The Fabled

by S. L. Gavyn

  He pulled back and looked at me. “You will not! That demon cannot be trusted. You think he has changed but it is just an act he plays for you. You don’t know him truly. You don’t know the things he is capable of. The things he did when he was at my sister’s side.”

  “Roman, I have known Doyle for the last fifteen years. I know he will never betray me.”

  “I refuse it.”

  “You don’t control me. I think this would be the best way.”

  “No. I will bring you with me to her home. We will end it there.”

  “Fine. But if that doesn’t work, I’m calling Doyle.”

  He said nothing.

  An hour later we knocked on Desiree’s door. She lived in the penthouse of a high-rise apartment building in New York. Why doesn’t it surprise me she lives in New York? She’s definitely got the cut-throat attitude for it. When she didn’t answer Roman pulled out a set of keys and let us in. I raised a brow and he looked at me questioningly but I moved on into the apartment without saying anything.

  She wasn’t in the open living room/kitchen area so I moved down the hall to the spacious bedroom. There were clothes thrown on the bed and shoes scattered in the closet with several empty spaces where pairs had been.

  “I’m pretty sure she won’t be coming back here. It looks like she packed what she needed and left.”

  Roman nodded. “Her car was in the garage.”

  “She probably figured you could track it so she left it behind.”

  He sighed.

  “I’m sorry Roman. This should be the final confirmation for you. She is running because she knows she’s going to be hunted down by the council.”

  He nodded again and we left. I had Roman stop by a baby supply store to gather the basics of what we would need to take care of Phae. It felt wrong somehow to be baby shopping while we were hunting for Roman’s sister to kill but babies need diapers. There’s no avoiding it.

  After dropping the supplies off with Aery and Gabriel we went to Lucian’s so I could bring him up to speed on everything. Brennan practically knocked me down as I walked through the door.

  She hugged me until my ribs cracked then pulled back to look at me. “You stupid bitch. You had me so worried. How could you do that to me?”

  “I didn’t do it on purpose I assure you.”

  “I’m done being stuck here with Mr. I’m-not-going-to-tell-you-anything. Take me with you.”

  “Well the problem with that is I’m at Roman’s right now because I don’t think it’s safe at my house.”

  “He’s rich. I’m sure he has a big enough house for me too.”

  “And he has several other people he’s taken in right now. There’s baby Phaedra and Aerystasia and Gabriel. Plus Tristan’s still there.”

  “Whoa. What about a baby? And isn’t Aery-whatever supposed to be that super powerful, crazy oracle.”

  “She’s still super powerful but less crazy these days. I helped her find her soulmate and in return she helped me escape and now she’s helping me with the baby. She’s a Phoenix by the way. The whole reborn thing. It’s super cool.”

  “Damn. I miss all the fun.”

  “Listen. After this is all over I will take you to meet your grandfather like I promised. You are more than welcome to come live with me if you’d like or you can give your gramps a try either way you are always welcome with me. But if you come to Roman’s now, I can’t promise you won’t be on baby duty with the ex-crazy oracle.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Well, since you put it that way. No, on second thought I still want to come. Someone’s got to keep Tristan company while you two go at it or hunt down some evil.”

  “You act like we’re rabbits.”

  “You are more than welcome at my home Brennan,” Roman interjected.

  I looked at him surprised. “She’s right. She can keep Tristan busy. He has been pressuring me to take him with me. Especially when you were in danger. Perhaps if Brennan is there he won’t feel left behind.”

  I nodded then turned to Lucian. “What do you say father? Is she cleared for leave?”

  “She has come a long way in a short amount of time. I think she is ready.”

  “Excellent. Go pack your bags shorty. You’re hittin’ the skids.”

  She squealed and hopped up and down before running over to Lucian and kissing his cheek. Then she ran upstairs lightning fast.

  Roman pulled me back to him and placed his hands on my shoulders. I took the opportunity while Brennan was out of the room to tell Lucian everything I knew about my abduction and the people who took me. He seemed thoughtful for a moment after I finished.

  “It does not surprise me Desiree was involved. This is not her first attempt at stealing power but this is the first time she has killed in order to obtain it.”

  “Did the cleanup crew find anything at the facility?”

  “No. By the time they arrived the building was fully engulfed in flames.”

  “What?!”

  “My guess is they had a self-destruct plan in place.”

  “Wonderful. So there is no way to find out who the other members of this group are.”

  “I fear Mr. Niobe was telling the truth about how widespread they are. Think of the Witch at the asylum.”

  “Yeah, but she worked at a facility he owned. That doesn’t mean there are thousands of members working around the globe to take down the Fabled.”

  “Why don’t we worry about the immediate threat? The other can be thought on another day.”

  I nodded in agreement. “I’m going to call Doyle and see if he can arrange a meeting.”

  Lucian nodded. “The incubus does have a soft spot where you are concerned. Just make sure he is not playing both sides.”

  “It’s a chance I’m willing to take. You know as well as I do Desiree isn’t going to stop and who knows what other connections she might have if there are other members out there.”

  “I agree. She must pay for her crimes but be careful doing it.”

  “I will.”

