Vael saw Miss Milli to the door of her cozy cottage, taking note of all the automated security on the wall surrounding it and the wraparound porch. Once she was safely inside, he took a stroll around and marked all the protective measures in place at each window and the back door.

Her minuscule garden was covered by cameras, and he saw a laser motion detector all around the top of the high wall.

She was well seen to, as far as he could tell.

Of course, nothing topped an able body when gadgets failed.

He made his way to the teahouse and found Vigo waiting for him already. He nodded to the man, seeing him alone.

"Not a good time to leave your Lady?"

"Pieces are movin' into place. She needs to take care. What about your sweets?"

"Eudora can't do much now I've claimed 'em both. Walk with me?"

Vigo nodded and moved up to stroll the Tween market beside him. Day or night, rain or shine, this market never slowed down. There was no division between day and night workers.

Everything was for sale all the time.

"I'll be rollin' out next week," Vael began. "And leavin' my sweets like that gives me pause."

Vigo nodded. "Surely the Stead Guard can keep eyes on 'em."

"Yeah sure," Vael nodded, "but they're Stead Guards, yeah? They ain't so concerned with two citizens, even former Manor dwellers."

"I get you," Vigo replied. "What're ya thinkin' then?"

"I'm thinkin'," Vael arched a brow, "that I want my sweets watched by eyes like mine." He slanted a look at Vigo. "As only a Roamer could watch 'em."

Vigo shook his head slowly. "I don't get you, Kestryl."

"I'm sayin' you, Sir Vigo Salazar, out 'a DeCosta, Underboss on Chadwick, know better'n anybody, even me, the danger my sweets face in my absence. Claimed or not, there's them that'd disregard what that means and harass 'em with me and my Clan out 'a Stead.

"I'd be most obliged if you could find it in yourself to put summa your people on my sweets. I can trust no other to look after 'em as I would."

Vigo stopped in his tracks. Vael stopped and turned to face him.

The man was shocked, his golden eyes wide. Presently, he cleared his throat. "I think you should know why I'm Clanless," he said softly.

Vael shrugged. "I don't care."

Vigo blinked at him, jaw slack. "What? Why?"

"Look," Vael took his arm and got them moving again. It wasn't wise to stand still too long on the streets of the Tween. "You got the feel of a Boss to me. S'why I was so twitchy 'round you last time, I'll say, aside from smellin' like my sweet girl. My pop says you're upstandin', so no, I don't care why you're Clanless.

"What I do care about is my sweet girl trusts her sister's faith in you, and my sweet boy says you're trustworthy too. They trust you; I trust them.

"Now," Vael cleared his throat, "I'll expect to see your people in place within the next hour. I'd say six per shift, round the clock. They're your people, so you work out the schedule, so long as my sweets're never alone for even a moment."

Vigo nodded. "I get you. Kestryl-"

"I'm Vael."

Vigo nodded again, slowly. "Vael," he said quietly. "You honor me."

Vael smiled. "The honor's mine. Here."

Vigo blinked at the small bag Vael placed in his hand. He weighed it in his palm. "What is this?"

"First week's wages. See Fin Reeves for next week's. I'll be out six weeks max, so says Boss. Any longer and I'll contact you through Reeves. Even when I get back, I'll be expectin' your services. I can't be with 'em all the time, and they ain't always together."

"I...we can't take your money, Kest...Vael."

Vael sighed, scrubbing a gloved finger across his forehead. "Now Vigo, I expect to pay a man a fair wage for his work, don't you?"

"Well, yeah sure, but-"

"And you're a man doin' a fair bit of work for me, for a good period comin', indefinite, I'll say. You don't wanna insult me by refusin' my money, do ya?"

"Ah...nah, I...I don't wanna do that."

"Good," Vael slapped his shoulder. "Now, somethin' I'm sure your Lady will wanna know came to light this evenin'. We had a visitor we surely wasn't expectin', second time this week."

***

"I tell ya, Querida, I never been so handled by a man," Vigo sighed. "He's you with a dick. And damn near as comely."

