Page 30 of The House of Whispers

“Nathair, you needn’t worry.” I growled, partially offended. “I'm fine.”

“You’renotfine!” he yelled, lowering his volume immediately as we both looked around to make sure we were alone in the hallway. “Forgive me, but you are not fine. You’re keeping secrets and playing games with all of us.”

His temper irritated me further. “The only game I’m playing is the game of survival.” I spat up at him. “And in terms of secrets, we both know I’m not the only one keeping those.”

Nathair’s green eyes glared down at me as his jaw clenched. We remained still, locked in the moment for a few minutes before he finally spoke, changing the subject. “Min knows something is wrong. She may seem innocent, but she’s not ignorant. And I don’t like lying to her.”

“Min is fine.” A shiver danced down my spine as if someone was standing behind me.

“No, she isn’t. She knows you’re lying. Tell me, did youreallyrelapse, or was it The Ripper who drugged you this time?” My eyes glowed as I controlled to contain my aggression, giving away my answer. “Ah,” he shook his head, “I thought so.”

“I haveThe Ripperunder control.” I growled through my clenched teeth.

“Do you?” He crossed his arms, tilting his head. “Because it seems to me that this Jakkal-Ripper person is the one in control, playingyou.”

My nostrils flared as anger seethed through my veins. As much as I despised admitting it, Nathair wasn’t wrong. Jakkalwasplaying me—and winning.

“What’s your plan to stop him? Hmm? And what’s this I’m hearing that-that Dr. Reynard is alive?” It seems Min really did tell him everything. “When were you going to tell me all this?” I meant to tell Nathair, but I had been so focused on Jakkal.

“Look, I can handle this alone.”

“No, no, you can’t.” Nathair raised his arms in frustration as he spoke. “See, the real problem here, Casper, is you keep thinking you have to handle all of thisalone. And you don’t! Let us help you.”

Us. Min and Nathair wanted to help fix everything; they always did.

“What do you suggest then, detective?” I snarked. “How is it you think you can help?” I placed my hands firmly on my hips as the feeling of being watched grew stronger.

“I’m going to check the police records and see if he’s been reported missing. I’m also going to stop by the hospital and see what all I can find out about Dr. Reynard.” I nodded. “But you,” he pointed in my direction, “you, Casper, be careful. The Ripper is obviously targeting you. We need to figure out why and find a way to stop him.”

“Well, I knowwhy.” I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms.

Nathair furrowed his brows in confusion. “Why?”

Swallowing hard, I looked around feeling more uneasy. I leaned closed, whispering to Nathair. “He says he wantsme.”

Nathair seemed more confused than before. “He said he wants you?” he repeated. “Forgive me, but why?”

I shrugged, not sure of the answer myself.

Nathair pondered a moment. “Hear me out. What if we gave him you?”

“Excuse me?” I raised an eyebrow.

“No, listen. If he wants you, he’s going to keep coming back right? Continue to taunt you.” I listened to his madness as he continued. “Let’s use that to lure him to you. We can set up a trap or something—ambush him.”

“You’re forgetting a few things there, detective.” Nathair gave me an annoyed face. “First, how is it you expect me to lure a killer? And second, he’s a hexer. No one can deflect a hexer’s dark magik—” I stopped at the realization.No one, except Chesmu.

“Casper?” Nathair reached for me.

Chesmu had somehow remained untouched by my magik before. But how? If he could deflect my power, could he deflect Jakkal’s?

“Casper?” Nathair repeated.

“Go to the hospital.” My sudden response startled him. “See what all you can find out.”

“But what about our plan?” He shot back as I began to push him toward the door.

I continued to shove him toward the back door. “I think I know who can stop him.”

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