The Fabled (21 page)

“Let me guess. You have something to show
me?”

She let out a squeal. “Yes, come and sit
down. Oh, and don’t worry about Tristan. Roman would never let
anything happen to someone you care so much about.”

I raised a brow but she yanked me into the
room and threw me into a chair then stood back nervously in the
center of the room.

“Well, on with it. I want to see this
wonderment post haste.”

She nodded, took a deep breath and released
it slowly. Then she held out her hand and concentrated on it so
intently I thought her eyes might pop out of their sockets. After a
minute a small flame formed above her hand. It flickered then went
out only to relight and burn slightly brighter. I began clapping
enthusiastically, even letting out a howl or two. I know Lucian
would have only given her a “that’ll do pig” or the equivalent so I
wanted to praise her for the obvious effort she’s put forth.

She looked at me with a huge smile and the
flame went out but just the fact that she managed to make the flame
and control it was a huge accomplishment. I jumped up and hugged
her tight and she hugged me back even tighter. When it felt like my
ribs might be crushed I pulled her back and smiled at her.

“You did it. You controlled it. It’s all a
matter of manipulating it now.”

“I know. I’ve been practicing and practicing
and finally, I let everything else go and concentrated only on the
fire. Both the one in me and the one on my hand and it just
came.”

“That is great Brennan. I knew you could do
it.”

“So can I come stay with you now?”

“I would feel more comfortable if you stayed
here with me until you have a better grasp on your magic,” Lucian
chimed in.

“Plus I’m working this case and I have to
spend all of my time at Roman’s stupid bar so you would be bored to
bits at my place.”

She looked crestfallen. It was such an
accomplishment for her and now she’s getting nothing but
disappointment in return.

“But that doesn’t mean you can’t spend the
rest of the day with me. Maybe we could do some, er, shopping. For
you. Not me, you. Then I’ll show you where I live and we could hang
out there until I have to go back to work this evening. Does that
sound okay?”

Her face was alight again and she nodded
vigorously. I looked at Lucian and he nodded once.

“Excellent. I have some questions for Lucian
if you want to go get ready.”

“Okay, I won’t take long.”

“Take your time.”

She ran up the stairs at warp speed.

When she was out of earshot Lucian looked at
me. “Her hold is tentative at best. She still needs much
practice.”

“Let her enjoy the small victories Lucian. It
will make the large defeats more manageable.”

“And the defeats will make the large
victories more joyous. Yes, I know how to train a woman who knows
nothing about her abilities to both control them and use them to
their full strengths.”

“Alright. I got you. If I can’t keep her for
now, I’ll at least offer to spend more time with her. I haven’t
hardly even seen her since dropping her at your doorstep.”

“Yes, I believe some time away might help her
to gain focus. Now, what can I tell you about the Vampere you don’t
already know?”

“How about what is this bond between Roman
and Tristan? Roman tried to tell me Tristan isn’t mine
anymore.”

He smiled warmly at me. “Tristan will always
hold a place in his heart for you. Because of that he will always
be yours. But, Roman was telling the truth. He is Tristan’s father
now. When a Human chooses to become Vampere it is decided that that
Human will leave behind his Human life and begin a new one as
Vampere. Those are the reasons for the laws stating all Humans must
consent to the turning.”

“But Tristan wasn’t a typical Human. There is
no reason to no longer have contact with his old family because we
too are Fabled.”

“The reason for the break is not only to
prevent the Human family from finding out about us. A Vampere must
relearn everything and, as another species, they do not relearn
everything the same way. Their point of view is changed therefore
they too are changed.”

“You’re saying Tristan won’t be Tristan
anymore?”

“Essentially he is still the same man but
some things will be different.”

“You mean like the whole ‘I drink blood
instead of eating Wheaties’ thing?”

“Technically he’ll drink blood and eat
Wheaties. If that’s his choice. I refer more to his thought
processes and one of the most important thoughts he will have is
surviving. He will also know that Roman is his key to survival
therefore he will place him above all others.”

