The Dal
Dyson was screwed. What could he do? If he left he was dead. If he didn't he would be most likely dead at the hands of the Elders. He had his orders from them and threats from Bo to deal with. He had never seen her threaten him before. Except for that moment when she said she could make him love her but that was child's play compared to what he saw in her eyes now. She wasn't even standing in front of him anymore and he still felt the burning power coming off of the Succubus.
Trick wasn't helping either. He was behind the bar polishing the same glass he had in his hand when Dyson walked in. He shook his head. All he wanted to do was go home and pretend his life wasn't over. That he and Bo weren't over. But this wasn't Bo he was dealing with. Her eyes were locked on blue and she hadn't even blinked since she threatened him if he walked out the door. The only door he could go in is the mens room door. Yes. That's a good idea. Give himself some time to think how he was going to get out of this.
Aife on the other hand was quite amused. She had been on the phone but kept an eye on the scene playing out before her. Dyson was at a loss for words and for once he showed fear in front of Trick. His golden boy was a golden dud. She laughed at the thought. They thought they had Bo figured out. But when Aife mentioned Hades nobody would go near the Succubus but her mother. Aife felt Bo's power. Her anger. Her hunger. Her determination to follow through on her threats.
"What do you think he will do daddy? Aife laughed. Trick moved far away from them when Aife mentioned Hades. But really who's fault was it? Who cowardly handed Aife over to the Dark to do whatever the fuck they wanted to do with her? Had he just left her alone to avenge Isabeau's death, he wouldn't look as if he was about to pass out from shock. His face looked flushed. She imagined that he was imagining Hades' blood mixed with his own in the woman sitting at his bar. Inside of his bar. Inside of his family.
"I don't know". Trick sighed. It was true. For the first time in hundreds of years, he had no idea what the shifter would do. He knew defying the Elders was like defying him. Dyson wouldn't dare. Every order had to be followed down to the last detail. The Elders were vicious. He was lucky he was still alive. They both were. Trick had to talk them out of going against him for his involvement in sending Dyson in with Bo knowing full well she wasn't allowed to bring him back. He should have warned Bo. Been more specific. But he didn't want to piss her off before she went in. It was crucial in her success. But her biggest failure was bringing Dyson back. Having Lauren out of their hands must not be allowed.
No matter how they tried to downplay Lauren's role. The truth is she had always been far more valuable to the Light Fae than Dyson had ever been. That's where his disdain and hatred for the Doctor rose from. Knowing Lauren would get the first calls about a case and when she needed a specimen or a body to examine they would send Dyson to pick it up. Knowing Lauren was called Dr. Lewis and Dyson was just called the dog. Not Detective Thornwood but the dog.
Now the tables were turned and they actually needed him to be ahead of her but he wasn't. Lauren had been gone for days and Dyson had been back almost as long. Nothing he could do would make up for the time he had lost. Trick shook his head. Dyson should have stayed gone but Bo was always his weakness. His excuse to slack off or to stay in bed. She always drew him to her like a magnet. They all knew what it was. Dyson was so madly in love with Bo he couldn't see she had moved on. Couldn't let go of the fact that she chose Lauren over him. A human. Over him. Dyson was never the brightest bulb in the box.
The day he came to Trick about his plans for Bo's dawning, he could smell the treachery on Dyson. Trick only wanted him to go just in case Bo needed him so that she could come back. If he didn't come back, it wouldn't be such a big loss. With Aife off who knows where, he wanted to keep his family close. Now they were all back and about to make the Blood King's life pure hell. Dyson was not immortal. One bullet to his head and he would be dead. Bo was pissed off at him. Aife would likely steal the gun just to pull the trigger again herself. So there would be no local Succubus to bring him back to life.
Aife smirked noticing Trick watching the mens room. Dyson hadn't come back out yet. She spun around on her barstool and stood up to go in herself.
"Bad dog. He left". Aife laughed and turned around. Just as she thought, Bo was out the door like lightning.
"More like a stupid dog". Albert said standing behind Aife. Dyson had climbed out of the window like the coward they both always took him to be.
Lauren.
I was dreading this trip. I wished I would have seen it first, so it would be over with already. I almost want to call Bo. But pfft to that. What could Bo do for me? She dreaded going home herself, electing to take Kenzi with her. I guess it worked out in the end. They always get what they want and I get scraps like the slave I've been over the last 6 years. When you think about it. It all fits together. The fake Kenzi telling me Dyson had his love back and Bo of all people didn't. I know she knew. She avoided all my questions and hints about it. It is no wonder I wasn't missed when I was sucked into her Dawning. Everything was Dyson specific. She wanted him. She can have him. I am going to go through with my promise to myself and to Albert. Trying to make amends with the families is long overdue and I should have gone to do so myself but the Ash never let me do anything out of Fae business and if I even tried he sent the dog after me. Dyson again all up in my business as usual.
