Cloak & Ghost: Lost Gate
Page 13
“Plucky.” I scoffed. “I prefer resilient.”
I reached over and took his hand, holding it against me, and we watched the movie together.
###
The next morning, Caina walked into Andromache’s sleek office at Kardamnos Memorial Hospital. The Inquisition had done a good job of covering up Harper’s death. Caina expected it would be announced that Geoffrey Harper, dedicated and beloved doctor, had died tragically in a traffic accident. Harper had left behind a wife and three children, and Caina wondered if they knew, if they realized what had happened to him.
For their sake, she hoped not.
Andromache sat behind her sleek desk, gazing out the window, and she turned and looked up as Caina approached.
They stared at each other for a while.
“I think,” said Andromache, “I owe you an apology.”
Caina frowned. “For the business with Harper?”
“No. For that, I owe you thanks,” said Andromache. She took a long breath. “I…don’t think I treated you fairly after my brother’s wedding.”
Caina said nothing.
“I thought you brought shame on my family and exposed our name to public opprobrium,” said Andromache. “That would have happened anyway when Maena revealed herself for what she really was. Except it would have been worse. She might have killed Kylon in the process. You might well have saved my brother’s life that day.”
Still Caina said nothing.
“I wouldn’t want the responsibilities of Kylon’s magical powers,” said Andromache. “Can you imagine me with magical ability?” She smiled. “I know my own weaknesses. I would probably push too hard and destroy myself.”
“I…wasn’t going to say anything,” said Caina, “but I do agree with you.”
Andromache snorted. “No, I’m happier with money and business, not spells. Nor do I envy your abilities. But I’m glad you have them.” She sighed. “If you didn’t, Winston and I would have died, and my children would be left orphans, just as Kylon and I were all those years ago.”
“I want to make a suggestion,” said Caina.
Andromache inclined her head.
“Call Kylon,” said Caina. “Family’s just as important to him as it is to you. I think he’d be glad to hear from you. Tell him what you told me.”
Andromache grimaced. “I was the one who pushed him into that engagement. And it is harder to say such things to family.”
“Yeah, but it’s more important, isn’t it?” said Caina.
“It is,” said Andromache. “All right. I will call him. Now I shall make a suggestion. You should call him.”
Caina hesitated. “I helped kill his fiancée. He definitely doesn’t want to hear from me.”
“The fiancée who would have murdered him and his family,” said Andromache. “He always spoke highly of you, Caina. Admiringly, even. I…think he would be glad to hear from you.”
“I’ll think about it,” said Caina.
Andromache stood and passed her a card. “His number is here. Well, I’ve said what I wanted to say. Thank you again for your assistance.”
“You’re welcome,” said Caina. She decided to try something. “Andi.”
Andromache gave her a flat look.
“You saved my life, so I shall allow that to pass,” she said. “But if you call me that again, I will have you shot.”
Caina grinned. “Good day, Ms. Kardamnos.”
“Good day, Miss Amalas.”
Caina left the office and walked through the bustling lobby, looking at the card Andromache had given her. She thought about Kylon. She thought about Corwin, how he had died to save her. She thought about her mother and Maglarion, about those babies in the maternity ward, and a deep wave of melancholy passed through her.
It was almost a relief when her ring shivered against her finger and the High Queen made contact.
Tarlia had work for her.
It was a relief. In her work, Caina could focus, could forget her doubts and fears and regrets.
She left the hospital eager to begin her next task.
THE END
Thank you for reading CLOAK & GHOST: LOST GATE! Look for Caina's and Nadia's next joint adventure, CLOAK & GHOST: REBEL CELL (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=10354), in late 2018 or early 2019. You can read Caina's first solo adventure in CHILD OF THE GHOSTS (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=1057), and Nadia's first solo adventure in CLOAK GAMES: THIEF TRAP (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=5969).
***
Other books by the author
The Demonsouled Saga
MAZAEL CRAVENLOCK is a wandering knight, fearless in battle and masterful with a sword.
Yet he has a dark secret. He is Demonsouled, the son of the ancient and cruel Old Demon, and his tainted blood grants him superhuman strength and speed. Yet with the power comes terrible, inhuman rage, and Mazael must struggle to keep the fury from devouring him.
