Olivia walked slowly, each movement feeling like she was approaching the edge of an abyss.
She stopped right in front of Avvion's desk, bowing deeply to hide her pale face.
Avvion did not speak immediately. He leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming against the teak desk surface with a steady rhythm a rhythm that made Olivia's heart race uncontrollably.
Avvion was silent. He looked at the ceiling, then shifted his gaze to the fire roaring in the hearth.
He seemed to be weighing something in his mind, letting the silence torture Olivia.
He remained quiet for a long time.
"You know, Olivia..." Avvion finally spoke, his voice now lower, almost like a whisper.
He paused for a moment, his sharp eyes fixed on a point on the desk, as if searching for answers in the scattered maps. He did not look at Olivia, yet his focus was clearly on her.
"Curiosity is the slowest-acting poison,"
Avvion continued, his tone now flat.
