The Fabled

by S. L. Gavyn

  “Now. Where were we? Oh yeah, you were about to tell me about the Vamps and who’s taking them.”

  “You don’t know who you’re dealing with. You think I’m the only one. The Caduceus are everywhere. In every country. Every class. There is nowhere we can’t find you.”

  “Okay. Great speech by the way. Really heartfelt. So tell me what the Caduceus want with Vampere?”

  She leaned forward slightly and whispered. “They are building an army. The Fabled will soon be nothing but the myth they pretend to be.”

  “Hey dumbass, you are one of the Fabled.”

  “I’m Human. My father was Human. My bitch of a mother was one of you.”

  “And you inherited her magic making you essentially one of us. Why would you help Humans kill Fabled?”

  “You all deserve to die.”

  “Well the cat’s out of the bag now so tell me where I can find the Vamps.”

  Before I knew what she was going to do she turned her broken hand at her chest and released a death curse. I released her as quickly as I could so it didn’t pass into me. Not that is was likely to kill me just that I really didn’t want to absorb a death curse. I’ll have indigestion for a week.

  I pulled out my phone and called in a clean-up team. Then I called Lucian and explained what happened.

  “She said she was working with a group of Humans that call themselves Caduceus like the symbol. Have you ever heard of them?”

  “Caduceus? Are you sure?”

  “Positive. I found the tattoo on a couple of the killers too.”

  “This can’t be. Aerystasia told us it would work.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “The oracle told us of our destruction. In an attempt to prevent it we became the Fabled. She said it would work.”

  “So this Caduceus club really is going to try to kill us.”

  “Beware of the Caduceus. That’s what she told me. After she spoke to the council all those years ago she came back and gave that warning to me in private.”

  “Did she think all of the other members would be dead by now?”

  “Or that they couldn’t be trusted.”

  Chapter Twenty

  “Entertaining the Vamps”

  I was ready at eight-thirty that night. Roman had texted me several times reminding me that I had promised to attend this gathering with him and that he expected me to be civil. So even though Roman thoroughly pissed me off last night I will be the better woman and keep my promise. I had left the gate open in expectation of Roman’s arrival but I didn’t expect a stretch limo to pull into my drive. Roman stepped out and met me at the steps as I closed my front door.

  “You look ravishing tonight, Sunshine.”

  “Well, try not to eat me. I’d hate to miss this soiree.”

  He smiled softly. The driver opened the door and Roman helped me into the car before sliding in beside me.

  “I will admit I had looked forward to seeing you in the dress I picked for you but I believe I like this one better.”

  “Yeah, if there ever is a next time, don’t bother sending over some trashy looking thing like that again because you won’t be seeing me in it.”

  “I apologize that you didn’t like it. Perhaps you could wear it for me privately sometime.”

  “Let’s save the sweet talking for when we have an audience. I don’t feel like playing with you tonight.”

  “Aw. This is because of that incubus? You have to believe me, Sunshine. That demon is bad news.”

  “Yeah, yeah, so I’ve heard. How do you know so much about Doyle anyway?”

  “Let’s just say we have old history. Very old.”

  “Apparently since he had been in a coffin for almost forty years when I found him.”

  “Even older than that.”

  “Do you know who his mistress is? Because I wouldn’t mind giving that bitch a piece of my mind. And my fist.”

  “Let’s just concentrate on tonight’s event. The purpose of this soiree is to ask permission from the Vampere council leader for the making of a new Vampere.”

  “Wait! What? You’re asking Augustus for permission to make a Vamp you’ve already made?”

  “It is often done this way. Especially in emergency situations like Tristan’s.”

  “Has he ever denied permission?”

  “I have every assurance he will not deny my child.”

  “So that’s a yes. There’s a possibility he will deny your request. What will happen then?”

  “Don’t worry about that. He will not deny my request. I have never asked to make a child before and I am very old. I deserve a child like any other.”

  “Will he try to manipulate you in some way?”

