Free Crucible Zero by Devon Monk Page B

I don’t think I said that before. When I had the chance.”
    They both leveled those blues at me. I could tell what they were thinking with that heated look. “What kind of everything did we do for you?” Right Ned asked, his eyebrow ticking upward.
    â€œNot that kind of everything,” I said. “You were the most loyal friend I’ve ever had.”
    Left Ned rolled his eyes.
    â€œYou risked your life to save me, to save Abraham. And you . . .” I took a breath and pushed away the memory of Left Ned bleeding, dead, as Right Ned stumbled brokenly down the basement stairs.
    â€œ. . . you gave everything, did everything to try to save the world. To help me and Quinten and Grandma and Abraham.”
    â€œAin’t nothing but fairy tales to us,” Left Ned said.
    â€œYou say you remember these things, Matilda, but they never happened,” Right Ned said.
    â€œExcept they did. I know. I still want to thank you. You’re a good man, Neds Harris.”
    They both shrugged. “We do in a pinch,” Left Ned said.
    Right Ned looked thoughtful. “I notice Abraham keeps coming up in your list of thank-yous, right there next to your brother and grandmother. What was he to you?”
    â€œIt doesn’t matter now. We have bombs to stop, a killer to kill, and a plague to cure. No time for fairy tales.”
    â€œWell then,” Left Ned said. “We should tell you something about your brother.”
    â€œQuinten?”
    â€œHe’s a driven man,” Left Ned said. “Don’t get me wrong—he has a good heart and most often stays in touch with it. But sometimes he sees priorities in a manner that leaves no room for any kind of living while he’s getting the results he wants. He tends toward the trigger, if you see what I’m saying.”
    â€œHe has always been focused,” I said. “And brilliant. I’m not surprised he has a short temper.”
    â€œWas he . . . was the Quinten you knew the same?” Right Ned asked.
    â€œMostly. It’s strange. The whole world changes, and all of us are still mostly who we would be anyway.”
    â€œIs that why you’re standing up for those two patchworks back there?” Left Ned asked.
    I nodded. “Abraham tried to save my family. Foster tried to save us and the world. Twice.”
    â€œIt is an interesting life you have lived, Matilda Case.”
    I sighed. “You know what I really want?”
    Right Ned shrugged.
    â€œLife to be a little less interesting and a lot more happy. I want to settle down here or on a farm of my own. I want my family and friends happy and safe, and for the galvanized to be counted as human beings, with all the rights a person should have. I want House Earth free from the other House rules and threats. And I want Slater dead.”
    Left Ned shook his head. “Hearing that sort of thing out of your mouth is strange, strange, strange.”
    I shifted how I was leaning against the wall and dragged my heavy curls back. “Quinten said Evelyn was very kind. I don’t suppose she would ever want to do harm to anyone.”
    â€œShe was kind,” Right Ned said. “Very much so. But she had a spine. Quinten . . .” He frowned, glancing at the basement door. “He took it on himself to be her protector.”
    â€œOverprotector,” Left Ned muttered.
    â€œHe couldn’t see that she wasn’t helpless,” Right Ned said. “She might not like shooting a gun, but she knew how to. Given the chance, I think she would have done whatever it took to defend herself and her family.”
    â€œWell, I’m not going to let Quinten stop me from doing what I know has to be done to defend my family either.”
    They pushed off the wall and took a step or two. Right Ned held out his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Matilda Case.”
    I shook his hand. “You