Marcus grabbed Connie’s arms as she started to turn and pinned them behind her back. Connie wriggled, trying to get away, but Marcus only tightened his grip.

Marcus called out into the void, his face a mask of fear. “I did what you asked! Why aren’t you keeping your side of the bargain?!”

“Who are you talking to?”

“Who do you think?” Marcus spat.

For a moment, Jason’s vision went white with rage. “Why are you doing this? We’re family!”

“The longer you stay at Larkspur House,” said Marcus, “the less that will mean to you.”

Jason shook his head. “I don’t understand. How could you do what you did to that boy? To Cal? How can you hurt Connie? Can’t you see she’s in pain?”

Marcus’s voice wobbled as if he might burst into tears. “You have no idea what I’ve been through. The things I’ve seen here.” He shook his head, as if trying to block out images that flickered through his mind. “I would have given anything to leave. But the house wouldn’t let me. Not until others arrived. The creature spoke. It told me it would grant my freedom if I helped ‘scare’ the new victims. So that’s what I did. But now … Now it’s not giving me my reward.”

“Poor you,” said Jason.

Marcus tightened his grip on Connie. She winced. “You should be thankful I chose Cal instead of Louise.”

Jason’s face burned. Electricity shot through his limbs. “Thankful?” he repeated with disgust. “You should be worried that I don’t tear your lips off!”

Marcus’s eyes were dull, lifeless, as if his soul were out wandering the wastelands in the distance. “You weren’t supposed to be here at all, Jason. But Connie … Helpful Connie … just couldn’t resist. The creature told me that she has a tendency to stick her nose where it doesn’t belong.” He called out to the void again. “Is she the one you wanted? What if I bring her to you? Then will you let me go?”

Connie’s wide eyes latched on to Jason’s. Her pale face looked like it was made of porcelain, like it might simply shatter. Jason recalled what she’d said earlier, about how she wouldn’t leave Larkspur until she was certain it was dead. She’d be its watchdog—a protector of the innocents. For the first time, Jason truly understood what that meant. She was a hero. His cousin would not be her undoing. He stepped toward Marcus, fists clenched.

Connie shook her head. Marcus squeezed her tighter. It was all Jason could take. He lunged for his cousin, but Marcus was too quick. He spun away before Jason could make contact.

Marcus dragged Connie from the dollhouse and into the shadows. Jason was about to chase them when Connie called out, “Stay with your sister! Help Louise!”

CHAPTER 30