My guts twinged. Normally, I wouldn’t care what the fuck happened to Edwin, but this went beyond any animosity between the two of us. Sometimes I forgot the jerks in this prison still had families out there. Brianna was devastated, and Edwin sounded desperate to help, but didn’t seem to know how.
Brianna hiccupped loudly. “She wasn’t just my cousin. She was my best friend. My oldest memories are of Regina hiding in the tapestries at the castle. We used to visit with our parents and play hide and seek behind suits of armor and statues. I just can’t believe she died in such a happy place.”
Kallie’s voice turned sad. “I remember her. She was a few years younger than us. She was murdered in the castle?”
Brianna sniffled, but she didn’t answer. She must’ve been nodding her head.
“Tell useverything,” I demanded.
Brianna’s voice trembled. “Regina was a debutante, and this year, she was invited to attend the annual debutante ball.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
Kallie turned to me to explain. “It’s an annual event in Malovia where noble daughters are revealed to the public. It’s a right-of-passage for nobles to start dating, in order to find their mate.”
“And now she’ll never find one!” Brianna cried. “According to my aunt, Regina was there one minute, and then she was just… gone. There was a stage for the live band, and when the curtains opened… oh, gods.”
“What happened?” Kallie growled. “I need to know. This is important!”
Brianna was near the point of hyperventilating. “The curtains opened… and Regina’s bloody body was staked to the back of the stage with knives! It was like he put her on display for the whole ball—”
Brianna got so choked up she couldn’t speak anymore.
“I think that’s enough questions,” Edwin said. “Come on, Bri. Let’s get you back to your room.”
He led Brianna away, but Kallie and I didn’t move. We could hardly process what she’d just told us.
My hands curled into fists. “This sick fucker’s still out there. We’ve got to get our hands on news reports if we’re going to find anything to add to the criminal profile.”
“We already have one clue,” Kallie stated. “These debutante events are invite-only, and there’s high security all around the castle. You’re not getting in unless you’re a servant or of the noble class.”
I shook my head. “A servant doesn’t fit the profile. They’re too closely monitored to think they could get away with something like this.”
“Except the Dollmaker is cocky,” Kallie pointed out. “It could very well be a servant trying to impress the noble class. Hedidput his victim on display, in a place he knew they’d all see it at once. It’s a show to him.”
“No, not a show,” I said. “Agame. Servants would be the first suspects, but this guy knows he’s not going to get caught. It amuses him watching people scramble to figure it out. He thinks he’s smarter than everyone else, because they can’t catch him.”
“Who exactly is he trying to impress?” Kallie asked. “What person on this planet would find it appealing to assassinate people in such a brutal, cold manner?”
“I don’t know, but he’s got to be a noble. A servant wouldn’t dare to be this bold. It’s the only thing that fits.”
“No,” Kallie argued, her tone growing hollow. “If heisof noble class, that means I know him. I know all the lords and ladies, dukes and duchesses, and all their kids. I grew up with them.”
“Then tell me… which of them could get away with this for so long?”
Kallie gulped audibly. “I don’t know, Charlie. And that absolutely terrifies me.”
Kallie and I didn’t have much more information to go off of, but I was determined. Once we found the merfolk key and got out of here, we were going after this guy ourselves.
Two weeks passed, and we were no closer to answers. I paid close attention in my Advanced Criminal Justice classes, hoping for some information that would help me catch the Dollmaker for good, but so far I had nothing. I entered the classroom on Friday and took a seat beside Chancey. We didn’t get to talk before Professor Jobe strode to the front of the class.
“We don’t have much time today, class, so pay attention. Today, we will be discussing the history of Darke Island,” he announced.
I suddenly became more alert. I didn't have any more information on the Dollmaker, but Amalie had left behind clues for us to uncover on the island about the merfolk key. Perhaps a history lesson would help us put the pieces together.
“Darke Island has historically played a significant role in the supernatural criminal justice system,” Professor Jobe said. “You’ll want to understand the role it plays in order to pass your upcoming exam.”
He turned to the front of the room, as if addressing pictures on the board. “The history of Darke Island dates back to 1781, when it was discovered by a group of British explorers. Due to the size of the island and the resources available, these explorers settled on the island. They built the first church, which stands on Institute grounds, along with cabins and other buildings that came to be known as Shade Hills. Humans attempted to inhabit the island for twenty years, but they continuously ran into problems, due to all the dark supernatural activity that took place here. We know that is because… who can tell me? Yes, Cain?”
