The Fabled (23 page)

I again pulled out my badge. “I will speak to
the headmistress or I will tear this place apart finding her.”

“Um, of course. I will notify her if you
would like to wait in the atrium.”

I smiled again. “Love to.”

I walked through the doors and was once again
taken aback by the meadow surrounding me. I have to say this is the
best damn illusion I have ever seen. As I stood there admiring the
Witches’ handiwork a thought struck me. I sent my magic out around
me then pulled it back in with just a sample of the magic the
illusion was using. It was a match to my death spell. The
headmistress has some major explaining to do.

“How can I help you this morning, Miss
Dubois?”

“I won’t take up too much of your time
headmistress.” I reached out and grabbed her hand before sending a
small amount of my magic out to taste hers. When I pulled it back
in I was confused. I released her hand and took a step back. Not
only was her magic not a match to the illusions and the death spell
on my door but she didn’t have very strong magic at all. If she had
been stealing magic from the patients she should be bursting with
it. Based on her magic she would be hard pressed to maintain an
anti-aging spell. No wonder she looks like an old crone. The
darkness I detected is obviously dark magic she’s mixing with her
own to allow her to perform magic at all.

“Who maintains this illusion?”

She was looking bewildered and rubbing her
hand where I had touched her. “I told you before. All of the
Witches as a whole.”

“No. I’ve tasted this magic and it’s not many
magics woven together. It is one and it is dark. Tell me who
maintains it.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. All
of the Witches gather together to pour our magic into the
collective. It is used to maintain the illusion.”

“But not you. You don’t have enough magic to
go around.”

“There are some benefits to being the
headmistress.”

“Fine. I need a list of all the Witches
working in this facility and I’m going to need to meet with each of
them individually.”

“Very well. I will have Adriana get that
information for you. If you will follow me back to the lobby.”

She turned and left the atrium without
waiting for me. I followed her out to the lobby and she told
Adriana to gather me the information I needed. Adriana looked
shocked by the knowledge but played it off well. She smiled at me
tentatively then started typing on her computer. I stood up next to
the counter waiting for her.

“I’ll need to speak with each employee
individually. If you would go ahead and notify the Witches
currently on duty that would be great.”

“Um, sure, uh, yeah. I can do that. There
aren’t many right now. Most of them don’t come in for another hour
or so.”

“I’ll wait.”

She continued to look nervous. I chalked it
up to me breathing down her neck until she finished printing out
the list and began putting it together to staple it. The left
sleeve of her undershirt pulled up just enough to show me a piece
of a tattoo and I smiled at her genuinely for the first time since
walking through the door.

Before she knew what was happening I grabbed
the hand with the tattoo and sent my magic out pulling it back with
hers. She was the illusionist I was looking for.

“That was pretty good. Placing the spell on
my door lock. If I had caught your magic but an instant later I
wouldn’t be here now but, lucky for me, I did catch it and now
you’re going to tell me who you’re working with and why you’re
stealing Vampere.”

She smiled back at me and reached forward
with her right handing releasing a spell directly into my torso. I
froze instantly and she laughed.

“You stupid bitch. You think you can steal my
magic. I’m linked to every one of the prisoners in here. All you’re
stealing is their magic through me.”

I tilted my head cracking my neck as I went.
Damn it hurts to be frozen temporarily. Her eyes widened and she
reached forward to release another spell but I grabbed her hand and
used Werewolf magic to crush it. She screamed like she was dying
and I shrugged. It’s really hard to cast a spell when someone is
holding one of your hands and the other is broken in a dozen
different places. I grabbed her neck and pinched it.

“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.”

“
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.