Chapter Six

They stayed in Trick's room for a couple hours, trying to determine more about what caused Trick to be poisoned. Bo was sure that Apex was responsible somehow, but her grandfather wasn't so sure. It was too convenient in his mind and nothing was as it seemed with the Fae.

One thing that troubled Bo was that she hadn't seen Lauren yet and the doctor hadn't come to the room either. It was long past the time when she would normally check in on Trick and from the look Kenzi gave her every once and awhile, she wasn't the only one who noticed. Something didn't feel right and she wanted to go find out.

She stood up from the chair she'd been sitting in and looked to her best friend. "I'm going to go find Lauren. Stay here with Trick."

"Bo, maybe you better leave this one for now," Kenzi said carefully. "If the Ash is still around, maybe you'll get her in even more trouble. It's pretty obvious he knows keeping the doc under his thumb really gets to you."

"She's right," Trick added. "The Ash has always loved to show off that he is able to have a great deal of control over his humans. The fact that you have been involved with one of them is an embarrassment to him. If Lauren wasn't so valuable, she would likely be in the dungeon or dead."

"He would kill her because he's embarrassed?" Bo asked, not quite believing what she heard. "What, does the Morrigan tease him or something?"

Trick smiled. "Something like that. You know how Evony is."

"Who's Evony?"

Bo turned her head to Kenzi. "She's the Morrigan, leader of the Dark Fae. And I will go to her if I need to in order to deal with the Ash."

"Bo, please . . ."

"No, Trick," Bo said quickly. "Look, this is wrong and you know it. Times have changed and the Fae need to, too. I'm going to find Lauren."

She walked out of the room and down the hall, attempting to discreetly look into other rooms in hopes of finding the doctor. Lauren was nowhere to be found and that gave Bo a sense of dread. After searching the floor and coming up empty, she stopped at the nurse's station. "Hi, Amy," she said, looking at the woman's nametag. "I'm looking for Dr. Lewis. She hasn't come to check on my grandfather."

She smiled a smile that didn't reach her eyes as she looked Bo over. "I'm sorry, but Dr. Lewis is not in today. I can have Dr. Zellen stop in if it's needed."

Bo raised an eyebrow at the response. "I don't think so. I know she's working today because I saw her this morning. I would like to speak with her so where is she?"

The smile disappeared as her look hardened. "Well, she left with the Ash a couple hours ago and he said that Dr. Zellen would be in charge."

That did not sound good at all, but Bo didn't want anyone to see that she was concerned. She simply thanked her and walked back to Trick's room. The game plan she knew she needed in order to help Lauren needed to start right away.

"Are you really going to do this, Bo? You could get in a lot of trouble. Hell, they could kill you, couldn't they?"

Bo nodded as she stopped the car. "Look, I'm just going to check Lauren's place to see if she's there. I need to make sure she's okay."

Kenzi nodded. "Be careful. I mean, I'll back you up and all, but brass knuckles will probably only go so far with this crowd."

"I'll be careful," Bo promised before getting out of the car.

She walked quickly into the compound and down the wall where she knew Lauren's apartment was. There wasn't anyone around and she didn't know what to think about that. Bo figured that if Lauren was to stay in her apartment there would likely be a guard outside the door. When she got to the front door, there was no one around.

When she knocked a couple times and didn't get an answer, she tried to door and found that it was unlocked. Bo walked in carefully, looking around for any sign of distress. While working in Europe, she had dealt with situations similar to what she was doing now and knew that she should assess the area before making her presence known.

Bo looked around the living room and kitchen, noticing that nothing was out of place, before quietly walking up the stairs. She hoped when she was up there all she would find was Lauren asleep in her bed, but her gut told her all she would find was an empty room. After looking through the bedroom and bathroom, she let out a sigh.

Now was not the time she wanted to be right.

When she walked down the stairs, she stiffened as she saw she was no longer alone in the apartment. "What are you doing here?"

Dyson raised an eyebrow as he remained standing by the open front door. "I could ask you the same question."

"Where's Lauren?"

He ignored her question. "The Ash wants to see you."

"And you're my escort?" Bo asked, crossing her arms over her chest. "Is the Ash afraid of me or something?"

He didn't take the bait, but Bo wasn't expecting him to. "Come with me."

