Page 154 of A Soul to Touch

I think I’ve dug the same number of graves for Demons as I have for humans.It would help to hide their scents, so she didn’t have many coming tonight as well. Otherwise, she may end up in a cycle of slaying Demons nightly without rest.

She needed a break, especially so she didn’t become overworked and make a mistake. So far, she hadn’t obtained any new injuries, except for the claw marks she now had on her shoulder from the flying one, and she’d rather keep it that way.

The wound was small. She’d barely bled since her thick, fur winter coat had kept her protected.

Currently, she was wearing her Demonslayer uniform since it was more effective for hiding in the darkness. It was soaked in blood, and her stomach was tight, but otherwise, it wasn’t that upset by the putrid smell. Exposure to it over the years had deadened her senses.

Sweat covered her flesh, causing her uniform to cling to her in an uncomfortable, clammy way. It only made her shiver, despite the rise in her temperature, as the chilly air made the perspiration covering her turn icy.

She was at risk of getting a fever if she remained like this.

Once I’ve done this,she thought as she dug in one of the many places she usually did when she intended to bury Demons. There were five locations, and she rotated between each one so the earth, worms, and bugs could eat their corpses and get rid of the evidence of them beside their bones.I need to wash my uniform with the specialised soap I have. Have a bath, then eat, and then fucking sleep. Man, I need to sleep. I’m so freaking tired.

Hopefully, she would wake to Faunus returning throughout the day to come curl up beside her.

She listened out for him and potential danger all throughout the morning as she slowly worked at getting all the Demons into the hole. Once done, she covered them with dirt, then snow, and patted the ground to compress it.

He better come home soon. I kind of already miss that big guy purring at me.She’d rather have him be here right now teasing her about being slow at all her tasks than out there by himself in danger, not knowing if or when he’d return.

Her brows furrowed deeply.

He better come home to purr at me,she thought with her lips puckering into a tight, almost childish pout.

For two nights, Faunus had chased the winged Demon. He never stopped, no matter how tired he became, no matter how much he needed to rest.

I almost had him,he thought with dismay as he walked on all fours back through the forest in the direction of Mayumi’s home.I can’t believe I almost had him.

There had been one moment, just one, where Faunus had managed to catch up to the Demon. Not long after he’d begun chasing him, Faunus had gotten close enough where he could climb a tree and leap from branch to branch.

I had a hold of him.

Faunus had grabbed him by the leg with one hand and was being flown through the forest, tearing at his calf and slipping as he tried to climb. Faunus knew he’d nicked his wing, but the Demon had kicked him in the damn skull.

The knock had caused agony to pulsate throughout his face, and he’d accidentally let go when his whole body seized in reaction. He’d felt his skull crack just that little bit more under the impact.

After Faunus smacked into multiple branches and thenneeded to claw his way down a tree to slow his fall, he’d broken several more branches with his legs and groin before he landed on his paws.

The injuries he’d sustained had been painful enough that the Demon had flown a large distance from him while Faunus tried to right himself. Jagged spikes of branch pieces had broken off into his legs that he’d needed to rip out, or he couldn’t bear to move them. He knew blood had been streaming heavily down his right thigh, as well as a steady trail down his skull.

His groin had protested any movement like it was contused, but adrenaline and fear kept him going.

He didn’t take long to look over the rest of his body to assess his injuries. He just took note of them and followed the fleeing threat.

After that, the Demon remained above the trees during the night, flying freely, whereas Faunus was slowed by his wounds and had to dodge his environment. At that point, the Demon’s scent had been difficult to track.

It was only throughout the day when the Demon needed to slow down to fly through the shade of the forest to avoid the direct sunlight that Faunus had managed to locate it again.

He thought he might be able to catch up the second night, but by then, he knew it was too late.

Even if he kept chasing him, it was likely the Demon would lead him to the Veil. He would have essentially been handing himself over to Jabez, and he refused to do so.

He could go no further.

Faunus paused to cover his skull, groaning in frustration and anger.I’ve brought danger to her.

If he thought it would help, he wouldn’t return to Mayumi if it meant Jabez would never find her. But, if the Demon brought him there, Mayumi would be in danger regardless.

He’d rather be there to bargain for her life or kill the Demon King – either would suffice so long as she was safe.

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