The Fabled Read Free

Roman.”
    *****
    My face was vibrating. I tried to swipe it
away and only managed to move the vibration to my chest. What in
the world was that? I opened my eyes. I was laying on my stomach in
my bed and the vibration was my phone. As my befuddled brain
evaluated what was going on my phone stopped vibrating then
immediately started again. I climbed up to my hands and knees and
sat back on my heels while answering the phone.
    “Sunny Dubois,” I said as I threw my long
dark hair out of my face.
    “Hello daughter. I am sorry to wake you but I
have a case for you. If you’re up for it.”
    Is he kidding? “As long as it doesn’t involve
handing out tickets for misdemeanors you found your girl.”
    He laughed. “Oh this is most assuredly not a
misdemeanor case. A dead Vampere was found in the middle of the
street in Dallas.”
    “In the middle of the street? Was he killed
there?”
    “That would be for you to determine but my
sources say no. Calvin is currently on his way so we will learn
more once he conducts his evaluation.”
    “Alright. I’ll get Tristan and hop a
portal.”
    “Very good. The local police are being taken
care of but I would like as little exposure as possible.”
    “I’ll do a quick look-see then we’ll bring
the Vamp back for further examination.”
    “That sounds like the most feasible plan. Be
well, daughter.”
    “You as well, father.”
    I hung up then called Tristan.
    “Hey mom. ‘Sup?”
    “Meet me on the corner in five minutes.”
    “Whoa. I’m kinda in the middle of
something.”
    “Duty calls son. Unless you’d rather sit this
one out.”
    “It’s a real case? No baby shit?”
    “If you’re not at the portal in five minutes,
I’m leaving without you.”
    I hung up. He’ll be there. He’s been an
actual agent for almost six months now but has been on probation
which has consisted of only handling misdemeanor cases. As his
partner that meant I have been stuck working the same cases. Boring
doesn’t begin to describe it. But I knew I would have to do it when
I first agreed to let him become one of the council’s agents. My
one concession was that he work as my partner for the first year or
until I thought he was ready to be on his own. He was my only child
after all.
    I threw on my clothes and grabbed my phone
before leaving my house through the garage. Being able to bring my
car will make getting around Dallas easier. Or I hope it will. When
I reached the gate I entered the code and held my hand to the
monitor until it was accepted and the gate began to open. Tristan
was standing on the other side. I stopped and he got in.
    “Nothing like giving me advanced notice.”
    “Sorry if I interrupted your nightly romp.
Next time I’ll leave you to your women and go by myself.”
    “Now, let’s not get hasty. I don’t give you
grief over your relationship with Doyle. I was just asking for
common courtesy.”
    “Doyle’s and my relationship isn’t like that.
It’s merely a trade-off. I have what he needs and he takes what I
can’t otherwise get rid of.”
    “Yeah, you’ve told me before but I tell you
that he wants more than that from you.”
    “We are both contented with our current
partnership.”
    “No, you are content. He would rather it be
more permanent. And, wouldn’t you prefer a more stable
relationship. You know with a man. Not Doyle.”
    “I have two stable relationships with men
currently and believe me when I say it’s more than enough.”
    “I was referring to an intimate relationship
with someone that isn’t related to you.”
    “Why, so I can break up with them and find a
new one every other week like you.”
    “I can’t help it that women can’t be more
understanding when I tell them I can’t tell them what I do for a
living and that I work seventy plus hours a week.”
    “And what was your excuse before becoming an
agent of the council? Oh yes, now I remember. You didn’t want to be
tied down to just one girl.”
    His good looks had