The next morning I awoke early, intending to investigate the house without interruption. I got dressed carefully again, making sure that the hidden knives and Mithril armor did not show through the fabric of my dress, and securely locked the chest at the foot of my bed. I glanced over at Dovesi. She was still sleeping soundly, snoring lightly.

I crept out of the room, careful to close the door silently, and started down the stairs.

"Good morning deary!"

I nearly fell down the last couple of steps in alarm. I stumbled, caught my footing, and found myself face to face with Matilde Petit, who was full of early morning cheer.

"Sorry, I startled you again, didn't I?" she said apologetically.

"Oh no, I'm fine," I said, smiling. Inside I was fuming- it was five in the morning, I didn't expect anyone to be up this early! What in the name of Sithis was the woman doing?!

"Well I've been working on breakfast." Oh.

"I expect everyone will be hungry, and we all have a long day of searching ahead I expect…" she said.

"Yes, I suppose we do."

There was a silence, and she looked at me expectantly. I gritted my teeth, and forcefully said "Do you need any help?"

"You're so thoughtful! Actually I do, if you would be so kind."

I spent the next hour listening to the woman babble about her days as a young nobleman's daughter- the trials and tribulations of the rich. When Neville came down at 6:30, and distracted her attention, I was so excited that I didn't feel the customary strong urge to slay him where he stood.

Over the next hour the others started to come down, and we started eating at around 8. Breakfast was delicious, but the talk was less free than it had been last night. I think the 'contest' had become more real for the guests this morning, and they were tense about it. We all knew that as soon as breakfast was over, the hunt would begin...

And so it did. It was awkward, as plates began to empty, eyes started to dart around them room when they thought no one was looking (I, of course, was looking), already searching. When the last fork was laid down (Nels') we cleared up in almost complete silence.

Matilde was the first to leave, stammering about needing to get something from her room. Neville followed, with an equally pathetic excuse. Nels looked at the three of us standing before him- Primo, Dovesi and myself, and laughed heartily.

"Well, I'm not going to lie. I'm off to look for treasure!" he said, and then strode off in the direction of the basement, chortling to himself.

I exchanged looks with Primo and Dovesi, and we all smiled sheepishly. Dovesi and Primo exchanged a glance, and both looked away, blushing.

"Well, I'm going to…. Oh you know!" I said, smiling. I turned and walked off towards the second floor. As I reached the staircase I turned and gave Primo a wink behind Dovesi's back, and he returned with a grateful look, understanding that I had already talked to Dovesi.

The day was filled with observing people rather amusedly as they searched for treasure in the most preposterous places you could ever think of.

One particular incident that comes to mind is when I sat in the shadows of the foyer, watching Nels attempt to climb the bookcase shelves and reach the space between the top and the ceiling. He knocked several things over (including himself a few times) before resorting to a fit of rage and kicking the bottom shelf, causing nearly the whole thing to collapse.

And one particular thing I noticed was how Dovesi and Primo were rarely out of sight of each other, and almost always in close conversation. They really had become attached to each other, and in a extremely short amount of time.

There were no breaks throughout the day- lunch was a solitary effort. When you were hungry, you ate what you could whip up. The only to not eat alone were, of course, Primo and Dovesi.

The other guests were starting to notice their alliance, with varying reactions. Matilde and Neville, who did not seem to approve of Dovesi, therefore did not agree with the pairing. Nels on the other had seemed quite please that the girl was happy. I, of course, seeing the possibilities that this supplied me with as a 'carrier of chaos', was overjoyed that they had become so close so quickly.

I did not speak much to the guests throughout the day, only once with each to find their reactions about Dovesi and Primo. Otherwise, I avoided contact with them as much as possible. The house was large enough that it had many dark corners in which I could take refuge, just to listen and observe.

The thrill of the hunt was starting to get to me- it wasn't like the normal stalking in the shadows… it was a game of sociology. I was making my victims like me.. I was getting to know them; I had never done that before- known a contract before I killed them. It added a… personal element to it. I thought of killing each of the guests in turn, and a thrill ran through my spine, into my very bones.

