The Fabled

by S. L. Gavyn

  He laughed at my absurd question. “I have a very good jeweler.”

  “Alright. I’ll try to be careful with it.”

  “Don’t fret, Sunshine. It is but a symbol.”

  “A very old symbol.”

  “Do you not like old things?”

  “I do. It’s just that I don’t want anything to happen to it.”

  “Then it won’t.” He looked out into the darkened sky for a few moments and I used what light there was to watch his profile. After a little while he turned back to me with an almost worried expression. What could he be worried about? I already said yes.

  “If I asked you to spend the rest of eternity with me, would you?”

  “What are you talking about? I just told you I would marry you.”

  “What if I wanted more than just words in front of a judge?”

  “Is that all a marriage is to you?”

  “That is what it is to most people.”

  “Well, not to me. It means you dedicate yourself to that person for the rest of your life. I know that makes me sound like a hypocrite since I’ve been divorced before but that is what I believe. You’re right. Not everyone believes that. My ex-husband for example but I do.”

  “Then you will agree to be with me for the rest of my life? However long that might be?”

  “Do you think you’re going to die soon?”

  His brows drew together. “No, why would you think that?”

  “Because you said however long that might be. Like you think you might kick the bucket in a few days.”

  He laughed softly. “No. I referred to if I have an exceptionally long life.”

  “You think you’re going to outlive me?”

  “No. I think we will both live an exceptionally long time. Sometimes people grow weary of each other. I only hope that will not happen with you.”

  “You think you’re going to grow tired of me before we die?”

  “I meant you may grow tired of me.”

  “Are you kidding? That could never happen, Roman. You are the only man I will love for eternity.”

  He smiled again. “That, my lovely Sunshine, is exactly what I wanted to hear.”

  My phone was ringing. I jumped up out of bed and looked around. I was in my bedroom. How did I get out of the cave? My phone stopped ringing and immediately started again. I answered without looking at the ID.

  “This is Sunny.”

  “You need to come to my club now before it’s too late.”

  “Roman. Why? Did you find Tristan?”

  “He was dumped in the employee lot. Carly found him a few moments ago. You need to come quickly.”

  I didn’t even bother hanging up the phone. Instead, using Djinn magic I teleported straight to the club.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Going into debt”

  I was standing in the middle of the club but I didn’t see anyone. I started for the hallway leading back to the employee lot when the door opened and Carly motioned for me to follow. She moved around me and led the way to a room that was obviously an employee lounge. There were a couple of tables in the middle of the room with a counter running around the perimeter and cabinets above it. A microwave sat to one side with a coffee maker beside it. Toward the back was a couch and lying on it was my son. I ran to him and fell to my knees. He looked so beaten and bloodied I put my ear to his mouth to make sure he was breathing. I could barely feel air coming in and out. I took another look at him. Both of his arms appeared to be broken with one actually bent backward. His legs looked to be in about the same shape. I looked at his beautiful face to see a huge gash running from his right temple, bisecting the outer edge of his right eye, along his cheek and down to his jaw. It was old too. The blood had already crusted over. I tried to use the rest of my Witch magic to heal him but it wasn’t nearly enough.

  “Oh, my poor boy. How could I let this happen to you?”

  “It is not your fault.”

  I turned to look at Roman. He was standing in the back corner of the room watching us. Instantly I knew what Aerystasia meant when she told me to be prepared to beg.

  “Please Roman, don’t let him die. Not like this. Please save him.”

  His brows drew together for a moment before dawning hit and he looked horrified.

  “I can’t do that Sunshine. Ask anything of me but not this.”

  “He’ll die. There is no way a Human doctor could save him.”

  “You don’t know that. If we leave now, he’ll stand a chance.”

  “You know that’s not true. He’ll die and I’ll be alone again.”

  He came closer and knelt beside me. “Sunshine, I would do almost anything you ask of me. But how can you ask for this?”

  “Because he’s my son. You asked me if I loved him and I said yes. That was the truth. I love him like any mother loves her child.” I reached over and grabbed his hand. “Please Roman. A mother isn’t supposed to outlive her children. I’ve already had to do it once. I will do anything, anything at all if you will turn him.”

  He hesitated. “It’s against the rules.”

  “I had him sign consent when he first started working with the council.”

  He bowed his head for a moment before sighing and looking me in the eyes. He reached forward and ran his hand down the length of my hair. Then let it rest on my shoulder. “You say anything. I want your word.”

  “You have it. By all that I am I will do anything you want in exchange for my son’s life.”

  He nodded once to me, reached back up and wiped a tear away.

  “I will do as you ask.”

  He stood, picked up Tristan and left the room. I followed but as he started up the stairs to his office he shook his head at me before ascending them.

  Great. Now, what am I supposed to do? I looked around and found Carly behind the bar pouring a drink. That sounds like a wonderful idea. I sat on the stool in front of her and she slid a drink over. I downed it in one gulp then sat the glass back on the counter. She filled it again.

  “For the record. That was a low ball move.”

