The Fabled (22 page)

“You’re mom knew. She was from a long line of
Witches. Hell, your grandfather is still an active member of his
clan. I don’t know why she hid this from you but she should have
stepped up and taught you what you needed. Or, at the very least,
taken you to someone who could teach you.”

“You’re wrong. My mother didn’t know anything
about magic and I never met my grandparents on my mom’s side.”

“Maybe they had a falling out. Maybe your
mother was born non-magical. It happens sometimes. But she should
have helped you anyway. Do you understand, Brennan? She should have
helped you. That wouldn’t have happened and you wouldn’t be haunted
with those memories if she would have done what was right.”

Brennan started to cry and I hugged her as
hard as I could. She didn’t lose control. She just let a few tears
fall for what could have been then she pulled back. I looked her in
the eyes.

“I will do everything I can to make sure you
get control of your magic. You are very strong so it will take more
practice and effort on your part to control it. But I promise you I
will do everything I can to make sure you never lose control again.
If you would like to meet your grandfather I will setup a meeting
for you. I’ll even drive you to Austin and stay with you if you
want.”

She wiped her tears away and smiled. “Yeah, I
think I would. I mean, if he’s not an asshole or anything.”

“Alright. I’ll call him and see what he has
to say. But I’m going to tell you it had better be good because he
didn’t step up and claim you after the accident. If he doesn’t have
a damned good excuse, I might be tempted to kick his ass.”

She laughed. “Let’s hope he has a good
excuse. For his sake.”

I smiled at her. “Now, what do you want to do
until I have to go to work?”

“How long do we have?”

I checked my watch. “A couple of hours.”

She nodded. “I might be able to work with
that.”

I looked at her questioningly and she smiled
sinisterly.

“
So this Vamp and Demon walk into a
bar…”

I made it to the club five minutes before I
was due to perform with the band. My phone had been steadily going
off but I knew it was Roman so I didn’t bother to answer it. It
wasn’t like answering the phone would make me get there any faster.
I parked in the back lot and ran for the door. I had barely knocked
when the Vamp from last night answered it.

“You’re late. The boss has been worried.”

I ignored him. I didn’t need to be reminded
and I’m sure Roman will have enough to say himself.

As I entered the area behind the stage all
eyes were on me. I felt the need to say something so I tried to
look trite.

“Um, sorry I’m late. My stylist took
forever.”

They were all taking in my new attire.
Brennan had went all out curling my hair and applying my eye makeup
to perfection. Add in one of my new outfits courtesy of Lizzy and I
actually looked like a rock star. One that has class anyway.

Roman came forward and I could tell right
away he was pissed. I bit my lip in anticipation for the chewing
out I would be getting. He reached up and pulled my lip out from
between my teeth then kissed me deeply. I instantly forgot about
being late or having to perform for a huge crowd or anything else
trivial like that. All there was in my entire universe were him and
me and his lips on mine. I moaned after a moment and pulled him
even closer until his entire body was flush with mine.

He finally pulled back and looked at me. We
were both breathless. “Do you think a kiss will make up for
worrying me? I will admit you look amazing tonight.”

I smiled. “You think so?” I did a small
curtsey. “And, not just a kiss, no.”

He smiled at me devilishly. “No wonder you
stole my heart.” He took a breath and seemed to center himself.
“Alas, you have a show to perform. We will continue this
afterward.”

“Sure.”

He turned to walk away and I swatted his
rear. Hey, if it’s good for the goose and all that. He turned back
and raised a brow. I smiled innocently at him in return.

The show was just as packed out as last night
and everything seemed to go well. Afterward, I was being led to VIP
when I saw a familiar face. As it turned out he was waiting for
me.

“Doyle. What are you doing here?”

He spoke over a guard’s shoulder. “Why, I’ve
come to see you love. I never dreamt I would be able to glimpse you
on stage. That was excitin’ it was.”

“Come back stage so we can talk.”

