Chapter 5- Unexpected Encounter

Jacob wiped his mouth after he ate and then prepared himself to return to his body.

Jacob preyed on some astral travelers in the astral plane to get enough energy. As he remembered, Jaden hadn't been that strong the last time they met. But he didn't care if that soul sucker's strength and abilities increased. Jacob believes that he is more powerful. What he wanted to face where the twins Zack and Zachery, the firstborns of the first generation of the Ampulex clan. If he kills the two, the family will be weakened.

Jacob avoids the woman whose mind he cannot read, but the opportunity is teasing. The woman was also there, drunk again. And this time, it was Jaden who planned to prey on the woman.

At that moment, he was in an astral body, so all he could do was whisper and warned. But when he saw that the woman had no intention of following him, he quickly returned to his body and went to Jaden and Claire. It was just a matter of time, and he was almost late to save Claire. Jaden is in the part that will touch the woman's soul.

Jacob almost gambled his life to protect Claire from the soul-sucker guy. Jacob didn't have enough energy to fight at that moment. Additionally, he faced a spelling wizard on the astral plane he came from. Spell wizards are the most formidable opponents. When Latin prayers are used on them, they become fragile.

"Oh? Why did you get up? There is still light."

Jacob raised his eyebrows when he saw Zara in the living room of their mansion. The old mansion that his family infested. Zara was drinking a red liquid that, as she remembered, was called red wine by mortals.

"How about you? Why aren't you in the astral planes to eat? It's getting late. Get settled; you might run out of energy—."

"I'm good. Besides, I'm still full," he cut her off. Then he sips what he drinks.

Jacob shook his head. He knows that Zara probably possessed weak mortals again to get out of their cave when there was still light. Yes, Zara could have someone else's body. She was different from others. She can also eat whatever she wants. Sometimes, Jacob envied her gift. But he knows that despite their unique abilities, there is an inexplicable lack of life hiding.

They cannot be exposed to the sun. Their skins will burn. They can go out if their bodies are wrapped. And that's what he's doing now.

"I'm going to report you to Mom and Dad," he heard Zara say.

When Zara looked back at her brother, the smile she gave to Jacob was silly. The wineglass was raised in the air as if teasing him with a toss.

"If you're trying to threaten me, try a little harder, young woman." Jacob laughed again and walked away.

How could their youngest think that this would terrify him? He is the strongest of their siblings besides being the eldest. He fully inherited the combined skills and powers of their parents. While the other siblings only inherited one-half of their parents' abilities.

Jacob looked for something to wear in the room of Ariel, his other younger brother. As far as he knew, Ariel and Asta were the ones who often ran away and went out. They are very eager to see the outside when the sun is up. He usually catches both of them. Jacob didn't threaten them because what they were doing was harmless. He knew that they knew how to protect themselves. As for Zara, he can't risk her either because he knows that's the only thing that kills her boredom. Zara wanted to explore the world without burning her skin. And to be able to use the body of mortals is its way.

And now, how about him? Why does he want to walk outside even though the sun hasn't completely set yet?

Well, Jacob was curious about Claire. She is the only human who stands out from them, and she can't read or hear her thoughts. She couldn’t compel either. And it’s a little worrying that Claire knows him already. He had to find out what kind of creature that girl was. What if she wasn’t an ordinary mortal? In addition to her very fragrant smell.

What if the scent of her blood is because it is an allied power of dark entities and even a threat to their way of life? The soul suckers are already a big problem for them, and the woman will add more. Jacob did not inform their parents about it. He is going to tell them when he is sure of his suspicions.

***

"What the hell is this? How does it work?"

Claire heard a faint thud. She was inside the cafeteria just across from the hospital. She is reviewing medical findings that have been under study for a while. She's obsessed with that lesson, so even when it's snack time, she still carries it with her.

"Those humans! Why do they like to do such trivial things?" She heard the voice complaining about something again.

Looking back to the source of the faint complaint, Claire saw the man wearing a hooded jacket and hunched over what looked like a brand-new phone. The gadget's packaging and accessories are still scattered on the table. He checks the cell phone several times. He tossed around. Tilted. He was shaking as if looking for or expecting something to fall there.

"Damn this stupid thing!" And he dropped his poor phone on the table without a word. He simply wore a mask over his mouth and ran away without even bothering to carry his things.

Claire frowned. The man was wrapped up in a jacket and wore gloves. Out of curiosity, Claire grabs the ones he left on the table. It looks like the phone is brand new because the stamped receipt is also there. And who is stupid enough to leave behind a phone that almost costs a thousand dollars?

Claire took them and ran for the exit door of the café. The man had just come out, so she grabbed his arm. But the man quickly grabs his arm back.

"Hey, sir! I want to return the ones you left behind," Claire said. Suddenly the man bowed his face, which Claire could hardly see because of the hood and mask.

Claire heard a slight moan from it. She thinks the man is of alien descent. His height is different. He is so tall that Claire can almost look up.

"You left your phone. It's not a joke; if you can't make it work, you can return it to where you bought it." The man took the gadget and pressed the power button. He immediately opened it. The welcome tone even rang. Suddenly, the man in front of her froze. He also recovered quickly, so she did not see any other reaction.

"Your phone works. Didn't you check it before you left the place where you bought it?"

Without responding, the man grabbed the phone and the box. "I'm in a hurry." He ran away without looking back.

"What a rude guy!" Claire growled.

Claire had just entered the cafeteria and returned to her seat but noticed the sim card holder on the man's desk earlier. She was about to walk past the table when she stared at the sim card holder. She memorized the number. Her brain is so sharp, especially when it comes to numbers.

"Geez! What do I care about that rude man?" She went straight to her desk and suddenly stopped. It was as if the man's voice was repeating itself in her ears. He seemed familiar. She had heard it before. She was sure. And it was like a switch of light immediately spread to her brain.

"That's him!"

Claire quickly ran out of the cafeteria again. But the man is no longer in the direction he walked in earlier. Where did the man go? Why is it that she always sees it no matter where she goes?

And the biggest question was... Who is he?