Jonathan Moeller - The Ghosts 05 - Ghost in the Stone (14 page)

“No,” said Caina. “No. I’m not fine.”

They stood in silence for a moment. 

“Oh, my poor child,” said Theodosia. She crossed the room and hugged Caina, and Caina found herself blinking back tears. “It was something that happened in Marsis, wasn’t it?”

“Yes,” said Caina. “I took Nicolai for a walk, Theodosia. He wanted to see the ships in the harbor, and I wanted to give Ark and Tanya some time alone. And then the Istarish came and took Nicolai.”

She let out a ragged breath and sat on the cot.

“Ark spent five years looking for Tanya and Nicolai,” said Caina, “and I lost his son in his hour.”

“But you got him back,” said Theodosia. “You found him and killed Rezir Shahan.”

“I was lucky,” said Caina. “So many people died that day. If I had been a second too slow, or if I had gone left instead of right, I would have been one of them. Then Nicolai would have been killed or enslaved…and I would have had to tell Ark what happened.” She closed her eyes, swallowed, her hands twitching. “The dread of it…I cannot forget it.”

“That’s not what’s really bothering you,” said Theodosia. “You saved Nicolai. You would not dream about Nicolai unless something else was bothering you, something that you haven’t fully realized yet.”

Caina nodded. “Something else happened in Marsis. I’ve only told Halfdan about it. No one else.”

Theodosia waited.

“Jadriga,” said Caina. “The sorceress I killed in Black Angel Tower. When she died, I think part of her power was trapped in me.” 

Theodosia frowned. “You mean…her soul? Her soul is in your body?”

“Maybe,” said Caina. “At least a piece of it.”

“But you are obviously not possessed,” said Theodosia. “I know you quite well, my dear, and I doubt a power-mad sorceress could masquerade as you for so long.”

“I’m not possessed,” said Caina. “At least the Moroaica isn’t controlling me. But Sicarion thinks her spirit is dwelling in me. And she appears to me in dreams, over and over again.”

“Does she tell you to do things?” said Theodosia. “Give you commands?”

“No,” said Caina. “She gives me warnings. And they’re usually accurate, too. The first time Sicarion tried to capture me, she warned me it was about to happen.” 

“Maybe she doesn’t want to die again,” said Theodosia. 

”Why not?” said Caina. “If she’s…trapped inside me, somehow, killing me would let her take another body. At least that’s what Sicarion thinks. But he could be lying. Or mistaken.” Her stomach clenched at the thought. “You know how much I hate sorcery. To have some of her power inside me…”

“Would indeed be a revolting thought,” said Theodosia. “But look on the bright side.”

Caina snorted. “There’s a bright side?”

“The power is harmless,” said Theodosia. “You can’t use it, and even if you could, you wouldn’t. And if the soul of this Jadriga is really inside you…then she can’t hurt anyone. So long as you’re still alive, she can’t escape.” 

Caina blinked. “I…hadn’t thought of that.”

The notion hadn’t even occurred to her. If Jadriga’s spirit truly inhabited her body, Caina assumed that the Moroaica had some malevolent plan behind it. But what if Jadriga was simply trapped inside Caina’s body? So long as Caina lived, Jadriga could not escape to harm more people.

Though the Kindred might put an end to that, soon enough.

Caina remembered killing the assassin on the triforium of the Praetorian Basilica, remembered feeling his dying heartbeat shudder up the blade of her dagger.

“There’s something else, too,” said Theodosia.

“I’ve killed,” said Caina, “a lot of people.”

“You were defending yourself,” said Theodosia. “Or stopping them from doing worse things.”

“I know,” said Caina. “But there have been so many of them. I can’t even remember them all. That assassin in the common room of the Painted Whore? I might have killed more men than he has.”

“It bothers you,” said Theodosia.

“It used to,” said Caina. “But not as much as it used to. And that bothers me. I didn’t,” she shook her head, blinking fresh tears from her eyes, “I didn’t think…I didn’t think I would become what I am.” She sighed. “If you pointed out a man and told me that he was Kindred, I would kill him. I could kill him without hesitation, without guilt. That is what I have become, the sort of woman who can kill like that. There is so much blood on my hands.”

“And more blood would have been spilled if you hadn’t killed those men,” said Theodosia. “Everyone in Malarae would have died, including my sons and I. Everyone in Rasadda would have burned.” 

