Disclaimer: Lost Girl belongs to Showcase or SYFY and I am only playing in their universe.
A/N: Sorry for the slight delay in posting, should be back on schedule now. Thanks to all for checking in on the story.
Lauren didn't exactly know where she was headed when she left the shack, but anything was better than a room full of memories. Knowing it was not the most intelligent move to leave out the front door, Lauren double checked and was thankful that her senses did not detect anyone around for miles. The witch's body and blood had been taken care of before any alarm could be sent out. She moved directly into the darkest shadow and then shifted.
If she had been at home, she would have been following one of several of her running paths. Over the last two years, Lauren had found that long runs were her salvation. The first month after Taft's injections Lauren had been fully focused on saving her life and avoiding the fae. Her adrenaline levels masked the growing pain in her body. When her inner doctor took over, Lauren recognized her need to find a place to recover. By dumb luck she had found the farm, and for the next few weeks things were manageable because she spent every waking moment on creating a home for herself. Only when she was finally safe, secure and able to relax did Lauren truly allow herself to accept the pain she was in. Her muscles were aching on a constant basis. With no lab to diagnose the problem, Lauren focused on trial and error to manage her condition.
Being still was not an option for Lauren anymore. She found that keeping active was the only real cure for the pain. With the vast space of the farm, Lauren took to running and it soothed more than her aching body. Running allowed her to still her mind and focus on the now and not what could have been. After meeting Hilde, Lauren had learned other techniques to manage her pain by using her fae powers to drain the buildup of energy in her body. The runs weren't a daily requirement but they still served as the backbone of her routine.
Lauren did not want a still mind tonight. No she needed to have a focus. Lauren chose Dyson's apartment as her destination. The wolf had said he could spot the trolls on patrol but there was something else that he could not make out. Dyson had called the being muted. Thinking through the best path to the location, Lauren took off into the shadows.
After what was more of an urban workout than a run, Lauren reached Dyson's place. Dyson lived in the light fae section of town but Lauren was still hyperaware of her surroundings. When the streets were too well lit she took the roof tops. Climbing and leaping from building to building, fire escape to fence and then back to street level, she approached Dyson's apartment. Slowing to allow her senses to focus she scanned the area. There were trolls present but they were down and out of sight in an empty store front across the street.
Like the goblins at the shack and the redcaps that had follow Dyson to the farm. They seemed to be the muscle to assist someone or something else. Lauren stayed deep in the darkness of the shadows and was mindful of the wind so her scent did not drift to the sentry's sensitive nostrils. The industrial location of the apartment did not make it easy to look inside. Moving around the back of the building Lauren found old metal piping and utility poles near to but not touching the building itself. They must have been left over bits from the business that first utilized the building before it was converted to apartments. Lauren used the pipes to move to the roof. She was in luck, there were wires strung across the expanse of the building. Pulling herself to a thick bundle of black fibers she moved hand over fist across the wires until she was just above the skylight. Adjusting her body, she peered in and was not surprised to find another fae with magical abilities in Dyson's home. This time is was a warlock, the male version of a witch.
Lauren recognized this one as a dark fae named Rondo; she had watched Bo deal with him a time or two. Unlike the witch at the shack, Rondo was a truly evil piece of work and fairly high up in the dark fae hierarchy. By the looks of it he had been there awhile enjoying Dyson's beer, food and television. The beer bottles were stacked in unique configurations around the place while wrappers and half full plates of food piled near the couch. Lauren watched as the man flip the channels and grab for another bottle of beer. There had to be a spell on the building for him to sit there so calmly. The warlock would be warned long before any one got near him and it would also explain the muted sensation Dyson felt.
Obviously the pipes where not include in the in the spell but the building itself must be the trigger, with that in mind, Lauren planned her next move. Looking around she found what must be the main power to the buildings. Working her way across the wires she took a calming breath and then smashed the metal door in and flipped the breakers with her claws off then on again. The lights and television flickered, went out and then the power came back on. Lauren also noticed that the view of her surroundings had wavered just slightly. The all too familiar void charm had been activated. From the outside any one passing by would see nothing out of the ordinary while all hell could be breaking loose on the inside.
No longer needing to stay off the building, Lauren dropped to the roof and ran to the skylight. The warlock was running to the door. He held a carved bone wand at the ready. She cut a tiny circle in the glass and inserted a claw then cut a larger circle around it, popping the glass out she reached and opened the latch. As the warlock ran for the outside to find the intruder, Lauren dropped down into the apartment. The smell of old beer and rotting food was overpowering and more than enough to mask her scent for a short time. Dyson's décor was sparse to say the least but he did have a large bed for her to hide behind. Moving quickly she had ducked down just as the dark fae returned.
