“That is . . .” He closed his eyes, and pulled off his glasses. He rubbed at the bridge of his nose. “This is much more serious that I thought. If I’d known your brother could create galvanized, I never would have allowed him placement at other Houses. Has he told anyone? Did he have friends, people he would confide in?”
“No one in the Houses,” I said.
“That’s something,” he said. “And before the Houses find that I have brought you here and lay claim to you—especially House White—let me give you some choices.”
House White had been at my doorstep just a few hours ago. I broke out in a cold sweat at how close I had been to being discovered. I’d thought I was protecting Abraham by lying to them, but it had been more than that. My life had been on the line.
“Are you all right?” Oscar asked. “You’ve gone rather pale.”
I leaned forward and placed my glass next to my rifle. If I’d had a shred less control, I’d just pick up the gun, wave it around threateningly, and leave.
Instead, I leaned back and folded my cold fingers in my lap.
“I’m fine,” I said. “What choices?”
“I want to offer you the wing of House Gray. Our strength and protection.”
“You can be clear with me, Mr. Gray. You want to own me. Buy me before anyone else does.” I said calmly. “I come at a very high price. One.” I held up a finger.
Abraham, behind Oscar, gave me an incredulous look.
“I want my brother’s freedom. Two.” I ticked up another finger, noting that Neds had gone a little pale in the corner of my vision. “I want my land’s exclusion in House bargaining. And three”—I pointed at another finger—“I want House Brown’s voice to be recognized.”
No one said anything. No one moved.
Oscar studied me for a long moment. Then he pushed up out of the chair in a rustle of coats and scarves and cloth. “Come with me, and we can draw up the contracts.”
Neds and I both started to stand.
“Just you, Miss Case,” he said.
“Beg your pardon, sir,” Right Ned started.
“We’ll return in a moment, Mr. Harris.” Then to Abraham, “Please stay here and see that Mr. Harris is comfortable.”
Right Ned shook his head, telling me not to go.
I pulled my shoulders back. “It’s fine,” I said. “I’ll be back.”
“I’ll be right here,” Right Ned said.
Abraham gave me the strangest look. “You made a list of demands?”
“Why wouldn’t I? You did when you gave up your freedom.”
He shook his head, a smile spreading across his mouth. “Go,” he said. “Unless keeping the head of House Gray waiting is part of your strategy?”
Right. I went.
Oscar had already outpaced me by half the room and waved his hand at the far wall. The wall dissolved, revealing a hallway there, which he continued on down.
I hesitated. If that had been a real wall, it could close again behind me. Close with only Oscar’s hand as the key.
“You aren’t my prisoner,” Oscar called back. He glanced back. “You can leave anytime you wish, but my office is back this way.”
“I am just not used to putting my life or fate in the hands of others,” I said, striding down the hall.
“Only the most faithful or naïve are,” Oscar said. “This way.”
