Page 23 of The House of Whispers

Tick-tock.Jakkal’s words echoed beneath my skull.

My spine vibrated as the dainty wings that protruded from my skin carried me down the hall, buzzing faintly. I hovered inches from the floor, anxiously rubbing my knuckles as the distance between myself and Casper’s door shrank with each motion. I hadn’t heard from her since before Nathair took me to his home outside town last night. My gut sank the closer I became to her door—something wasn’t right.

As I approached the door, my wings fell, and my feet gently touched the wood floor. Swallowing hard, I lifted my head, my hand following suit as I knocked softly. “Casper?”

The harrowing feeling of something bad increased with each unanswered second. My heart beat increased as the seconds stretched into what felt like hours as I waited, hoping for a response.

I knocked again, my hand shaking as it tapped against the door. “Casper? It’s Min… please open the door.” My plea wavered as I waited.

Why isn’t she opening the door?

Nathair stepped from the staircase at the opposite end of the hall, his beautiful emerald eyes meeting mine. He walked toward me, his pace slowing as he registered the growing fear that seeped from my body.

“What’s happened?” Tobacco filled the air as he approached my side and slid his hand gently around my waist, resting it along my lower back. He glanced down at me as I knocked a third time while I was fiercely shaking.

“I haven’t heard from Casper since last night.” My eyes focused on the aged, paint-chipped wooden door of her room. “Something isn’t right.”

Nathair gracefully moved me aside. “Is the door locked?” He twisted the handle of the door, a soft click chiming as he cracked the door open. He stepped back, allowing me to squeeze through the small opening, remaining close behind.

“Casper?” I whispered through the desolate room. Her window was open, the sounds of the night howling through as moonlight shone upon her empty tousled bed. “Sister?” I moved the door aside, allowing Nathair to shadow my every move.

Together we looked over her bedroom, searching for any sign of her. Nathair peered out the open window, searching the busy street below. “Did you speak to Madame Chepi? What did she say about Casper?” He remained focused on the outside world.

“She said Casper was resting.” My hand pulled the sheet from her bed revealing old stains of blood smeared across her pillow and bedding. A loud gasp escaped my mouth as I dropped the sheet and my hands covered my lips. Nathair rushed to my side tending to me.

“What is it?” I pointed to the bedding, my hand shaking. Nathair’s eyes followed mine. He crouched, studying the stains. I forced myself to turn away, sickened by the sight of blood.

Where are you, sister?

Wiping my eyes as I fought back tears, I caught a flicker of an orange light leaking from beneath the closed washroom door. The color was faint, barely noticeable and moving—flickering. Curious, I cautiously stepped closer, calling Nathair to the door. He hurried to my side, confused by the strange light.

“Magik?” he asked, looking at me. “Is it Casper’s?”

“Casper’s magik is different. Darker.” I sniffled, twisted the handle of the door, and pushed the door open only to reveal the sad, sickening scene.

The room was pitch black but for a single lit candle, glowing a dark magikal orange. Casper lay lifeless; her beaten, bloodied head drooped along the back of the copper tub as her arms lay hanging from either side.

“CASPER!” I ran to her side screaming as Nathair followed closely behind. I fell to my knees, stunned by the gruesome sight of her face. Her cheeks and eyes were swollen and discolored. Numerous cuts and claw marks plastered her pale face, blood smeared across her skin. Her mouth was filled with a white foam, bubbling from her red lips.

White Rabbit.

Instantly, I rolled my sleeves and pushed her soaking, wet hair from her face. “Nathair, I need you to leave.”

“What? Min, you can’t be serious?” He touched my shoulders. “She needs help.”

“No.” I snapped. “She needs me.” My head turned, our eyes meeting. His olive scales reflected the orange glow of the candle as he remained still, watching me. “If Madame Chepi finds her like this, Casper is dead. You need to leave. Try to keep everyone away.” I broke from his gaze as my focus returned to my sister. “I can handle this.”

“Min, are you sure?” Nathair’s soft voice calmed me as I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. Nathair gently cupped my chin turning my face back to him, tears soaking my eyes.

“Yes. Please, my love,” my hand touched his, pulling it to my lips, “do this for me.” I kissed his beautiful scale-covered hand as he released a heavy sigh.

“I’d do anything you ask of me.” He bent down, kissing my cheek and sending a wave of electricity through my core. “Save your sister.” I nodded as Nathair hesitated before leaving the room, closing the bedroom door behind him as he retreated down the hall.

Looking down at my sister, I shook my head, tears falling from my eyes as I stared at the horrific details of her body. Casper’s nails were completely destroyed, ripped and bloodied as if she was clawing a brick wall for life. Her face had turned multiple shades and her neck looked as though she’d been hanged.

What has happened, dear sister? What new darkness have you stumbled into that would leave you like this?

Sniffing, I began to tend to her. “I thought you conquered this battle.” I grabbed a small rag, dipping it into the cold water and began cleaning her face. Tears fell from my face as I scrubbed the dried blood from her cheeks. “You are so strong, sister. What happened? What broke you?” As I moved the rag to her neck and down to her chest, I froze in fear.

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