  He smiled. “My, you know Vampere better than I thought.”

  “I know Augustus Aigner well enough.”

  “Good then I don’t have to warn you to behave yourself tonight. One wrong action could have detrimental consequences.”

  “Yes, daddy. Are you sure you wouldn’t prefer to bring me in cuffs?”

  “Don’t put ideas into my head.”

  I rolled my eyes and did my best to ignore him the rest of the way.

  We pulled up to find Augustus’ home in full getup. There were valets running around parking the cars of those that didn’t show up in limos like us. There were banners hung and guests meandering about. Roman waited for the driver to get the door before getting out then reaching back in for my hand. When I stepped out of the car it felt like every eye was on me. I don’t know if they all recognized me or if they could sense I wasn’t Vampere. Either way I definitely was the belle of the ball. Thus far anyway. Roman held out his arm for me and I took it. He led us up the steps to the main entrance of the mansion. Several Vampere nodded to Roman as we passed but everyone merely stared at me. I’m not sure if it was a friendly stare or foe stare but I’m sure I’ll find out soon enough.

  As we entered the foyer there was a short line waiting to get into what I can only assume is the ballroom. Every mansion should have a ballroom right? I could hear a herald announcing everyone before they entered the room. Great. There goes my hope that no one will recognize me. Maybe he’ll just introduce me as guest. I’m sure Roman wasn’t silly enough to tell them he was bringing me.

  “Announcing the Roman, Alexander and his guest Sunny Dubois, the Thief.”

  That was marvelous. Not only did they tell everyone my name but for those that didn’t know it they made sure to add my street name too.

  I pasted on the fakest of smiles and allowed Roman to guide me down the steps that led into the ballroom. You could have heard a pin drop as we descended and something told me it wasn’t Roman that had their jaws dropping. Though I will admit he looked so debonair in his classic black tux that was tailored to fit and clung to all the right places. Why am I thinking about how hot Roman looks in his tux? It’s probably my subconscious kicking in to take me away from the extremely stressful situation I’m currently in.

  Augustus met us toward the middle of the room and I felt like his reaction would be the determining factor on whether this became a real party or I needed to run for my life.

  “Roman, greetings. I am so pleased to find you have finally picked an heir.”

  “Thank you, my lord.”

  Augustus shook Roman’s hand before turning to me. “Sunny, may I say you look lovelier every time I see you.” He took my hand and brought it to his narrow lips before kissing it.

  I concentrated on not releasing my magic. The very last thing I needed was to take some of his magic and him take offense of it.

  “Thank you, Augustus. I am so pleased to be able to attend this event.”

  “Yes, I would have invited you before had I known you would accept.”

  I just smiled in return. It will be a cold day in you know where before I accompany Augustus Aigner to a Vampere ball.

  Augustus addressed the crowd. “Eat, drink. This is a time to celebrate.”


  And like that the music started and everyone returned to what they were doing before our arrival. Augustus turned back to Roman.

  “Am I to understand the child is already made?”

  “Yes, my lord. The events regarding his creation were unavoidable.”

  “I see. Of course I will require compensation for my cooperation.”

  “Of course. What would you ask of me?”

  Augustus eyed me speculatively. “I’m sure I can think of something.”

  “I’m sure you will only ask for what is mine. I am unable to grant promise for that which I don’t own.”

  “The child was not hers?”

  I just love how they’re having this whole conversation about me while I’m standing right here. Side of beef. Side of beef anyone? Let the auction begin.

  “Not biologically.”

  “But she still has a tie to him.”

  “She will not allow me to manipulate that tie, my lord. This is the Thief we speak of.”

  Again Augustus eyed me. “I suppose I will have to settle with something else. Something you do possess.” He pretended to think but it was obvious he already knew what he would ask for. “Judas’ portion of the blood stone.”

  Roman’s eyes widened for a fraction before he hid his reaction. “Yes, my lord. It will be delivered in the morning.”

