Page 87 of Whispered Warnings: Part Two

“Is there a link between the victims?” I ask. “Something that connects them all and could tell us why those people are being targeted. If there is, maybe we could get to one of them before he or she does and maybe even work out how they’re doing it.”

Raiden shakes his head, “We haven’t found a single thing that connects them, and we have delved right back into their personal pasts and even into their ancestry and everything. We thought we were onto something three bodies ago, but it turned out to be a coincidence. It’s infuriating.”

“So, they are just plucking them off the street at random and experimenting on them and then if they survive whatever it is that they do to them, they release them back into the world and watch the chaos unfold,” I reply angrily.

Evander nods, “Yeah, pretty much.”

“We need to end the fucker,” I add, and they all nod their agreement. I don’t think anyone would argue with that, though; he’s too dangerous to leave alive.

Once we’ve cleared up from dinner, all of us yawning since we only got a couple of hours of sleep last night. I give the guys a tour of the house, and then I try to think of every plausible reason that I can to avoid going to bed, but I’m coming up blank. I was so desperate to make the tour of the house last longer thatI showed the laundry room and inside all the cupboards. I’m surprised that they didn’t call me out right then and there.

I know that once I am left alone, the nightmares are going to consume me. Glancing at Betty and Asael, I toy with the idea of taking them to bed with me, but they aren’t going to make any difference to my dreams, are they? And House gets really pissed when I shoot holes in the wall.

I mean, that’s fair enough, actually.

“How many bedrooms does this place have?” Doc asks.

My spiraling thoughts stop in their tracks, holy shit. There aren’t enough bedrooms that are furnished and ready to be slept in. I don’t know why because House is clearly able to manipulate the rooms and the contents of the rooms within, but right now, I am incredibly grateful that they aren’t done because it means that we’re going to have to double up. Oh, thank fuck for that, I don’t have to sleep alone. Hopefully, that will keep the nightmares at bay.

“There are four bedrooms that are fully furnished and that are suitable to be slept in. The other four need repairs and things like that. We’re going to have to double up,” I say, trying not to look too happy about it.

I frown as the guys all freeze and share a look, before playing what looks like a very intense game of rock, paper, scissors. After three rounds, Griff grins one of his rare big smiles, clearly the victor.

I burst out laughing as I realize what they were doing, but just to check I ask, “Were you guys just playing rock, paper, scissors to see who got to share my room?”

They all nod and grin proudly as I burst out laughing again.

Once my laughter has subsided, I say, “Choose a room. They should all have everything that you need. If they don’t, then you’ve pissed off House, so good luck with that. Surprisingly, they all have their own bathrooms; I don't know because theydidn’t have them two visits ago. I think House must watch the home channel when I’m not here because I always come back to something changed.”

“Great, thanks, Neith,” Ransom says as he walks up to me and gives me a big hug.

One by one they all do the same thing, giving me a kiss on my cheek or forehead too. It gives me all the happy feels.

“Come on, my big and growly friend, you’re with me,” I say to Griff.

“Lucky fucker,” Doc chuckles, and Griff just smirks.

Showing Griff my room is very personal to me. It’s designed exactly how I want it, with deep soft carpet, dark green accent wall, and dark wood furniture. My bed is absolutely huge, and I have a huge TV on the wall opposite because I like watching TV in bed.

I smile. Yeah, I may not own this place in any official capacity, but it’s definitely mine. I have to admit that I’m kind of terrified that someone is going to turn up one day and take it away from me. That they will have proof that they own it, obviously they would be a supernatural in that case because this place is at least four hundred years old, or even someone could turn up saying that they are the great, great, I don’t know how many greats, grandchild of the original owner and therefore it’s theirs.

“Now that I have money maybe I could try and track down a way that I could buy this place? So that I can officially say it’s mine,” I say out loud.

Griff, bless him, looks momentarily confused at my seemingly very random question since we weren’t talking about anything, and then answers me without asking what the fuck I’m talking about.

“Yeah, I don’t see why not. I could probably help you with that, actually,” Griff offers. “I’m good at tracking things down internet wise. Raiden is good with all things books. If we canwork out who originally owned the house, then we could work out who owns it now. The only problem you may have is that if we do track down the person who currently owns the house, there is a chance that they may want it, I mean this place is beautiful.”

House is clearly listening to our conversation because the lights start flickering on and off, and something bangs. I’m going to assume that the little tantrum House just had was because it doesn’t like the idea of anyone else claiming to own it.

I nod, “Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of.”

Griff’s expression fills with sympathy, “Yeah, I can understand why. The house clearly feels strongly about you, too. From what you’ve said, I think it would be reasonably logical to assume that the house isn’t going to let anyone else live in it.”

The fire in my room flares to life angrily.

I chuckle, “I’m going to assume that means no.”

Griff’s eyebrows are raised as he replies, “Yeah, I would.”

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