The sight proved surreal, like watching my dearest friend in a lion’s cage. “Nora,” I said, keeping my voice even, “please come away from the girl.”
Nora gave me a disapproving look. “Selah, it’s just the child I’ve told you about. We met her on the docks our first day in London.”
Justine shifted to my side. “Keep that wretched brat distracted,” she whispered. “I’m going for Cate and Tom.” Skirting the shadows along the far wall, she emerged near the door, and slipped undetected into the corridor.
Ice-blue eyes chilled me to the bone. “Thought we was through, Biddie girl,” the wretch said. “Pity the hound didn’t get yeh.”
“Now, be nice to Selah,” Nora scolded. “You know she’s my dearest friend.”
The wretch slipped a hand into Nora’s. Her gaze dropped and she twisted a toe against the floorboard. “It wanted her heart,” she muttered.
Nora shook her head. “I’ve told you not to speak against—” The words stopped, and in the space of a heartbeat, a trace of a shiver seemed to move over her form.
I blinked, unsure if my eyes had seen correctly.
An indulgent smile spread over Nora’s lips. “Selah, come say hello to Deri? You, too, Jane. She’s really the sweetest girl.”
Jane moved forward with caution. I joined her, my lips compressed to an angry line.”Pleased to meet yeh, m’ladies.” The wretch bobbed a cultish curtsey without releasing Nora’s hand.
Nora patted her head. “Deri’s life has been rife with trouble. Her mother is locked away, and she’s been sent to London all by herself to fetch the key.”
“Is that so,” I said. “She must be very brave indeed.”
Brave enough to torture and kill young children.
The thought of Jenny’s mangled body nearly sent me hurtling straight into Deri. I stopped my feet at the last moment, aware that one false move could send her scurrying from the theater. The sounds of the fight had died down. Cate and Tom must surely be on their way by now.
“Oh, yes,” Nora said. “Deri is the bravest of girls.”
“Tell ’em about me da,” Deri chirruped.
Nora shook her head. “It’s most unfortunate. The poor girl...” She faltered over the words as confusion clouded her eyes. “It’s really quite terrible. I don’t know...” A tremor entered her voice, and she started to pull away from Deri when another shiver passed over her body, too strong this time to be an illusion.
My eyes settled on their clasped hands, and understanding sent my heart flying.
“I...I believe she had to kill her own father,” Nora continued, her voice calm once more. “The horrible man tried to make Deri forget about her mother, and he didn’t want her to get the key.” She looked at the wretch. “What is it you did again? Slit his throat in his sleep?”
“Aye, with a wicked sharp blade.” Giggling, Deri drew a filthy finger in a curved line across her throat. “Me da don’t say nothing no more.”
Jane gasped, a gloved hand coming to her mouth. “How dreadful,” she said. “Nora, dearest, why don’t you give Deri a penny and let her go for her supper.”
The wretch moved closer to Nora. “Goody promised to help with me mam. She promised to come with Deri tonight after the play.”
A frozen stillness settled over the dressing room. “Nora is not going anywhere with you.” I took Nora’s free hand to draw her away.
Deri’s pale lips curled to a snarl. “Bad Biddie girl,” she said softly.
Nora tensed, then yanked her hand from my grasp. “Leave me alone, Selah! You’ve no right to tell me what to do!”
I flinched from the sharpness for her words. “Nora, come away. Deri is playing with your mind.”
“Listen to her, Nora!” Jane cried. “This girl is trouble!” She lunged forward and took hold of Deri’s arm.
“Jane! No!” I cried.
Jane’s eyes widened, and her mouth turned to a near perfect circle. “Ohhh,” she breathed before crumpling to the floor.
Nora stared blankly at Jane’s lifeless form.
“What did you do to her,” I demanded.
Deri tilted her head from side-to-side. “Tick, tock. Little Deri stopped her clock.” She giggled, amused by the rhyme.
Dead or fainted? I moved toward Jane when Nora put a hand on my shoulder.
“Selah,” she said, pleadingly. “I’m so sorry. I...I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
“It’s Deri. She’s splitting your mind.” I reached for her hand again.
Nora jerked back from me. “Leave me alone,” she cried. “I hate you!”
Deri grinned, revealing her sharp white teeth. “Time to go, Goody lady,” she said.
Nora moved obediently. In a desperate play, I dashed around them to block the doorway.
“I won’t let you take her, Deri. I’ll kill you first even if it means my own life.”
Deri giggled again. “Fly away Biddie girl, or little Deri will kill the lady.”
“No you won’t—”
In an instant, Nora’s breath grew strained. Then the muscles clenched in her neck, and she began to jaw for air. Desperation filled her eyes as she started to claw at the smooth skin just above the gray neckline of her gown.