But he dare not turn aside from the strength of his blood, for he will need it to face terrible foes.
The priests of the San-keth plot and scheme in the shadows, pulling lords and kingdoms upon their strings. The serpent priests desire to overthrow the realms of men and enslave humanity. Unless Mazael stops them, they shall force all nations to bow before the serpent god.
The Malrag hordes are coming, vast armies of terrible, inhuman beasts, filled with a lust for cruelty and torment. The Malrags care nothing for conquest or treasure, only slaughter. And the human realms are ripe for the harvest. Only a warrior of Mazael’s power can hope to defeat them.
The Dominiar Order and the Justiciar Order were once noble and respected, dedicated to fighting the powers of dark magic. Now they are corrupt and cynical, and scheme only for power and glory. They will kill anyone who stands in their way.
To defeat these foes, Mazael will need all the strength of his Demonsouled blood.
Yet he faces a far more terrible foe.
For centuries the Old Demon has manipulated kings and lords. Now he shall seize the power of the Demonsouled for himself, and become the a god of torment and tyranny.
Unless Mazael can stop him.
Read Demonsouled (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=880) for free. Mazael's adventures continue in Soul of Tyrants (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=911), Soul of Serpents (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=1287), Soul of Dragons (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=1727), Soul of Sorcery (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=1845), Soul of Skulls (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=2808), and Soul of Swords (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=3599), along with the short stories The Wandering Knight (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=3073), The Tournament Knight (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=3677), and The Dragon's Shadow (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=2635). Get the first three books bundled together in Demonsouled Omnibus One (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=4442).
The Ghosts Series
Once CAINA AMALAS was the shy daughter of a minor nobleman, content to spend her days in her father’s library.
Then sorcery and murder and her mother’s treachery tore her life apart.
Now she is a nightfighter of the Ghosts, an elite agent of the spies and assassins of the Emperor of Nighmar. She is a master of disguise and infiltration, of stealth and the shadows.
And she will need all those skills to defend the Empire and stay alive.
Corrupt lords scheme and plot in the shadows, desiring to pull down the Emperor and rule the Empire for their own profit and glory. Slave traders lurk on the fringes of the Empire, ready to seize unwary commoners and sell them into servitude in distant lands. Yet both slave traders and cruel lords must beware the Ghosts.
The Magisterium, the Imperial brotherhood of sorcerers, believe themselves the rightful masters of the Empire. With their arcane sciences, they plan to overthrow the Empire and ens
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And the Moroaica, the ancient sorceress of legend and terror, waits in the shadows, preparing to launch a war upon the gods themselves. She will make the gods pay for the suffering of mankind...even if she must destroy the world to do it.
Caina Amalas of the Ghosts opposes these mighty enemies, but the cost might be more than she can bear.
Read Child of the Ghosts (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=1057) for free. Caina's adventures continue in Ghost in the Flames (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=1265), Ghost in the Blood (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=1383), Ghost in the Storm (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=1931), Ghost in the Stone (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=2520), Ghost in the Forge (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=3181), Ghost in the Ashes (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=3932), Ghost in the Mask (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=4231), and Ghost in the Surge (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=4637), along with the short stories Ghost Aria (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=3243), Ghost Claws (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=3930), Ghost Omens (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=4235), The Fall of Kyrace (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=4258), Ghost Thorns (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=4639), Ghost Undying (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=4662), Ghost Light (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=5653), and Ghost Dagger (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=2371), and the prequel novels Blade of the Ghosts (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=6220) and Champion of the Ghosts (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=6304). Get the first three books bundled together in The Ghosts Omnibus One (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=4484).
The Ghost Exile Series
Caina Amalas was a nightfighter of the Ghosts, the spies and assassins of the Emperor of Nighmar, and through her boldness and cunning saved the Empire and the world from sorcerous annihilation.
But the victory cost her everything.
Now she is exiled and alone in the city of Istarinmul, far from her home and friends. Yet a centuries-old darkness now stirs in Istarinmul, eager to devour the city and the world itself.
