Free Jonathan Moeller - The Ghosts 09 - Ghost in the Surge by Jonathan Moeller Page A

run the House of Kularus, and leave death and fighting behind.
    But not before the war ended.
    And not before the Moroaica was stopped.
    “I regret many things in my life,” said Halfdan, “but there is one decision I have never regretted.” 
    He picked up wrapped bundle from beneath the table, a cloth-wrapped pole about eight feet long.
    “When we found you eleven years ago,” said Halfdan, “I almost gave you to the temple of Minaerys, or to one of the noble families friendly to the Ghosts.” He started to unwrap the bundle. “I only made up my mind to have you become a nightfighter at the last minute. But I have never regretted it. You stopped Maglarion, you defeated Kalastus, and you have saved more lives than I could count.”
    He pulled away the cloth, and Caina saw that he held a spear.
    A spear with a ghostsilver head, its wooden haft scorched. With a shock of memory Caina remembered driving that spear into Maglarion’s great bloodcrystal, remembered the ancient necromancer’s screams of rage and fear.
    “The ghostsilver spear,” said Caina.
    “Aye,” said Halfdan. “If we are to face the Moroaica, a weapon resistant to sorcery will be useful.”
    “Better let Corvalis wield it,” said Caina. “I’m not skilled with a spear.”
    Halfdan nodded and passed the spear to Corvalis, who took it, tested its balance, and grunted in approval.
    “And, Halfdan?” said Caina. “Thank you.”
    He smiled. “You are welcome. Now let us eat. There is no sense facing mortal peril on an empty stomach.”

Chapter 5 - Death Warrant
    Ark and Muravin walked into the House of Kularus. 
    Five levels of balconies rose from the central floor, filled with merchants and nobles drinking coffee and conversing in low voices. The scent of roasting coffee and baking cakes filled the air, and the soft murmur of conversation reached Ark’s ears.
    “I do not see the others,” said Muravin.
    “They won’t be on the main floor,” said Ark. “Too public.” 
    Most of Malarae knew the House of Kularus as Malarae’s only coffee house, owned by Anton Kularus, a Szaldic mercenary formerly in Lord Titus’s employ. Kularus had helped save the Sages of Catekharon and Lord Titus’s embassy from Mihaela’s mad plot, and in exchange, the Sages had rewarded Kularus with a supply of coffee beans. Kularus had used the beans to found Malarae’s only coffee house, and had quickly become a wealthy and respected man. 
    Ark knew the real story.
    “Anton Kularus” was only the alias used by Corvalis Aberon, the former Kindred assassin Caina had taken as a lover. Caina had defeated Mihaela in Catekharon, and had asked for the coffee beans and the freedom of one slave as a reward. With those beans, she had started the House of Kularus, using Corvalis as a public face…and the nobility and merchants of Malarae gathered in the coffee house to drink and scheme, as they did in Anshan and Istarinmul.
    And as they did, the Ghosts were there to listen.
    The slave Caina had freed in Catekharon hurried over. He was of Anshani birth, short with dusky skin and thick black hair. He wore a black jacket over a black shirt and pants, and despite his timid posture, Ark had heard the little man barking orders to his cooks and maids like a Lord Commander leading his Legion in the field. 
    “Master Arcion, Master Muravin, welcome,” said Shaizid. The manager looked anxious. “Is there…is there any news of Mistress Sonya?” 
    “None,” said Ark. 
    “These things I have heard, they cannot be true,” said Shaizid. “Mistress Sonya would never do such things. If not for her, I would still be a slave in Catekharon.”
    “I don’t think she did, and I mean to prove it,” said Ark. “Where are the others?” 
    “In the cellar, awaiting you,” said Shaizid. “This way, please. The others just arrived from Caeria Ulterior.”
    Muravin grunted. He had gone with Caina and Corvalis to Caeria Ulterior, and knew the Ghosts of