I tapped Mr. Beefy on the shoulder and
motioned for him to let my friend through. He looked hesitant and I
looked persistent and in the end persistence won the fight. He
moved just enough for Doyle to squeeze past and I led him
backstage.

“Why didn’t you just call?” I asked him when
we were out of the main club.

“I have called ya, Sun. But I guess you’ve
been busy with your Vampere.”

“I think you meant to say ‘with my
case’.”

“Right. That’s what I meant. It’s just that
it’s been a while.”

He reached up and touched my chin and I could
hear Beefcakes, who was again standing in the corner, growl. I
rolled my eyes at him.

“I told you to find someone else. This case
is taking up all my time and I can’t be there for you like I used
to.”

“I know, Sun. It’s just that there is only
one you.”

“Doyle, that can’t be the way this goes. You
knew that from the beginning.”

“I knew it up here.” He pointed to his head.
“But it was down here I had the problem convincing.” He pointed to
his chest.

“I..”

“What the hell are you doing here?!” Roman
said as he entered the room. He grabbed Doyle by the collar and
pushed him against the wall. “How dare you touch her.”

“She didn’t seem to mind.”

“Roman calm down.” I tried to pull him off of
Doyle.

He finally released him and turned back to
look me over then he turned back to Doyle. “Get out. No one wants
your kind here, demon.”

“Really? I wouldn’t be too sure about
that.”

“I am.”

“My, what a temper this one has when it comes
to you. I can’t say I blame him, Sun.”

Roman turned to me. “You know him?”

“Roman, I would prefer to discuss mine and
Doyle’s relationship in private or not at all.”

“You feed him?”

Was I talking to myself? I ignored Roman.

“Come on Doyle. I’ll walk you to your
car.”

“Are you sure? I thought the party was just
getting started.”

“I think it would be best if you do as Roman
asks.”

“But it’s been so long since we’ve spent
quality time together.”

I gave him a warning look and he smiled in
return. Then he mock whispered in Roman’s ear.

“Quite the insatiable lover this one.
Wouldn’t you agree?”

It happened so fast I didn’t even see him
move. One moment Doyle was smirking at Roman and the next he was
back against the wall with a bloody nose. Roman had his hand on his
throat choking him and even though he couldn’t breathe Doyle
started laughing.

“Roman, let him go!”

“You will leave this bar and you will never
contact her again. If I hear of you talking with her, I will kill
you. Go back to your mistress. She always seemed to like your
little games.”

He released him and Doyle fell to the
floor.

He looked up at Roman. “Oh don’t be mistaken.
Sunny always liked them too.”

Roman kicked him in the stomach and Doyle
laughed again.

“Roman, you’re being unreasonable. He’s only
trying to piss you off,” I tried to explain to him.

Roman took a step back and ran his hand
through his hair before he straightened his shirt then he looked at
Beefcakes and pointed to Doyle. “Escort him off the premises and
make sure he leaves.” Then he reached for me but I pulled away.

“I’ll walk him to his car.”

“Like hell you will.”

“He’s injured. If he doesn’t feed, he might
kill someone.”

“And that someone certainly won’t be you. I
don’t know what lies he’s told you but that creature is a monster.
He has done things that would make you sick to your stomach.”

“And you haven’t?”

His jaw clinched. He made a motion to
Beefcakes and two seconds later there was a whole entourage of
guards in the room. Several of them blocked me while others took
Doyle out the back of the club. I turned on Roman.

“What if he kills a Human because of
you?”

“Then I suppose it would be your job to put
him down like the animal he is.”

He turned and left the room and I followed
hot on his heels. He went straight for the stairs and I followed
him into his office.

When inside he turned on me. “How long have
you been feeding him?”

“It isn’t just about me feeding him.”

“What? Do you think you’re in love? First it
was the boy now I have to contend with a bleeding demon!”

“First of all, you don’t have to contend with
anyone because you aren’t in the contention. Second, I don’t have
any feelings other than friendship for Doyle. Not that it’s any of
your business.”

