The Fabled

by S. L. Gavyn

  “Don’t worry Sunshine. I’m not in your home. I could be though if you’d like.”

  I laid back down. “Security detail on the roof of a building?”

  With my room taking up a large section of the second floor of my house it was likely someone could see inside from one of the nearby skyscrapers and Atlanta was full of them.

  “Yes. Which one I won’t tell.”

  “Great. Now I’m going to have to keep my blinds shut at all times. I’m sure he got a good show when I was walking around naked a few minutes ago.”

  He didn’t reply right away. “I will be changing security personnel.”

  “You’re going to fire him for seeing me naked? That’s a little extreme don’t you think.”

  “I mean to replace his post with a female. Don’t worry, he will not be fired.”

  “Good because I was joking about the naked thing anyway. I know better than that. Let’s steer this conversation into less personal territory. I talked with the director of the asylum and she denied all knowledge of the hole in the wall and the illusion placed on it. Other than that I’ve got nothing. Do you know of anyone who would hold a grudge against you?”

  “No. Most who are unhappy with me take the more direct approach. Except for you of course. You run across the country siting you never wish to see me again.”

  I decided to ignore the last comment. “Well, whoever’s doing this is obviously using the club as a means to find their victims. Tristan and I talked about it and we think it would be best to watch the club and its patrons. We’re going to have agents patrolling the perimeter but it would be best if we’re inside. Can you give us temporary jobs that will allow us to watch everyone?”

  “Hm.” He seemed to think about it. “I will introduce you as my newest conquest and your partner can be a bus boy since it so aptly fits him.”

  “I was thinking more along the lines of Tristan being a bartender since they hear so much gossip and I could be a server.”

  He laughed. “Dear naïve Sunny. There is no possible way I would put you in my club as a server.”

  “Why the hell not?”

  “Do I really have to explain? You don’t like people. You tend to hurt or kill anyone who upsets you. Not to mention everyone is afraid of you. I wouldn’t have a club once word got around that you were a drink wench.”

  “Hey, I never said anything about being a wench.”

  “Server is out. You can pose as my lover. It will place you in the club each night without having to interact with the patrons.”

  “No. There has to be some other job I could do that will allow me to watch everyone without interacting with them.”

  He sighed. “I will think on this. Meet me at the club an hour before opening.”

  “Alright. But I’m not going to pretend to be your newest fuck so you better come up with something.”

  I hung up. There was no need for pleasantries and he was keeping me from my sleep.

  Chapter Twelve

  “Playing with an old flame”

  We met up at the club at eight the next night. It was Friday and the club opens an hour later tonight and tomorrow. I parked in the employee lot and went to the back door with Tristan following. A rap on the door brought an employee to open it for me. It was the Djinn.

  “Hello Carly. It’s good to see you again.”

  Her eyes narrowed at me as I passed her. You know what they say. Kill ‘em with kindness.

  “Hey Carly. How’s it going?” Tristan asked her as he passed.

  “It’s going. How are you?”

  He shrugged. “I’m here.”

  I turned back to look at their exchange. When did they become BFF’s? Carly caught me looking and smirked. She probably thought I was the jealous girlfriend mad because she was hitting it up with my man. Whatever. I shrugged and moved on down the hallway.

  Roman was waiting in the main club area. He took in my attire appreciatively. I had opted to dress the part tonight so instead of my usual jeans and t-shirt I wore black leather pants and a black camisole with a charcoal gray lace tanktop over it. Black knee high boots completed the ensemble. It wasn’t exactly provocative but I wouldn’t stand out either. I had also chosen to leave my hair down since I usually keep it braided when I’m on a case. It had gotten long enough to touch the waist of my pants in the back. I’ve always liked long hair. It was the only girly thing about me but everyone had to have their concession.

  “Hello Sunshine. You look very fetching tonight.”

  I raised a brow. Fetching? What am I, a dog? I heard the sound of drums and turned to see the band for the night begin rehearsing. The drummer and guitarist were doing a duet together and it sounded pretty good.

  “Thanks. I trust you have a job for me?”

  He smiled. “Indeed I do. If you will accompany me to my office.”

  I raised a brow.

  “It won’t take but a moment,” he added.

  I glanced at Tristan.

  Roman turned to the Djinn. “Carly, show the boy to his station at the bar.”

  She nodded and motioned for Tristan to follow her. Tristan shot Roman a warning look before turning for the bar. Roman ignored him and looked at me expectantly so I started up the stairs.

  When we reached his office door Roman reached forward and opened it for me allowing me to enter first. Once he was inside I looked at him expectantly in return.

  “I would first like you to reconsider the option of posing as my lover. It would allow you better options of learning the clientele.”

  “Not going to happen, Roman. I really hope you didn’t bring me up here to try to convince me.”

  He smiled and took a couple of steps closer to me. “Could I convince you Sunshine? Even a little.”

  I took a step back. “You have another job in mind. Just tell me about it.”

  He would have a backup plan. A man like Roman Alexander always has multiple plans waiting in the wings.

