Chapter 14

The detective laid out the photos on the low wooden table in the shrine's training hall. The images displayed the gruesome aftermath of the Thompson household massacre—deep claw marks ran along the walls, furniture lay in shambles, and the blood-streaked stairs led to the mangled body of the mother. One of the photos showed the father's face, gruesomely ripped apart, the flesh torn with unnatural precision, as if something inhuman had done it. The final photo showed the young boy, Steven Thompson, in his bloodstained pajamas, staring blankly at the camera.

Chiaki and Sota studied the images carefully, their expressions grave.

"These are definitely no ordinary killings," Chiaki murmured, tracing a finger over the claw marks in the photograph.

"A demon has definitely done this," Sota agreed. "I mean, look at those scratches. No human or animal could have done that."

The detective nodded. "And that's why I came to you. The police department will have a hard time solving this one. I bet they'll rule it out as an animal attack."

Chiaki frowned. "How? You mentioned that the doors were locked and the windows were closed. Did they have any pets?"

"No, they didn't. But if the crime isn't solved in a few months, the department will literally make up a story to close the case."

Sota scoffed. "Typical. They don't want the public to panic."

Chiaki folded her arms. "So, what do you want from us?"

"To track the demon. If it's still inside the child or if it's travelling from person to person."

"Well, you came at the right moment," Chiaki said, glancing at Sota. "We have the right person."

Sota sighed, already knowing what she meant. "I'm guessing you need my ability."

Chiaki smirked. "You're our best bet."

The detective exhaled. "So, where are we going first?"

"Let's start at the crime scene," Chiaki said.

Meanwhile, Jay sat in class, but his mind wasn't on the lesson. His thoughts drifted back to his training with the old man at the shrine.

Jay stood before the old man, breathing heavily, sweat dripping down his face. He had been trying to grab the red belt from the old man's waist for what felt like hours. Every time he lunged, the old man moved with impossible speed, sidestepping, ducking, or simply flicking Jay's hands away as if he were a child.

Jay grit his teeth in frustration. "I need a break."

The old man scoffed. "You don't need a break. You need patience."

Jay clenched his fists. "I've been at this forever! You're too fast."

"Then get faster."

Jay's frustration boiled over. He lunged again, but the old man easily deflected him. That's when something inside Jay snapped. His vision darkened for a moment, and when he came to, his demon form had surfaced. His hands sharpened into claws, his eyes burned red, and his body tensed with unnatural strength.

Now, it wasn't training—it was a real fight.

Jay rushed at the old man, swiping at his head. But the old man was still quicker. He ducked, dodged, and stepped aside with effortless grace. Jay slashed again and again, faster and more violently, but he never even grazed him.

Then, in a blink, the old man grabbed Jay's arm, twisted it behind his back, and slammed him to the ground. Before Jay could react, the old man traced an invisible sigil into the air and murmured a few ancient words. The demon form evaporated, leaving Jay panting and human once again.

The old man crouched beside him. "Never let anger control you. If you lose your temper, you lose the fight. Stay calm. Always."

Jay groaned, staring up at the sky. "Yeah, yeah."

Jay snapped out of his thoughts as Luna shook his shoulder. "Jay!"

He blinked and turned to her. "Huh?"

"I've been calling your name forever! What's wrong? You were just staring off into space."

"Oh." Jay rubbed the back of his neck. "Sorry. Just… daydreaming."

Iris floated beside them, raising an eyebrow. "You were daydreaming with your eyes open. That's weird."

Jay sighed but didn't bother explaining.

"Come on," Luna said. "It's lunchtime."

The group headed toward the cafeteria, but unbeknownst to them, Katie was trailing behind. Her heart pounded in her chest as she convinced herself—no, forced herself—to approach Jay's table. She wasn't even sure why. Maybe it was the way he seemed so different from the other boys. Maybe it was curiosity. Or maybe it was something else entirely.

As soon as Jay, Luna, Iris, and Ellie sat down, Katie slid into the seat beside Luna. The entire group froze, eyes widening in shock.

"What the hell?" Iris grumbled, glaring at her. "She's sitting too close to Luna. Oh no. Nobody's taking my girl."

Ellie's expression darkened as well. "Too many girls are sitting at Jay's table. This is unacceptable."

Katie felt the heat of their stares. Her palms were sweaty, but she swallowed her nerves and forced herself to speak. "You two get along really well. Are you dating?"

"No, we're not!" Jay and Luna said at the same time, then immediately blushed.

"Hell no, they aren't!" Iris snapped, arms crossed.

Katie raised an eyebrow at their reactions. "Huh."

A few tables away, Nick sat seething. His fists were clenched, his knuckles white. This was the second time Katie had approached Jay. That scrawny loser. He had been working so hard to get Katie's attention, and now she was sitting with him?

Nick gritted his teeth. This time, he wasn't going to let it slide.