Kenzi and Dyson
Kenzi didn't know what to do. Try and help? Sit down? Drink until she wouldn't remember the bullshit going on right now? Luckily for her, she was still claimed by Bo. So she wouldn't suffer the same fate as Lauren. Which is probably why she wasn't attacked to begin with. Tamsin? She didn't know what the hell was going on there.
She grabbed a few beers out of the cooler, and turned the TV on. Once she was settled on the couch, there was a knock at the door. Grabbing Geraldine, she slowly walked to the door.
"Kenz it's me". Dyson said hearing her short and slow steps.
"Sorry. I haven't seen Bo since she ran me out of the Dal". Kenzi said walking away from Dyson.
The wolf walked in, and looked towards the stairs.
"Wouldn't recommend it". Kenzi said throwing him a beer.
"I got nothing else. No other leads. I even went to the Light labs to see if Lauren had an extra lab coat there". Dyson said.
"Sit down, so we can put our heads together". Kenzi said patting the couch.
The Dal
Aife sat staring at Trick, trying not to laugh. His shit was finally out in the Fae open. Bo knows the truth, so that was going to take the shine off the shit, he'd been spoon feeding the young Succubus over the years.
She knows Megan and Vivian. But they all hate each other. If she honestly knew where they are, she'd tell Bo. But since she was still fresh out of Taft's compound, everyone thinks she's crazy. She needs to build her Fae cred back up first. That she could and would do. But now, her daughter.
Bo angrily paced back and forth. Evony was still laughing at her, and nobody else dared to go near her. They had been scared stiff once she screamed, and shattered a few bottles of liquor, and windows.
The Succubus was sure that she didn't hear Evony right, so she confirmed it with Hale. Lauren's helpers are Succubi. It angered Bo. Other women are hanging out, and touching the woman she loves. She had dropped her blade repeatedly, and picked it up again. She looked at the group, and paced harder.
"Walk all you want, but you will not find the Doctor. She hasn't been asking for you either". Evony laughed.
"Who ordered this? Bo asked.
"I ordered it the minute I knew Lauren was paralyzed. I know that you care for her Bo. But so do we". Hale said pointing between himself and the Morrigan.
"Trick? Bo said.
"Maybe you need to leave her where she is Bo. If she hasn't called you, she doesn't want to see you". Trick said as he swept up the broken glass.
"And the doctor has phones everywhere. Even next to the toilet". Evony said.
"Screw you Evony! Bo screamed.
"No that will be you and the dog soon. We all know when Lauren hurts your baby nut feelings, you turn to him. So go ahead and get your freak on. Because I'll record it, and you'll never get to the doctor again. Shit I might make a deal with Hale and make her Dark Fae". Evony laughed again.
"Trick! Do something! Bo screamed.
"He can't do shit. As far as the Fae's concerned, the Blood King took a powder. The Una Mens would kill him for sure". Evony laughed.
"She's right Bo. I'll write in my blood, but most of the Fae doesn't know who I really am, or where I am". Trick replied.
"Mom? Bo said.
"I'm Dark Fae, so until Evony dies, I'm stuck with it". Aife answered.
"So none of this is in anyone's control? We're just going to sit back and leave her out there?! Bo screamed.
"Evony and I have this under control. You're pissed off because Lauren is deservedly out of your reach. You don't give a damn about her. You only care about what Dyson needs or wants. You can't even keep your tongue out of anyone's mouth, even when you're not feeding. Yes I know all about your Dawning kiss, and if Lauren asks, I will tell her. I'm not hiding your shit anymore. Lauren's my top concern, not a mopey, and undeserving Succubus. Lauren has everything that she needs where she is. She doesn't need you dragging Kenzi and Dyson to her because you're not woman enough to do anything on your own. Now back to Trick". Hale snapped as he and the Morrigan turned around to face the barkeep.
The Morrigan applauded Hale's speech, and now they were joining forces to determine if the Una Mens were really killing Light and Dark Fae.
"Don't clam up now McCorrigan. When's the last time you heard from those bastards? Evony asked.
"Not for a long time and I aim to keep it that way". Trick said from behind the bar.
"Little troll ass bitch started that gang, and now is trying to pretend that he doesn't know how to summon them". Evony spat.
"Watch it Evony. I'm the only one that gets to call him a little bitch". Aife laughed.
"Girl get serious, we have killers on the loose". Evony snapped seriously.
"It's Hale. As Ash I'm calling on the High Council to assemble immediately at the Light Fae compound". Hale said into his phone. He nodded when Evony called the Dark Fae High Council.
"Hale you don't know what you're doing! Trick warned.
"At least I'm doing something instead of hiding away in a bar or lair". Hale replied.
"You forget who you're talking to". Trick snapped.
"The Fae are dying Trick. You might be content to stand by, and do nothing but not me. I have a lot to live and fight for, and that's what I'm going to do". Hale sighed angrily. Every Ash dating back to the very first one had suspected Trick was important but only a few figured out how and why.
"She'll betray you". Trick whispered.
"Maybe so, but she's helping". Hale said as he walked away from the man.
