Shadow of Doubt - Part 1 Read online

  “My buddy’s…” He glanced around and caught sight of Coty, one eyebrow raised, leaning against the banister halfway up the curved stairs. Erebus bent forward, his lips lightly brushing her earlobe. “I’ll meet you outside in a moment. Let me hand my friend his beer.” He carefully took them from her hand and then purposely brushed against her body as he passed by. Her warmth lingered as he stood on the bottom step. From his peripheral vision, his angel slipped outside.

  “Coty!” Erebus shouted and tossed a can directly at him.

  Coty turned and caught it without hesitating. He brought his fingers to his eyebrow in a mock salute of thanks. Before he let Coty holler something back, Erebus turned and headed towards the front door.

  Aurora. He liked the way her mouth had gone into a pucker when she’d said her name. As he made his way to the front door, he imagined whispering her name just before letting his lips meet hers. He could almost taste her.

  He blinked to clear his ridiculous thoughts. He’d never been this captivated by a woman before. It was the weirdest—almost terrifying—feeling he’d ever had. How could he be mesmerized this easily if it’d never happened to him before?

  Once outside, the fresh air seemed to waft some sense back into him. He handed his beer to a grateful-looking guy standing on the porch. Not finding Aurora on the porch, he apprehensively gazed across the lawn.

  He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw her standing by a streetlamp. He bounded down the steps.

  “Hey…Here you are.” Out of habit, he ran his fingers through his hair. He watched her eyes follow his hand, then travel down and linger as she met his gaze and held it. He blinked and glanced towards the street, staring at nothing.

  “Your eyes, they’re very unusual.”

  He shrugged, embarrassed she’d noticed their strange color. “Where’re your friends?” “They just left.” Her turn to shrug.

  “Without you?”

  “Yeah, I was sort of waiting for you.” She grinned, not even embarrassed. It was a beautiful smile which lightened her pretty face.

  “Oh no. I don’t have a car to take you home. I don’t own one.”

  “That’s okay. I’ll catch a cab back to my place in a bit. I just wanted to chat without having to shout above the music.”

  “True. Do you go here?” He hadn’t seen her around before.

  “I do.” She raised a hand. “I started this year. I’m in my first year Juris Doctor.” “You’re going to be a lawyer?”

  She laughed. “That’s the plan.”

  Wow. Pretty and smart. He pointed to her halo and wings. “May I ask, why the outfit? Or is it your job when not attending class?” Probably made real angels jealous. His eyes travelled from her hair to where her top met skin.

  “LOL. Nada. I lost a bet. A friend and I are taking an ancient mythology course. We made a bet. I lost.”

  Erebus realized he was starting at her breasts. He quickly lowered his gaze to the lace on her skirt. He racked his brain. “Battenberg, right?”

  “Yeah...” She gave him a questioning look.

  Too strange to know in this day and age. He held up his hands, thinking fast. “I’m originally from England. It’s a long story.” He flashed her one of his innocent smiles – hopefully.

  “Fair enough. I won’t ask.” She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “What about you? What’s your major?”

  “I live here, but I’m not enrolled.”

  She gave him another look but didn’t push it. She pointed towards the road. “Do you want to walk? I should probably start heading back to my apartment, or my roommate’s going to call Missing Persons.”

  He chuckled at her comment and lack of fear, even if there was nothing to be afraid of. “Sure, which way do we need to go?” Erebus knew every street. He’d walked them all a thousand times.

  “I live in an apartment off campus, but on the other side. Do you want to walk with me to University Ave? I’ll be able to catch a cab there.” She hit her forehead with the palm of her hand. “I’m sorry. I didn’t even ask where you live.”

  “It’s fine. How about I walk with you to University? Then I’ll head back to my place.” He glanced around. “I like strolling after dark. Fewer people.”

  They walked in silence for a few moments, the music from the frat house still keeping beat inside his chest – at least, that was his excuse for the hammering.

  “Are you from around here?” He wanted to know everything about her but was afraid he sounded desperate or, worse, creepy.

  “No. I grew up in San Antonio. The winter’s here are a lot colder, but I fell in love with the snow.” She shivered as they started on the suspension bridge above Falls Creek.

