Of Demons and Fallen Stars

Chapter 8: Whoever It Was

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The more the merrier.

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There are a few things that I know about the mystery demon slayer now. Firstly, he can see and has knowledge about demons. Secondly, he was quite capable of slaying a demon. And thirdly, he has control over them, or at least one of them.

The third one was the fact that was the most disturbing. I have read a lot about rituals for summoning demon familiars and most of them, if not all, were nasty and involves unforgivable misdeeds like blood sacrifices or blood pacts. Selling your own soul to the demon. Not a reassuring fact. I know I am jeopardizing my safety by meeting him but I also longed to know more about demons. More about why I have this strange ability. Maybe I could even find a way to defeat Jean. And just the fact that I was not the only one who had this wretched curse brings comfort to me.

I know nothing much about Jean only the fact that he is a soul-sucking bastard, the manifestation of some kind of maniacal Grim Reaper. There was nothing much about soul-sucking demons that I can find. The only thing I found out was that demons who can shape-shift into human forms were one of the most powerful types of demons. They are cunning and powerful.

I walked silently towards Room 009. The school was now bathed in shadows and it was easy to stealthily walk around the hallways. I have been hearing faint voices ever since I neared the hallway leading to the room. I peeked cautiously into the hallway. Bright light filtered through onto the floor from the small glass window of the door. I realized that whoever called me here was not alone. I could definitely hear voices.

I took out a dagger from my duffel bag with sweaty hands and walked to the door, my heart hammering. I breathed in deeply, bracing myself to what I might find inside. I was already in front of the door, hands cautiously reaching for the knob when the door suddenly burst open. A force slammed into me getting me off balance. I fell onto the floor and felt the dagger fall out of my grip. I tried to get it but it was out my reach. I was still pinned to the ground with a moment of panic when I realized what was actually happening.

"Get off me," I heard someone say. "Julia, tell him to get off me!"

"Aagh!!!"

I stared blankly at two identical boys, not much older than me, trying to strangle each other and rolling onto the floor beside me. I pulled out my hand which was pinned beneath their struggling bodies and checked if it was broken sighing with relief when it was not.

"Boys! BOYS! We have a guest! BEHAVE YOURSELVES," a girl, which I assumed was Julia, yelled.

The twins stopped trying to kill each other to turn and stare at me at the same time with identical gray eyes.

"Camille Bloodmoon," one said releasing the other from the stranglehold he was holding him in and standing up while at the same time trying to smooth his messy dark hair.

"We are expecting you," the other said, massaging his neck and scowling at his brother.

"Here, let me help you," the first one said, holding out a hand to me. I let him help me up. "Name's Dex and that idiot's name is Lev. That hag by the door is Julia."

Julia hit him playfully on the head then turned to smile at me. I was too stunned to say anything. This situation was so far from what I expected that I am not sure how to react.

"You should come in," she said. "And you better not leave that dagger lying around." 

I picked up the dagger, tucking it into my boot where I can easily reach it and followed her into Room 009. Behind me I could hear the twins still jabbering at each other. Either ways, I was surrounded and I had no choice but hear them out. Inside the room, three other people waited, sitting. They looked up when we came in and smiled warmly at me. I have trust issues so I did not smile back. But what the hell. They were too welcoming that it was disarming.

"Hello," one of them greeted happily, eyes twinkling as if something was really amusing her. I could immediately peg her as one of the trouble-makers. But even years of people watching and complete vigilance would help me know what these people were thinking. "Welcome to the school's very own club for half-demons!"