Of the Abyss Read Online Free

knife, and the other fumbling in her pocket for something she needed.
    Desperately, she tried to conceal herself and to use her power to control the bleeding as she started to pull the knife out of her guts.
    The blade moved maybe an inch before the pain became intolerable, and her stomach heaved, wanting to throw up and in the process shredding itself more.
    Help, she prayed, as her hand closed around an etched silver tablet. The Numini did not like bloodshed, but this wasn’t her fault. They had to help her.
    I did what I can, was the only message she received, as her mind drifted at the edge of unconsciousness. You do the rest.

 
    CHAPTER 3
    C admia jumped as the door to the temple squeaked behind her. Her first thought was a guilty one—­she had been failing to meditate, and had a feeling she had actually dozed off—­followed by, I need to have someone wax those hinges, and only then by the question, What is a soldier doing in the Cobalt Hall? The Cobalt Hall was part hospital and part holy sanctuary, and was the home and workplace for initiates in the Napthol Order.
    The man who entered the room, escorted by one of the Order’s youngest initiates, was dressed in the black-­and-­tan livery of a soldier of the 126, including a sword at his belt. He was probably in his midtwenties, tall and broad-­shouldered like most professional soldiers, with dark hair worn short and brown eyes set in a face that seemed undecided as to whether it should be pretty or rugged. He was pale and looked exhausted, adding to the latter impression, but he lacked the agonized twist of doubt and despair that marked many ­people who entered this place. Instead, his expression was tired but gentle.
    The softness was probably directed at Pearl, his guide. The seven-­year-­old had been taken in by the Order of the Napthol after her mother abandoned her on their front step four years ago. She had few official duties at her age, but delighted in taking snacks and warm drinks to the soldiers assigned to guard the marketplace and the doors of the Quin Compound.
    Pearl’s face was set in a determinedly solemn expression, as if she wanted to smile at the man with her but knew her responsibilities were serious.
    â€œSister Paynes,” Pearl said formally, “Lieutenant Hansa Viridian of the One-­Twenty-­Six has come to request your counsel.”
    Cadmia rose, smoothing down the violet robes of her office and schooling her face to patience. Anyone had a right to come to the hall for healing or spiritual guidance, but if Hansa had come for that reason, he should have come as himself, not as a soldier.
    â€œI would be happy to meet with Hansa Viridian,” she said firmly, “if he returns in civilian clothes, unarmed.” Cadmia didn’t normally work with soldiers, but knew Sister Marigold, who specialized in granting them counsel, refused to let them into her office while they were in uniform.
    â€œI haven’t come for myself,” Hansa explained. “A prisoner has asked to see you.”
    She raised a brow, intrigued. Normally a courier from the justice department brought news her ser­vices were needed.
    Cadmia’s cohorts generally thought it odd that, out of all the more illustrious opportunities her years of study and hard work could have earned her, she had decided to specialize in offering guidance to the dredges of Kavet society. Even the older ones, who knew what a checkered history had preceded her vows, didn’t really understand. Thankfully, she now had a high enough rank that she didn’t need them to understand or approve.
    She almost asked why a man in such an elite position was in charge of delivering this news before the obvious answer came to her.
    â€œIs this the mancer who was arrested last night?” She had not witnessed the scene in the marketplace, but she had heard about it from Pearl and the other novices who had been minding