Page 63 of The House of Whispers

I crawled over the woman’s wiggling body, my fingers arching as magik pinned her in place while I positioned myself across her lower abdomen, my knees spread around her. My head tilted as my arm rose high, the knife firmly in my grasp. Tears rolled from her face and soaked into the bedding. “Shhhh,” my free hand removed the gag from her mouth as she tried to scream. “I promise, this will be over soon.” Her pink lips quivered as she cried, pleading for me to let her go. “Oh, sweet little Whisp,” my hand gripped her face as my nails dug into her skin, “death is your only escape, and I want to hear you scream as she claims you for herself.”

Her pupils dilated as my ears rang, her scream filling the air. My knife had slammed into her chest, blood pooling along her neck. My hand was drenched in her blood, ripping the blade from her flesh as I repeated the motions. Her cries silenced as her mouth filled with the deep ruby blood of her wounds. I could feel her consciousness trying to slip away.

“Not yet,” I slapped her face, blood staining her pale cheek, “I have so much more work to do.” Snapping my fingers, my power forced her awake, holding her weakening life hostage as I continued, carvinging away at her chest. She flinched and jolted, feeling every movement of my blade as it continued, taking what felt like hours to cut away at her existence. Her life faded to a single thread, barely able to last much longer, ending my little game.

Take your prize.I glanced back to Jakkal who was fully erect as he remained seated, enjoying all I had done. Immense hunger dripped off him as he patiently waited for me to finish. Turning back to the poor, dying Whisp, I made my choice.

I laid the knife next to me, wiping away her bloody tears as the last of her life slowly began to disappear. My hand shoved deep into her chest, her eyes bulging as her body jolted. My fingers curled deep, gripping my choice. With a gasp, I tore her heart clean from her chest as her head dipped back. I stole her life, raising my prize as I examined it closely, pleased with myself.

“Marvelous.” My gaze remained on the heart as pride filled my being. Hearing the satisfaction in his voice excited me—and I wanted to feel more.

My arm lifted the heart above my head as my hand squeezed tight, rupturing the organ as warm blood splattered along my face, dripping down my skin. I rubbed the remnants of her heart along my breasts and torso, scrubbing her blood into my pores, soaking in her life. Jakkal’s breathing increased as he watched me.

“Enough games,” I growled, crawling from the bed and stepping to him. He remained seated watching me closely as I walked over him and lowered myself onto him. Together, we gasped as I pushed myself hard onto him, my hands wrapped around his neck. I lifted myself up and down, riding him as he gripped my backside, letting me take control.

My hands moved, gripping the back of the chair, steading myself as his hands touched every inch of my skin, making their way to my neck. He held me tightly, lifting my body with his as he rose. My legs wrapped around his waist as he carried me to the bed, kissing my neck as I tried to hold tight around his neck. Part of me wanted to remove his mask, to see his face, but part of me preferred the mystery, enjoying the excitement of it all.

Jakkal threw me onto the bed, my back slamming against the dead Whisp’s body. Her blood pooled around me, soaking my hair and skin. He forced himself further inside me, his hands gripping my throat as he squeezed tight. I held his wrists, allowing him to control my breathing as he continued, increasing his speed and pressure.

Blood splashed around us, soaking our skin as we moved together, adding to the overflowing sensation we were experiencing. My core vibrated as I struggled to fight back my moans as he joined me. Blood filled my eyes and mouth, his thumbs touching the corners of my mouth as I widened, my tongue tracing the tips. Our magik burned bright, mixing together, as we finally climaxed, screaming in unison.

My body trembled as we struggled to breath, remaining connected as we soaked one another. Jakkal leaned down, kissing my blood-stained neck. “This is only the beginning of what I can offer you, Casper,” he whispered along my skin. “Join me in the darkness. Let me worship you every second of every day.” He moved his lips to mine. “Together we can destroy The House of Whispers.” He hovered above me, breathing into my mouth as he spoke, “Only then will you be truly free.”

My eyes watched him, staring back at his bloody mask. I wanted to be with him. Forever. “Tell me what I need to do.”

Jakkal smiled, “Good girl.” Our lips forced into one another, passion exchanged between fierce kisses and gasping breaths. I was at his command.

