A/N~ Ok so T rating definitely for language and a little warning for the faint of heart. There will be torture and nonconsensual sexual situations in the next chapter. Very T-rated and hopefully not so far as to be M rated. You have been warned faithful readers. Take it seriously! Please review. ~A

Two Confrontations with Two Evil Women

Without waiting for them to answer Aife added, "And really Bo dear passing on bad habits to your grandfather. Involving humans in fae affairs?" She said studying her fingernails nonchalantly, "Really father." she said disdainfully, indicating the humans in the room, "What is the world coming to these days? Playing with our food, such a lack of manners."

Trick had the familiar look of guilt on his face when facing the daughter he supposedly betrayed but Bo took his arm and after smiling affectionately at his granddaughter. The Blood King glared at the his daughter. "Aife, you may feel you have a genuine grievance with me, and I'll grant that you do. It was war though, thousands were dying and tens of thousands more were going to die if we didn't do something."

"So you sacrificed me in exchange for the lives of a few thousand light and dark fae we didn't even know?" she spat venomously, "How is that supposed to make me feel? That my father cares more about everyone and everything else but me, his own daughter."

When Trick still couldn't face her, she went on with her vitriol, "Well I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that you seem to get along with your granddaughter and the riffraff she call friends."

She then turned to Dyson and said, "And you my dear wolf, I'm surprised at you. The last time we met it was rather obvious from your attitude that while you enjoyed my daughter as a sex partner and had some feelings for her. As well that you could have done without her habit of hanging around filthy humans and now you've taken one of them as a mate, if those claim marks are any indication.''

"Oh please," snapped Kenzi, "Don't pretend you don't know I'm not human anymore and don't pretend we don't know exactly why you're here."

"You think you have me figured out little girl?" Aife said sharply turning in Dyson's hold to face her more directly. "You and my daughter still haven't figured out yet that monogamy just isn't in the stars for the fae."

"On the contrary Aife in your case I think its more a matter of loyalty that you have a problem with," Dyson rumbled from behind her.

"Yeah and I have no problem with monogamy, I just happen to be staying faithful to two people. That makes me doubly monogamous." Bo snarled at her mother. both fae women were startled when spastic noises came out of the distorted voice box of the Iron Man.

The red and gold suited flying man after several seconds lifted his hand and waved their attention away as he said, "Never mind, I'll explain later."

"You took control of Hale in the hopes he would get close to Bo and you'd be able to take her under your influence. Which you did for about a hot second.

You were hoping she would be able to bring me to you and then you'd gain the Shifters through me and easily overthrow the Morrigan, and you'd be Queen of all the fae. Which is what you wanted all along anyway, isn't it Aife?"

"It's what I deserve after all I've been through. I deserve that and more," the succubus replied arrogantly. "I deserve everything."

"Everything, huh? Is that what Arachne and her little friends were up to? Bringing you everything else?" the Elder asked thoughtfully.

The blank expression on Aife's face gave them all the answer they needed, "She wasn't behind the robberies then," Barton said from the corner, where he was fiddling with his bow.

Kenzi started to answer him when Aife piped up, "There you are pet, come back for more," The older fae woman asked as she tried to get Dyson to let her turn more so she could face the Archer.

Dyson wasn't but apparently the Archer wanted to face her and came to stand in front of her between she and the other occupants in the room. "I did tell you once that I might let you in on who the previous occupant was didn't I?" Clint reminded thoughtfully.

Aife shrugged nonchalantly, "You're lying even my daughter doesn't have that kind of manipulative power. There are only a handful of succubi left and I am the oldest and strongest."

The corner of his mouth quirked up and his eyes crinkled charmingly but the warmth of the smile never reached his eyes. "I never said it was a succubi, and trust me you're not that strong."

"NO, there is no one as strong as me, not even your pet Mesmer, daughter." Aife said, obviously having delusions of grandeur decided Kenzi.

The human archer only snorted suddenly appearing bored with the dark haired woman. As he walked back toward the corner he said over his shoulder, "I know a couple of gods who would disagree with you and one of them is standing right over there." He said waving a hand in the general direction of where Thor leaned against a wall.

XXXXXXXXX

Vex knew there was something wrong as soon as he entered the club. Normally at this time of the day, several of his employees would be taking deliveries, stocking the alcohol, cleaning and setting up for the evenings revelry.

