Trick and Albert.
"Well if it isn't the Blood King coming to see little old meaningless Albert", Albert laughed. He had heard the news of Fitzpatrick McCorrigan coming for a visit but could not believe it.
"I need your help and I don't have time for bullshit", Trick said.
"Tsk tsk such language. What would the other peasants like me think? Albert said waving his guards out of the room.
"Albert we have known each other a long time, I wouldn't come to you without such a flimsy notice", Trick said pacing back and forth.
"I get it Fitzpatrick, you need a favor or something from me so get on with it and we'll see how important it is", Albert said. It was well known the Blood King kept to himself and his good blood book. Other than that he was rarely seen outside of his thrown room or private quarters.
"I need you to go and get Aife", Trick finally admitted.
"That's rubbish Fitzpatrick, I have immediate family matters of my own, unless you plan on helping me with that. You scratch my back, I scratch yours", Albert said coolly staring at Trick.
"Albert this is important", Trick pleaded. He was starting to sweat from nerves of having to ask anyone for a favor. Anyone beneath him that is.
"You know I've always had a soft spot for Aife. She can't help it her father's a bastard that her mother is far too good for", Albert said gesturing for Trick to have a seat but he wouldn't sit down.
When Trick bowed his head Albert knew he had hit his mark. Trick had always insulted him and all that he stood for. They were only allies when it came to the women in Trick's life. But that's as far as Albert would ever go with his affections towards mother and daughter Succubus.
"I'm here about Isabeau", Trick said finally stopping to look at Albert.
"What about Queen Isabeau? Albert asked. He never called her outside of her name like Trick did.
"She's been murdered and Aife needs to know", Trick said bowing his head once again.
"That's not possible. A Succubus murdered? Albert screamed. If this was true the bastard or bastards deserved whatever was coming to them.
"Someone had slit her throat", Was all Trick could say as an answer.
Albert rose from his seat and walked towards Trick. "Did you do this? He asked threateningly.
"Of course not I loved Isabeau you know that! Trick screamed, his face turning red.
"You only loved her when it fits your need of her influence. We all know the story of her going to the meet with the Dark", Albert said.
"That's where she was murdered! Trick screamed defending himself from the latter comment.
"Then I feel for the bastard when Aife or I get ahold of him, he'd better hope for her", Albert said stepping coldly to Trick.
"I didn't do it I told you. Now if you're done pointing blame I need you to go and get Aife out of her dawning, so that I can tell her about her mother", Trick said.
Albert stared at Trick for a moment. He nearly laughed at the thought of Aife kicking Trick's ass once she found out. He knew Aife carried her heart on her sleeve and fucking with her mother would result in every part of her body flying at the perpetrator(s).
"Very well Fitzpatrick, I will go and get the Succubus. I know what she would do to you would be far more damaging than what I would do", Albert laughed.
"You know you will not be allowed to come back out", Trick said.
"I know the rules of the Dawning Blood King", Albert said bitterly. This was painful to deal with but he knew Aife needed to know. That's the only reason he agreed to it.
"Then I will take my leave and prepare for her return", Trick said turning to go.
"Ah ah ah Fitzpatrick. You will agree to my payment right now", Albert said grabbing Trick by his shirt collar.
"Fine. What's your payment? Trick asked. He tried to walk as fast as he could hoping Albert wouldn't want payment.
"My Granddaughter Lauren and her gf Nadia have been living with me. Her mother doesn't like Lauren's lifestyle and said she couldn't stay with them. Neither of them have finished their college degrees and you will see to it that they have a roof over their heads and protection until they do. You will see to it that she finishes school and that she learns about her powers when the appropriate time comes", Albert said.
"Albert...", Trick started.
"This is my payment. Otherwise you can find another Incubus since I know that's the only reason you have darkened my doorstep", Albert said.
"What kind of powers does she have? Trick asked. This was the first time he had heard that Albert had a granddaughter or any family.
"Lauren is still very young. She was barely 16 when she graduated high school. I can't say for certain what she can or can't do. You will see to it that she learns and excels with them once they surface. You will teach her as I would should I stay and leave Aife where she is", Albert said. He was not going to back down. He had an idea of what Lauren would become but he didn't want to taint her future right now. She was too involved in her studies and he respected that.
"I can't help her if I don't know what she is", Trick said.