  Brennan came bounding down the stairs with two bags. “You ready?”

  “Give me a moment. I need to make a phone call.”

  I stepped outside and dialed Doyle’s number.

  “Finally grow tired of that Vamp bossing you around?” he answered.

  I smiled. “He is rather demanding, isn’t he?”

  “Nothing a good whip and some cuffs couldn’t cure.”

  “How are you Doyle? Really?”

  “I haven’t killed anyone if that’s what you’re getting at.”

  “Because Desiree’s been feeding you?” He was silent so I continued. “I need you to arrange a meeting with her for me.”

  “She’ll never do it.”

  “Then tell her you’re giving me to her. Pretend I don’t know about the two of you. Say whatever you want but I need to end this.”

  “I never wanted that to happen to you, my Sun. You’re a light. One that never should be put out.”

  “Will you arrange it?”

  He was silent for a minute before he sighed.“Yes, meet me here tomorrow night at eight. I’ll make sure she comes.”

  “Thank you, Doyle.”

  He hung up. Now the question is if he will betray me or not. I really want to believe he wouldn’t but I know the hold she has on him. Hell, she locked him in a coffin for forty years and he still referred to her as his mistress. I just hope he does the right thing. I’m sure I would feel a lot better if he wasn’t a demon but what can you do.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  “Putting on the relic”

  “I think I’m going to live here.”

  “Here, at my home? That’s rather presumptuous of you, don’t you think?”

  “I was referring to a more localized portion of your home. Primarily, this bathtub.”

  It was a large garden tub with jets spaced strategically in just the right places to massage all the muscles in your back and legs. If I had to describe
it in one word, heaven.

  “Ah, I see. Do you think to move it to your home?”

  “I don’t know. That’s seems like a lot of trouble.”

  “Then I suppose I will have to become accustomed to seeing you here.”

  “That’s rather presumptuous of you, don’t you think?”

  He smiled at me from his perch in the corner.

  “You know, you don’t have to play the voyeur. You could always join me. There is certainly enough room.”

  “I like the sight of you lounging in my tub.”

  “I’m sure the sight of both of us would look much better.”

  “You are persistent.”

  “I’ve been called worse.”

  He laughed before pushing himself off the wall and moving toward me. He slowly undressed with much more grace than I ever would have then slid in behind me. He wrapped his arms around me and I sighed.

  “What are you thinking?”

  We had been sitting in companionable silence for a while.

  “I thought about you a lot when I was at that facility. There was plenty of time for thought and you took up most of it.”

  “I thought about you too. Tristan wasn’t lying when he said we were worried about you. I think we took turns losing control.”

  “My poor boy. I haven’t seen him in almost two weeks and I haven’t been able to even speak two sentences to him since I’ve been back.”

  “He knows you have things to take care of. You will have time.”

  “It doesn’t feel like it. There’s never enough time.”

  “There will be.”

  I turned to him. “What if there isn’t? My biggest regret when I was captured was that I wasted so much time blaming you when I should have been asking you for forgiveness.”

  “Shh. There is no need for regret now.”

  “I don’t want to waste any more time. I don’t want to have any more regrets.” I stroked his face and ran my hands into his hair. “I love you Roman. I want you for eternity. I’m sure there are times we are going to fight. Mostly because you’ll be wrong and think you’re right. But I never want you to doubt my love for you. Even when I tried to deny it, it never ended and never will.”

  He smiled at me then kissed me softly. “I know, Sunshine. I’ve always known. I merely waited for you to come to the realization I was right.”

  I laughed and kissed him back. After a minute I pulled back. “So, what do you think about an extended family?”

  He took a deep breath. “I already have Tristan. Who else are you planning on moving in?”

  “No, we have Tristan. He has always and will always be my son. I am willing to share with you though.”

  “How noble of you. You didn’t answer my question. Other than our son who do you wish to live here?”

  “Well, apparently I’ve adopted a Phoenix baby. You don’t happen to know the typical growth rate of Phoenixes do you?”

  “I’m afraid not. I’m sure your father would be willing to educate you.”

  “Yeah, his version of educate is to either sit down and tell me a long detailed story of his interactions with a Phoenix or to toss several extremely heavy books at me. Or both.”

  He chuckled and nipped my ear. “You would do well to listen to those stories. Your father has been around a very long time.”

  “Yeah, yeah. So anyway, I guess I’ve also got a nanny and her, uh, lover? I don’t think they will want to live here. Then again I haven’t talked to them about it so I’ll find out.”

  “And what of Brennan?”

  “Brennan. I don’t know what she will do. She has a grandfather who seems to genuinely want to get to know her. I guess it’s her choice. She’s welcome to live with me but if she wants to give him a try I will understand. Just know I will be kidnapping her at regular intervals to spend time with her.”

  “That sounds acceptable. No long lost cousins or aunts or uncles.”

  “Not that I’m aware of. You know I can stay at my home. I know this is all happening so fast. Hell, a couple of weeks ago you were on your own.”

  “And now I have you. As long as we are together you could move the entire state of Texas into my home.”

  “Are you sure? Babies crying in the middle of the night, teenager angst, it’s a lot to handle.”

  “We’ll handle it together.”

