The Fabled (25 page)

“I’m sorry but where I come from siblings
don’t rub themselves all over each other.”

“It is not her fault.”

“Then whose fault is it? I didn’t see anyone
holding a gun to her head.”

“She wasn’t given the proper upbringing a
Vampere child should be given. Our sire raised her to be what he
wanted.”

I took a shot in the dark. “A piece of
ass?”

He gave me a warning look. “A tool. That was
all we were to him.”

“The Roman. That sounds more like a title
than a name.”

“Yes, similar to the Thief.”

“Mine makes sense because I steal people’s
magic. What does yours mean?”

“I am Roman. The last of a great empire.”

“Uh, you know Rome still exists, right?”

“Yes but the Roman empire is long gone. All
that remains is a city and relics.”

I rubbed my head again. The aching was
growing in intensity.

“So you’re the last Roman. That’s why they
call you that.”

“That is part of the reason.”

“What is the other part?”

He just smiled.

“Fine whatever. I don’t care about your
sister’s upbringing. She’s a royal bitch any way you play the
cards. You were raised by the same man and you turned out…uh, not
an insane bitch.”

“I will try to take that as a
compliment.”

“You do that.”

I laid my head on the back of the seat. It
hurt just to move. I couldn’t continue on at this rate. It was just
last night I vowed not to see Doyle again but I would have to
chance it. It would be better to beg Roman’s forgiveness that have
my head explode.

“Are you alright?”

“Fine. Tired. I’m ready to go home.”

“You look as though you’re in pain.”

“Just a headache, Roman. I can’t imagine
why.”

My head hurt just talking. I wasn’t going to
make it to Doyle’s if I didn’t do something so I held out my hand
and called upon the Witch’s magic to create a flame. Brennan would
shit a brick if she saw me doing this.

“Are you cold? Because I can think of no
other reason for creating fire in the back seat of a moving
vehicle.”

“The flame soothes me.”

“Why do you need soothing?”

“Probably because some jackass Vamp keeps
asking me a million questions.”

“Don’t try to turn this on me. Explain to me
why you need the flame.”

My head was still pounding but I extinguished
the flame.

“There. Are you happy? Now, leave me
alone.”

“You are in pain. Why?”

“Stop nagging me. I told you I have a
headache.”

“Yes, but what is the cause of the
headache.”

“I can think of one big cause and he happens
to be sitting next to me.”

“I did not do this.”

He reached forward to touch my head and I
pulled away. The last thing I need is to absorb some of his magic
too. It already felt like my brain stem was being fried.

“Don’t touch me. I just need to go home.”

He pulled back his hand. “We are nearly
there.”

“Good.” That meant I was one step closer to
having Doyle pull this excess magic out of me.

The limo pulled into my drive a few minutes
later and I did my best to wait patiently for the driver to open
the door. When he did Roman stepped out and held out his hand for
me. I got out without taking his offered hand and started for my
front door. I would wait inside until Roman was gone then I would
go find Doyle.

“I am sorry for tonight. I didn’t think you
would be attacked or I never would have taken you there.”

I took a deep breath and released it. “It’s
alright Roman. It wasn’t your fault. Bye.”

“No goodnight kiss.”

I rolled my eyes and the pain in my head
almost had me passing out.

“If it was a good night, I might consider
it.”

I unlocked the door and entered the house
effectively cutting off any more protests. I leaned against the
door and took a deep breath. My brain felt like it was about to
split in two leaving me a drooling puddle on the floor. I looked
out the peephole and saw the taillights of the limo as it turned
onto the main road from my driveway. I stumbled to the kitchen and
grabbed my keys off the hook before returning to the front door
since my car was parked there. I started out the door before I
realized Roman was leaning up against my car still in his tux sans
jacket.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“I could ask you the same thing.” He started
closer to me. “Where are you going in such a rush?”

“I...I just need something. Not that it’s any
of your business.”

“What do you need, Sunshine?”

