Disclaimer: Lost Girl belongs to Showcase or SYFY and I am only playing in their universe.
A/N: Again I can't thank all the readers and reviewers enough for checking out the story. Your comments and follows are greatly appreciated. Many of you have asked about different characters from the show and pretty much all the majors will be making an appearance at some point but not for a while. Not so much action for the next few chapters as I need to fill in some backstory and provide a few answers. Again thanks for the comments, I enjoy reading them and getting your point of view.
Something was different. Yep, something was really different. Kenzi stretched out feeling the comfortable bed she had been sleeping on. Grabbing a hand full of soft sheets, she pulled them to her face. They smelled good and were clean. She smelled good and was clean. God how long had it been since she slept somewhere nice. Peeking under the covers Kenzi found that she was wearing an old Runaways t-shirt, boxers and socks. "Okay so you're not naked. That's a good thing." she thought to herself. Snuggling back into the warmth of the bed to bask in what had to be a dream for as long as she could make it last. As her mind relaxed that is when the events leading to Massimo's death rushed through her mind. With a jerk she was out of bed yelling. "Lauren!"
"Easy child," scratched a harsh voice from a rocking chair across the room. Kenzi vaulted across the bed and picked up a pillow holding it as a weapon. Cackling laughter rang off the walls as Hilde's eyes danced at the actions of the strange girl. "Calm yourself. Old Hilde is not going to hurt you."
"Okay, you have no idea how creepy that just sounded. Do you?" Kenzi adjusted her pillow and looked around wildly for a place to escape.
With a sigh Hilde called out, "Bruce can you come in here for a moment." There was the sound of heavy footsteps and then a bright eyed lucid Bruce poked his head in the door. He looked better than he had in over a year.
"You called Hilde?" He walked over to the older woman in the chair. Hilde pointed towards the bed. Bruce saw Kenzi standing with her pillow at the ready. "Kenzi you're awake. It's been over a week. I was so worried about you." Kenzi's mind was a bit fuzzy but she did recall moments of stirring in the room before. The big man smiled broadly and held out a muffin that he had just taken a bite out of then thought better of it. "They made us breakfast come have some." pulling the muffin back and taking another bite.
Kenzi groaned, "Bruce don't eat that you don't know what…." She gave a quick look at Hilde, "They might have…" Hilde was smiling broadly and giggling at the girl's discomfort.
A familiar voice sounded from the door way, "I believe you always liked my cooking Kenzi." Lauren was leaning against the door jam. Kenzi's eyes went wide with recognition and then disbelief. Lauren tossed her a muffin causing Kenzi to drop the pillow to grab the food. Lauren said feigning calmness, "I have work to do so eat something and then rest some more." Tilting her head towards the rocking chair, "Hilde's a friend so be nice to her. She lives here and knows how to get in touch with me if you need something."
"Lauren what the hell…" Kenzi said holding the muffin.
Lauren's eyes flashed yellow and Kenzi let out an 'eep' of alarm. Lauren dropped her eyes and shook her head. She was tired and freaked out at coming face to face with her past. It was playing havoc with her control. "Sorry, look I need some time, work will settle me down. We will talk when I return. Please don't call or contact anyone, just take this time and recover." Lauren gave a look to Hilde who nodded in response then she turned and left the room. Kenzi threw her hands out in exasperation and then rolled her eyes and took a bite of the warm blueberry goodness in her hand. She moaned loudly at the familiar buttery taste then jumped as Hilde started laughing again.
First on Lauren's agenda was checking on the sprite colony. Hilde had removed the webbing before they left for the house after the battle. The sprites had darted off in all directions and Lauren couldn't really blame them. Lost in her thoughts she reached the clearing sooner than she expected. Moving to sit down at the base of the new tree that had emerged from the syphoned druid's chi, Lauren waited for any sign of the tiny beings. It did not take long. The three friends of the young one that had been killed by Massimo emerged from the woods and flew directly to her. They lit on her shoulder and sat with her for a short time. Lauren could feel their gratitude and their grief. One even walked over and gave her cheek a tiny pat. It was thanks enough. She shifted slightly and the three tiny figures zoomed away.
Making a quick run through the gardens and fields, Lauren was left with no excuse to stay away from the house. It didn't mean she had to go inside yet. Making it back to the main house, Lauren moved into the barn and was just about to open the door to her truck. She could drive to town and grab something for dinner to further delay facing Kenzi. "You're out of muffins Hotpants." Kenzi was standing in the open barn door. Lauren stopped her motion. "Ya, Hilde told me to wait for you on the porch. Thought you might make a break for it. She's ahh….nice." said Kenzi
Dropping her hand away from the door handle, Lauren took a deep breath and turned towards the barn doors. To her shock she was hit full on by Kenzi giving her a tight emotion filled bear hug. Tears were falling from both women's eyes as Lauren hugged her friend back. "We tell no one of this." Kenzi said in a shaky voice and it made Lauren laugh. At times their relationship had been less than accepting and hugging would have been out of the question.
