I had hid in the basement. It was dark and damp but it was quiet. Mom was due home soon. I made a few sandwiches and grabbed a soda to drink. Here I am sitting in the corner nibbling on the corner of one sandwich.
I had come down here often with the same routine. School had let out and I raced home to throw my bag in my bedroom closet, and made my way down to the basement. This would be my dinner but I was hungry for reasons I had not understood yet. I felt like a walking science project. I would feed from things people would call grotesque. Sometimes I could control it, other times I took all of the flowy, blue looking stuff.
I even fed off of our frogs in Biology class. My teacher flunked me, called to tell mom, and she grounded me. This is my life since that day I came home from school.
I had barely set my bags down before she started in on what would become a routine of rants and name calling. I was a monster. I was the devil. I was useless. I was a bad shit. I was ugly. I was not what she wanted when she decided to adopt a little girl. I was a waste of room and board. I wasn't her daughter. Unworthy of the Dennis name. A grade A freak.
She spat on me too, or tried to pour hot water all over me. I was too fast and strong for her to hold down so she gave up on that. She fixed my bedroom door so that when I went in, and tried to come out, the alarms would sound and I was trapped inside.
That is what lead me to hide out in the basement. Before she came home the first time I hid down here, I scrubbed it clean from top to bottom and found an old mattress to sleep on.
Her snobby friends would never imagine her house would have such a filthy room before I ever set foot in it. The upstairs was immaculate. The curtains were just right. The kitchen was always spotless. I never saw her bedroom because it was always off limits. The living room had a couch, loveseat and small TV. To the world it looked like Heaven, to me it felt like Hell.
School was my only escape from her. After I flunked that class, the second semester came, and I enrolled in another.
When it was bedtime. I curled up on the mattress and longed for sleep to take me. But it wasn't always my friend. I tossed and turned thinking of her plotting to do something to me that I wouldn't be ready for. She keeps a large can of gasoline in a corner of the kitchen. I found it odd since she has an electric stove. Would she set me on fire? Would she try and burn the house down, with me in it and collect the insurance money?
Monster. Whore. Freak. Bitch. Were the only words she would address me by. My Senior year of high school was approaching and after the incident with Kyle, I had nowhere to go. So I quit school and ran.
A monster, whore, freak, and bitch was loose on the streets. Sleeping on the streets, in empty buildings, and alleys. One time I slept in a large trash can just to get away from men trying to mug me. I took the blue stuff from one of them and stuffed him inside the trash can, and left him, alive.
I had to run again. I don't know if he ever turned me in or told anyone about me, but I left something on his face that didn't look like a rash, and it scared me.
Then she came. My eyes didn't feel the same. My body didn't look the same. I was glowing. I was growling. I was jumping from one body to the next, leaving corpse after corpse in my wake. She never spoke, she just took.
Twenty-four hours a day, I was not myself. I was her. For ten years, she took the blue stuff and when she finally was tired of the same old bums, she relented control back to me. I had nothing. Not a pot to piss in. No sandwich. No soda. Just nothing.
I was hungry for food but wouldn't stoop to eating rats or any other creatures that roamed the area.
One time when I was asleep, I was grabbed by Police officers and thrown in a cell. I used a Fake ID, so they could never call mom. The smelly cell alone was enough punishment. They ripped my clothes from me and gave me the standard jumpsuit for inmates. They put me in another cell with two women. After about a week they tried to make me their bitch, but I made them mine and she enjoyed it.
I needed to get out of there and found a way. The only woman left in the room with me, wanted to make a phone call. Once she screamed for the guard, I knocked her out and took her cap to disguise myself as her. When the guard came to get me, we walked a few feet before she knocked him out and placed his naked body in the nearest closet. I was now dressed as him. I told the next officer that it was lunch time and he watched as I took my break. I went outside, jumped in a car and left.
I hadn't eaten in so long that she took over again. One night she had met her match. This tall man would not go down without a fight. He swung, kicked and punched her in the face.
She growled as she snapped. I was helpless and had a front row seat to her anger. She grabbed him by his long hair and violently pulled his head back. She kissed him without tongue and the blue stuff flowed. He was pushing on her as hard as he could but his efforts were useless. Once she had enough, she clamped her hand around his neck and pulled. Blood splattered everywhere on to the street in front of him. Falling to his knees, he looked up and fell on his face. Dead.
