Bo's POV
Here I am sitting on the couch, tossing a small nerf ball to the kids and watch them race to grab it first. It's a small moment, but a big one given all that we have been through since Charlotte was born.
Back then it was just me, her and Lauren. I wouldn't trade our sons for anything or anyone. I just want some part of that time back too. Not the part of watching Lauren sleep for what felt like 2 lifetimes, but the part of being a parent in a normal setting. A family.
I know I have harped on and on about wanting them to be normal, knowing good and well that is never going to happen. But I do want it. I want them to be able to go outside and play without having to worry about a threat. Our house is as secure as anything I've ever seen. Even the old Light and Dark Fae compounds weren't that secure. I bowed my head and sighed after I threw the ball again.
Lauren thought it would be good for me to spend this time with them. She's currently showering alone. I know it doesn't take that long for her to shower. She's likely as worried as I am, but she's hiding it to keep me from worrying more than I am. Who would have thought with a fragile life like she used to have, she was always the worrier about things going wrong.
But since I met Lauren, everything felt right. Sure we loved. We fought. We broke up. I had vowed that I would give Lauren space and wasn't giving up on us. But I broke the vow when I left Lauren alone out there. I trusted the wrong people and it cost Lauren her life, when I should have trusted myself. Us.
I looked at Charlotte and wondered if she saw the broken pieces in her own mother. I wondered if she saw how much of a runner I truly was back then. I would run from Lauren every time. I wouldn't stay and talk. I would just find a flimsy enough excuse to leave. Our kids are smart and Charlotte was probably reading my aura knowing all along at the hint of any betrayal or misunderstanding, I would run. Leaving my own human girlfriend, alone in the Fae world. If I would leave Lauren, what makes Charlotte think I wouldn't leave my own kids.
I sighed again as Ethan brought me the ball back to throw it again. I threw it a little farther this time to be fair. Charlotte was clearly winning this game, but she wasn't being snobby or mocking her brothers. I am so proud of her for that. Maybe that's a part of Lauren because it wasn't always a part of me.
After my Dawning, I thought my own shit never stunk. Like I could conquer the world and wouldn't be ashamed of who I crushed in the process. I just never knew the one person I truly loved, I crushed. Lauren looked bruised and battered in more ways than one. I should have been there for her and not just thinking sex was going to make things better for us again. I needed to act.
I need to act normal if I want our kids to feel normal. Be normal. Clean up my own shit before I try to raise innocent children.
Last night Charlotte could have killed again. She was kicking that bear's ass. She had the upper hand and showed her hand by allowing him to live. Any other Fae would have killed him. But Charlotte knew her strength, her heart and allowed him to live. I had never liked killing just to kill. Our daughter knows how to stop herself from doing so. She didn't have a Doctor/friend like Lauren. She just has Lauren's and my blood. They all do and they will be unstoppable.
Bo jerked when the ball hit her on the nose. Dillon had thrown it at her, to wake her from her stupor.
"I'm sorry sweetie". Bo smiled wide and threw the ball again. She cringed at the screeching sounds of their paws scratching the floor as they ran after the ball.
"That's gonna cost us a penny". Lauren laughed walking into the room.
"We should be ok. It can't be much different than scooting a chair across the floor. But if they charge us, we can pay it". Bo smiled taking the cup of coffee Lauren was handing her.
"I just wish we could let them play outside". Bo sighed throwing the ball again.
"Bo they were fine. They were, until the bear came looking for food. Which was the bear's nature. Our nature will always be to sense danger. Lions are the kings of beasts. We will always win. But our daughter knew enough to win another way. A peaceful way. We can take them outside as much and for as long as we want to. She was protecting us, as we should be doing for them". Lauren said softly sipping her coffee.
"The lightning thing though. I can't do that, or at least I think I can't". Bo smiled gently taking Lauren's hand.
"Well the Una Mens seed could have held those powers. I will test her blood for abnormalities later". Lauren said softly watching their kids run after the ball that Bo threw once again.
"I am going to see mom today. If there is anyone that knows about this, or Zeus, she should and would". Bo said throwing the ball again.
Lauren laughed as the kids once again ran after the ball. They didn't seem to be tiring at all. At least they were exercising. That was another thing to be happy about.
Bo laughed when Charlotte stopped to throw the ball and watched her brothers run after it. "Finally a break".
"They will be at that for hours. You can go and see Aife if you'd like. I will watch the show". Lauren laughed and pointed at the kids.
"I will call her. I can still sit here and watch too". Bo said pulling her phone out.
Lauren patted Bo's leg and turned her attention back to the kids. She had a huge chore of her own to prepare for. Getting Charlotte to sit still long enough for her to take some blood samples. Sure she had taken some before, but that was Charlotte then and last night was Charlotte now. The only thing she knew of the Ancients is that Hades and Zeus were brothers. Zeus had the power of lightning.
