The Sorcerer's Gate

five

By the time Aster reached her apartment, the darkness had settled outside. The sun had disappeared. The street lamps were on. Buildings and businesses were shut down early, again. Closing the front door behind her, Jaxtyn stared at her from his seat, his mouth a thin line.

"Hello, love," Aster said taking her coat off and placing it onto the loveseat in their living area.

When she met his eyes, she sensed anger again like last night. This time it seemed to radiate off of him like gas surrounding his body, a fit of fury and weariness.

"Where have you been?" Jaxtyn replied, remaining seated.

Aster began to strip her clothes from the day and put them into the laundry basket. She removed her boots, lining them up next to the wall. She began changing into a more suitable apparel for bed. Readying herself to remain calm, she said, "I told you. I went to see about the housekeeping position. And, I got the job. They're really nice. I'm actually quite happy about it."

Jaxtyn fixed his gaze towards the floor. He was unnervingly quiet. He took a breath before he said, "There's been another murder."

She turned towards him as he looked up at her with eyes and a facial expression that looked so terrified and stressed. He rose from his chair and moved to stand in front of her. He was only a foot or two taller than her. Leaning his head down to meet her gaze, he held her arms with his hands, "They found the body right outside of The Menage." A single tear fell from his eye and he wiped it away saying, "I thought it was you. I thought you'd gone to beg for your job back. I thought you were dead."

She began to feel herself shrink inside, "Was it anyone we knew? Did they identify the body?"

"Yes, I asked some guys down at the fishyard to call me immediately when they found out. It was a woman named Telina Clearforther. Do you know her?"

"No," Aster thought about the name carefully, "It's not one of the girls at The Menage, but I'm sure they're all freaked out. God, I hope Vi is okay."

"She's fine. I spoke with her on the phone an hour before you got home."

"Good... good," Aster replied.

More tears started slipping from his eyes. She reached her hands up to cup his face and wiped them away with her fingers. Kissing his cheek slowly, she reassured him, "It wasn't me. I'm fine. I'm okay. I'm sorry, you were worried all night." She searched his face for an answer, but he looked like he still needed convincing that the dead body wasn't Aster's.

"I'm right here," she added, as she took his hands and led him to sit on the edge of the mattress with her. Smoothing down his hair with her fingers, his eyes followed her hands like an animal being pet.

He leaned in to kiss her lips and she soaked in the smell of him. Taking a breath, she motioned for him to move onto the bed where she propped her body on top of him. He brushed her hair behind her ears with his fingers and held her chin ever so gently. She kissed him again, letting it linger for a little before she pulled away.

"They gave me a raise today," Jaxtyn said now looking across the room.

"Wow, really? How come? I thought you were under some conviction that you were getting laid off soon. That's great news," Aster answered giving him another kiss. 

"Yeah, I thought they were acting weird with me, but as it turns out, it was a promotion instead," he fiddled with one of the hoop earrings on her ear, "So... don't worry about getting another job right now. We'll be okay," Jaxtyn said now meeting her eyes again.

Aster held herself up with her hands on the mattress, upright over his body, "What do you mean?"

"I mean... We'll do just fine without you worrying about getting another job."

Aster got up from her position and sat back on the edge of the bed, looking across the room.

"I want this job. It's nothing like what I've done before. I really feel like this is good for me," she said putting her head down.

"I'd feel much safer with you inside the house and not out there with a murderer roaming the streets."

"So what? I play prisoner?"

Jaxtyn moved to sit next to her at the edge of the bed. He rubbed his hands through his hair, then put his fingers to his temple, shutting his eyes, "You know it wouldn't be like that, Aster."

"That's sure what it sounds like. You're saying that I would be cooped up in here like some animal," Aster spat.

"That's not at all what I was saying."

"Well, that's what I'm saying."

"Look, the murder at The Menage, that's further into the city," he countered.

"You think I don't know that?"

"Well, you're acting like it's not worth raising alarm."

"I'm not acting like anything," she could feel herself growing angry and tired of this conversation, "I don't intend to alter my whole life and schedule on behalf of some freak! I won't let anyone have that much control over me," Aster answered.

"I understand that, but we have to take proper precautions," Jaxtyn said reaching for her.

Aster stood from the bed, moving away from his grasp, "Fine. Let's talk precautions, but I'm keeping this job."

"What's so special about this job?"

"You're not getting it," she shut her eyes tightly, "It's not about the job. It's about taking my life back. I keep the job, but we can talk some ground rules for precautions given the events of this loose killer."

"I don't understand," Jaxtyn said placing his head in his hands.

"I can work certain hours and be home by certain times. This job is not like The Menage. I'll tell them I can work mornings and afternoons, but no later than that. Before its dark, I come straight home," Aster was now pacing the apartment, "If that's alright by you," she said with an attitude.

"Fine. I'll feel more comfortable with you working those hours. The killings seem to be happening during the night because the... the bodies are found in the mornings."

"Okay, then it's agreed. They also... have a room made up for me in case it gets too late and I want to stay the night."

"What kind of place is this?"

"They're very fancy," Aster said with a cheeky smile, rolling her eyes.

"How will I know if you stayed the night or you happened to not make it home?"

"I'll call, dummy."

"Alright, smart ass. It's agreed. Now, come over here," Jaxtyn said reaching his arms out to her.

She smiled as she fell into his embrace and they laid back together on the mattress.

"I don't really want you staying the night, though. I mean, you should do it if you absolutely have to," he said.

"Ugh, you're impossible," Aster teased nudging at his abdomen.

"What? I want you all to myself, " he said, wrapping his leg around hers like interwoven tree branches.

"Don't I know it..." she said.