‘Did you expect to see my face? Did you hope I would reveal myself to you?’ He walked towards the bed. ‘All in good time, princess. We have trust to build, don’t you think?’
She flinched as he touched her arm and for a moment he wondered if he had made a mistake in bringing her here so soon.
‘What are you going to do to me?’ Her voice shook.
‘Do to you? Why would I do anything to you? I thought you knew how I felt about you. You’re the one.’
‘Yes, you keep saying.’ She paused. ‘Why … why did you murder those other women?’
‘Murder? Oh no, no, no.’ He shook his head. ‘They died. It wasn’t intentional, just the circumstances. I’m a lover, a protector, not a … killer.’ Her brow furrowed and he was disappointed that she would believe the worst of him.
‘Do we know each other?’ Her head tilted and her eyes squinted as she tried to see beyond the mask.
He moved back. He wasn’t ready to answer her, but wondered if she would figure things out before he revealed himself. ‘I know you very well. I know everything about you. I know you like to use coconut shampoo. You prefer candles to lights. Your Irish accent is more prominent when you’re angry or excited.’ He smiled as he thought about all the habits and nuances Kate possessed.
She shifted in the bed, as if she was trying to sink into the mattress. A faint whimper escaped from her lips.
‘You’ll know everything about me in due course.’ He coughed and winced as a pain shot through him. ‘We have eternity to learn everything about each other. I think we have a lot in common … Oh, look at the time. You’ve kept me longer than I planned.’ He bent down and whispered in her ear. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon. Get some sleep, sweetheart.’
He looked over his shoulder as he left the room and smiled. She was so fragile. So innocent. He’d look after her. As he closed the door, he removed the mask and left it on the table just outside the door. It was time to go to work.