She bent over and pulled his wallet out. Pulling his cash out, she laughed at a picture of him by himself, but she dropped the other pictures.
It was too late. I had seen them. There was a set of twins in his giant arms. A woman standing behind him and four other kids flanking him. A whole family has lost their father. Their mother has lost her mate and husband according to the huge rock on her wedding finger.
I cried on the inside while she berated me internally. Grow a set.
I didn't want to be her anymore. I didn't want to be me. I could never make up for this. She laughed and I sulked for days. I couldn't control her. Some kids fear monsters under their beds, and in their closets. Mine was inside of me. Unapologetic and scary.
We continued like that for months. I didn't know what she was but I knew I didn't like it. Couldn't stop it. Then I met Lauren. My only hope of finding answers and she found them. The one answer I craved more than anything we ever ate, or fed from on the street. I am a Succubus.
A Succubus standing on the hood of my car. Looking at my baby who keeps retreating from my attempts to hold her.
Charlotte roared as loud as her little lungs would allow her to at me. At me. I'm still her mother, my eyes are just blue.
Having enough she turned around and jumped off of her castle and over the fence.
"Charlotte". I said in my softest voice. But she ignored me as she ran. Her eyes were an angry blue. I bowed my head in shame. I had done this to her. Done this to them, and it wasn't something I could fix like breakfast or tuning the tv to her favorite cartoons. She continued to ignore me and ran as fast as she could.
Snapping out of my own trance, I followed her. We had run about 3 miles before I finally caught up to her. I could have taken my car but didn't want to risk running her over, if she suddenly stopped. This needed to be done on foot. This is why I sent Lauren into the house with Ethan and Dillon. I needed to do this alone. Stand on my own two feet. Show my baby she is not a monster. She will never be a freak, whore or bitch. She can have a better childhood than I did.
I watched our baby go on her own rampage. Cat after cat, dog after dog went down in a matter of minutes and she didn't use her Lioness skills to do it. She used her Succubus. She held two dogs down at once as she pulled their Chi. Their growls were useless compared to hers. Lauren has Succubus powers too, but I know theses are my powers that she's using.
She was too quick for me to catch or to keep up with. This was embarrassing. She was killing for no reason, and I couldn't stop her. She rebuffed everything I tried to do. Calling out to her. Running after her. I know she heard me, she just didn't care anymore. Playtime was over and she was acting like a super-sized Succubus.
The air caught in my lungs when Charlotte jumped on a woman, knocking her down. The woman came out of nowhere. She drooled all over the woman. She screamed in fear begging me to help her. I have to. More importantly, I have to help my daughter. Aife and I never had a moment like this. But this wasn't about us. It was about the darkness in all of us. Her. Since she knows herself better than anyone, I gave her control.
"Charlotte. Listen to mama". The Succubus said gently.
Charlotte was tearing at the woman's clothing, not paying attention to her mother at all. A grin formed on her face. She was enjoying herself, and the woman's fear. Other people had run up to help. Charlotte jumped off the woman and turned her attention on the crowd.
The Succubus waved them back. They weren't about to kill her daughter for something that is not her fault. Charlotte smiled as they scattered, and jumped on the woman again when she was just about to get up.
"Are you going to help me or not?! The woman screamed.
"Charlotte. Baby listen to me. You don't have to do this. You are better than this. I know of what I speak. I took innocent lives and enjoyed it. This woman is no threat to you. Neither is the darkness that you feel. I know it's scary, but you can overcome it. Be better than I was. I went on a rampage, leaving bodies and lives destroyed. I was uncontrollable. I know I am the reason that you are like this. But I also knew Bo and I wanted you since the day your mother named you. She had just helped a woman give birth and told me your name. We knew we wanted you and we wanted you with Lauren. Yes there is darkness in you, but there is also goodness too. Lauren taught me how to be a better person. A better woman. A better Succubus. You don't have to attack people for no reason. I can help you. We can help you. Just get off of her and come to me. Let me take you home. To where you belong. To where you are loved. To where you are accepted. They love you too Charly. Your mother and brothers. Your grandmother, even though you don't like her, and Kenzi". The Succubus explained in her deepest tone. She had to use that voice to reach Charlotte's Succubus.