Enough of that shit. I have a long trip ahead of me and I need to focus on that. None of them matter until I complete these next few trips. I calculated it all in my head last night. I have about three trips left. Six victims were from the same family. Which is leading me to Grimley.
I am not saying this will be a piece of cake because it won't. They have every reason to be angry and hurt still. None of those deaths were necessary. Perhaps our bombing of the others weren't either but none of those resulted in anyone getting harmed.
I sighed deeply. It had been a long flight back. A short trip mind you but long because I was dreading it. Something in me said pull out my phone and call Albert. I needed a push and nobody was around to push me. As a Doctor I had witnessed so much death but I never learned to help them cope with their grief. I had never known personal death until Nadia. My family is out there somewhere. Somewhere. Anywhere is safe from the drama surrounding my life.
This was all on me though. I was the one that made the pipe bombs. I am sure my brother could have and would have gotten them from someone else. But mine were the ones he used. When he threw them, we threw them. When they exploded, our lives exploded. When the victims took their last breaths. Our lives as we knew them took their last breaths of freedom.
I am rambling you see. If I can stay in my head then I won't have to worry about stumbling over the words that need to come out of my mouth. I had been in Grimley for hours. I wore a thick black beanie to hold my blonde hair down and matching outfit.
Here I was sitting outside of the house on my list. It looked nice with a lone car in the driveway and nothing else was going on. Nobody looking out of the curtains. The door shut tight.
The Jackson's were a tight knit family from what I understood. Come on Lewis. Get off your ass and just knock. Don't be the coward people mistook you to be.
I had downed so many cups of coffee that the first place I needed to go was a restroom but not theirs. I needed to find one and quickly. I peeled away from the curb quickly.
Bo and Dyson
Dyson was off and running. He could and would deal with Bo later. She never stayed mad at him about anything. This too would pass quickly. If he could lie to her about her own mother. Anything having to do with Lauren would amount to a second of Bo's anger.
He wasn't sure what Bo knew about his mission but she must know it's about finding families and bringing them back to the Elders. That's all he had to do. He needed to be quick about it too. If he only got to one family that should be enough to satisfy the Elders and to get Bo off of his back. He liked Bo on his back though. On his front. Focus Wolf focus. Getting your boys riled up isn't going to help you right now. Just get this done and then you can hang out with Bo and do what comes naturally to the both of you.
He thought about using his car but found it would faster on foot and he could stay out of sight. So he shifted and ran behind the Dal. The streets were dark and it was easier for him to dip and dodge. It was embarrassing for him to have to do this given who he is to the Fae but a pissed off Succubus would be dangerous. He knew using the bathroom exit would be a brilliant idea. Bo wouldn't go in there. She always said it reeked of shit whenever someone came out of there.
He was a long way from the Dal now. He just needed to keep up his pace and never stop for anything.
"Stupid dog. I warned his ass". Bo huffed. She saw his car and had a pretty good idea of the direction he went in. His clothes were left sporadically behind him. Bo took his car and used the sirens to try and gain some ground on him. When she was where she needed to be she pulled over and ran on top of a mound she saw.
She jumped on top of it and got started. She saw the chi coming back to her. She heard his coughs and knew she had him. Once she felt she pulled enough she jumped off of the mound and followed the direction of his coughs.
"I warned you didn't I? Don't ever defy me again". Bo snapped helping Dyson up. He couldn't walk and she didn't care. Dragging him back to his car, she threw him into the back seat, hopped into the driver's seat and headed back to the Dal.
Twenty minutes later they arrived and Bo dragged him out and called for one of Trick's guards to come and help. Two came and pulled Dyson to his feet.
"Follow me". Bo said waving for them to do so. She brushed her clothes and walked as fast as she could go into the Dal. Bypassing Trick, Aife and Albert, she went downstairs.
"Bo please". Dyson coughed.
"Bo please nothing. I warned you. You should have listened to me". Bo snapped over her shoulders.
The guards knew where she was going because they covered their noses with their free hands.
"Throw him inside". Bo said after popping the lock on the cage.
"Bo! Trick screamed from behind her. He had followed her down after Aife had warned him not to.
"If you try and take him out, you will join him". Bo bristled at Trick. When her eyes flashed blue he had no choice but to back away from the cage.
"Bo this is my bar and I can do what I want". Trick said softly. His deeper voice would set the Succubus off.
"I can always put you in there with them". Bo snapped.
"I have to let him out Bo. That's an Underfae in there with him. Do you understand? Trick asked.
"I will let him out when Lauren comes home. If he's still alive by then. Oh and he has an ankle monitor on. If he comes out, you're both dead". Bo winked.
"You really didn't know who you were fucking with all of this time huh daddy? Aife laughed from the stairs. Yes it stunk down there but Trick's squirming was delectable.
"Aife please. One Succubus is enough". Trick said.
"We're never enough! Aife laughed again toasting her point with the drink in her hand.