“I know,” said Caina. “That’s what I tell myself. But every time I close my eyes, Theodosia, I see someone dying. Every time I go to sleep, I have dreams, over and over again. And I’m so…so…”

“Tired,” said Theodosia.

“Yes,” said Caina. “Tired.” 

“I suppose,” said Theodosia, “that this isn’t what you thought your life would be like.”

“I knew a Ghost nightfighter’s life would be hard,” said Caina.

“That’s not what I meant,” said Theodosia. “Before you joined the Ghosts, what did you think your life would be like? Before your father died?”

Caina managed a small laugh. “Nothing like this. I thought…well, I thought I would wed at eighteen, as most noblewomen do. I thought I would have children.” She scowled. “I swore I would be a better mother to them than my mother was to me. I thought I would have two or three children by now. Instead I am a killer without a family.” She bowed her head. “And I shall remain alone.” 

“I needn’t be that way,” said Theodosia.

“I don’t see how it can be otherwise,” said Caina. “I am a Ghost nightfighter. And even if I left the Ghosts, even if I left this life behind, I cannot wed. I cannot bear children, you know that. I want…I want a family. I want my father to have grandchildren.” Her mouth twisted. “But he is gone, and I will never have children.”

“Which is why you have so many nightmares about Nicolai and the slavers,” said Theodosia. 

Caina frowned. “Oh?”

“My dear child, I am but a simple opera singer,” said Theodosia, “but do credit me with some insight. You reunited Ark with his family. A vicarious action for you, since you believe you will never have a family of your own. Then the Istarish stole Nicolai, and you feared losing your family all over again. By proxy, of course, though that would make the pain no less real.”

Caina opened her mouth to argue…and found that she had no answer. 

“You won’t be a Ghost nightfighter forever,” said Theodosia. 

“No,” said Caina, “I’ll probably have a Kindred knife between my ribs first.”

“Barring that,” said Theodosia, “how old are you now? Twenty-one?” Caina nodded. “Do you still want to do this when you are thirty? Forty?”

“No one leaves the Ghosts,” said Caina.

“Of course not,” said Theodosia, “but no one remains a nightfighter forever. You’ll be a circlemaster one day, I’m sure of it. Perhaps even under your own name. The Countess Caina Amalas, come to reclaim her father’s name and title after his murder at the hands of Istarish slavers all those years ago. Think of the sensation you would make at the capital’s balls!” She shrugged. “And you needn’t be alone, not unless you wished it.”

“I cannot wed,” said Caina.

“Why not?” said Theodosia. “Not every man needs or desires children. And if you are lonely…well, you are young, clever, and pretty, if you understand me.”

Caina laughed. “Is that your solution? Find someone to warm my bed?”

“It certainly couldn’t hurt your mood,” said Theodosia. “Caina, I shall be blunt. You’ve lived on vengeance, and vengeance alone, for a long time. You swore to keep others from suffering as you did, and you kept that vow - look at Malarae or Rasadda. But you can’t live for vengeance forever. Eventually you get tired of killing. You have to find something else you can live for. Love, perhaps.”

“Love?” said Caina. “Is that what you live for?”

Theodosia smiled. “Of course. Once we return to Malarae, I intend to find proper wives for my sons. Tomard is a senior centurion in the Civic Militia, and it’s well past time he was wed. And I want grandchildren to spoil.”

“You have your sons,” said Caina. 

“I know,” said Theodosia. “And you will find something of your own.” She paused. “Did I ever tell you why I joined the Ghosts?” 

“No,” said Caina. 

“My husband was murdered,” said Theodosia, her smile fading. “You may think me a talkative fool of an old woman, but everything I’ve told you, I learned it the hard way.”

“Theodosia,” said Caina. She hugged the older woman. “I’ve never thought you were a fool.”

Theodosia laughed. “Merely talkative and old, hmm? Ah, the poisoned compliments of youth!”

“Thank you,” said Caina.

Theodosia patted her cheek. “You’re welcome, dear. And if you ever get tired of spying for the Emperor, come with me to the Grand Imperial Opera. You were the best assistant I ever had. I’ll find you a husband, never fear, and…”

“…we’ll spy on the nobles for the Emperor,” said Caina. 

“Quite right,” said Theodosia. “Think you can sleep now?”

“No,” said Caina. “But I do feel better. I’m going to go for a walk around the Inn to clear my head.”

“And to check for assassins?” said Theodosia.