Charlotte turned her little head to look at her mother. Tears were streaming down her face, as she turned her attention back on the woman. Charlotte roared as loud as she could before bending her head down again.
Sensing what she was about to do. The Succubus stepped forward and gently grabbed Charlotte by her neck, finally lifting her off of the woman.
"What the hell are you two? The woman snapped wiping her face off with her shirt.
"Go home. Love your family and let them love you in return". Bo said slightly pulsing the woman so that she would forget what she saw. The other onlookers had fled for good, once Charlotte looked like she was about to bite the woman's head off.
"It's ok sweetie. It's ok. Mama is right here and I will never leave you". Bo cooed with her Succubus voice, as she rubbed Charlotte's back.
The young shifter was snapping at her like she was going to bite her, but she couldn't do it. Cocking her head sideways, she looked at her mother as blue eyes returned to brown.
"Charlotte you will be ok. I know you're afraid but we won't let her win. We will help her too". Bo cooed pulling the shifter closer to her as they slowly walked home. Bo wished she had her car now, but the air would do them both a lot of good.
After two miles, Charlotte rested her head on Bo's shoulder as her mother continued to rub her back. Bo closed her eyes for a few minutes and opened them as they neared home.
Bo and Lauren's.
Lauren had been frantically pacing back and forth. The boys had thankfully fallen asleep hours ago, after hours of trying to keep them from jumping out a window and follow Charlotte.
Biting her nails she pounded the living room floor. She looked at the cameras and still hadn't seen Bo coming back yet. Where could they be? What could they be doing? Why didn't Bo take her car? It was driving the Doctor mad with worry. She took a seat on the couch to calm herself. She wanted to cry. She knew this was bad, but she couldn't fall apart. It wouldn't help their kids or Bo.
Jumping up she looked at the camera again as Bo approached carrying Charlotte. Lauren ran to the kitchen closet and grabbed some large towels. Bo and Charly were soaked.
"Bo?! What happened?! Lauren choked out as the Succubus entered the house.
"We're ok. She's ok. We're just wet from the rain". Bo sighed as Lauren took Charlotte from her. The shifter roared but was still asleep.
Lauren rushed her into the bathroom to wash her off.
Bo walked into the kitchen and put her palms face down on the countertops, as she bowed her head. What a disaster.
Twenty minutes later after Charlotte had been put to bed, Bo and Lauren showered and crawled into bed.
"Are you ok? Lauren asked.
"I will be. I guess". Bo sighed.
"Bo I can read your aura. Talk to me". Lauren said.
"Can we talk in the morning babe? I just want to sleep right now". Bo said.
"Ok. But I won't forget this". Lauren said as she kissed Bo on her forehead. She snuggled up to Bo, resting her head on the Succubus chest. She closed her eyes and allowed Bo's scent to lull her to sleep.
Bo didn't fall asleep yet. She was going to have moments with Ethan and Dillon's Succubus too. She nearly cried knowing her daughter nearly ran away. That she thought the only answer was to go out and kill an innocent.
They had been proud of her for protecting her family and brothers. But this was different. This was being violent just to be violent and finding glee in it.
Bo herself had somewhat grown out of the fear of being a monster. But seeing Charlotte like that. It brought back her own paranoia. Fears she was going to have to curb in order to help their daughter and sons. She wasn't a Doctor but knew this wasn't over with her baby shifter yet. Sighing deeply, she closed her eyes.
Early the next morning.
Bo groaned when she heard Aife screaming. She just wanted another hour's worth of sleep but the Succubus wasn't allowing that. Did she forget there were shifters in the house? Namely one that didn't care for her much yet?
She rolled over only to find Lauren gone. Sighing she pulled oh her robe and went downstairs.
"What did you say her name is? Lauren asked.
"Her name is Mia and you won't believe who she is and why she came to Charlotte's party". Aife laughed.
"Mom? Really it's early in the morning and far too soon for guests". Bo groaned as she stepped up next to Lauren.
"I was courteous last night by not bringing her here then". Aife smiled softly. This was going to be good. The woman was likely not getting out of there alive. A good test for the teacher Succubus to teach her pupil grandchildren.
