Taft's Compound.
Bo rounded the corner and walked into Taft's office. She walked a few more feet before she nearly collapsed on the floor. This was the last place she'd seen Lauren when the doctor still remembered her. She had heard Bo say she was there to get Dyson. Even though Bo had just told Tamsin she felt that Lauren was there too. She walked over and stood next to Taft's desk. The same spot where Lauren stood talking to Bo. Telling her how the Fae had destroyed her life. Telling her that she knew Bo didn't love her, because she loved Dyson too. How did Lauren come to that conclusion? Who put that bullshit in her head?
Bo ran her fingers over the corner of the desk. What had she missed? Did Lauren create a memory wiping drug when she was saving Dyson's life too? Did she save him for Bo so the Succubus would have her choice back? Did Lauren really think she wasn't Bo's choice? That she didn't love her at all? She had told her so in that very office, but Lauren hadn't believed it. She walked out to save Bo's lover, knowing she was just a notch in Bo's bed. Bo never carved notches in her bed. Never needed to because she had never truly fallen in love again until she fell in her bed with Lauren.
"How could you do this Lauren!? How could you make yourself forget me?! Why?! Bo screamed and finally collapsed on the floor in tears. She curled up and sobbed.
"How is this going to help you or Lauren? Aife asked as she entered the room.
"Did you find anything? Bo asked.
"I'm here for moral support. You are going to have to work for her." Aife replied.
"Mom please". Bo said sitting up and wiping her tears away.
"Get up off of your ass and think. You have to or must know something. A clue? Something she told you? Aife pulled Bo up and she shook her head no. She didn't know anything. Her memories are still sketchy, and there is nothing coming to mind about Lauren and the last time they were there.
"You left me here too. Had you not, your dog wouldn't have needed to find me, and I probably could have saved your doctor, since we were both here. You left us both. Am I bitter? You are damn right, but you need to make it up to her. Taft would have killed her. That's your biggest problem. You have trusted the wrong people to save Lauren. Name one Fae that would give a damn if she lived or died? Now she's out there in love with another woman because her last woman couldn't have cared less whether she lived or died. Isn't that what you told Tamsin in the operating room? You know he had intercoms all over the place. Everything you said could have been heard by her. So, you chose the Valkyrie over her too". Aife snapped.
Bo squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head. She never thought of the intercoms. She never thought Lauren could have been in a closet hiding until she knew Taft was gone. She never thought Dyson would have left Lauren unprotected too. But who could he have left her with? There were dangerous humans there. They could have easily killed her and fled.
Bo has so many problems. Lauren's in a relationship. Lauren is brilliant enough to wipe her mind completely free of Bo.
"Well? Aife pulled Bo from her daydream.
"I need to see Trick". Bo said softly.
"What? Why? He is only going to lie to you". Aife laughed.
"He might know where this Rainer is. If he can see the future, he probably saw what Lauren did and why. Before she ever did it". Bo said as she pulled her jacket closer to her body.
"You don't need Trick for that. There are ways to get to Rainer without involving your grandfather". Aife replied.
"How? Bo asked.
"Well we are going to have to kill some very powerful Fae and scare the hell out of the other one". Aife smiled at the thought.
"Who? Bo asked.
"We need to make sure your Succubus is game for this. We cannot make mistakes or have any self-doubts with these bastards". Aife stared hard at Bo.
"Name them". The Succubus flashed her blue eyes. Bo took over again once she spoke.
"The Una Mens and a man named Hugin. He's a minion of Rainer's. The Una Mens are every Fae they've killed. They have powers beyond mine. But not yours. You have to be all balls to the wall Isabeau. They will drain you once you try to suck their chi. Not even a Koushang would stop them". Aife explained.
"Fine. Then lead me to them". Bo said coldly.
"We'll get the Una Mens first. There is something we need from them before we get Hugin to take us to Rainer". Aife explained.
"You coming or what? Bo asked as she rushed past Aife. She didn't care where these people were. She didn't care who they are. She'd do anything to get Lauren to remember her. To remember them.
Sometime later they arrived at an old looking building.
"Is this it? Bo asked as she looked around.
"This is their lair. I suggest breathing a lot when you go in. It's stuffy as hell in there". Aife laughed.
"How did you know where they are? Bo asked as they walked towards the building.
"You always need to know where your enemies are." Aife said seriously.
Bo nodded and they opened the rickety old doors.
"You have not been summoned here". A cold voice greeted them.
"I go where the fuck I want to go. You know this Arabella". Aife laughed.
"That crazy Succubus is not welcome here". The woman said.
"Can we get to business? Bo asked.
"Of course". Aife turned serious.
"We have no business with lazy Succubi". Arabella said.
"I'm not lazy". Bo scoffed.
"We don't have time for this like my daughter said, and you must die". Aife said coldly. "But first". She spoke again as she threw a seed into the nearest fireplace.
"What the hell was that? Bo asked.
"It will help in the plan later". Aife tapped Bo's back.
"That better not had been what I think it was". Arabella seethed.
"Arabella. You know me better than that. I always come prepared". Aife said coldly.
"Then why haven't you addressed me as the Keeper yet!? The woman snapped.
