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The café didn't exist on any map.
No signs. No advertisements. Just a tiny basement door behind a flower shop, marked with a fading paw print sticker and the faint scent of cinnamon.
Hyme wrinkled his nose. "Are you sure this is it?"
San nodded. "This is the address they sent. Hybrid Whisper."
They stepped inside. A winding staircase led them underground, where warm yellow lights flickered like candle flames. The air was thick with coffee, vanilla, and something that smelled suspiciously like… tuna pastries?
A bell chimed softly as they entered.
The café was small—ten tables, a counter, and about five hybrid waitstaff wearing loose aprons and sleepy expressions. No humans.
The barista, a tall dog-eared boy with tired eyes, paused as he saw them. His gaze lingered on Hyme for a second too long.
Then he nodded once. "Private booth. Back corner."
San frowned. "How do you know—?"
"Everyone knows Hyme," the barista said. "Not everyone knows who's brave enough to walk beside him."
San looked back at Hyme, who stared ahead, stoic.
They were led to a booth covered in deep velvet. Moments later, a small black-eared girl with a fox tail slid into the seat across from them, pulling her hoodie low.
"You sent the message?" San asked.
She gave a cautious nod. "Call me Nyra. I worked at Reiks' estate for two years before I ran."
Hyme leaned forward, eyes sharp. "What happened to the missing staff?"
Nyra licked her lips, glancing around before she whispered, "They didn't quit. They were taken. And not by humans."
San's jaw clenched. "Hybrids?"
"More like enhanced hybrids. Artificial ones. Reiks is working on splicing human intelligence into feral breeds. The result? Half-mindless hybrids with terrifying strength—and no rights."
Hyme's ears flattened. "That's illegal."
Nyra smiled bitterly. "Only if you get caught."
She slid over a flash drive. "Names, dates, secret shipments. All copied from the system before I ran."
San stared. "Why are you giving this to us?"
"Because the Council won't listen to a runaway fox girl," she said. "But they might listen to the heir of the Velvet Tail family."
Hyme froze. "You know who I am."
"Everyone in the underground does," Nyra said. "You're the kitten with claws who refuses to live under your father's shadow. You're the only one with enough money, power, and stubbornness to fight back."
San looked at Hyme. "You okay?"
Hyme swallowed, then nodded. "I'll take it to the Council."
Nyra shook her head. "Not yet. Not unless you want to disappear too. First, gather more. Proof. Testimonies. Media interest. Once the world's watching, they can't bury it."
San stood. "Then we'll get more."
As they prepared to leave, Nyra added softly, "Be careful. Reiks knows your face now. Both of you."
Outside the café, it had started to drizzle. Hyme didn't say anything for a long time, walking with his ears tucked low under his hoodie. San finally reached over and grabbed Hyme's hand.
"Scared?"
"…A little."
"Me too," San said. "But I'll protect you. You're not fighting this alone."
Hyme looked up at him, those silver cat eyes reflecting streetlights like stars.
"…San?"
"Yeah?"
Hyme took a deep breath.
"Can I sleep in your bed tonight?"
San choked. "What?! Why?!"
"…Because I'm scared," Hyme said honestly, gripping his hand tighter.
San sighed, face burning. "You're already sleeping there every night."
"This time I'll let you be the big spoon," Hyme whispered.
San groaned, dragging his hoodie over his head. "I regret everything."
But he didn't let go of Hyme's hand.
Not once.
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