Adelia arched a brow, combing her fingers through Vigo's short blue-black hair. "Should I warn Zay and Lenie about your crush, love?"

He laughed and shook his head, resting comfortably in her lap. "What I mean is, he just wouldn't take no for an answer. I dunno if he knows exactly what he's doin' puttin' us to work for him."

"If half what I've heard is true," Adelia smiled, "I'm sure he is aware. By hiring your Clan, he is ensuring I stay informed of Zay and Lenie's safety and shows me that he will do whatever he can to look after them.

"It also serves another dual purpose. He gets protection he can count on for his sweets while showing the Roamers of Windemere he considers you anything but Clanless.

"He's using the status of Kestryl to restore you and yours as peers. He has to know that most Clans follow Kestryl's lead, especially here. He is shrewd to be so young."

Vigo wasn't the only one who laughed at her assessment. "Querida, you was smugglin' people out 'a the Stead usin' Clanless rigs when you was but fourteen. If anyone knows shrewd, it's you."

Adelia shrugged. Vigo had a point, but he was missing hers. Perhaps on purpose. "I'm only saying, at his age, he is far more capable than many would give credit. He is a Pilot, already, after all."

"And big," Sante added with a grin. "He tops our Vigo by a head and some."

They grow 'em long in Kestryl, Simone signed. You seen his pop

Vigo growled playfully but laughed with his ladies.

"He told me his pop said I was upstandin'," Vigo said with quiet wonder. "I didn't even know Quyn Kestryl knew my name."

"You are, darling," Adelia kissed his brow, smoothing his hair back. "Now, then, about Miss Milli. Vael has hired you to look after her as well?"

"He's concerned Eudora may try to silence her," Vigo said, "now that Zayn and Selene are breakin' free of her."

"Dear Milli," Adelia sighed. "I remember her going toe to toe with Eudora and winning. Milli gave me the courage to stand up to her myself. And she took such good care of Zay and Lenie. We must do all we can to protect her."

"Yeah sure," Vigo nodded. "I've set a squad about her, discreetly, mind. I doubt she'd look kindly upon an armed guard shadowing her every move should she know of it."

"I doubt it's wise to keep her unawares," Adelia remarked. "Milli is no shrinking violet, I'll say. She's more than capable."

"It'll be up to Kestryl to see to it, then," Vigo sighed.

"That may be for the best," Adelia agreed.

Better him than us, Simone signed.

Indeed, Adelia nodded.

***

Milli's news left Zayn feeling a riot of emotions.

Relief, that he now knew the truth of his lineage, and could freely pursue his love of Mini.

Anger, that his parents were so wrongfully persecuted.

Shock, that Eudora was capable of the heinous act of stealing a child from his rightful family for nothing more than vengeance.

Mini sat with him after Vael took Milli home. She was silent, allowing Zayn time to get his thoughts in order.

"This means," he finally said softly, "that everything she ever said about me being worthless is nothing. I always knew she didn't want me, but now I know why I was even there. She just wanted to punish my father for spurning her."

"Wretched bitch," Mini muttered, clasping his hand. "I'm ashamed her blood runs in my veins."

"You'll do better with it," Zayn smiled. "Just like Del and Letty. You already do. I don't know why she's so hateful, but I'll no longer be a victim of it, and nor will you."

"Nor will any of us," Mini agreed, "if I know Del. She won't let this rest for very long, I'll say. Eudora's days as Matron are surely numbered even less now. Who would support a Matron who steals another woman's child and then tries to sell him?"

"That's only if we can prove it," Zayn sighed.

"Milli or Mr. Reeves may have the documentation," Mini frowned, "or even your father. Have you opened the lockbox?"

"I'd forgotten about it, with everything."

He got up and went to retrieve the box in the bedroom. He sat down on the bed while Mini joined him and placed his hand on top to open it. Putting the lid aside, he lifted out a com unit in wonder.

"I wonder...you think he means to talk to me?"

"Certainly, he must!" Mini was as excited as he was. "Oh, you must at once!"

