Ghost in the Throne (Ghost Exile #7) Read Online Free

Caina. 
    “Because the Teskilati spies are more interested in us than in you,” said Strabane. “The Padishah’s secret police have been trying to creep into the villages of the Kaltari ever since the Inferno burned. The fools are worried that we shall march to join Tanzir Shahan in the south.”
    “Because you are,” said Caina.
    “Because we are,” said Strabane. “The clans of the Kaltari have met in moot, and have decided to join the emir Tanzir and march to restore sound government to Istarinmul. The stormdancer has been useful in hunting down the spies and the demon-worshippers who support Callatas. Even saved my life once or twice.” Kylon offered a grim nod. It seemed that hunting down Teskilati agents and Kaltari demon-worshippers had been how he had passed the time while waiting for Caina to awaken. “When we’ve interrogated prisoners, they claim to have been sent south to spy upon the Kaltari and Tanzir’s allies. Not a word about the Balarigar or these ancient relics of yours.” 
    “That…doesn’t make sense,” said Caina, puzzled. “Kalgri followed us for months. She knew everything. Surely she would have realized we had gone to Drynemet, and she would have gone to Callatas with the news.” She felt herself frown. “Unless…”
    “Unless the Huntress did not return to Istarinmul,” said Nasser, finishing the thought.
    “Why would she do that?” said Caina. For an awful instant the memory of Kalgri’s blade plunging into her flesh felt as visceral and real as if it had happened again. Caina’s heart sped up, and she wanted to spin and make sure Kalgri wasn’t standing behind her. 
    “Because she is a madwoman,” said Kylon. There was venom in his voice. “Because she delights in suffering and death. Likely she is following us to kill Caina and avenge her failure at Rumarah.” 
    That thought sent another wave of fear through Caina, but she forced it aside, forced herself to think.
    “No,” said Caina. “Well. Maybe. But she’s not insane. Twisted and cruel and evil, yes, but not insane. She always does things for a reason, and that reason is to kill as many people as possible. She might be following us to kill me and salve her pride, but she wouldn’t put herself at risk to do it. No, if she hasn’t gone back to Callatas and she hasn’t come after me, then...”
    She thought for a moment, the others watching her without impatience. She supposed they had seen her puzzle through things often enough by now.  
    “Then,” said Caina at last, “she is only delaying because she thinks a delay will allow her to kill even more people.”
    It was a dark thought, but it made sense. 
    “Perhaps the Huntress wishes to steal the relics for herself,” said Laertes.
    “I doubt it,” said Caina. “She’s not a sorceress. She couldn’t use them.”
    “Then to steal them, lay them before her master, and take the credit?” said Strabane.
    “Maybe,” Caina conceded. “Were it anyone else, I would agree. But Kalgri doesn’t care about the credit. I don’t think she cares what Callatas thinks of her. The only thing she cares about is killing. She’s worse than Sicarion was.”
    “Sicarion?” said Annarah.
    “An assassin,” said Kylon. 
    “Like me?” said Morgant. 
    “Not like you,” said Kylon. “Worse than you.”
    “Well,” said Morgant. “He must have been bad indeed.”
    “He was a necromancer,” said Kylon. “A disciple of the Moroaica. Ah…I think she was called in Iramis…”
    “The Herald of Ruin,” said Caina, still thinking about Kalgri. The Huntress was planning something, Caina was certain. She just could not see what it was, and that could be fatal. Twice before Caina had misjudged Kalgri’s plans, and she had nearly been killed both times. 
    Life rarely offered second chances. It would not offer a third.
    “The Herald of Ruin,” said Kylon. “She taught Sicarion the necromancy of ancient Maat. One of the spells let him graft flesh