"Come," Alcuin said, and the door opened. It opened into a small living area that included a kitchen and a small table, and Alcuin had clearly just stood from one of the chairs. There was a bottle of wine and two glasses on it. He was wearing loose, flowing clothing with layers of translucent fabric that fluttered in ways that seemed to give glimpses of skin.

"Would you like some wine?" he asked pleasantly. "I thought we might talk for a bit." Because he could tell from their previous conversation that that was part of what Hex wanted.