I lay in wait in the shadows, anticipating the right moment to kill Primo- but the occasion did not arise where I felt Dovesi would be blamed, and I free from suspicion. The sun set, and darkness fell. The night was my time. As the skies grew darker, there was within my soul an arousal; the Dread Father was with me, I could feel it. I would kill soon…

We all gathered for dinner, the seating arrangement varying only slightly from last night. Dovesi was sitting with Primo on her left and Nels on her right. Next to Nels was Matilde, who looked terrified to be that close to the big, rambunctious man. Neville was next to her, and I next to Neville. Talk was subdued, and we ate in almost complete silence. No one had found anything, and they were starting to wonder how far they would have to go to find the gold.

As we all finished and started to bade each other good-night, I remained behind to clean up. Matilde was collecting plates but I told her go upstairs and that I would take care of it. Everyone but Dovesi and Primo had left, who were still sitting at the table talking.

"Thanks sweetie- I am rather tired. It's been a long day," said the old woman. She left the room and walked slowly up the stairs.

"I'll help you, Addy," said Dovesi, and she turned to Primo. "Go read that book that you saw downstairs- you said you wanted to look through it, and now the house is quiet. We don't need help here, the women can handle it," she said, smiling at me.

"Are you sure?" said Primo, looking anxious.

"Of course, it's fine. Enjoy your book." He nodded vaguely before heading downstairs.

Dovesi and I cleared the table silently for awhile, washing dishes and packaging up remaining food. We were placing plates back into a cabinet when I decided to try to set things in motion.

"So, things seem to be going pretty well between you two," I said, giving her a sideways smile.

"Mmm, they are…" she replied. "He's a wonderful man, very insightful, and sensitive…" she trailed off.

"Yes?" I prompted.

"Well, I just want to spend some alone time with him, and he with I. You know, where we don't have to worry about anyone walking in on us…" she trailed off again, and I nodded knowingly. And suddenly, a plan clicked into place.

I took on a thoughtful face, tilted my head slightly, slow smile spreading as if in dawning comprehension.

"What is it?" asked Dovesi.

"Hmmm…" I pretended to be thinking again.

"Oh out with it, tell me!" she exclaimed, rolling her eyes and laughing.

"Well… you guys could go in our room…I'll stay in Matilde's room- she's probably asleep already…" I raised my eyebrows, and her smiled broadened.

"Oh, would you?" she exclaimed. But then her face fell. "I mean, it is rather forward… but I like it!" I nodded encouragingly, and her smile returned.

"All right then, I'll wait for him in our room upstairs- there's something I want to do…" she grinned.

"I'll tell him, if you want… get him wondering what's going on… you know, build the anticipation," I said, and she laughed.

"Oh would you? Thank you, thank you!" she smiled, and gave me a quick hug before walking off upstairs, a jump in her step.

Smiling softly to myself, thinking of what lay ahead, I methodically and calmly placed the last of the dishes away, and took a deep breath. The thrill was already rising within me, my bloodlust was rising.

I started down the stairs toward Primo. As I walked I thought of Dovesi- it seemed to me that she was very interested in Primo's wealth; I believed she was more keen on finding rich than finding love. Oh well, I thought. I would make sure she never found either…

I located Primo perched in an extravagant lounge chair, book held loftily in hand. Even when he was reading he held his nose high and his posture perfect, reeking in superiority.

"Primo?" He looked up.

"Yes? Do you need me for something?"

I put on the act of looking about, checking for onlookers (of course there wasn't) and then returned my gaze to him.

"Well… Dovesi wanted me to inform you that she is waiting upstairs for you, in her room." He looked confused, so I added a wink. Comprehension dawned on his face, along with a look of almost… fear. One could assume he had little experience in these matters.

"Oh… yes, well…" he looked back at me, seemingly looking for advice. I smiled kindly, while inside churning with rage at this pathetic form before me.