  Erebus shrugged out of his leather jacket. Without a word, he carefully slipped it around Aurora’s cool shoulders, trying to avoid damaging her feathered wings. It felt like the most natural thing. He watched her inhale the scent from his jacket and close her eyes. It took all his strength to resist leaning in and kissing her. The attraction had to be magnetic. With this girl, this stranger, her physical attraction was something irresistible. He ignored the warning bells going off in the back of his mind and took pleasure in the feeling.

  “Did you know there’s a myth about this bridge?” His voice broke through the silence. “A myth?” Aurora’s forehead crinkled as her eyebrows went up.

  “Yeah, the story goes: if a man and woman cross the bridge, and the woman doesn’t accept a kiss from her partner, the bridge collapses. If she does accept the kiss, they are assured a long life together.” Wanting so badly to kiss her, he kept his head down and tried to clear the longing away. He pressed his lips tight. He couldn’t believe he’d told her the stupid myth. “I read it online and in some book a while back.”

  They were almost at the other side of the pedestrian crossing when Aurora stepped in front of him. “I guess, for the sake of mythology, you should kiss me. You know, to save the bridge from falling and all that.” She grinned.

  “For the sake of the bridge.” He swallowed before whispering, “May I kiss you, Aurora?” He watched her stare at his mouth as if drawn by the same invisible force.

  She mouthed the word “yes,” a small, warm breath escaping. Eager, he leaned forward, his hands reaching gently for the collar on his jacket she wore. He wanted to crush against her, his lips bruising hers as he forced her mouth open. Instead, like a breeze teasing the trees, his lips brushed ever-so-lightly against hers. He pulled slightly away, pausing before opening his eyes. Inhaling her delicious scent, he slowly lifted his head back.

  “Mmmm…” was all he heard, or thought he had heard. He couldn’t be sure if the sound had come from her or from the water below.

  He watched her face, a little dazed before confusion replaced it. Crap! He should have followed his instincts. It was the wrong kind of kiss.

  She reached inside the jacket. He held his breath.

  “Your phone’s vibrating.” She handed him his cell phone from the breast pocket.

  He exhaled, took it and glanced at the caller ID. Groaning, he stuffed the phone in the back pocket of his jeans. “It’s just my buddy from the party. No rush to answer.”

  “Do you want my number for your phone?” Aurora stared at the water rushing underneath the bridge.

  “Definitely.” He pulled his phone back out, adding Aurora to his small contact list.

  “My number’s five-one-seven-one-two-three-four.” She pulled her blackberry out. “Can I have yours?”

  He watched as she typed Aaron Buss into her contact list. He rubbed his cheek to hide the smile as he told her his. He’d correct her next time they met.

  They reached University Ave. just as a cab pulled over to let a couple of students out.

  Erebus jogged over and had it wait for Aurora.

  He held the rear door open for her as she stepped in. Sitting, she leaned forward to shrug out of his jacket and handed it back to him. Her wings popped perfectly back into place.
r />   “Thanks. For everything,” she said.

  He took the jacket, unsure of what to say or do and feeling a moment of panic she was leaving. He had the sudden fear he might never see her again. “Can I call you?”

  “Definitely.” She winked, repeating his word from before. “Or, I’ll text you tomorrow.

  G’night, Aaron.”

  “’Night.” She’s perfect. Somewhere, in the back of his mind, a tiny voice added, Perfect?

  Careful, Erebus. First impressions always are.

  Chapter 3

  Night Court

  The following evening, Coty and Erebus sipped coffee at S’moes Diner. The confusion and grogginess had cleared and tonight Erebus had a hint of anticipation running through him.

  S’moes Diner always helped him relax. The comfortable atmosphere in the silver RV-trailer restaurant, with its red leather seats and sparkly laminated retro table seemed to offer some kind of soothing, invisible toxin to Erebus.

  “Did you head back to her place?” Coty laughed at a sudden thought. “Or yours? Did you— ” He chucked again. “—end up in a phone booth?”

  “Not funny. At all.” Erebus shook his head. “We just went for a walk and talked a bit.” “Did she ask why you can only come out when it’s dark?” Coty asked.

  “Yeah.” Erebus snorted. “She made some comment about me being a vampire.” He met her once and Coty assumed he slept with her and told her the one thing he couldn’t ever explain to anyone?

