Page 55 of The House of Whispers

I swung back. “Min owes me nothing!” I growled. “I protect her because she is my sister and I swore it so!” My eyes began to water as I forced my magik down as it itched to be released. “You know, the night I found Min, a group of Others had burned her home to the ground—a home filled with fairfolk. Other men had rounded up all the remaining fairfolk women and children, leaving the rest inside to burn.”

Nathair listened as I told him of the painful memory. “The men then took those women and children, separating them to sell to the local brothels. Min was in one of those groups, crying. Her mother tried to comfort her as her cries were upsetting the men. Two Other men walked up, shouting at her to ‘shut up’. Now, being a mere child, Min was frightened and instead of listening to them, she cried louder. The two Other men proceeded to hit her, beat her, try to shut her up. Her mother screamed for the men to stop, hitting them as she forced herself in between them—a grave mistake.” I lowered my head. “They proceeded to beat her as well, breaking both her legs in the process. The men then spat on her battered body and began forcing the fairfolk into cages as they rounded up the remaining women and children.

“I was hiding nearby, when I witnessed the whole thing. I remember seeing Min’s metallic eyes glistening as she stared from that cage. She was so young and had no idea why this horrific thing had occurred.” I sniffed. “Seeing her helpless like that, I wanted to help. So, I snuck to the cage and used my magik to break the Whisps free. All the other women and children leaped to their freedom, leaving them behind. Her mother, unable to move, begged me to take Min while leaving her behind. I tried to get her to follow, but the men didn’t just break her legs… they destroyed her wings. I’ll never forget the way they looked, bent in the most unnatural ways. You know, Min’s wings look the same as her mother’s—the same metallic silver hue. Everytime I see her wings, I see her mother’s. She made me swear to save Min. Keep her safe.” I wiped my eyes. “And so I have, to the best of my abilities. But, being a hexer, I’ve condemned Min to another life of misery. I should’ve left her with her mother. At least then they would’ve been together.”

Nathair hesitated as he placed a hand on my shoulder. “You did the right thing.”

“The right thing?” My words were followed by a sarcastic laugh. “How was leaving her mother there to die the right thing?”

Nathair sighed. “You have fulfilled your promise. You’ve kept her safe. But it’s time to let someone else help. Let me help protect her.”

“Tell me Nathair,” I straightened my posture and regained my composure, “would you kill for her?”

Nathair stared straight into my eyes. “Yes.”

“Now tell me this,” I sniffed, “would youdiefor her?”

He stared into my eyes for a few moments before finally answering. “Yes.”

Good.

Leaves rustled as we approached the steps of the old Bedeville Hospital. The sky had turned gray, thick clouds churning above as a storm brewed in the distance. The wind had increased, strongly blowing as we stepped onto the uneven stone steps that led to the large doors of the withered-looking building. An eerie setting and location. There wasn’t a soul in sight—the street outside the hospital was as dead as a graveyard.

“Remember,” Nathair opened the door, peering side to side, “his office is in the Psychology Wing of the hospital. And, Casper, no one can know you’re here.” I rushed through the large metal door, as Nathair glanced around before following quickly behind.

The main entrance of the hospital was ill lit as blue-hue lights flickered, buzzing faintly. The hospital was one of the few buildings in the town of Bedeville that received electricity. The room was almost barren, a few scattered chairs for guests and a single empty desk sitting at the end of the room. I’d only been to the hospital once—as a child. Not much had changed and it seemed to remain frozen in time. The room sent a shiver down my spine.

“Casper.” Nathair whispered, reminding me of what to do next.

I quickly ducked into the shadows of the corner of the hospital entrance and snapped my fingers. A violet flame of magik engulfed my body as I became one with the room around me, invisible to all.

“It truly scares me the kind of power you hexers possess.” I scoffed, ignoring his statement.

The sound of footsteps directed our attention to the single hospital desk. An older Other woman entered the room from the double doors behind the desk that led into the main hospital. She seemed surprised to find Nathair present. “Detective?” She quickly sat at the desk. “How can I help you?”

Nathair’s eyes moved in my direction as he walked over to the desk, his hands tucked inside the pockets of his jacket. “I had a few more questions regarding Dr. Reynard.”

“Oh?” The woman’s eyes remained on Nathair as I quietly stepped past the desk. “I thought the head of the hospital already discussed everything with you the other day?” My hand cautiously opened the double doors behind the desk, careful to not make a sound.

“Has there been any word from Dr. Reynard?” My body slid through the small crack in the doors, gently closing them behind me. Nathair and the woman’s voices faded as I continued down the flickering hallway.

The hospital was filled with countless doors and hallways, though there seemed to be little hospital staff present. My presence was unnoticed as I moved through the winding hallways and headed toward the Psychology Wing. Most of the hospital was empty, minus a few patients in the main wing. An eerie presence hung over me as I continued through the maze of hospital hallways, following the signs posted throughout. The sky outside had darkened as the impending storm approached, covering parts of the hallways in a blanket of darkness. Scattered hospital lights and candles flickered, providing little light.

Finally, I found the entrance to the Psychology Wing of the hospital. I stared at the dilapidated sign, a nearby hospital light flickering. Feeling uneasy, I pushed through the heavy double doors and continued my search for Dr. Reynard’s office. The eerie presence increased as my fingertip glowed, providing light as I examined each nameplate across the many office doors.

Where are you?My patience was wearing thin.

I approached a door, the purple flame glowing over the letters of the nameplate as I read the words out loud. “Reynard PsyD.”Aha. I found you.

A smile grew across my face as I glanced from side to side. I removed my glove, crouching to the lock on the door, the glow from my fingertip increasing as a thin thread of magik seeped from my skin into the lock. My magik twisted through the gears, moving them until a loud click echoed through the empty hall.Perfect. My magik faded as I slid my hand back into my glove, looking from side to side before stepping into the dark office.

I quietly closed the door behind me and locked it. The room was dark and unsettling. Despite the emptiness, it felt as though someone was watching me.

“Time to uncover your secrets.” The words whispered from my lips, my fingers snapping as I ignited a nearby candle.

I carefully stepped over boxes filled with papers and stacks of books, moving the burning candle over the desk to my right. Numerous books and papers were scattered along the old wooden desk. The drawers had been rummaged through, presumably by Nathair when he previously searched the office. I carefully examined the pages of the open books; they were inked in a foreign language, and the print was unknown to me. I looked through the random pages and parchment spread along the desk, desperately trying to find something—anything. Nothing of importance stood out.

Determined, I turned and examined the bookshelf behind the desk. It was one of many that covered the walls of the office, and it was filled with books. I raised the candle and scanned the titles of the thick, weathered books.

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