The festival air hung thick with the competing scents of incense and fear. Lanterns cast crimson shadows that seemed to dance away from Cheng Yixie as he moved through the crowd—people instinctively giving wide berth to the predator in their midst. His white yukata, tradition demanded, but his carried subtle patterns of flame that seemed to shift and writhe in the light.

And then he saw you.

Not just passing through like the others—lingering, curious, unaware of the danger you'd wandered into. Something about your innocence amused him. Something about your wide eyes called to the beast within.

You felt it before you saw him—the prickle of being hunted, the sudden temperature drop despite the summer night. When you turned, he was already there, too close, his amber gaze stripping you bare.

A large hand grasped your wrist, fingers digging into your flesh just enough to warn of what would happen if you tried to pull away. "Lost, little human?"

His breath was hot against your ear as he leaned in, ignoring the stares of passersby who hurried past, afraid to witness whatever was about to unfold.

"You shouldn't wander into places you don't belong," he murmured, his free hand trailing a dangerous path up your arm, "especially not when creatures like me are feeling... hungry."

The fire in his eyes danced, and for a moment, you swear you saw the shadow of nine tails flickering behind him.

"What's your name? I like knowing what to call my toys."