"Excuse me, Lauren." Bo growled and soon the room stood still. "Faster than a transformer." Blue eyes greeted everyone surrounding them but the doctor herself.
"Bo." Lauren raised her hand and sighed.
"No, Lauren. As long as she's here, I will be here." The succubus gritted her teeth.
"We really don't have time for this, child." Noah shook his head.
"I don't care. Besides your little flunky, there still needs to do what I told her to do." The succubus gestured towards her mother and then towards Lauren.
"I am not scared of you little succubus." Aife laughed.
"Little? Let's see who kicks who's ass if you don't immediately apologize to Lauren, as I commanded you to do." The succubus stood face to face with her mother. Blue eyes stared into blue eyes.
"Aife. You are older. You know better. We don't have time for this, and you know that." Noah spoke just over the succubus shoulder.
"Lauren Lewis. I am sorry that I put you in any kind of danger. That was not my intention. I intended on getting her fuck thing killed. But, you were wrongfully targeted. Please accept my sincerest apologies." Aife turned and bowed to the woman with her brown eyes shining.
"Good girl. But since Bo and I are in agreement that Lauren can't travel anywhere with you without me being in control, I will stay in control until her head hits her pillows or the threat of your craziness is gone." The succubus backed up and stood next to the blonde.
"Lauren, if you please." Noah spoke softly in the doctor's direction.
The doctor nodded and climbed into an SUV. Bo immediately climbed in after her and took her seat next to her. "You are never leaving me, are you?." Lauren asked softly.
"No." The succubus answered in a double toned voice. The doctor settled in her seat and closed her eyes for a few seconds before opening them again. "Now, tell me, what's the plan?." The succubus asked.
"All I was told is that they are going to take down the Morrigan so that they can implement a plan where the Fae no longer has to choose sides. Every Fae will be free to do as they please short of all out murdering each other." Lauren answered. "In a way I envy them, Noah is moving faster than when Nadia was freed."
The succubus closed her eyes but didn't speak. Lauren's pain keeps piling up and she can't even tell her that she woke the woman. Not in the same breath that she reminds the doctor that she killed her too. The women were gently jolted forward when the entourage of trucks pulled away. Lauren reached for a bottle of water and took a few sips.
True to her word the succubus was still in control. Aife wouldn't actually fear Bo. She doesn't trust anyone but the woman sitting beside her. If only Lauren felt the same. But how could she? Dyson died and without permission or understanding, the succubus took her chi to bring him back. He's always been a sore spot for the doctor. One that Bo has yet to convince her otherwise. The second time they made love, the doctor was skeptical, now to see that Bo cared so much for him and so little for her human life that brought them all here. She sighed softly and looked around. She needed to focus. Focus on the drive. Focus on anything and everything that can or could touch the doctor without the both of them being instantly aware.
Noah's truck.
"The little succubus is bold. She doesn't trust you and I don't either but you're the perfect person for my plan to work. I know. I know you thought of it first. That's why you tried to kill me. Luckily for you, the good doctor saved my life. Otherwise, I would have handed you personally to the Morrigan to be put down like your bastard father did so long ago. Cowards you are. All except Bo. That child means well. She's just unschooled in how the Fae really works. It's good that you are riding with me. That way I know Lauren is protected from anything that you can be planning behind my back. Bo is my insurance. She has a softer spot and personal interest in the doctor's well-being. I do too. There are ten heavily armed trucks in front of them and behind them. Snipers on every road and in every tree. Helicopters are far ahead of us and some are circling the group. Can't be too careful about animals lurking in the woods." Noah stared at Aife without a fuck to give in his eyes. They only softened when he spoke of Lauren. He took some short breaths and thought about the day he discovered Lauren's genius. She was so fascinated with her own work that she didn't notice the shaman that came in and cursed Nadia. He had to do it. He knew the doctor and her girlfriend were going to leave the Congo soon. The world is so big, they would have vanished like a needle in a haystack. Does he regret it? Yes and no. Yes because Lauren is brilliantly kind. No because she is Lauren. She helped him when she had every right to tell him to fuck off. It's those same qualities that probably attracts Bo to her. But he's not in love with her. Just respects her. He didn't lie about protecting her. She will have that for as long as they both live.
"You don't know who you're really fucking with." Aife brought Noah's attention back to her. "Isabeau is far, far more powerful than you and your other shifters. Far more powerful than that bitch Evony. The fact that my one and only loves a human makes her even more powerful. She can flip the script and really blow the Fae the fuck up with the slightest hint to humans that we exist. But because of her favorite human that she now sits beside, they will remain wary. That's how she protects them. You fuck around the wrong way with the good doctor as you call her, and she will be signing your death certificate. For real this time." She smiled into her glass of wine.
