Vael patiently trailed along while Zayn inspected the empty flats in his building. He made notes on his tablet, and muttered to himself, poking his way through the dusty rooms.

Vael enjoyed watching the play of Zayn's slim body as he combed through his newly discovered property. It was becoming a favored pass time.

"I suppose I could combine the top floor into one flat," he said as they left the last one. "That would give me room for a workshop, living space, and such."

"Yeah, sure," Vael agreed, following him back to the flat he was staying in. "Or you could just add a whole floor."

"I haven't the faintest idea how to go about any of that," Zayn sighed, flopping onto the sofa.

"I'm sure the Matron knows all the best contractors in the Stead."

Zayn shook his head, staring at his tablet. "I can't go to her with this. She'll do something to take it all from me. And she has been lying to me about my father all this time. I don't want to cause problems for Boss Kestryl or Mr. Reeves."

"So, ask your sisters," Vael suggested, settling into a chair across the room. He had a perfect view of Zayn from there. He had to do something to bring that smile back, too. "She's training them, yeah?"

Zayn perked up with a smile. "Of course! Well, Del and Letty, anyway. I think she's only interested in who she can marry Selene off to, but she's running out of time to do even that. Once Lenie has her majority, I doubt she'll remain at the Manor under the Matron's control."

Vael watched him type quickly into the tablet, quietly pleased to see him if not happy, then not unhappy.

"Del should know what to do," he muttered, "and she'll keep it from the Matron."

Vael gave him a deep look. "You never call her anything else."

Zayn tapped his fingers on the tablet. He didn't even try to pretend he didn't know who Vael was referring to.

"She's never been anything else to me," he said quietly. "Eudora is the Matron first, above all else. I've never heard her speak a kind, motherly word to any of us.

"My sisters are tools," he shrugged, "nothing more, and me, not even that. She has no use for me, other than to shore up her maternal image, which is so rare I can count the times in one breath. Or try to marry me off, which I will never agree to, so there's nothing else for me there."

Vael shook his head. "Either way, I'd trust your sisters to help get this project underway. Sounds like they'd be thrilled to help."

"I've sent them a message," Zayn tossed the tablet aside. "What are doing for supper?"

Vael smiled at him. "Have you ever been to the Stomp?"

Zayn's pale green eyes lit up with excitement.

The Stomp was a large open-air theater where Roamers gathered to dance and sing. Zayn often heard the music from his flat and hid on rooftops nearby to watch the dancing, but never had the privilege of being invited to join the revelry.

"Are you offering to take me?"

"I am," Vael laughed at Zayn's little dance of delight. "Let's go."

Zayn had trouble containing himself as they drew closer to the Stomp. The music was already loud, and his heart seemed to thump in time with the deep bass underscoring the spirited music and lyrics.

A table near the large round stage in the middle was overflowing with Kestryl crew and they waved Vael over as soon as they saw him. Feeling light-headed, Zayn allowed himself to be pulled along and sat down, facing the stage with Vael on his left and a Roamer he didn't know on the right.

"Zayn, this is Jink, Fuse, Kash, Tobi, Coop, Shelly, and Bram," Vael introduced, keeping close to his ear so he could hear him. "Y'all, this is Zayn."

Zayn nodded as the Roamers greeted him with smiles and whistled at the dancers just in front of them.

"Oy, we got next, let's tear it up!"

The table emptied at Jink's enthusiastic whoop, and Zayn found himself on the stage with Kestryl crew around him.

Eyes wide, he found Vael right next to him.

"Hey," Vael cupped the back of his head and pulled him close, "you know too much about us to not know these dances, yeah? Just stay close to me."

Zayn nodded and Vael smiled, stepping back just enough to start moving. He kept his hands on Zayn and guided him along, spinning and dipping and singing along.

Zayn didn't know how many songs they went through, but he was warm and breathless when they finally sat back at their table and called for drinks and food.

It was the best night of his life.

***

"What is it called?"

Vael chuckled at Zayn looking at the plate of food in front of him with sleepy interest.

Damn, he was cute, all tousled and droopy-eyed.