"No, not yet," Zayn put the com aside and found only one tablet within the box.

He tapped the screen and smiled when his father's face appeared on it.

"My dear boy," Carmyne smiled. "If you're anythin' like me, you're prowlin' with impatience to speak to me. I get it," he laughed softly, dark gray eyes dancing. "I've dreamed of speakin' to you as well, my boy. So, soon, we shall indeed.

"First, you must know that if she's told you different, Dora is not your mother. No, that would be my dear Sofi, who is safe with me. Hopefully, Milli has already told you the truth. If Dora prevented her, I'll deal with that when the time is right. Don't be cross with Fin, he didn't know. I kept it from him to protect him from Dora.

"Your mama loves ya to the ends of the earth, my boy, and misses ya terribly. We both hope you will find it in you to forgive us for leavin' ya. It wasn't what we wanted, and it tears us up fierce knowin' you're there under Dora's thumb. Milli is a trooper, though. Turn to her if you've any questions. No one knows Dora better, and she'll not buckle under like so many others might.

"Now, then, you need to be certain of your lineage, and you'll find files with proof of that in my flat. In the larger bedroom closet, there's a panel on the back wall. It's a false wall, my boy, and all it takes to open it is for you to stand before it and speak your full true name. If Fin hasn't told you, it is Zayn Fitzhugh Mathyas Nicodemus."

Carmyne laughed again. "Your mother wanted to honor my birth Clan, and well, I could refuse her nothin'. You'll also find keys to the boxes I've put away for you at Viceroy and Peele. You've property in Viceroy as well, and Fin and Darin Klasse can help you sort it all out.

"If you ever want to send anythin' to me, give it to Quyn Kestryl. There's no one I trust more, and he knows where to find us and how to contact me. I'm about out of memory on this one, so go find your papers, my boy, and take care to put 'em away. Darin'll help with that and send copies along to Viceroy for safekeepin'.

"Dora will do anythin' to keep her crimes secret, and I'll tell ya true, Zayn, I'd not put it past her to try drastic measures if she thinks it'll serve her purpose.

"It'd be a damn shame for me to have to come back to Windemere to avenge ya," Carmyne's eyes shimmered silver behind his spectacles. "Never doubt that I would come to your aid at a moment's notice.

"Once you've put away your papers, you can activate the com. Do as I tell ya, now, lad, for I'll not speak to ya till you've secured your future, and I will know if ye haven't.

"Be good, and I look forward to speakin' to ya at long last, my son."

The tablet went blank, and Zayn blinked through tears.

"Pop," he whispered, stroking the tablet.

"He's brilliant," Mini whispered. "Let's go get your papers, Zay, and have them ready for Darin Klasse first thing."

Sniffing, he nodded and put the tablet away. He took up the com and carried it to the bedroom.

In the closet, he pushed his and Vael's clothes aside until he could clearly see the back wall.

Taking a deep breath, he spoke his name.

"Zayn Fitzhugh Mathyas Nicodemus."

He heard a soft click and steam released from the seams around the door as it released. Sharing a smile with Mini, he reached for it and pulled it open. Inside he saw three lock boxes. One by one, he pulled them out.

Together they placed them side by side on the bed. Blowing the dust off the first one, Zayn traced his fingers over the keypad on top. He jumped when a small screen lit up.

ENTER CODE

He frowned. "What code?"

Mini shrugged. "Something your father thinks you would know, I'd say."

Zayn bit his lip, thinking. "I couldn't imagine," he muttered.

"Try your birthday?"

"How do we know that's correct? My papers are inside one of these boxes."

"Well, he would know that, wouldn't he? Maybe...your age?"

"How could he know how old I would be when I found these?"

"Surely it's worth a try, isn't it?"

Zayn shrugged and entered 17 on the keypad. Taking a deep breath, he hit ENTER.

Mini giggled and clapped her hands in glee when the lid popped open.

"Stars," Zayn whispered. "My pop is a Lords-damn genius."

"Open it, Zay!" Mini urged.

