Ghost Mimic by Jonathan Moeller Read Free Book Online Page B

lives and the House. 
    “They have not shown a scrap of interest in the House of Agabyzus,” said Caina. “Most of the Teskilati in the Scratched Penny were killed in the explosion.” Once that would have inspired guilt, but not any longer. “I think our gambit worked. The Teskilati will assume that their agents at the Scratched Penny made a botch of their task and blew themselves up.”
    I shuddered. “If I never see Hellfire again, I shall be quite content.” 
    “I agree wholeheartedly,” said Caina. 
    I considered in silence for a moment. 
    “Did you plan it all out from the beginning?” I said.
    “I’m sorry?” said Caina.
    “Pretending to be me,” I said.
    Caina laughed. “Did I do a good impersonation?”
    “Not in the least,” I said, and she laughed again. “Was that planned?”
    “Not at all,” said Caina. “I told you the entire plan in Nerina’s workshop. Pretending to be you was improvised. It worked well, though.”
    “You could have been killed,” I said.
    “Maybe,” said Caina. “But I thought it would work out, and it did.” 
    “Is it hard to cry on cue like that?” I said.
    “Not particularly,” said Caina. “I just have to think of something sad, and that usually does the trick.”
    “You must have a lot of sadness, then,” I said. 
    I meant it in jest, but Caina only smiled a little, and I regretted it.
    “We all do, I think,” said Caina. “Damla, thank you. I could not have done this without your help.”
    “No thanks are necessary, and I should thank you,” I said. “If you had not helped, Sankar would have burned down the House of Agabyzus and killed everyone here.” 
    “He was right about one thing, though,” said Caina.
    “What?”
    “A civil war is coming,” said Caina. Her eyes met mine. “It would be best to be prepared. To have supplies of food and drink laid away. And money, if necessary to flee the city.” 
    I hesitated, then nodded. I did not like to think of such things, but I knew that preparations were necessary. I was a Ghost, as was Caina, and I would do my duty, just as she did.
    In that, I could indeed mimic her. 
    THE END
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