They didn't get in from the Stomp until late last night and this morning was a slow and leisurely one. Vael took the chance to cook one of his personal favorites for the Steader.

"Bird's nest," he said around a healthy bite. "You butter the bread and cut the center out of it, fry both pieces. Crack the egg in the hole and fry it, hard as ya want it, scoop it out and top it with the cut-out. Cheese is good on it too if you can get it."

"How hard is yours?"

"I like the middle runny," Vael swiped the small circle of bread through the yolk pooling on his plate. "I did yours solid."

Zayn cut a bite out of his bird's nest and popped it in his mouth. His eyes widened and he chewed happily. "S'good. Can I try yours?"

Vael pushed his plate over so Zayn could take a bite.

"I think," he said, savoring the difference before he swallowed, "I like mine solid."

"I reckoned so," Vael reclaimed his plate and took a few sips of his juice. "What're we doin' today?"

He glanced up when Zayn put his fork down.

"I have to go back to the Manor. At least, for a time," he sighed. "The Matron will be furious with me."

Vael nodded, minding his tongue. He didn't want Zayn to leave. "I'll be fine on my own," he said, although he was far from looking forward to solitude. "How long d'ya think?"

"She tends to get more restrictive when I manage to avoid her for a while. After a day or two she forgets about me again, or my sisters distract her, and I'm free to go."

"Did they get back to you on the contractors?"

"Oh yes. I'll be meeting them at Mr. Reeves' day after tomorrow."

"If you can escape restriction."

"Yeah," Zayn sighed again. "If I can't, will you meet them for me? Take my notes."

"Me?"

"Yeah, your pop is a Boss," Zayn pointed out. "You know something of running a project."

"I just made Copilot. I run nothin'," Vael replied.

"But Boss Kestryl told you he wanted you to install something on the rigs, and he left it in your hands," Zayn reminded him.

"Yeah, sure, but that's just trickin' out rigs," Vael came back. "I've been doin' that since I was old enough to hold a wrench."

"Tricking out the building is not so different, though. You know what I want, and my notes can fill in any gaps. If that doesn't float, just tell them I'll be in touch shortly. All I really want right now is an idea of costs and timeframe."

Vael sat back in his chair. "All right. If...and only if... you can't make it, I'll meet with them. Maybe the Matron just wants to see you."

Zayn gave him a sad smile, picking at the remains of his food. "She never really wants to see me. It's just her showing me how powerless I am, how trapped," he murmured. "I'm...her failure. A useless, worthless boychild."

Zayn jumped when Vael's fist hit the table.

"That's bullshit," the Roamer hissed. "Let me show you something."

Zayn watched Vael press the tips of his fingers against his temples. He blinked in shock when Vael's eyes...popped forward. Twisting his head slightly, Vael removed the device and placed it on the table. Inside, Zayne saw a myriad of sensors.

His gaze jumped up to find Vael smiling at him. His eyes were a milky white, no pupil evident with more sensors embedded within and around them, running along the bridge of his nose and his temples.

"You're...blind?"

"When I was eight, I was just startin' to learn the rigs," Vael said quietly. "I was small enough to go into places the crew couldn't. One of our rigs was needing work. The engine kept misfirin', nearly chokin' out on the trail.

"The ginny reckoned it was the gears, but he couldn't get near enough to see which one, and his bot couldn't catch the angle he needed to scope it out. So, I went in.

"The ginny was right. The gears were misaligned and caused the choke. I had just enough room to get the wrench in to correct the slippage. While I was gettin' positioned, the gears slipped hard and sparked.

"I was wearin' goggles, but I was too small for 'em, and they fell down my face. Those sparks caught and flamed up. Caught me full in the eyes. Last thing I ever saw."

Bewildered, Zayn reached out to touch the visor. I was warm and buzzed a bit against his fingertips. "But you drove the rig."

"This," Vael tapped the device on the table, "is my eyes. Pop took me to his Sweetheart Nic. He's a Wizard, with multiple trades mastered on the elite level. He made this for me.

"It's got some camo spec, which makes it look like my face, my eyes the way they were before. Nobody can tell I'm wearing a gadget. It's got night viz and heat-sensing specs too. Pop's been talking to Nic about trickin' it out with x-ray, so I can see through buildings.

