"My brother has made an even bigger brooding fool of himself than usual lately – why he listened to Percy is still beyond me – but there are signs of hope," Vex found Vax across the room, then glanced over at Steph before turning back to Lillith.

"And Percy," just talking about him brought a warm, soft glow in Vex's chest, "is making a clock. This place is good for him, I think. Well, this place, and me."