Kenzi grabbed Lauren's arm and started to pull. "Girl you have some 'splaining to do." It was Kenzi's best Desi Arnaz impression saved for special occasions. The women crossed from the barn to the porch. Moving to a small table, they were taking their seats when Hilde and Bruce came out of the house. It was obvious that they had been watching for Lauren too. They took a seat in the swing off to the side but were definitely going to be part of this conversation.
There was an awkward silence as neither party knew how to begin. Finally Hilde bumped Bruce with her elbow, he cleared his throat, "Kenzi tell her about Massimo." Kenzi rolled her eyes at Bruce, who gave her a small smile and the moved his hand urging her to get started.
"Oh alright already, that bastard Massimo made me an offer I couldn't refuse." Kenzi twisted in her seat. "I was always the weak one. When Tamsin and Bo were all out playing hero and finding Dyson and fighting Taft. You know saving the fae once again from total destruction. I was playing the part of the victim. Again! The weak human, you know." she over exaggerated the last part.
"Hale had to put himself, and the light fae for that matter, at risk when he slipped me his family's magic twig." Bruce raised an eyebrow and was about to interject that it was more than a twig but Hilde patted his arm to quiet him. "Evony and the dark far had me captive in the Dahl after things went south at Hale's coronation ceremony. The twig worked to protect me allowing me to escape. I vowed to find a way to be more than the puny one in our group. Bruce and I became buddies in the process and he came with me." She gave a sheepish look to the big man but he only smiled back. "Anywho, long story short Massimo promised to make me as good as fae."
"Oh Kenzi," said Lauren understanding the girls feelings more than she would ever know. As with all of Kenzi's stories when she got wound up Lauren had a hard time following the details but she really didn't need them to understand what had made her friend take such a risk. It was easy to feel unneeded as a human around fae.
"Yeah, well Bruce tried to warn me, but I got it in my head that this was what I wanted." Kenzi sighed. "It didn't take long to find the man and the asshole showed me all the things he could do as a druid. Massimo promised to teach me, make me a druid too."
"So you agreed to become his apprentice." said Hilde in her scratchy voice. They all turned to look at the hag. She shrugged her shoulders, "It's not that uncommon of a ruse. Didn't tell you about the fine print in the contract now did he child." She grumbled as if thinking about something in her own past.
"You mean the part where you become enslaved to him for the first one hundred years. Yeah kinda missed that part." answered Kenzi with a bitter tone. "Bruce did not sign the contract but being the guy he is, would not leave my side. He made sure I wasn't alone. That rat bastard Massimo caught us both." Lauren reached out and grabbed Kenzi's hand and held it. She had not been enslaved to a druid but she had been considered property of the Ash. She could feel the anger growing inside her and had to remind herself that she had already killed the man.
Clearing her throat Kenzi slowly pulled her hand out of Lauren's grip. She had seen the yellow flash in Lauren's eyes and remembered the claws of her shifter form. "I never made it back to the shack or saw anyone I just took off with the guy. The first week wasn't so bad, but then he showed his true colors and we fought back. Bruce is some kinda strong." Kenzi smiled and the two friends did a fist pound
"We almost were able to overtake Massimo but then he started using spells on us." Swallowing hard Kenzi continued, "Like the worst type drug. For two year we mostly did what he said without a thought. Luckily he was into power and not other things…" the words died on her lips as if that statement was not completely true. "The spell would last about a month and towards the end we would become more self-aware. He would let us straighten out for a while then hit us again."
They were all quiet for a while allowing the information to settle in. Bruce spoke next, "The spell was harder on me than Kenzi, she has quite a tolerance for …" he smiled at the girl and then continued, "His spells were pure but he tainted them with his dark intent and extra ingredients. Sadistic doesn't begin to describe him. He was always trying to strengthen his creations with under fae additives. That's why his upper fae customers liked him so much. Blood, bones, skins or whatever, he would hunt under fae like animals and then infuse them into whatever he was creating."
Bruce cringed and Hilde patted his hand. The big man continued, "Even in our worst states we would not kill for him. He tried and tried to get us to do his dirty work but it is not in our natures to hurt the innocent and he could not force that. We could be forced to set his traps and do collections afterward and that is how you found us."
Taking over, Kenzi said, "I do know by killing him you have saved both our lives. The contract is broken now."
"Not so fast child," said Hilde with a serious tone to her voice. "Fine print works both ways. Massimo's part of the bargain was that he would transfer all his knowledge to you at the end of the contract. At least that is how most of these contracts go. It's worded that way so the master can keep you in servitude forever as long as he withholds something from his teachings. Dirty little trick." Hilde stood and pulled a thick knotted leather cord from her pocket. It had been around the druid's neck the last time Kenzi remembered seeing it. Evidently Hilde had removed it from Massimo's body. The old hag's eyes flashed red for a moment. "I don't like unfulfilled contracts. They make me nervous, like things are out of balance. There could be hidden agreements that you don't even know about.
Kenzi groaned loudly, but Hilde waved a hand. "I knew of an apprentice contract with a clause that promised the apprentice to one of the master's kin to complete the training if he was not up to the task. With Massimo being dead he can't teach you anything now. If the contract you signed has a clause like that built in you are still in danger. Another druid could come and claim you. We must fix that right now child." She motioned to Kenzi to come to her. With a gulp and look at Lauren, Kenzi stood and approached the hag.