  “Excellent. Do enjoy the night’s festivities and I wish you many long years with your child.”

  “Thank you, my lord.”

  Roman held out his arm and I took it again without a word. Augustus watched me walk away and I envisioned punching him in his ugly ass face.

  We had barely made it ten feet when a beautiful brunette accosted Roman. She practically wrapped her whole body around him while she hugged him then pulled back and kissed him on both cheeks before straight on the mouth. Now, this bitch had better be glad I was trying my damnedest to be on my best behavior or she’d be laid out on the floor by now.

  “Brother. It has been so long since I last saw you. We really must get together more often. I’ve missed you.”

  “I’ve missed you as well, sister.”

  Sister? If she was his sister, I was his aunt Fanny.

  She reached up and ran her hands through his hair before letting them rest on both of his shoulders. Yep, any minute now Roman’s going to tell her that he has a date. Any minute now.

  “I was so upset to learn you chose an heir without telling me. I had to learn from a practical stranger.”

  “I’m sorry sister. It was a spur of the moment opportunity.”

  “Since when do you do anything spontaneously?”

  He smiled at her. “Since Sunny asked me to turn him for her.”

  She looked down her nose at me before releasing Roman and taking a step back. “The Thief. I must give you credit. You have a lot of gall showing up after what you did to my beloved brother.”

  I shrugged. “It’s funny. You seem to know all about me but in all the times me and Roman spoke I didn’t even know he had a sibling until a few nights ago.”

  “Sunny, this is my sister, Desiree.”

  Her eyes were narrowed at me. “Roman likes to keep those he loves the most close to his chest.”

  “I’m sure that’s the reason he never once mentioned you.”

  A Vampere walked up to Desiree and handed her a drink. When he turned to look at me I knew I had more trouble than Roman’s overly intimate sister.

  “Oh, allow me to introduce my date for the evening. This is Erik Roberson. Erik, this is my beautiful brother, Roman. And, I think you’re familiar with Sunny here.”

  Erik Roberson. That bitch brought Erik Roberson to the party. She must have known I was coming. She probably told him she would bring him if he would kill me while he was here. After all, he’s threatened to do it before. His mate Ryan was killing Humans brutally for fun. The council found out and sent me after him. It was a pretty easy job. All I had to do was follow the trail of dead bodies to his doorstep then I took his head. Erik came in as the cleanup crew was finishing and I still happened to be there looking for clues to where the other missing people might be. There was a scuffle and Erik left promising to kill me the next time he saw me.

  Great. Here I am at a Vampere gathering and I have no doubt that Vampere is going to try to kill me. If I let him kill me, obviously that’s a bad plan. But if he attacks and I kill him who knows what will happen. They may try to kill me for ruining the festivities.

  I did my best to smile as Erik looked at me with intense hatred.

  “Right. You were the lover of that serial killer. You’re better off without him.”

  Erik’s nostrils flared and I shrugged. It was the truth. There was no evidence Erik was involved with the killing of those Humans at all so he went free. If he was smart, he would have moved on by now.

  “You brought someone here you knew hated Sunny?” Roman asked his sister.

  She put on her innocent face and used the opportunity to put her hand back on his arm. “Roman, no. I would never do anything to jeopardize your date. I didn’t know about their prior involvement until tonight as we were getting here.”

  Roman shook her hand off. “If you’ll excuse us, I have some other Vampere I need to talk to.”

  He grabbed my hand and pulled me away.

  “Roman, please,” his sister begged as we walked away.

  I looked back at her with a smile and a wink. That bitch just made my list. Trust me, you don’t want to be on the list.

  We spent the next hour snob-hobbing with the top-crop of the Vampere nation. Roman seemed to know them all well and everyone we met made sure to congratulate him on choosing an heir. Most were very intrigued by me and welcomed me into the fold, so to speak. A few treated me with cold distance and even fewer treated me with outright contempt. I just grinned and bared it for the most part while counting down the minutes until I could escape this place.