  He sighed. “The singer for the band has taken a preapproved vacation for the next two weeks. The backup singer is good but not nearly as good as you.”

  “You want me to sing in the band?”

  He shrugged. “It would allow you to watch the patrons without interacting with them.”

  “I don’t know any of the songs. Hell, I don’t even know what kind of music they play. How am I supposed to fill in tonight?”

  He smiled. “That is why I asked you to meet me in here. They have been playing in my club for almost two years. I know every song they play.”

  And how is that supposed to help me? He obviously thought I could learn the songs from him but how? My magic. He wants me to take the songs from him.

  “You want me to take your magic?”

  “Certainly not all of it. I will think of the songs and allow you to take just enough to get the lyrics with the magic. I would have you take it from the band members directly but I don’t think they would approve of you stealing their magic.”

  “Can I do that?” Okay, that sounded stupid but I’ve never taken someone’s memories before. Sure I get random images when I take magic but I don’t control what images I get.

  “If I make the thoughts readily available, yes. I’m sure with practice you could pull whatever thoughts you want to.”

  Hm. That’s an idea. Imagine the information I could ascertain with that ability. All I would need is a touch and I could know all I needed.

  “Alright. Are you ready?” I would give it a try. At the least I could get some of his magic and like he’s already pointed out he’s a very strong Vampere.

  “I want your word first. You will only take what I give and no more.”

  “You have my word. I want no more and will take no more.”

  He nodded. I closed the space between us and took his hand. Then I let my magic travel into him. The first image that came to me was of us in an embrace. We were in my hotel room the day K had given me Lucian’s elixir. I remember thinking how handsome Roman
was and how attentive he was being. He had driven me back after I fainted in K’s office and had stayed with me to make sure I was okay. After talking about everything and nothing for a couple of hours I threw caution to the wind and kissed him. That was the first time we would sleep together but definitely not the last. We had a five year relationship that ended with me finding out he had lied to me about virtually everything the entire time.

  I pulled the other information he wanted me to take then released his hand and punched him in the nose.

  “Ow! Gods, what was that for?” He held the back of his hand to his face and saw it came away with blood.

  “That’s for the reminder of how you manipulated me for five years.”

  He reached for me but I backed away.

  “Sunshine, I didn’t mean it that way. I just wanted you to remember what he had.”

  “Oh I remember all right. You lied to me Roman. For years, you lied to me. And I fell for it.”

  “I didn’t lie to you about everything.”

  I walked to the other side of the room and took a second to get control of my temper. Once I calmed down I looked at him. He was watching me like I was a wild animal about to pounce so I held out my hands in a typical “what do you want” fashion before dropping them and sighing.

  “I don’t want to rekindle any old flames, Roman. I just want to find out who’s taking these Vamps and go back to my life.”

  His jaw clinched. “You think that boy can make you happy?”

  “Did you?”

  He started to reply then closed his mouth. I took that as my opportunity to leave.

  Downstairs I met the band members. None of them wanted to shake my hand which wasn’t surprising. They all seemed a little skittish around me until I started to sing and by the time the doors opened they were all piped up for a night of music and dancing. My singing is what did it. See, one of the first things I learned about my magic is that all it does is absorb other magic/energy. Except when I sing. I don’t know why and no one else does either but when I’m singing, whatever emotion I want to express through that song actually goes out with the lyrics and a small amount of my magic will disperse slowly through those emotions. For example if I want the band members to be cool instead of freaked, I play whatever song suits my fancy and make sure to feel calm and cool myself. My magic does the rest.

  Unfortunately, it only releases my own magic and since my magic is constantly absorbing energy it never runs low. But if I steal someone else’s magic I can’t release it through singing. That’s where Doyle has been helping me out. Talking about Doyle, I haven’t heard from him in a while. I should give him a call when I get a chance. After I solve this case.

  The band started at ten and I instructed the other members to go on stage without me opting to join them after the first song started playing. It would give me the opportunity to start singing before the tomatoes started flying. Not that I thought it was likely anyone would throw anything. They would be more likely to run for the door.

  One thing that has me wondering about this is if Roman knows about my ability to make people feel what I want through my songs. I played the piano when I was Human and he often liked to hear me play and sing but if he didn’t know about my ability, he had to know no one would want to hear me sing. No, he knows. I’m not sure how but he has to know.

  I joined the band on stage as I started to sing and for a fraction of a second the entire club was silent other than my voice with the band behind me. I put as much emphasis as possible on feeling tranquil and happy which was harder than you would think since so many people watched me with obvious fear and hatred but as I continued to sing I could visibly see the crowd relax and begin to enjoy the music. By the end of the first song the dance floor was packed and many stopped to applaud before we started the next song. I caught Tristan’s eyes and he gave me a thumbs up. I couldn’t help my smile as I started the next song. A glance toward VIP showed Roman looking at Tristan with narrowed eyes. I ignored him and sang on.

  At the end of the night Roman came on stage to address the crowd.