"The kids mom. The kids". Bo groaned.
"Can learn a lot from this experience". Aife laughed.
"Fine. Who is this? Bo asked pointing to the brunette next to her mother.
"Well don't stand there like the coward ass they are about to learn you are. Tell them who you are". Aife snapped hitting the woman in the back of her head.
"My name is Mia. Mia Marquise". The woman answered.
"Did you say Marquise? Bo asked angrily.
"Look I can explain". Mia said.
"You better be quick about it. A name like that can, and will get your ass kicked around here". Aife laughed.
"Evony was my sister. My long lost sister. She left home when I was 17 and I haven't seen or heard from her since. I was called when my name came up as next of kin. They had found her bones, and word has it, the Doctor here killed her". Mia snapped.
"Watch your tone". Bo growled stepping forward.
"Yeah it's pretty ballsy to walk up in here, not knowing what you are dealing with". Lauren bristled.
"I just wanted to know why you killed her. I thought I was going to get a chance to ask you at the party but those animals attacked me". Mia said.
Aife sighed but was pushed aside.
"Say that again, and I will make you swallow your tongue! Bo snapped with her eyes flashing blue.
Lauren roared and was soon joined by Charlotte, Ethan and Dillon.
"I killed her for threatening the family you see before you. But you...you are just done". Lauren snapped as Charlotte, Ethan and Dillon stalked the woman.
"You have your answer. Now get to stepping or should I say running? Aife laughed gesturing towards the children.
When Ethan licked his lips, Mia slowly started walking backwards. She had heard of them but didn't know they were Lauren and Bo's. She just thought they were guests of the birthday girl. The same girl that was flashing blue eyes at her. Swallowing hard, she turned to leave. Aife was politely holding the door open for her. She winked at her once she crossed the threshold.
Charlotte, Ethan and Dillon took off after her. Bo and Lauren watched as John stepped into the house.
"This is not the time". Bo groaned. It was still early and guests kept showing up.
"Don't worry Isabeau. Nana is going to join in on the fun". Aife laughed as she ran out the door.
"John? You have something? Lauren asked angrily. She wanted to go too. To see how far that bitch could get before she snapped her neck between her teeth.
"I'm sorry Dr. Lewis. We are expecting a busy day today but I wanted to bring you my findings". John said softly.
Bo sighed and rolled her eyes. She was tiring of this shit.
"I see you just met Mia Marquise". John said.
"Yes. She said she was Evony's sister". Lauren smiled softly. There was no need to be rude to him when he went out of his way to bring them whatever he found.
"Dr. Lewis that is not true". John sighed.
"What? Then who the hell is she? Bo snapped angrily. Somebody had crashed their daughter's first birthday party, and it sucked.
"She's her mother". John finally confessed.
"And you are sure of this? Lauren asked staring the man dead in his face.
"I called in some old favors. Evony didn't have any brothers or sisters. Pulling this woman's files, she did have a baby. A little girl. A little girl who matches her blood type. Her medical records indicate she gave birth by Cesarean section, then had extensive surgery to make it seem like she never gave birth at all. Her medical records had been sealed, that's why I called in the favor". John explained.
Bo thought about every conversation she ever had with Evony. She never mentioned her parents. Never mentioned family much at all.
Lauren thought back too. She never heard anything about the Morrigan's mother. She would act like she gave birth to herself and that she never had a family at all.
"Why would she say she's her sister though? Coming here and calling our kids names, wouldn't help her". Bo said angrily.
"She probably thinks she is her sister. The woman is thousands of years old. Even old Fae can lose it". John explained.
"It makes no sense! Bo snapped.
"I did find that Evony gave birth too. She has a son out there. If he hears about her death, he's likely to come forward too". John said.
"We already know about Massimo. We just didn't think she had any other relatives. I can't believe I didn't find that". Lauren said softly.
"Doctor, you know that you were too personally involved. It's always best to get a fresh pair of unbiased eyes to do our research". John smiled assuringly.
"But why wouldn't Massimo mention her? Bo asked.
"He probably never met his grandmother. Evony didn't seem like the family reunion type". Lauren said.
"That's true". Bo said shaking her head.