Bo said nothing as she followed him out of Lauren's apartment and walked down the hall. She made sure to take in as much as she could while they walked through the halls and further into the compound. There might be a chance she would need to know the surroundings in case she needed to rescue Lauren later.

When they made it to the main room of the compound, Bo noticed that Kenzi was standing off to the side in between two guards. "Kenzi, what happened?"

"I was told that I needed to go with them," Kenzi answered, raising her hands to show they were tied in front of her. "Resisting was not successful."

"I do not allow unaccompanied humans on my property," the Ash said as he walked into the room. "My guards simply held her here until you showed up to claim her. She has not been harmed."

"And that's why her hands are tied?" Bo asked, though she didn't expect an answer. "Where's Lauren? The nurse at the clinic said that she left with you and she's not in her apartment."

"She's where I need her to be," the Ash said dismissively and abruptly changed the subject. "I do have some good news for you. We located Apex as he was trying to leave the colony and he confessed to poisoning Trick."

Bo shared a quick look with Kenzi before keeping her attention on the Ash. "Really? The guy you put at the Dal? Kind of a real screw up on your end, don't you think? I mean, Trick was doing just fine and you decide to interfere and next thing I know my grandfather is fighting for his life."

The Ash narrowed his eyes and Bo knew he was trying to keep his cool. "The Dal is very important to the colony. I was simply lending the Light's services to make sure it was well taken care of. No one could have predicted Apex would reach above his purpose."

"And what's going to happen to him?"

"He is in the dungeon while we gather the Elders to determine his fate. I would like Trick to be present at the hearing."

Bo took a step toward him and noticed that his guards stiffened. Dyson's eyes also had yet to leave her. "And where is Lauren?"

"Your interest in my doctor is concerning to me," the Ash said. "As is that she stayed with you away from the compound, which keeps her safe. I spoke with her today about how unsafe she was being and that she needed to learn that."

"Where is she?"

"Learning her lesson."

Bo's eyes flashed blue. "I will kill you if you hurt her."

The Ash laughed, seemingly not threatened by Bo at all. Then again, he did have all the guards and Dyson on his side. "My offer still stands. You can continue to use my doctor if you pledge yourself to the Light and work for me."

"That will never happen." Bo took a breath to calm herself, knowing she needed to be smart about how she responded. "Lauren is not a pawn. She deserves to live her own life and you tricked her into handing it over to you and I'm not leaving this city until she's free."

"Bo, you'll want think carefully before you say or do something you'll regret," he said. "As I've said, Dr. Lewis has proven to be very valuable, but humans can always be replaced."

"Take me to Lauren right now or I will go straight to the Dark." Bo moved closer to the Ash, ignoring the hand Dyson placed on her arm. "I will make sure Evony destroys you."

"You would really hurt Trick by going to the Dark? That's the kind of granddaughter you are?"

"Don't talk about Trick! For all I know you directed Apex to poison him." Bo quickly pulsed Dyson so he'd let go of her arm and closed the distance so she was face to face with the Ash. "I want to know Lauren is okay or I'll take my talents to the Dark and the Morrigan will have that over your head for the rest of your Ash days."

They stared each other down for what left like hours before the Ash let out a breath. "Bring the doctor here now."

Two guards quickly left the room and Bo took a step back. She noticed that Dyson was still close by and she shook her head. "You can call off your guard dog. If Lauren's okay, I won't harm one hair on your head."

No one said anything until the two guards returned, Lauren walking in between the two. She looked a little disheveled and tired, keeping her eyes down as she walked into the room. Though she didn't look physically injured at first sight, Bo still walked up to her and looked her over. "Lauren, are you okay?"

She nodded. "Yes." Her voice was quiet and held none of the strength Bo knew she had.

Bo leaned in, placing her lips close to Lauren's ear. "If they hurt you, I will drain the chi from everyone in this room."

When she moved away, Lauren eyes met hers and she could see the uneasiness and fear in them. "I'm to stay in the dungeon for two days so I can learn the dangers I have put myself in."

The comment made Bo furious and she turned to the Ash, trying to remain calm as she knew she needed that to get Lauren out. "I want Lauren out of the dungeon now."

"This is Light Fae business and it doesn't concern you, Bo," the Ash said, glaring at her. "What I do for my doctor is for her own protection. She needs to see that there are Fae that will see her as someone to feed on."