  “That sounds beautiful.”

  “Of course I will require recompense for my poor nerves.”

  “Oh really? What kind of recompense did you have in mind?”

  He snapped his fingers and the ring I had worn all those years ago appeared in his hand. I looked at it then at him. He raised his brows in question and I nodded slightly. He smiled as he placed it on my finger once again.

  “This will help but I should think more work on your part will be needed.”

  My brows drew together in confusion and he smiled devilishly before kissing me deeply. After a few moments I pulled back and returned his smile.

  The next night while I was getting ready for my date with Doyle Tristan knocked on the door.

  “Come in son.”

  He opened the door and walked in. “How did you know it was me?”

  “There are only two Vamps in this house and Roman is a lot stronger than you.”

  He nodded. “You’re pretty good at reading magic.”

  “It comes with the territory. Come over and have a seat. I’d like to talk with you for a minute before I leave again.”

  He walked over to one of the chairs setup in an alcove off to the side of the room.

  “Tell me how you are, really.”

  “I’m alright. I’ll admit it was kind of a shock waking up to find I’d been turned into a Vamp and Roman was my sire but after thinking about it I realized it was because of you. I know he didn’t turn me out of the goodness of his heart.”

  “That doesn’t mean he cares less for you now.”

  “Oh I know. I can feel it through the bond.”

  “Really? How does it feel?”

  “Like when I catch you watching me out of the corner of your eye just because you want to see me and know I’m alright.”

  I smiled at him. “And here I thought I was being sneaky.”

  “It’s fine. Actually it feels nice to be loved. Although I will point out once again that I’m a grown man.”

  “Ah, but now you’re a baby Vamp so I get to treat you like my itty bitty boy again.”

  “You’re not my sire.”

  “No, but I’m your sire’s, uh, girlfriend.”

  “Oh I think you’re a bit more than his girlfriend. I don’t think most guys would give just some girl they’re dating an elixir to make them immortal.”

  “Okay, whatever I am. I’m still your mother and you’ll be my baby until the end of time.”

  “I wouldn’t expect it any other way.”

  “So we’re good? You’re not mad at me for having Roman change you?”

  “And be dead instead? No, I’m not mad. Have you actually been worried about that? You should know better. It would take a betrayal of epic proportions to have me mad at you.”

  “I’m glad to hear that. I wouldn’t say I was worried. Just concerned about our relationship. I don’t want anything to take you away from me son.”

  “Only death. Then I’d probably haunt you or something.”

  I smiled at him.

  “So, are you really going to raise the Phoenix? You already have Brennan and me.”

  “Yes, but I’m setting a limit. No more kids until the ones I have are grown.”

  He raised a brow. “You know you just contradicted yourself right.”

  “I’m a contradictory kinda gal. Now get out of here I have an incubus to see.”

  “Are you sure you can trust him?”

  “As sure as anything. Look, I’ve known Doyle for a long time. Sure he has certain feelings of obligation to Desiree and I don’t know what they stem from but I know he changed from the heartless b
astard he was when he used to run with her. I don’t think he wants to go back to that.”

  “I don’t know mom. That sounds like a long shot.”

  “I’m willing to take my chances.”

  “I can’t believe Roman would be willing to chance your safety like this.”

  “He might be under the impression I’m meeting Doyle somewhere that I’m not.”

  “You lied to him?! Are you crazy?”

  “Some think so. It’ll be alright though. I’ve got it covered.”

  “This doesn’t seem right. You should take backup.”

  I stood up and patted his face. “Don’t you trust me?”

  “It’s not you I don’t trust.”

  “I love you son and I’ll see you in a little while.”

  “Please don’t do this.”

  I bent over and kissed his forehead before walking out of the room.

  Chapter Thirty

  “Heads will roll”

  “Are you sure you know what you are doing?”

  “Don’t worry Gabriel. Roman isn’t going to kill you for bringing me here.”

  “I assure you. If you do not survive this encounter, he will do his best to achieve that goal.”

  “Only you and I know you teleported me. If I’m dead, I won’t be telling him.”

  “Was that your attempt to make me feel better about this?”

  I put my hand on his arm in a friendly gesture. The fact that I stole a bit of his magic had nothing to do with it. “Look Gabriel. Just go back to Aery and help her with Phae. I’ll be fine, trust me.”

  He didn’t look convinced so I raised a brow and gave him one of my hard looks. He finally sighed and nodded once before disappearing into a cloud of smoke. Jeez, with everybody telling me this is a mistake it’s starting to give me second thoughts. I don’t need second thoughts. I need to hype myself up and know before I go in there that Doyle is my friend and he will never betray me. I know he won’t. It’s everyone else I’m having a hard time convincing.

  “Come on, Sunny. It’s time to prove everyone wrong.” My little pep talk to myself gave me a smidgen of my confidence back and I started forward to Doyle’s. He lived in a basement apartment under some business that was never occupied. It allowed him privacy for his extracurricular activities with the convenience of being in the city and it would be the perfect place to kill Desiree without having innocents getting in the way or the cops being called because someone heard screaming. I’m sure if the neighbors can here Doyle’s place, screaming is not uncommon.