Ghost Omens Read Online Free Page B

it.”
    “How?” said Levinius.
    “We’re going to need to fake your death,” said Caina.

    ### 

    An hour later I hid with Caina, Corvalis, Halfdan, and poor Levinius beneath the stairs, watching the deserted common room.
    The door swung open, and Mordecai strode inside, accompanied by two sergeants of Mors Septimus’s militia, soldiers with the rounded physiques of men more accustomed to comfortable living than violence. Tonia marched after them, her head held high.
    “How did he die?” said Tonia. 
    “Badly, I fear,” said Mordecai. “Some men burst into the inn, claiming that the Emperor Septimus had sent them. They killed a merchant visiting from Malarae, and stabbed your husband to death.”
    “Yes, very tragic,” said Tonia. She looked unconcerned. “So I inherit all his property, yes? He had no children, no other relatives.”
    “That is so,” said Mordecai, frowning at her. “An official record must be made at the magistrates’ hall, and the necessary taxes must be paid, but his property shall be yours.”
    “Very well,” said Tonia with a wave of her hand. “I will pay whatever is necessary.”
    “Some wine to steady your nerves?” said Mordecai, waving at a glass and a skin of wine upon the bar. “I am sure your grief must be overpowering.”
    Tonia smirked. “It is my property now, is it not? I will do with it as I please.” 
    She filled the cup and took a long drink, and I saw Caina smile. 
    Caina straightened up and walked into the common room.
    “You,” said Tonia, frowning at her. “The merchant’s daughter, yes? Lucky you were not killed next to your father.”
    “Yes,” said Caina. “I wouldn’t drink that wine.”
    “Why not?” said Tonia, taking another sip.
    “Well,” said Caina, “some of the men who killed your husband, they put a peculiar powder into the wine.” She held up the leather pouch. “I wonder why. What is in the powder?”
    Tonia’s black eyes widened, and she spat out the wine with alarm. “What? Why didn’t you warn me?” She stepped back, sweat beading on her forehead. “Why...why did you…”
    “Wife!” 
    Levinius straightened up from beneath the stairs, reaching for her, and Tonia screamed and stumbled against the bar.
    “Wife,” he said, smiling, “I know you didn’t mean it, I…”
    “I killed you!” she shrieked. “I had them kill you, you stupid, wretched old man! They killed you! This...this is just a vision, this is…”
    “Actually,” said Mordecai, “the wine wasn’t drugged, and your husband is quite well.” He looked at the militia sergeants. “I trust this is enough?”
    “It is,” said one of the sergeants. “Come along.”
    Tonia looked at them, back at her husband...and I saw the fury blossom over her face as she realized how badly she had been tricked.
    She screamed in rage, snatched a knife from her belt, and flew at Levinius. But the sergeants caught her and dragged her from the inn as she kicked and cursed. Levinius stared after her, his expression stricken.
    “I am sorry,” said Mordecai, putting a hand on his shoulder. 
    “I thought,” whispered Levinius, “I thought she loved me.” He bowed his head. “I am an old fool.”
    “I think,” said Halfdan, “that you wanted to be fooled. But this will be sorted out, do not fear.”
    Levinius nodded and followed Halfdan and Mordecai from the inn, leaving me alone with Caina and Corvalis.
    “Certainly,” I said at last, “that was a lot of work merely to steal an inn.”
    “I don’t think,” said Caina, “that it was ever about the inn.” She pointed. “Get a lantern, and let’s pay the cellar a visit until Halfdan returns.”
    Corvalis found a lantern, and we descended to the cellar. To my surprise, it was built of the same rough stone as the foundations above, the vaulted ceiling supported by heavy pillars. The floor had once been covered in thick, heavy flagstones.
    Until they had been pulled away and the floor dug up.
    A corroded