"What, the necklace isn't enough?" Bo commented. "And I would never hurt Lauren. I haven't hurt anyone when I feed in years."

"But you've taken a liking to Dr. Lewis here, have you not?" He paused, as though he was thinking of something and the look made Bo apprehensive. "However, I think we can come to an understanding."

"And what's that?"

The Ash smiled. "My original offer stands. Work for the Light and I'll allow you to see Dr. Lewis. I'll even drop the condition that you pledge allegiance. One of your duties can be her bodyguard, of sorts."

Bo knew there would be strings attached, but her first thought was that she needed to get Lauren out of the dungeon and keep her out. That felt like enough to make the deal for now. "And Lauren leaves with me?"

"Of course," the Ash said, smirking as he regarded Bo. "That sounds like you are in agreement."

"I choose my cases and I won't kill for you," Bo said. "I've never been a hired gun and I won't start now."

"As you wish," he agreed, nodding. "Release the doctor."

The two guards let go of Lauren and stepped back. Bo was quick to put an arm around her and whispered, "Go to Kenzi." She turned back to the Ash. "Last, no restrictions on Lauren. If I need her help and it's in Dark territory, she's coming with me."

"No leaving the colony without consent."

Bo nodded. "Now are you going to have my friend released, too? We'd like to be going."

The Ash nodded to the guards with Kenzi and they quickly untied her. She immediately rubbed her hands and muttered a curse in Russian before reaching out and taking Lauren's hand. "Come on, Bo. We got what we came here for."

When she turned to go, she found Dyson still in her path. "You're playing with things you do not understand."

"I understand perfectly," Bo commented. "You're the one in the past."

She brushed past him and joined Kenzi and Lauren. They walked out quickly without another word and wound their way through the complex until they reached Lauren's apartment. Once inside, Bo wrapped her arms around Lauren, putting her lips to her ear. "I'm so sorry, Lauren. Put a couple days worth of clothes in a bag. We're leaving here until you have to go to the hospital."

Lauren stepped out of her embrace in response to the comment. "Bo, we . . ."

"We're just going to the hotel," Bo said, cutting off the protest. "I'm not suggesting we run or anything. I need some time to think of the bigger picture."

"Okay," Lauren agreed, "I'll be right back."

Bo watched her walk up the stairs and disappear into her bedroom before turning back to her best friend. "I know you have an opinion."

"You're going to work for him?"

"No, we're going to work for him."

Kenzi scoffed at the revelation. "I don't think so, Bo-Bo. You're on your own with this one."

"I'll help you with your other work, too," Bo offered. "We could be a team and work cases the Ash didn't send our way. I also need your help with finding a way out of this."

Kenzi looked to consider her offer for a few seconds before letting out a sigh. "Bo, I love you, but you've gotten yourself into quite a problem. I don't know how you're ever going to be allowed to leave with Lauren."

"I know there's a way to free her." Bo looked up to the bedroom again. "I just need some time."

After they arrived at the hotel, Kenzi quickly said her goodbyes to both of them as she wanted to spend the night at the Dal. Bo warned her that she might not be welcome, but her friend insisted that Brant would be okay with it. Everyone knew that Bo had claimed her so she wouldn't be harmed if she showed up.

Once the door closed, Bo turned to Lauren and gave her a weak smile. "Do you want to take a shower and maybe get cleaned up a little?"

Lauren didn't answer, only stood and looked at Bo for a few seconds. The doctor looked exhausted and Bo wondered when she ate last. "Why did you make that deal?"

"I needed to get you out of there, Lauren," Bo explained. "You didn't belong in the dungeon and I didn't want anyone to hurt you."

"But you're in debt to the Ash now," Lauren said. "You're working for him."

"Yeah, but I didn't have to choose the Light and I didn't have to go to the Dark and speak with the Morrigan." Bo shook her head at the thought of having to make a deal with Evony, something that would've been held over her head for a lifetime. "I can work with this deal." She paused and looked into Lauren's eyes. "And I can keep you safe."

"Why do you care so much?" Lauren asked. "I'm just a human, Bo."

"No, you're more than that," Bo insisted. "And there's no such thing as 'just a human'. Humans are just as important as Fae." She took a breath. "I care about you."

