The City of Lies by Robert J Crane

Author:Robert J Crane [Crane, Robert J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Goodreads: 36194475
Publisher: Ostiagard Press
Published: 2017-09-04T23:00:00+00:00

18

London streets were always busy. But London streets in June were positively heaving.

We stepped out beside Tortilla and almost fell into a gaggle of passers-by. Fortunately they were talking merrily amongst themselves (they were northern, going by their accents, and seemed to be here in London for a day out before a concert this evening). Fortunately-ish, their conversation and distraction was enough that we did not receive comment, although two of the waiflike girls we almost collided with gave us particularly dirty looks not at all dampened by the oversized shades obscuring a full third of their faces.

“She was cute,” Carson observed as they moved away.

Heidi glared at him.

“Lead the way,” I told Carson. “Quick. Foot traffic is still traffic; you need to keep moving so everything continues to progress.”

“Is that how it works?”

“No,” Heidi snapped. “You get in a car and then idle in the middle of the road until your destination comes to you.” She shook her head, pout tight enough you could remove a bottlecap with her lips. “Did the pretty girl rattle loose the only brain cell you’ve actually got?”

Before this exchange could get particularly fiery, I stepped between Carson and Heidi and tugged them into motion. “Onward, friends. Carson, do you want to lead the way?”

“Um, I can try, but I don’t think—”

“Mira Brand!”

The voice rung out from behind, a deep boom that seemed to cut over the rest of the noise on the streets. For a moment it even seemed to overpower the engines of cars shuttling past.

I turned back toward Tortilla, expecting—hoping—to see Clayton—

And was instead presented with my older brother.

I deflated like a bouncy castle whose pump had been turned off.

“Oh. It’s you.”

He strolled up, a smile on his face that I supposed he thought was serene, but that I thought was so smug that I wanted to wipe right off. Preferably with my hand. Ideally a fist.

“Morning,” he said, casual as anything.

I ignored his greeting. “Starting to feel like you’re following me.”

He rolled an easy shrug, unperturbed. “Is it a crime to happen to be in the area where you also happen to be?”

“I wish it was,” I ground out. “Maybe then you could be as disappointing to Mum and Dad as I am. Even if not, it’d be nice to even the score on number of calls they’ve had to get their kids out of jail.”

Carson was ogling Emmanuel. “Who’s this?” he asked.

“No one,” I said quickly.

But Emmanuel was un-rebuffable (is that a word? It’s totally a word), and took this as invitation to come join our trio. Grinning happily, he said, “Go on, Mira. Introduce us.”

“I’d rather die.”

He tutted. “Is that any way to talk about your brother?”

Carson gasped. “Brother?” His eyes bulged. “Mira, is this—?”

“Emmanuel Brand.” He stepped forward and extended a hand, fingers perfectly straight and together. He might’ve been crafted in a lab, the action was so perfect. “Pleased to make your acquaintance. I’m sure Mira has told you all about me, Mister …?”

“Carson,” he said enthusiastically—damn, how I wanted to kick him.

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