Page 6 of The House of Whispers

“Jakkal, you need to leave.” I struggled to keep my words firm as fear nipped the edge of my voice.What more could he want of me?“You promised, no more games.”

“This game is different, little ghost,” he spoke lightly. Jakkal stood a foot away from me, peering down through his weathered fox mask. “I have a job for you.”

Curiosity and confusion twisted my face as my grip on the knife loosened. His head tilted, noting the change in my attitude. “Whatjob?” I squinted my eyes as the question trailed from my lips.It better not involve anymore killing.

“The police have caught wind of our deadly little dance. Soon, they’ll be hunting us like hounds.” Jakkal’s words faded as he paced alongside the bed. “I needyouto get them off our scent. Can’t have fun if we’re behind bars now, can we?” He turned, approaching his usual spot, gracefully sitting in the old chair at the head of my bed.

My eyes remained on him as my brain scattered.How could the police know of our crimes? Did someone see us?I stopped, hearing those words echo in my mind, disgusted at the words:our, us.

“Fix it, Casper.”

Jakkal had become an eerie shadow, attached to me. My own personal demon. I was forever bound to him and his crimes. I sat back in my bed, sickened at what he wanted me to do.

This isn’t my mess to fix.

“No one can know of our games, not even your little friend. What was her name again?” His hand rose to his mask, pondering as my eyes burned with rage.

Min.

“Ah, yes, Min. Your sweet fairfolk friend with the delicate silver wings. Would hate for something tragic to happen to her now, wouldn’t we?” His head tilted as he observed the anger washing across my face. “Such a horrific thought to ponder.”

“You leave Min out of this!” My hands glowed a deep purple, my eyes mimicking my hands as a blast of dark magik reared in his direction. He effortlessly dodged my power as it burned into the tattered wallpapered wall behind him. He stared at the impact, a smoking, black, blast mark.

“Aren’t you just full of surprises, Casper,” he turned, his appearance darkening as he spoke, “you see,” his hand rose, engulfed in a similar dark glow. My throat tightened as my breathing constricted. I gasped, clawing at the magikal hold over my neck. My eyes bulged as he spoke calmly to me. “I knew, being a Dwimmer, you had the ability to use magik,” I gagged as his hold tightened, “but I never imagined you’dalsopossess dark magik. Hexers are extremely rare around here.Lucky me.” He waved his palm, his dark magik dissipating.

I gasped, coughing at the sudden release.

Jakkal rose, stepping closer. He lifted my chin, his leather glove rough against my skin.

“How perfectly matched we are.” He ran his thumb along my lips as a tear fell from my violet eyes. He watched me silently, his grip firm.

I was chained to Jakkal, our lives twisted together. The only way to survive this—and protect Min—would be to do as he asked. I needed to find a way to keep our heinous crimes from coming to light, keep them hidden in the dark.

My eyes lowered in defeat. “What will you have me do?” Another tear fell, gliding down my cheek onto his palm. He removed his hand, my head dropping.

“Do what you do best. Embrace your gift and remove those who stand in our way.”

“I will not kill to protectyou.” My brow furrowed as I glared at him in disgust.

“Us. Protect us. Deny it all you want, Casper, but you and I are now one. If I go down,” he leaned down, close to me, “I’m dragging you with me.”

Us. I was part of The Ripper himself.

“Therehasto be another way.” The desperate plea whispered from my lips. A sound from the hall caught our attention, breaking the tension.Min.

Fear washed over me as my heart raced. Jakkal had already threatened her. What would he do if she walked in and found him here, in my room? I shot from my bed, the rough sheet wrapped around my body as I scrambled to the door, locking it quickly. Footsteps echoed, inching closer, stopping outside my door.

“Casper?” She knocked, softly. “Casper, are you awake?”

I turned, Jakkal standing a few inches from me looking down. I could feel our eyes meeting.

“Please,” I whispered, my back against the door, “there has to be another way.”

“Casper? Is everything okay?” The doorknob twisted as she tried to open the door. “Why is the door locked? Casper??” Her voice was filled with concern. My eyes remained on Jakkal, desperate as his hand rose to stroke my face. My body shivered at his touch.

“Time’s ticking, little ghost.”

“Casper!” Min slammed her fists against the door.

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