by W.J. May
Chapter 6
The Handler
Friday evening dawned with new anticipation for Erebus. He always dreaded the start of the weekend, having to meet his handler. A really decent guy, Janus never questioned his actions or choices. Janus meant well; he just didn’t like seeing a Shadow depressed. It went against their code. In all the years Erebus had met with Janus, he couldn’t recall a time being eager to see Janus. In all honesty, he’d never felt enthusiastic about anything, or anyone. Even when he’d been with Nanny, he’d never felt content.
Shortly after seven, Erebus walked into Starbucks, whistling a tune he’d heard on his new stereo – which he’d set up at his studio apartment. In two days he’d managed to secure a place to live and cover the first year’s rent without even making a dent in his buried treasure box. Inside, he ordered an espresso and turned to see Janus sitting in a brown leather chair, his mouth hanging open.
“Hey, Janus, it’s good to see you.” Erebus grinned, he couldn’t help it.
“Erebus?” Janus’ eyes were as big as the saucer he held. His eyes narrowed. “Have you been doing drugs?”
“No!” Erebus laughed as he sat down across from his handler.
“What’s happened? I’ve never seen you like this.” Janus’ face softened. “Have you found yourself a playmate, or two?”
Sort of. Just not the way you’d approve. He glanced toward the doorway then back at Janus. “I decided I needed an apartment.” He figured a partial truth would be the best answer.
Janus looked disappointed for a moment before his expression turned thoughtful. “Good for you…I think. I’m glad to see that you’re trying to settle here. Not sure what you need a place for, but hey, if it keeps that smile on your lips, I’m alright with it.” Janus set his briefcase on the table and withdrew a stack of fifties. He held them out to Erebus.
“Thanks.” Erebus took the money and stuffed it into the inside breast pocket of his leather jacket. He checked his watch, not sure if Aurora might show up early and hoping Janus would leave.
“Who’re you meeting?” Janus’ voice took on a suspicious tone.
Erebus blinked. What should he do? Deny it? Lie? What would Coty say? “Just a girl.” “Oh…Oooohhh! It seems you’re finally taking advantage of the mortal market. Good for
you.” He let out a low chuckle.
Erebus sighed. His simple statement was meant to sound as Janus understood it, but he didn’t like referring to Aurora that way. Then again, her mortal market bits were quite enticing. He smirked and puffed his chest out, suddenly feeling the excitement of what might happen.
That his little plan might actually work.
“Word of caution, Erebus: You haven’t been with a mortal in a long time – don’t misunderstand your physical feelings.” His eyebrows crushed together. “What I am saying is don’t get yourself attached. I don’t want you thinking an apartment and a girl might make you settle down and be human.”
“It’s no big deal.” Erebus didn’t know what else to say. He knew if he admitted his true feelings, Janus would force him to leave or end the relationship before it started. Shadows don’t fall in love – plain and simple. He didn’t want to take the risk of having to end something before it even began. He also never understood the unwritten code of Shadows being with humans, besides physically. He’d never asked why the rule existed. The dangers or risks didn’t seem so serious to him at the moment. However, now was definitely not the time to question Janus about it.
Janus tapped a thumb against the leather of his briefcase. “None of us can choose our destiny. None of us can stop it either. Remember that. You can’t change things.” Janus’ eyes revealed years of knowledge Erebus had never experienced.
“I’m fine.” Erebus wondered if Janus knew him more than he knew himself.
The door opened and a blast of cool, fresh air blew over them mixed with a familiar musky scent. Erebus stared behind Janus, admiring the girl by the door. Aurora wore a full leather coat to protect her from the autumn wind. Her hair fell straight over her shoulders and down her back. Erebus missed the curls, but the straight hair gave her a more professional look. He swiftly ran his eyes up and down her slender body once more. The soft brown leather jacket tied tight around her waist brought notice to her curves.
She waved when she caught sight of him, making her way towards the table. Out of the corner of his eye, Erebus watched Janus turn in his seat to follow his gaze. Janus let out a low whistle only Erebus could hear.
“Hi.” Erebus stood abruptly, not wanting her to say Aaron and have Janus correct her or worse, ask questions. “This is,” he thought quickly, “a colleague of mine, Jan.”
Janus stood gawking, appreciation displayed in his expression.
“Hi, I’m Aurora.” She held out her hand, flipping her hair over her shoulder with a toss of her head. Both men hungrily followed the action. She seemed oblivious to their attention.