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Read Ghost in the Cowl (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=4903), Ghost in the Maze (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=5090), Ghost in the Hunt (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=5244), Ghost in the Razor (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=5553), Ghost in the Inferno (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=5759), Ghost in the Seal (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=5924), Ghost in the Throne (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=6145), Ghost in the Pact (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=6629), and Ghost in the Winds (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=6694) along with the short stories Ghost Sword (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=4911), Ghost Price (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=5105), Ghost Relics (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=5265), Ghost Keeper (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=5481), Ghost Nails (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=5504), Ghost Lock (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=5776), Ghost Arts (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=5937), Ghost Vigil (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=6153), Ghost Mimic (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=6648), and Ghost Vessel (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=7028), and read the combined short stories in Exile of the Ghosts (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=7936).
The Ghost Night Series
Caina Amalas was once a deadly Ghost nightfighter, a spy and agent of the Emperor of Nighmar. Now she only wishes to live quietly with her husband.
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Those who fail the Testing are never seen again.
And now the Magisters of the Conclave have come to take Rachaelis to undertake the Testing. And there she shall face perils to both her body and her sanity.
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If Rachaelis survives the Testing, she will face even more dangerous foes. The demons of the astral world watch the world of mortal men, desiring to rule it for themselves.
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Read The Testing (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=1538) for free. Rachelis's trials continue in The Assassins (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=1540), The Blood Shaman (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=1542), The High Demon (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=1544), The Burning Child (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=2756), The Outlaw Adept (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=3341), The Black Paladin (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=3343), and The Tomb of Baligant (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=3345). Read the entire series in The Third Soul Omnibus One (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=4021) and The Third Soul Omnibus Two (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=4061).
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A thousand years ago, the last grandson of Arthur Pendragon led the survivors of Britain through a magical gate to a new world, a world of magic and high elves, of orcs and kobolds and stranger, darker creatures. Now the descendants of the exiles rule a mighty kingdom, peaceful and prosperous under the rule of the High King.
But a shadow threatens to devour the kingdom.
RIDMARK ARBAN was once a Swordbearer, a knight of renown. Now he is a branded outcast, stripped of his sword, and despised as a traitor.
But he alone sees the danger to come. The Frostborn shall return, and unless they are stopped, they will cover all the world in ice and a neverending winter.
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Read Frostborn: The First Quest (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=4439), followed by Frostborn: The Gray Knight (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=4069), Frostborn: The Eightfold Knife (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=4437), Frostborn: The Undying Wizard (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=4776), Frostborn: The Master Thief (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=5007), Frostborn: The Iron Tower (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=5183), Frostborn: The Dark Warden (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=5330), Frostborn: The Gorgon Spirit (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=5330), Frostborn: The Broken Mage (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=5860), Frostborn: The World Gate (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=6028), Frostborn: The High Lords (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=6403), Frostborn: The False King (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=6865), Frostborn: The Dwarven Prince (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=7270), Frostborn: Excalibur (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=7414), Frostborn: The Dragon Knight (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/wri
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Sevenfold Sword
Ridmark Arban is the Shield Knight, the defender of the realm of Andomhaim.
The realm is at peace after a long and terrible war, but dark powers threaten other lands.
And when a mad elven wizard comes to the High King's court, Ridmark finds himself fighting not only for his own life, but for the lives of his family.
For the quest of the Seven Swords has begun...
Read Sevenfold Sword: Champion (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=7831), Sevenfold Sword: Swordbearer (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=8067), Sevenfold Sword: Warlord (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=8275), and Sevenfold Sword: Necromancer (https://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=8794), Sevenfold Sword: Shadow (https://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=9179), Sevenfold Sword: Unity (https://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=9424), Sevenfold Sword: Sorceress (https://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=9628), and Sevenfold Sword: Serpent (https://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=9884), along with the prequel novellas Shield Knight: Ghost Orcs (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=8269), Shield Knight: Third's Tale (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=8796), Shield Knight: Calliande's Tale (https://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=9181), Shield Knight: Ridmark's Tale (https://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=9426), Shield Knight: Soulblades (https://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=9630), Shield Knight: Gavin's Tale (https://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=9852), and Shield Knight: Duel (https://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=10165).