Viviana finally led him to a room closed by two massive doors. When these opened silently, they revealed the interior. A high room, many bookshelves standing on old carpets. The twilight could be seen through the windows.
And there he sat in an armchair by the fireplace.
Tall, pale hair, black clothes, and an incomparable presence that even suppressed Viviana's.
Viviana stepped forward with a short bow and a slight smile.
"Aurelio. I bring a... guest."
The man did not look up, continuing to leaf through a book.
"In the middle of the evening. And with a bloody leg."
He closed the book. Looked up. His eyes were ice-cold.
Viviana now spoke with a touch of sharpness.
"He saved my life."
Aurelio blinked for the first time. His eyes empty... perhaps with a little mockery?
"Did he do that? Or did you let him?"
Silence. Corin said nothing. Aurelio fixed him with a look, as if reading him.
"What makes a young man risk his own life?"
Aurelio paused.
"I suppose you did something many wouldn't dare. You interfered."
Viviana gently intervened.
"He's... showing signs. The raven's path. I sensed it myself. He himself has no knowledge."
Aurelio raised his brow slightly, interested.
"The raven. A path from old fairy tales."
Then, with bitter humor.
"And yet he seems to have taken an interest in trash from the alleys lately."
He stood up slowly. Every step seemed like a judgment. Slowly, he raised his eyes, his voice remaining calm.
"You've been meddling. Without knowing in whose affairs."
Corin hesitated.
"I just... saw what happened. And acted."
Aurelio bowing his head slightly.
"Saw. And what exactly did you see?"
Corin hesitated for a moment.
"A woman who was fighting... against something that deserved to be killed."
Aurelio stepped out of the shadow of the armchair, coming closer, his presence cutting like a knife.
"Not what I meant."
He was silent for a moment, then quietly, almost gently:
"What do you know about what you are?"
"Nothing."
Aurelio nodded slowly, almost satisfied.
"I thought so."
He turned to the side, his gaze briefly on Viviana.
"You're an insecurity. But you've helped my bloodline. I can't ignore that."
Aurelio eyed Corin,then, with cool acuity:
"Viviana says you saved her life. Out of curiosity... or guilt?"
Corin remained silent. Aurelio nodded slowly.
"You may stay. As my daughter's guest. But you breathe our air, only as long as you remain silent, learn... and survive."
Aurelio turned away, speaking to Viviana again, but loud enough for Corin to hear.
"Keep him away from the Council. And if he follows the wrong shadows, then you know what to do."
The door slammed shut behind them, hard, final. Everything was silent for a moment. Only the soft echo of their footsteps on the marble floor.
Viviana took a few steps, then stopped, half-turning to face him.
"You impressed him. By his standards, that was almost... friendly."
Corin's expression remained dry.
"That was friendly? I swear his look made my blood run cold."
Viviana smiled slightly.
"It did. But if he really wanted to get rid of you, you'd be long gone."
She eyed him with a tilted gaze.
"You held up well. Some people break just from his stare."
Corin tried to grasp the moment.
"He asked why I did it. Saved you. I don't even know myself. It just... felt wrong to look away."
Viviana nodded slowly, then stepped closer, just a little too close.
"Or maybe you just have a soft spot for women in distress?"
Corin, this time without hesitation:
"It would be rude not to help a lady in need."
Viviana smiled, a real one, rare.
"Careful. Compliments will get you into trouble faster than my family."
She turned away again, walking slowly down the hall.
Viviana snorted over her shoulder:
"Come. You'll need your room. Tomorrow morning, your new life begins."
She paused.
"And in case you're wondering, no, I'm not nice to everyone."
"I believe you immediately."