Right Ned looked away from the screen. “You’re human, Matilda. As much as I am.”
“No, I’m not. Have you ever read through the treatise that ended the galvanized Uprising?”
“The great betrayal?” Left Ned said.
“Yes. When the galvanized left House Brown and let other Houses claim them. They negotiated peace between the houses and for human rights.”
“Haven’t read the treatise, but I know what’s in it,” Left Ned said. “They bargained for House Brown to have no voice in the world, no resources. Left us alone to fend for ourselves.”
“They bargained for humans—all humans, whether of normal configuration or mutated, compromised, or engineered—to have rights. Longlifes and shortlifes, every shape, sort, and size,” I said.
“The right to food, shelter, work, and dignity. The right to earn credit and pay off debt. A way to leave other Houses and become House Brown, if they desire. A way out of indentured servitude to the other Houses.”
“And?” Right Ned said. He wasn’t as loud about his dislike of Abraham, but it was clear he didn’t care for him either.
“In exchange, the galvanized gave up the right to be classified as human. They are owned by the Houses. And if I’m like them . . . if I’m galvanized . . .”
“You’re not like them,” Left Ned said.
But Right Ned gave me a level look. “Didn’t they do anything to preserve their rights?”
“Let’s just say humans got the better end of the deal.”
Right Ned closed his eyes for a moment, anger or maybe just disappointment creasing his forehead. Then he opened his eyes.
“You can still run, Tilly. We can hold him off and you can go.”
I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about it. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to being terrified of going into the city with Abraham.
“Quinten hasn’t been home for three years,” I said softly. “Three. He’s never been gone more than a year at a time. I know you don’t know him, but he’s not like that. He’d be home if he could be. And since he isn’t, I’m assuming he’s hurt or trapped or mixed up in something he can’t get out of. So no matter if it isn’t safe or smart or the thing Ishoulddo, I’m going to find out what Abraham knows about my brother.”
“And your mother?” Right Ned asked.
“Yes. And who these ‘enemies’ of my father are. You are going to stay here and look after things—Grandma, House Brown, the beasts.”
Their eyebrows notched up, and they both gave me the same blank look.
“No,” Right Ned said. “We’re not. We are coming with you.”
“Why in the world would you do that?”
“Because,” Left Ned said.
Right Ned ticked one eyebrow in agreement.
“That’s not even a reason,” I said. “Let’s just track down who’s trying to wipe out the Fesslers. We can argue this out later.”
I turned back to the screens, and so did they.
An hour later, the only thing I’d gotten out of the data was a headache. I stood away from Quinten’s chair and stretched. Neds didn’t look up from the laptop.
“You done?” Right Ned asked.
“Need to check on Grandma. Oh, and I’ll feed the beasts tonight.” I started toward the stairs.
“I do believe it’s your turn to cook,” Right Ned said.
Damn. He was right. “Let’s switch. I’ll cook tomorrow.”