"I don't do nicknames. Now, give us what we want, and you might live". Aife stepped towards the woman.
"What do you want? The Keeper snapped.
"Rainer's powers". Aife replied.
"What? He doesn't have them? Bo asked in confusion.
Aife lifted her hand and Bo stood down.
"You are as crazy as your reputation. There is no way you will get those. He's where he deserves to be. You know how he got there too". The Keeper said coldly.
"This bitch has no emotions does she? Bo asked.
"They can't feel emotions. That's what makes them violent and coldblooded killers." Aife answered.
"You make take your leave. We will never give those to you". The Keeper said. Bo and Aife felt people behind them. Aife nudged Bo.
The Succubus flashed her blue eyes and her body looked like it was on fire as she began sucking their chi. The Keeper struggled to overpower her, and soon dropped to her knees.
"Keep going Isabeau! Aife screamed encouragingly.
Bo's face lit up with glee. She was draining those bastards and it was getting her one step closer to helping Lauren. She stopped when the rest of them dropped.
"You stupid fools. You will regret this". The Keeper gasped.
"Tell me where his powers are". Aife said coldly pulsing the woman.
The Keeper pulled a card from her pocket. Aife took it and slit her throat.
"Now for Hugin". Aife laughed as she hurried Bo out of the lair.
"How are we going to find him? Bo asked.
"With this". Aife held up a bottle of black looking smoke.
"What the hell is that? Bo asked.
"The only way to find the crows". Aife replied as they pulled off and drove to an open field.
Bo watched her mother bust the bottle open and the smoke flowed out of it.
"Well where is he? Bo asked.
"Right there". Aife laughed as a man appeared out of nowhere.
"Well aren't you a pretty little thing". The man smiled at Bo.
"Aren't you a dead bastard". Aife laughed from behind him.
"Aife?! No, it can't be! The man snapped.
"In the flesh. Now take us to see Rainer or else". Aife stepped towards.
"Are you crazy? He won't want to see you". Hugin moved backwards.
"Take us Hugin. Now". Bo said coldly.
"I can only take one at a time". Hugin cringed at the blue-eyed women stalking him. Aife he was used to, but Bo was something else.
"Bullshit. He can take the both of us. Besides Rainer and I are old friends". Aife laughed.
"Take us. Now". Bo pulsed him with Aife's distraction.
"Very well. Hold on". Hugin touched them and the three disappeared into smoke.
"Hurry up and find that bastard before I get train sick". Aife coughed and laughed.
"My lord. The Succubus is here". Hugin said. He braced himself as the train shook violently.
Aife grabbed on to something and walked through the train. She entered a room and found a man welding.
"Hello Rainer. That shit won't work on me". Aife laughed from behind him.
"Aife?! Rainer stood and turned around slowly.
"Plus one". Bo entered behind her mother.
"Bo! Rainer smiled as he walked over to her.
"Do I know you? Bo pushed back.
"You just left me recently. I told you that you wouldn't remember me, and I see that I was right". Rainer smiled.
"You did this?! Bo snapped as Aife laughed.
"Did what? I have been on this train for centuries". Rainer said sadly.
"Fuck it". Aife threw the card at the man and laughed as his powers vanished inside of him.
"Aife? Isabeau? This cannot be? What are you doing here? Rainer asked.
"Cut the bullshit and answer her questions". Aife pulled Bo in front of her.
"How did Lauren forget me? Bo asked.
Rainer backed away. "I will not answer that".
"Oh, but your candyass will. I let you live for lying to me about my mother". Aife snapped as her eyes flashed blue.
"My grandmother? Bo snapped too.
"He lied to me. Told me the Queen wasn't dead. Then I found her dead body in a warehouse Rainer owned. So, I paid him back. I found proof that Rainer killed her, and it landed in the Blood King's lap. Literally. So, he cursed him to his train for disobeying the blood laws that no Fae would touch his Queen". Aife explained.
"Tell me about Lauren". Bo seethed. She would get her vengeance later.
"Tell her! Aife snapped as she grabbed him by his neck.
"We did it. We wiped Lauren's memories of you because you chose to forget Lauren first". Rainer explained.
"What? I would never want to forget Lauren! Bo screamed.
"But you did. When we were laying in the bed, you only asked about Kenzi and Dyson. You didn't remember her, at all. So, I adjusted the compass so that when Kenzi and Dyson remembered, Lauren wouldn't. She would remember you, long enough to forget you. Lauren was never going to be a part of your life after you rescue me from the train. You and I are going to unite for the good of the Fae. There was no room or time for you to have another lover. Dyson was going to be your foot soldier, and Kenzi was going to leave the Fae. Lauren would have been in our way.". Rainer explained.
Aife saw Bo's devastation and stepped up to Rainer and took him out. He was too focused on the young Succubus to stop the older Succubus from twisting a knife in his neck.
"Mom…I can't be here". Bo panted through tears.
"We're leaving sweetie". Aife pulsed Hugin and forced him to return them to Toronto.
The old Succubus disposed of Hugin as soon as they landed on the ground.
"Evony. She lied to us! Bo sobbed.