"You're the Blood King. A perpetual nerd of the Fae. You will pay my price or the next Succubus that enters their Dawning will come for your throat. I will see to that", Albert said. Trick was always a sneaky bastard. He didn't always keep to his word. It was a gamble Albert had to take and he would for Aife. She had willingly helped him out of many jams, even convincing Lauren's mother to hand him custody of the young genius.
"I will do my best", Trick agreed.
"It better be your best. You know someday I may just return. Do not fail me! Albert said. He was never scared of Trick. Didn't need to be.
Present
"Umm hello? Remember us? Bo asked looking at Albert. She had done that for nearly half an hour.
"What is it? Albert asked.
"You said Lauren is your granddaughter which means she is Fae! Bo said.
"Don't worry Succubus, she won't kill you if she sleeps with you again", Albert said eyeing Trick. He had indeed failed him.
"That's not what I meant I just want to know how this could be and why we are just finding out now", Bo said.
"Isabeau I tried to warn you. Mostly all of the Fae bullshit and betrayals lead to Trick", Aife said turning towards the Blood King.
"Bo I can explain but Kenzi needs to leave. We can't risk this getting out", Trick said.
"Trickster! I thought we were close or at least got along! Kenzi said.
"I can't risk this Kenzi. It's too important", Trick said gesturing for her to leave.
"Fine I'll go", Kenzi said turning towards Bo.
"The Succubus can't tell you either", Albert said.
"But why does Bo get to know? She's the reason the Doctor was gone in the first place", Hale huffed.
"Watch it Siren", Aife said.
"Well she is and we all know it! Hale said.
"Then you can leave too", Aife said.
"No I'm the Ash and Lauren is still a ward of mine. I need to hear this", Hale said.
"Are you sure about that? Albert laughed. Hale seemed slow on the uptake.
"Huh? Sure about what? Hale asked.
"Are you sure she's still a ward of yours? Albert laughed again in Hale's direction. He didn't seem to be paying attention.
"Lauren. You remember Lauren? Bo asked the group.
"Fine everyone take a seat. This could be awhile", Trick said.
The group that was left, Aife, Bo, Hale, Albert and Trick took their seats.
I had lost track of Lauren once she was deployed to Afghanistan. She was gone for years and when she came back, she and Nadia quickly moved in together. I had security on standby as protection. Then the Ash came to me about an illness the Fae had been experiencing in the Congo. I thought this was a great opportunity for Lauren to go and treat the ill Fae. I insisted that Nadia go along so she take lot of pictures we could hold on to as research of who was there, should we ever need them. Lauren spent months over there. She didn't even know it was Fae that she was treating. When I felt she was no longer safe there, I ordered her to be brought back to the Light Fae compound immediately. Lauren was furious that I had asked her to come home as there was still many Fae left to be treated. They lost their lives and I lost a little of Lauren's respect because she felt that I allowed them to die, which they did.
When they arrived Lauren wasn't here a day before she was ready run again. I tried to keep my promise to Albert by protecting her. I went to find a Shaman to curse Nadia, knowing the Doctor in Lauren would never abandon a sick person much less her gf. I saw a few instances of Lauren's powers. Late one night I snuck into see Nadia with the same Shaman. As I suspected Nadia was about to wake up on her own, so I had the Shaman cast two spells. A stronger one on Nadia and one on Lauren so she wouldn't figure out that she has powers of her own".
"You bastard! You never once told her she was mine? Albert asked.
"I didn't think she was ready to know. She still isn't", Trick said.
"So what happened to Nadia? Albert asked.
"A few days after she woke up, I had to kill her because she was about to kill Lauren", Bo said hanging her head.
"What? Albert said his temper nearly boiling over.
"Wait! I lifted Nadia's curse. Where would Lauren's nail be? Bo asked. She had risked so much that day. Trick had no idea how he was literally a sneeze away from losing his own granddaughter and he still could under these bullshit circumstances.
"Are you telling me my granddaughter has been a slave of yours for years because your coward ass didn't want to tell her she's Fae? Albert asked getting to his feet.
"Uh you might want to sit back down. He even made her wear a necklace and bow to him", Bo said.
"You what? You made her bow to you? Albert said his face exposing his anger.
"I never made her bow to me. Isabeau is exaggerating", Trick said.
"No but she did bow to the Ash which was apparently an extension of you since you were in on Nadia's curse", Bo said.
"Hey she didn't bow to this Ash. She never has! Hale said pointing to himself.
