The cold had deepened by the time Isaac and Seraphine left Bransfield's estate. The fog that clung to the cobblestone streets seemed thicker, swirling around them as they walked, casting the gas lamps' faint glow in hazy halos. Isaac was quiet, his thoughts spinning through the information they had uncovered inside the mansion. Something was still missing—a piece of the puzzle that hadn't yet fallen into place.
They hadn't gotten far when a figure stepped out of the shadows, his approach too smooth and deliberate to be anything but planned. Isaac's hand instinctively moved to the revolver hidden beneath his coat, but the man made no threatening move. His posture was calm, almost casual, as if he'd been waiting for them.
"Isaac," the man greeted with a soft, knowing smile. "Seraphine."
Seraphine stiffened beside Isaac, her sharp eyes assessing the stranger with a flicker of recognition, but she said nothing. Isaac narrowed his gaze. Whoever this was, he wasn't an ordinary passerby.
"And you are?" Isaac asked, his voice low, ready for anything.
"Sylas Leo," the man replied smoothly, dipping his head in a polite nod. He was well-dressed, with the air of someone who moved in circles far beyond the dingy streets of New Aldmoor. His coat was tailored, his dark hair slicked back with precision, and there was a certain gleam in his eyes that told Isaac this man wasn't here by chance.
"You're here for a reason," Isaac said, cutting through the pleasantries.
Sylas chuckled softly. "You're quick, as they say. Yes, I am. Let's just say I know things. Things about Bransfield, and I imagine you do too, now that you've been snooping around his property."
Isaac's eyes flicked to Seraphine, who stood still, her expression unreadable. Whoever Sylas Leo was, he wasn't here to waste time.
"What exactly do you know?" Isaac pressed.
Sylas glanced around, his gaze sweeping the darkened street before returning to Isaac. "Let's not pretend we don't know what's at stake here. Bransfield's death isn't some random act of violence. He was involved with dangerous people, Isaac. People who don't take kindly to prying eyes."
Isaac raised an eyebrow. "And you're offering this information... why?"
Sylas smiled again, though there was no warmth in it. "Because I have my own interests in this. Let's just say I prefer to be on the side of those who might uncover the truth, rather than those who keep it buried."
Isaac's grip on his revolver tightened beneath his coat, though he made no move to draw it. Sylas Leo was far too composed for a simple informant. There was something about the man that set Isaac's instincts on edge.
"Bransfield was involved with the Tarot Society," Sylas continued, as if sensing Isaac's suspicions. "He had dealings with them, yes. And now that he's dead, there's a power vacuum, one that people are scrambling to fill. The Society doesn't like disorder, but they like secrets even less. And Bransfield knew things—dangerous things."
The Tarot Society. Isaac's eyes narrowed. That name had been whispered before, always in hushed tones, but he had never dealt with them directly. Yet, it seemed that this case, whether he liked it or not, was going to lead him straight into their path.
"And what do you know about these... secrets?" Isaac asked, his tone carefully measured.
Sylas's eyes glittered in the dim light. "Enough to know that Bransfield wasn't the only one playing a dangerous game. The Emperor has taken a particular interest in this case. If you keep digging, Isaac, you're going to find yourself crossing paths with him soon enough."
Isaac's expression didn't change, but inside, his thoughts raced. The Emperor. The name carried weight, even in the underworld of New Aldmoor. Whoever he was, this mysterious figure had power—real power—and was tied to the Tarot Society in ways that Isaac had yet to fully grasp.
"You're saying this as if it's meant to scare me off," Isaac said, his voice cold.
Sylas chuckled again, though this time there was an edge to it. "Not at all. In fact, I think you'll find that this case is much more interesting than you first thought. But be careful. Not everyone plays fair in this city. The Emperor may not be your only enemy."
Isaac said nothing, letting Sylas's words sink in. The man was telling him just enough to keep him intrigued, but Isaac knew better than to trust someone who appeared out of nowhere with convenient information. Still, Sylas Leo had given him a lead, one that he couldn't ignore.
"And what's in it for you?" Isaac finally asked, his voice low.
Sylas smiled, stepping back into the shadows. "Let's just say I have a vested interest in seeing how this plays out. The more chaos you cause for them, the better it is for me."
Before Isaac could respond, Sylas turned and disappeared into the fog, leaving only the faint echo of his footsteps behind. Isaac stood there for a moment, his mind spinning with the new information. The Tarot Society, the Emperor, and now this mysterious Sylas Leo. The web of intrigue was growing thicker with every step.
Beside him, Seraphine finally spoke. "He's dangerous, Isaac. We can't trust him."
"I know," Isaac replied, his eyes still fixed on the spot where Sylas had vanished. "But that doesn't mean we won't use him."
Seraphine nodded, though her expression remained tense. Isaac turned and began walking again, his mind already racing ahead. Sylas Leo had just added a new layer to the mystery, and Isaac wasn't about to back down now.
Whatever game the Tarot Society was playing, Isaac was going to get to the bottom of it—no matter the cost.