Lauren
After I had relieved myself numerous times I was finally ready to face the Jackson's or what was left of them. Pulling my beanie off I walked up and knocked on the door.
It took a few minutes but finally I heard footsteps. An older lady opened the door halfway. I didn't blame her. It was dark out and she looked like she weighed a hundred and nothing.
"Can I help you dear? She asked softly.
"Mrs. Jackson? I said.
"No but if you know them, we need to talk". She said softly.
I didn't like the sound of that at all. I was already nervous about this as it was, I didn't need anymore delays because I would assuredly lose my nerve. "Ok. Sure. Where can we talk?
She nodded towards two small chairs and an even smaller table on the porch. "Sit in one of those and I will be right back".
I looked the chairs over. They looked comfortable but I wasn't yet so I stood waiting for her to return. After a few minutes she emerged with some folders in her hands. I had seen folders like that before. Handled folders like that before. I swallowed hard watching her pointing for me to sit down and I did.
"The Jackson are all gone. I moved in here shortly after they...my name is Myrna. Myrna Caldwell". She said.
"Nice to meet you Mrs. Caldwell". I smiled. Nervously waiting for her to continue. It wasn't my place to interrupt her.
"Dear lady I am a Doctor and I don't know how I am going to tell you this". Mrs. Caldwell said softly.
Swallowing hard again I nodded that it was ok for her to proceed.
"The Jackson's are all dead. Their bodies landed in one of my labs years ago". Myrna explained. She looked as if she was about to cry but she coughed instead.
"What happened? I mumbled with a lumg nagging me in my throat.
"I don't know. I had never seen anything like that before. I ran the autopsies and everything but nothing out of the ordinary stuck out but the looks on their faces". Myrna said.
"I'm a Doctor too so it's ok if you need to use Medical terminology". I said softly.
"That's just it. We don't have any terminology that could describe what I found". Dr. Caldwell said.
I cleared my throat as a chill ran up and down my spine. "May I see? I asked sticking my hands out for one of the folders she was holding.
"I'm telling you Dr?
"Lewis. Lauren Lewis". I said softly.
"I'm telling you Dr. Lewis you have never seen anything like this before". Dr. Caldwell said.
"I was once enlisted. I have seen a lot". I said softly. I wasn't trying to sound arrogant, I just wanted to see for myself so I could confirm my suspicions. She nodded and handed me one of the folders.
I took a few minutes going over the documents, putting the pictures at the very back. After several more minutes I finally pulled one picture out and tried to hold my emotions in check. It was just as I thought. I saw Bo's feeding signature. I nearly dropped the file but half smiled handing it back to her.
"You're right that's like nothing I have ever seen". I lied. She didn't need to know what I did.
"I spent many years pouring over these files trying to make sense of what happened to them. They had already lost six family members during a pipeline bombing". Dr. Caldwell sighed.
"I'm so sorry to hear that". I said trying not to look her in the eyes. My shame was already making my blood boil.
"You weren't related to them were you? Dr. Caldwell asked.
I understood all of her questions. My mind works the same way. You just have to have answers in our line of work. "No. I wasn't but I came here to meet them". It was the truth. I did come here to meet them and ask for forgiveness. But that was over now.
"I'm sorry if you came all of this way for nothing. I know it's not easy for any of us to see these kinds of images with no explanation". Dr. Caldwell sighed.
"I'm sorry if I kept you up". I smiled softly but I was crying on the inside.
"No it's ok. I hardly sleep. I just thought if you knew them that you needed to know what happened". Dr. Caldwell said waving off my apology.
"No I didn't know them personally yet". I said clearing my throat. I had to get up and go. My emotions were starting to surface. We had killed an entire family. Me. Bo. Us.
I stood up slowly so she wouldn't think that I was a freak that just showed up out of nowhere. "I should be going".
"Ok dear. I'm sorry we had to meet under these circumstances but wow Dr. Lauren Lewis in person". Dr. Caldwell said.
Her awe wasn't necessary because I didn't feel like a Doctor right now. I felt like a cold blooded murderer. I nodded and nearly ran off of the porch. My car was a few blocks down the road. Once I saw she was back inside of her house, I ran towards it. I am not sure which was running faster, my tears or my legs.
I finally made it to my car and I just sat there. I was in no condition to drive yet. I pulled out my phone and threw it back down. I was about to call Bo. But how could she help me with this? She still struggles with the paranoia that she's a monster. If I put this on her, it will start her going. This is not even about Bo. I was the first killer between the two of us, according the records I just read over.
Bo had given me timeliness of her kills and mine were before hers. I didn't need her right now. I needed me. Karen Beattie. Lauren Lewis. All of me needed to step up and own what I did. Pulling off, I glanced at the house I just ran from once again and turned my attention back to the road. To my next destination. I hadn't looked at my list yet but wherever it was, I am going. Not one family will be left off or forgotten about. I must see this through.
TBC
Bo goes to talk to the Elders.
Lauren continues her mission.