"Arm, throat or thigh?" the hag asked with an amused smile. Kenzi's eyes went wide and she didn't answer. "Come now girl, answer the simple question. Where do you want this? Or do I get to pick." The hag licked her lips and it probably meant nothing but Kenzi gave a little shutter. There was something about the hag that told Kenzi she would not hurt her but still it was hard to be at ease around the woman.
Bruce spoke up, "The cord is pretty long, how about the back?" Hilde raised her eyebrows and smiled at the big man then nodded her approval. Seeing Kenzi shoot him a look, the ogre said, "I want you safe," then he smiled at her. Kenzi gave him a quick return smile and nodded in agreement. Still in the dark, Kenzi had to trust the big guy's judgment.
Holding out a gnarled hand, Hilde spun her finger motioning for Kenzi to turn around. Kenzi did not argue but she was not happy about this at all. Bruce stood and gently pulled up the back of Kenzi's shirt and held up her hair. The hag shuffled over and placed the thick leather cord at the base of the young girl's neck with one hand and then pulled it tight with the other hand, straight down the spine. The cord started to grow hot against Kenzi's skin and she opened her mouth to say something but the hag snapped, "Easy child, hush now." Hilde released her hold on the cord and it stayed in place along the girl's back. Running a finger down the leather strip, Bruce and Lauren gasp as the cord sank, knot by knot, into the Kenzi's back.
"What's going on?" said a worried Kenzi who was quickly shushed again by the now red eyed hag. "Lauren…." said Kenzi softly. Lauren held the girl by her arms to assure her things would be okay. At least she hoped they would be okay, she hid her uncertainty as best she could with a forced smile.
"This might sting a bit." said Hilde as she observed the bright angry red line that now shown where the druid's cord had been. "I suggest you take a deep breath." Kenzi cussed out a line of Russian expletives that made the hag laugh. Then there was a small breeze that ran through the room and a thunder clap sounded. Everyone but Kenzi could see black lines dance out in all directions from the middle of Kenzi's back. Beautiful Celtic knots and other symbols formed as the dark lines crawled across the girl's skin as if drawn by an invisible artist. A lightning bolt struck the ground outside the porch and the lines settled creating an amazing tattoo.
Hilde bent and examined her work. With a satisfied humph and a pat on Kenzi's shoulder the hag said, "Nice touch with the thunder and lightning child. You do your gypsy heritage proud, always with the extra show." The hag laughed. Holding a hand out to Bruce and he helped the old hag back to the swing. She was obviously was tired from the event.
Kenzi sagged in Lauren's arms, more from stress than pain. The whole event had felt like hot wax being dripped on her skin, a fast burn followed by lingering heat. Unable to put what had happened into words, Lauren walked Kenzi inside and to a set of mirrors so she could use to check out the new ink work. "Holy shit," said Kenzi as she moved back and forth trying to take in stunning pattern. When they returned to the porch Kenzi held up her hand and gave the hag a huge smile and a high five. "Don't know what you just did to me but the tat is more than righteous." The hag giggled but was pleased to be thanked. She still looked fatigued from what she had done and yawned.
"What did you do to her?" asked Lauren no longer able to contain her curiosity and free to ask questions now that Kenzi did not need to be reassured.
Hilde smiled and put her head on Bruce's shoulder. Kenzi raised her eyebrows at the sweet yet disturbing scene before her. Bruce answered for sleepy hag, "The druid's cord was his spelled book, a record of Massimo's life work." Kenzi and Lauren both started to complain at once. Bruce held up a hand to quiet both of them. "Not his deeds, his knowledge only. Like him or not the guy was excellent at his job. When I was getting my PhD in medieval favors, I studied druid cords and ..." Again Lauren and Kenzi started talking at once. Bruce put his finger to his mouth to quiet them, Hilde had started to snore.
In a calm quiet tone Bruce continued, "Kenzi you have the knowledge of a four hundred year old druid etched in your skin. It's not like formal training but Hilde has given you the awareness of a full fledge druid. All you have to do is learn to access the knowledge to meet your needs. Massimo's knowledge has been transferred to you in full completing the contract and making you safe. It was the only way. Hilde did you a real favor or in Kenzi speak a true solid." With a sloppy smile Bruce gently picked up Hilde and took her inside to put her to bed.
Both Lauren and Kenzi sat in silence thinking about what the big man had said. In typical Kenzi fashion, Lauren could see that she was making the best of what had just happened. Lord knew what this young woman had lived through in her short life, but it had taught her to live in the here and now. It was a lesson that had served her well. Lauren knew the girl was shaken but was not all that surprised that Kenzi set aside her own problems to learn what had happened to her. Kenzi stood and pulled her shirt up and was looking at the faint reflection of her tattoo in the window, "Okay so I'm a druid and you are Catwoman with a chi powered green thumb. Let's see if your story ends in a cool as hell tattoo."