While he saw a few of the crew at the bar they weren't doing anything, just sitting around. A flash of annoyance went through him, all of the employees he saw weren't new. They had been with him long enough to know what to do without his supervision, but they were doing nothing.

When they caught sight of him, the bartender a good looking werewolf named Sean, moved swiftly to intercept him. Glancing around nervously he told Vex, "She's upstairs waiting and doesn't seem to be in a good mood. Don't worry we got the Doc out the back, she's at her apartment. The Morrigan said we're not opening today, she wasn't happy that some of us stayed even after that to see what you said."

Touched by the bartenders loyalty and that his crew had seen to Laurens safety, the Mesmer nodded and said, "Thanks mate. You can head out, but leave a message with the Valkyrie at the cop shop tell her to pass on to her partner what's going on." Sean merely nodded and let out a whistle to let the others know, they were done for the day.

Vex drew a deep breath as the workers headed out past him. He braced himself mentally and headed upstairs to face the Morrigan. Two of her half troll bodyguards stopped him and frisked him. A totally useless exercise if he really wanted to harm Evony all he'd have to do would be take her mind and make her jump out of the heavily draped windows. True at a second floor level it was doubtful she would be killed but she could break a leg or something.

The thought was satisfying while he was being frisked, but he had managed to survive this long at the Morrigan's court by being careful, he wasn't going to be reckless now especially considering what he had to lose.

Didn't mean he couldn't and wouldn't have a little fun at the…Now what did Kenzi call her, he thought as he was basically shoved into his own apartment, he saw her sitting at the island, legs crossed dressed to the nines, complete with hat. Looking for all the world like a 40's femme fatale. Ah yes, a biddy.

"Evony, you're a little early," he said going and starting some water for herbal tea. "The bar doesn't open for a couple hours yet."

"Martini neat." The Morrigan demanded coldly, as though the Mesmer hadn't spoken.

"I don't keep alcohol up here, except for a bottle of scotch I keep for special occasions." he said not bothering to turn around as he pulled down the large tin they kept the selection of tea bags in. He had noticed the bracelet she was wearing the minute he spotted her. A bracelet magicked to protect her from his power. So much for the window idea. Shame really otherwise he would have had her barking like the bitch she was by now. "I am making some herbal tea if you'd care to join me"

"Have your wolf bartender make one and bring it up then." the brunette said sharply,

"He's gone home Evony at your request I believe." Vex replied easily.

"My command you mean and I happen to know he refused without your approval," the dark fae leader said waspishly.

"Which I gave before I came up, besides we're not set up to serve. You interrupted my staff before they could get the stock out for the evening. So either way no martinis, cosmos or whatever." said the cheerful British tones as he chose Mountain Jasmine from the collection. "I do have coffee or Earl Grey if you need something with a little caffeine, otherwise there's still the scotch."

"You forget your place, Mesmer. Your people are too willful by far and you kept me waiting." she said.

"I was never informed you were coming," Vex said with a hint of amusement as he put the tea bag into a mug he pulled from the cabinet. "So if you were waiting for any length of time I would say that was your fault. Not that I don't know for a fact as efficient as your staff are they forgot to inform me. Perish the thought. I'm quite sure you used the time efficiently Evony."

"What is that supposed to mean?" the dark fae leader asked suspiciously.

"Please, as if when I go into my room I'm not going to find your rather heavy dose of perfume wafting through the air. I won't find my things misplaced just slightly?" he asked as he leaned against the counter, waiting for the water to boil.

Without actually answering the questions, the Morrigan gave him a smile that he was sure was supposed to be friendly and seductive. Instead it just reminded him of a friendly and seductive crocodile. She said in a pouty tone, "Why didn't you tell me you had taken a new lover? You haven't had a new paramour in ages. It was a shock. You can understand my curiosity of course. We used to share so much, now I had to find out on my own about this new love. Why?"

The kettle let out a shrill whistle just then and Vex turned to pour the hot water into the cup using the saucer over the top to let it steep, as he let his thoughts steep. Turning back to lean against the counter the Mesmer gave a grin that was just as cold and scary as the Morrigan's as he explained, "I'd say it has absolutely everything to do with the fact the last person you met that I cared about you killed them slowly, in front of me."

"Darling, you have to understand, I protect what's mine. She was no good for you. A gold digger if ever I saw one." the Morrigan said soothingly.

