Vixen knew.
The man who had been in the house with Kin just moments ago—
was not Shen Seizan.
His expression sharpened.
> "Kin, do you remember the talisman I brought home six months ago?"
Kin blinked, then nodded slowly.
> "Yes… I remember."
> "Where is it now?" Vixen asked.
Kin hesitated.
> "I… put it in Shen's bedroom closet."
The moment those words left his lips, a thought struck him like lightning.
Why… why hadn't Shen been able to enter his own bedroom earlier?
The realization was instant.
Kin's pulse quickened, and he quickly recounted everything—
From the moment Shen had arrived, to him avoiding his bedroom door, to standing there like a shadow.
Vixen's eyes darkened. He understood.
Whatever had come here wearing Shen's face was not human.
It had come for one reason only—
To harm the child growing inside Kin.
---
Vixen pulled Kin into a fierce embrace, voice low but unshakable.
> "No matter what it takes, I will protect you and our child. Even if it costs me my life, I will keep you safe."
Kin clung to him tightly, shaking his head.
> "Don't say that… I've already lost you once. I can't bear to lose you again. I'll fight too—to protect you and our baby. I was just… shocked. Seeing Shen after so many months… I didn't think clearly."
Vixen's gaze was steady.
> "Did he touch you? Hug you? Or did you touch him?"
Kin shook his head.
> "No… he kept his distance the whole time."
---
Later, after Vixen had freshened up, the two sat down to dinner.
Vixen fed Kin gently, but his voice was grim.
> "Even if we find Shen… he will never come back to us as he was. Not in his true form."
Kin's chest tightened with sadness, but Vixen placed a warm hand over his.
> "Stay strong. Whatever happens, we need to be careful from now on. Shen's been missing for months… no one has been able to find him. Don't you think that's… suspicious?"
Kin met his gaze, and his voice was quiet.
> "Yes… it is."
Vixen nodded once, firmly.
> "Then from this moment on—we don't let our guard down. Not for a second."
The unspoken fear hung in the air—
Whoever… or whatever… had walked into their home tonight was not done with them yet.
---
Continue...