The night consisted of Bo and Kenzi gorging themselves in piles of candy and ice cream. The succubus confided in her human friend about who she had seen earlier in the night, Kenzi had been gentle towards the matter and gave all the best advice to her friend that she thought of. But when it came to it, she had also put it down to everything accumulating over the past several months – like Bo's mind was just playing some sort of prank on her. Bo had accepted that as an excuse for now, wanting to forget about her moment of insanity.
Right now she was sat at the bar in the Dal. It was the morning after the night before, and Bo had been called by Dyson to meet him. However, he had yet to show up. Bo leant on the bar, her cheek pressing on her hand. Her fingers made a rhythmic tapping on the wooden surface as she waited for the wolf impatiently. The Dal was quiet, and Bo had put it down to the time in the morning. Right now there was just her, Trick, Kenzi and a couple of other Fae playing pool that she had seen a couple of times before. Kenzi, who was sat next to Bo and pouring what seemed to be her third shot of vodka, groaned loudly.
"Oh, jeez." She rolled her eyes and looked at Bo. "When is he going to show up? Seriously! Come on, D-Man!"
Bo sighed. She too was agitated, but chose to force a chuckle out. "I'm sure he'll be here soon." She watched Kenzi down the shot. "I wonder what he even needs us for…"
Trick was behind the bar, cleaning as usual and also as usual overheard his granddaughter's conversation. "He mentioned a case last night, something he needed your help with." He shifted closer to the two women, as he had been positioned a bit further down the bar. "I told him not to call you last night, it was quite late."
Bo sighed, lifted her head from her hand and folded her arms. "Perfect." She smiled, some complicated Fae case would easily be able to distract her from her own thoughts. Bo looked down, trying to keep thoughts of Tamsin at bay. What if she wasn't insane? What if she had some sort of twin sister? "Trick?" Bo looked up, and her smile had faded. She had that inquisitive and concerned look in her eyes that Trick knew all too well. "Is there any way a Valkyrie…" Bo trailed off, not sure if she really wanted to ask. Kenzi's eyes widened slightly, already knowing what the succubus was going to ask. But Bo needed to know for sure that it was just her being crazy. Then she could talk to Dyson about this case and forget all about it. "Is there any way that a Valkyrie could come back to life?"
Trick blinked, and looked up. He knew that the question had probably come from Bo's mourning of the Valkyrie. "Bo…" He looked back at Bo, "Tamsin." He shook his head. "She's gone."
Bo frowned and shook her head. "I just need to know, Trick."
The Blood King sighed and leaned on the bar, his hands spread. He stared at the wood beneath his hands as his thoughts flew through his mind, as if someone were flicking pages of a book in his head. "The Valkyrie are an ancient race, Bo." He raised his arms and stood up, his gaze turning back to her. "Secretive too, all of their teachings are held by their own people." Shaking his head, he gave another sigh. "The only thing I know about Valkyrie life or death is that they have many lifecycles." He folded his arms "But to begin a new lifecycle could mean a sacrifice, or a ritual, or-"
"The blood of a virgin?" Kenzi interjected, jokingly. Bo smiled but dismissed her quickly, listening intently to what her grandfather had to say.
"I was going to say 'or anything'." Trick rolled his eyes at the human, she seemed to believe all things Fae meant virgin blood. "Honestly Bo. I doubt it's really possible, given the way she was in. Tamsin was the first Valkyrie I've met in over a thousand years." He looked at Bo apologetically.
Bo frowned and looked down "But she disappeared, right?" Trick frowned at her grasping at loose ends. "But she did!" Bo looked up and smiled "So, she could have been reborn, right?"
Trick sighed and shook his head "Bo..." Bo's smile faded as she saw the look on her friend's and her grandfather's face. "It's been over 10 months now…" He touched her arm, as if to offer comfort. "She's gone." A silence descended on the Dal as Bo moved her arm out from under his touch, and stared at him with a hurt expression.
Breaking the silence, the doors to the Dal opened. Expecting it to be Dyson, the three all looked on expectedly. Two figures however, came through the door. Both wore black suits with a white shirt and a red tie. Bo arched an eyebrow and turned on her chair. The two men that had entered walked next to both her and Kenzi.
