Page 25 of The House of Whispers

The color drained from my face. “What name?” Fear crawled along my back as I waited for her response. My posture stiffened as I waited for her to speak.

Min threw the soaked rag and brush into the empty pail and wiped her forehead. “It’s nothing.” She smiled as she wobbled to her feet, her wings fluttering to help keep her balanced. “You probably were just rambling nonsense.” My heart raced at the curiosity and fear that built up in my chest.

“Are you sure? What name did I say?” I strained my posture as she approached me.

She appeared so delicate and serene. A true beauty. “Well, you said Dr. Reynard’s name. And something else that I know is just nonsense.” She rolled her eyes and smiled as she placed the pail onto the floor next to me. “But,” she examined her black-stained nails, “whydidyou say his name?”

My hands gripped her arms as I leaned down and stared into her metallic silver eyes. “Because I’ve seen him.”

Her smile faded as she blinked. “That’s not possible.” She shook her head. “You… you ki—”

“I killed him. I know!” I shook her arms as I struggled to grasp the idea myself. “But I saw him, Min. Twice.” My hands released her arms as I rubbed my eyes and groaned.

“How? How is that possible? Where did you see him?” Her wings fluttered in fear as she tried to pull my hands from my face. “Did he see you?” I nodded. “Did he say anything?” I nodded a second time, fighting her hands. “Casper, what did he say?!”

Min ripped my hands from my face as she glared at me, her irises soaked in absolute fear. “He wanted to sell me more drugs. I told him no, but he said he would return. He acted as though nothing happened!” I pulled from her grasp and began to pace in a circle. “But I slit his throat, Min. I killed that cunt. I remember the whole thing!” I became frantic, unraveling as I paced around, my thoughts scrambling to understand everything.

“I know, Casper,” Min tried to comfort me, “I was there.”

My steps halted immediately as I turned to look upon my sister’s worried face. “You saw him, right?” I rushed to her side. “You saw him dead, slumped against the wall of the alley, right?!” Min pulled from me, concerned.

“Yes. I saw him. Casper, are you alright?” I fell to my knees as my head throbbed. She tried her best to comfort me, but it was no use. “Could Dr. Reynard have survived? Is it possible for him to have lived through what you did to him?”

My brain struggled to remember the exact details of that night. “I guess? But I don’t know how.” My eyes burned as I looked up at Min, her graceful appearance reflecting that of an angel.

She kneeled down in front of me and smiled, hugging me as she spoke. “Nonetheless, I think we should tell Nathair. He’s been helpful in the past, and he’ll help again.” I exhaled slightly relieved. “We’ll figure this out, together.” I nodded. “But if you see him again, find me.” She pulled back, staring at me with intensity. “You find me at once, understand?” I nodded.

Min kissed the top of my head, smiling as she helped me to my feet. I handed her the pail with all her cleaning tools and led the way to my bedroom door. Things began to feel ‘normal’ for the first time in a long time. Everything was finally falling back into place. Together, Nathair, Min, and myself would solve this madness.

“Casper, one more thing,” Min turned as she reached the hallway.

I closed the bedroom door. “Yes?” I smiled.

“What is ‘the Jakkal’?” My face dropped at the sound of her question.

The memory of last night washed across my brain, drowning me in every emotion as it replayed through my mind. An intense shiver of fear traveled up my spine as I recalled every second with Jakkal. Until this moment, I had forgotten that it was he who drugged me.

“Casper?” Min snapped me back as I forced an immediate smile.

“Nothing. It’s nothing.”

Was Reynard Jakkal? Could he be The Ripper of Bedeville?

Min had returned to the basement to begin her chores for the day as I stepped into the parlor of the house. The day had just begun, and drunken Johns were already flocking to the Whisps. Just at the front of the dimly lit parlor, a phonograph played as laughter filled the smoky air alongside the buzzing of fairfolk wings. Annoyed but alert, I circled the room, immediately stepping into my role as bouncer.

I carried myself through the room watching every interaction. I wove through the furniture when I heard what appeared to be a Whisp scuffling with a John. I walked up to see a fat, old man dressed in a well-tailored suit with a lit cigar dangling from his mouth, heckling the poor Whisp. She was merely delivering a drink, but he obviously wanted more. She struggled to move from his grasp, asking him to stop, while he ignored her words and tried to pull her onto his lap.

My hands burned as my magik gripped his neck. “Release her,” I growled. The room fell silent as everyone watched me. The man choked as his hands fell from her waist and clawed at the violet flame that gripped his neck, his cigar stuck to his lip. “If you want someone to touch you,” I leaned in, our faces close as I stared into his fearful blue eyes, “then you must pay like everyone else.” His face darkened as he choked, my magik tightening around his fat neck. My face almost touched his as I glared down, my eyes burning with rage. “YouOthersthink you can just waltz right here in take whatever you want—”

“Casper.” The voice stopped me from continuing. “I think the man has learned his lesson.” The Whisp looked past me, besotted with who stood behind me, causing me to roll my eyes.

Reluctantly, I released the fat man’s throat as my magik dissipated. “You’re lucky.” I whispered as I moved back. The man coughed hysterically, slamming his hands into his chest. I turned to see Chesmu standing a few feet away, his arms crossed, watching me. The room resumed its activities, music playing as people began talking as though nothing had happened.

“Fuckin’hexer,” the man spat as he removed the cigar from his crusty lips.

My fingers snapped as I walked toward Chemsu. The man screamed as a purple flame forced his hand to dig the lit cigar into the other, causing him to scream. I smiled at the sound of his pain. Chesmu reflected my smile as I approached him.

“Feel better?” I shrugged as he raised an eyebrow, and then I snapped my fingers, my magik releasing him.

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