Vile

Vile is a narrow, elegant dagger of mirror-black steel, no longer than a handspan, with a grip wrapped in pale stitched leather that feels warm as skin. Its crossguard is shaped like two folded wings, and its pommel is set with a small shard of smoked crystal that pulses when blood is nearby. The blade never seems still for long. In dim light, a thin red gleam crawls along its edge like a satisfied smile. When commanded, it lifts from the hand with uncanny poise, hovering as if held by invisible fingers.