"You are expected to meet with The Morrigan, immediately." One of them spoke monotonously, obviously bored by the task he was given by his mistress. Kenzi immediately let out a huff and poured herself another shot. Bo gave an unimpressed laugh.
"Yeah, right." Bo shook her head, her long pony tail flicking from side to side. "I don't think so. Evony tried to kill my friend and condemn the humans" Bo turned back to the bar. "So you can tell The Morrigan that I most certainly will not meet with her. Immediately or otherwise." Kenzi raised her glass and downed the liquid.
"The Morrigan knew you would say that." The other man spoke now, however he too had the same unimpressed tone. The two were similar however the Dark Fae speaking now was a brunette. The other had pitch black hair. Both had the same, short buzz cut, as if they were in the army. "She would like to remind you that you are unaligned." He gestured towards Trick "Continued partnership with the Light Fae would give the wrong impression." He shrugged, the first time making a gesture since entering the bar. "People would start thinking you were Light."
Trick balled his hands into fists and grunted. "My granddaughter has chosen to be unaligned. By simply helping Fae it does not mean she favours a side." He defended.
But he was right, the majority of Bo's journey had been helping the Light with tasks and politics. She had helped the Dark on just a few occasions, and each turned out sour or had been led by false information to trick Bo into helping an unjust cause.
"I'm sorry, but I'm meeting a friend of mine for an important case."
The black haired male sighed, the meeting with the succubus boring him even more so. "Your case can wait. The Morrigan's meeting is urgent. She has something that may benefit both parties, if you'd be willing."
Kenzi rolled her eyes, but almost choked when she saw Bo's expression. "Bo, you aren't considering…"
Bo knew that The Morrigan was up to something. She wouldn't offer something that would benefit Bo unless it worked into The Morrigan's favour tenfold. Seeing as though Dyson had been taking his time, and the meeting at the Dal already leaving a bitter taste in her mouth – maybe a meet with The Morrigan could bide her time. "What does she have that could benefit me?" Bo ignored Kenzi, and addressed the henchman directly.
He shook his head, "I do not know, but The Morrigan will explain all if you come with us now."
"Bo-Bo" Kenzi turned her body so she faced her friend directly. She held her hands out to the Succubus' shoulders and shook her head. "No. We have to meet Dyson! Besides…" She leaned forward "That Morri-bitch is hella crazy!" She whispered, trying to shield her mouth from the henchmen so they couldn't lip read. Bo stood up, and moved Kenzi's hands off her shoulders. She held the human's hands in hers and smiled.
"If Dyson shows, just get the details of the case and I'll play catch up." Bo kissed her friend's cheek "I'm just going in and out, to see what this is all about. I'm not gonna promise her anything. I promise." Kenzi pouted and looked down, nodding.
Trick huffed, not believing himself that his granddaughter would go with them to meet the Dark's leader.
Without saying anything else, Bo followed the henchmen out of the Dal and into a limousine.
Tamsin leant with her right arm on the wall sized window of The Morrigan's office. She had her legs crossed and held a paper cup in one hand, swirling the water and watching the patterns. The Valkyrie wore an almost black-red tank top and tight jeans that hugged the contours of her legs. Her knee high boots concealed a blade on each leg, and she wore a dark silver leather jacket that was open, hanging loosely from her torso. Her bright hues stared outside at the traffic, watching the world go by. Absent-mindedly she tucked a couple locks of her hair behind her ear that had managed to fall free from her bun.
The Morrigan sat behind her at her large desk with her back to her. "It won't be long before Bo gets here." Evony had took to shuffling a few bits of paper around on her desk as if to organise them for Bo's arrival. "When she does, she might be shocked to see you here – just to warn you."
"Oh?" Tamsin scrunched her nose, but kept her gaze on the outside world. "And why would that be?"
The Morrigan chuckled, loving every moment of the Valkyrie's amnesia. She knew that this would hurt Bo, seeing as though she was unsuccessful with her plan with the humans, this would have to do. "She wouldn't expect me to have her working with anyone." She fabricated, "Bo is a very cautious person. I thought I would just advise you before you meet her that she could ask you more questions than a normal person would." The Morrigan turned in her chair, to face The Valkyrie's back. "Oh, and before she arrives…" Evony stood up and walked forward towards the blonde. "I need you to convince her to become Dark during your little errand."
