“And you think a demon’s behind this?”

Sonia nodded. “Perhaps not directly, sir, but it would explain the nature of the killings—”

“Could explain the nature of the killings.” Captain Lorton leaned back in his chair and sighed. “But I’m going to need something more to go on—and believe me, I’ve tried.”

“Have you tried checking auras?” Inva asked. She then took a moment to translate for Sonia, just in case.

“Yes, and we’ve found nothing.”

Tren slapped both palms down on the table. “Well Firalex didn’t!”

Captain Lorton raised an eyebrow, but his body gave away what his face didn’t as he leaned over the table. “Go on.”

Tren smiled eagerly. “Did you know that auras of stronger magic linger, particularly if the magic used was demonic?”

“I knew the first part. I assume they found something, then? Something demonic?”

Tren opened his mouth to continue, but Drin put a hand on his shoulder and shook her head, silencing him. He folded his arms and bit back an indignant huff, slouching in his chair.

Sonia clapped her hands. “Exactly! Evidence of some sort of ritual at one of the most recent sites.”

Captain Lorton sighed, a long exhale that saw him looking out the window, across the square below. “If that’s true…”

“It is!”

“If it’s true, then we might have something. I’ve dealt with demons, good and bad, and I’ve dealt with people trying to handle foul magic. More so recently than ever. Couldn’t it be that? I know the Gelles Company dealt with a case like that in the recent past, and the Riverside Incident was due to a summoning ritual gone wrong.”

Sonia deflated. “It… could be.”

“Assume it is, then, and go from there.”

Immediately, Sonia’s eyes brightened. “Do you mean—”

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Lorton stopped her with a gesture. “Not officially. But, I won’t interfere. I think you mean well, you have competent allies…” He looked at the Gelles Company members, a silent Drin, and a clearly excited Tren. “And you’re knowledgeable enough that I don’t think you’ll get yourself killed or dragged into a bigger mess. Please don’t prove me wrong.”

Sonia nodded. “We won’t, sir—thank you. And, do you have any other information that could help out our investigation?”

Captain Lorton sighed again. “I have some, but I can’t give you all of it.”

“Anything you can spare is fine.”

“I assume you’re aware the killings are always in pairs.”

“We are, yes.”

“The method for one death is almost always that same, while the first varies.”

“What is that method?”

“I was getting to that. Let a guy think, will ya? One death is almost always a single small crossbow bolt from behind. The only exceptions are three deaths indoors—knife wounds, clean across the neck. I think one of those pairs is unrelated, though.”

“Why’s that?”

“It looked self-inflicted. The others were at the wrong angle.”

“Do… you think these killings are all related too, then?”

“I assumed gang violence instead of demons, but yes.”

Sonia hummed. “One death always the same… Captain Lorton?”

“Yes? I haven’t gotten up and walked away, you know.”

Sonia blushed a slightly deeper read. “Sorry—still getting used to being formal in Ordian. A-anyway, did… do the people killed the same way—were they the ones to kill the other?”

Captain Lorton blinked, then tilted his head back. “Sometimes, yes. But it’s inconclusive a lot of the time. Though… I guess that would make sense. But to have someone right there to kill the perp the moment after they murder someone else and never before… No one’s come forward to say they’ve been saved, and no one’s turned up dead alone with the same injuries.”

Sonia looked over at Inva. The paladin frowned, then nodded. This was a clue! Unfortunately, they might be right.

“Do you have any witnesses, friends, or relatives we could get into contact with? Anyone we could learn from to see if there were relationships between the deceased?” Inva asked.

“No. I do, but I can’t give that out. You do, however, know where at least one murder took place. You want to investigate? You know where to start. And to answer your question, from people we’ve spoken with: yes.”

“Any consistent themes?”

Captain Lorton shook his head. “None, sorry.”

Sonia frowned. Did she, Inva, and Tren have it wrong?

“Is that all?” Captain Lorton asked. “I don’t want to throw you out, but I really do have things to do… unfortunately.”

Sonia looked at Inva, and then the others. Tren shook his head, but Drin gave the okay. “Yes, that’s all. For now, at least.”

“Good!” Captain Lorton stood up and stretched, yawning. “Thought I’d get good sleep after that whole mess, but it’s been one thing after another.” He started walking toward the door, but stopped with his hand on the handle. “Oh, and be careful out there. The worst of the rot’s gone, but I’ve got a hunch something big’s coming. My advice is to clear out of Lockmoth before it does.”

Before anyone could reply, the guard captain slipped out the door, leaving it swinging open behind him.