Chapter 143: Facades And False Friends

The Lamborghini shot through Feilun’s streets like crimson lightning, Cyrus weaving between traffic with supernatural precision.

Ginsei gripped the leather seat, ice-blue eyes fixed on the dragon’s rigid shoulders.

This felt surreal—like being trapped in the world’s most expensive taxi with a barely-contained predator.

"Are you going to tell me what’s happening, or should I just enjoy the scenic route to my potential demise?"

Cyrus’s crimson eyes flicked to the rearview mirror.

"Do you know Mochi?"

"The cat spirit? Most agents know him." Ginsei’s pale green hair shifted as he leaned forward.

"Two-tailed troublemaker who runs that curiosity shop downtown. Why?"

"Can we trust him?"

Ginsei blinked at the unexpected question. Dragons didn’t typically ask Bureau agents for character references on black market informants.

"Trust Mochi?" He considered this.

"He acts like a complete fool half the time—dramatic, greedy, always chasing after shiny objects or expensive fish. But underneath all that..."

Ginsei paused, remembering quiet moments when the cat spirit’s mask slipped.

"He’s actually decent. Loyal to people who treat him right. Never sells out friends, even when the price gets tempting."

The Lamborghini’s engine roared as Cyrus accelerated through a yellow light.

"We’re heading there now."

"To Mochi’s shop?" Ginsei’s voice sharpened with confusion. "Why? What does this have to do with—"

Cyrus said nothing, jaw clenched as he took a hard right toward the old district.

His silence felt heavy, dangerous. Whatever had prompted this sudden alliance, whatever had made the last known black dragon seek out a Bureau serpent for help, it wasn’t good.

The Lamborghini’s engine ticked as it cooled outside Mochi’s Miscellanea. The familiar jingle of the door chime announced their arrival.

"SCALEY DADDY!" Mochi’s voice boomed from behind the counter, but his enthusiasm dimmed when he spotted Ginsei instead of Kane.

"Oh. Where’s Kane-chan?" His dark eyes flicked between them with growing confusion.

"Two reptiles visiting together—how cozy. Finally found someone who understands the cold-blooded lifestyle?"

Neither Cyrus nor Ginsei cracked a smile.

"We’re not reptiles," Ginsei corrected flatly, his pale green braid shifting as he scanned the cluttered shop with professional interest.

"I’m a serpent spirit. Dragons are—" He paused, glancing at Cyrus.

"Well, they’re in a category of their own."

Cyrus said nothing, his crimson eyes sweeping the store’s entrance and windows with tactical precision.

"Mochi." His voice carried an edge that made the cat spirit’s ears twitch.

"We need to talk. Privately."

Without waiting for an answer, he swept aside the beaded curtain leading to the back room.

"Ginsei, keep watch. Make sure we’re not interrupted."

The serpent spirit positioned himself near the front window, pale green hair catching the afternoon light as he scanned the street outside.

Mochi followed Cyrus into his sanctuary, punk posters and arcade sounds providing their familiar backdrop.

"Am I in trouble?" The words tumbled out nervously, his leather jacket suddenly feeling too tight.

"I mean, I know sometimes my information networks get a little... tangled, but I always deliver what I promise, right? Scaley Daddy, you’re not here to collect some debt I forgot about, are you?"

Cyrus remained perfectly still, his crimson eyes unreadable as polished stone.

"Tell me about Whisper again."

The calm tone somehow made Mochi’s fur stand on end more than any shout would have.

"Whisper?" Mochi’s voice cracked slightly.

"I reached out through the usual channels after our dinner. Sent word you were interested in fragments, had serious money to spend."

He fidgeted with his studded collar, the silver spikes catching the dim light.

"But I haven’t heard back yet. Sometimes Whisper takes a few days to respond, especially for new clients. Paranoid type, you know?"

Cyrus stepped closer, his presence filling the small space.

"Describe Whisper for me. What do they look like?"

"Well, I’ve never actually met them face-to-face," Mochi admitted, wringing his hands.

"But word is they’re young, human-looking. Honey-blond hair, blue eyes, tall build. Talks like old money, if you know what I mean."

Cyrus exhaled slowly, a sound like steam escaping from a dragon’s nostrils.

"Was Whisper also your source for the Bernard Holloway information?"

Mochi’s eyes widened with sudden understanding, his punk facade completely dissolving.

"Oh, shi—"

"Whisper is Bob Holloway," Cyrus said, his voice cutting through Mochi’s rising panic like a blade.

"Bernard’s son."

Mochi’s mouth fell open, his studded collar catching the light as he shook his head frantically.

"No way. That’s impossible." His hands gestured wildly.

"They look nothing alike! Bernard’s this graying, weathered shark in expensive suits. Whisper’s young, honey-blond, blue-eyed—total pretty boy."

"Family resemblance isn’t always obvious," Cyrus replied coldly.

"Especially when someone wants to stay hidden."

"But Whisper’s been in the underground trading scene for years," Mochi protested, his voice climbing higher.

"Way before some rich kid would’ve had access to that world. I’ve heard stories about deals going back—"

"Do you know Elias Thorne?"

The question hit Mochi like ice water. His face went pale beneath his punk makeup.

"Moonfall Industries? Yeah, I know him." Mochi’s voice dropped to an uneasy whisper.

"His pack’s been notorious for years. More violence than most wolves prefer."

Cyrus’s crimson eyes blazed.

"Bob told Kane the Mercy Fragment was sold to Moonfall Industries. To Elias."

Mochi staggered backward, hitting a stack of vintage arcade machines.

"Holy shit."

Cyrus studied Mochi’s wide-eyed panic, searching for deception beneath the dramatic display.

The cat spirit’s leather jacket trembled as he clutched at his studded collar, but dragons had centuries of experience reading lies.

Was this genuine shock, or had Mochi perfected the art of playing dumb?

"Ginsei," Cyrus called without taking his eyes off the cat spirit.

The serpent appeared through the beaded curtain, pale green braid swaying as he assessed the situation.

"White serpents have hypnotic abilitiesI need you to use your abilities. Find out what Mochi really knows."

"Wait, what? You can’t be serious—" Mochi’s eyes widened as he backed into a corner.

Ginsei hesitated, ice-blue eyes flickering between them.

"I haven’t done hypnosis in years. It’s considered... invasive by Bureau standards."

"This isn’t Bureau business."

"I—fine." Ginsei’s pupils dilated as ancient power stirred behind his gaze.

"Look at me, Mochi."

Mochi’s protests died as serpentine influence wrapped around his mind.

Cyrus’s phone buzzed. Kane’s name appeared on the screen, and despite everything, warmth bloomed in his chest.

Cyrus where are you? Are you okay?

Cyrus typed back with a warm smile:

Didn’t want to wake my sleeping fox. Business to handle. Stay safe.