"Ri-ight," Billy nodded his head, "Of course. We're not good enough to associate with, but we're good enough to bed, but only if you are paying an Iron Touched. My good sir, I think it's them who are doing you the service, not the other way around," Billy smiled brightly, "But I'll leave you to your view of the world." Billy looked to Julian, "I think we're done here."
Billy's explanation of Jonathon's mindset made Lorena feel sick. There was no consolation when all his accusations were correct. There was nothing for her to say, so she kept her mouth shut but her gaze bore into her brother as he turned to face her again. At this time his face was expressionless. He had no reason to refute Billy as he truly didn't find the man worthy of any kind of explanation or meaningful discussion. Julian glared at Jonathon before offering Lorena a choice.
Immediately panic rose in her. He slowly started to leave with Billy, his hand leaving her back and her chest seemed to constrict as she realised there was a weighty choice to make. Jonathon was oblivious to her fear at first and he immediately offered her his arm expecting her to follow him. When she did not immediately take it his features hardened momentarily.
"Lorena lets go."
She found she couldn't answer him, her eyes darting back to the direction the rest of the group was heading. Seeing the worry in his sister, Jonathon's expression immediately softened.
"Loren, we need to head home. Look, I'm sorry for the….unpleasant exchange-" He ran his fingers through his hair. "But you have no future here. You don't know a thing about living on the streets and out of all the Iron Touched you couldn't have aligned yourself with a more dangerous choice."
Jonathon was speaking earnestly now, partially pleading with her. He took one of her hands looking her right in the eye. She started to pull away, but he only spoke faster.
"You know the Ripper's on the street. Two of them a practically walking dead. That girl and-" He gestured wildly to Billy "him. Anyone who sees them knows they're Iron Touched. They have absolutely no chance, and by defect neither do you or the rest of the group."
Immediately she wrenched her hand out of his grasp, her expression one of shock. No doubt the two he proclaimed condemned had heard his poisoned words.
"How can you even say that…"
"You need to look at the facts. I'm possibly saving your life-"
"Enough!" Her face darkened like thunder suddenly. "With your kind of reasoning why should you bother helping me? I am just as low on your flawed hierarchy as they are and if I have that kind of value you should be pleased if I have a chance of being wiped out. Isn't that exactly what is supposed to happen? Survival of the fittest Jon. And don't you dare try convincing yourself that just because I come from the shallow upper class that it changes anything. In fact doesn't it just bring you lower? I've proven you tainted, for you have my own damned blood running through your veins!"
She turned from him then, briskly going to join the others. His jaw clenched, Jonathon watched with growing fury.
"You'll come back here at once, lest father finds out."
"Let him find out and see how messed up his own bloodline is." she managed to choke out without looking behind.
"I hadn't finished." Jonathon growled back, quickly trying to regain control of the situation. "He'll also find out about that motley group you're aligning yourself with."
At once she stopped and turned back over her shoulder.
"Please don't."
He folded his arm across his chest, his determination evidently not waning. Her whole countenance hardened, but she returned to him. His mouth upturned slightly in an expression of unsurprised victory as he proffered his arm again. She took it without looking at him, a scowl darkening her features.
As he started leading her away a burst of frustration echoed through her and in a moment of instinct she fiercely sent back a promise of return as she might with Maestro.
I promise I'll find a way back.
To her surprise her probe went straight into the minds of each of the group. However none of their emotions nor thoughts were open to her. Evidently unless each individual directed communication at her she was unable to 'read' minds.