this wine if I'm gonna spill. Did I mention I hate waiting? And by the way, what's the go with you and Evony being all….friends and shit?"
"So we're back to me?"
"Hell yeah we're back to you".
"Fine and yes, we'll need more than the wine". I stood abruptly, walking through the kitchen and to a large cupboard next to the bay window, sliding the handle up and smiling when I heard Kenzi gasp.
"Dyson was kind enough to gift us some of Trick's personal liquor stash".
"Amen to that".
"I'm genuinely surprised you didn't sniff this out earlier".
Kenzi shrugged with a smile while reaching blindly for the biggest bottle on the shelf. "I already know where you keep the chocolate. I never made it over here, past the fruit bowl seemed too far".
XXX
Forty-five minutes and more drinks than I could consciously keep track of now later found me in bed with Kenzi, the two of us lounging back against the headboard.
"You're actually fun when you're drunk".
A genuine smile came to my face. "Yeah I am".
"I would've laughted my ass off if someone had told me I'd end up shit faced in bed with you hot pants". Kenzi stopped then, holding up another shot as in salute before throwing it back. "I've never been able to just relax with you, you've always made me feel…stiff is maybe the right word? It's not a natural thing for me, whatever it is; it's unnatural, totally unnatural".
"That made no sense".
"See that's the problem, for you everything has to make sense while I'm happy to wing it. I know you want to ask me questions, you're practically choking on all the questions but you haven't asked me any because you're too busy letting them all rattle around in that oversized brain of yours, probably overanalysing the right way to ask and gaging my response and then an appropriate response to my response".
She looked at me expectantly. "Your business is really impressive, I googled it".
"For the record, lame start but thanks, I've worked hard on it. Graphic design wasn't something I'd planned on getting into but computers were always my thing and artistry through design fit me like a gorgeous glove. I just combined the two and ran with it. I took most of my classes online and built the business the same way which helped when me and Dags had to up and leave if she'd have one of her growth spurts. Something I'm passionate about pays the bills, I'm living the dream". Quiet gripped us both again for a long moment before Kenzi angled in towards me on the bed.
"OK we're so taking this in turns….and it's my turn. Seriously dude; you do the whole slip the Morrigan a mickey thing, all in the name of protecting Bo and now you and Evony are all cosy in a booth having drinks together? Yeah she's human now, not that it makes her any less despicable. She keeps it friendly with you, throws you a bone when she needs to, only because she needs something from you. What I can't figure out is why you've let her into your life the way you have? The second she's Fae again, which I have no doubt will happen one day, what makes you think she won't turn it all around and boom she's melting you into a puddle".
It was like Kenzi had somehow read my mind. I didn't know how to answer because the why baffled me still. It was exhausting keeping all the random thoughts to myself, so in the spirit of the moment we'd created I let them fly. "It could be guilt. I don't regret what I did, turning Evony human, my reasoning at the time was sound, but I've seen firsthand what she's endured, the illness and instability and I know I caused it".
"I have one word for you; Karma".
I nodded mutely, my head falling into my hands tiredly. "I think….deep down I need to believe she's changed, that being human has made her human if that makes any sense".
"It doesn't matter if an apple's red or green, if it's rotten, it be rotten to the core". Kenzi's face held a hint of humour as she looked at me intensely, so intensely it almost made me self-conscious before she gasped out loud and slammed the bottle in her hand down onto a bedside table. "Holy shit, you like her".
"Excuse me?"
"You actually like Evony".
My eyes rolled instantly. "Don't be absurd Kenzi, I love Bo, and you know that".
"I don't mean you want to boink her…again. I mean you like her as in, lunch together gal pals or whatever".
I let that thought swirl around in my head, pondering silently, wondering if there was any truth to the simple yet complicated explanation. Just as I was about to bite back, Kenzi held up her hands, palms out in mock surrender.
"You're a complicated woman Lauren Lewis and half the shit you do and say be crazy. Just…..be careful, with Evony I mean. Whatever you think you see in her, whatever you hope you see, be careful".
I felt like the playfulness we had going had evaporated then. It wasn't a bad thing considering the strange game of truth we'd walked head first into. "To me, I can't see past the fact that she's the mother of the murdering bastard who took Hale from me".
The emotion on Kenzi's face when she'd mentioned Hale was raw still and I found myself reaching out to her, my hand covering her own on the bed. A second later she puffed out a breath and sat up straight once again, backing onto the headboard and smiling with a shrug.
"No two people should ever look as good as Hale and I did together anyway. It was almost criminal".
"I'm sorry Kenz".
"Thanks".
"Do you think you'll ever be able to let go of the Fae completely? When Dagny's safe and when she reaches maturity, you'll have that opportunity".
"I made the choice to leave and make it on my own and I want that still, but Bo and Dyson will always be a part of my life so I guess the Fae will always be a part of it too. This nifty ring the Trickster left me lets me come and go when I need to".
Kenzi shrugged and fingered the ring in thought. "Eventually I'll head back to Spain. I feel close to Hale there".
She looked across at me, her expression unreadable. Maybe if Bo was here she would have known what that look meant and been prepared, but I had no clue.
"For someone so smart, you're a gigantic idiot sometimes. You and Bo make each other ridiculously happy, I can acknowledge that. You shouldn't, but you do. Bo's impulsive and yeah she can be overprotective and you…you're infuriating and analytical and lets not forget secretive. But you two, you've always been like magnets. You know what I've never been able to understand?"
I didn't ask but she gave me the answer on her mind anyway.
She flapped her hands in the air at me while she spoke. "You waste time trying to fix what's never been broken. I mean you broke Bo's heart twice and yes…..I get it, you're human and she's Fae, you're preaching to the choir with that one, but I would have married Hale in a heartbeat, I never would have hesitated".
