Jeff’s eyes bore into her. “My word, what did they do to you?”

She looked away, shame consuming her.

And this is why I don’t think about unpleasant things, the sprite retorted.

Jeff’s hand grazed her cheek and for a moment he reminded her so much of their father her heart ached.

“There’s grease on your cheek,” he told her, wiping it off with his fingers.

“Hazards of the job.” She flashed him a weak grin.

He held up a gear shaft. “Let’s get this engine put back together. Then I’ll take you off ship. What would you like to do?”

“I want to go to a park.” The words slipped out, but she wanted to see trees, feel the bark under her hands, play in the dirt. Her roses were nice but not enough. “We could go on a picnic,” she added, trying to cover her odd request. “Like we used to with Mama.” Before their father had disappeared they’d gone on a picnic in the park nearly every Sunday the weather was pleasant. Actually, it sounded like a good idea.

“Noli, we’re in Denver and it’s winter. There’s snow on the ground. But,” he gave her a gentle smile, eyes still brimming with concern. “I understand wanting to go outside. It can be a little much being cooped up—especially at first. I never thought ask if you wanted me to take you up top—sorry.”

“It’s all right.” She smiled back, then held up a wrench. “Now, let’s see how much you remember.”

Having changed into the blue bustle dress she’s worn to the pier, Noli positioned her derby hat, the one with the bird on it, on her head, smoothing her hair to cover the points of her ears in the process. The engine had been reassembled, the pink ribbons put away. The paint, however, didn’t seem to want to come off. Excitement at being off the ship and back among the plants and trees bubbled inside her as she pulled on her cape and gloves. Perhaps she could find a clip for the watch chain while they were out. Progress was slow, but the pattern was turning out beautifully.

Voices came from the bridge as she approached, looking for Jeff. Did they realize exactly how far their voices carried? The small ship was quiet, everyone but Vix and Jeff off ship.

“I don’t know if I like this,” Vix said. “But I trust you.

Everything will be fine,” Jeff replied.

“I hope so. So, do I even want to know what happened back there in the engine room?” Vix’s tone made Noli squirm in her dainty black boots.

“No, you don’t,” Jeff replied. “But we got everything put together and cleaned up, mostly.”

“Is this going to become a problem? Yes, she’s your sister and I understand that she’s been through who knows what. Still, I must maintain order aboard my ship and if she’s going to put us in danger—”

“Give her a chance. I’m her older brother; it’s my job to take care of her. You know exactly what will happen if we send her to Boston,” Jeff retorted, frustration tingeing his voice.

“She wants to go to the university, perhaps we should help her with that sooner than later.” It sounded as if Vix paced the small bridge. Again.

“Not yet. If something happens, who’s going to take care of her? They hurt her at that school, and it’s a place for ladies of gentle breeding. I can’t stomach the idea of someone sending her to someplace even worse. ”

“This is an airship, not a finishing school,” Vix snapped.

A finishing school for air pirates. What a notion! She swallowed her laugh, not wanting them to think she was spying. Again.

Jeff sighed. “Let’s take this one day at a time. She truly is an ace engineer.”

“Perhaps. But what if we need her? Not only is her job important, but it’s creepy when she’s just … gone like that,” Vix replied.

It was even creepier when it happened to you. The fact Vix noticed made fear swirl inside her. All the captain needed to do was make it an order and Noli would be gone—even if Jeff didn’t wish it. Where would she go?

Wait. She wasn’t some sniveling society girl. If it came down to it, she could return to the Otherworld and wait at the big house for V to finish his quest. Yes, that would be a splendid backup plan. She could get there by herself … most likely.

“If she’s going to stay aboard, someone should teach her to defend herself, if not fight and shoot,” Vix added. “For her own personal protection. Though the idea of her with a pistol frightens me.”

“My sister is a lady, ladies don’t shoot pistols or fight,” Jeff grumbled.

Vix made a rude noise. Noli made a production of bumping into the table in the galley in order to alert them to her presence.

“That sounds like my cue,” Jeff replied.

Noli arrived in the doorway just in time to see Jeff plant a kiss on Vix’s cheek.

“Sorry,” Noli muttered. It was the first time she’d seen them be outright affectionate and heat rose to her cheeks.