“Just something for my headache. You can go
now.”

“Is it because of the Vampere you killed? Is
that why you are in pain?”

“I told you, it’s none of your business.”

“You know, I spent an extremely large amount
of time last night wondering what a lowlife like Doyle could
possibly possess that would interest you. I know it’s not the sex.
A beautiful woman like yourself could have any lover she wanted so
why chose an incubus. What could an incubus offer other than sex?
And then it dawned on me. He takes your excess. You absorb others
magic but I’m sure there is a limit to the amount you can hold.
Correct me if I’m wrong.”

I just looked at him.

“That is what I thought. And now you plan to
run to this incubus to release the magic you took from the Vampere.
You would risk never seeing your child for this?”

“You don’t understand. It wasn’t just the
Vampere tonight but a Witch this morning. I was already at maximum
capacity and now I feel like I might die if I don’t find release.”
I was practically crying which really pissed me off.

He reached forward and stroked my chin. “You
will tell me later about this Witch but for now I will ease your
suffering.”

My eyes widened. “What?! No! You’re not.
There will be no fanging tonight.”

He simply smiled. “You would rather feed your
body to a demon that allow me to take from you.”

I crossed my arms and his smile widened.
Before I knew what he was going to do he had pushed me back into
the house. I thought he might attack but he just leaned against the
door and crossed his own arms.

“What are you doing?”

“Waiting for you to decide to allow me to
feed from you.”

“I could drain you dry of your magic.”

“And I could have you tied to a chair before
you ever managed to touch me.”

“Ha. You don’t know where I keep the
rope.”

He reached into the back pocket of his
trousers and pulled out a length of twine about five feet long. It
didn’t look very thick but I know looks can be deceiving.

“Do you always carry rope in your back
pocket?”

He tilted his head to the side in a half
shrug. “It’s nice to have in emergencies.”

“Like what? An emergency BDSM scene?”

He just smiled. The images that popped in my
head made me smile back. I could just picture some busty blonde
screaming. “Help. Somebody help me. I need tying up.” Enter Roman
and his length of rope. “Don’t worry ma’am. I’m a doctor.”

I laughed out loud and the pain in my head
had my laugh turning into a cry. Roman leapt forward and grabbed
me.

“Please Sunshine. I can’t stand to see you in
such pain. Allow me to take from you. I promise I will only take
what you give.”

I slowly nodded. I just can’t stand the pain
anymore and, although Roman is the last person I want to bite me,
it isn’t worth the repercussions of going to Doyle. The only
problem I have is the intimacy that comes with a Vampere’s bite.
Their magic is designed to make their victim enjoy being bitten.
Most claim it’s orgasmic. Since I’ve never allowed one to feed from
me I don’t know for sure but given mine and Roman’s past I would
guess this is about to get intense.

He pulled me closer to him slowly while he
nuzzled my neck. I could feel his tongue as it slid across my skin
and I tried to think of anything else but it was futile. He struck
so fast I didn’t feel it. The numbing agent in his saliva probably
helped with that. Or maybe it was the immediate feeling of euphoria
that overtook me. I could feel his magic as it entered me and
merged with my own. I tried to separate mine from both the Witch’s
and Vampere’s but in the end it didn’t matter. He could sense the
difference and began taking the magic that wasn’t mine. I was
eternally grateful that I didn’t need to concentrate on which magic
he should take because I was too preoccupied with the intense
passion that was coursing through my veins. I could feel him
through every inch of me and all I wanted was more. More of him,
more of this, just more. I ran my hands along his back and every
muscle was tense. He was driving me crazy with need so I ran my
nails down his back over his shirt to prove my frustration to him
and he moaned in response. I was panting and rubbing myself against
him as my hands roamed over him. Gods he felt so good and I wanted
him like I have never wanted another.