Tamsin groaned, hearing the footsteps of the Dark leader had caused her to turn her head. "You told me to just recover goods and information. I don't care about what side she chooses."
Evony's eyes narrowed "Well I do. Get her to listen to you, talk to you." The woman laughed and turned back to her seat, slipping down into the regal leather chair but still facing Tamsin. "And if that fails? Cast your doubt on her."
Rolling her eyes, the blonde turned to face the older woman. "You know, I may be Dark?" Tamsin walked forward towards the desk, putting her plastic cup down. She stood opposite The Morrigan, the other side of her desk. Evony twirled her chair so she was always facing the blonde. "But I'm not your damn slave." Tamsin slammed her hands down on the desk and stared at her leader, as if she were challenging her.
The Morrigan raised an eyebrow and nodded in her bravery. "No, you're not." The older woman sighed and tilted her head. Satisfied with her answer, Tamsin smirked through pursed lips and folded her arms, sitting down in a chair that wasn't as fanciful as the woman's opposite her. Smiling, Evony reached down and opened a drawer attached to the table. She plucked out a card and placed it on the desk, pushing it towards Tamsin. The Valkyrie's eyes shot down at it, and her expression turned from smug to strained as she focused on the yellow card in front of her. Evony laughed. "But of course if you want to find out how this came into your possession and who it's aimed for, then I suggest you do exactly what I say."
The Valkyrie let out a deep sigh in frustration and looked away. "Fine." She growled through gritted teeth. The Morrigan took back the card and slipped it back into the drawer. Leaning back in her chair she smirked, knowing that she had won this round.
Their conversation was cut short by The Morrigan's henchmen opening the glass doors, allowing Bo's entrance. Evony rolled her eyes and waved them away, leaving Bo alone stood just in front of the entrance – a confused and serious look burning at The Morrigan. Evony flashed a glance at Tamsin, silently ordering her to hold her tongue.
The blonde didn't acknowledge the brief glare, she didn't care about who she had to work with. If she had to use her Fae powers on her then ultimately it would be for the best. Tamsin didn't bother to turn her head, and instead decided to keep her arms crossed.
The journey had been tiring for Bo. The Morrigan's agency was a while away from the Dal and the company wasn't exactly the best. The only reason she had accepted to see the Dark leader was to distract her from recent events. Dyson and his case would be a helping factor too, but seeing as though Evony got there quicker, why not do this first? When Bo had stepped through the doors, she was intending to demand to get answers from the leader. The last time she heard of her, the older woman went on a tyrannical bender.
But when she saw the blonde sat with her back to her, Bo's eyes widened. A lump formed at the bottom of her throat and she tried to swallow it down, but then realised her mouth was dry. She immediately knew who the blonde was, judging from the hairstyle. The Succubus' eyes shifted to The Morrigan, her lips parted to say something, but nothing came out.
Evony beamed, "Tamsin, this is Bo. Bo, Tamsin." She held out a hand to offer Bo a seat next to Tamsin. "Please, sit!" It looks like this Valkyrie-amnesia thing was working in her advantage already.
Without talking, Bo slowly made her way to a chair similar to the blonde's. She reached her hand out to the arm of the chair to steady herself and lowered herself into the seat. Bo's eyes slowly looked up to Tamsin, her heart racing at the sight. Was she a ghost? Was Bo hallucinating again? She brought herself to what Trick said about lifecycles, maybe that's what it was? Her head was spinning either way. Tamsin could feel the succubus' stare on her, and glanced at her out of the corner of her eyes. Blinking, she allowed her head to follow suit. She recognised her from the night before.
"Wow." Tamsin smirked, "You again." She pursed her lips and sighed, "Perfect."
The Morrigan started to get worried. How on earth had the two met since Tamsin's rebirth? She was sure to assign her every task in Dark territory, to make sure Bo wouldn't find her. Maybe she had found her in her down time? Hopefully they didn't have time to get to know one another. Before Bo could answer Tamsin, Evony spoke up. "So, Bo. I suppose you're wondering why you're here?" She cocked her head, "Well, what you both are doing here?"
Bo's attention turned to The Morrigan, confused and eyes still wide. Again, she didn't say a word. Neither did Tamsin.
