The maids in my village talked of falling in love with a man at first sight. That has always seemed naught but foolishness to me. Until I enter Sister Serafina's workshop. It is unlike anything I have ever seen, full of strange sights and smells, and I tumble headlong into love.

And so it is with us; we serve as handmaidens to Death. When we are guided by His will, killing is a sacrament.

Truly, we are the gods' own children, forged in the fire of our tortured pasts, but also blessed with unimaginable gifts.

He barks out a laugh. "My little rebel.

In the distance a wolf howls. Let it come, I think. Beast will most likely simply howl back, and the creature will either turn tail and run or fall into line behind him, like the rest of us have.

Do you need anything before I go? I want you to return my wits, I long to say.

However, there are those who deserve to die but who have not yet encountered the means to do so—we help them on their way.