San was on the couch, lazily scrolling through some news reports and surveillance data related to hybrid attacks. His laptop cast a pale glow across his chest, Hyme curled like a loaf of bread beside him, tail gently flicking.
Ding.
A message box popped up in the corner of the screen. It was an anonymous encrypted message—but San recognized the typing style instantly.
"I need your help. – Lyra"
San sat up straighter, eyes narrowing. "Hyme," he murmured. "I'm heading out for a bit."
Hyme blinked awake. "Where?"
"To meet a fox," San said, closing the laptop.
---
The alley behind the abandoned café smelled faintly of blood. San walked cautiously, his hands ready to defend, when he heard a weak voice from the shadows.
"About time…" Lyra's voice was a rasp.
She was leaning against the wall, her shoulder bleeding through her clothes, one ear half-torn, a gash down her thigh. Even in pain, she smirked faintly when she saw him.
"What the hell happened?" San asked, immediately rushing over and helping her stand.
"I was attacked," Lyra whispered. "They found out I've been feeding information to you. Two hybrids and something… something I've never seen before. With silver eyes."
San's jaw clenched. "You're lucky you made it out alive."
"Barely." She coughed, clutching her ribs. "I need a place to lie low. Somewhere off-grid."
Without hesitation, San messaged Hyme. Within minutes, they were in the car with Lyra in the back seat, wrapped in a hoodie and a thermal blanket.
Hyme glanced over his shoulder. "We can't bring her to the estate. It's too exposed."
San thought for a moment. Then smirked.
"I know someone who hates favors. Perfect time to make her owe me."
---
"Wait, wait, wait. Let me get this straight," Wooyoung said, arms crossed as she stared at the injured fox on her guestroom bed. "You want me to babysit a bleeding spy fox with assassins on her tail?"
San nodded.
"You owe me, remember?" he added with a smug smile.
Wooyoung rolled her eyes. "I said I'd help you with cat boy drama, not house a traitor fox. But fine. She's cute, I'll allow it."
Lyra raised a weak hand. "I'm right here."
"Quiet, I'm negotiating your bed privileges."
After giving Wooyoung the medical supplies and a burner phone, San and Hyme finally returned to the estate.
But just as they stepped inside, a strange chill ran down Hyme's spine.
Something was… off.
On the marble floor of Hyme's room lay a pristine white envelope with golden wax. San bent down and picked it up.
There was no address.
Just words, written in an elegant, sweeping hand:
"To my beloved half-hybrid."
Hyme's fingers trembled as he took the letter and opened it slowly.
Inside was a single sheet of parchment.
"Ten days remain. I wonder—will your human still look at you the same after I peel back your precious mask? You were born of two worlds, and soon, you'll have to choose one.
Will you be mine then, little prince?"
—L"
Hyme's eyes widened, tail puffing out in terror.
San grabbed the letter and read it, expression darkening.
"It's him. Lys."
Hyme swallowed hard. "He's… watching us."
"Then let him," San growled. "We'll show him that even a 'half-hybrid' has claws."
But Hyme didn't speak.
His hand stayed clenched around the envelope, heart pounding with a mixture of dread… and something else.
Why did that final sentence sound like a twisted promise?
---