"Are you ready Ash? Evony asked.
"I'm ready Morrigan". Hale said as they walked out.
"Isabeau? Aife said.
"Just leave me alone". Bo said waving everyone off.
"Fine. Sit there and stew. Like that's going to help her or any of us". Aife said seriously.
"You heard Hale! She doesn't want to see me! Bo screamed.
"Lower your voice with me baby Succubus. I just thought you cared enough to take down the Una Mens or stop these deaths. You know...so if and or when she returns, it will be safe for her to do so". Aife said as she walked out. That High Council meeting sounded like it was going to be good for laughs if nothing else.
Bo watched her mother go, and turned back to drinking straight out of a whiskey bottle.
Lauren, Megan and Vivian
"Geez Lauren, what are you trying to do kill yourself? Megan asked as she and Vivian helped Lauren down from her pull-ups.
"Well I summoned you, and nobody answered or came". Lauren said.
"Yeah. About that, we were..." Vivian said shyly.
"Feeding? Lauren asked.
Megan's and Vivian's eyes turned wide. They had been stepping out of the compound to feed, but only after the doctor had turned in for the night. It was nearly midnight now. Two hours past the normal time, Lauren retired for the night.
"How did you know? Megan asked.
"I can spot a Succubus in the dark if I needed to". Lauren replied. She took a hot towel from Vivian, and violently scrubbed her face, and neck.
"What did she do to you? Vivian asked.
"It's nothing important. I'm ready for a bath now". Lauren said throwing the towel into a dirty clothes bin. The compound even had it's own laundry crew. Lauren never once ran out of something to wear, sleep in or bathe with.
"Yes. Lets get you in the tub". Megan said as they put Lauren back on her scooter, and she rolled to the bathroom.
"Don't forget. We have a Jacuzzi here too Lauren. That would be good for you to soak in. Or just relax". Vivian said.
"Thank you. Maybe tomorrow". Lauren said after she had been lowered into the bathtub.
Once they were satisfied that the doctor had everything that she needed, they left her to bathe.
Lauren sighed gently. She still wasn't feeling anything in her legs. But was determined to fight her way back. She knows the women can heal her, but she doesn't want that. To be someone's charity case. She often found small poster boards with encouraging messages on the walls of the compound. Some were obviously written by the Ash and the Morrigan. But she wasn't dumb enough to believe that they want her healed without having their own agendas.
It was almost like a vacation. Except that she'd been scribbling and solving equations when they thought that she was sleeping. Spotting a Succubus is now second nature to the doctor. Allowing them to heal her sounds productive, and regressive. She doesn't want to owe a succubus anything. Especially something that could put her in bed with one.
"Been there. Done that". Lauren said as she began to scrub her body. Although her legs are out of commission, her arms aren't. The same arms that are allowing her to lift herself out of the tub and to a rubber chair to dry off. Heaters dried her legs and she did the rest with her arms. Then she pulled herself on to her scooter. Pampered, but woke.
She rolled to her room and bed. Once she was settled on it, she pushed a button on the night stand, and a laptop was lowered down to her. Inserting her new USB port and her password, she went to work.
Light Fae compound
"Ladies and gentlemen! Calm down or we will never accomplish anything! Hale screamed over the bickering Fae. Once the Ash spoke of the Una Mens, he had never gotten another word in.
"The Fae are dying, and you little punk bitches haven't said a single productive thing! Evony said throwing a dead body down on the long table.
Hale cringed. "Evony! I can handle this!
"Then handle it! These are your buffoons, mine are in agreement, and on the same page! Evony screamed back.
Bo
Bo had drank a full bottle of whiskey and had left the Dal. For years, and unbeknownst to her, she had been dipping in and out of Fae haunts. So she ditched her popular car, and walked around. Dipping in and out of the same haunts. Using one of Lauren's old tricks, she disguised herself.
She hid among the Fae and listened as they gossiped. She wrote down everything that they said and did. Of course she could use Dyson to track anyone down, but that dog's in heat for her. So he can't think straight. She could use Kenzi's skills, but Kenzi's mouth would blow Bo's cover. So she was going at it alone. Two hours later, she ducked into a wooded area, and pulled her flashlight out. Reading through her notes, she felt like she had narrowed the Una Mens down to one location. Footing it again, she hurried to her target.
Opening a large, and thick door, she hunched down, and walked in. The room was thick with mist and must. She nearly choked on both. She stopped when she heard voices. Once there was only one voice to be heard, she made her move.
Rushing into the room, she was grabbed on her right and left sides.
"Who are you, and why are you here? A woman asked emotionless.
"I'm lost. Can you help me find Toronto? Bo mock slurred.
"You're not funny young one. But your presence seems familiar, despite your stench". The woman said again.
"So that's a no from you? Bo slurred again.
"We know when someone is intoxicated, you are not. So tell us who you are? The woman said angrily.
Bo became angry and broke from her plan. "My name is Bo".
"The unaligned Succubus, Bo? The woman asked.
"Yeah. Yeah that's me". Bo replied.
"We have not summoned you. So why are you here? The woman asked. Although she looked like a man to Bo by the way she was dressed. Her hairdo was far out of date.