  “Vampire?” Coty straightened in his chair. “What is it with mortals? Why does anything that has to do with night always have to be a vampire? The way people think is so strange.”

  “Sure and answering back that I’m a Shadow makes so much more sense.” Erebus set his empty mug down. “Not strange at all.” He barely knew the girl, like he was going to tell her his most intimate secret. “I was joking.”

  “Better than a damn vampire,” Coty muttered. “Why can’t people just be normal?” “Normal?”

  “Well, sort of. Chicks dig vampires and there are some hot vampires on TV and on the big screen. But,” Coty shook his head, “that’s not what I mean.”

  Erebus cracked a couple of knuckles. Knowing Coty, this was heading on the side of ridiculous. “What do you mean?”

  “You know, like, we’ve got some disease.” He snapped his fingers. “Like we’re allergic to the sun.”

  “Yeah, that’s pretty normal.” He rolled his eyes and wished the waitress would bring more coffee. “You being tanned and not albino.”

  Coty ignored Erebus’ comments. “People do have Vitamin D deficiencies.” A sly smile crept onto his face. “You know, I’ve used the ‘medical condition’ excuse before.”

  “Why doesn’t that surprise me? Was it to get into a girl’s pants?”

  Coty smiled mischievously. “Why else use it? D’you want to hear the story?”

  Erebus shook his head and closed his eyes. “One of these days, Coty, one of these days…” “What?”

  “A human’s going to change you.”

  “Nah, it won’t happen.” Coty opened his mouth as if to continue but stopped. Erebus knew what went unsaid. He was the strange one, so unlike the others.

  “…and I’ve been around about fifty years longer than you. I’ll stick to my motto of laughter, sex, and fun. In no particular order today; whatever happens first is fine with me.”

  Erebus waited for Coty to stop laughing. He leaned forward, resting his elbow on the table and rubbed his clean shaven face with his hand. “Have you ever, in all your hundred and fifty years, fallen in love with a mortal?”

  “With a mortal?” Coty’s smile disappeared. He shook his head. “I’ve never been in love.

  Period. With a Shadow, or a human. Why would I? There are so many beautiful women to enjoy. Why complicate things and try to throw love into that?” He shrugged, then grinned, “I’m like Elvis, but without the tassels and jelly rolls. Like the King in his younger years. Man, wasn’t he great back in the seventies? His female fans slept with anyone who looked like him. I even dyed my hair black back then.”

  Erebus sighed. Their kind was easy on the eyes, every single one of them. Coty wouldn’t have a problem picking up chicks dressed in a clown’s suit. “I’m not talking about how we look. Every Shadow appeals to the human eye. That’s not important to me.” He waved his hand dismissively in the air. “Don’t you ever feel like something’s missing?”

  “What could be missing? We’ve got these perfect bodies, more money than we’ll ever need, youth…” Coty pointed a finger at him. “Plus we’ve got life experience and knowledge. We can hang out with hot chicks and never get bored. On top of that, we’ve got talent in the bedroom no mortal can match.” Coty shook his head and raised his eyebrows. “What could be missing?”

  “Not everything is based on physical—”

  “That’s all we are based on!” Coty interrupted. “We’re Shadows. Shallow, outlines of humans. There isn’t anything more. We all think this way.”

  Erebus pressed his lips together. He wanted to argue that he didn’t feel the same but knew Coty wouldn’t get it.

  He was right.

  Coty grinned. “Think of how things were so restrictive sixty years ago. Shoot, I remember in the early nineteen hundreds, I had to play tricks for prostitutes; taught a few of them a thing or two in the process.” He winked before continuing. “Look how the women’s lib evolved and how good the sixties were to us. I can’t see things getting better than how they are now, and trust me, they will. We’re not missing out on anything.”

  Erebus stared at his orange ceramic mug. How could he explain to Coty that it wasn’t enough? He hated his life. Existing by day as the Shadow he possessed. Coming to life only at night. He knew Coty understood fear. Every Shadow did. Every morning came the panic of not being able to able to find his Shadow. Then there was the disorientation every evening when he awoke back into human form. Always alone and being paid to keep quiet about what he and the others were. The answer seemed so simple. He wanted more.