"Every few months we gotta go back cuz it starts to give me the headache, blurred vision, and such, and I have to do without it a few days. We take it to Nic, and he tweaks it and keeps it tuned up.

"What you need to know, Zayn is that no one is useless. No one is worthless. The way the Matron treats you doesn't equal your value. It never will.

"I am a blind Roamer, youngest in any Clan to make Pilot," Vael grinned, slipping the visor back on. "And if I can find my way to a purpose, surely you can as well."

Zayn blinked sudden tears away. Vael's sincerity and kind, open smile filled a void in his heart that he didn't know was there. Looking at Vael with the visor in place, Zayn couldn't tell that it was a machine, that his eyes were powered by sensors.

He understood that Vael was sharing something very private with him, and Zayn held it precious.

"Does your crew know?"

"The OG crew, yeah sure," Vael nodded. "Jinx, Tobi, Coop, and Fuse. They been rolling with Pop since he made Underboss and named Holis second. They all knew my mama and helped Pop bring me up. Fuse was the ginny I was helping that day. Don't know if he's ever recovered."

"Was Quyn angry?"

"I reckon Pop fret more over me. I hear tell Fuse wanted to forfeit his cut for a full season in penance."

"Wow," Zayn was impressed. "Did he?"

"Nah, Pop wouldn't 'llow it. He only took a dect from him, and he paid it back out in bonuses for the crew."

Zayn picked up his fork to finish eating. "Your pop sounds like a wonderful Boss."

Vael shrugged but smiled. "I'm proud to be Kestryl, never would roll with another Clan. We got one helluva crew, and our Boss gives a damn. Don't roll us out 'fore we had a chance to rest up, and don't cut corners so we stay safe. He takes out 'a his own bank sometimes to make sure we can run the best specs and trick out the rigs to the nines.

"He says the better our rigs, the more he can charge in commissions, and the more we all make. And he makes sure we all put some back, so we got bank if we're laid up or some such.

"Even then, Quyn pays out a stipend for them what can't roll so they got some income till they get back up. We got a severance for them that leave for another Clan, and we got a retirement bonus for them that call it quits for good."

"I can see why a lot of Roamers would want to join Kestryl. Will you be seeing Quyn today?"

"Dunno. They got Quorum and do short runs to the local hermits to make deliveries and line up commissions for the next run. I gotta start the installs with Jink tomorrow. They'll check in sometime soon."

They finished eating and cleaned up their dishes together. Zayn pattered around the flat, finding small tasks that had to be done before he could leave.

"You're stalling," Vael pointed out, watching his friend gather a tiny pile of items for laundry.

"I am," Zayn groaned. "I hate being there. Selene makes it worth it, but even she hates it there."

"Now or later, you still gotta do it," Vael remarked.

"I know," Zayn griped. "I'm gonna miss you."

Vael smiled. How sweet it was, to hear such small but weighty words from the Steader. "Me too, but we'll see each other before I roll out. Buck up and handle her like you did that Captain."

Zayn's eyes bulged in shock. "I wouldn't dare."

"Why not? What can she do, after all? You were polite, and all, but took no shit. Is she any better than that to you? Maybe you oughta give 'er back summa what she gives you."

Zayn started to object again but stopped.

Really, why not indeed?

***

Adelia met him when he crept in through the servant's door to the kitchens. She greeted him with a smile and a hug.

"Had a good time with your Pilot, then?"

"I did, thank you. How angry is she?"

Adelia shrugged, laying an arm over his shoulders. He was getting so much taller, and she didn't think it would be long before she had to reach up to hug him. "No worse than usual. Once she's seen you and ranted a bit, she'll move on."

Zayn sighed, walking alongside his sister. "Best get on with it then. I'll bathe and change. See you in the Hall in an hour?"

"We'll be there."

Refreshed and dressed in the stiff, rich fabrics he loathed, Zayn entered the Hall to find the Matron holding Court with several Merchants and Senators in attendance. His sisters were scattered at strategic points around the room and spotted him at once.

He smiled when each of them detangled themselves from the men they were talking to and came his way.

