Ghost in the Pact Read Online Free PDF Page B

Caina. “We had best keep watch, then. It’s nothing we haven’t done before.”
    They stood in silence for a moment, watching the deserted street.
    “I do know what I would do, if we were victorious,” said Kylon. 
    Caina looked up at him. “Oh? What’s that?” 
    In answer he put his hands upon her shoulders, turned her around, and kissed her. 
    It caught her off guard, but then her arms coiled around his back, his hands settling upon her hips. When they broke apart Caina staggered a little, out of breath. Her heart had sped up, and she realized that in the chaos of the last few days they had not lain together since that night at the Circus of Marvels and Wonders. 
    Yes. It was definitely time to rectify that. 
    “You know,” said Caina, stepping back. She shrugged out of her cloak and leather armor, letting them fall to the floor. “As long as we’re waiting anyway, we…”
    Kylon pulled her close and kissed her again. With the leather armor out of the way, his hand went under her shirt, sliding up her back and side…
    The door swung open.
    Kylon whirled, yanking the valikon from its sheath in a flash of silvery metal. Caina drew the ghostsilver dagger from her belt, focusing on the figure standing in the door, a gaunt man in a black coat with a stark white shirt.
    “Ah, good,” said Morgant, stepping into the room. “I arrived before you got started.” 
    “Morgant,” said Caina. A wave of frustrated lust and blazing anger boiled through her. “What the hell are you doing?” 
    “Not interrupting, plainly,” said Morgant.
    If he had been standing closer, she might have hit him then and there.
    “If this is one of your jokes,” said Kylon, “no one is laughing.” 
    “No,” said Morgant. “No, there’s nothing funny about what I’m going to tell you.” 
    “What is it?” said Caina. 
    “We have a mutual friend who is in trouble,” said Morgant, “and he needs your help.”
    “Stop indulging your flair for the dramatic,” said Kylon, “and say your mind plainly.” 
    “I just did,” said Morgant. “Better get dressed. He’s just down the hall, actually. Convenient coincidence, that.” 

Chapter 3: The Blood Is The Key
     
    Caina followed Morgant down the hallway. The ghostsilver dagger was still in her hand. Kylon had sheathed the valikon, but she had seen how quickly he could draw the weapon. If Morgant was leading them into a trap, he would regret it quickly.
    But was Morgant leading them into a trap? 
    If he had wanted to kill her, he had passed dozens of opportunities in the last six months. For that matter, if Morgant wanted to kill her, he would do it competently. Certainly he would not act so suspiciously. 
    So what was he up to? 
    “Here we are,” said Morgant, stopping at a door. 
    “You first,” said Kylon.
    Morgant grinned. “Sensible. I approve, Kyracian.” 
    Without hesitation he opened the door and stepped inside. Caina frowned, but followed him. The room beyond was larger than she expected, furnished with a pair of low round tables ringed with cushions in Istarish style, the shutters open to allow the air and sunlight inside. 
    The poet Sulaman and his bodyguard Mazyan were inside.
    Caina had not seen Sulaman since she had departed Istarinmul for Rumarah and then Pyramid Isle. The poet had helped her several times over the last two years, giving her advice and pointing her in the right direction from time to time. He also apparently had some ability to see the future, an arcane power passed in his blood. Sulaman had predicted the certainty of her death if she had gone to Pyramid Isle…and his prediction had, in a roundabout way, come true. 
    “See?” said Morgant, striding into the room. “I told you.”
    Sulaman stood, staring at Caina, his expression astonished. It was hard to determine his age. He was tall and thin, with a close-cropped, graying beard, and he could have been anywhere from thirty-five to fifty-five. He wore a simple brown