The Druid's Lair. "I guess we're the first ones to arrive. What do you think?" asks Massimo.
"You were right about the surprise. It looks like a movie-set…in a horror movie. Only thing cool is the lava pit," says Tamsin.
"Go ahead and have a seat in that chair," he says, pointing at it.
"Alright. I'll entertain this only because I am looking for some answers. I am sensing deceit. Not sure if it's worth it."
"I'm just trying to be a gracious host. And if you're looking for answers about yourself, I'm the right person to ask."
"Regrettably I believe you, this time." Tamsin sighs and sits down. Out of the blue, the chair traps her, binding her torso, wrists and legs. "Figures. What is this?"
"It's a game," he responds.
"Yeah maybe in Saw, and this isn't musical chairs." She tries to escape. "Tighter than expected."
"It's supposed to be. Oh, and there's no need to struggle, it's designed to make you weak by draining your powers specifically. Making you null and void."
"Since I already know that there is no real surprise and that no one's coming, tell me, were we even friends?" asks Tamsin.
"You're right it's just you and me. And we weren't friends per se. We were partners. Ran our own little business together."
"What stealing thrift furniture? Why would you steal their things, planning on donating it because I don't think you're going to get any funding from it."
"I needed a distraction," says Massimo.
"You're not letting me go are you?"
"Sure, I just need one tiny thing from you."
"Then what's with the clamps?" she asks.
"Because I know you. And you can be dangerous. You're Dark, it's in your nature. And you need me."
"I know that I'm Dark Fae, but that doesn't make me dangerous, and what do I need you for?"
"Because we're a team. And I understand you more than anyone else. And you're dangerous because you're a killer."
"Wait, I murder people? No. I don't believe that."
"But it's true."
"Then they must have done something very terrible, or I was defending myself. Or protecting someone because that doesn't make sense. I thought I was a bounty hunter. That means collecting not killing."
"Exactly, you hunt and collect the bounty. And sooner than later, you're going to start killing again."
"What do you mean killing again? You're making me sound like some kind of monster."
"That's because you are a monster. We both are. That's why we get along so well. I help you. And in your last life, you tried to kill Bo and I helped."
Tamsin frowns. "What, that's not possible."
"Don't believe me, you can ask her assuming you go back," he says.
"Maybe that's why they act like they do to get information on who hired me."
"Bingo, you got it," he says, sharpening at what looks like a long Barber's shaving blade, his back to Tamsin.
"But if what you say is true, again why am I in this chair?"
"For safety. You're unstable, your powers. You could hurt someone. This is just for now. I can teach you later how not to, then again it's in your nature, and it's bad for business. I can teach you how to control yourself."
"And why would you want to do that?" she asks.
"Help me help you and then you help me. We're a team like that," he answers.
"Say I consider it, what would you need help with in return?"
"It's simple. Just give me a cut of your hair and that's it."
"All this for a piece of hair."
"Yep." He walks over to her with the blade.
"Hey don't come any closer with that. It's hard to trust someone when you're trapped and that is not a pair of scissors."
"True. But I just need the hair."
"Then it must be really dangerous to get it."
"It is when it's not done properly and voluntarily." He touches her hair, complimenting it.
"Eww, can you like not touch my hair like that. It's beyond creepy."
"You just don't know how long I waited for this."
"For me to die basically to get a piece of hair. So much for friendships."
"Business partners. And it's very good business. Could be for the both of us."
"That's cold. I get enough of that already. And I'm not interested. So get your paws out of my hair," says Tamsin, with a tone.
Suddenly his fingers burn. "Ouch. And I thought we could be team players, guess I was wrong. Well we'll have to do this the hard way."
"Let me guess. Rot until I volunteer."
"Or I can just kill you and take it." He places the blade in front of her neck. "But it's less valuable that way."
"Sorry to disappoint, but that won't be happening," says Tamsin, rather calmly.
Suddenly Bo enters. "Hey Sweeney Todd," she says. "You know it's bad manners to cut someone's hair without their permission."
"You're not supposed to be here. This is between us. You can go," says Massimo.
"I'm thinking not. See someone latched up. Druid with a razor blade towards someone's neck. I'm thinking not going anywhere until you let her go."
He walks over to Bo. "You are yesterday's news," he says as he quickly grabs Bo, and tries to cut her throat from behind. She holds his arm in place.
"Let her go," says Tamsin, released from her bonds. She stands with her wings outstretched, long and white.
"Shit," says Massimo.
"That's different," says Bo.
"Not different, new, but the same," says Tamsin. She slowly walks towards them. As she does Massimo begins to draw back, letting Bo go. "You're right. I am dangerous, but I'm not unstable. And I know myself better than anyone else," she says. "Finding it hard to breathe. Imagine flying. You know the air in the sky, the higher up the shorter the breath until there is none." He drops the blade and holds his throat. "Don't bother, no oxygen. You wanted me dead. How about your brain?" says Tamsin. He falls to the floor begging for Tamsin to stop. "You're nothing to me."