  He knew he was different than Coty, even Janus. In his hundred years, he’d never seen a Shadow the same as him, and he’d looked. Oh, he had met a similar Shadow to him, but had never found one with the same inner turmoil he suffered. He needed something more. He just didn’t know exactly what he was searching for.

  He watched Coty lean back in his chair, oblivious, casually crossing an ankle on his knee.

  He couldn’t even explain it to his only friend.

  “You know,” Coty said suddenly and tilted his head slightly, “if all this is because of that chick, you’d better be careful. Don’t break The Code.”

  “I’m not going to break any of our laws, and I know what The Code is.” He tried to keep the irritation out of his voice but was unsuccessful. The look of pity in Coty’s eyes just grated on him even more.

  “Whatever. Then just get in the girl’s pants and leave it at that. Don’t think you can change things, ‘cause you can’t. We can’t control anything.” Coty waved his hands in front of his face. “We’re obscurities; that’s it.”

  “I know.” Erebus let out a long breath.

  Coty nodded and stood. “Listen, mate, I’m going to take off. Gotta meeting of the Night- Council-kind tonight.” He slipped his jacket on and paused by Erebus. “You know something? Maybe you’re right…”

  “Right about what?” Erebus looked up.

  “Maybe,” Coty shrugged, “we kind of are vampires. I know they aren’t real, but maybe the whole vampire thing started because of us. It wouldn’t surprise me. There’re a lot of similarities, when you think about it.” He headed towards the exit, dropping his mug off at the counter.

  Erebus watched Coty pull out his phone and add the waitress’ number to it.

  “Shoot,” he mumbled as he leaned over to grab his own cell phone out of his jacket pocket.

  He’d forgotten to turn it on. He hit the button, drumming his fingers as he waited. T
here were five new texts, all from Aurora.

  Hey. Just texting to see if I got the rite number. Lunch now… U busy tonight?

  R U ignoring me? Don’t answer that. I won’t text again.

  Sorry, I’m back. Only 2 say I won’t text again til I hear from U. It’s 9:30 going to Rum Jungle 2nite with friends. Meet me?

  He checked his watch. It was just after ten. He hit the reply button on his phone then thought about what Coty had said. He hit delete and stuffed the phone into his pocket instead. Leaving his mug on the table, he ran outside after his buddy.

  “What’s the meeting for?” He caught up to Coty a block from the coffee shop. He ignored the wind that reminded him he’d forgotten to close his coat. He left it open as a form of inner punishment.

  Coty didn’t change his pace and kept staring ahead. “Not a hundred percent sure, actually. There’s a rumor a human knows about us and needs to be dealt with. Or, some new Shadow’s been screwing up royally and needs to be taught a few things in manners.” Coty cleared his throat. “I’m just going for the entertainment.”

  Janus hadn’t told him about the meeting. “Whatever. You’re just like me. You don’t go to these things unless you’ve been summoned. What’re you witness to?” Erebus felt the chill of the night, not sure if it was from the cold or the conversation. He zipped his coat and shoved his hands deep into his pockets.

  Coty kicked a stone lying on the sidewalk. It bounced off a garbage can and disappeared across the street. “Like I said, it could be one of two things.”

  “And?”

  Coty shrugged. “I saw the human, the one on trial, and know about the Shadow she was with. I didn’t inform the Night Council, but someone has, and my presence has been requested.”

  Erebus’ phone vibrated against his chest. He pulled it out. A text.

  “The girl?” Coty asked.

  Erebus shook his head. “Janus. It looks like I’m coming with you.” He detested these meetings and hadn’t been to one in years.

  Coty paused in his stride, glanced at Erebus and nodded.

  They walked in silence through the downtown business section, towards the more ramshackle district. They passed several buildings whose windows were boarded up and had graffiti decorating their walls. Everything in this part of town seemed in need of repair. Garbage needed to be picked up, homeless people loitered in doorways of condemned houses calling out for money for their next fix; even the smell in the air seemed polluted. Erebus noticed the first streetlight burned out and counted to see if the fifth light was out as well. He heard Coty mumble something unintelligible, and, out of the corner of his eye, Erebus watched him count the next set of streetlights for the sixth light to be out.