“As House Yellow, I declare this a nonevent, of which there will be no legal action or injunctions brought between either House regarding this matter. This matter may be reopened by either involved House, Orange or Gray, if in the future further evidence is brought before a ruling House. Witnessed by Obedience Tenth, House Blue.”
“So witnessed,” Bede, next to me, said.
“Witnessed by Bernard Eighth, House Black.”
“So witnessed,” Buck said.
“All right, then,” Welton said. “Let’s get back to having fun, shall we?”
“Matilda and I are leaving,” Abraham said.
“Where?” Robert asked.
Abraham shook his head. “You and I are friends, Rob. But right now I don’t want to be in the same building with you.”
Abraham took me by the arm and walked with me to my room.
“Get your things.”
I still had my duffel, so my things consisted of the revolver which I apparently shouldn’t have brought in the house with me. I picked it up, dropped it back in my bag. “Ready.”
“Did Neds say where he was staying?”
“No.”
“Don’t worry,” he said. “We’ll find him.”
27
Alveré Case and his assistant also survived the triggering of the Wings of Mercury. And though Alveré died at an advanced age, his assistant and their children, still live.—2196
—from the journal of L.U.C.
We drove the back roads, starting with those closest to the house, then moving outward.
An hour rolled by. Neds was nowhere to be found.
“Where do you think he would go?” Abraham asked as we drove down the highway for the sixth time, looking for any sign of him. “The farm?”
“I don’t know,” I said. “I don’t think so. He would know that we might expect him to return there, right? And I’m sure he wouldn’t just go back to House Gray.”
“He was what—House White before working for you?” Abraham said.
“I never asked.”
“I think we should go back to House Gray and get records on him. There should be people from his past, family if they’re alive, friends. Places nearby where he would think he was safe.”
He slowed and pulled alongside a small café.
“What are we doing?”
“Getting some coffee and something to eat. It will only take a minute.”
“We need to keep looking.”
“I have a feeling if he wants to be gone, he’s got a good idea of how to do it. He knows you’re going back to House Gray. He will contact you there.”
It made sense. Even if I didn’t like it.