Caina nodded. “That Kindred assassin saw me twice. Which means the Kindred know there are Ghosts among the opera company. They went after Marzhod, but they might try to come after us.” And Caina suspected the assassin she had thwarted twice had a personal grudge against her. “They’ll scout the Inn of the Defender before they make any moves. If I’m fortunate, I might be able to capture one of their scouts. Or at least drive them off.”

“Do be careful,” said Theodosia.

“I’m always careful,” said Caina.

She got dressed and left. She wore her blue dress, knives hidden beneath her sleeves, and a ragged brown cloak with a deep hood. From a distance, she looked like any other traveler on night business. Caina slipped through the Inn’s darkened kitchen and through the backdoor. The nights of Cyrioch, much like the days, were hot and humid. Soon droplets of sweat trickled down Caina’s face. She found herself looking forward to the bath in Theodosia’s suite as she circled around the Inn’s courtyard…

She stopped.

A cloaked figure stood before the courtyard gate, watching her. 

Caina reached for her belt, and the cloaked figure lifted both hands in a gesture of peace. The right hand came up and drew back the hood.

She found herself looking at Corvalis Aberon’s hard face and pale green eyes. 

“I thought,” said Corvalis, “that I might find you here.” 

“You survived,” said Caina. “Did you kill Sicarion?”

Corvalis scowled. “Unfortunately, no. I wounded him severely, but before I could finish it, he hit me with a spell. He escaped before I recovered. I only hope he bled to death in an alley.”

“Doubtful,” said Caina. “He’ll steal new parts to replace anything you lopped off.” 

Corvalis blinked. “I see that you have dealt with him before.”

“I have,” said Caina. “What do you want?” 

“I owe you a debt,” said Corvalis, “and I repay my debts.”

“Debt?” said Caina. “What debt?”

“You saved my life,” said Corvalis.

“I fail to see how,” said Caina. 

“Sicarion would have killed me,” said Corvalis, “had you not interrupted me.” 

“Are you sure of that?” said Caina. “He was there for someone else.”

She recalled her dreams. The Moroaica had ordered Sicarion to kill her wayward disciple. 

Whoever that was. 

“He was,” said Corvalis, “but he hates me.” A tight smile flashed over his face. “I defeated him once, years ago, and he will go out of his way to kill me. Had you not distracted me, had you not been with me, he would have ambushed me with four men. Not even I could have survived that.” 

“So you think you owe me a debt,” said Caina. 

“I do owe you a debt,” said Corvalis, “and I repay my debts.” 

Caina thought this over. 

“Fine,” she said. “How do you intend to repay it?”

“The Kindred hunt Lord Corbould,” said Corvalis. “And you’re overmatched.”

“We’ve kept Corbould alive so far,” said Caina. 

“So far,” said Corvalis. “How much longer can you manage it? You are formidable, especially for a woman…”

“How flattering,” said Caina. 

“But you’re overmatched,” said Corvalis. “The Kindred will keep coming until Corbould is dead.” 

“I think they want to kill Khosrau, too,” said Caina.

“Then your task is twice as hard,” said Corvalis. “You need help.” 

“Which, I assume, is how you intend to repay this debt,” said Caina. 

“Yes,” said Corvalis. “They’re going to kill Corbould tomorrow, at the Ring of Valor. Lord Khosrau is throwing gladiatorial games in Corbould’s honor. It is the perfect opportunity to kill Corbould.”

“It would be,” said Caina. It matched with what Theodosia had already told her. But anyone with contacts in the Palace of Splendors would know as much. 

“They will send two assassins this time,” said Corvalis, “since a single assassin failed twice. First, another man with a blowgun. Probably disguised as a common spectator. Second, a skilled archer, posted on the upper rim of the Ring. If one fails, the other will strike.” 

That was a bit more specific.

“How do you know this?” said Caina.

Corvalis smirked. “I left the Kindred, but I know how they work. I’ve been watching them, lest they interfere with my business.”

“Foiling another assassination attempt will be helpful,” said Caina, “but the Kindred will keep coming. Do you know where their Haven is? If we strike at their lair, we can stop them.” 

Corvalis shook his head. “I don’t know where the Cyrioch Haven is. I was a member of the Artifel family, and only the Kindred Elders know the locations of all the Havens.” 

“How do I know you’re telling the truth?” said Caina.

Corvalis scowled. “I warned you about the assassin at the Amphitheatre of Asurius, did I not? I pointed out the assassins in the Gallery. And I helped you against Sicarion.”

“Sicarion was trying to kill you anyway,” said Caina.