Which drew her back to her other thoughts. The Una Mens seed. Maybe they killed someone with lightning powers and it was passed on to Lauren and then their kids. The Scientist in Lauren was wide awake thinking of all the possibilities and research that needed to be done. She was up for it. She just wasn't sure Charlotte was.
Kenzi and Hale
Kenzi and Hale had gone into the office to try and think of what they were going to do next about Amy and Mikayla. They didn't have the heart or the guts to tell her that her sister is dead. Deservedly dead at Lauren's hands.
Kenzi thought about lying and saying they didn't have a lead. But she was torn. If she lied the girl could always find someone else to look into her sister's disappearance. They wouldn't be as discreet. They would tell her who killed her and they would have an all out bloody mess on their hands and possibly in their office.
Technically this was still Bo's business too. But Lauren is Bo's family and she woudn't hesitate to take action. Lauren or Charlotte certainly wouldn't. Kenzi sighed thinking of the time she hadn't had to take Charlotte shopping. Her or the boys. Someday, she thought internally.
"Kenz we can't sit here all day. We do have other clients". Hale said softly. The Siren had been staring at her. He knew she was in her thoughts about Amy.
"I have been thinking. Maybe we should give Amy's case to Aife". Kenzi said.
"Kenz, you know that girl would be dead the minute Aife saw her again". Hale sighed.
"She's going to mess it up anyways. No matter what we do. At least then I would have a clear conscious about this. We still haven't told Bo and Lauren". Kenzi said sitting up.
"We can't tell them. We can't call them either". Hale said.
"I just don't know what else to do. The more we pursue this case knowing what we know, the more I'm worried Aife will hurt the rest of the business. Our other cases". Kenzi said standing up to stretch her legs.
"No doubt we've been handed a pile of shit. But no matter what we do with this case, it will always come back to us. Telling Bo and Lauren is not an option because Aife clearly said they are not to be disturbed. Just give me a few hours. I will think of something to do". Hale said.
"Fine. I will give you two hours to think of something. Something that hopefully benefits all of us. I am the only human left among all of you now". Kenzi said pulling a file from her desk drawer.
Hale nodded and rubbed his forehead. This really was a true mess. If they told Bo and Lauren, they would be out for blood. If they gave the case entirely to Aife, she would leave bodies everywhere. There was not an easy answer. Not only Bo and Lauren, but their kids too. He wasn't about to open that can of worms either. This was a bigger mess than anything that landed on his desk as acting Ash.
Aife
Aife had been studying the crowd for hours. Some had come and gone. While others lingered. Drinking pint after pint, shot after shot.
Normally she would never come to this side of town, but she made an exception since it involves Kenzi and Hale's case.
She thought about finding a shape shifter to pose as Mikayla long enough to fool her family. But then once she disappeared, they would start asking questions again. She couldn't take this to Bo and Lauren. They were on a well deserved vacation. Their kids needed them.
"Well I'm here". A man said sitting across from Aife.
"Good boy". Aife laughed.
"Can we make this quick? Marcus asked.
"Are you scared? Aife laughed.
"No. I just know who you are, and well if people see me with you...
"Fine I will be blunt. You need to convince Amy to stop looking for her sister". Aife said.
"Why would I do that? We all want to know where Mikayla is". Marcus answered.
"She's dead Marcus". Aife answered.
"Who did this? Marcus roared.
"You don't need to know who did it, but trust me, you want to convince her to drop this. I have known you just about as long as I have known Tau. Let this go, or I will kill all of you". Aife snapped.
"Aife". Marcus roared again.
"Do not Aife me. Either I can kill her now or I can kill her later and then the questions will stop. I realize Amy is your baby girl, but you need to forget about your oldest". Aife snapped flashing a hint of her blue eyes.
"Your Succubus has never scared me". Marcus roared again.
"What is she doing here? Amy roared from behind her father.
"Working on your case. If either of you roar at me like that again, I will be working on your ass". Aife laughed.
Amy was furious. Her senses were sending her into a frenzy. Something about Aife in this environment was pissing her off.
"Amy is this bitch giving you trouble? A woman asked walking up to their table.
"Amy go home! Take your friend with you". Marcus pleaded. He looked on in horror as the woman next to Amy threw her drink in Aife's face.
Aife took one breath before she had the woman's neck in her hand. Pulling her Chi with fury, as the crowd gasped. Some ran out of the club. Some covered their mouths. Others ran behind the bar.
Once Aife finished draining the woman, she threw her dead body at Amy.
"Anybody else want to piss me off?! Aife screamed. Her hair flew behind her wildly, and her eyes looked like a deep, blue ocean. She licked her lips when a few ran out from the bar and towards her. But they only wanted their purses off of the table behind her.
"Now I tried to be nice about this, but since none of you have manners, hear me when I say this. Mikayla is dead. You don't need to know how and why, but if you come near me or my family again, you will be as dead as this bitch! Don't test me or I will drain this whole bar, and right now! Aife screamed as she pulsed the woman's dead body and her eyes opened and closed once Aife stopped pulsing her.