"So back to Lauren and how we can help her now. Trick you said Lauren was cursed, how do we lift it? Bo asked angrily. She was having a hard time controlling her Succubus as it was.
"Lauren's curse will be lifted once she completes her Dawning", Trick said looking towards Albert.
"Ok so we get her to go back into the temple and do some hocus pocus. That sounds easy enough", Bo said.
"Lauren's Dawning is special. It's not Dog Knows Best", Albert snapped. He knew about Bo's Dawning but wasn't sure how much he trusted her when it came to Lauren.
Bo rolled her neck. She knew that was a jab at them but she didn't exactly star in her own Dawning. "Ok so what is her Dawning?
"Lauren did some things before her mother gave her to me. She must make amends for those things first. Things only she will tell you about if or when she chooses to", Albert said.
"And second? Bo asked. She was losing patience.
"She will have to reenter the Temple once she is done to complete it", Trick answered.
"Ok so we tell her and she goes back in once she's done. I can do that", Bo said getting to her feet.
"You will not tell her. Lauren must do this alone. No hand will help her", Albert said.
"What she doesn't even know she's Fae, I won't lie to her", Bo said.
"You won't be lying because you won't be going after her. You will stay away from her until she's ready to go back into the Temple", Albert said.
"What? I won't leave her out there and vulnerable! Bo snapped as she started to pace.
"You will not interfere or she will fail the minute you do, Succubus. Lauren has a lot of work to do and she can't do that with a pining Succubus in her face", Albert said.
"He's right Isabeau you can't help her. Each Fae must execute their own Dawning or turn disgustingly ugly. Surely you must see the Doctor's beauty? Aife laughed. She knew Lauren was Bo's weakness all the way back to the first time she saw them together kissing in Lauren's lab but they didn't see her.
"These are the terms of her Dawning. Just because you broke the rules of yours I will not sit back and watch you break the rules of hers. Lauren's a good woman, she doesn't deserve that", Albert said.
"I didn't want to leave Dyson there. It wouldn't have been right", Bo said.
"Well you did and I finally got to see my granddaughter again. All thanks to the Dawning of a Succubus", Albert said. He was still upset that Lauren had to endure that, but he would see to it that she was treated fairly without bias.
Bo started pacing back and forth with her head bowed. What they were asking seemed impossible. Bo herself could understand but her Succubus gave no damns when it came to Lauren being in danger of any kind. How would she just sit back and not help her? But then again wasn't that what Dyson did? Went into her Dawning and tried to protect her from everything. Lauren was brilliant and tactical. Should she encounter any danger she would be prepared for it mentally and physically. Bo learned of her physical abilities by how often she planted her in bed. Although some of those times, Bo allowed it, other times she was taken over, but she loved it.
"So you're telling me that I/we can't tell Lauren she is really Fae, can't help her out there while she's trying to make amends for her past, and pretty much have to stand down from her until she's completed her missions and is ready to enter the Temple again? Bo asked.
"That's right. If anyone gets wind of this and tells her, she will fail. I am sure you can hold your tongue with your friends for Lauren's sake", Albert said.
Bo knew he specifically meant Kenzi. Although she did hear him say that Lauren was his granddaughter. She will have a hard time convincing Kenzi to drop it, but she had to do it. Her Succubus was stirring wildly, but she knew she understood too. Even if she was ready to rip heads off.
"Another thing you should know. Once Lauren enters the temple she will once again have the option of whether she wants to return or not and this time she won't necessarily return to the Dal Riata, it she so chooses not to. You can't tell her she's my granddaughter either", Albert explained.
"That's not fair. What if she needs me or protection once she comes back, should she choose to? Bo asked.
"I will be her protection and she really may have no use for you once she gains her powers. Remember she has my blood. I can always find her, which is why I must adhere to these rules too and not interfere", Albert said.
"Damn that Trick", Bo thought internally. None of this would be happening had he not screwed up and she would be explaining her own faults to Lauren right now, if Lauren allowed her to that is.
"Ok. I/we won't interfere", Bo said pointing at herself alerting them that she was referring to her Succubus as well.
"And your little friend? Albert asked.
"Her name is Kenzi and I won't tell her anything else", Bo said tiredly. This was on her too. She didn't think her decision all the way through. When it came down to it, she rarely thought her decisions through but needed and would stick to keeping her mouth shut on this one.
