Chapter 2

Kinoko loved coming home to her master's secluded home. They lived in a traditional house, with large paper sliding doors, and a spacious garden nestled in the middle of the house.

Lucifer parked in the well-hidden outdoor garage. As he pulled in, the gentle tapping of the tree branches welcomed them home.

"Alright Kinoko," he said, putting the car in park, "I've got to go to some sort of writer's gala."

"Master you know, and I know, that it is most likely another award for your writing." Kinoko said, getting out of the car.

"Not true! It's not for me this time." He reached into his wallet and handed her a twenty, "I won't be home until after midnight, so order yourself a pizza."

Kinoko looked at her master. She closed the car door, frowning, "You're going dressed like that? You look like a peasant!"

Lucifer laughed, examining his brown robe, covered in tiny coffee and tea stains. "I'll be sure to change on the way there."

"Yes but, -"

Before Kinoko could finish her thought, Lucifer hastily pulled away. He made a quick turn, swerving expertly into the street.

She watched the car disappear around a hill and went inside.

The house was dark, as usual. The wooden entryway creaked with familiarity. Kinoko placed her shoes beneath the step and clapped twice.

There was a gust of air as the electric lamps flickered on.

This old house had no electricity. Instead, the light, heat, and water were managed by three lesser spirits.

These three lesser spirits used to be poltergeists; murdered family members that had haunted this place. That's the main reason why the villagers were so weirded out by Lucifer's decision to live there, of all places.

There used to be four, but Kinoko ate him, as he was quite rude to her master.

"Good evening Kinono!" Sanqiu, the spirit in charge of lighting greeted her.

"Hi San," she said, walking to Lucifer's study.

He was the youngest of the three. He had died a child, and still acted in such a way, sometimes playing pranks on the mailman. He enjoyed Kinoko's company more than Lucifer's, and on weekends they would go on mini mysteries around the estate.

Unfortunately, it was a Thursday, and she had business with Sanqiu's older brother Erxia, who lived in her master's study.

"Erxia!" Kinoko kicked some of the piles of paper out of the way.

Erxia was an odd ball, at least in Kinoko's opinion. He had volunteered to manage the water around the estate, but instead, spent most of his time in Lucifer's study. Obsessing over her master's writings, and always, always, browsing the internet.

The study was a large room, the floor and smaller shelves cluttered with manuscripts. Two bookshelves split the room into thirds, with the large sliding door giving a view of the spacious middle garden. Lucifer's writing desk stood closer to the left. The desk had a big red chair that was very much out of place. Her master had brought the old thing from hell. On the desk sat his personal computer, and a cheap coffee maker. The glass carafe was empty, and her master's favorite mug was gone. Kinoko assumed Sanqiu had had swept the place for dirty dishes.

Right now, the sliding door was shut, and the smell of old paper and dust was starting to burn Kinoko's nose. There was another, lighter smell, one she identified as Erxia: damp paper. The room was a dark orange, as the sun was setting outside. Lucifer had requested the room only be lit using natural light.

"Where are you?"

Normally, Erxia responded immediately. She knew where he was: in the corner, behind the tiny crook of the right bookshelf, probably on his ancient laptop.

She called his name again, about to squeeze behind the bookshelf, excited about a new mystery.

"Kinoko!"

The shout came from behind. Kinoko, turned around, scanning for Erxia.

Hm this place is a bit colder than normal?

There was a flutter of papers cutting from her master's desk.

An attacker?!