“Great. So I have to continue to play nice so
I can see my boy. I just want to know that he’s okay.”

“He’s fine, Sunny. I know you worry but it is
unnecessary. Roman is very strong. He comes from a line of strong
Vampere and that strength has now passed on to Tristan.”

“Tell me about Roman’s sire.”

He got up and walked over to the window. “I’d
rather not discuss this.”

“I looked him up but all I could find on his
death was the legal information regarding Roman gaining possession
of his holdings.”

“As I said, I do not wish to discuss Judas
Severus.”

“Did you kill him?”

“I did not. Now we will change this
subject.”

“Well he couldn’t have been too strong if he
died so easily.”

He sighed. “Judas Severus had many issues.
Too many to discuss.”

“So now my son is born into a line of crazy
Vamps. Don’t try to convince me Roman’s not insane because that
horse already left the stables.”

“Roman is quite sane as is his
grandsire.”

“Whoa. What about a grandsire? Is he still
kicking it?”

“Yes, he is alive and well and quite content
to live out his days in solitude.”

“So he’s a shut-in. Great. They just get
crazier and crazier.”

“Please child. Don’t judge without all
knowledge.”

I took a deep breath. “Alright father. I
guess I’m going a little crazy myself. It’s just that I’m so
worried about my son.”

“And with good reason but I assure you Roman
is one of the best Vampere I know. He will take good care of your
son until he is able to be reunited with you.”

“Thanks, Lucian. That makes me feel
better.”

“Good.”

“Great! Let’s get this show on the road.”

I looked up to see Brennan standing in the
doorway. She had changed her jeans and t-shirt for a black shirt
with elbow length fingerless gloves, a short skirt, leggings with
holes in them and knee high shitkickers. Her hair was in pig tails
and her liner was thick. She looked like a typical teen ready for
the town.

“Let’s go then. Maybe I can buy you a pair of
leggings without holes.”

“What?! I bought these this way.”

“You got ripped off. Get it. Ripped.
Off.”

She looked at me deadpanned. “Stick to your
day job.”

“Everyone’s a critic,” I grumbled and she
pushed me out the door.

“Have fun ladies,” Lucian said as we
left.

I thought she would want me to take her to
the mall but instead directed me to a small shop not far from
Lucian’s.

“Lizzy’s is the best shop around. She has
everything from Goth to contemporary and it’s all totally
cool.”

“And how do you know about Lizzy’s?”

“Lucian took me.”

My eyes widened. “Lucian took you
shopping?”

“Yeah, did you think I magicked my clothes?
It’s not like I brought a bag with me when I escaped from the
asylum.”

“Good point. I just figured he sent you with
a servant or something.”

“I think it was a test as to whether I could
control myself when out in public. That’s not the weirdest part
though.”

“What was the weirdest part?” I was genuinely
interested.

“Lucian is the one who knew about Lizzy’s. I
think he knows the owner, if you know what I mean by ‘knows’.”

“No. Surely not. You think they have a
thing?”

“Or they used to. That’s the vibe I was
picking up.”

“Now, I’m actually eager to go shopping. I
think that is a first for me.”

She patted me on the shoulder. “Stick with
me. I’ll have you converted before you know it.”

“I don’t know. If K couldn’t do it, I don’t
think anyone can.”

“Who’s K?”

“My oldest friend. Hey, I have to go to her
wedding Saturday. Do you want to come? You could be my plus
one.”

“Is this going to be some lame, formal
affair?”

“Gods, I hope not. If it is, I totally need
you with me. Otherwise you’ll be viewing my body after I die of
boredom.”

She giggled. “I guess I’ll have to take one
for the team.”

“That’s my girl. Now let’s go get you a dress
and catch the skinny on Lucian and Lizzy.”

“I feel like I should be singing
‘k-i-s-s-i-n-g’.”

I laughed and grabbed her arm while opening
the door to the shop. I pushed her in and walked in behind her.

