Page 60 of The House of Whispers

“Indeed,” he stepped toward me, “that’s why I liked it.”

My fingers curled tight around the hilt of my knife as my breathing increased, anxiety building as he moved around the bed.

Jakkal ran his hand along the bed, looking at the velvet bedding, stopping diagonally from me. “How did you find this place?” His mask remained focused on the bed.

Cautiously, I stepped in the opposite direction, hoping to move along the edge of the room to the stairs. “I’ll speak the truth if you agree to do so yourself.”

Jakkal raised his head, looking straight at me, nodding.

I stopped, trying to remain discreet. “Who are you? Really.” I questioned.

“I asked you a question first.”

Pressing my lips together, I decided it was time to follow my own rules. I reached the other side of the bed, stopping as I answered him. “I followed my instincts.” The answer was truthful, yet concealed. Jakkal remained directly across from me on the opposite side of the bed. He looked down, staring at the bed, remaining silent. “I asked you a question already. You must answer it. Truthfully.”

“You know who I am.” The direction of his gaze returned to me. It wasn’t the answer I was hoping for, but it did answer my question. Dr. Reynard was Jakkal. He was The Ripper. “Why?” I demanded, tilting my head.

“Ah-ah-ah,” Jakkal waved his finger at me, “it isn’t your turn to ask a question.” I rolled my eyes, annoyed with this game. All I wanted were answers. Jakkal began to unbutton his jacket, “Tell me,” he tossed it aside, “do you finally recall all that has transpired between us?”

My face twisted in the many flashes of foreign memories that I had replayed the entire time he was gone. Despite seeing it all in my mind, it still confused me. Nothing made sense.

“Tick-tock.” Hearing those words spoken aloud traumatized me.

“There’s nothing worth remembering.” I snapped, gripping the blade fiercely beneath the sleeve of my coat.

Jakkal tilted his head. “Oh, now that’s just rude.”

“You don’t get to speak. It’smyturn.” I growled.

Jakkal motioned his arms, as if revealing the bed to me. “Ask away, Casper.”

I stared at the bed and began to shake, irritated, angry, and scared at everything that occurred between us under the influence of his powder. Part of me felt relieved knowing the truth, the other screamed for help. Even in this moment, something buried inside was reaching out, begging to replay those memories in reality. I snapped my head back to Jakkal. “What is it your special concoction does? Especially to me?”

He shook his head. “You’re not ready for that truth.”

“No, you don’t get to not answer me.”

Jakkal tsked. “Ah, but I did answer—truthfully.”

“Enough games!” I screamed, raising my knife to him. “You tell me the truthnow.” Jakkal waved his hand, his magik paralyzing me in place. I had become emotional, exposing my cards too soon. Jakkal played me and won.

He stepped around the bed, standing directly behind me. “As I said,” he leaned into me, reaching around as he removed the blade from my hand, “you’re not ready.” He tucked the blade against his arm. “But I do think it’s time,” he removed my coat, tossing aside, “that you let your true self out to play.”

I refuse to do anything with you.I growled my thoughts, intended for him.

Jakkal sighed. “We shall see.” Something hard slammed into my skull, knocking me onto the bed as my head rang. My vision blurred, swirling as I moaned, clawing at the bedding trying to sit up. “Your true self is clawing at the surface, dying to be released.” I groaned, trying to move away as Jakkal remained close to me. “Let her out to play, Casper.”

“Stop this,” I cried, moving to the opposite side of the bed, “end it now.”

Jakkal had appeared in front of me, crouching as my head strained to look up at him. “We’re just getting started, little ghost.” He blew a handful of his powder directly into my face. I coughed, choking on the substance as everything faded, spinning to darkness.

Release your inner demon.

Casper had passed out from the powder, her head drooping over the side of the bed. Carefully, I repositioned her limp body on the bed, resting her head atop the silky pillow. My hand stroked her face, gently moving her onyx hair aside. Her pale face clashed against the dark bedding, her red lips the same color of fresh blood. She was magnificent. A true beauty.

“Poor Casper, trapped in an endless struggle with your true self. One day, soon, you will see everything for how it truly is and embrace your power. And when you do,” I kissed her lips tasting her essence, “I will be here, ready to serve at your feet.” Casper’s head rolled. “This Chesmu may feel for you, but he does not worship you as I do.” She moaned faintly, the magik substance stretching across her mind, unlocking her demon, slowly setting her free. “There’s no other in this world for you. You are death, and death deserves to have the world bowing at her feet, obeying her command as she burns all around. I can give you this, Casper.” I stroked her lips, “Iwillgive you this.”

Casper began to shake, the drug fully taking effect. I held her down, preventing her from falling from the bed as she fought the magik.

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