“House Gray,” Troi Blue said. “Have you brought us here to mock us?”
“No, House Blue, I have not,” Oscar said. “The galvanized did not consult with me in this regard.”
“Is it true?” John Black asked. “Did you sign a contract?”
“Yes.” I let go of Abraham and immediately got out of his reach. I wasn’t dumb. “I brought it with me, if you need to see it.”
“Stop speaking,” Troi Blue snapped. “Until spoken to.”
I pressed my lips together to keep from telling her off. This wasn’t an argument I could win by being angry. This was a situation that would work out in my favor only if the contract I signed held, and if Oscar and the other Houses agreed that we had a deal.
“You have to admit it was fun,” Welton Yellow said. “Thank you, Oscar Gray, for today’s entertainment. I concede your claim to the galvanized Matilda Thirteenth, as long as the contract is witnessed and she indeed proves to be galvanized.”
“House Yellow,” Troi Blue said. “You overstep.”
“No, I don’t believe I do,” Welton said. “Who else wants to bid for a creature that can’t be bought? I’d rather not display my wealth, nor favors.”
“Conceded,” Gideon Violet of Faith said. His screen winked out.
“What House did it claim before coming to you?” Feye Green asked.
“None,” Oscar said smoothly. “She was without House.”
“Unbelievable,” Aranda Red said. “And how is it you found her, Oscar Gray?”
“Accidentally,” Oscar said.
Her eyes flashed. She wanted him to say more, to tell her where my home was and what had tipped him off, but Oscar, bless the man, remained cheerfully silent.
“Let’s see the contract,” John Black said. “Matilda, bring it to me.”
Abraham had gotten up off his knees, a sheen of sweat over his stony face. He stood between me and Oscar and refused to make eye contact.
I walked over to my coat and dug through the folds to the inner pocket where I’d stashed the paper.
Abraham took it from me before I’d gotten halfway across the mat and handed it to Oscar.
Oscar tapped something on the side of his wrist, and each of the Houses now had an image of the paper in their hands. Oscar handed John Black the original.
“So witnessed.” John Black shook his head. “I have some matters to go over with you, Oscar Gray,” he said.
“Of course. You are welcome to stay.” Oscar looked up at the screens.
So did I. Only Welton Yellow was grinning, a lazy cat smile. “Good day, all,” he said. Then his screen winked out.
Kiana White, Medical, spoke. “Well. That was very interesting. Oscar Gray, will you accept a technician from House White to confirm Matilda Thirteenth as officially galvanized?”
“That would be fine, Kiana White,” Oscar said.
“I’ll send someone immediately.” Her screen flickered out.
Aranda Red scowled and said nothing before her screen went blank.
Troi Blue raised her chin. “This display of power and trickery does not sit well with me, House Gray. We will speak more of this at the gathering.” She snapped her fingers, and her screen went blank.
That left only Reeves Silver, Vice, on the screen. “Welcome to the fold, Matilda Case,” he said coolly. Then even he was gone.
The room went silent.
