Chapter 87: Adequate, My Ass

Kane blinked rapidly, scanning the empty space where the figure had been standing moments before.

"Did you see its face?"

Cyrus opened the passenger door, his movements sharp with barely controlled tension.

"Get in."

"But they were right there—"

"Kane."

The dragon’s voice carried an edge that made Kane’s spine straighten involuntarily.

Kane slid into the leather seat, still craning his neck to peer through the rear window as Cyrus started the engine.

"They’ve been following us all day. First at the park, now here." Kane’s fingers drummed against his thigh.

"That’s not a coincidence."

Cyrus pulled into traffic without responding, his knuckles white against the steering wheel.

"You recognized it."

It wasn’t a question.

Kane watched Cyrus’s profile in the dashboard glow, noting the tight line of his jaw.

"I thought I did. For just a second, when the light hit its face... But it was too quick to be sure."

Cyrus’s crimson eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, watching for shadows that might be following them home.

The Mercedes’s engine cut to silence in the underground garage.

Cyrus sat motionless for a moment, his hands still gripping the steering wheel as he processed the evening’s events.

Kane shifted beside him, the leather seat creaking softly.

"That was some night."

Cyrus’s crimson eyes flicked toward the parking garage’s security cameras, noting their angles and blind spots.

"Indeed."

They walked toward the private elevator in companionable silence, their footsteps echoing off polished concrete.

Kane’s shoulders had finally relaxed from their rigid tension, though his amber eyes still darted occasionally toward the shadows.

At the penthouse entrance, Cyrus paused, his hand hovering over the biometric scanner.

"Before we go in."

Kane raised an eyebrow.

Cyrus gestured toward the scanner with a slight smirk.

"Place your hand here."

Kane blinked, caught off guard by the casual gesture.

"You’re giving me access?"

"I prefer you not use my security codes."

Kane pressed his palm against the cool glass surface. Blue light swept across his hand, analyzing the unique patterns of his fingerprints and palm structure.

The scanner beeped softly, confirming the biometric registration.

"There. No more sneaking required."

Kane stared at the scanner, then at Cyrus.

"Just like that?"

"Just like that."

The penthouse door unlocked with a soft click, and Cyrus stepped inside.

Kane set both plushies on the kitchen counter, the small white fox nestled against the large dragon like they belonged together.

His fingers lingered on the soft fabric for a moment before he spotted something familiar on the couch.

"Well, look what I found."

He walked over and picked up his gun, checking the chamber out of habit before sliding it into his shoulder holster.

"One day. The one day I decide to leave my gun at home, and what happens?"

Kane turned to face Cyrus, spreading his arms wide.

"A high-tier rogue spirit decides to crash our dinner party and redecorate the restaurant with its tentacles."

Cyrus loosened his tie, watching Kane’s practiced movements with the weapon.

"You handled yourself adequately without it."

"Adequately?" Kane snorted.

"I got launched off a building twice. If that’s adequate, I’d hate to see what you consider poor performance."

He adjusted the holster’s fit, muscle memory taking over.

"From now on, this stays with me. Apparently the universe has a twisted sense of humor about my off-duty time."

Kane’s restless energy filled the penthouse as he paced between the kitchen island and the floor-to-ceiling windows.

"And can you believe how Commander Qi dismissed me? ’You’re unarmed in the field, Agent Ashwood.’"

His hands gestured wildly as he turned on his heel, making another circuit.

Cyrus settled onto the couch, watching Kane’s agitated movements with growing amusement.

"Next time we go anywhere, I’m wearing full tactical gear. Bulletproof vest, extra magazines, maybe a rocket launcher strapped to my back just in case—"

Kane spun around again, his amber eyes blazing with indignation.

Cyrus’s head tilted slightly as Kane’s frantic pacing made the room seem to spin.

"—because apparently the universe has decided that Kane Ashwood doesn’t get to have nice things without some nightmare creature—"

"Kane."

Cyrus rose smoothly, catching Kane’s wrist mid-gesture.

Kane stumbled as his momentum was suddenly arrested.

"What—"

Cyrus pulled Kane down onto the couch, his movements swift but careful.

"Does it still hurt?"

Kane blinked, confusion flickering across his features as he settled into the cushions.

"Does what hurt?"

His amber eyes searched Cyrus’s face, trying to follow the dragon’s train of thought.

Cyrus’s fingers traced the air near Kane’s temple, hovering just above the skin where dried blood had crusted along his hairline.

"The cut from your fall."

Kane’s hand flew to his temple, touching the tender spot he’d completely forgotten about in his post-adrenaline rant.

"Oh. That. I didn’t even—"

His words cut off as warm crimson energy flowed from Cyrus’s fingertips, washing over the injury with gentle heat.

The pain Kane hadn’t realized he was carrying dissolved instantly, along with the dried blood and debris.

Cyrus held Kane still with his free hand, his touch firm but careful as the magic worked.

"There."

Kane’s fingers explored the smooth, unbroken skin where moments before there had been a jagged cut.

"Thanks. For the... you know."

His voice carried an awkward edge, like he wasn’t quite sure how to process the casual intimacy of being healed.

"The healing thing. Again."

Cyrus leaned back against the couch, creating space between them.

"You should shower and get some rest."

His crimson eyes swept over Kane’s disheveled appearance—torn shirt, scuffed shoes, hair still mussed from their rooftop encounter.

"It’s been a long day."

Kane nodded, suddenly aware of how exhausted he felt.

The amusement park, the mysterious figure, the rogue spirit attack.

"Yeah, I guess roller coasters and tentacle monsters don’t mix well."

Cyrus’s mouth quirked slightly.

"We need to be at Veyr Corp early tomorrow."

Kane straightened, remembering that beneath the amusement park cotton candy and plushie dragons, Cyrus was still a CEO with a multi-billion dollar corporation to run.

"Right. Of course. Business as usual."

He stood, suddenly feeling foolish for monopolizing Cyrus’s entire day.

"I’ll just shower. Sleep. Be ready for corporate assistant duties."