  I sighed. “To which move are you referring. I’ve done so many it’s hard to keep up.”

  “Somehow that doesn’t surprise me. I was talking about telling Roman Tristan was your lover. I knew something wasn’t right with that but I just couldn’t put my finger on it. I mean, every time we were alone he was hitting on me nonstop. I thought maybe he was just tired of having such an old lover but now I know he was just sticking to the part when he was with you.”

  “Yep. You hit the nail on the head. Well, except the old lover part. For the record though, I didn’t actually tell Roman that Tristan was my lover. He assumed and you know what that makes out of you.”

  She let out a short laugh before downing her own shot. “You’re not lying are you?”

  “I’m not sure what you’re referring to again but I’ll just say that nothing I’ve said since entering this club tonight was a lie.”

  “Good. I would have to kill you if you hurt Roman again.”

  “What’s the deal with you two anyway? It’s obvious you have a thing for him. I would think you would want me to hurt him. Maybe leave things open for you to come in and pick up the pieces.”

  “I would never want him hurt. Even if that means we’re not together. The truth is, he told me from the beginning he would never care for me that way. I just didn’t want to believe it.”

  I picked up my refilled cup and wove it around as I spoke. “In the great words of Nazareth, love hurts and all that stuff.”

  She picked up her drink and clinked it against mine before drinking. I sat my glass back down.

  “Carly, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have taken your magic last night or whenever that was.”

  “It was last night. You were really a mess over Tristan weren’t you?”

  “Too much of a mess but it was the oracle putting me under that has my time all wonky.”

  “Oracle? I’m not even
going to ask.”

  “Good. It was a kind of weird experience. So what’s your story?”

  She shrugged. “Roman saved me. I volunteer to be his security as repayment.”

  “And you haven’t paid that debt off yet?”

  She just looked at me and smiled. We both knew why she was still here.

  I spent the next several hours pacing the floors of the club. Several times I thought about just barging into Roman’s office and demanding an update of Tristan’s condition. Finally, I couldn’t stand it anymore. It had been over four hours. The sun had fully risen in the sky and I needed some peace. I slowly ascended the stairs until I reached Roman’s office door then I knocked softly. I felt like a kid getting caught out of bed after bedtime.

  “Come in Sunshine.”

  I released the breath I didn’t realize I had been holding and opened the door slowly to see Roman sitting on one of the couches with a drink in hand. I entered the room tentatively looking around for Tristan.

  “He’s not here. I took him to my home for the change.”

  “Is…is he okay?”

  “He survived the change so, yes.”

  “Good. Thank you Roman. I know you didn’t want to do it and making a child is a big deal so I’m really grateful.”

  “Do you know about the bond between sire and child? Really?”

  “I know the sire treats the child like a child until they’re old enough to live on their own.”

  He looked at his drink for moment. “It is more than that. The bond between sire and child is irrefutable. It is not something the sire chooses. It is something ingrained in both Vampere.”

  “I’m not sure where you’re going with this.”

  He sighed. “I’m telling you that Tristan is no longer yours. He is mine. Body and soul. He is my only child and will be mine for the rest of his days.”

  “Are you saying you’re not going to let me see him anymore?”

  “For now. When a Vampere is made they have to relearn everything. Much like an infant. I will have to teach him how to do everything. Until he’s mastered these basic functions I think it would be best for everyone that you don’t see him.”

  “He’s my son, Roman. I raised him from age three. There is nothing in regards to him that I can’t handle.”

  “You are wrong. He is no longer your son. That child died tonight and mine was reborn.”

  “You’re not taking my son from me. I’ll give you some time to explain everything to him but I’m not just going to abandon him.”

  “Suit yourself. You can go home for tonight.”

  “I thought the change took several hours to finish.”

  “He has been through the hardest part and survived. It is unlikely he will not make it through the rest.”

  “How do you know he’s okay?”

  He huffed. “I know.”

  “I’ll wait here until he’s completed the change.”

  He sighed. “Fine. You can sleep on the couch.”

  I looked at the couch opposite him.

  “Just get on it. I can assure you there are no diseases running abound.”

  “Um, what about…uh, fluids.”

  He laughed. “There are no fluids either so you’re safe.”

  I tentatively sat down. He walked to the corner and opened a cabinet door pulling out a blanket. He walked back over and sat it on the ottoman in front of the couch before taking a seat next to me.

  “Wow. You have it all here don’t you? A lot of your lovers stay the night on the couches?”

  He looked at me contemplative. “Fishing for information about my personal life? No Sunshine.” I rolled my eyes and he continued. “I usually send them on their way with a slap on the rear. Would you like a demonstration?”

  “No thanks.”

  “Good. I fear I’m not feeling quite up to par tonight.”

  “Did it take a lot to change him?”

  “More than I thought which is not a surprise given I’ve never done it before. But don’t worry yourself. I’ll be right as rain tomorrow.”

  “Okay. I guess I’ll go back to singing tomorrow night. Now more than ever I need to catch these guys.”