"No harm will come to the doctor. Physically that is. Emotionally? Well, that's up to your baby girl isn't it? She can't decide between the doctor and the wolf. But I can and did. Your little clique is done tormenting her. That other human is a disgrace to Bo. When the freebies stop, she will stop. I see how she eyes the Siren. She comes across as what the humans call a gold digger. She couldn't wait to do a favor big enough for Trick to give her free drinks for the rest of her life. She's the reason we found your daughter. Trying to rob a man and almost got robbed of something else. Sloppy. Sloppy. Sloppy. The doctor and I are well equipped. Everything is well planned. Even her inevitable reunion with the succubus that I know is coming. When it has been earned, again." Noah took a piece of paper from one of his guards, read it, nodded and handed it back. "We're almost there. Time to get serious succubus. The Morrigan can't detect anything that's not in sync. You will be Morrigan as soon as I force her to step down and that will be quick and swift."
Aife finished her drink and looked out the window. Ole boy was right, they were approaching the Dark Fae compound. Once the trucks surrounded every exit, they all jumped out and waited for everyone to gather.
"Stick to the doctor." Noah spoke towards Bo and looked forward.
Inside.
Every guard and body were pushed back as Noah's men entered the compound first. The door to the Morrigan's office was yanked off the hinges before she could get to her feet. "What the hell is going on?!." She screamed.
"It's a new day, Evony." Noah walked in just behind ten men.
"Boy, if you don't get the hell out of my office, I will assuredly kill you." The Morrigan almost laughed as she took her seat.
"Bring them in." Noah spoke loud enough for his orders to be heard. The Morrigan looked up and was almost horrified at the sight before here. There stood Aife, Bo and Lauren. "What's this?."
"As I said this is a new day." Noah nodded for Aife to step forward.
"I'm not scared of this bitch!." The Morrigan laughed.
"Take your seat, Aife." Noah replied.
"Gladly." Aife smiled as she rounded the Morrigan's desk and pulled her chair back.
"What the hell are you doing!?." The Morrigan held on before she could be embarrassingly tossed out of the chair. "Taking my seat." Aife laughed and the Morrigan screamed when she was picked up.
"Aife is the new Morrigan." Noah broke through the woman's hysterics.
"What!? The hell she is!." Evony screamed.
"Tell her how. I'm curious to know, too." Aife laughed as her new chair was polished.
"Evony will step down. Unless, that is, she wants the Fae to know she slept with a human. They will want her death like they wanted Lou Ann's." Noah finally explained for everyone.
"I did no such thing!." Evony screamed and composed herself once one hand had been set free.
"Bring him in." Noah spoke softly and looked down long enough to see a man be tossed towards the woman.
"Who's that little shit?." Aife asked.
"Her son." Noah replied.
"Oh, shit. Let me get a picture of this." Aife pulled her phone out.
"You can't prove any of this." Evony laughed and pretended she couldn't hear the man calling her mom.
"Lauren, if you would." Noah finally turned to the stunned doctor and succubus who had been watching it all.
"This is your DNA from a glass you left in his throne room. This is his DNA. I compared them both. He is your son and a human." Lauren showed the woman the paper and stepped backwards. The young succubus took every step that Lauren did. She's in a room full of people that she doesn't trust.
"Step down Evony or that report will be front Fae news before moonrise." Noah stood like a general commanding his army.
"Fine. Bastards all of you. You for not leaving town like I told your dumbass to." Evony spat towards the floor. "And the four of you for doing this to me!." She almost spat towards Lauren before being popped in the mouth by Bo's succubus. "Watch your tongue before I make you swallow it.
The four stood silent as Evony and her son were carried out. "Now the last piece of the plan."
"Ok. Ok. All Dark Fae are released." Aife mock pounded a gavel and leaned back in her seat.
"Oh, Aife. Thank you for that with your now useless title." Noah smiled.
"What?." Lauren asked.
"I just needed her to be Morrigan long enough to announce that the Dark Fae are free. As acting Ash, I now decree that all Light Fae are free." Noah smiled and showed the old Ash emblem hanging from a necklace in his hand.
"So, I'm nothing now?!." Aife stood angrily.
"You can have the compound." Noah smiled and turned.
"This isn't over!." Aife screamed.
"It is over. Unless you attack me and that would make the doctor have to work all day and night again. Which would upset this succubus." Noah stood beside Bo and stared into her eyes.
"Let him go." The younger succubus gritted her teeth.
"Fine. Fine. All of you can get the hell out of my building!." Aife screamed and turned for the Morrigan's wine rack.
The Dal
Trick answered the phone and quickly dropped it.
"Trick?." Dyson walked over.
"That's not possible." Trick whispered.
"What's not possible?." Kenzi asked and froze.
"Aife and Noah. They..I can't even say it." Trick fell into a seat.
"Dyson?." Kenzi looked at the wolf.
"I don't know. Trick?." Dyson turned around.
"There isn't a Morrigan anymore. The Dark Fae are free. The Light Fae are free. Noah is acting Ash. Until he steps down. If he steps down." Trick rubbed the top of his head.
"What does that mean, exactly?." Kenzi asked.
"It means the divide is over. The Fae that chose sides are no longer bound to that side." Trick explained.
