Shadow of Doubt: Part 2 (8 page)

Rotating, he walked back to the pay
phone and stepped inside. He smiled wryly. He’d been a phone booth
for about a hundred years, and this was the first time he was
actually going to use one. Closing his eyes, he pictured Aurora’s
number on the face of his cell. Hitting the digits on the older
push button phone, he hoped she’d pick up, even though she might
not recognize the number.

“Crap,” he whispered when he got her
voice mail. He waited for the beep, enjoying the sound of her husky
voice on her message. “Hi. It’s Erebus. I left my phone in my
apartment, and I’ve got a meeting with Janus in a bit. I’ll give
you a shout when I get back to my place.” He paused, trying to
think of something personal to add that wasn’t cliché. “You’re my
sunshine in the darkness.” He slammed the phone back on the
receiver, rolling his eyes. A simple ‘see you later’ would’ve
worked. Even ‘I love you’ would have been better.

He checked his watch. There was enough
time to head home and then meet Janus. He ran to his apartment and
after some searching, found his cell on the coffee table. Slipped
it in his coat, he headed over to the Starbucks on Lake Street.
Janus might already be there. He wanted to ask his handler a few
questions without any other Shadows present. He needed to be quick
as he had no desire to see Nanny tonight, if he could avoid
her.

Erebus sighed when he didn’t see Janus
on first glance from the large front window outside of Starbucks.
Once out of the cold, he ignored the tempting aromas and checked to
see if Janus sat at a booth nearer the back. All he found was an
annoying love-sick couple holding hands and whispering quietly to
each other. Irritated, he stood in line to order a cinnamon latte
and picked a chair near the door. Knees bouncing he waited, and
checked his watch every few moments.

At quarter after eight, just before
Erebus was about to give up and head out to search the small town,
Janus came hurrying in.

“Sorry I’m late. Got held up by
you-know-who.” Janus settled into the seat across from him,
dropping his briefcase by his feet.

“Coty, or Nanny?” Erebus was pretty
sure which one.

“That she-devil.” Janus shook his
head. “She’s a persistent little thing, isn’t she? Wouldn’t let me
leave until I gave her double the usual. I know she’s just settling
into town, but that’s a little over-indulgent, don’t you think?” He
reached for his briefcase and set it on the table. “Maybe she’s
just used to NYC spending. Can’t see why a gal like that would want
to be here. ”

“I’ve got a few ideas.” Erebus
couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of his voice. He held back mentioning
Nanny had just spent the past five years in solitary confinement,
thanks to the Night Council. Could Janus already know that?
Grinding his teeth, he thought about Aurora and realized he had to
say something. Taking the money Janus offered, he stuffed it inside
his coat. “I know you’re running late, but do you have a few
moments?”

“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 arms.

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.