Chapter 23: The Devil Deals the Cards, Part 3

Sam stretched out on the bed, still undressed. He was in no hurry. It had been exactly what he needed. She wasn't really his sister, but the feeling of immorality had added an irresistible spice to the encounter. He was going to become addicted to it.

And there would be a next time. A second, a third, and a fourth. He was sure of that, despite the way Christina had left.

The girl had been much more enthusiastic while they were together. As strange as it seemed, Sam had intended to treat her gently. It was her first time, after all. But she had asked for more and more. How could he resist?

Christina would return to his arms. There was no doubt about that.

As for his situation, it wasn't really that bad. Detective Adams had managed to make him nervous, but he had no reason to suspect him. He was just sniffing the air. Starting his search with those most involved in the incidents, since it was a very large mansion full of suspects.

And if he ever got too close to the truth, Sam would crush him like a cockroach. Adams was a simple human. He was a demon. The few days of his existence in this world had been enough to understand the fundamental difference between them.

Yes, that would only result in them sending another detective. Not to mention confirming that a serial killer was on the loose. The family conference might come to an end and the Wrights scatter to the four winds, but so what?

He could hunt them like dogs wherever they were once he took care of those who would remain in the mansion.

The fact is that under no circumstances would he allow himself to be pushed around or intimidated.

That insignificant human had no idea who he was dealing with!

He encountered Violet on his way to his true destination. At first he thought about avoiding her, but that would have been too strange and would damage his chances with her. He had to admit, he was a bit afraid that Christina had told her what had happened. It was stupid and irrational, he knew. They were surely very sincere and close, but she wouldn't be able to talk about it just like that. But he couldn't help feeling nervous.

Sam cleared his throat when Violet stopped in front of him. Yes, it was impossible that she had told her. There was nothing in her expression, no anger, no jealousy, none of the reactions that were to be expected.

Violet had grown up in a nest of vipers, breathing lies as if she were drinking poison, but he didn't think she was capable of hiding these things from him no matter how well she acted.

Not from him. That is, from the other Sam. One of the few people in this family with whom she didn't need to lie.

"You look better than I thought," Violet said. "Although you seem a bit nervous."

"It's just that..." Sam frowned. "I don't like it. You know, I'm not at all happy about that detective snooping around my home. Well, you know what I mean."

Violet shrugged.

"Yeah. Despite everything, it's the only one we've known. I don't like it either. In fact, I don't understand why father hired him."

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"It's so obvious that things are what they seem that even that Adams guy told me so."

Violet blinked.

"Really?"

"He saw me in the courtyard and decided to bother me by telling me that, whatever the reason."

"Since he's basically scamming us, he could at least have a little shame and not admit it. Well, it's not my money. It probably never will be. But... You know what I mean."

"How could I not? We're family. Real family."

It took more than blood. It was convenient for people like Violet and Christina to understand that quickly, growing up in an environment like this. Because he certainly didn't want those beauties to focus on the blood they shared. Even if it was only on the mother's side.

Well, he thought, I'm not really sure how my birth worked exactly.

Nor why his demonic nature had taken exactly eighteen years to awaken. There were many things he didn't understand. Things like that at least weren't important, but they were still unknowns. Anyway. Maybe someday he would ask Satan about it.

"What are you thinking about?" Violet asked, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Nothing, just that, I hope they kick him out of here soon. Having a stranger lurking around the mansion is the last thing we need after everything that's happened, but Blake never cared much about the needs of the rest of the world, huh?"

Violet laughed humorlessly, rather sadly, nodding.

She gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"We'll get through it. As long as we stick together, we can overcome anything."

"That's true. I'm glad I can count on you, sister. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"That's what family is for. Well, I think you were in a hurry to go somewhere, so I'll let you go. I just wanted to see how you were doing."

"Wow, it's like you can read my mind."

Violet lowered her hand and smiled as if to say: something like that.

"I've known you since you were born, literally. I was the first person to hold you. Not mom and definitely not dad."

Sam swallowed, nodding. Every time he tried to seem affected by someone's words, he worried about appearing to be a bad actor by getting melodramatic.

There was one more reason to hurry with the Wright massacre. People would start noticing discrepancies or strange things sooner or later. He wasn't a good actor and, even if it were otherwise, he was without memories.

In that sense, it was a small miracle that he had come this far without messing up completely.

Violet and he parted there. It was convenient that she understood things soon and he hadn't had to make up some excuse. He had a very intelligent older sister. She could see through him when she had only known him for a week.

Of course, that was actually a danger, but only if he didn't manage to catch her like Christina. He doubted it would be much more difficult. Once he had her in his hands, he would have nothing to worry about. He could enjoy her body... and her intelligence too, of course.

He could use a little help.

In any case, he soon fulfilled his original purpose, finding Anabelle. He dragged her into an empty room, closing the door. He had already dealt with Christina's small body, so no, of course it wasn't about that. He had looked for her for something serious. At first Anabelle tensed up, but upon seeing it was him she relaxed. Good. She trusted him. She shouldn't, no one should, but they did.

"How are you, sir?" She curtsied as soon as he let go of her arm.

"Fine, fine." Everyone asked him the same thing. It was normal, but he had invented the truth that was supposed to make him feel devastated. Besides, over and over again it would become annoying to anyone. "I have a task for you."

She wasn't so happy to see him anymore. She wasn't good at hiding it.

"I'll do whatever is necessary, my lord."

"I want you to try to seduce Detective Adams."

"What?"

"You heard me. I'm not asking you to spread your legs. And if he rejects you, I don't expect you to insist too much either. I just want you to try."

"I'm willing to do whatever you wish, my lord, but I'm not good at acting. What if he notices something?"

"He'll probably suspect that someone sent you after him, yes, but I doubt he'll think of me. You do small favors for many people in this family. His list of suspects is endless."

Anabelle took a few moments to process the situation. There was humiliation on her face. Naturally. He wasn't prostituting her, but it wasn't that different either.

"If I succeed, what do you want me to do?"

"Nothing special. Watch him for me, search through his things when you have the chance. I don't like having that guy lurking around my mansion."

"So you want to know more about him."

"I want to know everything, but I'll settle for more. Do you agree?"

"Of course, I owe you much more than this."

"Good. That's exactly what I wanted to hear."

The Devil Deals the Cards, Part 3: END