He rubbed at his jaw, then brushed fingers through his hair, making a decision. “I’ll take you to House Gray before I go.”
“I could go with you to House Orange.”
“No. He wants to see me alone.”
“All right. How long will it take you to drop me off at House Gray?”
“Ten or fifteen minutes.”
“Just let me out here. I can walk.”
“I don’t think you should be left unprotected.”
“I’m not made of glass,” I said. “There are signs posted everywhere to guide me and a million cameras watching. I couldn’t get lost if I wanted to. It’s in walking distance right? Plus, you were just saying I am resourceful and strong. Don’t go making me doubt your pretty words, Abraham Seventh.”
“Fine.” He bent and pointed out the window. “Do you see that building with the spiral at the top?”
“Yes.”
“That’s Gray Towers. Oscar will be there. He will know about my summoning and is probably already waiting for you. Someone at the door will let you in. Oscar will allow you up the elevators to the suites.”
“Good. That’s settled.” I reached into the backseat and picked up my duffel, slinging it over my shoulder. I thought about taking my rifle too, but decided it might cause more attention than I wanted. I still had the revolver in the bag anyway. I put my hand on the door handle.
“Matilda,” Abraham started.
“I got it. Don’t cause problems, don’t insult other Houses, and don’t get lost.”
“Yes,” he said, squeezing my arm, “but most importantly, be careful.”
“I will be fine,” I said. “I’ll go straight to the tower. I’ve faced a lot deadlier things than what roam these streets.”
“I know.” He hesitated, looking like he wanted to say something more.
“You are going to be late. Go.” I got out of the car, glad for the cool breeze on my warm face, and made sure to hide my stitches with my hair before I started off at a long stride toward the spiral building.
Abraham revved the engine and drove in the opposite direction.
I tried not to make eye contact as I strode down the street, but shouldn’t have worried. No one would look me straight in the face unless it was behind dark glasses. People standing alongside buildings or lingering in alley openings or dancing on street corners waved whatever they had in buckets, pockets, carts, telling me to buy, telling me it was good, the best, telling me they had no food and sickly children and no House to claim them.
The throb and noise of the place took up an ache in my head. Just like any other great beast, the city rumbled and roared and moaned in a language of wants and needs and pain, built out of a million voices, machines, and minds.
I looked for Neds, but the crowds were filled with strangers. I had never felt so alone in my life.
I crossed the next intersection, weaving between people, and glanced up at the spiral building now and again to make sure I was keeping my bearings. I reached the other curb, and a woman in a hooded coat bumped into me.
“Sorry,” I said.
Her hand caught at my arm and did not let go. I took a closer look at her. Short black hair, and a whorl of silver stitches laced across her cheek.
Helen Eleventh. “I know where your brother is,” she said. “Come with me.”
She strode down the sidewalk, swallowed by the crowd.
I waited, tracking where her pace should be taking her. Caught sight of her almost a block off.
I shouldn’t follow her. She was from House Silver, Vice, and could be using my missing brother as a way to try to claim me. Or maybe she knew where he was and I was letting a perfectly good lead get away.
“Dumb, dumb, dumb,” I muttered as I hurried up and followed her. I’d promised Abraham I’d walk straight over to Gray Towers. Oscar was waiting for me, right?