  “Our very own Sunny Dubois.” He pointed toward me and, to my surprise, the crowd broke into applause “You sing beautifully, Sunshine.” He kissed my cheek.

  “Um, thanks everyone.” I said into the microphone before quickly exiting the stage.

  I could hear Roman say something else to the crowd but I didn’t stick around to listen. I went through the back exit to the employee lot. On one side of the club was an empty lot while on the other there was another building butted right up next to it. I saw a fire escape on the back of the building next door so I climbed it and jumped across to the roof of the club. Then I sat on the edge and looked over. Here I could see the coming and goings of the partygoers.

  “Like the view?”

  I turned to find Charles hidden in the shadows at the other end of the roof. He moved closer and leaned against the edge several feet away.

  I shrugged. “I would much rather be up here than down there.”

  He nodded. “Heard you sing tonight. You’re really something, for a psychotic killer that is.”

  “Was that supposed to be a compliment? Because I gotta say. You suck at it.”

  He laughed. “You’re not the first to notice my inability for casual conversation.”

  “So is that what the word on the street is? I’m the council’s psychotic killer.”

  He shrugged. “Some say that. I’ve heard a lot of stories. You’ve been accused of being everything from a banshee to a yeti.”

  “A yeti? That’s a bit extreme don’t you think. I mean, I’m not even that hairy.”

  “They thought you shaved. Your whole body.”

  I laughed. That was just crazy. “Apparently whoever said that hasn’t seen an actual yeti. They look more ape than man and if you start comparing my facial features I might have to throw you off this roof.”

  He held his hands up to ward me off. “I’m just saying what I’ve heard. I will admit that guy was drunk as a skunk as he made that absurd accusation.”

  “And, what do you think?”

  “Me? I’m just a lowly Vamp working security. It isn’t my place to make assumptions.”

  “What, no psycho killer thoughts?”

  “Nah, you’re too straight for that.”

  “Huh. Too straight. I’ll have to work on that.”

  He laughed.

  “You can take a break, Charles. I’d like to speak with the psycho for a few minutes if you don’t mind.”

  Roman was standing behind us on the roof. I’m not sure how he got there without either of us noticing. Hell, he could have flown for all I know. I’ve heard some of the ancient ones have that ability.

  “Sure thing boss. I could use a break.” Charles made quick work of exiting the roof.

  “You could talk with me in VIP if you wanted to continue watching everyone.”

  “I needed a break.”

  “So you climbed onto the roof?”

  “Yeah, I can still watch the people coming and going but from a distance.”

  “Did you like your talk with Charles?”

  “He seems okay. I figured it was likely someone would be on the roof watching. I just didn’t know it would be him. He seems to be fine with following your orders. How long have you known him?”

  “He is the child of my sibling so I have known him since he was turned over a century ago. When he left his sire he moved to the area and asked me for a job. I knew he was dependable so I gave him one. Why the interest?”

  Whoa. I didn’t know he had a sibling. There was no mention of another when I was researching his business information. Apparently, the other Vamp didn’t get any share of their sire’s assets.

  “I was just asking. He seems nice enough and it’s apparent you rely on him as the leader of your security detail.”

  “Yes. He is very reliable. Not to mention extremely observant which makes for an excellent guard.” He sat down next to me an
d dangled his feet over the side. He looked the epitome of a rockstar in his designer jeans and t-shirt with dark hair and eyes sitting on the edge of a roof. All he needed was some guy-liner and he’d be good to go.

  “Did you know about my ability?”

  “Yes. I have kept in touch with your father over the years. When he first learned of how your magic affects others, he consulted me on my thoughts. I had no more explanation than anyone. I knew there was a reason I always wanted you more after you would sing to me.” He reached over and stroked a lock of my hair. “Now I know it was because you were sending that emotion out with the lyrics.”

  “So because I was horny and sang to you it made you horny? That’s kinda fucked up.”

  I thought back and realized that there was never a time we didn’t have sex after I sang to him.

  “I was always horny when it came to you, Sunshine. The songs just made it less controllable.”

  “Well, I guess if I ever lose my job at the council I could always go to work at a strip club. The girls could dance while I sing and the guys will never stop coming.”

  “If you will be stripping, I will buy the gentleman’s club.”

  “I think I’ll stick with the council for now. I’m sure the pay’s better.”

  “I would pay you whatever you wished.”

  Whoo! There was some major heat in his eyes. I need to take this conversation out of such dangerous territory because my thoughts were running wild and I know his were.

  “I’m not going to be doing any stripping anytime soon thanks so you can keep your pole to yourself. So, what are your thoughts on these disappearances? Really. No bullshit.”

  “I really don’t know. I have spoken with all of my contacts and no one knows anything. I understand why you think it might be someone after me personally but it might just be coincidence. The killers could know Vampere frequent the club and be using it because it’s convenient.”

  “I don’t know. I think it’s a little more personal than that. There are several bars that cater to Fabled in the area. The previous bodies washed ashore in Dallas. Why have the killers moved to Ft. Worth and targeted only your club?”