Read Online Jonathan Moeller - The Ghosts 07 - Ghost in the Ashes by Jonathan Moeller - Free Book Online Page A

of Kularus?
    And, she realized, he would be back.
    Shaizid appeared at her side. “Mistress? One of the Kindred was here.”
    “Where?” said Caina.
    “Talking to the Istarish merchant in the black coat,” said Shaizid.
    “That was Nalazar, one of the Istarish Kindred,” said Caina. “You know the man with him?”
    “Yes, mistress,” said Shaizid. “He calls himself Tasca, though I suspect that is not his real name. He is a Kindred of the Malarae family, and arranges meetings with clients.”
    “And fellow Kindred, it seems,” muttered Caina. So Nalazar had turned to the local Kindred for help. That meant Nalazar would have more men at his disposal. On the other hand, the Ghosts knew many of the Malarae family’s members, and it gave them a better chance of tracking Nalazar’s movements. 
    And perhaps it would keep the Malarae Kindred from going after Tanzir Shahan, if someone hired them to kill the new Lord Ambassador. 
    “If they return, mistress, shall I have them killed?” said Shaizid.
    “No,” said Caina. “Just have them followed. Discreetly. See where they go. Once we know more, then we can act.”
    “It will be as you say,” said Shaizid with a bow.
    Caina returned to the table where Corvalis sat with Halfdan. A few of the nearby merchants watched her from the corners of their eyes. No doubt they wanted to see how the little drama with the slap played out.
    “Well?” said Halfdan.
    Caina sat down. “That was Nalazar. Shaizid says he was with one of the local Kindred agents, a man named Tasca.”
    “A Speaker,” murmured Corvalis. “A brother who negotiates with the clients, or arranges deals with the other families, is a Speaker.” 
    “Then it would seem,” said Halfdan, “that Nalazar has decided to engage Malarae’s Kindred family for help.”
    Corvalis frowned. “Then he didn’t follow Muravin here?”
    Caina shook her head. “As far as I can tell, he came here for information and to meet Tasca.”
    Halfdan laughed, long and loud.
    “What is it?” said Caina. 
    “This,” said Halfdan, gesturing at the tables around them. “What a perfect little trap you have constructed for us, my dear. Tracking down the secrets of our foes is hard work. Yet now they come to the House of Kularus to plot, and we need only sit and wait for them.” He lifted his cup. “All while drinking fine coffee. Though truly civilized men prefer wine, of course.” 
    “Thank you,” said Caina. “I had Shaizid keep watch for them. I suspect both Nalazar and Tasca will return. When they do, Shaizid can have them followed…and we’ll know where Nalazar is hiding. Then we can settle with him, and Muravin and Mahdriva can go on their way.” 
    “Good,” said Halfdan, finishing his coffee and standing. “Well, we have work to be about.”
    Corvalis stood and took Caina’s hand. “Kiss me.”
    “What?” said Caina. 
    “We quarreled, you slapped me, and you ran off,” said Corvalis. “Now you are overcome with desire for me, and have returned to my side once more.” He smiled. “Our audience deserves a resolution to our little drama, do they not?”
    “Oh, of course,” said Caina. “And the fact that you would enjoy it is a mere coincidence?”
    “A fact of no consequence whatsoever,” said Corvalis.
    Caina laughed, took his head in both hands, and kissed him long and hard upon the lips. She heard the murmurs of amusement from the nearby tables, but did not care. 
    It was part of her disguise as Sonya Tornesti.
    And masquerading as Sonya Tornesti did have some compensations. 

Chapter 6 - The Gardeners

    Eight days after leaving Muravin and Mahdriva at the House of Kularus, Caina awoke before dawn and practiced the unarmed forms. 
    She moved over and over again through the forms Akragas had taught her at the Vineyard, years ago. The high block. The middle palm strike. The unarmed throw, the middle kick, and the leg sweep. Between sets she stood balanced upon one leg, her other