"Well, a long time ago a very bad Fae took something from me." Evony leant back in her chair, crossed her legs and intertwined her fingers over her knee. "As you would expect, I wasn't best pleased. I would like the both of you to retrieve this item and bring it back to me: It's rightful owner."
Tamsin rolled her eyes. "Just get to the point."
Bo's eyes shifted to the side to glance at Tamsin, but then returned back to The Morrigan hoping the blonde hadn't caught her. She was in a state of shock.
Evony scowled, but continued. "The last known place that this artefact was, was in Light Fae territory, Alfheim."
"Alfheim? Really?" Tamsin scoffed. She had visited a place of the same name thousands of years ago. A land inhabited by Elves, Selkies and the odd Banshee. The place was standard Light territory at the time, woodland spread across the land, small wooden houses built in between trees, plenty of lakes, rivers and small settlements full of cheery residents. The last time she visited, however, she remembered it was during the war between the Light and Dark. She had been sent to collect the souls of fallen warriors. "What is it we'll be looking for?" She added.
The older woman sighed "Yes. I'm sure you could fill Bo in on the details during your trip." Frowning at the Valkyrie's lack of patience she continued. "The artefact in question is an amulet. In its centre it holds a rare ruby, mined by the elder Dark Elves. They named it Taurnagar." She pouted. "It was given to me as a gift, and I want it back."
After gathering her thoughts, Bo managed to swallow the lump in her throat. "I…" She stared at the Morrigan. Part of her wanted to snap out of it, to stand up and shake Tamsin. To scream in her face and beg her to act like the Tamsin she knew. But something was different about her. Tamsin didn't know her and only recognised her from the night before. Pulling her thoughts together she added, "Why should I do this? Why…" Evony grinned wickedly, knowing that Bo had lost her nerve.
"Well, because I have all the answers you need, Succubus. You do this for me and," She glanced Tamsin, who scowled back. Then, she looked back to Bo. "I'll tell you everything you need to know and how to get back whatever it is you've lost." Bo knew she was referring to Tamsin, and felt an anger rise up in her. Evony knew what had happened, she was probably working for Evony all this time. Her eyes flashed blue as anger crept on her face. Evony clicked her tongue and shook her head, scalding the Succubus. "Of course, you would have to play along to get what you want from me." Bo's eyes returned to normal obediently.
Tamsin rolled her eyes. Obviously the Morrigan had some sort of issue with Bo, something that she would take with her. The Succubus would have had to do something serious to piss her off, and Tamsin preferred to stay on even ground. "So where do we start looking?" Tamsin already knew what was in it for her. When she had first gained consciousness from her rebirth, she only had a few possessions on her including that tarot card. As soon as she laid her eyes on it, she knew The Wanderer had found her. She knew she must have found whoever it was she was looking for in her previous life for him to send her a signal. She needed to know who it was. She needed to stop this thing from following her every lifecycle.
"So what are we supposed to do? Just get to Alfheim and ask for this Tan-gar and some Elf will know what we're talking about?" Tamsin cocked her head sarcastically.
The older woman was becoming impatient with the Valkyrie. "Taurnagar." She corrected. "No, travel to Alfheim and speak with their keeper. She should know some information." Evony stood up, turned and walked towards the window. "You two should get going, the quicker you do, the quicker you each get your rewards."
Tamsin sighed and stood up, unfolding her arms and shrugging. "Fine, whatever." She looked to Bo. "You coming, Succubus?"
Bo looked up at the Valkyrie and stared into her eyes. Tamsin looked like the same hard ass she met way back when she was trying to get her locked up. They had been through so much together. Did Tamsin really not remember even five minutes of it all? Before Tamsin realised Bo was stalling, or over thinking – Bo nodded and got up.
Evony turned to watch the scene, and smiled whilst she watched Bo's actions. Satisfied, she turned back to watch the outside world. "Oh, and be quick would you?"
"Bitch." The Valkyrie murmured under her breath as she strode out of the office. Bo followed her close behind, and managed to catch it. A small smile crept on her lips. At least she could find solace in the fact that although Tamsin had forgotten her, she was still the same sarcastic Valkyrie. She hoped that she could get Tamsin to warm to her. Maybe if the Valkyrie was more familiar with her, Bo could get her to remember everything.
AN: Oh my gosh! Thank you for your kind comments, follows and favs! You guys are the best I'm glad you all like it so far!