Ghost Lock Read Online Free Page B

did. Had Rezir Shahan’s men not tried to take the
son of the Champion of Marsis as a slave, then the Istarish
nobleman might still rule Marsis as an Istarish emirate. If anyone
threatened my child, Caina would treat them as she had treated the
late, unlamented Rezir Shahan. It was strange that one woman could
have done so much. Yet through cunning and bluff, Caina had
defeated powerful enemies…
    I blinked.
    Cunning and bluff…
    “Markaine,” I said. “How much heat does that dagger
of yours have stored up?”
    “Quite a lot,” he said. “Cutting through that much
steel…well, if you want anyone burned alive, I can do it.”
    I nodded. “I have an idea.”
    “We can’t run,” said Caina, “and we can’t fight
them.”
    I smiled at her. “No, so I’m going to follow your
example. I’m going to bluff. Markaine. Give me that vial.” He
handed it to me, an amused smile upon his face. The man was a
madman, but I thought I could make use of him. “When I give the
word, throw the dagger.”
    He raised his gray eyebrows. “And whom shall I throw
it at?”
    “The floor. You’ll know where,” I said.
    “Wife,” said Martin. “What are you doing?”
    I looked at the concern in his gray eyes and smiled.
“Do you trust me?”
    “Completely,” said Martin.
    “Then let’s put on a show,” I said, drawing myself
up. It was hard to look regal with the pain in my back and the
bloated feeling in my midsection, but I did it nonetheless. I was
Decius Aberon’s daughter, and he had been the First Magus of the
Imperial Magisterium. I knew how to conduct myself with commanding
dignity.
    At least, I thought I did. It was time to find
out.
    The door to the study burst open, and Khardav and
four mercenaries strode inside.
    They came to a stop when they saw us.
    “What,” I said, putting icy hauteur into my voice,
“is the meaning of this?”
    Khardav hesitated, and then stepped forward, a
wolfish smile on his face.
    “You should be asleep, Lady Claudia,” he said, a
thick Ulkaari accent coloring his words.
    “You are a fool,” I said, “and you court
destruction.”
    Khardav snorted. “Do I?”
    “Do you really wish to interfere with the business of
the Umbarian Order?” I said.
    I gestured and worked a spell of psychokinetic force.
I didn’t have enough time to assemble enough power or focus for
anything drastic, but the result was like a stiff wind blowing
through the study, enough to rock Khardav and his mercenaries back
a few steps.
    “We already know you are a magus, Lady Claudia,” said
Khardav. “Powerful enough to perform a few tricks, but nothing
more.”
    “Indeed?” I said. “Do you also know that I am a magus
of the Umbarian Order myself?”
    Martin gave me an astonished look, and Caina
blinked.
    “What foolishness is this?” said Khardav.
    “I, Claudia Aberon Dorius, am a magus of the Umbarian
Order, sent here by command of the Provosts,” I said. “You are
interfering with the business of my Order. I am feeling lenient
today, so if you leave at once, I will exact no further
retribution.”
    Several of the mercenaries looked at each other,
doubt appearing on their faces.
    “Lies,” said Khardav. “We were not hired to kill you,
but to take the contents of the safe. No one need die here today.
Let us take the safe, and we shall be on our way.”
    “You desire proof?” I said. “Then you shall have it.
The Imperial Magisterium, the craven fools, cannot wield the power
of pyromancy. The Umbarian Order can. This is your last chance.
Leave or you shall see just how much of an Umbarian I am.”
    Khardav snorted. “A bluff.”
    “So be it,” I said, pointing at the floor between
Khardav and his men. “Markaine.”
    The black-coated man nodded and flung his black
dagger. It struck the stone floor and sank several inches into the
ground. For a moment nothing happened, the gem in the pommel’s hilt
shining with red light.
    Then the explosion came.
    A blast of fire erupted from the