Old Wounds (7)

The house was empty when Iris returned. She was surprised that the parents were out. Didn't they ever stay at home? Every other day they were going somewhere. Age clearly didn't interfere with their habits of always being on the move.

It would have been fine if that didn't mean that the house was locked. Iris had to wait till Kyro returned to get inside.

"How was the day?" she asked when they were back in their room.

"Could be worse. Gale's missing, as expected, but the partnership with Quagmire is going well so far. Influencers have done their job, and we're about ready to make the big announcement."

Iris sat down on the bed, thinking about what he said. "About ready? That means you still need something?"

"More like I don't want to spook Horten. If they find out about the cooperation, they'll start having doubts about my sincerity in considering their offer."

He didn't say much more than that, and Iris didn't ask him. He'd promised her it was going to be a good show, and she was looking forward to it. Only problem was that she wasn't going to be able to attend the event.

The next couple days passed in no time, and the long awaited day was upon them. Iris was a bit disappointed to not have heard from Elise in that time, but it was not up to her to make it happen. If the two people didn't want to clear their consciences, she couldn't force them.

When Kyro was about to leave for the event, Iris jumped in front of him and screamed. She more than likely looked silly trying to block a giant human as a little fennec, but he didn't walk past her.

"Is something the matter?" Kyro asked. Dressed in a fancier suit than usually, he looked like some undercover spy from a movie.

Iris thought that she should have already gotten used to how handsome he was, but it still caught her off guard sometimes. Like right then.

"Iris?" Kyro probed, bending down to pet her head. "I need to be leaving."

His words brought Iris back from her mini-daydream, and she jumped into his hands. He caught her on instinct, then held her back at an arm's length. "I don't need your hair on my suit."

She screamed at him, and when he put her on the floor, she ran out of the house and stopped before the car. She didn't wasn't to miss the event—it was as simple as that. How could she not witness Jane's downfall with her own eyes?

Was it unreasonable? Probably. But she really wanted to see what would happen! It wasn't every day that she could see her boyfriend's ex be put down in a very public manner.

"How do you expect me to bring you along?" Kyro asked, giving her a deadpan stare. "It's too dangerous for you to come as yourself, and as a fennec…"

Would she have to use her secret weapon? She closed her eyes for a second, then changed her position to be sitting on her haunches with tail wrapped halfway around her legs. When she thought she was ready, she looked up at Kyro with wide, teary eyes, begging him to reconsider.

After a second, he looked away, groaning. "Iris…"

She went on her belly and extended her front paws before herself. Putting her head on them, she whined softly at him.

"You-you…" Kyro took out his phone and snapped a photo before Iris could react. "Get in the car," he muttered after, opening the driver's door.

He seemed quite annoyed, but Iris didn't really mind it and jumped up in joy. She did a quick dance around him to express her appreciation, then rushed into the car and went to sit on the passenger seat like a model fox.

Kyro shook his head at her before sitting down as well and starting the car. "You're dangerous."

Laughing at his words, Iris went down from the seat and curled up below. In case something happened, there wouldn't be anywhere to fall for her over there.

Once they arrived, Kyro attracted many gazes. Most were because of simply who he was, but a good portion came from the fact that he was carrying a fennec. Iris was certain of that based on how many people did a double-take upon seeing her.

She could see right away that no other man was carrying around a pocket dog, or any other animal for that matter. There were a couple women, but that didn't attract attention. The image they had cultivated fit perfectly with bringing along a beloved pet.

"Do you want to steal the tabloids from the main show?" Gale asked instead of greeting them upon sneaking up on them from behind.

The look Kyro gave him chilled even Iris in his hands. She let her ears fall flat against her head to make herself look smaller. She had absolutely nothing to do with this. Nothing at all.

"Are you sure that's not you?" Kyro asked after, and Iris raised her head.

Next to Gale, instead of some glamorous woman, walked Lily in a beautiful light blue gown. It matched her eyes, while curly, golden hair were draped around her shoulders. She grinned at Iris, and her heart almost leaped out of her chest.

The little girl was going to steal every man's heart when she grew up!

At Kyros' words, Gale looked down at his sister with an indulgent expression. "I thought I should show her around. She's been cooped at home for far too long."

Lily's smile brightened at that, and she came to pat Iris with shining eyes. Iris was sure there was something hidden in them, a promise maybe, but she wasn't sure she wanted to know what kind of exactly. The time Lily mentioned all kinds of hero stuff hadn't yet faded away from her memory.

After that, both Kyro and Gale went to mingle among the crowd. They talked with one group, then another, separating, and then entering the same group again. It was like they were playing a melody only they could hear.

Their actions seemed natural, not one conversation sounded forced or uncomfortable. They also were mostly approached by other people instead of going around themselves, yet it seemed like they were the ones in control. Everyone was moving by their rhythm.

When it was twenty to seven o'clock, the two met up again. There were smiles on both their faces, but Iris could tell that mischievousness hid behind them. They looked like little boys who had stolen from the cookie jar and were unable to hide their pride and excitement for not being found out.

"The show's about to start," Gale whispered, his eyes sparkling as he looked around them. "We should find a good viewpoint."

"I wonder if I should find a place to hide," Kyro said with a laugh. There was not the least bit of guilt in him for what was about to befall Jane.

"I'll protect you!" Lily piped up, coming to stand in front of them, looking all serious.

The two men chuckled at her eagerness, then led her near the right wall. It was going to be better to take in the show from the sidelines. There, they could see all that unveiled.

Iris felt a bit weird at how nonchalant they acted when about to destroy the career of someone they knew, but then she remembered the crazy woman who had chased her around her house while promising to snap her neck the moment she caught up.

That evaporated the last shreds of Iris' regret. She didn't like hurting other people, but there was a limit, one Jane had overstepped and then ran past like it wasn't even there. Coming over to insult her, putting fake charges on her, breaking and entering, threatening bodily harm—just how far hadn't she gone?

Whatever happened to Jane, she deserved all of it.