Jonathan Moeller - The Ghosts 06 - Ghost in the Forge Read Online Free

but Caina saw the tension around his eyes. Halfdan was one of the high circlemasters, one of the Ghosts’ leaders, and he was one of the most dangerous and knowledgeable men in the Empire. 
    Lord Armizid and Ranarius had been slain a few days ago, and it was a week’s journey from the Imperial capital. Which meant Halfdan had left before Armizid’s plot had been foiled and Ranarius had been stopped.
    And that meant something was wrong. 
    “I admit that I did not,” said Theodosia. “Has something happened? You couldn’t have received any of the news from Cyrioch yet.”
    Halfdan looked at Caina, and Corvalis, and then back at Caina, and his eyes widened, just a little bit. 
    “Yes,” he said. “It seems you have a tale of your own to tell me.”
    “Well,” said Theodosia. She stood, as if preparing to deliver an aria. “Wherever shall I begin?”
    She told Halfdan what had happened, albeit with plenty of dramatic flair. Halfdan listened in silence. Once or twice he scowled, and he laughed aloud when Theodosia described how Caina had infiltrated the Haven of the Kindred assassins. 
    “And that,” said Theodosia, after she described the strange man in the jade mask, “is everything.”
    “Well,” said Halfdan. “You have been busy, haven’t you?” He rubbed at his jaw, thinking.
    “What is,” said Caina, “this grim news of yours?”
    “In a moment,” said Halfdan. “Some of what you’ve done here changes things. Especially that fellow in the mask.” He nodded to himself. “But let us deal with business before news. First, Corvalis Aberon, Claudia Aberon, if you wish to join the Ghosts, you will be welcome among us. I cannot tell you my true name for obvious reasons. But you may call me Basil Callenius, a master merchant of the Imperial Collegium of jewelers.”
    “Master Basil,” said Claudia, rising and offering a bow to him. “If you will have us, we shall be glad to join.” Caina noted that she spoke for Corvalis, rather than the other way around. “We have seen the corruption within the Magisterium, and the harm my father would do if he gained control of the Empire. We shall gladly to lend our talents to your cause.”
    “The Ghosts always have need of men and women of skill,” said Halfdan. “Even sorcerous talent, if they are willing to serve.” Caina ignored the cutting remark that came to mind. Claudia was a magus…but she was Corvalis’s sister. “Magi have joined the Magisterium before. Your father rules the Magisterium with an iron fist…but he has a knack for making enemies.”
    “Indeed,” said Corvalis, voice quiet. “Even his own children.”
    “Indeed. And Nicasia’s particular…gifts would be welcome,” said Halfdan. “But it seems we owe you a great deal. Without your aid Ranarius would have destroyed Cyrica Urbana.”
    “Give the credit to her,” said Corvalis, and Caina felt his hand touch hers beneath the table. “She unraveled the mystery, and her wits defeated Ranarius. Had I turned away her aid as I thought to do, Ranarius would have destroyed Cyrioch and left my sister imprisoned within the stone forever.” 
    Halfdan smiled at Caina. “Child. Again you have done it. Malarae, Rasadda, Marsis, and now Cyrioch. The Empire would lie in ruins, if not for your valor.”
    Caina shrugged. “It was…a very close thing.” If Sicarion had managed to kill her. If the Kindred Elder had foreseen the trap. If Caina hadn’t unraveled the nature of the Defender’s imprisonment. If she had been a heartbeat slower, she would have been slain…and Ranarius would have released the great elemental below the Stone.
    Hundreds of thousands of people, dead in an instant.
    She shivered. 
    “But you all have done well,” said Halfdan. “This news is far better than I hoped. I expected Cyrica to revolt against the Empire and join Istarinmul. Instead Lord Khosrau will keep the Cyrican provinces within the Empire.”
    Theodosia smiled. “Lord Khosrau has fine