The crowd gasped again at the the sight. Nobody had ever done what they had just witnessed.
"Come on Amy! We are going home! Marcus said grabbing his daughter's arm.
"No! She knows what happened to Mikayla! Amy screamed.
"She's also the mother of the unaligned Succubus. The only child of the Blood King. We can't fight her. Or them. We won't win". Marcus roared dragging his reluctant daughter away.
"I'll see myself out". Aife laughed as she slowly turned on her heel towards the door. Aife wasn't out the door before her phone rung and she immediately answered.
"Isabeau how's your trip going? Aife asked softly.
"I need to see you". Bo said quickly.
"What has Charlotte done now? Besides kick that bear's ass". Aife laughed.
"You know about that? Bo gasped.
"Well I assume it's the same bear shifter I saw this morning. He reeked of Charlotte's scent. Probably wet himself and could not bring himself to shower yet". Aife laughed.
"I need to talk to you about Zeus. Lauren and I want to know if Charlotte's lightning powers could have come from her uncle". Bo said.
"Wait..what lightning powers? Aife laughed.
"I thought you knew about the bear". Bo said.
"I didn't know that part, only that he got his ass kicked. Looked like she left a few marks too". Aife laughed again.
"Mom...
"A top dog of Lauren's old pack came to see me. He showed me how Charlotte kicked ass, the night I brought her home to you. She didn't use these lightning powers you are referring to". Aife said.
"Hold on mom. I am going to put you on speaker so Lauren can hear this". Bo said gesturing for Lauren to follow her to another room.
"Ok mom go ahead". Bo said.
"Tau came to see me Lauren. Charlotte fought off a lot of shifters in her quest and need to protect me from an ambush. I only went to talk to him to get him to back down or I would have had to kill an old friend. He was also a friend to Trick. So he swore to me, that he wouldn't come for us again. As far as Zeus goes. Yes that is Hades brother. I am not sure how Chartlotte would have lightning powers. It could have been one of the Una Mens powers since they forced Lauren to eat the seed". Aife explained as she walked to her car and climbed in.
"I figured that. I will run some tests on Charlotte to see what I can find in her blood, that I never found before". Lauren said.
"Good luck getting her to stand or sit still for that". Aife laughed.
"Mom can you come to the hotel? We still need to talk about this". Bo said.
"On my way sweetie". Aife cooed as she hung up the phone and started up the new Mustang she just bought.
"Shit". Bo whispered.
"Yep. How am I going to get Charlotte's blood? Lauren smiled shaking her head.
"I can hold her. She hates me anyway". Bo said quietly.
"She doesn't hate you Bo. She's just not happy with you right now. You have to earn her trust back". Lauren said rubbing Bo's back.
"Then I can't hold her. But we need to get a needle in her some kind of way". Bo said.
"We will sweetie. We will". Lauren said softly.
"Then lets go get it before mom gets here". Bo said gently pulling Lauren into the other room.
The women walked back into the larger room and smiled when they saw the kids were napping. Dillon was in the middle of Charlotte and Ethan.
"Better hurry". Bo said.
"This will be my easiest chance". Lauren said pulling out her medical bag.
"I can't believe you brought all of that on our vacation". Bo laughed.
"I'm a Doctor. I always want to be prepared for anything". Lauren smiled getting her needle and vials ready.
"How are you going to test it? Bo asked.
"There is a lab about a block away. Once I get at least a sample, I can put a rush on the tests. They might have to use just one vial though, if I am only able to get one". Lauren said.
"Doctors. You always know where a lab is". Bo laughed.
"Shhhh I need to get this while she's actually sleeping". Lauren said kneeling down next to Charlotte.
"I'm sorry". Bo whispered. The Succubus bent down in front of Charlotte and next to Lauren.
"I just need to find a good vein". Lauren whispered.
"Hurry. You know she will run off, if she wakes up". Bo whispered back.
"I found one". Lauren said gently lifting Charlotte's arm. The young shifter roared but stayed asleep.
"Hurry". Bo whispered again. She looked at Ethan and Dillon and they were still asleep.
"Shit! Lauren screamed.
"What? Bo asked turning back to them and her mouth dropped.
Lauren had jumped away from Charlotte. Holding the needle. It had been melted.
"Are you ok? What happened? Bo asked. Ethan and Dillon stirred but went back to sleep after seeing Lauren was ok after her scream.
"She pulsed the needle with lightning and it melted in my hand". Lauren said as she shook said hand.
"Damn". Bo whispered.
Both women jumped when Charlotte woke up and ran to the other side of the room and curled up on the floor.
"Well did you get enough? Bo asked.
"One vial. I think she realized what was going on and subconsciously tried to defend herself". Lauren said.
"Go. Go. I can handle this. Mom will be here soon". Bo said holding the melted needle in her hand.
"I won't be long. I promise". Lauren said kissing Bo on the forehead.
TBC
Aife ignites Charlotte's anger.
Lauren gets the test results back.
Ethan exposes a new power.