"Then let's go see her". Aife threw Bo in her car and sped off for the Dark Fae compound.
"Evony! Get your ass down here. Don't make me come for you! Bo screamed.
"What the hell is wrong with this stupid ass Succubus!? Evony screamed as she marched into the foyer.
"You lied to me! You said Lauren made herself forget me! Bo screamed.
"No. I told you the truth. She made herself forget. I saw her inject herself with my own eyes. Would you like to know when she did it? Evony asked.
"Spit it out! Aife screamed.
"Gladly. You see I tried to kidnap Lauren to use her as bait to force Bo to join the Dark. But Bo and Dyson changed the plan for me. It was more delicious than I even planned! Evony laughed.
"Tell us! Bo snapped.
"When Lauren was walking on the side of the road, Crystal picked her up. While my goon was trying to knock the Doctor out, she overpowered him. After she saw you and Dyson drive right past her, she became more….obedient. She had remembered you long enough to see firsthand that you have forgotten her. Once she told me she had a drug to make herself forget all about you, I gave up my plans on keeping her. She injected herself. Once my Dark Fae doctors convinced me that she had forgotten you, she left the diner with Crystal. Never to be seen in the Fae world again. On her own free will. So, you see you forgot her on the side of the road, and she made herself forget you. It's too delicious for words. She will never remember you. Nor will she wish to, the more you invade her life. She's better off without you". Evony laughed hysterically.
A cold feeling came over Bo. She remembered seeing a car. She remembered asking Dyson if they should stop. But the truth is, she hadn't remembered Lauren yet. It wasn't until they returned to the Dal that she remembered the Doctor and Trick. Aife lunged at Evony and pulsed her to repeat what she had just said and the Morrigan repeated it word for word.
"She's right. For once the Morrigan is telling the truth. We did drive by a stranded car. I didn't remember Lauren yet. She must have noticed me and Dyson and gave up because I did too". Bo shivered in her clothes.
"Be smart for once and let her go. She's clearly happy without you. Before you try to bust Crystal's balls about this, she was only an innocent bystander. She didn't con Lauren because you changed the plan". Evony laughed again.
"Let's go". Aife pulled Bo out of the building.
Bo climbed into the back seat. She curled up and cried with goosebumps all over her.
"I forgot Lauren and she never wanted to remember me again". Bo sobbed.
"To be fair Isabeau, when you left her at Taft's, you forgot her or didn't care to remember her". Aife said.
"Thanks Mom. That's helpful". Bo seethed.
"You made these mistakes on your own. You screwed around on a train and forgot who your heart belonged to. Did she really hurt you bad enough to make you want to forget her? Aife asked.
"To be fair mom, the last time I saw Lauren at Taft's she told me she wasn't in love with me anymore. How was I to know she lied about that? I thought she had gotten safely out of there and I would find her later". Bo said sadly.
Bo sat up in the seat and stared out the window. "Take me to the Dal".
Aife sped to the old building and Bo didn't wait for her to cut the engine before she jumped out.
When the Succubus entered the building, the crowd fell deathly silent. Her skin was flashing red and her eyes were blue. Once she found spotted who she was looking for, the crowd split in two and she walked in the middle of them.
"Did you lie to me about Lauren? Bo grabbed Dyson from behind and bent the wolf over backwards.
"Bo? What the hell? Kenzi asked.
"Answer me wolf". The Succubus voice cracked with power.
"I can't answer you if you are choking me Bo". Dyson choked out.
"Bo! Let him go! Trick screamed from behind the bar.
"I'll come for you next Blood King". The Succubus snapped.
"But Bo, Dyson can't answer you like that". Kenzi pleaded.
Bo screamed and drop the gasping shifter to the floor. Dyson stood up grabbing his throat.
"Answer me! Bo slapped him across the face. Trick's customers ran out at the sound of it.
"I didn't tell you that she called and asked if she could come home. I told her she was smart and resourceful enough to stay on the run". Dyson replied.
"Did you smell her on the side of the road that day? Bo moved closer to Dyson and he moved away from her.
"I did. But she still needed to be on the run. You didn't remember her yet. So how were you going to protect her? Dyson asked.
"You have two seconds to get the hell out of here". Bo's eyes flashed blue.
Dyson growled at the Succubus threat, shifted and ran out the back doors.
"Bo! You can't storm in here running my customers and friends off". Trick raged.
"I just killed the Una Mens. There is no law around here by mine. Stay here if you want, but I wouldn't recommend it". Bo threw a bottle at Trick and walked out.
"What? She didn't!? Trick screamed.
Aife smiled and threw a box at Trick.
"Aife what have you done? Trick scoffed.
"The Una Mens are dead. I just made it so that only Isabeau rules Toronto, alone. Like my mother was robbed of doing". Aife laughed as she moved closer and closer to Trick. Once Trick looked like he would shit himself, the Succubus turned to leave. She is going to have a lot of fun and amusement watching Bo turn Toronto on its ass.
Trick scurried over to lock the doors. He immediately ran for his phone and summoned someone to find Lauren and bring her to Trick immediately. Without any stops or hints where or who she is being taken to.
TBC.