"Good", Albert said turning to Aife who nodded.
"Aife you have a phone call", Trick said holding up the receiver.
"I know this will be hard for you Bo, but you need to think of the consequences should you overstep any of this", Hale said softly.
"I know. I know. I just hate knowing she's out there doing who knows what. Dyson is out there too on this mission you told me about", Bo said.
"Dyson was warned his cases are classified, if he talks about the details or fails, he's screwed too", Hale said.
"My Queen. Thank goodness I found you. We have a situation that needs your immediate attention! Arthur said nearly screaming into the phone.
"What is it? Aife laughed. She suspected it was nothing since Arthur gets riled up over rodents.
"The wolf is here and well...you better get back here", Arthur said.
"Don't wet yourself I'll be right there", Aife laughed again. This was going to be fun after all if it's the same wolf she was thinking of.
"Albert it was wonderful to see you again. I have a lot of business going on, should you ever want to visit", Aife said pulling him close to her while handing him a card with her information on it.
"What you're a Queen over there? How's that possible? Albert asked.
"Simple, I told them Trick died. They know his face, not his voice. I even wore all black for a week straight", Aife laughed putting her finger over her mouth gesturing for him not to say anything else.
"I have to go", Aife announced to the rest of the group.
"Mom? You're leaving again? Bo asked softly.
"Awww sweetie you can come with me if you like", Aife smiled.
"That's a good idea Bo, it will get your mind off of all of this", Trick said.
"That's true. Wait what about Albert? Bo asked already feeling protective of Lauren's family.
"Don't worry about me. I can spend my time getting reacquainted with Fitzpatrick", Albert said taking a seat at the bar but never taking his eyes off of Trick.
"Let's go baby. I would say I am sorry about the mess I made of the Dal Riata but that would be a complete lie", Aife laughed heading towards the door winking at Trick as she did.
"Let's go mom I need to call Kenzi and tell her I'm taking a trip with you". Bo shook her head. She didn't like Lauren out there by herself but there was nothing she could do about it but hope it all ended well.
Lauren
I had gone home and showered. Rummaging old boxes in my closet I found what I would be wearing. My old Afghanistan fatigues. Everything but my dog tags. I convinced the Fae that I bought them at a surplus store and they believed me. I found my old boots too. Albert was right. I had a lot of mending to do, if I could. He gave me a list of addresses and I had already planned my first trip. I had no idea what happened at the Dal after I left, nor did I care. Did anyone besides Albert care what happened to me? I know Bo was sorry but how could I know her apology was based on me getting sucked into her Dawning or her feeling bad that Dyson died? She didn't seem sorry about anything to me when she was hovering over him. But I need to let that go for now. It's not going to help me get to these families and see to it that they know who I am and what I have become. A more responsible woman and Doctor.
I got my first lead and shook my head. I was going on a trip indeed. Never been there but I bet it's beautiful as far as the scenery. But again this was not to be a fun trip. This was to be a learning trip. I heard they had been in danger for days now and I needed to get to them. If anyone knows their pain it's me. It's never easy to lose a loved one. I had seen that so many times in my personal life as well as my professional life.
Hours later I had arrived. I packed a small bag as I knew I would not be there long and needed to keep my wits about me. I really didn't know anyone here so I wouldn't necessarily stand out. I tied my hair up and kept it in a cap with shades on. I found a cheap motel closest to the address. I put my things away and was out the door again. I loved it that I arrived at night so as not to attract anyone thinking my gear looked weird. I had changed to a regular baseball cap but left everything else on.
I went down the block on foot. I needed to get some fresh air and wanted to oversee the house so I could calculate my first move.
When I reached it, I already found it odd. The front door was open and I could hear voices from inside. Things hitting the floor but it didn't sound like bodies.I stepped further into the house and saw family pictures on the floor when I went to the back room, I saw someone standing near another doorway.
"Dad. Dad is that you? A voice called out.
I knew my time was up. "No I'm not dad but I will be your protection", I said stepping inside the room
Get out of here! I shouted as a figure I knew quite well slowly turned in my direction.
"Hello Lauren", Dyson said.
"Dyson. Bo took the leash off of her favorite dog huh? I laughed. What a bastard. Why the hell was he here of all places?
"Lauren I am not here for you. The Elders sent me to take the families back to them", Dyson confessed.
"They are not going back with you but I can't guarantee you will be either", I said winking holding my gun on him.
TBC