Free House Immortal by Devon Monk Page B

nodded. “We should.”
    â€œSince when does Gray let a
thing
like a galvanized speak for it?” Left Ned asked.
    Abraham didn’t look over at Neds. He just opened and closed his hands, like he was imagining a neck—or two—there to wring.
    â€œGalvanized are given the right to speak for a House at the House’s discretion,” he said calmly. “Would you like to challenge my authority, Mr. Harris?”
    â€œMatilda,” Right Ned said. “You do not have to go with him. You do not have to sell yourself to a House. We can find somewhere else to hold out until this blows over.”
    â€œI don’t even know what
this
is,” I said. “The Houses are looking for my father, who is dead. They think my mother told them he’s alive, but she’s dead too.
    â€œAnd now, somehow, I’m property that’s going to go to the highest bidder? I don’t think so. Let me settle things here, Abraham. Then I’ll travel to the city and meet you there.”
    â€œNo. That’s not how it’s going to happen,” he said.
    â€œNo? I’m sorry. You might speak for House Gray, but you do not speak for me.”
    â€œI’m not leaving without you.”
    He advanced on me.
    I advanced right back. “I’m not leaving
with
you.”
    He looked like he was going to yell, but clenched his teeth. “Rent me a room.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI want a room. For two days while you get your affairs in order. How much?”
    â€œI said I’d patch you up, not open a boarding house.”
    â€œHow. Much?”
    Neds stood just out of the man’s line of vision. Right Ned shook his head while Left Ned drew a finger across his throat in the “kill him” gesture.
    â€œYou couldn’t afford it,” I said.
    â€œYou don’t know what I’m willing to pay.”
    There was a fire in his eyes. Some of it was anger, yes. But there was a glint of something else. Amusement. He was getting a kick out of arguing with me, of trying to make me bend to his authority.
    Not going to happen.
    If he wanted to pay, he’d have to pay big.
    â€œAre you carrying gold?” I asked sweetly.
    He frowned.
    â€œNo? Silver? Lead? Copper?” I made big, innocent eyes at him. “A girl out in the brush doesn’t need credit chits, Mr. House Gray. What do you have in your pockets that’s worth my hospitality?”
    One of the Neds coughed, and I realized that could have been taken in a very different manner.
    Abraham flashed me a wicked smile.
    â€œDon’t flatter yourself,” I said before he opened his mouth, even though a rush of heat stung my cheeks.
    He didn’t say anything for a long moment. He didn’t have to. We’d searched his pockets. They were empty. But his eyes still burned with delight. He thought he had something I’d want. Something that would make me let him stay here.
    â€œInformation,” he said.
    â€œI don’t need information, Mr. House Gray.”
    â€œAbraham,” he corrected. “Are you sure about that? I have access to more information than you could glean from ten lifetimes out here, Dumpster-diving data off hacked lines.”
    â€œDumpster-diving?” Left Ned started.
    â€œWhat kind of information?” I asked.
    Here it was, his chance to give me something that would help House Brown, since he must have assumed I was lying about being part of House Green.
    It was also my chance to see how he had sized me up. What sort of woman did he think I was? What did he think was important to me?
    His eyes wandered over my body slowly, from feet all the way up to my eyes. I resisted the urge to fold my arms, turn around, scowl. I didn’t like being seen—had spent a life working very hard to stay hidden.
    And this man was in the middle of my living room, uncovering every detail of me.
    â€œI don’t suppose fashion would interest