by May, W. J.
“Of course. I’ve always got time for you.” Janus pointed to the empty mug. “Enough time for another?”
“Sure.” While Erebus waited, he tried to figure out how to say what needed to be said. Janus set the steaming mugs onto the small, round table.
“So, what would do you need to discuss?” Janus added a spoonful of sugar into his black liquid. “Though I believe I already know.”
“It’s all so complicated – the past, the present, but I’m pretty sure Nanny’s out to get me.” He scratched the back of his neck. “Actually, I know it. She’s ticked about my involvement with the Night Council on her past, um…hobbies. I’m not scared of her, but I worry she might do something to Coty or you.” Or Aurora.
Janus shook his head. “She’s trouble with a capital T. However, don’t worry about us. She won’t risk facing the Night Council again. Give her a month or two, and she’ll move. I can’t see her lasting too long in this little town. You’re not going to fall for her again and eventually she’ll get too bored to stay.”
Erebus sighed. “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. She won’t stop till she has me on my knees before the Night Council.”
“I’ll give her a word of warning to stay away from you.”
He scoffed. “Like some kind of Shadow Restraining Order?” Erebus held his hand up before Janus could say anything.
“Whenever conflict has come my way, I’ve always run. Now, I actually don’t want to leave.” He paused, trying to figure out how to explain things, and protect Aurora without mentioning her name. “I think she may do harm to a woman – to some of the women I’ve been seeing. I believe Nanny will do anything to upset me.”
“She won’t risk getting in trouble and you won’t have to leave. I’ve seen her type too many times.”
“She’s not going to give up. I know her, and, trust me, you’ve never come across her type.” Except the Night Council. Nanny would be the perfect replacement for one of them.
“Maybe.” Janus sipped his coffee as he appeared deep in thought.
Erebus swallowed, even though his mouth was dry. He blinked and began tapping his foot, unsure if he should vocalize his next question. “Is there a way to, you know, disappear? To just stop being a Shadow?” He stared at his still full mug, unable to look at Janus’ expression.
“Give up immortality? Because of a girl?” Janus sounded shocked.
Erebus grimaced. Janus had hit the nail right on the head. He just didn’t know which girl.
“I can’t tell you… I don’t...” Janus sighed. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think you really mean that right now. It’s just your frustration speaking.” He stood up abruptly. “I’ll pretend we didn’t have this conversation and won’t report anything to the Night Council. I’m required to inform them anytime a Shadow wishes to obliterate him or herself. It doesn’t happen very often, so I’m not going to give it a second thought.” He leaned over and patted Erebus on the shoulder.
“Maybe you’re right. Nanny is just someone I tried to get away from, and now to have her back here purposely trying to cause me worry…” Erebus tried to sound like he was babbling. “Sorry. I’m not trying to cause any trouble for you. I don’t want you to lie to protect me.” Erebus was going to have to come up with a plan B. Janus looked like he wanted to run from him for even mentioning the thought. Bad sign.
Janus waved a hand. “I don’t even remember what you were talking about.”
Erebus sighed with relief.
Janus winked before clicking his briefcase closed and walking to the exit. As he opened the glass door to leave, Coty came jogging by.
“Hey, Janus! I’m looking for Erebus. Is he here?” He spoke loud enough that most of the customers inside the coffee shop turned their heads.
“He’s inside. You can’t miss him.” Janus’ laughter carried down the street and disappeared when the door closed.
Coty walked right by Erebus and checked the booths. Just watching him brightened Erebus’ mood. He grinned when Coty threw his hands in the air and spun around, confusion written across his face. Erebus gave him a finger salute and laughed when Coty finally saw him and ran over.
“Dude! I walked right by and didn’t even see you.”
“I kinda saw you.” So did everyone.
“Hey, I just had to come and tell you. There’s another new Shadow in town. Not like Nanny. I’m talking, brand new, just-out-of-the-womb Shadow! I’m taking him for a night on the town. You know, show him the ropes.” Coty squirmed with excitement. “You coming?”