The shop was quaint and was packed to the max
with all variations of women’s clothing. Everything from business
attire to evening gowns to club wear. I was actually impressed with
the selections. There were several outfits I could see myself
wearing.

“Oh my gosh Sunny, look at this dress.”

It was a dark burgundy color and had a
lace-up front with a low to high cut skirt.

“Very Steampunky. You should try it on.” I
picked up a pair of black high-heel knee-high boots. “Try these on
with it.”

“Are you sure?”

“Are you kidding? That totally looks you and
you need a dress for the wedding.”

“And what about you? Will you be attending
this wedding as well?”

I turned to see the store owner approaching
us. She was slender with light red hair and a no-nonsense attitude.
No wonder Lucian was attracted to her.

“I’m actually going to be the maid of honor
so I don’t get to pick my dress.”

“Too bad. I could think of several that would
look amazing on you.”

I smiled at her. “I do have this Vampere
soiree to attend tomorrow night. Do you have any suggestions?”

She smiled brightly. “You just made my day.
Come into the back and I’ll pick out a few things.”

“Alright. I’m Sunny by the way.”

“I know who you are dear. Lucian can hardly
go five minutes without talking about you and your
accomplishments.”

I laughed until I realized she was being
sincere. “Oh, alright. It’s funny. He’s never mentioned you before,
Lizzy.”

“No. I’m sure he hasn’t. We are merely
friends who run into each other now and again.”

“Friends who spend all their time talking
about me. That doesn’t freak me out at all.”

She laughed. “I didn’t say we spend
all
our time talking about you.”

She winked at me and I smiled in return. So
she and my father dated. Or maybe she was just a booty call. Maybe
she still is. She seemed nice enough and I’m not so self-centered
to know that my father deserves other relationships that just our
own.

“So, what have you got for me?”

“Here. You can start with these. Are you sure
there aren’t any other functions you’ll need attire for?”

“She’s been hanging out at a Vamp’s club.
What do ya got for that?” Brennan told her.

“That depends. Is it a high society club or a
rock bar?”

“Rock bar,” I added from the dressing
room.

“Excellent. I’ll be right back.”

I rolled my eyes even though neither of them
could see. I have to admit I was running out of clothes to wear to
the club since most of my wardrobe consisted of jeans and t’s.

By the time we left Lizzy’s I was hooked. She
managed to throw together outfits I would never have picked for
myself but would work all of my assets to their fullest. The dress
she picked for me to wear tomorrow looked amazing on me and was
sexy without being slutty. When we arrived home to find yet another
delivery man dropping off a package and I opened it I was even more
grateful to Lizzy for her help. The dress Roman had sent over was
cut way too low, I’m talking to my navel, and though it was full
length the slit came all the way up to just below my left breast.
Only a sheer material behind it managed to keep me from showing
everything. Also, even though the dress was black the material was
so thin it was practically see through. There is no way I would be
caught dead in a dress like that. The black heels that accompanied
it would work well with the dress Lizzy picked out which was also
black and full length but a lot more sensual than risqué.

“Wow. You’re place is huge.”

Her mouth was open as she took in my home and
the surrounding estate. I had parked around front since I would be
leaving soon to go to the club.

“Come on. I’ll give you the grand tour.”

She followed me slowly while trying to take
everything in at the same time. I have been living in this house
since right after I faked my Human death and began training to
become an agent of the council so there was a lot I had collected
over the years and I had a lot of fun showing her some of my more
memorable decorations.

“You can pick a room now if you want or you
can wait until you’re ready to move in.”

“I’ll wait.”

I could tell there was more.

“I’m not going to change my mind you
know.”

She shrugged. “It’s just that you don’t know
me very well.”

“You mean your past?”

She nodded slightly and I moved closer and
took her hands.

“I know about the accident, Brennan. It
wasn’t your fault. I don’t know why your mom didn’t teach you how
to control your magic as soon as you hit puberty but it wasn’t your
fault that you didn’t know how to control it.”

“You don’t understand. They weren’t like
this. They knew nothing about magic and didn’t want to hear about
it so I hid it.”