The orgasm overtook me so intensely I thought
I might fall but he had his arms wrapped tightly around me and
there was no way he would let me go. His name became a chant on my
lips until it sounded as though he were a god I was praying to. I
reached for his pants and he pulled back before licking the wound.
I didn’t give him a chance to get away. My lips were on his before
he could say anything and as our tongues entwined I gave a brief
moment to realize that he didn’t taste like blood. All I could
taste was the remnants of the magic he had taken.

There was no more room for rational thought.
There was only one thing that had my synapses firing and that was
him. His touch, his kiss, his hands running over my body, his body
pressed against mine. It was at once a soothing balm for the fire
burning within and an accelerant making me want more. I again
reached between us for the waist of his pants but he pushed me
against the wall and covered my body with his effectively blocking
any attempts I could make to disrobe him. He put his hand in my
hair and yanked it back causing me to bare my neck to him then he
licked a path from my collar bone to jaw and took a little nip. I
gasped and he pulled back letting up on my hair enough so I could
look into his eyes.

“Gods, you make me want so much when you look
at me like that.”

I smiled seductively. “You have me wanting
too.”

He smiled sadly. “I’m not the monster you
think I am.”

“I know.”

He released me and took several steps back. I
was horrified. Did I do something wrong?

“I won’t take you like this. How could I ever
know if it was me or the magic that has you so wound up?”

“It’s you. Trust me.”

“I want to believe you but I need to know for
sure. Later, if you still want me, I will not deny you.”

“What? You’re leaving?”

“For tonight.”

Now that pisses me off. He purposely got me
all hot and bothered and now he’s standing me up.

“Fine. Go. I can assure you it will be a cold
day in hell before I come begging for you to have me.”

“You won’t have to beg, Sunshine. A simple
yes will do.”

“Get out!” I walked to the front door and
opened it for him. “You wanted to know if it was you or the magic.
It was definitely the magic. It made me forget temporarily what an
asshole you are.”

He moved closer to me. “Good night,
Sunshine.” He bowed slightly before walking out the door and I
slammed it behind him. Then locked it for good measure. Gods I was
such a mess. The truly sad thing is I miss him already. The one
thing tonight made me realize is just how much I yearn for that
man.

“
Drunk dialing”

I slept late the next morning primarily due
to my lack of restful sleep throughout the night. It took me
forever to get comfortable and when I finally drifted off I was
plagued with dreams of Roman rebuking my advances. I’m not going to
dwell on the implications those dreams hold about my psyche and
what a gentle state it’s in.

It was three in the afternoon when my cell
started ringing. I didn’t recognize the number on the caller
ID.

“This is Sunny Dubois.”

“Hi mom. It’s me.”

I was shocked into silence for a moment. “Oh,
my beautiful boy. It’s so good to hear your voice.”

“I’ve missed you too.”

“Are you alright? I know it’s a lot and it’s
going to take some time to fully come to terms with
everything.”

“Yes. I’m alright and you’re right about
everything but I’m glad it happened and I’m glad it was Roman.”

“He’s treating you well then? Like a Vampere
father should?”

“Yes. He is a good father. Just as you’re a
good mother.”

“I love you son. Never forget that. My love
for you is endless.”

“I’ve never doubted that. Who knows what
you’re in for to Roman for changing me.”

“It was worth it. You’re worth it.”

I could practically see him smile.

“I don’t mean to turn to business but did
Roman ask you about who did this to you?”

“Yes. I don’t remember much. There was this
guy at my door and then I was being beaten but I didn’t see the
person doing it and when I came to I was being pushed out of a van.
I remember seeing Carly and then I passed out again.”

“I already know what the Vamp that took you
looked like.”

“Through your magic?”

“Yes.”

“Did you find anything else out?”

“No. He put his mojo on you and you followed
him into a black Mercedes without tags. That’s all I’ve got.”

“That’s more than me.”

“You just concentrate on getting a handle on
things. I want to see you as soon as possible.”

“I want to see you too. Roman is planning on
taking me to meet his grandsire, which I guess makes him my
great-grandsire, in a week or two depending on how I progress.
Maybe you could come with us.”