Cyrus's crimson eyes narrowed, his voice sharp with controlled alarm.
"What do you mean the Whispering Shard was stolen?"
Kane winced, realizing in his rush to connect dots, he'd forgotten this crucial detail.
"Right. So, funny story—well, not funny—but I discovered it missing from BSA Evidence Lockup B-7 yesterday."
"Yesterday?" Cyrus's tone carried the dangerous edge Kane recognized from boardroom negotiations. "And you're telling me now?"
"I got distracted with the draconic parchment and bedtime stories," Kane defended, though he knew it sounded weak. "But listen, I had a theory."
He gestured at the vault door behind them.
"The BSA lockup had intact seals, undisturbed wards, and perfect security signatures—just like your penthouse when Elias's men took me. I thought he was using a spirit with molecular phasing abilities, like what happened to Rina accidentally."
Cyrus's expression remained dangerously calm, waiting.
