"Nafrat was in the innermost bedroom of her mansion, furnished with floor-to-ceiling windows on one side that offered a stunning view of the forest outside. She'd acquired a large sum of wealth in all her years, and spent a generous fraction of it on a dwelling where she wouldn't be bothered by people seeking her expertise or magical abilities. She sat with her eyes closed on the floor listening to the serene recording of a tanpura, meditating as the fragrance of incense wafted from the nightstand behind her. Her peaceful meditation was broken, however, when she heard a knock on her front door." "Damn pests," "she muttered venomously, golden eyes snapping open."