"We have to do something about Noah, then." Dyson grabbed a beer.
"Don't you get it, Dyson? He's the Acting Ash. He must have something on the former Elders. He can do whatever he wants, when he wants." Trick looked up at the wolf.
"He's our leader even without sides. Yeah, that makes sense." Kenzi rolled her eyes.
"It does. The Ash was the first office ever assigned to any Fae. He outranks every Fae now that he's taken that office again. There are powerful free Fae out there. Dangerous Fae. None of us are safe." Trick swallowed.
"He knows you're the Blood King, too." Dyson noted.
"No. I will not write in my blood. Besides, he matters to Lauren, who matters to Bo, who matters to her Succubus since they share the same body." Trick stood and paced. He froze when the doors opened and people rushed towards the bar. "All hands on deck!." He screamed for help to serve.
Noah
The Jaguar stood looking out over his balcony. "Glad you could join me." He smiled.
"What is this about? What was that about?." Bo asked as herself.
"Your mother had the right idea, she was just sloppy in pulling it off." Noah shrugged.
"Why am I here? I don't want to be away from Lauren." Bo gritted her teeth. She was on the brink of draining him just because he is him.
"Get Lauren out of here. There's enough money for you to take her somewhere nice. It's about to get nasty around here with what I have just done. Just give my people your trip plans so that they can stay ahead for security reasons." Noah pointed towards a large garment bag.
"Why are you doing this?." Bo asked.
"Don't flatter yourself. You don't trust me. I don't trust you. But Lauren matters to the both of us. She deserves a long vacation to decide what she wants with the rest of her life and most importantly to relax. This is not for you to be spoiled but for you to spoil Lauren. Your succubus will be my inside help where my men can't go. Outside of that, I have no use for you. Now, if you don't wish to keep the doctor waiting any further, get out of here." Noah turned and walked away from the succubus.
"Does she know?." Bo asked before he could get too far.
"She does. We are close like that. I keep nothing from her." Noah spoke just before he rounded the corner.
"Can you carry that for me?." Bo asked softly.
The man nodded. "After you." Bo nodded back and turned to walk out to the SUV that Lauren had fallen asleep in. Bo gently climbed in and they were off. She sat across from the woman to give her room to stretch, should she need to. She lifted her head and blew out a breath. Go away with Lauren. It sounds romantic but so much just happened that all the doctor deserves is rest. Noah is right, she had to admit. It's not exactly safe for her right now. She texted Trick to put Kenzi in sanctuary until they return. She will be happy. He has food and liquor and enough contacts to get her anything else that won't require her to go out into the streets. She's still Bo's human.
Human. It's funny really, Bo is in love with a human and Evony was forced to step down because she had a human child. Something Bo wants too but only with the human just inches away from her.
The difference between Lou Ann, Evony and Bo is that only Evony held a title. The other two actually loved their humans. Love. Such a small word to define the succubus feelings for the doctor. But also a word she's going to have to be absolutely convincing when she tells the doctor over and over that she does love her. Bringing Dyson back to life never took away from that. But it did take Bo's focus away from Lauren's discomfort with it all. Having to treat Dyson when there was a whole ass Light Fae staff at the compound that could have done it. She had after hours Lauren all to herself and all but forced her to be an on-call doctor.
She quietly stretched. Where to take the doctor first? A nice hotel so she can actually get into a bed and not twist and turn in a truck on the way to wherever. She will let the doctor sleep long enough to wake up and tell her where she wants to go. "I will always follow you, Lauren." She whispered as she leaned forward.
An hour later.
"Where are we?." Lauren asked.
"Well, we are in a hotel. After I carried you in, I put you to bed." Bo watched as the woman rubbed her eyes. "If you need to go back to sleep, it's ok."
"I'm fine. I'm fine." Lauren shook her head.
"Room service is on standby. I'm terrible at cooking. Cooking for you at least." Bo replied.
"You're not that bad and that's nothing to be embarrassed about. I'm just a human. Nothing is too good for or too beneath me." Lauren poured herself a glass of water.
"Ok. What would you like?." Bo gently handed the doctor a menu. She watched as Lauren took a seat and read it over. Once their food had been ordered they sat in silence.
"Look, Lauren, we don't have to do this." Bo shook her head.
"I'm taking my vacation with or without you, Bo." Lauren replied.
"I want to come with you but not if it makes you that uncomfortable. Noah said you guys had talked about this." Bo sighed.
"We did. We always talk. Something that you and I rarely do outside of Fae business." Lauren leaned back in her seat and played with her hair.
"It's over now, Lauren. The Dawning. The Light and the Dark. It's all over. We can talk as much and as often as we need." Bo leaned towards the woman.
Lauren quickly stood and walked away from the woman. "Damn it." Bo whispered.
"I'm making coffee. Never cared for the way room service makes it." Lauren replied from the small kitchen. Bo smiled, leaned back and rubbed her face. They are on vacation.
TBC