Free Ghost in the Blood (The Ghosts) by Jonathan Moeller

glanced out of the window. She saw Radast staring down at them. Perhaps he was calculating the precise angle to send a crossbow bolt smashing through the glass. 
    She looked away, trying not to shudder.
    “Well,” said Caina, “then let’s meet Lady Agria Palaegus, shall we?” 

Chapter 6 - Agria's Ball

    Caina spent the rest of the day preparing for the ball. 
    It took a lot of work. She bathed, shaved, perfumed, coiffed, and dressed. Her hair went into an elaborate piled crown, leaving her neck exposed. Since she was masquerading as the daughter of a jewel merchant, she had no shortage of jewelry. Silver pins held her hair in place, silver earrings went in her ears, and a silver chain with sapphires to match her eyes went around her neck. She chose a black-trimmed blue gown with a billowing skirt and a tight bodice. It left her shoulders bare, and dipped rather lower than she would have liked, but she was fishing for information, after all. Her daggers went into her boots, though the sleeves were too tight to conceal throwing knives.
    So she strapped them to her thighs instead. Just in case.  
    Caina gave herself a critical glance in the mirror, nodded, and left her bedroom to join Ark and Halfdan. Ark waited by her door, clad in his usual mail and leather, though he had put on a nicer cloak. Halfdan stared out the window, wearing the rich fur-trimmed robe of a master merchant, a gold badge glittering in his cap, and a jeweled dagger at his belt. 
    “Well, daughter,” said Halfdan, turning, “you look as fair as rose. A pity we aren’t seeking you a rich husband in truth. You’d snare one in no time.”
    Ark stared at her, and said nothing. There was a look of distant pain in his eyes. She knew that he was thinking of Tanya.
    “A rose with steel thorns, no doubt,” said Ark. “How many blades? Two?”
    “Six,” said Caina. 
    “Six?” said Halfdan. “Where did you hide…I don’t want to know. Shall we?” 

    ###

    Lady Agria Palaegus’s mansion blazed with light. 
    Glass spheres rested in every window, lit from within by sorcery. The Magisterium made a fortune from the sale of those glowing spheres, the novices of their order manufacturing and enspelling them by the thousands. The mansion stood six stories tall, built in the classical Imperial style, with columns and porticoes and statues of long-dead Emperors. Behind the mansion rose the crag of the Citadel, and the Black Angel Tower, darker than the night itself. 
    Caina took Halfdan’s arm and walked towards the mansion’s double doors, following a long line of other guests. Ark followed, hand on sword hilt, his eyes flickering over the crowd. Caina took the opportunity to do her own examination of the guests. Most looked like lords or wealthy merchants. There were even a few masters of the Magisterium, fat old men in black robes with purple hoods. Like Ducas had said, they looked more at home with wine and rich food than with intrigue.
    But appearances could deceive. Did they have dealings with Naelon Icaraeus? 
    “Ah, Basil. There you are,” said Ducas as he approached. He still wore his tribune’s armor, though he had exchanged his red cloak for a black one with gold trim. His eyes flicked over Caina, up and down, lingering at her chest. “And you, Anna.” He took her hand and kissed it. “You look good enough to eat.”
    Caina smiled. “I fear I would give you indigestion, my lord.” 
    Ark snorted.
    Ducas gave him a foul look and let go her of her hand. “Well, let’s get in line. Time to meet the rich whore herself.”
    Caina glanced at him. “I though you wanted to marry her.”
    “I want to bed her and get my hands on her money,” said Ducas. “That doesn’t mean I like her.” 
    Lady Agria Palaegus waited by the door, flanked by a pair of bodyguards with the look of Legion veterans. She was her in her middle thirties, with long blonde hair, artfully arranged, and bloodshot blue eyes. Her black gown looked like