"Tamsin wait. You don't want to do this, he's not worth the effort," says Bo.
"It's no effort at all. And I'm a killer. Didn't I try to kill you?"
"What?" says Bo, caught off guard. "Um, what are you talking about?"
"Did I or did I not try to kill you?" says Tamsin.
"Um that's a um long and very complicated story," says Bo.
"It's not that complicated. Did I or did I not? Tell me the truth or he dies now."
"Okay yes, but you changed your mind. So it's all good."
"No it's not. Wow I really am a monster. Dyson and Massimo are right about me. I am dangerous. Can't believe I'm really a killer. Thought I was good. At least I wanted to be."
"Tamsin you are good. And you're not a monster. And they don't know you. Tamsin, you're just upset and confused. It's okay, really."
"You're not making any sense. And why are you helping him? He just tried to hurt you. And who's okay about someone trying to kill them anyway?"
"Because I know firsthand how it feels to not know who to trust, but Tamsin, you can trust me. Our situation is a little more complicated than you think it is. And I'm saving him because I don't want you to do something that you might regret later. Maybe you did kill lifetimes ago, but that's not you now is it? And I'm standing right here. That should mean something to you."
"That I didn't do my job. Look I know what you're trying to do but right now, I would like for him to die. I can live with that." Tamsin sighs. "It's kind of hard listening to people tell you what you were with who you are now. However difficult, I have to follow my gut. I don't trust him. Look what he tried to do to you and to me. He's just going to come back and try again. Dyson had it right, why not kill him now and get it over with," says Tamsin.
"Because it's not you."
"You don't know that. You are just a bounty and I am the hunter. Isn't that right? Isn't that right?!"
"No Tamsin okay. Not anymore. And you're not a monster. You do this and you will become one."
"I don't care. I'm going to kill him."
"But I do care about you," says Bo, sincerely.
"You don't care, you're just saying that to save him."
"You have no idea. Just trust me please. Have I given you any reason to doubt me? Then do it for me. Do it for Kenzi. You know how she would feel."
Suddenly Tamsin's wings retract. "Alright. This time, but if he comes for me again, he dies."
"Okay, self-preservation first. Why don't you go back to the house, Kenzi's worried about you," says Bo.
"I think not. I'm not leaving you alone with him," says Tamsin, folding her arms.
"Look at him. He's no danger to no one, but himself."
"I don't know about that. He has a lot of tricks up his sleeve," says Tamsin.
"So do I. Trust me, I won't be long. You can wait on me in the elevator if you're that concerned."
"I'll wait in the elevator," says Tamsin. "But I'm not okay with this."
"Trust me, I'll be fine," reassures Bo.
"If that's what you want, fine." Tamsin looks at him. "You get to die another day," she says, before she exits.
"Now it's just me and you," says Bo.
Massimo stands up. "Wow did you see that. She has wings. Don't you know what that means?"
"Why don't you enlighten me," says Bo.
"It means it's her last life. One more poof and she's gone forever," he says, dusting himself off.
"Heard that before. Not sure that I believe you."
"You'll see if you live long enough. Wow can you imagine, if you think you've seen power before, you just wait. By the way thanks for saving my life. We're even huh? With Kenzi and all?" he says.
"Not even close. You messed with the wrong crowd, putting us in harm's way. Trying to kill us. How is that even? You even sent gargoyles."
He gives her a curious look. "Okay wait gargoyles. I didn't send any gargoyles. They serve the higher-ups. Elder Fae. You have some powerful enemies after you. You might want to start prepping."
"For what?" asks Bo.
"For your life if you want to live. See I helped you by giving you a tip that could save your life. So are we even now?"
"Like I said before, not even close," says Bo. She sucks his chi until he can't take it anymore which is short. "You taste like, wait you're human," she says, with a frown.
"Human? I am a Druid. Everyone comes to me because you all need me. You are all desperate and I fix everyone's problems. Show a little respect," he says, anger in his voice.
"Me respect you? You don't deserve anyone's respect, especially since you have none. You seek out vulnerable people. You use people to make a living out of their desperation instead of trying to help. And you want me to respect you? You don't even respect yourself. And Kenzi, you were never going to give her permanent powers because if you were then you would have given it to yourself a long time ago Druid."
"Don't mock me. Don't you dare mock me. You don't know what I'm capable of. I sent you away. Next time, I could make you disappear for good," he threatens.
Bo looks unfazed. "Yet I'm back, and I can do the same to you six feet deeper. Temporarily sending people off like the temporary powers that you give people for compensation. You're a hack, a flop, and not even a real Druid. I can't wait to tell the others."
