I was standing on a sidewalk, lots of people watching. And recording. I should probably say something.
“All right,” I said, even though I couldn’t remember what Abraham had asked me. “Sure. Yes. Thank you.” That should cover all the bases.
Abraham’s stony expression did not change. “Come with me.”
I fell into step just behind Abraham, blushing so hard, my ears hurt. The crowd ahead and beside us cleared out just like when Welton Yellow and his galvanized, Foster, had walked the street.
No one asked us to pose for pictures. Probably because Abraham had just cut off someone’s ear.
The Neds next to me seemed uncomfortable with all the attention.
Abraham kept a brisk enough pace that it didn’t take long before we were down the stairs across the sidewalk and at the elevator door. Abraham opened the door with a key, waited for us to enter, and then stepped in behind us. The door shut silently.
“Never,” he said, staring over the top of my head at the wall behind me, his eyes burning red, “do that again.”
“Go for coffee?” I asked.
His eyes ticked down to meet my gaze. Smoldered. “Leave without telling us. Without telling me.”
I pressed my shoulders against the wall behind me and met that anger with a steady stare. “It was just coffee.”
“No, it was not just coffee. You drew the attention of two Houses, who intercepted you, and four more who didn’t. In less than half an hour. Next time you want to go somewhere . . . Tell. Me.”
“So you can follow me?”
“So I, and House Gray, can run interference before you break someone else’s arm or start another in-House war,” he snarled.
Right. That.
“He got grabby, I pushed him.Youdestroyed his shoulder.”
“And cut off his ear,” Right Ned added.
“You.” Abraham’s voice rose. “Claimed a blood debt with House Black.”
I shoved my shoulders off the wall and stood up in front of him, toe-to-toe, my hands on my hips.
“They killed my parents. Walked into my house, murdered them, and dragged away the bodies. They owe me more than a debt.”
So much for cooling down. Anger radiated from every inch of him.
“House Gray can’t fight every wrong that’s happened in your life,” he said. “First House Red; now House Black. Who else are you going to turn against us?”
“Us? I’m sorry,” I almost shouted, “but you seem to think that I’ve signed a contract and claimed House Gray. You seem to think that Iwantto be owned. I don’t need a House to fight my battles, Mr. Vail. And I don’t need you to do so either. Have I made myself clear?”
He narrowed his eyes, nostrils flaring. I thought for sure he’d explode. But when he spoke it was barely above a whisper.
“I am very, very clear about you, Matilda Case. And how foolish you are being.”
The elevator stopped and the door opened with a cheerfulping.
I was locked in a glaring contest. There was no chance in Hades I’d be the one who looked away first.
Luckily, someone else broke the tension.
“Abraham,” Oscar Gray said. “So good of you to return. We have a guest.”
Abraham’s eyes flicked up over my shoulder, and his mouth set in a hard line.