I went to speak but again she halted me with her own sure words. "Yes they'll outlive us but that's no reason to not allow yourself to have the love of your life. Do you honestly think you would have been able to be around Bo and not be with her in all the intimate ways that you are now? If you had left the Fae behind, do you think you would have been able to settle for some hot, chic all city girl or maybe build a farm life with some acres, cows and a token dairy queen? Wow ok…maybe I'm delving too far into fantasy Lo's life but whatevs. My point is you may have been partly happy with a different life but never completely, not down to your bones happy like you are with Bo, even with all the Fae bullshit and most likely still apparent flock of issues you two will probably never sort through".
I was speechless then, not expecting the kind of depth Kenzi had just delivered. "You just skulked away in your lab, trying to become Fae. Did you ever, even for one second consider it would have been far easier to turn Bo human? You clearly know how to do that, turn a Fae human that is".
I shook my head vehemently at the very thought of it. "Being Fae is a part of who Bo is fundamentally. I love her for everything and all that she is and I'd never want her to change a single thing, I'd never allow it".
Kenzi's smile was smug and bright. "Ding, ding, ding Doctor Lewis. Why have you always found it so hard to understand that Bo feels exactly the same way?"
I could feel my mouth opening and closing like a guppy but no words came out. Kenzi just kept on smiling at me. "Yep, I'll just let you ponder that bomb while we keep on drinking".
I didn't take the shot offered next, choosing to pick up my discarded glass of wine and sip that. "Bo and I, we've been…".
"Oh I know what you two have been doing; sex and Fae bullshit then some more sex and some more Fae bullshit, blah, blah and yes I know it's all very important but again, stop wasting your time and put a ring on her already – yes consider this my blessing and spare us an awkward sober conversation later, or adopt a Faeby or something. Enjoy. Your. Shit. That's basically what I want you to do. Ha ha, Faeby, I've been there and done that with Dagny I guess. Maybe you and Bo can pick one that ages rapidly too, I highly recommend it, gets you out of diaper duty much quicker and straight on through to tantrums and my favourite…the teenage angst".
All of a sudden, Kenzi put down the bottle she'd started drinking straight from and looked across at me. "Why aren't they back yet? What the fuck is taking them so long?"
Somehow in that moment I felt instantly sober. "It hasn't been that long Kenz".
"Seriously, I'm out of practise with this whole drama and waiting thing. They're the two most important people to me. Dagny…..she's".
"She's your daughter, in all the ways that count, that's what she is".
Kenzi looked overrun with emotion as her face turned up towards mine. "I feel kind of lost without her. I'm so used to having her around now and I know; I just know she's about to fly the coup, she literally already has and I'm so worried about her".
"Then trust Bo to take care of her".
Kenzi nodded at me, slowly picking up her bottle again and taking a sip before wincing. "God motherhood's made me soft".
Bo
It didn't surprise me that whatever afterlife Trick had found himself in, it had taken the appearance of the Dal. The façade was familiar and comforting but also disarming in a strange way. I possessed the power to get here so easily, yet I didn't know where here was exactly. If I could find Trick I knew I could also find my mum as well. It was so tempting to scale down those stairs and see him again, to have the opportunity for a proper goodbye. I knew though, that seeing him one time wouldn't be enough and the temptation to do it again, would be too great. The fact was I was alive and Trick was dead. I wasn't ready to blur the line drawn between those two extremes, even if I commanded the power to. Surely there had to be a price for it? There was always a price. I took a deep breath and one last look at the warm orange glow drifting from the stairs in front of me. I had people waiting for me, Kenzi and Lauren. Lauren. I turned then at the thought of her and closed my eyes.
The shift around me felt softer this time. I didn't have to open my eyes to know I was home. In my bedroom specifically, if the smell of vanilla candles was any indication.
When I finally did open my eyes, I couldn't hold back a bright smile. "Not what I was expecting, but I'll take it". I whispered the words as I surveyed the scene in front of me. There on our bed lay Lauren in a pair of raggedy sweats and a black razor back, haphazardly spooning a passed out Kenzi who was snuggling into an empty wine bottle like it was a teddy bear.
"Looks like I missed the party". I didn't bother tidying up any of the bottles or glasses littering the floor and bedside tables. I didn't bother getting changed. I took my boots off though and reached into my jacket for Dagny's letter, Kenzi's name scrolled across the front of the white envelope. I left it on the bedside table closest to her before slipping into bed behind Lauren, wrapping my arm around her waist and breathing her in. She murmured lightly but otherwise didn't move. Holding her safely in my arms again I allowed myself to drift into a deep sleep.
XXX
Well practised fingers traced lazy circles across the skin at my hip, coaxing me to wake up. Lauren was close to me, her warmth reaching across the small remaining space between us as she smiled tiredly, head resting in her palm, elbow sagging into the mattress.
"Welcome home".
I hummed in response, leaving the comfort of the pillow to reach up and kiss her. As it deepened, I tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear. It wasn't often that she wore her hair up and I loved it when she did. I slowed the kiss down, smiling against her lips before pulling back. "You smell….really bad".
Lauren groaned and flopped back down onto the pillow beside me, her arm falling across her eyes. "What's with the private party?" I took a glance around the room, still lit only by dull lamplight and still very much as I remembered it except for the absence of Kenzi and the letter.
I looked back at Lauren only to find her reading me in a way only she could. "Are you ok? What happened?"
Just as I was about to answer her, I snapped around at the sound of the bedroom door swinging open and Kenzi stomping in. "What the hell Bo! Please tell me you didn't let her stay in Valhalla?!"
END CHAPTER THREE
For anyone out there interested in Dagny (didn't think there'd be many if any), she will be back but not for a while. This story's not really about her as such. She has things to do before she can come back and do some things.
The Norn is up next.