Selene reached him first, pulling him into a hug. "Good to see you, Zay. Hopefully, you can escape soon," she added kissing his cheek.

"Hopefully, Mini," he agreed, hugging her back. She was the shortest of his sisters. Even in heels, the top of her head barely reached Zayn's shoulder.

No one else got away with even the slightest comment on her diminutive form, but Selene, like all the Windemere daughters, doted upon and indulge Zayn.

With Selene, Zayne felt more, deeper feelings that he tried -and often failed- to ignore. It wouldn't do to give the Matron more reason to despise him.

"Definitely," Collette insisted, kissing his cheek fondly. "We'll make sure. She has no right to tether you when it suits her."

"Don't go to any trouble, Letty," Zayn protested, returning her kiss. "I'd not want her wrath upon you because of me."

"Perish the thought," Adelia smiled, taking her turn to kiss his cheek. "We can manage her, Zay, never you mind. Tell us of your Pilot friend."

He grinned. "Oh, Vael is the bees. He took me down to look at Kestryl's Boss rig for my models."

Selene hooked an arm through his and Collette and Adelia glided beside them.

"Do tell!" Adelia smiled, loving the big smile that was shining in his pale green eyes. They didn't see it often enough. "You saw a Boss rig up close?"

"Not just up close, Del, but inside too!" Zayn gushed. "They run a magnetic spec, you know. It powers their whole rig, and only uses fuel as a backup."

"How clever!" Selene cried.

"He was showing me the cockpit when Boss Kestryl came."

"Oh dear," Colette frowned. "He wasn't angry, was he?"

Zayn shook his head, reluctantly releasing Selene to select drinks for them from the tray of a passing servant. He felt calmed when Selene reclaimed his arm with a murmured thanks.

"Not so much, no. He just wanted to make sure Vael vetted me and to pay his rent."

"His rent?" Colette sipped her wine, watching her mother work her way through the crowd toward them.

"I'm letting him a room in my flat," he explained, also marking the Matron's progress in his direction. "And learned the building is mine to use as I wish."

"Is it?" Adelia was curious, guiding them farther away from their mother so artfully Zayn smiled.

"Apparently, my father bought the entire building in my name before he was forced out of Windemere. And," he lowered his voice and his sisters gathered close to hear, "he is alive."

Three sets of varying shades of blue eyes went wide as they sipped.

"Well, that is a development," Adelia said finally. "How marvelous for you!"

"Are you angry?" Colette asked, watching him. "I would be furious."

His pale green eyes were simmering, lips pressed in a grim line.

"I am," Zayn muttered. "But I'd rather not make an issue at the moment."

"Hell, I certainly would," Selene snapped. "She lied to you your life entire! How wretched a creature she is."

"He mustn't," Adelia insisted, "nor should you, Lenie. Until he's reached majority, Eudora can claim regency over any properties in his name. No, Zay is quite correct to keep it close. And we shall assist all we can. Did you decide on a contractor, yet?"

"Not yet, but I am scheduled to meet with them soon. If I'm still dancing attendance on the Matron, Vael will stand in for me."

"How kind," Colette smiled. "It's good to have a friend outside the Matron's influence."

"Incoming," Selene muttered, sipping her wine.

The sisters arranged themselves beside Zayn as Eudora finally reached them.

"So," she sneered at him, "finally deigning to grace me with your presence, boychild."

"Matron," Zayn bowed elegantly to her, maintaining a cool and aloof exterior. "Pardon my absence, my Lady. I am certain you got on well without me."

"It matters naught how I got on," she snapped. "What possible reason would you have for ignoring my summons?"

"My Lady, I was engaged with the newest Kestryl Pilot," Zayn explained, calmly, despite the quiver of fear pounding in his head.

"Vael is not only fresh to the duty but the one and only son of Boss Quyn Kestryl. Surely, you'd not wish to offend so prominent a figure by leashing me to your side for a luncheon I had no notion was scheduled beforehand."

Eudora's face drained of color and Adelia hid her amusement behind a sip of her wine. Collette studiously deployed her fan, fine lips twitching in suppressed humor.