The House of Whispers had fallen into turmoil in Casper’s absence. With Madame Chepi’s masquerade ball to celebrate the festival of Samhain quickly underway, things had become more chaotic with each passing hour. The Whisps were buzzing with excitement, eagerly preparing for tonight’s masquerade. Chesmu had been working nonstop, covering Casper’s shift as well as his own, anxiously awaiting her return. It had been days since we last knew of her whereabouts. Nathair had returned the same night concerned, unaware of what happened to her. He seemed drastically worried, unable to answer my or Chesmu’s numerous questions. The three of us had become frantic, unable to figure out what had happened, trying to remain composed so as to keep it quiet from Madame Chepi. She had already become furious with Casper’s disappearance, her anger growing each day. As punishment, I was no longer allowed to leave the brothel with Nathair but forced to stay at all times. She had increased my household chores and had taken it upon herself to beat me in casual passes. Chesmu had done his best to stop her when he could, but he could only be around so much with his increased role as the bouncer.

“Any word?” Chesmu asked as a group of Whisps fluttered past, their arms full of dresses and materials for the masquerade. I sighed heavily, shaking my head. Chesmu groaned, rubbing his face in despair. “It’s beendays. Where could she be?”

“I have no idea; she’s only done this once before—” I swallowed, remembering how she disappeared around the time the Ripper had originally begun obsessing over her. “I’m sure she’ll turn up before tonight. She has to.” Part of me was trying to convince myself of my words. Our plan to stop this killer would fail without her. We needed her.

“If you learn anything—”

“I’ll let you know.” My hand gently touched Chesmu’s arm, reassuring him. “We need to continue with the plan.” Chesmu nodded, quickly returning to his job at hand.

Where are you, Casper?

The sun began to set as the house began to blossom to life for the masquerade. The parlor was filled with lit candles, flickering in the overcast room. Pumpkins and autumn bouquets covered every surface, blending the room into a palette of deep, warm tones and bathing it in a spicy autumn fragrance. Music played as the phonograph had been replaced with a small but lively quartet of strings setting the mood.

Glancing across the transformed house, one would never know the House of Whispers operated as a brothel. It appeared almost regal, reflecting an established business one would wander into in Bedeville—not a house of sin and flesh.

Madame Chepi entered the parlor, the entire room darkening with her presence. I tried to avoid eye contact but failed as her dark irises immediately aimed at me. Madame Chepi looked strikingly beautiful, resembling the true embodiment of a menacing enchantress. Despite the masquerade being a formal ball, she was dressed in a gothic black, tightlacing corset, silky black and vanilla colored skirts draping along her legs and pooling onto the floor, covering her bare feet. The corset and skirts were adorned with vanilla embroidery, onyx-colored crystals dripping from her waist, sparkling in the candlelight. She wore leather cuffs above each of her elbows, vanilla silk flowing freely along her side. A black scarf was wrapped around her neck, and matching onyx crystal earrings kissed her collarbones. Her hair was greased back and topped with a headpiece resembling the curved horns of a ram, goldleaf rubbed along the edges that faded onto the skin of her face. She wore dark eye makeup, and a ruby red lip stain. She was absolutely frightening.

“Dear Min,” she spoke as her sight dropped to her raised hand, examining her black dipped fingers, “any sign of your worthless sister?” My mouth opened lighty, only air escaping me in reply. Madame Chepi swung, her hand slapping hard against my cheek. I fought back tears as my cheek burned from the impact. She forced my face to look up at hers as she spoke. “You are to inform me at once upon her return.” Our eyes remained locked as she shook my face, demanding my answer.

“Yes, Madame.” I sobbed.

“Good.” Her hand released me. “It seems her time in this house has come to an end. And with your sister gone,” an evil grin inched along her face, “there’s no one stopping me from selling you.” Madame Chepi scoffed, leaving my side and entering the parlor. My face stung from her strength, and tears soaked my cheeks as I fluttered to the hallway beyond.

Keep it together, Min.I leaned against the wall and cried softly to myself.Please, wherever you are, Casper…please, just come home.

After composing my feelings, I pushed from the wall as my wings forcibly carried my body to return to the basement. I needed to continue with the laundry before preparing myself for the masquerade. As I dipped bedding in the washtub and scrubbed at the numerous mysterious stains, my mind wandered, furiously focused on Casper and her whereabouts. I truly hoped she would show before the ball, as we were doomed without her.

At least if tonight failed, I knew Nathair and I could run away.

Fluttering down the hall, I searched for Chesmu. I had finally finished all my chores and dressed myself for the masquerade, leaving only the task of preparing Casper for tonight—except she was still missing. I was hoping that Chesmu would know something by now, as hours had passed and the house was about to open its doors to the town of Bedeville.

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