“Then what? What do you get out of the deal?
Sex? Because I have to tell you Sunshine, there are a lot better
lovers out there. One’s that won’t suck you dry in the
process.”

I laughed humorlessly. “Pot, allow me to
introduce kettle. You have no foot to stand on when it comes to men
who feed off their lovers.”

“This is different. He would hurt you without
concern while I would never allow you to be hurt.”

Cue humorless laugh. “You hurt me more than
any man I’ve ever known. And that includes my cheating ex-husband.
While Doyle has never hurt me in the last fifteen years.”

“You’ve been feeding that thing for fifteen
years!?”

“You know what, I’m finished with this
conversation. I don’t have to explain myself to you and who I fuck
is none of your damned business.”

“Oh, you are very wrong about that, Sunshine.
I forbid you from seeing that incubus again.”

Now that really did make me laugh. “What
gives you the right?”

“This I will not allow. If you wish to have
and maintain any relationship with my son then you will cut that
incubus out of your life for good.”

I just stared at him dumbfounded. He was
every inch of serious. “Just when I thought I couldn’t hate you
more, you go and do this. I’m leaving. Don’t try to stop me because
you won’t like what happens.”

I left his office and gained profound
gratification in slamming the door on the way out. I made my way to
the back lot and got in my car. My cell started ringing and I
looked at it. Doyle was calling. I leaned my head on the steering
wheel. I wanted to help him. Especially after Roman told me not to.
I wanted to but I couldn’t. Roman was dead serious when he told me
he wouldn’t let me see Tristan. I couldn’t run that risk. If Roman
found out and I lost my son because of it. No, I would just have to
hope Doyle has another Fabled he can call. But in the end Roman was
right. If Doyle kills a Human, I will have to put him down. As much
as that would kill me inside to have to do that to my friend, I
would because that’s my job and that’s what I do. I kill
killers.

I finally started my car and made my way
home. I felt worn out mentally after fighting with Roman. I made it
back to my house and let myself into the gate. I pulled out front
instead of pulling into the garage simply because the front door is
closer to my bedroom and that was my destination. I pulled out my
house key and reached for the lock when I froze. I could sense
magic. I sent my magic out and found a dark magic spell on the door
lock. Judging by the strength of it, it was a death spell. Hm. Now,
what Witch do I know that is strong enough to put a death spell on
my door? As if I didn’t know.

I pulled out my phone. “Lucian, I’m
requesting a death warrant for a Witch named Beatrice Beasley. I
will take a small portion of her magic directly from her to confirm
she is the perpetrator prior to the kill.”

He was in complete council leader mode when
he responded.

“What crimes did the perpetrator commit?”

“There is a death spell on my front door. I
also believe she placed an illusion on the outer wall of the asylum
she runs. This same illusion allowed a group of kidnappers to go
free. I also suspect she was involved with Brennan’s stay at that
same asylum.”

“I see. I cannot issue a warrant based on
unfounded accusations. However, the death spell on your door is
grounds for immediate extermination. You will verify the magic is
the same prior to death.”

“Yes, Lucian. I will verify the magic and
then proceed with the death warrant. I will notify you when the job
is completed.”

“Very good.”

I hung up.

I once again sent my magic out and when I
brought it back in I pulled all of the magic from the death spell
in with it. It was the same magic used on the illusion from the
asylum. I smiled. Looks like headmistress Beasley is about to get
an unwanted visit.

“Sorry miss. No visitors before six am.”

I looked at the clock on the dash. It was
five-ten. I had decided to take a quick shower and wash off all the
makeup Brennan had put on me earlier before I confronted the Witch.
For the record, by confront I mean kill.

I held up my badge for the guard at the gate.
“Council business.”

He nodded then returned to the guard shack
and lifted the gate. I continued on to the main entrance of the
asylum.

Once inside I saw the same woman sitting at
the front desk. I walked up to her with a nice smile on my face but
she looked wary. I guess she remembers me from the last time.

“I need to speak with headmistress
Beasley.”

“I’m sorry the headmistress is
unavailable.”