Chapter 121: The Truth Or Nothing

Kane climbed into the Jaguar’s passenger seat, the leather cool against his back as Cyrus started the engine with a low purr.

He peeled open the McDonald’s bag, and his eyebrows shot up.

Inside were two Egg McMuffins, a stack of hotcakes, hash browns, and coffee.

"How did you—" Kane started, then shook his head.

"Never mind. Thank you for bringing me breakfast, but please don’t do it again."

Cyrus’s expression shifted, a flicker of hurt crossing his features before settling into careful neutrality.

"You didn’t appreciate the gesture?"

"It’s not that." Kane unwrapped one of the McMuffins, inhaling the familiar greasy comfort.

"Commander Qi was not happy about it. At all. Something about ’maintaining professional boundaries’ and ’civilian interference in Bureau operations.’"

Kane took a bite, savoring the processed cheese.

"He spent ten minutes lecturing me about how my ’personal associations’ couldn’t disrupt official business."

"Ah." Cyrus merged smoothly into traffic, his jaw tight. "I see."

"I mean it, Cyrus. No more surprise visits to headquarters. Qi already thinks you’re a distraction, and after today..." Kane trailed off, catching the tension in Cyrus’s shoulders.

"I understand," Cyrus said quietly. "I won’t embarrass you again."

Kane’s heart clenched.

"You didn’t embarrass me. You brought me breakfast because you care. That’s... that’s actually really sweet."

Cyrus’s grip on the wheel eased.

"But next time, maybe just text me?"

"Actions speak louder than words," Cyrus said, his voice carrying that familiar edge of authority.

"Your colleagues at the Bureau seem to have difficulty understanding appropriate boundaries themselves."

Kane paused mid-bite, recognizing the protective growl beneath Cyrus’s measured tone.

"That Ginsei character was particularly presumptuous."

"What did he say to you?"

"Nothing worth repeating." Cyrus’s fingers drummed against the steering wheel. "Though I made my position clear."

Kane groaned, imagining the confrontation.

"Please tell me you didn’t threaten him."

"I was perfectly civil." Cyrus glanced at Kane, expression softening. "But you’re right. I’ll be more discreet next time."

"Which brings me to my question—why did Commander Qi summon an emergency morning meeting?"

Kane shifted uncomfortably, watching the city blur past. He’d hoped to avoid this conversation, but Cyrus’s penetrating stare made deflection impossible.

"It was nothing really," Kane said, aiming for casualness. "Just some recent developments Qi wanted to brief the field teams about."

"Kane."

The single word carried enough warning to make Kane’s fox instincts prickle.

"Fine." Kane sighed.

"There’s been a spike in high-tier rogue attacks across the city. Like the one at Aurelia."

Cyrus’s grip tightened on the steering wheel. "How significant a spike?"

"Four incidents in the past three days. All targeting populated areas, requiring significant Bureau resources to contain." Kane rubbed his temples.

"Plus, there’s Rina’s disappearance, which officially happened during a ’field investigation gone wrong.’"

The Jaguar’s engine growled as Cyrus accelerated slightly.

"Qi thinks there’s a pattern," Kane continued.

"Someone’s either controlling these rogues or deliberately triggering their manifestations."

"And what does the BSA plan to do about this pattern?" Cyrus asked, his voice deceptively calm.

Kane studied Cyrus’s profile, noting the slight tension in his jaw.

"Standard protocol. Increased surveillance, additional field teams on rotation, and enhanced containment protocols." Kane shrugged.

"Nothing groundbreaking. They’re brushing it off as coincidence until the evidence slaps them in the face."

"And Rina?"

The question made Kane’s stomach twist. He’d been dreading this part.

"Well, that’s where your breakfast delivery interrupted things." Kane tried for a light tone.

"Qi was just getting into missing persons protocols when you showed up with enough McDonald’s to feed half the building."

Cyrus’s knuckles whitened against the steering wheel.

"But you assume they’ll search for her."

"Of course they will. She’s one of their own, even if she’s..." Kane hesitated. "Even if she’s what the BSA considers a liability due to her half-spirit status."

The Jaguar’s engine roared as Cyrus changed lanes with more aggression than necessary.

"Which means they’ll mobilize a search team."

"Probably," Kane confirmed, then noticed Cyrus’s expression darkening. "Why? What’s wrong?"

"That means we need to move faster." Cyrus’s voice carried an edge that made Kane’s fox ears prick beneath his glamour.

"Before the BSA discovers where Rina actually is."

The Jadefall Acquisitions tower rose before them like a monument to ancient wealth, its jade-tinted glass panels catching the morning light and casting emerald reflections across the street.

Gold accents spiraled up the building’s edges, creating the impression of a dragon’s spine reaching toward the clouds.

Kane’s tail twitched beneath his tailored pants as Cyrus pulled into the valet circle.

The nervous energy had nothing to do with the building’s intimidating architecture and everything to do with what waited inside.

"Remind me again why we’re starting with the most dangerous option," Kane muttered, watching uniformed attendants approach the Jaguar.

"Madam Xiu isn’t just an artifact broker," Cyrus replied, cutting the engine.

"She’s a Pixiu spirit. Ancient, powerful, and capable of sensing spiritual imbalances from across a room."

Kane’s stomach clenched. "Meaning she’ll know about Rina’s condition the moment we mention it."

"Among other things." Cyrus’s gaze flicked meaningfully toward Kane. "She’ll also sense any deception in our motives for seeking healing artifacts."

A valet opened Kane’s door, but Kane remained frozen in his seat.

"What if she sees through everything? Our relationship, my investigation, the fact that we’re desperate?"

Cyrus leaned closer, his voice dropping to a reassuring murmur.

"Then we tell her the truth."

Kane’s eyebrows shot up. "The truth? All of it?"

"Enough of it." Cyrus stepped out of the car, his confidence radiating outward like heat from a forge.

Kane followed reluctantly, straightening his jacket as they approached the towering entrance.

The lobby stretched before them like a temple hall, with polished jade floors reflecting ornate chandeliers and ancient artifacts displayed in glass cases along the walls.

A receptionist with perfectly styled hair and knowing eyes smiled as they approached.

"Mr. Drakhal and Mr. Ashwood for Madam Xiu," Cyrus announced.

The receptionist’s smile widened, her fingers dancing across an ornate tablet embedded with what looked like actual jade.

"Of course, Mr. Drakhal. Your ten o’clock appointment." She glanced at the antique clock adorning the wall behind her.

"You’re a few minutes early. Madam Xiu is concluding her previous meeting."

Kane shifted beside Cyrus, his gaze wandering to the artifacts displayed in nearby cases.

"Please, make yourselves comfortable in our waiting area," the receptionist continued, gesturing toward plush seating arrangements surrounded by more glass displays.

"She’ll be with you shortly."