"Nobody came anywhere near the place," said one of the trolls. "There was no reason for the spell to activate. The glitch with the power must have set the thing off."
"Something had to trigger it, and if you were smart you would not question the Wanderer's abilities so loudly. You need to search the whole area. The orders were to watch the building not just the door." commanded the warlock."
"I don't care one way or another. No one or thing came through the front door or around the building we're watching the whole time. We would have smelled it." growled the second troll. "We have been holed up here for weeks now it's pointless. Did you see or feel anything sitting on the couch with the wolf's beer and TV?
The warlock clinched his jaw, "Look we need to complete this part of the plan. The wolf and his human friend must be killed. The Wanderer has too much riding on this." The trolls looked bored and began to walk outside obvious getting fed up with the little warlocks whining. Seeing he was losing face with the hired help, the warlock continued, "Look, I overheard that when that Bo character goes dark, our man gets a huge amount of power from the dark elders and we loyal ones will reap the benefits, understand. Total switch in power, he will rule the dark fae and then take out the light in one swoop." The warlock was leaning in and used a tone like he was sharing a big secret.
"Right, so you told us. Just how is that supposed to work anyway." grumbled the taller troll.
Pleased to have the two large men's attention, Rondo continued, "Well the blood king will fold when his granddaughter is forced to do battle with him, now won't he. The Wanderer has it all planned out, invoking some ancient law of some sort that everyone has forgotten. Something about members of the same family in power positions on both sides of fae, it's illegal. It could force the light and dark to come under the rule of one family name, so anyway there has to be this battle to kill one of them off. There hasn't been a need for eons because most families are either all light or all dark." The warlock was smiling broadly at the chance to share. "Trick won't kill her and as the Blood King will be forced open a vein to rewrite the law and then…" The warlock stopped talking abruptly and sniffed. "Do you smell that?"
Lauren steadied herself for battle. The stale beer and food stench could only cover her for so long. Assessing the situation, her goal was to escape. She did not need to take anyone out, she just need to get back to the shack to share what she had learned. Lauren then smelled something out of place too. An earthy fragrance, it took her a moment she recognized the subtle smell, it was the plant heather. When she had pledged her loyalty to the Ash, he had taken her to Scotland and she had the opportunity to walk in hillsides of the stuff. The smell was growing strong. Flatting out Lauren slid under the bed and made her way to the side for a better view.
The trolls and the warlock were looking around in panic and that is when it appeared. A black misty shape flowed through the open door. Lauren watched as it thickened to pitch black smoke which formed a shape. The smoke like mist twisted and billowed into the shape of an Enfield, a foxlike creature with the talons of eagle and small wings. Lauren's brain flashed to what she knew about Enfield, they were found on the banners of Northern European Royalty around the sixteenth century. The older fae used to keep them as pets as they were excellent hunters. Magical fae kept them as familiars.
A masculine voice, deep, rich, and lush came from the smoke creature, not as if the animal was speaking but more of a transmitter of the voice, "I felt the ward break in this location. Rondo do you have anything to report? Is the wolf finally dead?"
Swallowing and wiping the sweat from his brow the warlock stammered, "No my lord. It was a false alarm or something. There was a power surge and that tripped the spell. We have checked everywhere for an intruder. It was nothing, I assure you." As the creature of smoke stared at him the man added, "Sire." with a low bow.
"Pity, that wolf has been unusually hard to find." rolled the silky voice. The animal raised a talon to its muzzle and gave it a lick. The talons did not look to be made of smoke; instead they looked solid and very dangerous. The voice sounded again from the enfield, "I heard you sharing with the under fae all that you know of our plans? How nice of you let everyone in on the plans of the future Morrigan, there must be more to share." The warlock froze in place. A white spark snapped in the misty fox creature eyes and it spoke again, "Come now man, speak up." The warlock's eyes bulged as he opened his mouth, clutching at his throat; black mist came pouring from the opening. The smoke drifted from the warlock, Lauren looked harder and saw a thin line of blue chi traveling within the dark tendril. The smoke drifted towards the enfield, the new smoke and blue chi joining the makeup of creature's body. Squealing in pain, Rondo fell to the floor as the last of the smoke drifted away. Lauren swallowed hard and tried to steady herself, the warlock died an excruciating death.