Selene, however, arched a brow in open mirth. "Why, Mother, you're looking quite pale. Shall Zayn fetch you a glass?"

"Silence, impertinent girl," Eudora breathed. "Of course, offending Kestryl is... ill-advised. How did you find Pilot Kestryl?" she asked Zayn, blue eyes sharp upon him.

Zayn shrugged. "Courteous. Smart and kind. Vael is eager to get about his duties. Did you know, he's never had chocolate hot or cinnamon rolls?"

"How droll," Selene laughed, enjoying her mother's discomfort with zest. Zayn was in rare form, and it was delightful to witness him handling their mother so adroitly. "And what did he think of the room, Zay?"

"Oh, it overwhelmed him quite a bit," Zayn reported, retrieving a wine glass for himself, and offering one to Eudora. With narrowed eyes, she accepted it and shooed the footman away.

"Vael said he only ever had his bunk and some space around it on the rigs. And he heard of others having to share rooms, facilities, and even beds."

"Good heavens," Colette chuckled. "I can scarcely imagine such tight quarters. I presume he is getting accustomed to the space, then?"

"I'd say so, yes. He was supposed to be working at the depot starting tomorrow, so I may not see him again soon."

"You will not see him again," Eudora declared. "I'll not have you consorting with such. The Roamers are necessary to Stead operations and commerce, but hardly fit boon companions."

"Why ever not, Mother?" Adelia challenged. "Is it not proactive of Zayn to come to know the presumed heir to Kestryl? As you say, we must maintain good relations with the Roamers to keep Windemere solvent, and Kestryl is a leader amongst them. They say as goes Kestryl, so goes all."

"Befriending young Kestryl is just the thing," Selene added. "It is not as if any of us could do so as easily, and Zay is already known in the Stead Market."

"Besides which," Zayn added, "I've let him a room in my flat, so I could hardly never see him again, could I? It needs maintenance, stocking, cleaning, and such.

"Whatever your concerns, my Lady, it is hardly reasonable to expect me to cut Vael dead. What would Boss Kestryl think of Windemere if his son is not made welcome?"

Standing before her children, seeing them united against her, Eudora narrowed her eyes and left them without another word.

A slow smile lit Adelia's face when the Matron stormed off and Selene chuckled.

"I cannot believe I got away with that," Zayn whispered.

"Keep it up," Selene cheered. "It is far past time for her to learn she cannot hold you willy-nilly to her whims. Bravo, Zay."

"Bravo, indeed," Adelia added. "Though have care. She never takes defeat gracefully. Ten to one she'll find some way to get her own back before long."

"And we will be steadfast for you when she does," Collette vowed, raising her glass to tap against theirs.

"Indeed, we will," Selene smiled, proud of her siblings.

It was about damn time her brother stood up for himself. Eudora was routinely dismissive and outright cruel toward him, and it never ceased to infuriate Selene and her sisters. Zay was a sweet, clever boy, and deserved so much better.

It was splendid to see him fighting back at last.

***

Come nightfall, most folks made their way home. The night-dwelling dealers and workers came out, haunting the walks and such to ply their after-dark trades.

Vael ignored them for the most part. None of them had anything he wanted, and it wasn't in his nature to buy things for the sake of having them.

He waved off a group of sex workers, and kept on his way, finally coming to the cafe where he had hot chocolate with Zayn, finding them open and busy. He took a seat at Zayn's table and smiled when Betsy came to serve him.

"Evenin' Roamer," she grinned, interest obvious in her dark eyes. "What'll it be?"

"What's supper?" He admired her curves when she leaned forward over the table.

Truly, that bosom was a work of art.

"We've got a beef stew, with good soft bread, just baked today. And it is beef, mind, tho," she winked, "I shouldn't look too hard at it."

"I'll have that then."

"Naught to drink?" she offered, licking plump pink lips.

"Sweet tea will do." A slow smile curved his lips, and he stretched his legs out in front of him. The lass was signaling her interest loud and clear.

Vael was under no illusions. Betsy probably had a stable of randy young Roamers bound up in her thighs and that magnificent rack. He was still deciding whether he wanted to have a taste of her.

