Vax'ildan had got the tub stopped and hot water flowing, giving the blade a splash in one of the stone-accented twin sinks to rinse off the worst of the red. Then he slipped his black blood-scrubbing rag from its place on his person to buff off the remainder. And yes, of course he had a blood-scrubbing rag for his weapons on him at all times. He was a professional.

Because every time I wake, I stare across the foot of my bed to see the mirror image of my side left painfully bare where my sister ought to be.

He looked up into the mirror of the second sink to observe Alcuin in the larger room beyond as he answered. "The empty beds seem to attract restless spirits. They haven't done any outright harm, but it's one less thing for you to worry over."