Jeff laughed. He didn’t wear his usual pirate gear, but a gentleman’s suit and hat. “Noli, let’s get off this tub.”

They disembarked and Noli wrapped her cape around her, cold biting through the wool and ribbons. Snow crunched under their feet on the wood docks and her breath came out in frozen puffs. It didn’t get this cold in Los Angeles.

Jeff led her into the passenger terminal where they stopped at a small shop that made takeaway meals for people to bring on their journeys. They also had a blanket to sit on so they could have a proper picnic.

Noli swung the sack as she skipped down the street, following Jeff. Skipping kept her warm. Also, she couldn’t contain her joy at being off ship. Autos puffed down the street, a few hoverboards streaked the skies, and airships took off and landed in the background.

“Have you heard from Mama, is she well?” Noli asked. “Should we send word to her?”

“I sent her an aethergraph when we first arrived. She’s in Boston and quite happy. She’s worried about you.” Jeff squeezed her arm. “I assured her that you were safe here with me.”

Noli squirmed. “Did I dishonor our good family name?”

Jeff made an ungentlemanly sound. “No, and you know grandfather has probably engineered some story— you’re off on a well-chaperoned tour of the United States with a group of young ladies of good breeding or some other ridiculousness.”

“I…I’m trying hard, truly, I am,” she whispered, remembering his conversation with Vix. “I appreciate you defending me.”

He pulled her a little closer, body warm against the cold chill. “You’re my little sister. Please, keep trying as hard as you can. I can only do so much.”

Noli gulped. “I … I promise.” Got that? she scolded the sprite.

I want to go back to the Otherworld. You said this would be fun, the sprite pouted.

“Noli?” Jeff brought her out of her inner conversation. He touched her face. “You’ve got to stop this. Vix has noticed your strange behavior—especially when you’re just … gone. It can’t become an issue.”

Vix had a point. What if the sprite took over in the middle of something important?

Jeff led her to a public garden. The sign on the wrought iron gate read closed.

“Oh, it’s closed.” Noli didn’t hide her disappointment.

“This way.” With a sly grin, Jeff led her along the fence until they came to an out-of-the-way place near a greenhouse. “Up you go.”

“Wait—we’re breaking into the gardens?” Noli grinned, the idea dangerous yet appealing, something she, James, and V might have done. Once.

He boosted her up and then hopped over the fence himself. Noli looked around the frozen garden that was probably breathtaking in summertime.

“This way.” He led her to an unlocked greenhouse and they walked inside. “How’s this?” Jeff gestured to the little greenhouse. Seedlings and blooms filled the glass and metal structure, the air fragrant with perfume.

“It’s perfect.” It felt naughty, yet at the same time the need to be among the plants pressed on her with such weight tears pricked her eyes.

He spread a blanket on the floor of the greenhouse, right between rows of exotic blooms. Noli removed their picnic. They took a seat on the blanket and ate the hearty sandwiches they’d purchased along with dainty scones, which, in Noli’s opinion were twenty times better than anything made by blasted Missy Sassafras.

“Noli, what happened back there? Will you tell me? Please? If I understand I may be able to help you better.” Jeff laid a hand on her arm, grease under his nails.

“I … I don’t want to talk about it.” The bite of sandwich stuck in her throat and she took a sip of lemonade to clear it. The thought of the sprite taking over like that still made her tremble. This could be problematic.

“Noli. You’re safe on our ship. No one will hurt you and I’m going to do whatever I can to protect you,” he soothed.

She nodded, wishing V were here. They had to find a way to stop this. They just had to—and if V couldn’t, well, she’d do it herself. Somehow.

“I know they hurt you at the school,” he murmured. “I know Mother has no idea what that school was or that you went missing. But what I don’t know is what happened to you while you were gone. Did you run away? Were you kidnapped?”

Noli sat up, startled, straightening her hat as it went askew. How did she explain this? “I … I went missing.”

“We know that.” Jeff’s voice gentled, forehead furrowed with worry. “Were you kidnapped? You’re a pretty girl and of a very good age for … things … and there’s that opium den and bawdy house next door … ”

“What?” She tried to make sense of his vague words.

“Vix calls it human trafficking, girls and boys who are kidnapped, lured, or tricked, then forced into working in factories or unseemly places.” Jeff grimaced at if the words tasted bitter.