A long breath trembled through the air, like a presence slipping in behind Dylan. Someone — or something — had entered the room, without opening a door. Without a sound. Like a silhouette barely visible in the corner of the eye. Not human. But not hostile. Or at least, not yet.
"You can leave, of course. Take your pay, do what you like with your gold. But you can also… stay. And listen. Because you're here for a reason, Dylan. Even if you don't know it yet."
His name. The man had said it without Dylan ever giving it.
And for the first time in a long while, Dylan felt something stir in his chest.
Not fear.
Not yet.
But the thing that comes just before.
Dylan couldn't believe it — his eyes remained locked on the supposed man in front of him. The figure didn't move, simply returned the stare, a fixed smile on his lips.
"You seem surprised I know your name. Is that so strange? Besides, you've got the kind of name that screams bastard."