“It sounds like fun, but I got some stuff I need to do tonight.”
“Please tell me it doesn’t have to do with Nanny.” Coty dropped into Janus’ vacant chair.
“I hope not. If I never see her again it’ll be too soon.” Erebus didn’t want to get Coty involved any deeper. He changed the subject. “Tell me about the newbie. It’s been a while since I’ve met one.”
Perfect comment to get Coty going. “The guy’s green. I don’t mean green in color, but he’s from a green enviro-thing. You know, one of those recycling bins you see all over town now? Where you toss your compost in, or bottles, or somethin’ like that!” Coty grabbed Erebus’ mug and took a swig. “Dude, don’t you need sugar in this? It tastes like tar.” He shook his head. “Anyways, the guy’s name is Reece.”
“Like Reec-cyle?” Erebus raised an eyebrow.
Coty burst out laughing. “Probably. I’m gonna bug him about that tonight. He’s a good guy. I can feel it. He’s going to get along with us. We’ll become the three muska-cheers. Till you get over Aurora, I’ve got a buddy to keep me company.” He shrugged. “Not that I’m encouraging you to take your time. Just let Aurora go. It’s the safest thing to do now that Nanny’s raised her hackles and plans to get her claws back into you.”
The advice annoyed Erebus. “You should introduce Reece to Nanny. I’m sure she can introduce him into our world in a way he’d never forget.” Erebus closed his eyes. “Forget I said that. That’s about as cruel as one can get.”
Coty laughed. “At least he’d have one heck of a night to clear his virginity.” His shoulders shook. “Sure you don’t want to come?”
“I’m good. Thanks, anyways. Another night?”
“Definitely.” Coty stood and buttoned his coat. “Oh, before I forget. Nanny wanted me to relay something to you. I saw her about half an hour ago. She was laughing her head off. I gotta tell you, she’s definitely into you and off her rocker.”
“What did she want?”
“Shoot. Now I don’t remember what she said exactly. Something like she’s up-one on you? That’s not it. That sounds like she was saying up yours.”
Erebus grabbed the edge of the table, his knuckles white. “You mean she’s one up on me?”
Coty snapped his fingers. “Yeah, that’s what she said.” Coty scratched his head. “You’d better go find the psycho-bi-aytch before she does any damage.” He checked his watch. “I’m off, dude. I’ll fill ya in tomorrow with how I christened the green bin. Night, Shadow.” He was out the door and disappearing into the darkness before Erebus could ask where Coty had seen Nanny.
What should he do? Well, sitting here wasn’t going to help. Nanny could only mean one thing in saying that to Coty. She had gone after Aurora and done something. He jumped up but had no idea how his legs carried him outside.
Panicking, he began looking everywhere. He checked his apartment first, then ran to the library, outside her place, briefly inside the Rum Jungle, and anywhere else he might be able to spot Aurora or Nanny. Even as he raced from place to place, deep down he knew the search was futile. Nanny had been planning something since the night she saw Aurora. It pushed him to search harder. Fear turned into dreaded panic.
The hours wore on, and dawn began to approach too fast. Without realizing where he ended up, Erebus was shocked to hear the waterfall of his favorite park. He didn’t know what to do. Nothing would give him comfort except Aurora, safe in his ar
ms.
What should he do? He glared at the falling water. Its roar sounded mad at him, like how angry Nanny had been the other night. Erebus felt lost and incredible alone.
Aurora was in danger – terrible, grave danger. The Night Council kind of trouble.
Chapter 7
Inner Terror
Erebus couldn’t move. Terror ran through his blood with the thought of what Nanny might do to Aurora. He had no idea where Nanny would take her, or if Aurora was still alive. Nanny could keep silent, tell no one and just hide the body. Or she could be torturing Aurora like she’d hurt that couple before. Erebus sucked in a shaky breath.
The most likely possibility: Aurora might be dead. Even if he reported it to Janus, nothing could be done. What good would punishment be after the fact? It would be Nanny’s word against his. What would the Night Council do?