Zayn lifted the lid and pulled out the large thick envelope inside. Impatiently, he tore a strip off one end and turned it over. He smiled when the contents tumbled out.

Sorting through, he found a certificate of birth with his name on it.

"It says my birthday is a week after yours," he marveled, "not two months."

"More lies," Mini responded. "Put that aside for now."

He did and went through the packets on the bed.

"Property in Viceroy, holdings in Peele," he shook his head. "My pop is rich as a Patron."

"No, Zay," Mini grinned, "you are. All of this is in your name, not his. Open the next one."

The next lockbox also had a keypad on it. This one opened with Zayn's true birthday.

Several small pouches with assorted keys lay inside, each one carefully labeled in neat handwriting.

"This is a complete set of keys to every door in this building," Zayn passed them to Mini. "And this," he turned a long silver key with a black keypad on it over in his hand, "this says Rover 1."

"There's a key here that says Garage, Zay," Mini held it up to show him. "Do you think he left you a rover?"

"So, it seems. I haven't seen a garage, though."

"Have you checked the basement?"

"No," he frowned. "I haven't been down there yet. Fin said Pop used it for storage, mostly, and cleared it out just before he and Sofi...Mama...left."

"We should go see," Mini advised.

"I will, but Vael would have a fit if we went out after dark without him."

"My, wouldn't he," Mini bit her lip, "but it's just here, on your own property. That shouldn't cause a ruckus, should it?"

Zayn considered the options. Vael hadn't told them to stay inside, but the danger was very real, at least until they could secure his papers.

"Let's go through everything first. Vael should be back soon, and then we can go with him."

That seemed to satisfy, and they put the keys aside to look at the last box. Zayn frowned, seeing a simple lock on it, but no key.

He went through the contents of the second box again and found nothing that might fit. He picked it up and shook it near his ear, listening for any rattling. Hearing nothing, he rested the box on his lap.

"Ouch."

Turning it over, he saw a small key on the bottom. Shaking his head, he pried it off and found it fit the third lockbox perfectly.

"He went to some trouble to keep these safe," Mini remarked.

"For good reason," Zayn replied wryly. "Eudora wanted him dead, after all."

"There is that," Mini sighed.

The last box held a large tablet. Puzzled, Zayn pulled it out and pushed the box aside to examine it.

"I don't see a way to turn it on," he muttered.

"Maybe it isn't meant to be turned on until later?" Mini suggested.

Zayn shook his head and put the tablet aside. "I'm sure Pop will let me know what that is eventually. Let's put this away and look over the packets while we wait for Vael."

Once they cleared away and organized everything, they opened each packet to look over the contents. Zayn found claims for mines, plans for rig specs, and designs for gadgets. There were formulas and notes and recipes as well.

"My," Mini whispered. "Do you understand even half of this?"

Zayn nodded, studying a design for a solar power system for homes and businesses. There were notes on how to adapt the system for rigs as well.

"I do," he murmured. "It looks like Pop is rather creative on many levels."

"Looks like," Mini chuckled. "He really is a bloody genius to dabble in so many different areas."

They both looked up and smiled when the front door opened and closed.

"Where, oh, where are my sweetlings?" Vael called out, over the click of his boots on the floor.

They scrambled out of the bed and met Vael in the hall.

"There you are," he smiled, gold eyes shining. He pulled them both into his arms, giving them a playful squeeze.

Laughing they snuggled into his big body.

"What are you up to in there, hm?" The teasing light in his eyes echoed in his voice.

"Looking through some things Pop hid here for me," Zayn answered. "There's a garage here somewhere and I think he left me a Rover."

"Did he?"

"We don't know," Mini piped up. "We were waiting for you to go look for it."

"Ah, good of you, my sweets," Vael praised, dropping a kiss on each of their heads. "I'da been worried for you if you went out without me. Now, come sit a minute, and then we'll go find your Rover."

He settled them on the sofa and sat on the floor facing them.

"So, I got Milli home, and checked the place out," he began. "Seems as though your parents took good care of her, Pretty. She's secure, as far as automation goes. I reckon she isn't a fair hand with weapons, tho' so I hired Vigo and his Clan to look after her."