The enfield turned its attention to the trolls who were fixated on the dead man on the ground. With two strikes of its talons the creature had sliced opened the trolls bodies and had them bleeding out on the floor. The creature stood up and moved away from the advancing pool of red. It walked around the room as it looking for something. Lauren was surprised by the jerkiness of its movements. As smoke it flowed but walking it was choppy almost, sight and sound seemed to be the creature's only usable senses. Lauren watched the creature search its surrounding and readied for the coming fight.
Lauren made sure to stay perfectly still and silent. Peering into the bathroom and returning to the doorway, the creature of mist sat for a moment then turned and walked out the door. Lauren did not move, she knew the creature was not gone. The dark magic was still tickling her nose. She was correct as within ten seconds the mist returned and reformed into the same creature. It checked around again this time moving towards the bed. It jumped on the bed itself then moved to the floor on the other side. It was about to look under the bed when a different voice sounded from around the creature. A female voice said, "Father, I've brought you some tea."
Lauren's heart stopped. That was Bo's voice, she would know it anywhere. The mist creature lost some of its form followed quickly by the male voice whispering, "Return to me." The creature padded towards the door without a second look at the bed. Lauren had to follow it. Bo's voice had come from the mist and where ever the enfield was headed Bo would be there. Waiting until it had cleared the door and was out of the apartment. Lauren was on the move. Bounding off the couch she leaped to the skylight and slammed it open. With the warlock's death the void charm was broken and she could see clearly. Just catching a glimpse of the creature rounding a corner, Lauren sprinted after it, in the back of her mind she wondered why the thing did not just vanish but she didn't really want to curse her good luck.
From roof top to roof top, Lauren leaped in her effort to stay with the enfield as it drifted down alleys and through empty lots. Lauren felt herself tiring as the chase went on but would not give up. Running out of buildings, she moved to the ground. She used the heather scent to follow at a safe distance. Finally the creature arrived at an old but distinguished mansion deep in dark fae territory. Upon reaching the gate the creature of smoke solidified forming a flesh and blood animal. In this form not larger than a regular fox, the enfield shook its fur as if trying to rid itself of the smoke it had been. The beast then ran around the house towards the back.
Stopping outside the walls of the estate in a safe location, Lauren slowed to catch her breath and shifted form. The area was surrounded by trees and Lauren placed her hand on the ground. She pulsed a bit of her energy into the ground and was welcomed with a more than generous pulse back. She walked among the trees placing her hand on the large trunks. Most of the trees had that pleasant content feeling that radiated from the old wood but one was unhappy. In fact Lauren would have called one big oak downright grumpy. Looking it over she saw several of its limbs had been cut back. After offering her condolences first, Lauren shifted back to her feline form and climbed the big tree. Reaching the heavily trimmed area, she crawled out to the edge and found the removed branches were directly across from a window in the old house.
She was about to turn away when the light in the room clicked on. Pulling back so not to be seen Lauren looked into the space. Bo was standing not twenty feet away from her. She moved through the room and picked up a wrap then walked towards a set of French doors, Bo opened them and moved onto a small balcony. It had been a warm day and the cool night air would drop the temperature in the room nicely. Lauren knew that the sound of her heartbeat was going to give away her position as it rang like thunder in her ears, but she did not move. The moonlight caught Bo's face. She looked beautiful of course, but drawn, tired and sad. Dyson was right she did not look like she was feeding as she should. There was a chirp like bark and Bo looked down and smiled. Walking back through the doors, she left them open and turned leaving the room as she shut off the lights.
Lauren shuffled to another branch and stilled as the back door opened and Bo came out into the back yard. The enfield ran to greet her and Lauren had to bite her lip not to laugh as Bo set about playing with the thing as if it were a puppy. Lauren thought of dropping into the backyard but with the way all the buildings had been charmed she decided against it. Bo tired quickly with the activity and took a seat and wrapped her shoulders in the thick cloth. The enfield curled at her feet. The garden had been cleared of anything but grass leaving it looking like a prison yard. Large plots that might have been full of flowers had been emptied, but even in the plain space Bo seemed to be relaxing. Lauren thought that the setting left no places for anyone to hide. Perhaps Dyson's attempt to grab Bo had spurred the plant removal.
