Chapter 32: Melody that Cleansed the Marrow

Catalina Lashbrook nodded. "I keep a guqin here. I'll go get it." A moment later, she returned cradling the instrument and sat cross-legged on the couch. Her slender fingers brushed the strings, and a stream of notes spilled out. Salvatore Casson noticed an old sword hanging on the wall. He took it down and drew it. The blade had a live edge, a faint thread of killing intent glimmering along the steel. "This was a gift to my father from one of his lieutenants," Catalina said. "Its name is Shadow." With...