The carriage drove quietly through the cobbled streets, the steady clatter of the horses' hooves echoing through the dark alleys. The inside of the carriage was dimly lit, enough for Viviana to be seen leaning back in her seat. She looked pleased, if not surprised.
Corin let his head sink against the cool glass of the window backrest as he watched the city pass them by. The buildings here were old, dark brick, gothic towers, windows in which candles occasionally flickered. The bridges loomed in the distance, black against the hazy sky.
Then, a huge statue.
A huge snake, its body wrapped around a broken obelisk. Eyes of deep black onyx, gleaming in the faint lantern light.
Something told him that he had seen it before, but something about it also disturbed him.
"What is that?" he asked quietly.
Viviana followed his gaze, then smirked. "Remnants of the past."
He raised a brow. "And now?"
"A monument to a time no one wants back." She waved him off. "You shouldn't get hung up on things that have already fallen. The ones that are yet to fall are much more interesting."
Corin let her words roll off her tongue.
"So today was... a punishment?"
She tilted her head, scrutinizing him with a mixture of interest and amusement. "Not exactly. A statement."
"About the Council?"
Viviana smiled. It wasn't cool, not cold, but something else. Calculating.
"A family forgot their place and took liberties they weren't entitled to." She crossed her legs, letting one finger wander thoughtfully over the armrest of the carriage. "And now... they weill be reminded of their place."
Corin remained silent.
He was no fool. He didn't need any more details to know that this family had no future.
"Is this usual?" His voice was neutral, his eyes wary.
"Of course." Viviana sounded almost amused. "Do you think power sustains itself?"
He scrutinized her for a moment.
She was beautiful, flawlessly beautiful. And yet she had a kind of toughness about her that couldn't be described in words.
"So you like assassinations?"
She laughed softly. "Like? Not necessarily. But it's my job."
He frowned. "Really?"
"My brother." She let the sentence hover for a moment, as if considering how much she wanted to tell him. "Negotiates. He speaks. He persuades."
Her gaze darkened.
"I'll take care of what's no longer negotiable."
Corin saw her fingers run briefly over the back of her hand. An unconscious reflex. It wasn't a question of whether she wanted to.
It was a necessity.
A thought crept into his head, what would she be if she wasn't Viviana Virelli?
But he didn't ask the question.
Instead, he leaned back and looked outside again. The city continued to glide past them, the fog swallowing up the streets. The snake statue disappeared into the darkness.
---------------------------------------------------------
The morning was cool, and the fog had settled over the academy like a sleeping animal. The carriage rolled across the cobbled academy grounds before stopping in front of the grand entrance. Corin stretched slightly as he got out.
Viviana's words still echoed in his mind. "You'll understand."
It was a typical response from her. Direct, yet veiled enough to leave more questions than answers.
The weekend had passed faster than he had expected. And it had taught him a clear lesson.
He was good. Faster. Sharper. His instincts had become more refined, his control over the raven path increased. But Viviana had still dominated him easily.
There was a gap between rank 2 and rank 3 and above that, he could really feel that now.
He was a talent, but he was still rank 2.
His gaze slid over the familiar buildings of the academy. The second week began. And with it came new challenges.
The new day began.
"Corin!"
Cearen. Of course.
His roommate was leaning casually against one of the stone pillars that lined the entrance area. His expression was hard to read, as always.
"So, how was the weekend in high society?" Cearen let out a wry grin.
Corin just shrugged his shoulders. "Revealing."
"Hmm." Cearen pushed herself away from the pillar and studied him for a moment. For too long.
Then he nodded. "You look different. Not physically, but something has changed."
Corin laughed softly. "Maybe I've learned how to dress better."
Cearen didn't return the smile directly, but his gaze remained sharp.
"No you always knew how to do that. Maybe you've learned how quickly you can die."
A moment of silence. Then Cearen pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to Corin.
"Before I forget. They've been looking for you."
Corin took the note. A wax seal, he seal of the disciplinary committee.
He smiled softly. Of course they had.
The week had barely begun and the first things were already waiting for him.