Jacob sat down on the cold floor and leaned his back against the wall. What did Davian mean they wouldn't let him go? Jacob hadn't done anything too illegal. Yes, you need a pass to get out of the slums in the Uppercity. But breaking it wasn't punishable by a life sentence in prison, and certainly not in mental hospital.
Unless the government actually found out about his abilities. But Jacob was always careful. Never showed his skills in public. Apparently that glass of delicious punch had been too much. He'd let his guard down, relaxed, and decided to show off a little in front of Krista and that Lawkeeper.
But this is no time to be discouraged. He must think of an escape plan. Jacob's life in the slums of down Manchett had never been easy. Every day in that godforsaken place, you had to prove your right to exist. The weak just didn't survive.
Jacob had completely lost track of time. Had night turned to day, or had it only been a couple of hours? The bright lights and the glare on the white walls gave him a headache and his stomach rumbled. He sighed, dropped his head to his knees, and seemed to doze off until he felt that he was not alone in the room.
The man who had disturbed him was careful to tread softly. But Jacob's hearing was not so easily deceived. He jumped up and backed into a corner.
'Amazing,' the man sighed. 'Mr Buckland wasn't fooled; you really are a кayhor, too. What is your gift?'
The stranger squatted down beside Jacob and peered at him with his blue'black eyes, which watched Jacob's body with genuine curiosity. He looked at him as if he were a toy. He tilted his head to the side and lifted the corners of his thin lips in a sort of smile.
'Too?' Jacob wheezed. He could feel the exposed skin burning when the strange man's gaze touched it.
'Oh, I'm sorry. I must have scared you, huh? My name is Noah. And you are...?'
'Jacob.'
Noah stood up and held out his hand. Jacob frowned, wary of accepting his help.
'Don't be afraid,' Noah chuckled. 'Of the two of us, I'm not the one who's dangerous.'
'Is it just me, or does everyone around here know more about me than I do? What is this place?'
Jacob jumped up and stepped aside.
Noah looked about seventeen or eighteen, like Jacob. He wasn't tall or powerful. He smiled as he spoke, but his slightly slanted eyes didn't express joy or amusement. Jacob thought Noah was keeping too many secrets.
'I brought you some clothes. Get changed,'Noah ignored the question he'd asked earlier. 'We'll have a little snack first, and then I'll give you a little tour.'
Jacob realised only now that he was wearing only a white dressing gown. His cheeks flushed. Was this really how he looked to Colonel Davian? Even though he thought he was a pain, it would have been more appropriate for him to look like that in front of the higher ranks. Jacob had been impertinent during the interrogation.
Jacob quickly changed into a grey suit and followed Noah. The first thing that caught his eye when he left his place of confinement was the long, dark corridors. Labyrinths that looked like endless octopus tentacles. And the small, unsightly doors were its suction cups. Jacob shuddered.
'Where are we going?'
'To the canteen.'
'Maybe you can answer the main question?'
'What question?'
'What is this place?'
'This?'Noah stopped solemnly by the largest door. 'Headquarters of the Public Defenders!'He said proudly and opened the door, filling the dark corridors with bright light.
***
Inside, much to Jacob's disappointment, was an ordinary canteen. Noah led him to a small table for two, and then went to the delivery window. Jacob could tell from the silence and the dim sunlight glinting off the dull walls, and the absence of people or davices on the tables, that the time had just passed. It was still a few hours before dinner.
Noah returned, holding a tray with food. It smelled strange. It was good, but Jacob wasn't used to such a distinct flavour. In the slums, they rarely cared about the flavour of the food they served. The important thing was not to be hungry, to get the calories he needed to be strong. And strength equals one more day lived.
'What's this?'Jacob wiggled his nose.
'Vegetable stew and steak.'
'Why?'
'So you don't faint.'
'Why?'Jacob repeated the question and stepped forward.
'What kind of a bird are you?'Noah frowned.
'You look like a bird right now. More like a cawing crow, though.'
Noah chuckled.
'Did Mr Ambrose say why you're here?'
'No.'
'Did he tell you anything?'
Jacob cleared his throat.
'Mr Oswald,'he mocked. 'Don't you get it? They won't let you out.'
Noah laughed out loud.
'Yeah, that's our Dav. He likes to get spooky.'
'Dav?'
'Don't tell him I called him like that. He'd kill me.'
'How old is the colonel? He looks very young, but his rank is...'
'I don't know.'Noah shrugged his shoulders. 'The rumour is that Davian was recruited into the Lawkeepers when he was just turned fourteen.'
'So early. So he's only a little over twenty.'
'Why do you ask?'
'No particular reason. Just curious.'
'Eat,'Noah pushed the plate toward Jacob. 'Don't worry, it's not poisoned.'
'And what are we going to do then?'
Jacob stabbed a whole steak on his fork and took a huge bite, like a starving barbarian. Noah grimaced.
'Then... I'll have to check you in and get you ready for your meeting with the head of security. But he's still in negotiations, so you can relax a little and enjoy a nice meal.'
'Oh, great gods,' Jacob groaned. 'What have I gotten myself into?'