He looks remorseful. "No don't. Don't you'll ruin my reputation. I can't have that. And she won't like it. She'll hate me some more and I can't take that. So please don't tell anyone, I don't want her to find out that everyone knows my secret. Please Bo. I beg you."
"Is that your weakness? Being human, or people finding out that you are?" asks Bo, looking at him oddly.
He looks fearful. "It's both, and it'll upset her."
"I don't know who she is, but if it makes you suffer without killing you then the better," says Bo.
"No you can't. You love Kenzi. You care about humans. You wouldn't do that."
"Of course I care about humans and I love Kenzi, but I don't like you. And if you come close to us again I'm going to kill you. Now you can thank Tamsin for saving your life."
"You're Fae, I don't understand why you like humans. You feed off of them."
"I replenish myself from humans or Fae when I have to without killing anyone for kicks and giggles. You tried to kill three people in one day back to back to back and you're human who feeds on regular food. So that makes you a monster to me," says Bo.
"I am not a monster. Don't call me that. She calls me that. I hate that. I hate it when she calls me that. I'm not a monster." He starts pacing.
"Okay monster. We'll be taking our things back. Your services are no longer necessary, and you can stop faking Fae and start accepting that you're human. Maybe get a real job. I hear Monster is always hiring."
"Aahhh," he screams. "Stop saying that. I am…I am not a monster. I'm not. Okay, hey I can make you a deal," says Massimo.
"I don't think so. Your deals come at a price and I'm not paying for it. So thanks but no thanks."
He gets down on his knees pleading. "Just don't tell her. I messed up. I'm a mess up. She doesn't like to clean. She doesn't clean even up after her pets, the help does that." Tears form into his eyes. "So you see, she can't know."
"Okay enough of this crazy. What's going on? I know that you're not crying. Wait you are. Because you're human and you don't want one person to find out that other people know? Did I get that right?" asks Bo. Massimo nods his head yes. "Wow you're a real job. I'll come back for our things later. Oh and good luck with whoever she is."
Massimo stands up and starts walking. "I'm useless. I'm not worthy of her. I should just end it myself. Yes that's what she wants me to do. Or is it?" He looks at the pit and walks towards it. "I don't know. I just want it to end. I don't think I can make her happy. Make her love me. She treats me bad so, but I'll do anything for her. Yes, anything."
"Massimo? Hey? Stop. What are you doing, stop?" says Bo. "I'm not joking. Don't do that."
"I can't. I have to. It's the only way she'll love me."
"Who? Who are you talking about? Who is this she?"
"My mother. She needs my help. She's going to be so proud of me. She'll know that I love her now, I mean really love her. And I need her to love me back."
"By falling into lava, you can't be serious?" says Bo. He falls in. "I guess he was." She smirks as her eyes flash red then leaves.
Boxing gym, later that day. Bo is doing combos on the bag when Kenzi walks over. "You want to try?" she asks.
"No, I'm not dressed for it anyway. Just wanted to talk," says Kenzi.
"If it's about what was said at Lauren's it's water under the bridge. You're safe, and you kept others safe, we got our stuff back, you're debt free, and we're going to be okay. That's all that matters," says Bo, she hits the bag again.
"What about the potion, I suck?"
"You don't. It was sealed because you never betrayed me. We're a team even when we didn't know each other well. I'm just glad we both stuck it out because I don't know how my life would be without you in it." Bo turns around. "We're not always going to agree on everything, but what family does? We just need to be there for each other, especially through the dark times. From now on we stick together."
"Yep, always," says Kenzi. They hug each other. "We're so mushy."
"And when you have family you're never alone, or a liability. You are loved."
"I know Bo-Bo. Thanks for the reminder. I lurve ya too."
Sometime later at the Crack Shack. Dyson and Kenzi are talking. "That was real nice what you did today, telling us about Tamsin. Knowing how you feel, no one could see that coming."
"DB huh? I thought it was unusual and I made the call. It's not a big deal."
"Yes it was, you helped us find her and you didn't have to."
"I hate to admit it because I like being right, but you did a good job raising her. That was smart. I mean it was good thinking. Don't tell anyone I said that though."
"No one would believe me anyway. And thank you for being honest. But I can't take all the credit, the kid practically raised herself, I assisted."
"Don't downplay yourself, you raised each other," he says, with a smile.
"That we did. That we did."
"So is anyone going to tell me what DB is?" asks Dyson.
"It stands for Douche Bag. It's what I call Massimo. Now tell me why you didn't tell Bo about what happened last night? She said she talked with you this morning. You acted like everything is okay."
"Because I'm fine."
"Then let me see your chest," says Kenzi. Dyson doesn't budge. "C'mon D-man let me see it," she urges. Dyson growls as he lifts up his shirt. Kenzi rubs her finger against the stitches. "Damn, I mean sorry about that."