  The only highlight of our time working the crowd was when I ran into a familiar Vampere. Roman was talking to some Lord so-and-so and I was bored to pieces so I told him I was going to get a drink.

  “Hey, Drake the Vampere.”

  He had grabbed a champagne flute off the same tray I did.

  “The Thief. What a genuine pleasure.”

  He bowed low. When he rose he added a wink.

  “One would wonder whether the Vampere leader’s personal guard was here on business or pleasure.”

  He smiled and moved slightly closer. “Who said I was his personal guard?”

  I just looked at him and he smiled broader.

  “Who says it can’t be both business and pleasure?”

  “Ah. Did Augustus tell you to keep an eye on the psychotic killer?”

  “He didn’t have to tell me to keep an eye on you.”

  “Because I’m so dangerous?”

  He took a step closer and whispered in my ear. “Because you’re so beautiful.”

  I pulled back slightly to look at his eyes. “You, Mr. Drake, are a dangerous man.”

  “From what I hear you’re pretty dangerous yourself.”

  “There you are, love. It seems I can’t leave you for five minutes without someone trying to get their hooks in you.” Roman kissed me on the side of the neck before looking at Drake. “Hello Drake. Trying to seduce my date?”

  Drake smiled at him. “I wouldn’t think of it.”

  “Excellent. Come on, Sunshine. Augustus is about to make an announcement.”

  I shot Drake a “what can you do” look. “See you around, Drake.”

  “I certainly hope so.” He winked again before disappearing into the crowd.

  Augustus walked out onto the stage while the band was taking a break.

  “Thank you again for joining me tonight to celebrate one of our greatest Vampere, the Roman. Alexander has finally after almost a millennium of life chosen an heir. I’m sure his sire would be proud. To Roman.” He held up his drink and everyone followed with a room full of “To Roma
n.”

  “We have a special treat for you tonight. The Roman has brought the lovely Sunny Dubois with him and I would ask Sunny to join me on stage now.”

  WTF? Why does he want me on the stage? A million scenarios ran through my head as I kissed Roman on the cheek then slowly made my way to the stage. The crowd parted before me like the red sea. They were probably try to prevent being touched. Gods, I hope this old Vamp doesn’t try to kill me in front of everyone. I would hate to have to kill him then fight my way out of here. The odds weren’t exactly in my favor.

  When I was on stage by him Augustus smiled at me then turned back to the crowd.

  “I would ask Sunny to do us the honor of performing for us tonight. What do you thing Miss Dubois?”

  He turned back to me questioningly.

  “Um, sure, of course, I would be honored.”

  “Wonderful. I believe the piano is your instrument of choice.” He pointed to the piano strategically placed in the middle of the stage.

  I nodded then walked over to the piano and had a seat. What song do you play for a group of upper-class Vampere? I thought about it and then decided to go with a classic. Nothing sounds better on a piano than an Elton John song and judging by the mic that was setup they expected me to play something that I could sing to.

  “Um, this is your song.” I left the rest to be determined. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder after all.

  I played the song and tried to send as much happiness and good nature into it as I could muster. Afterward, there was complete silence for a moment before the applauding began. This crowd was just as lively as back at the club. I got off the stool and walked around the piano before curtseying for the crowd.

  And, that’s when Erik decided to attack. I really hadn’t expected him to do it so publicly but one moment I was rising from my curtsey and the next a maddened Vamp was lunging for my face. I managed to grab his throat with my left hand and his right hand with my left, turned him and used his own momentum to throw him to the floor of the stage. I began pulling his magic into me and he punched me in the face with his left hand while I did so I pulled on my store of Vamp magic and lifted him off the stage before slamming him back down at Vamp-speed. His head bounced off the floor but he still reached up and scratched my arm. He was getting weaker by the second and he knew that so in one last ditch effort he reached for my throat. I used Werewolf magic and squeezed his neck until I heard the bones crack and his limbs went limp. Well hell.