Page 41 of The House of Whispers

I remained still. For the first time ever, Nathair scared me. I knew all his dark secrets and what he was truly capable of, but in this moment, he scared me. Something inside had become angry at the idea of being threatened.

“I know.”Same goes for you, dear friend.

Nathair fought his rage. “I think it’s time I return to Min.” His voice was low and monotone. “When we return to the house, the three of us need to talk.” He pushed past me, speaking over his shoulder. “Tell her everything. This ends.”

I leaned against the brittle wall, my leg bent and arms folded as people passed by unaware of my presence. Others, Scaleys, Fairfolk, and Dwimmers were mixed together, mingling in the street. Such oblivious beings, unaware of the horror that was occurring just a few streets over.

I pulled the knife from my sheath and twirled it between my gloved hands. Nathair was right. This needed to end. All of this. I looked into my reflection of the mirrored blade, my thoughts moving quickly around my brain. An idea began to form, slowly taking shape. I quickly sheathed the knife and rushed back into the shop.

I’m going to stop you once and for all.

“I still don’t understand why you aren’t heading to the police station. You’re already late.” Min’s sweet voice was a comfort to hear as Nathair led her into my room.

“This is more important, my love.” He kissed the top of her head, his eyes meeting mine. “Besides,” his posture straightened, “Casper has a few things she wishes to discuss with us.”

Min looked confused and concerned. “Casper,” she remained attached to Nathair, “what’s going on?”

I inhaled a deep breath, preparing for her reaction before explaining. I told her everything. The truth spilled out of me as though I was a glass tipped over flooding the floor. Nathair watched, studying Min as I spoke. I continued, explaining the possible connection between Reynard and Jakkal, mentioning everything Nathair had discovered from the hospital. I could tell Min was struggling to process everything, scrambling to grasp it all.

The room fell silent as I spilled the last secret.

“Min,” I stepped in her direction. Nathair stepped forward, stopping me from coming near. My eyebrow raised. “I respect your love and desire to protect her,” I growled, my hand beginning to glow, “but do not dare think I will let you keep me from her.” Nathair moved Min behind him as she remained distant, in shock of everything she had just learned.

“She may be your sister, Casper,” his legs moved as he positioned himself to fight, “but she is mine.”

“Do you truly think I’d hurt her?” I spat. My hands ignited, the flames crawling to my elbows as I glared at Nathair. “Or that you could hold your own against me and my magik?”

Nathair removed his police coat, tossing it aside as he rolled his sleeves exposing his scale covered arms. He raised his fists, “I’d happily die trying.”

Min remained behind Nathair, unable to speak. Unable to make a choice between the two of us. Her eyes sparkled as she watched us, moving opposite one another, ready to strike.

“You have brought too much darkness into her world, Casper.” Nathair’s muscular arms flexed as he remained planted between us. “You can no longer protect her alone. You failed her.”

His words pierced my heart as something cracked in my soul. I yelled, unleashing a blaze of magik in his direction. He quickly dodged me, my magik burst singeing the wall behind him as he glanced back to check on Min. She looked absent from life, a shell standing in the corner unable to function. While he remained fixated on her, I raised my other hand slowly, my magik slithering along the ground.

Nathair’s attention was forced back to me as my magik wrapped around his leg, aggressively yanking him to the floor. He groaned trying to break from the purple flames as it dragged him toward me slowly. I could feel my eyes burning brighter than usual as this strange power slowly overcame me, engulfing me in a foreign shadow.

I raised my other hand, my fingers flexed as magik swirled around my fingertips. Nathair’s eyes shot to me as they widened, seeing me in a new light.

“Casper,” he whispered in fear, “what is this?” He tried to dig his nails into the floor as the burning magik flew at him. It slammed into his face and wrapped around his neck, tightening like a snake. “Casper—” he choked my name, fighting my power.

I glared down at him, now at my feet as I continued using my dark magik. I wasn’t failing Min,he was. He was weak. He couldn’t protect her like I could. He might be willing to die for her, but I was willing to kill for her.

I snapped my wrist back, pulling Nathair to his feet, holding him inches from the ground as he hovered directly in front of me. He struggled, fighting my power as I tilted my head gazing at him before me.

“I don’t want to kill you, Nathair,” I spoke, my voice sounding almost distorted. I leaned close, smiling, “But I will.”

“Stop!” Her scream pulled both our attention to her as she flew to Nathair’s side. Tears were flowing from her silver eyes as she frantically tried to pry my magik from Nathair’s neck. “Release him, Casper!” Min yelled through her sobs as she tried to save him. “Now!” She whipped her head in my direction, her eyes glaring. She was fearful… of me.

The look on her face pained me. The realization hit me as the shadow inside vanished. My power instantly disappeared, dropping Nathair as Min bent down to coddle him.

What had I done?

“Min, I—”

“Don’t,” she raised a hand to stop me from speaking as Nathair held her hand, trying to catch his breath. “Don’t speak.”

I stepped back, embarrassed and sorry for what I had done. It wasn’t me.

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