  I would ask Roman to question Tristan but it’s likely he won’t remember anything about the experience. Especially since he was under Vampere influence.

  “Do you think everyone will just forget your little show from earlier?” He asked.

  “I hope they will realize I was doing what I had to do to find my son.”

  He raised a brow. “No, this time we will do things my way.”

  I raised a brow back. “Since when do you get to tell me what to do?”

  “Since you pledged your word to do anything in exchange for your son’s life.”

  My mouth dropped open. Did he think he controlled me now?

  “Fine. If pretending to be your lover until these killers are caught is all I have to do then so be it.”

  He laughed. “Oh you won’t be getting off that easy. Remember that I will have to teach and protect Tristan until he reaches his full power.”

  “You expect me to be your slave for the next hundred years?!”

  He seemed thoughtful. “Hm. Slave, I like the sound of that.”

  “Dream on Vamp. I said I would do anything not everything in exchange for Tristan’s life.”

  “Oh, should I end him now then?”

  I narrowed my eyes at him and he just stared back. After a moment I smiled.

  “You wouldn’t. There is no way you would create a child just to destroy him. As you said, there is a bond between you now.”

  He smiled in return. “Touché. Still, you must admit one small task like pretending to be my lover hardly equates to ‘anything’. You will do what I say until I deem you have paid your debt in full.”

  “Or?”

  “You do wish to see your son again don’t you?”

  “You wouldn’t.”

  He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “You obviously don’t know me as well as I thought. See, I always get what I want. One way or another.”

  “Always seems like a bit of a stretch don’t you think?”

  “Always.” He shrugged in conceit. “Eventually. Lucky for you, I’m a patient man.”

  “Whatever. Leave me alone. I need to catch some z’s on your hoochie couch.”

  He stood up. “Get used to it. I have a feeling you’ll be spending plenty of time on it.”

  I ignored him.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “Playing the part”

  I woke that afternoon to see Roman sitting on the opposite couch watching me. Now that’s not creepy at all. I sat up and raised a brow at him. He sat back and put one arm on the back of the couch while crossing his ankle over the opposite knee.

  “How is Tristan?”

  “He finished the change and has fed for the first time as a Vampere so it is evident he will be fine. I thought it would be prudent to discuss your role as my lover.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I know how to act like I like someone. Even if I don’t.”

  “You cut me to the quick, Sunshine. I merely meant that it is expected of you to not only provide me with sex but blood as well. All will know you are not truly mine if I don’t take from you.”

  Oh hell no! A Vampere feeding can be an extremely intimate experience. Especially if both parties are already attracted to each other.

  “And how will they possibly know that you haven’t taken from me? It’s not like you usually feed in front of everyone or leave hickeys.”

  He tapped his nose. “It’s all in the smell love. Not only mine but yours as well.”

  “You’re saying that someone could smell me and tell if I let you feed off of me?”

  “A Vampere could, yes.”

  “Then I’ll just have to keep my distance from them because I refuse to be your afternoon snack.”

  “Sunshine, be reasonable. You are bound to be around them at the club. How will you convi
nce them you are mine when you won’t even let me feed?”

  I shrugged. “Don’t really care. I was yours before without being your blood donor.”

  “That situation was different and you know it. And if the killer suspects you are here for reasons other than what you say. Would you really let a killer go free because you don’t want to feed me?”

  “I’m more concerned with the Vampere that took my son. Don’t think you’re off the hook for that one. It’s awfully convenient that the killer dumped him at your club.”

  “Or they left him here because they knew you would find him. His being dropped here was most likely a message. Or to ruin me further. Not to mention your little show last night. At the rate you are going, I will be lucky to have a club in a few weeks.”

  “Don’t blame me because you can’t protect your own clientele.”

  “And don’t blame me because you can’t protect your own son.”

  I lunged at him and before he could move I had his arms pinned at his sides with my knees. A smile passed over my face as I looked him in the eyes. Then I reached forward, put my hands on both sides of his face and, as hard as I could, twisted until I felt his neck break.

  “I’m sorry, Sunshine. I shouldn’t have said that.”

  He woke me from my fantasy and I eyed him evilly. “I’m not feeding you Roman and that is the end of this story.” I stood up and started toward the door. “I’m going home for a shower and to prepare mentally before tonight’s performance.”

  “Will it be so hard to play the part of my lover? I seem to remember you pulling it off beautifully.”

  “That was a long time ago and before I was freed from your lies.”

  He looked away and I took my leave of him.

  When I got back to my house there was a delivery man ringing the buzzer at the gate.

  “Can I help you?”

  “That depends. Are you Sunny Dubois?”

  “That depends. Who are you and why are you at my gate?”

  “Whoa. Slow down sugar. Just delivering a package’s all.”

  He held out a clipboard for me to sign. I took it suspiciously and signed my name. Once I handed it back to him he pulled a package out of the back of his van and tipped his hat to me before getting in his van. I looked at the package while he was backing out of the drive. The return address was from Canada so either K had sent me something or the alpha wants me to go steady. I’m betting on K.