Lauren sighed. "I don't know how this is going to work."

Bo closed the distance between them and took Lauren's hand in her own. "It can work however we want it to. I know we haven't known each other very long, but I . . . I'd like to date you?"

A chuckle escaped Lauren's mouth. "Haven't said that a lot, have you?"

"Not really."

They laughed and Bo opened her mouth to say something else when they heard Lauren's stomach. It was obvious that there hadn't exactly been standard meals in the dungeon. "Maybe you should get cleaned up and I'll order some food."

Lauren nodded and retreated to the bathroom while Bo grabbed the hotel phone and ordered what they had eaten the day before. She wished it felt more like a celebration, but it didn't. She knew the Ash was trying for something else and she couldn't quite put her finger on it yet. All she knew was that the deal came about too quick for her liking, even if the end result was that she was able to leave with Lauren.

She would need to talk to Trick about what kind of work the Ash would have her do. The Fae had a presence in the city's police force, Dyson and Hale were proof of that, so she would likely be handling the more Fae-related cases. Ones that shouldn't be out in the human world for all to see and that added an element of danger as well. A death needed to be accounted for out in the open, but it was different with the Fae.

"What did you order?"

Bo shook her head to get rid of those thoughts, not wanting to think about the bad. "More of what we had when you were here last. I didn't want to try for something new if you wouldn't like it."

Lauren half-smiled at the confession. "I'm easy to please when it comes to food."

"Come with me," Bo said, reaching for Lauren's hand. She led them to the bed and sat down, Lauren sitting next to her. "Do you get to eat when you're in the dungeon? Were you hurt?"

Lauren shook her head. "The Ash needs me to look my best, even when I need to be punished. Physical wounds take time to heal on a human so my punishments are more mental."

"Like what?"

"Well, no food, for one," Lauren said, avoiding eye contact. It was almost as though she was ashamed and Bo didn't want that. She did want to know what she had gone through, however. "The first time he had a mare give me such horrible nightmares that I thought I was dying every time I closed my eyes. This time he had someone in my head, making me think I'd just been whipped."

"Lauren, I'm so sorry." Bo knew this trip had been directed at her, that she was partially to blame. "I didn't mean for this to happen."

"I know," Lauren assured her, "and I knew I was playing with fire by spending time with you. I just hadn't been around anyone in the last few years who actually cared about me. Treated me like a person, even. That's hard to give up."

"You are an amazing person, Lauren," Bo said. "I think more Fae should realize that." She leaned in and placed a light kiss on her lips, hoping that Lauren believed her. At this point, she knew that the doctor trusted her, but she wanted more than that.

"Bo, can I ask you something?" Lauren asked when they broke away. When Bo nodded, she continued. "You've never fed from me, right?"

"Well, sex is a form of feeding with me and we're definitely done that," Bo said, a grin on her face. "Hopefully, there's more of that in the future." When Lauren only looked at her in response, she continued. "If you're referring to me taking any chi from you, then the answer is no. I haven't."

"So you've been feeding on other people?"

This wasn't a topic that Bo wanted to have, but she knew it was necessary. She wasn't monogamous by nature and had never had a relationship before. Chi from humans wasn't as potent as from Fae so taking it from only Lauren wouldn't be possible. Bo wasn't sure she'd survive.

"Yeah, I have," Bo admitted. "Are you okay with that?"

Lauren let out a chuckle. "I guess I have to me, right? I'm not enough for you."

"Don't say that."

"But it's true," Lauren said. "No matter how you feel about me, you're a succubus, Bo. You're going to have to feed."

Bo nodded. "I only will when I have to and never here. I'll keep it as far away from our lives as possible."

"This is how the Ash is going to try to separate us. He's going to use you're feeding on others to get us apart and get you to leave."

"Then we won't let it." Bo reach out and caressed Lauren's cheek with her hand. "As long as we work together, the Ash can't touch us. Do you trust me?"

Lauren looked into her eyes and Bo smiled how they looked at her. It felt that Lauren was giving everything to her and she wanted to be worthy. "I do."

A/N: finally, a new chapter! Life is continuing to be hectic so I'm not writing as much, but I am writing. Please let me know what you think of this one and thank you to all who are continuing to read. I love the support! Until next time! Twitter: hayley128 :)