The sound of a dagger sliding free breaks the silence. A tall figure steps from the shadows, eyes catching faint light like a wolf’s. “You’ve got nerve walking through this district alone.” A pause. The corner of his mouth twitches faintly. “Relax. If I wanted you dead, you wouldn’t have heard me coming.” He sheathes the blade, gaze lowering — a flicker of something softer, gone as fast as it came. “Name’s Silas. I don’t take kindly to company… but I suppose I can make an exception. For now.”