"Well I should get going. I just wanted to stop by and tell you what I found". John said.
"Thank you John for all of your help, and for being that fresh set of eyes". Lauren smiled softly.
"You know you have saved my ass plenty of times. My door is always open to you and I am just a phone call away". John smiled as he walked towards the back door.
"Bye John". Lauren and Bo said in unison.
Aife, Charlotte, Ethan, Dillon and Mia
Aife was laughing til she she bent over. The kids were chasing Mia around and had already bitten into her ankles.
When Charlotte knocked her down, the teacher in Aife stepped forward to see what her pupil would do. She watched as Charlotte drooled in the woman's hair.
The Succubus busted up laughing again when Ethan and Dillon were trying to knock Charlotte off of the woman, so that they could get a turn.
Aife bent down to pick her grandsons up. "Lesson number 1, ladies first". She laughed.
"Who the hell are you? Mia asked.
"I'm their grandmother and more importantly I'm someone you never should have crossed". Aife winked gently setting the boys down on the ground.
"I didn't cross you. I wanted answers from the shifter! Mia spat.
"Slow learner. I am Bo's mother. You know the Succubus in there". Aife laughed pointing at the house.
Mia tried her best to get up. She was shocked at how strong Charlotte was. She breathed a sigh of relief when Aife pulled her off. The young shifter roared, but Aife was too strong.
"Now watch Nana". Aife laughed as she pulled the woman up and pulled her Chi and watched as she passed out. Then she revived her and did it all over again.
Charlotte roared. She already knew how to do that. She taught her brothers how to do that over and over again. Roaring again she waited for Aife to move out of the way.
"You need to learn how to do this over and over again. It will save your life in the long run". Aife smiled softly.
Charlotte shook her head. She wasn't buying this. She was hungry and since Bo didn't let her eat earlier, Mia looked mighty tasty.
Bo and Lauren rushed out after they had fully dressed and locked the back door. What they saw made both of them shudder.
Aife was on top of Mia taking her Chi again. Charlotte had one of Mia's hands in her mouth. Ethan and Dillon each had a foot in theirs.
"Mom! Stop! Bo screamed.
Aife snapped her head around. Bo saw nothing but pure blue in her eyes. The same blue she had seen in Charlotte's eyes earlier. It was hopeless. Her baby was a fully grown Succubus.
"She needs to pay for what she's done! Aife snapped in her Succubus voice.
"Not in front of them mom. Please". Bo said softly.
Aife looked around her and noticed the kids had clamped on to Mia.
"You never minded this before". Aife said.
"I know. I don't want our kids murdering people just for kicks. They should only use their powers when they, me or Lauren have been threatened This woman only came here to see why Lauren killed Evony. Yes she threw out some insults but it shouldn't always mean someone's death. Our kids need to learn that before it's too late". Bo explained.
"Fine". Aife said pushing Chi back into Mia and standing her up.
"Charly, Ethan and Dillon come here". Lauren said using the deepest voice she had. She smiled when the kids finally obeyed for once.
"Get out of here. Bo just saved you life, I won't. See you later". Aife whispered in Mia's ear. The woman turned and ran out of the gate and down the busy street. She wished she had her car, so she decided to hitchhike.
Lauren looked at Bo and it worried her. She raced the kids in the house to feed them and plant them in front of the TV to watch cartoons. Charlotte must have sensed a change in her mother and was being obedient.
"Can you watch them? I need to talk to Bo". Lauren said.
Aife nodded. "Of course".
"Bo? Can you come with me? Lauren asked reaching for the Succubus hand.
Bo gently nodded and took the Doctor's hand. Lauren led them down into their sound proof basement. She pulled Bo to a huge chair and waited for her to sit. Quickly removing all of her breakables, she prepared herself for what she knew was coming.
Lauren turned and sat across from Bo. "Let it go sweetie".
"I am so tired Lauren". Bo sobbed.
"I know. I know. Talk to me Bo". Lauren said wiping Bo's tears away.
"When you called the precinct that day, I was furious with Dyson. Furious with him for keeping your whereabouts from me. But I was even more furious with myself. If I would have torn up Taft's compound, I would have found you. I shouldn't have left you. You were my girlfriend. Dyson's foe, not his friend. A friend would never keep someone from the person they loved. He knew I was still in love with you. I even told him that the day you broke up with me.