“Hello, Aurora. Lovely name. It’s very nice to meet you,” Janus gave her a perfect smile. He glanced at Erebus and winked. “I have other appointments I need to see this evening, so I must
be on my way. Have a pleasurable night.”
If Erebus could blush, his cheeks would have burned from the implication Janus had blatantly thrown out. “Cheers.” He’d have preferred to throttle the grinning man who picked up his briefcase and headed out into the night whistling the same tune Erebus had been when he’d first come in.
“He seems nice.” Aurora watched Janus leave.
“Jan—Jan’s a good guy.” For some reason, he didn’t want to say Janus’ full name. “Like Coty?” Aurora was still standing behind the now vacant chair.
“Much better than Coty.” Erebus laughed at the comparison. It was like night and day…so to speak.
“You want to head downtown to the theatre?” She pointed to his two, now empty, mugs. “Unless you want another one?”
“I’m good. We can head downtown, or we can walk around a bit and catch the later show.
That is, if you want to.” He suddenly wasn’t so sure of himself.
“A walk sounds nice. Maybe I’ll grab a latte to go. I think winter’s on its way a bit early this year.” She headed to the counter to order.
“Hmmm…” Erebus’ eyes watched Aurora’s derriere swing with the leather of her jacket as he followed her.
“Do you want anything?” she asked.
You. No way could he say that out loud. “No thank you.”
She paid for her order and Erebus held the door open for her. He watched the door swing closed and wondered if this might be a big mistake. Sooner or later Aurora would start asking questions he had no idea how to answer. Running a hand through his hair, he took a few quick strides to catch up to her. Something pulled him to her, it seemed better to be beside her, not out of reach.
“What were you like as a kid?” He wanted to know everything about her and didn’t girls like talking?
She shivered and then laughed. “I’m from San Antonio so I definitely didn’t grow up understanding the full concept of a white winter. I like the sun and the heat, even as a kid. If you told the kid me I’d be going to Cornell for university I probably would have tried talking myself out of it. Don’t get me wrong, I love it here but that bloomin’ cold wind takes some getting used to. Where’d you grow up? You mentioned England, how old where you when you immigrated?”
Questions already? Erebus concentrated on the lines on the sidewalk and not stepping on them. What could he say? “Around London. Is your family still in Texas?”
“My mom and dad are. They’ve been up to visit here once and are talking about coming here for Christmas. My mom’s curious what Christmas with snow looks like. At the start of the school year I’d planned on heading back home but I’m not so sure what my plans are…”
Now it was her turn to stare at the ground. Erebus watched her moment of awkwardness and almost uttered “oh” when he realized she was probably hinting at her pare
nts coming up to meet him. No way could he handle that, the risk was beyond even contemplating. “I’d go back. If I were you, I mean. Get some sun, see friends and family. Have a nice holiday.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right.” She twirled a loose hair lock around her finger a few times before tucking it behind her ear. “You already have plans?”
Erebus couldn’t miss the disappointment in her voice. It tugged inside his chest. “Coty and I have a bit of a tradition.”
“Not going to see your parents? Are they still in England?” Parents? Crap, now what should he say? “It’s just me.”
Aurora pressed her lips together, the corners of her mouth slightly turning down. “I’m so sorry.”
“No worries. It’s fine.” He felt like a jerk letting her assume and believe a lie. However it was better than the truth. “Tell me more about what you were like as a kid.” He was curious to know. He’d never been around kids. Most were in bed by the time he came around or the ones still up were miserable and ready to go to bed. He wanted to know everything about her.
She held her cup with both hands and took a sip. “I had a normal childhood.” She reached out and squeezed his arm a moment. “What’s normal nowadays though? I should say I had a great childhood. My parents married after college and have been together ever since. They’re still as much in love as they were when the met. That doesn’t seem so typical anymore.
Everyone’s divorced or remarried or who knows what else. We did family stuff too. Road trip vacations all over the country to see all of nature’s wonders. My dad’s a big civil war history
buff. One year we drove to South Carolina and did the whole drive up through Virginia to Gettysburg. I think we stopped at every civil war monument along the way.” She laughed, staring ahead but obviously seeing memories of the trip in her head. “I was around nine or ten and made this huge scrap book when we got back.”
“It sounds like a fun trip.” He smiled at her happiness.
“My dad wants to do it again this summer. He wants him and my mom to fly out when exams are done and go from here. Do it backwards this time.” She tossed her cup into a passing trash bin. “If we’re still hanging out, you should come.”