The Living Wife

The Lead

***

"Do magi usually run their errands at high end clubs?"

Xelan wasn't exactly sure of the best response to Amara's question. Or to the sight of the old brick building with the blue neon sign that read 'Nirvana' that made his head hurt. He looked to Fraser for a valid explanation for this but he paid him no mind, much more interested in scanning the patrons that lined up in front of the guarded noisy establishment.

"I thought you said you had business?" Xelan asked, refusing to be ignored.

"I am on business. And if you would be kind enough not to glare a hole into my skull, I can focus on it," he replied with a casual tone that only seemed annoy Xelan further.

"You couldn't have had this business anywhere else?"

"Believe it or not, there used to be a time he wasn't such a killjoy," Fraser said to Amara in a whisper as loud as a normal conversation. At Amara's brown eyes turning him with curiosity, Xelan could feel the night already go straight to perdition before it even began.
"We should head in," he said, focusing his attention on the entrance door to avoid having to look at her or forgetting that he was supposed to be protecting the laughing idiot he so desperately wanted to throttle. They approached the building, with Amara and Xelan tailing behind Fraser who ignored the line behind the velvet rope and went straight for the heavy built bouncer.

"End of the line is that way," he said without so much as batting an eye. His frame easily towered Fraser, his frame twice the size of the redhead. Xelan had never really understood the culture the mortals had of using stature as a criteria for what made a good guard. But then, he guessed in a world without magic, something else would take that much priority.

"I have a reservation. Fraser Calisher," he replied with one of his dashing smile. The bouncer eyed him, rather unimpressed before looking down at the clipboard to check the name.

"I see it. Calisher, VIP section. Right this way sir," he said, the scowl he had immediately traded for a welcoming smile as he removed the velvet rope to grant them entry, much to the chagrin of the other hopefuls that longed to get in. They all went in, going up the stairs that vibrated softly from the sound of the music inside. There was a rather strange atmosphere in the building that unsettled Xelan and his hand instinctively reached for Amara's in the dark. His brain went in full gear at once to justify his reckless act to an invisible jury.

It was still an errand, one right in heart of the city Amara lived in. It was within their best interests for him not to let his guard down around her. Still engrossed in his reasons, he felt her hand brush against his briefly in response as well as her own involuntary relief from his touch. He wondered if it was the same for her as it was for him; always explaining away their avoidable touches and prolonged proximity to avoid even a sliver of doubt finding its way into the nature of their arrangement. It was a rather tiring activity, one he could much rather do without very soon.

They soon reached the top of the stairs, the bass graduating from the steady hum that vibrated underneath his feet to loud music as they entered the club. The interior décor was similar to the Sythmoran style in terms of the ethereal atmosphere, though it had taken a more cosmic feel with constellations decorating the walls and planets and hanging silver clouds orbiting over the dance floor.

But the impressive display and lively scene of clubbers enjoying their night life was lost on Xelan. His attention had already been drawn to the cause of the unsettling feeling, which was the concentration of aura that settled like a thick fog instead of flowing in currents. Amara seemed to notice too, judging by the creases of worry on her forehead.

"I'm sure you can already tell what is wrong with this picture," Fraser said. Xelan nodded. He had been to a few places like during his first few years as a wanderer to know that is always one common denominator behind it.

"Aurin," he replied.

"Indeed. And by the looks of it, there seems to be a lot of it here."

"Aurin? What's that?" Amara asked, looking to Xelan for an answer.

"Aura residue. It's usually a form of payment, as you saw at the boutique, which goes into replenishing the resources used to make it. But recently, people had found...more creative ways of using it."

"Creative?"

"They've been selling it to your kind to use in their night life endeavours. But that's not why we are here," Fraser interrupted, moving forward.

"It's not?" That was rather surprising to Xelan, considering how thick it was. It was unsafe to leave it alone and even more dangerous to let build-up continue due to their recklessness.

"Unless you would love to spend the next syth year immersing yourself into the politics that run this world, I suggest you forget this. Nature will always reset the imbalances, anyway."

But not before the damage is done. He looked on at the crowd revelling without a single clue of the storm brewing over their heads. A storm of their own making. Amara faltered, unable to look away from them. Xelan nudged her, making her look up at him. Without words, he conveyed his message. Let it be.
"What are we here for then?" he asked, as they weaved their way to the back. The prolonged mystery held no allure to him, especially with the state of their present location.

"Patience isn't your strong suit, is it?" Fraser drawled over the loud music before approaching one of the security posted by the VIP section. They had a brief conversation before the man gestured for them to go into the hallway behind him, giving directions to their reservation. After a few moments, they stood in front of the ornate doors adorned with constellations. Xelan went first as the guard, opening the doors with caution as he perceived the presence of another magus inside. A wise decision on his part as the moment the doors opened, a dagger blade followed next. Aiming for his throat.

***

Hi there. Apologies for the abrupt chapter. Unfortunately, I cut too close to the deadline give the Wattys for regular updates so I had to post. But not to worry, the next chapter will be up.

Till then, I hope you enjoy the chapter.✨