All this reality weighed on his shoulders, heavier than anything he’d ever had to bear. He despised himself.
He began to pace along Ithaca Falls. A light drizzle started to fall. He ignored it, concentrating on how to find Nanny. Killing her wouldn’t give him the answers he sought. He had to play her game and somehow figure out what she might do.
He bit his lip as he stared at the waterfall, willing the answer to come out of its continuous flow. He stopped pacing, absently rubbing the rain off his face.
Need to get inside Nanny’s head…Find out what she’s thinking…What she’d do…
His head shot up with a sudden thought. A tiny flicker of something sent his heart racing. Hope, maybe? He checked his watch. He’d been searching for Aurora all night. It would soon be dawn, and he didn’t have much time. He grabbed the cell phone out of his coat. Looking down, he realized it wasn’t his. He checked the numbers and knew exactly who it belonged to.
“Son of a bitch!” he hissed.
He hit the numbers to his cell as he jogged towards the park exit. He knew she’d pick up. She’d have been waiting for his call all night.
“Took you long enough, honey.” Nanny’s voice grated against his ear.
“Sorry.” He swallowed the bile that rose in his throat. “It took me awhile to realize the mistake I’ve been making.”
“Which one?” Her voice gave away nothing.
“You. Me. We’re the same. I’m an idiot to throw it away.” He waited to see how she’d respond.
“You’re right. You are an idiot.”
“What do you want me to say? I’m done playing with humans.” It took all his will not to say Aurora’s name and to act indifferent. “Where are you? I want to see you…to be with you.” The bile rose again.
“I’m at your place, waiting in your bed. I knew you’d come around.”
He pulled the phone away from his mouth and gagged. Aurora and he had made love there and Nanny’s naked body would forever defile the image. “We’ve got little over half an hour before dawn. It’s going to take me twenty minutes to get back from the park.” The desperation in his voice didn’t require any pretending. Come on, Nan! Meet me halfway. “Is the girl there?”
Nanny’s laughter came through the phone like a screech. Erebus pictured the “Wicked Witch of the West” from that silly movie he’d watched at a drive-in a long time ago. He coughed and straightened to compose himself, thinking fast. “I take that as a no. I just wasn’t sure if you wanted her to watch us. You know, take a few pointers.” He hated himself but was willing to do anything to save Aurora.
“You’re joking, right? We both know how that’d turn out. You’d be distracted if you saw that bitch tied up and crying.” She laughed again and then cooed. “She’s not here, sweetie, but I am.”
Aurora was alive, just not with Nanny. She could be safe – for now.
Erebus pushed his luck. “Come meet me. I’m on Stewart Avenue now. Meet me at the end of Lake Street, by the Starbucks I always go to. It’ll take you ten minutes.” Anxiety quickened his step. He was running out of time.
“It’s raining, and it’s too late. I can use your K-Six here and meet you tomorrow.”
Shit! In the heat of the moment, he’d forgotten about the old British pay phone setup in his living room. He had no idea if it worked. If it didn’t Nanny would disappear from his life forever. It was tempting, but too dangerous if he couldn’t find Aurora in time.
“It doesn’t work.” He groaned. “It’s not set up as a payphone anymore. Come on, I can’t wait. I – I want you now.” He clenched his jaw, hoping he sounded convincing.
“Ohhh…this is new. So now you need me.” A click sounded, then silence.
“Nanny!” Panic shot up through his chest.
“Calm down, soldier. I just set the phone down to get my raincoat on. It’s all I’m wearing.” She paused. Erebus shook his head, knowing she was playing her ruse, trying to get him to picture her. Fine, he’d play her game.
“Get your ass over here. Five minutes. Then we’ve got fifteen minutes – ten for us and five to get to a pay phone.”
“I only need eight.” She hung up.
Erebus broke into a run, oblivious to the rain now pouring down. He had five minutes to figure out what he needed to do, every second ticking away on Aurora’s chances.
