Mistborn #02 The Well of Ascension

over his foolish brother.
    Zane rounded the keep, keeping far enough away that even tin-enhanced eyes wouldn't see him. He landed on the back of the keep's roof, then walked forward quietly. He approached, watching her sit on the edge of the roof. The air was silent.
    Finally, she turned around, jumping slightly. He swore that she could sense him when she shouldn't be able to.
    Either way, he was discovered.

    "Zane," Vin said flatly, easily identifying the silhouette. He wore his customary black on black, with no mistcloak.
    "I've been waiting," he said quietly. "Atop Keep Hasting. Hoping you'd come."
    She sighed, careful to keep an eye on him, but relaxing slightly. "I'm not really in the mood for sparring right now."
    He watched her. "Pity," he finally said. He walked over, prompting Vin to rise cautiously to her feet. He paused beside the lip of the rooftop, looking down at Elend's lit balcony.
    Vin glanced at OreSeur. He was tense, alternately watching her and Zane.
    "You're so worried about him," Zane said quietly.
    "Elend?" Vin asked.
    Zane nodded. "Even though he uses you."
    "We've had this discussion, Zane. He isn't using me."
    Zane looked up at her, meeting her eyes, standing straight-backed and confident in the night.
    He's so strong , she thought. So sure of himself. So different from . . .
    She stopped herself.
    Zane turned away. "Tell me, Vin," he said, "when you were younger, did you ever wish for power?"
    Vin cocked her head, frowning at the strange question. "What do you mean?"
    "You grew up on the streets," Zane said. "When you were younger, did you wish for power? Did you dream of having the ability to free yourself, to kill those who brutalized you?"
    "Of course I did," Vin said.
    "And now you have that power," Zane said. "What would the child Vin say if she could see you? A Mistborn who is bent and bowed by the weight of another's will? Powerful, yet somehow still subservient?"
    "I'm a different person now, Zane," Vin said. "I'd like to think that I've learned things since I was a child."
    "I've found that a child's instincts are often the most honest," Zane said. "The most natural."
    Vin didn't respond.
    Zane turned quietly, looking out over the city, seemingly unconcerned that he was exposing his back to her. Vin eyed him, then dropped a coin. It plinked against the metal rooftop, and he immediately glanced back toward her.
    No , she thought, he doesn't trust me .
    He turned away again, and Vin watched him. She did understand what he meant, for she had once thought as he did. Idly, she wondered what kind of person she might have become if she'd gained full access to her powers without—at the same time—learning of friendship and trust from Kelsier's crew.
    "What would you do, Vin?" Zane asked, turning back toward her. "Assuming you didn't have any constraints—assuming there were no repercussions for your actions?"
    Go north . The thought was immediate. Find out what is causing that thumping . She didn't say it, however. "I don't know," she said instead.
    He turned, eyeing her. "You aren't taking me seriously, I see. I apologize for wasting your time."
    He turned to go, walking directly between her and OreSeur. Vin watched him, and felt a sudden stab of concern. He'd come to her, willing to talk rather than just fight—and she'd wasted the opportunity. She was never going to turn him to her side if she didn't talk to him.
    "You want to know what I'd do?" she asked, her voice ringing in the silent mists.
    Zane paused.
    "If I could just use my power as I wanted?" Vin asked. "No repercussions? I'd protect him."
    "Your king?" Zane asked, turning.
    Vin nodded sharply. "These men who brought armies against him—your master, this man named Cett. I'd kill them. I'd use my power to make certain that nobody could threaten Elend."
    Zane nodded quietly, and she saw respect in his eyes. "And why don't you?"
    "Because. . ."
    "I see the confusion in your eyes," Zane said. "You know that your instincts to kill those men are right—yet you hold back. Because of him."
    "There would be repercussions, Zane," Vin said. "If I killed those men, their armies might just attack. Right now, diplomacy could still work."
    "Perhaps," Zane said. "Until he asks you to go kill someone for him."
    Vin snorted. "Elend doesn't work that way. He doesn't give me orders, and the only people I kill are the ones who try to kill him first."
    "Oh?" Zane said. "You may not act at his order, Vin, but you certainly refrain from