I am so, so sorry that I left you. I am sorry I was too much of a coward to see if you meant what you said about not loving me anymore. Everyone was themselves but me. Dyson. Vex. The Una Mens. They never would have gotten to you had I went after you myself, and look what they did. They took your human life from you, and I was nowhere around to stop them. The thought of them holding you down forcing you to eat the seed still haunts me. I couldn't stop them or stop you from dying. With all of my powers, I was helpless. Even more so because I wasn't there! Bo screamed.
"I know it's painful but you need to get it out Bo. Don't hold it in. Talk to me". Lauren said pushing back her own tears.
"I failed you Lauren! I even failed our kids and they weren't even born yet. Now everyone wants revenge for my fuck ups. They will never stop coming for us. They are growing every day, but they are still vulnerable. Vulnerable to the Fae world. They should only have to worry about being kids, not our protectors. Charlotte seems like she's ready to fight all the time. I know she gets that from me, because you were never violent. She has Succubus powers too which makes her even more unpredictable. I did this to all of you. I am not saying I don't love who you are now, I'm just tired Lauren. You were pregnant with Charly and I couldn't even read the difference in your aura. It caused you to lapse into a coma. Then when Charlotte was finally born, I wasn't sure if you would ever wake up. I sucked at trying to raise her on my own. What's the use of being a Succubus when all I do is fail my family? Bo cried into her hands.
Lauren moved closer to Bo and took her into her arms. Bo sat up and rested her head on the Doctor's shoulder. Her tears still flowing.
"Bo you have to let that guilt go. It wasn't all your fault. I left on purpose to go and join Taft. He blackmailed me with my past a bit, but I still went. I didn't know what he was really up to until he captured Dyson. It took me a minute to figure out what I was going to do, and then you showed up in his office. I had to make him think that I was really done with you. But Bo I never was and I never will be. I should have told you everything when I asked for the break. He had already started stopping by and he was the one that brought me my awards trophy. So my leaving was planned long before I asked for the break. I honestly thought we could work on our relationship until he came at me with the police record. I wasn't sure how many copies he had, but he did have the money and resources to have me arrested. I had to go. I didn't have a choice. Just like you didn't have a choice about going out on all of those cases. It's who you are. You always have to be doing something and sometimes that didn't include me. There was no overpowering the Una Mens. Six of them was like a gang. They were nice to me at first but then Vex told them who I was and they decided to get revenge that way". Lauren replied.
"That's bullshit Lauren. If I am the most powerful Fae I should have been able to stop them. What's six powers compared to mine? And no Fae case was more imporant to me than you are". Bo snapped. She wasn't being conceited. She should have been able to stop them. Look at how many Fae she had fought and killed over the years.
"Bo...". Lauren said rubbing her back.
"No Lauren. This is all my fault. I love our family but there was a better way to do all of this". Bo said.
"Bo I am here too. I did some things I can never take back. They are my kids too. Who cares how we had them, but we have them. We have each other. We have so much love in this family Bo that none of the other stuff should matter now. Even Aife loves all of us. When have you ever known her to stay in one spot this long? There is good here Bo. We need to let go of our negative pasts and move on to create a beautiful future with our kids. I know you are especially worried about Charlotte but I am her mother too. Days of you trying to raise her by yourself are gone. I am sorry that I didn't know that I was pregnant. I am sorry you were so alone trying to help me and raise her. I remember that day in Hecuba Prison when I mentioned Charlotte and Ethan, I knew I wanted to have them with you. Because I love you Bo. All of you, not just you, your Succubus too. She will help us. They are hers too". Lauren smiled. She cradled Bo closer and kissed her neck.
"Lauren...". Bo said.
Lauren wasn't hearing the Succubus. She stood up and threw some blankets, pillows and sheets on the floor. Gently she pulled Bo down to the floor and climbed on top of her.
"Lauren...". Bo said again.
"They won't hear us. Well maybe you". Lauren smiled making her way down Bo's now naked body.
TBC
Lauren takes Bo out on a date.
Aife baby-sits. Charlotte doesn't like it.
Lauren has a surprise for Bo.