"Why don't you collect yourself, and then head up there?" I said, patting him on the shoulder. He nodded vaguely, his mind already somewhere else.

I started to walk toward the stairs, careful to keep my pace steady. However, as soon as I was out of sight of Primo, I dashed up the two flights of stairs, quietly and lithe as possible. I reached the top, stood for a moment, fixed my hair, and walked into the Third Floor hallways of bedrooms.

I passed Dovesi's room slowly. She was sitting on the bed, tracing her finger along the fine fabric of the comforter, when she spotted me. She gave a questioning look, and I smiled slightly and nodded.

I passed the room, but did not walk into Matilde's. Instead, I turned, making sure no one else was in the hallway, before casting an invisibility spell. I walked carefully back down the hallway towards the stairs, wary not to make a sound. I opened and closed the door, sliding into the shadows of the landing. So far, my plan had been executed perfectly. And now for the final execution…

Several moments later I heard the footsteps of Primo climbing the first set of stairs. My heart began racing, my blood flowing quickly. I already felt an overwhelming sense of pride and fulfillment washing through my very bones, flowing through each and every inch of me. The anticipation for the kill was near unbearable, but I waited, knowing Sithis was with me.

Primo turned the corner. Time seemed to slow as he mounted the stairs, an eager yet nervous look in his eye. His steps reverberated and echoed throughout my body, each longer than the last. His breath was a gasping noise in my head, his heartbeat a steady drum- I wanted to end it all, I had to end it! It was becoming excruciating, this waiting, when he was so close… I could but reach forward and slice my dagger through his fair skin, red staining its purity… but I knew I had to wait.

Primo finally reached the landing where I stood, and reached to open the door. He twisted the handle, started to pull the door open…and I struck.

With one hand I grabbed his, clutched to the door, and whipped it open, dodging around it. Before he could utter a gasp of astonishment, I grabbed his throat. He started choking, eyes bulging and his stare bewildered and horrified.

I felt a thrill rise up through my entire body. My breath short and my heart flying, I used my spare hand and twisted his neck abruptly and fiercely. There was a satisfying crack, and I felt the high of a kill flow through my soul. I dropped his body and shoved it down the stairs, watching as it become limp before landing at the bottom, twisting and crunching in odd, unnatural angles.

This part of my plan I had went over and over in my mind, deciding how best to use it to my advantage. I didn't want to arouse suspicion too early- one death could be passed off as accidental, and I wanted to use that opportunity to my advantage. But even if the death was pronounced an accident, I had still dropped the stone into the pond. The ripples and undercurrents of distrust and fear would start to brew, and from that they could only escalate.

And so I had decided to use the opportunity to my advantage, to absolve myself from any and all suspicion. If I was seen going into Matilde's room before the accident, and only leaving once someone else discovered his body, no one could possibly suspect me. And it would put all the distrust in Dovesi.

I had only seconds to revel in the kill before I sprinted silently down into Matilde's room, my invisibility spell wearing off. She was still asleep, the racket had not awoken her. But then I heard Dovesi moving in the next room. Her room was closest to the stairs, and I had counted on the others not hearing the sound Primo's demise would have made, all but her, who was probably listening intently for his arrival…

I heard her walking in the hallway, she was at the door to the stairs, opening it…

And as I had thought, she did not call out to ask about the ruckus, in fear that someone would become respond and would come to investigate. Her's and Primo's meeting was supposed to be secret, after all…

I listened as the door opened, and I waited as she looked down the stairs…

Primo's body had landed in an unnatural angle, his knee twisted outward at an impossible angle and his neck showed the obvious signs of being broken. His head was nearly twisted all the way around- he had landed on his stomach, but his face was almost directly pointed at the ceiling. His bloodshot eyes still held the look of surprise, and they seemed to be staring into your own...

I knew she had seen the body when there came a blood curling scream; a scream filled of intenseof terror and grief. It filled my heart with a malicious glee. The real party had just begun.