Devilish Game (Shadow Guild: The Rebel 4)

“Didn’t want to be seen, though,” I said. “Let’s keep moving.”

We passed through another open courtyard and several more rooms, finally coming to a large office dominated by a desk and chair. A pile of stone tablets was scattered on top.

Seraphia moved quickly toward it, raising her hand and shining a Lightstone ring on the surfaces of the etched stones. She frowned, her gaze darting as she read.

Finally, she looked up, pointing to one of the tablets. “This one is a financial document discussing the costs involved in maintaining the Temple of Anat. Specifically, the upkeep of the attendants.”

“Attendants?”

“Her most devout followers kept the Temple in good repair and were responsible for making offerings.” She pointed to another tablet. “But this is a letter complaining about the attendants. Costs were getting too high and, worse, the attendants were getting too intense. They were gaining more power amongst the populace, which they shouldn’t have been. And they seemed to be gravitating more toward Anat’s warlike side, as opposed to the peaceful side.”

“So they were throwing off the balance?” I asked.

“Seems like.” She frowned and inspected the documents more. “They were a cult, it appears. Trying to pollute the will of Anat and turn the people away from balance.”

It was amazing that there were people here thousands of years ago, and yet we were still able to read their letters.

“Get a move on, guys,” Eve said. “There’s a ghost interested in you. Keeps hovering, and I don’t know if it’s good or bad.”

“You finished?” I asked Seraphia.

“I’ve read everything.” She yanked her phone from her pocket and took some pictures of the tablets. “Let’s go.”

We left the room and headed through the next courtyard. I swore I caught sight of the ghost again, just the faintest flicker of shimmering white passing by a doorway.

It didn't feel evil, but who was I to say?

Finally, we exited the palace and followed a street toward an open plaza. Flat fronted white buildings surrounded the plaza, and I spotted the ghost disappearing into one of the smaller buildings.

I darted after it, determined to figure out what the hell it was doing. It wasn’t a threat to us, or it would have already attacked. That meant it could possibly be an ally. Even with Eve in the sky, we could use more help.

“What are you doing?” Mac hissed from behind me.

“Following him.” I darted into the little building, pulling up short at the sight of the shimmering figures all around me.

More ghosts.

They weren’t nearly as bright and distinct as the one I was tracking, but they filled the space, sitting around tables. A low hum of energy thrummed in the air, as

if they were speaking to each other, but it was impossible to really hear anything.

The figure I’d been following stood behind a long counter. It was far more solid than the others, a simply dressed man in a tunic and trousers. His form was an ethereal white, nearly transparent, though his face was a bit faded, as if he were an old painting.

He didn't run, however.

I raised my hands. “We don’t want to hurt you.”

He tilted his head to the side.

“Damn.” I looked at Eve. “Does he understand me? Can you speak Cuneiform, or whatever this language is?”

“No. I don’t know what it would have sounded like.”

I turned back to the man. “Do you understand me?”

“Of course.” His voice was almost a bit garbled, as if it were passing through magic. I was pretty sure that he was speaking his language, but I was somehow able to understand it. Ghost magic, maybe.

I lowered my hands slowly. “We’re not here to hurt you.”