Nodding, Betsy hurried off and Vael sat back in his chair, toying with the napkin she left him. The sway of those generous hips would be hypnotizing if he wasn't distracted.

Vael missed Zayn more than he expected to. In a very short time, the Steader became a staple, and despite the playful flirting with Betsy, Vael found Zayn's absence weighing upon him.

Vael was lonely.

He never had a friend outside the Clan before, and now that he did, he didn't care for being without him. Zayn was kind, generous, and smart and challenged everything Vael thought he knew about Steaders.

Betsy returned shortly with a steaming bowl, a healthy chunk of bread, and a tall glass of iced tea.

While he tucked into it, he noticed a few of Larimore's crew come by and nodded greeting. Only Forde returned it, and he arched a brow at the snub. They took a table together and Forde sat so Vael could see him, catching his eye with an apologetic smile.

Forde always seemed to be doing that for Larimore, Vael mused, tearing a piece of bread to dip into his stew. A wonder he didn't grow tired of it.

Presently, Titus Larimore swaggered arrogantly into the cafe and looked down his nose when Vael nodded in greeting.

The Pilot smiled, genuinely amused by the older Roamer's cut.

Did he think it would matter to him? He didn't owe Titus anything more than basic courtesy. If the man was determined to shun him, Vael had no issue with it.

Why the hell would he?

"Seent Kestryl's rigs in for repairs," Titus announced loudly as he sat with his crew. "S'a wonder they keep 'em on the road, they set up s'much."

"Kestryl checks them rigs over every time they roll in," Forde pointed out, "same as we all do. Keeps the specs tight, don't it?"

"Any Boss worth the salt keeps rigs tight on the trails," Titus grunted. "Can't tighten 'em up on the fly, what's the point?"

"Yeah sure," Forde agreed, "but some work shouldn't be done on the trails, yeah? And it ain't no shame to handle what can be handled without dogs and dust up your ass while doin' it.

"'Sides which," Forde added, "I hear tell they tryin' a new cockpit spec to get their pilots a wider view. We oughta look into some similar, seein' the blind spot is such a bitch on ours."

Titus slammed a fist on the table and growled at Forde. "The day I beg Kestryl for a spec'll be the day I cut off my own balls."

"More's the pity," Forde answered, unbothered. "We all know they got the tightest specs, and I doubt beggin' would be called for. Quyn's a good'un, always been. Shame you won't see that."

With a snarl, Titus threw himself out of his seat and strode toward Vael. Brow arched, the young Roamer watched the man approach, sipping his tea.

"What you got to say f'y'self, boy?" Titus demanded, leaning fists on the table.

"Not a thing," Vael smiled. "I do what I'm told and mind my place."

"And Quyn," Titus spat the name with such venom Vael made a note to ask his pop about it. "Quyn won't share his precious spec, will he?"

"I couldn't say," Vael answered, "but it'd hurt naught to ask, would it? The spec Forde mentions though, is mine. Quyn approved it for trial. We hadn't tested it yet, but I'm certain it'll work out when we do. If tweaks're needed, I'll be glad to handle it on the fly."

"And if Forde asked you for that spec, huh?" Titus pressed.

"Until it's tested," Vael said, finishing his tea, "I'd not share it with anyone. Till I'm sure it's solid and safe there's no point."

"See?" Titus turned back to his crew, eyes drilling into Forde. "He won't share it."

"Till it's tested Ty," Forde sighed, "which is smart with any new spec. Sit down and eat, now. There's no need for such."

Titus threw a smug look at Vael before returning to his table. Bemused, Vael wiped his mouth with his napkin and hailed Betsy.

"I've your bill just here, sir," she said quietly.

"That'll do, and bill me for Larimore's meals too, yeah?"

Eyes wide she watched a smile form on the young Roamer's lips. She nodded, dark eyes shining. "I'll do that, sir. Should I make it known?"

"Not a'purpose, no, but if they ask, I'd not speak false."

Betsy nodded again and left him. Gathering his gloves, Vael nodded to Forde and noticed everyone at the table nod back, save Titus. The Boss's narrowed eyes followed him as he left the cafe.

Vael did not miss the flash of wild gold in that stare.