Page 49 of The House of Whispers

Chesmu guided me back to the table, lifting me, as I sat on top. He placed the damp herbal cloth back atop my wound. “What happened tonight?”

My hand held the herbs as Chesmu began to thread a needle. “Just a group of Others. Nothing I couldn’t handle.”

He scoffed, smiling as he cut a long string of thread. “I don’t doubt that.” He removed the herbs, glancing at the wound. He dipped a second cloth into the bowl of water, ringing it loosely before cleaning my wound. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

The pressure of his hand pressing the wet cloth against my skull made my cringe in pain. “It’s just a scratch. Nothing a hexer can’t handle” I joked.

Chemsu released a warming laugh. “Let’s hope you can handle this too.” He raised the needle and thread.

“You know, as a hexer I can heal myself, right?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Not that wound,” he pointed to my head, “it’s too deep. Even with your magik, it won’t heal properly unless you sew it shut.”

He wasn’t wrong. I sighed, “Wish I had a drink for this.”

Chesmu smiled, pulling a small flask from his belt. “I figured you’d say that.” He tossed the filled flask at me. “Drink up.”

My fingers unlatched the heavy flask, noting the neon green liquid inside. “You know this won’t help much.” I tossed the flask back, chugging the spicy liquid.

“Ah, you can handle the pain.”

I coughed, closing the flask and setting it next to me. “Alright,” I braced myself, gripping the table. Chesmu stepped closer, standing between my legs as he prepared the needle and thread. He rubbed another clump of the herbal paste along the thread. “What’s that for?”

“This paste is supposed to help fight any type of infection.” I nodded, the snake venom slowly numbing my nerves. “I know your magik can fight anything off, but I figured it’s better to be safe.” He winked. The care and tenderness Chesmu was showing me made my heart melt. He wiped his hands and sighed. “You ready?”

I settled on the table, moving closer to him, kicking him with my legs. “Try not to poke me too hard.” I teased, Chesmu’s eyebrow raising as I leaned forward.

“Careful, hexer,” he pierced my flesh with the needle, pain surging through my body as I winced, “you’re in no state to defend yourself from me.” He pulled the thread through my skin, the herbal paste burning as he tugged the thread tight, the needle re-entering my skin. My head felt as though it was on fire.

“Maybe I don’t want to defend myself.” I strained the words. “I wouldn’t mind letting you win.” I couldn’t help from teasing him, it felt natural. Even in a moment such as this.

Chesmu laughed, continuing to sew my wound shut, “Let’s see how you feel once I finish this.” He pulled the thread, piercing my flesh once more.

My teeth clenched as my jaw tightened, my hand gripping the table as he threaded the needle into a knot. He pulled my knife from its sheath and cut the thread. A slight change in pressure offered me relief as he placed the bloodied needle down, returning my knife.

My back straightened, my head throbbing as I let my hair fall back down my back. I touched my head with my hand, realizing it was still dirty and bloodied.

“You going to explain that to me?” Chesmu crossed his arms. “Hexers don’t typically get their hands dirty with magik.”

I looked past my hand to him. “I—” The words escaped me. The gruesome scene replayed in my mind, only it didn’t feel like it belonged to me. It felt like I had witnessed it, watching someone else enact the terrible crime.

“Casper?”

I pulled my hand down, quickly shoving it back into my glove. “It must’ve happened when they were holding me down. I must’ve scratched one of them.”

Chesmu lowered his arms. “That’s a lot of blood for a scratch.”

“Well, he had a large face.” I snapped. “Shouldn’t we be returning to our posts?” I hopped from the table to my feet. “Wouldn’t want Madame Chepi finding us here,alone.”

Chesmu pushed me back into the table, his hands flat against the tabletop as he leaned over me. A few wild strands of black hair fell in front of his dark eyes. “Don’t play games with me, Casper.” He was so close, sending a wave of excitement over me. “I won’t keep the truth from you, no matter how dark. All I ask is that you do the same with me. No more secrets.”

I wanted to unleash the truth of Jakkal, The Ripper, the darkness inside me—everything. But something was keeping my mouth shut. Holding me back. I couldn’t bring myself to vomit the words.

Chesmu sighed, lowering his head. “Casper, if we are to be together, I need you to trust me.”

My hands pushed against his chest, moving up his neck to his cheek. “Idotrust you.” His eyes met mine. “I just…” my soul fought itself as I tried to force the truth, “I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Chesmu wrapped his arms around my waist. “Nothing can hurt me if I’m with you. I will fight any demon if it means being with you.” The urge to kiss Chesmu was overwhelmingly powerful. “Tell me,” he whispered, “what really happened tonight?”

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