"Fae are dying and I'm here to stop it". Bo answered.
"What makes you think we're behind it? The woman asked.
"A lot of people think that". Bo replied honestly.
"It is none of your business what we do. Since you're new here, I will grant you, one chance to leave". The woman.
"I'm not new here. You are". Bo seethed at the insult, and disrespect.
"You're an undeveloped Succubus. Killing the wolf and bringing him back was impressive, but not as impressive as we are". The woman said.
"What's your name lady? Bo asked.
"I'm the Keeper of the Una Mens". The woman replied.
"Ok crypt Keeper. I'll make a deal with you, tell me who's killing the Fae, and I won't kill you". Bo said.
The Keeper walked over to the Succubus, and stood eye to eye with Bo. "Another Succubus tried that, and died. Do you wish to follow her?
Bo growled in anger. Her hands were still restrained, but that didn't matter. Feeling her body pulse, she opened her mouth and started to drain the woman. She shivered when she had to breathe harder.
The Keeper's head fell back, and she looked up, and pulled Bo's chi. Bo flexed her arms, and freed herself. Grabbing the Keeper's head, she squeezed with all of her strength. Dropping the woman dead on the floor, she raised her arms, and drained the others.
Bo turned to leave when she heard laughter behind her. She spun around, and gasped.
"There's a reason we are called the Una Mens. We have the united powers of many men. As you were draining us, we took your chi too, healed ourselves, and pretended to be dead. Now since this is your last strike, so to speak, we will give you a chance to redeem yourself. Bring us the Blood King, or the doctor dies right now". The Keeper said.
Lauren
If the Doctor had feelings in her legs, she would be jumping for joy. She had spent the last two hours on her laptop. She was so happy about her work that she put it on a separate USB port as backup.
As a scientist, she was over the moon. This is good. In fact, it was great. Calming herself she pushed the laptop back, pulled the blankets and sheets over herself and settled in for a good night's sleep.
Light Fae compound.
Hale sat with his hands rubbing his head. They had gotten nowhere. Literally nowhere in trying to assemble a united front. All Evony was doing was pointing and laughing. The High Council members were only interested in saving themselves. They didn't even blink when he read the dead Fae names.
"Enough! Hale screamed as he stood.
When the room finally went quiet, he started to talk. "We are all going to be dead soon. Now I called this meeting in good faith that we'd all pull together against a common enemy! He screamed.
"They're the work of the Blood King, let them skin his ass, and not ours..". A voice came from the crowd.
Evony stood up.
"Evony don't". Hale said.
The crowd fell dead silent when the Succubus entered.
"Come with me! Now! Bo screamed.
"Who? Blackthorn asked. He knew who the Blood King is, he just didn't tell any of them what Trick looked like.
"You! Bo screamed pointing at Trick.
"Bo we're in a meeting! Trick said pointing around the room.
"Come with me now, or you will eat this right now! Bo screamed holding up a seed for all to see.
"Hell I'll bring him! Aife laughed.
"No stay here...Succubus". Bo said quietly as she pushed her mother back into her seat.
When Trick still hadn't moved, Bo ran down the table, and pulled Trick from his seat. Jumping off the table, she carried him out to the sounds of loud voices again.
Kenzi and Dyson.
"So between the two of us, we're not coming up with anything? Kenzi asked.
"Nobody's talking. Nobody is going to go up against Hale's orders. I tried to lean on a few people and failed. Probably because I pissed most of them off, over the years". Dyson said.
"What about the hairs Tamsin got from Lauren's head? Kenzi asked.
"Tamsin still can't talk, and Val fled the colony after Bo's Succubus was done with her". Dyson said downing his first bottle of beer.
"Well shit. If you solve this Lauren problem, Bo will be indebted to you". Kenzi said poking Dyson with her finger.
"I know. That's why I'm doing this. But on the other hand, I don't know Kenz. I can't find Lauren without her scent. Her apartment was cleaned so thoroughly it's like she was never there". Dyson sighed as he took a beer from her.
"I tried to get into Bo's room many times, but it's still warded. Hale's still being a tight-lipped ass too". Kenzi said.
"Lauren's Light Fae property. Eventually he'll have to tell the Elders where she is, or bring her before them". Dyson said as he leaned back on the couch.
"Can you find her scent even if she's inside of a building? Kenzi asked.
"I don't know I've never tried but if she's been outside of it recently, I can". Dyson said sitting forward.
"All of this, over Lauren! Kenzi screamed.
"Get out of my house! Bo screamed as she walked in.
"Bo! You're home! Kenzi screamed.
"I am, but you're not, now get out of my house! Bo screamed as her eyes flashed blue.
"Lets go Kenzi, you can crash at my place". Dyson said pulling Kenzi out of the building.
"What the shit is going on now?! Kenzi screamed as they spotted Trick, gagged and tied up in Bo's front seat.
The Blood King shook his head when they tried to run to help him.
"Get off my property! Now! The Succubus screamed from behind them. Dyson nodded, and threw a protesting Kenzi over his shoulder.
TBC