Episode 24 - Victim Number Five
It happened again.
It would’ve happened again no matter what.
But this time, it was two people… two of my guests murdered at the same time.
I was getting exhausted, honestly.
If Edward was really the culprit, how must I stop him?
I had to figure this out, but all my leads turned into dust.
He was a demon; it wasn’t like I could find him. He would remain in the shadows until he wanted me to see him.
Just. Like. Sebastian.
But two victims were murdered this time; two of which made me burn with anger and seethe to my hearts content.
They were great people, and they served me great use…
Madam Savage and Sir Jeffery.
Murdered at the same time, during the day, nonetheless. We just needed to get back to shore and escape this madness, but we still were twenty-four hours away.
Sir Jeffery…
Murdered at ten o’clock last night with blunt force trauma to the head. Found in the bathroom eight hours later, with a shower pole as the murder weapon.
Madam Savage…
Murdered at ten o’clock last night, as well, although killed by a poisoning.
Cyanide. The first poisoning in this case of murders.
I lowered my lashes as I paced my room, setting my finger on my chin as I thought.
After all these murders, why didn’t everyone stay together?
They did mostly, which was why my family wasn’t touched. All of the people being killed were my servants and my other guests.
Which was odd, wasn’t it? Were they all just this dumb?
Denver was the first, he wouldn’t have known.
Scarlet was the second, although we wouldn’t have expected a serial murderer.
Deneise was an idiot… she should’ve never left herself alone that night.
Sebastian planned his, though. Which was still odd.
But Savage and Jeffery? They thought they had it under control. They decided to stay together, because safety and number was better than the latter. They ended up being killed together.
If Edward was the culprit… he sure had everyone twined around his fingers.
People were smart, they knew how to be safe. But fear? Fear was a dangerous feeling, a horrific emotion. It masked our thoughts on intellect and witnessing the situation. The only ones who knew how to remain calm were the ones who lived.
A shadow moved to my right again, but I ignored it.
That’s how life worked, anyway. The smart ones were the ones who lived.
I continued pacing before I stopped, and my lashes lowered.
Like me.
I gazed up to my bedroom door, eyes darkening. “I know you’re here, Edward. You’ve been following me since last night. Show yourself.”
There was silence for a moment.
But a low, dark chuckle echoed through the room, sending chills through my spine.
I spun around then, breaths stilling when the lights from the room blew out, and my shadow that casted on the wall grew higher and higher.
It morphed into something horribly menacing, growing darker around the edges.
My hair and dress suddenly blew with a non-existent wind, and I stepped backwards, watching the shadow morph and deform.
“My, my, master…” the monster said, making my eyes widen, “how dare you confuse me with that low-life?”
My breaths stilled as my eyes rounded.
I knew that voice.
My shadow suddenly came from the wall, flying outward spinning around me like a hurricane—like shreds of black clothing.
My eye patch immediately came free with the force, flying away like it was trapped in a storm.
My eyes grew in amazement. I could still see.
I kept watching, though, staring as it flew forward and clashed with the air, the others following with it.
Forming a figure.
I continued staring as the silhouette grew higher and clearer.
The moment I saw his black and white tuxedo, my entire being shattered.
I dashed toward Sebastian at light speed.
He immediately gasped when I threw my arms around him and held him against me.
My breaths shortened when I buried my face in his chest and fisted his tail coat in my hands.
I knew it.
I fucking knew it.
But—even so—he scared me. He scared me shitless.
Sebastian just lowered his lips to my head, smiling against me. “Did you really think it would be that easy to rid of me?”
I blinked and pulled away, taking two steps backwards as my cheeks burned a bright red. “I hoped.”
He just chuckled, smile widening at my embarrassment. “Master, you know you shouldn’t underestimate me so.”
I just held myself, avoiding eye contact.
He watched me for a moment, but his eyes softened with his smile. “Master… were you crying?”
I sniffled and turned away from him. “No. Allergies. You know.”
“Aww,” he said, chuckling, “that’s adorable. You were grieving me.”
“Shut up,” I snapped, “I wasn’t.”
“You’re a very bad liar,” he said, clearly smiling at me. “Especially knowing the last night you thought I was asleep, and you unbuttoned my shirt and snuggled with my chest. Were you really that cold?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I stated, closing my eyes and tipping my chin up.
I knew what he was talking about. I didn’t realize that demons could be so warm, like a campfire! Seriously, I thought they’d be ice cold like vampires or something.
Sebastian just stepped around so he could face me, and I gazed up in question. His smile was all fox, menacing. “Mmm…” he said then, lightly tipping my chin up as my eyes widened. “Liar.”
He then brought his mouth down on mine, making my eyes bug out when he fisted my hair in his hand and held me in place.
But I couldn’t hold back any longer. I swore if I kept fighting his touch I was going to explode, or die from a brain hemorrhage.
And… I thought he died. Maybe I could spend a little more time with him…? My life wasn’t endless, after all.
I lightly caught the back of his head and pulled him closer, making him smile against me.
He clearly knew I gave in, but he said nothing.
I closed my eyes, wanting to drown in this moment.
He tasted like mint, fresh, and earthy. He smelled like sandalwood and freshly carved trees.
How could a demon be so lovely?
I took in every second of this, feeling him catch my bottom lip and let it slip out, and I held back a small moan.
But he finally separated from me, making my lashes part as his face remained inches from mine.
“Why did you do it?” I said gently. “Faking your own death?”
He brushed his fingers through my hair. “Because you ordered me to fix this. And it would be much easier to catch the killer when they think your main bodyguard is dead.”
I gazed up at him then. “Do you know who the killer is?”
He just smiled, eyes glowing dangerously.
“Is it Edward?” I asked him then.
His lashes lowered. “I shall explain when all my preparations are finished, my lord. As of now, there are many problems you are going to face. You must listen to me very carefully, understand?”
“It’s me who gives the orders,” I said angrily.
He just smiled, lightly tapping my lips with his finger. “Not if your life is in danger.”
I blinked at the act and gazed up at him. “Alright, whatever. Out with it, then.”
He just closed his eyes with his smile. “Listen very closely, understand?”
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