Free The Heartless City by Andrea Berthot Page B

climbed the steps to their flat on the second floor, she slowed her breathing, hoping to calm her mother with a cool, serene appearance. But even before she’d closed the door behind her, she heard her voice.
    “Iris Faye!” she hissed. “Where in God’s name have you been?”
    She shot up out of her makeshift desk and barreled across the room. Dark circles ringed her eyes, and her face was pale as death. She clearly hadn’t slept all night.
    And it was all Iris’s fault.
    “Mama, I’m so sorry―”
    “Iris, you answer my question now.”
    She looked up into her mother’s eyes, eyes that had been frightened ever since she could remember. Even before Lady Cullum was killed and the two of them went into hiding―in fact, even before they left the farm and came to London―her mother had been afraid, insecure, and somehow broken. Iris had never understood how a woman so strong and brave could believe she was neither, but mystery was another part of living with her mother, who stored as many secrets in her heart as she did fears.
    Still, until that moment, she had thought she would tell her the truth, but now that she was staring into her eyes, the idea seemed crazy.
Well, mother, I tried to follow the son of one of your greatest enemies into Buckingham Palace, even though you expressly forbid me to ever go near the place. Then I attacked a Hyde that was about to kill the boy, even though I wasn’t sure he would have a gun I could use. Then I went to the zoo, where―once again―you told me never to go, and spent the night beside him, holding his hand to keep him warm.
    “One of the other girls lost the key to her flat,” she said instead. “She was scared to walk to her cousin’s place in Limehouse, so I went with her.”
    A groan of relief escaped her mother’s lips, and Iris felt sick. Her ability to conceal any physical “tells” made her an excellent liar, but it didn’t stop a wave of guilt from rising in her throat.
    Choke it down
, she told herself.
You did it for her own good. Besides, with all the secrets she keeps, it’s only fair for you to have your own every once in a while.
    “But why are you only getting home now?” her mother asked, rubbing her brow. “Limehouse is only an hour away.”
    “I stayed with her at her cousin’s place until the storm had passed.”
    Her mother raised an eyebrow. They both knew Iris was hardly at risk of freezing to death in a storm.
    “To avoid suspicions,” she added quickly. “I couldn’t very well walk into a blizzard in front of her.”
    “I suppose you’re right,” her mother said, exhaling. “And what you did was kind, but it was also dangerous, Iris. You mustn’t do it again.”
    “Mama, you know I’m not in danger. The Hydes can’t hurt―”
    “Yes, they can. You have a strong defense mechanism, but you are not immune. Besides…” Her grey eyes darkened like the sky before a storm. “Hydes are not the only danger out there. You understand?”
    Iris sighed. “I understand. I won’t let it happen again.”
    “Good.” She let out another breath and ran a hand through Iris’s hair, which was just as dark and thick as her own. “So you haven’t slept at all?”
    “No,” she replied, and this time she was actually telling the truth. She’d planned to sleep while holding Elliot’s hand to keep him warm, but once their bodies were close again, she found she didn’t want to. His heartbeat was hypnotic, and his breathing was like a spell, and she only barely stopped herself from curling up in his arms, which had felt so firm and strong when he caught her…
    Iris, stop it now.
    “We should probably get some sleep before our shifts,” her mother said. “At least a couple of hours.”
    Iris nodded, removing her coat as her guilt rose once again. Both of them worked the same hours―from noon to ten each night―but her mother didn’t have her strength, and her job was much more demanding. Iris had to deal with loud-mouth drunks