"Daughter," rolled that thick voice that Lauren had heard at Dyson's place. Bo flinched at the sound. Lauren watched with concern as Bo sat up quickly and fixed her hair and straightened her clothing after removing the wrap. A handsome older man walked out into the yard, and an environment of arrogance followed him. He was the masculine version of Bo and Lauren almost yelled out loud as Bo curtsied to the man. "What on earth are you doing out of the house my dear." he said, his voice so deep and seductive you could eat it with a spoon. Lauren shook her head to clear it. To hear the words with normal hearing they sounded like the sentiments of a loving father. Lauren's feline ears picked up something else moving within the words the man spoke. A drifting second message, "You are weak, you are dying." Lauren watched as words struck home. Bo's head dropped just slightly.
"You slimy bastard," She growled to herself. The magic lacing his words hit her nose and itched something terrible. The man was using some twisted power to beat Bo down mentally. Lauren raged inside at the realization that Bo had been abused like this for up to two years.
Bo smiled, "Dad…I mean Father… I just was playing with Enfield and needed some fresh…." she was interrupted. The man did not like the fact that Bo had tried to response in her defense. It was subtle but Lauren heart sang as she saw that Bo had in just a small way defied the Wanderer.
Shaking his head in disappointment, Bo visible shrank from his expression, "The enfield is not a dog, I have told you this over and over. A woman of your stature should not behave as such." This time the secondary words where even harsher, "you are no better than a beast yourself and should behave as I tell you too." He made a tsking sound that brought a snarl to Lauren's lips as she listened to the man continue, "It is not safe for you my Bo; my people tell me your life is in danger. You must stay in the house until you can be accompanied by someone. I took me so long to find you and I will not lose you again my dear." The hidden message, "you are a monster that has to be watched, you have no friends or family that care about you. I own you." Lauren tasted blood as he was grinding her teeth so hard together. The Wanderer watched as the woman in front of him dropped her head low in shame. He smiled a heartless grin. "You don't want to miss the La Shoshain ball do you?" he said in a normal voice. Secure that he had his daughter thoroughly under his control.
"I can go?" said Bo with the eagerness of a teenager.
"Why yes my daughter the Morrigan has insisted at my presence but I would like you to come too. A celebration of your decision to align with the dark fae." said the man. Lauren watched as he draped a hand over Bo's shoulder and directed her back into the house. The hand on Bo's back was emitting black smoke and Lauren could see the blue chi drifting from Bo's body. "But you must follow my rules. I am the one you can depend on. There is no one else looking out for you like your father." The secondary message rang very clearly, "I will kill anyone who takes you from my side." The man oozed a confidence that disgusted Lauren, she would be happy when the time came to claw the smug look right off his face.
"Yes Father." said Bo in a whisper of a voice. The Enfield led the way as the Bo and her father entered the house. After the door shut Lauren mind was in a whirlwind. Looking around for anything, she scanned the fence. There on the ground was what looked like the clippings of the garden. Whoever had cleared the yard just tossed the unwanted material over the fence. Scampering to the ground Lauren ran her hand through the discarded clippings to find some flowers from the cleared beds that had seen better days. Grabbing as many as she could find she ran to the tree. Climbing fast she moved to where the limbs had been trimmed.
She shifted form and then placed her hand on the tree trunk. She willed energy into the tree and the severed limbs sprouted anew. Gathering her clippings in her hand, Lauren placed her back against the tree she pulled more energy into herself and to the bundle she held. Within moments she had a handful of beautiful flowers, she shifted form again and moved as far out on the limb as she dared. She wanted so badly to make that leap and take Bo away from all of this but she didn't dare. The man had too much control right now, she would have to wait. Instead she tossed the flowers to the balcony and retreated. It was a rash and silly thing, but Lauren had to do something. She needed Bo to feel something beyond her father's influence.
Climbing down the tree, Lauren stood in the shadows and waited. The light came on and Bo moved through the room to shut the doors to the balcony. Lauren watched as Bo paused looking around as she reached the opening and noticed the flowers. For a moment Lauren through she might call for help, but then she saw the smile. Bo move around the small space and picked up every pretty bloom. Setting them on her small table, she picked up a red rose last and breathed in its wonderful scent. The succubus stilled and held the rose close to her nose again. If Lauren had not been looking for it she would have missed it but Bo's eyes flashed blue for just a moment. A small smile touched Bo's lips as she looked out into the darkness there were was the shine of tears in her eyes.
Lauren was on the move as she had seen what she need to. She had a plan in mind but needed to think it through. Bo was still fighting with what she had left but they had to get her away from this bastard soon. As Lauren ran away her big cat's scream pierced the night in warning. She would be taking back what was hers.