"Oh, thank you," Zayn smiled. "I should have been on that myself."

"No worry, Pretty," Vael patted his knee. "I also hired them to look after you two. I'll be rollin' out soon, and I want you safe."

Zayn frowned. "You think Eudora will try something when you're gone?"

"She didn't hesitate to use Kestryl's absence in her favor to steal you from your mama, Pretty," Vael pointed out. "I dunno what your sisters're up to, Peach but Vigo said they're workin' on gettin' her unseated."

"Yes, Del has several things in the works," Mini nodded. "Brann is gone, thankfully. She's cultivating young aristos to her side. She and Letty are gaining ground with the Enclave day by day, far faster than we thought they would."

"Good to know," Vael smiled. "So, what did ole Pop Carmyne leave for you, Pretty?"

***

They found the garage through a locked door at the back of the building. As they descended a stone staircase, lights illuminated their way. When they reached the final step, several banks of lights flickered on.

Zayn stopped in his tracks.

There was not just a rover here.

There were two rovers and a mid-sized rig. One rover was all black almost big enough to be a small rig, and the other smaller rover was silver. The rig was wrapped in gun-metal armor with a high roof.

Vael whistled, looking over the vehicles.

"Damn, these are slick. They're custom from wheels to roof. Damn."

"I...I don't know how to drive," Zayn whispered.

"I'll teach you," Vael offered, "both of you. You got the keys?"

"There was only one key labeled for a rover."

"Well give it a go, Pretty."

Zayn stepped up to the closest rover. It was shiny, black from bumper to bumper with darkly tinted windows. The tops of the tires came up to his hip. Beside each door was a running board. Zayn pulled the key from his pocket and pressed the green button on it. A beep sounded from the black rover and the lights flashed, followed by a soft click.

"Score!" Vael crowed, and Mini clapped.

Zayn smiled and opened the driver's door.

"Get in, Pretty," Vael urged him.

Zayn climbed in and relaxed in the cool seat. The interior was soft black leather with a gear shift in the floor between the front seats. The wheel wasn't a complete circle. It was shaped more like a bat, with buttons on each side.

The console in front of him was dark, but as soon as he touched the wheel it lit up.

"Vael, I have no idea what I'm looking at," Zayn said.

Vael stepped up on the running board while Mini opened the passenger door and climbed in.

"That's your speed," he pointed at one glowing dial, "and this is your fuel. Looks like you got e-mag power here, too. This is your wheel pressure and that is your directional. That one keeps track of your mileage, and this is your clock and temp readings. That over there is climate control and radio and this stick in the middle is your gears. N is for Neutral, P is Park. D is Drive. The numbers are your different gears. I'm bettin' this can run auto or manual."

Vael reached over Zayn and pushed the gear around. "Yeah, right there, you can switch it. This has four-wheel and front-wheel capability, so you can get through different terrains. The switch is there on the console."

Zayn shook his head. "This is a custom rover?"

"Completely. Hey, pop the hood I gotta see the engine on this baby."

"Um..."

Vael reached for a switch on the console to the left of the wheel and the hood popped up.

The Roamer walked around and reached under the lip then pushed it up.

"Well, shit!"

Zayn jumped out and ran around to stand beside Vael.

"What?"

"This...this is fuckin' godly."

The engine was pristine, looking as if it had never been exposed to a speck of dust. Zayn was completely clueless, but Vael chattered excitedly about horsepower, dual heads, fuel injection, and other terms Zayn was sure he would never understand.

"What does all that mean?" he asked at last.

"It means," Vael shook his head, "that this rover is tricked out beyond the nines. It could run a Boss rig, easy."

"My pop built this?"

"Had to," Vael's eyes were wide in admiration. "Damn, I gotta meet this man. I could learn so much on ginnin' from him!"

Zayn smiled, never seeing Vael so excited before...at least about anything that wasn't him or Mini.

"Shall we look at the other one?"

"Hell yes, let's."