He reached the planned meeting place before Nanny. His breath came short and rapid, from the run and from gut-wrenching fear. His heart rate slowed to its normal rhythm, but the pressure in his chest wouldn’t leave. Letting his stride come to a standstill, he waited in front of a phone booth, crossing his arms over his chest. The rain continued to batter down, but he didn’t notice.
Spotting Nanny walking briskly down the street towards him, the anger inside him begged for release. Her black trench coat tied loosely at her waist, her breasts were almost completely exposed while she ran. Her skin looked translucent against the black, the rain making it look like snakeskin. A mortal could only dream about someone like Nanny dressed like that. Knowing her, he wondered again how he ever thought her lovely. Every part of his entire being loathed her.
Holding his breath, he checked his watch again. They only had ten minutes till sunrise. He waited. This was going to be the longest ten minutes of his life – longer than immortality.
“You came.” His voice sounded curt in his ears. He didn’t care.
“Of course.” She looked up at the sky. Even though the grey clouds hid the night, she’d know how much time they had. “This is going to be tight. One phone booth. Where’s another one?” She glanced up both sides of the street. Her coat now lay open on her shoulders. She couldn’t even be bothered to modestly cover herself.
“Two minutes up the road.” He pointed behind him. Seven minutes…
“This one’s mine.” Never the unselfish one, that Nanny.
“Of course.” He slid the door open.
“You want to do it. In there?” Her eyes grew big.
“Sure. Make’s it kind of symbolic – you, me, what we are, what we represent.” Five minutes…
“Oh…I forgot you’re into all the symbolism shit. Whatever.” She stepped into the booth, untying her belt as she brushed past him. She turned and raised a leg against the phone book attached under the phone. “I never –”
Erebus slammed the door shut and held it tight, cutting off her words. He stood outside the booth, his shoulder, knee, and foot wedged against the bracket to keep the door closed. Nanny’s mouth hung open, a moment of confusion written on her face. Then her eyes narrowed as she slapped her hand on the glass, her raincoat completely open. Three minutes…
“What the hell are you doing?” she hissed.
“Fucking you over.” He couldn’t keep the grin off his face. “Open the door!”
“No.” Two minutes…
“Idiot! I’m the one inside. This isn’t going to save you or your precious bitch.”
Aurora was still alive. Nanny had just given him that information. Hope and determination seared through him. Outward, he struggled to keep everything calm, refusing to let Nanny read into anything.
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“One minute, ‘Bus.” Venom dripped from her voice.
The terror that always overflowed before sunrise began to seep into him fast. Shadows weren’t supposed to be out. Sweat spread across his forehead as he gasped shallow breaths of air. He tried to focus on Nanny’s face, but everything began to blur. Unfocussed, he stared as her fuzzy shape sank towards the floor.
Unable to hold on any longer, he did what he’d been planning all along. He’d rationalized if they could possibly share the booth, they’d be the same shadow, intertwined. He’d know all her thoughts and actions by nightfall – if it didn’t destroy both of them first. Now! Go now!
Both hands ripped the door off its hinges as he tore it open. He barely held consciousness as he collapsed into the booth, crashing into Nanny.
They disappeared into the shadows.
Chapter 8
Payback
Confusion filled him. That same feeling of trying to swim through deep water, to break through for air, lingered. For the first time, he wasn’t alone. She struggled and fought as well, but the way she reacted, her panic gave the impression of limbs and body flailing everywhere. She’d drown both of them if he allowed her fear into his core. That trapped feeling held them both in. His thoughts were hers, and her terrified feelings belonged to him. Their occlusion was one, both fighting to escape, both knowing it was futile. The weight of that realization knocked them senseless. Trying unsuccessfully to focus, the spinning inside their heads too much, they knew they’d pass out again. Both dropped in defeat, back into the black oblivion.
Erebus woke seconds later, his back resting against the inner booth’s chilly glass wall. Someone had ripped the door off its hinges. It rattled against a strong breeze. Outside was dry. The wind must have blown the rain away.