"I'll heal. I kept this though as a reminder," he says, showing her the bullet.
"A reminder for what?" she asks.
"For me to know, and you not to find out," he says.
"Dyson please leave well enough alone. I need everyone to be cool and on their best behavior," says Kenzi.
"Oh I am, for Bo and you. And for now," he says.
"And what's that supposed to mean?"
"It means that you'll know when you find out."
"I don't think I want to know," she says.
"Then don't ask, simple,"
"You know you have a very smart mouth that I'll let slide but remember whatever you do is going to come back to you. Fair warning," says Kenzi.
"Okay Kenzi, I can play nice. Now on to more serious news, I didn't want to tell Bo, but I lost Lauren."
"What do you mean you lost her?"
"I lost track of her. Promise you won't tell Bo. At least give me a chance to find her first. I'm leaving out right now."
"Okay dude, you know how Bo feels about lying," says Kenzi.
"You're not lying, you're just withholding information until I return with Lauren, okay?"
"Okay but make it fast. My trap can only be closed for so long."
"I doubt that," he says.
"How do you figure?"
"You would have told Bo about her other personalities by now," replies Dyson.
"Are you insane? I mean, I can cop to that, but I thought it was a silent group consensus that we all don't, plus I kind of want to live. I'm hanging on by a hair with the Red. The other Blue wants to take over the world, who wants to cross paths with her. And the other Blue isn't readable at the moment besides being dark and scary. The only sure thing we know is that she cares about Tamsin, I mean do you remember how she brought Tamsin back from The Dawning?" says Kenzi. Dyson doesn't say anything. "Exactly. At least I know my boundaries, speaking of which you need to know yours."
"What are you talking about?"
"With Bo. You need to get over her or something because first it's not healthy and second, you can get us all killed, and I'm not talking Tamsin, I'm talking Bo."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"I would believe that except you do. You do the opposite of what she asks. We all know how much you love her, but you're doing more harm than good. I mean look at your chest."
"I was under a spell. Doubting myself. I didn't know what was real or not," says Dyson.
"Oh okay, but that bullet is very real. You see we're all kool and the gang, but that could have been avoided a long time ago. I know I messed up and I take accountability for my parts, but you don't seem to at all."
"You don't understand, maybe when you reach a couple hundred years you could."
"Ouch that was harsh dude. You know that I'm human."
"I didn't mean it like that?" he says.
"Yes you did. Keep lying to yourself, but you can't lie to me. I try to give you the benefit of the doubt and somehow you disappoint me. Just find Lauren, maybe she can make you into a super soldier so that you don't get your ass wiped with the floor. No wait there's already people here that can do that, oops sorry I didn't mean to say that. Get it," she says.
"Got it Sparkles."
"You know what, this what I get for trying to help and be a friend. This is between you and Bo."
"Thank you. Now that didn't take a couple hundred years now did it?"
"Nall smart-ass. But the way you're moving, you won't have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it off of, you're reaching the danger zone. And I can see that you still haven't learned anything. That's your ass. So as a friend, final warning. I'll let you and Bo handle whatever yall have to do because I'm tired of being in between you two, oh I'm sorry that would be Tamsin. See how that feels? Well off you go. I'll give Bo your regards."
"Whatever Kenzi. Knowing you, just tell Bo that I'm off to get Lauren and leave the lost part out of it."
"I told you about those whatevers, but I'm not even going to start with you again, it's literally draining. I guess it's true what they say, you can't teach an old dog new tricks," she says.
Dyson growls. "I'm a wolf."
"Whatever," says Kenzi.
The Una Men's Compound. It's dank, barely lit and slimy. Bo decides to pay them a visit unannounced. "The place looks much better inside. Oh I forgot to thank you for the bite," she says. The Keeper reminds Bo that they haven't summoned her, but Bo doesn't care. She tells them that she will not follow any of their rules basically and she's not going to run, even if they try to kill her. The Keeper tells her that they are not interested in what she has to say because their needs have already been met. They wanted the unaligned Succubus gone and she is.
"Hello, standing right here alive and well," says Bo.
"Yes you are, but the unaligned Succubus is not," says The Keeper.
"What are you deaf and blind? I'm the unaligned Succubus, Bo Dennis present. And you need to keep that stalker gargoyle on a leash, biting gaps into people, who in the hell does that?"
"We do. It tasted your blood and it has spoken."
"What does my blood have to do with anything? And just how has it spoken? I mean who knew blood could talk."
"Your blood has spoken," repeats The Keeper. "The unaligned Succubus has been terminated. You are no longer. You have chosen."
"I chose what? Because I don't remember choosing anything. Everyone knows I don't like choosing, so what are you talking about?"
"You are no longer unaligned. Your blood has spoken. You have chosen a side. You are Dark Fae."
"I'm sorry can you repeat that?"