"Evony she was from one of the richest dark fae families there are and worth about ten times what I make. You also made sure that her father thought I was responsible for her death." Vex reminded coldly.

"Well I couldn't very well have one of my wealthiest supporters thinking I was responsible for his daughters death, now could I?" Evony simpered at the Mesmer.

"Not really caring here Evony, in case your ego has failed to notice." he said turning away from her to retrieve his cup of tea. "Now why are you really here?"

Her eyes narrowed, the Morrigan replied, "I haven't seen you at court lately. You know that's not a good idea if you want to stay in good standing with the Dark Fae Council."

"Not a problem, Evony." Vex replied before taking a sip of tea. "I have been in contact with all of the members of the Council over the past several days." The "without your presence or influence being required" went without saying.

A vindictive glint entered the dark faes eyes as she asked, "I see, and was anything interesting discussed?"

He shrugged his shoulder lightly as he took another sip of the hot beverage and then said, "Nothing that hasn't been discussed before." He set the cup down on the counter and crossed his arms beside him.

"Does it really matter? You've never really concerned yourself with what the council says, prefers or cares about before." He knew he may have pushed too far with that last statement, but he didn't want the Morrigan to know the truth. That he was actually considering the Councils offer to make him the new Morrigan.

"Really darling," the Morrigan said with a charm that never reached her eyes, "Why are you being so recalcitrant? It's not as if I won't find out in the end."

At the words Vex felt a cold chill go down his spine but refused to let the fear show on his face as he finished off the cup of cooling tea. He also didn't reply to her thinly veiled threat.

"Very well you know how much I enjoy doing things the hard way. Your presence is demanded at the dark fae court this afternoon at three pm.

Dress appropriately for a visit to my chambers Mesmer." Evony said with a flick of her hair before she left the apartment without looking back.

Vex deflated as soon as the door fell closed behind the dark fae leader. She would no doubt be wearing the bracelet that prevented him from using his talent on her. He felt the gorge rise in his throat before forcing himself to calm and head to his office.

He used the special key to unlock the door, the room was spelled so that anyone not using the key would just see an ordinary linen closet. He went to his desk and did a couple of hours worth of correspondence. One was to go to his barrister and the others were to go to the members of the Council explaining what was about to happen and that if he survived he would accept the offer. If he wasn't he offered his request of a successor to go in his place. These were sent off by pixie post, they might be flighty at times but they were fast.

The next letter was for Bo and Lauren, explaining what had happened and would be happening this afternoon. To deny the Morrigan in this matter meant she would hunt down everyone he knew and cared about and kill them, just like before. He also explained the offer from the Council and that he was listing Bo as his successor to take over after Evony was deposed.

He knew she would resist the position but he explained it would be to everyone's advantage; Human, shifter or fae. He also included words of love, reassurances they would be taken care of if something happened to him, more words of love which he could have continued until it was time for him to leave. He left that letter on the counter in the kitchen so it would be the first thing they saw when they came home.

Last was a short note to Kenzi. He didn't tell her what was going on. Merely to express his appreciation and affection for her and her friendship. And a wish for her to take care of Bo and Lauren for him. The short missive was also sent by pixie post.

Home, yes the two women in his life had made this apartment a home. Before he hadn't had one to speak of. This apartment was just a very convenient place to rest his head when he wasn't at court or working. Now he was reluctant to leave the comfort and security of this place he had shared with the pair of women he loved.

Noting the time he headed back into the bedroom that sure enough reeked of Evony's cloying perfume and pulled loose and easily removable clothing and pulled it over his lean muscled frame.

He walked into the bathroom and pulled a small vial out of the medicine cabinet and downed the small vial of golden liquid. It wouldn't save him from the pain of what Evony had planned but it might save his life. If she was at least rational enough to stop before literally beating him to death or dismembering his body. Knowing the Morrigan as he did though, he wasn't sure she would.

He was determined though not to give the dark fae leader the satisfaction of seeing fear in his eyes. Vex decided he would be the fae his women knew him to be and he walked out the door for his appointment with the Morrigan with his head held high and his expression stoic.

A/N/N~ I know pixie post sounds like something more suited to Harry Potter than Lost Girl but it just popped in my head and wouldn't let go. So there you are, "Pixie Post when it absolutely, positively has to be there yesterday." ~A