Night's Reckoning

by Elizabeth Hunter

  Ben nodded at Tenzin. “Your daughter?”

  “My daughter cannot accomplish this on her own,” Zhang said. “We are of the air, not the water. I need humans who know things. Humans I can trust.”

  “I get the feeling,” Ben said, “that you don’t trust many, human or vampire.”

  “I trust my daughter,” Zhang said. “I trust your uncle and aunt. So if you will agree to take this job, I will trust you.”

  Ben leaned against the back wall after washing his hands. “The price is negotiable, but I’ll be fair.”

  “I expect nothing less.”

  “Fabia comes with me.” Ben watched Tenzin, and if he hadn’t known her so well, he would have missed her reaction. It wasn’t a flinch. More like a minute twitch around her expressive mouth.

  “Your assistant is welcome. I will be sure to make that clear with Cheng. Also know that Mr. Leu is aware of your role in this enterprise. If you have questions during the course of your work, you may contact him.”

  Tenzin made a sour face but said nothing.

  “I accept.” Ben watched Tenzin. “Tenzin and I will find the Laylat al Hisab, return it to you here in Penglai, and your long war with Arosh will be over.”

  10

  Taking the high-speed rail line south to Shanghai was about as different as you could get from flying into Beijing and taking a secret plane to a secret boat to a secret island in the Bohai Sea.

  They’d spent one more night and day in Penglai, scouring the library and learning everything they could about Harun the sword maker and about Arab sea routes in the ninth century. Commerce across the Indian Ocean was thriving in those centuries, and sea trade was a vital artery.

  Ben and Fabia left the island on the last ship before dawn. They spent much of the day in Andrew Leu’s hangar before they headed back to Beijing to catch the bullet train.

  They left Beijing in the afternoon and arrived at Hongqiao Railway Station after dark. The entire trip had only taken four hours.

  “Where are we staying?” Fabia asked.

  “Tenzin said Cheng would send someone to meet us.”

  “Didn’t you say Tenzin has a house in Shanghai?”

  “Outside it, yes.”

  Ben scanned the crowd for a familiar dark head of hair and a taciturn expression. If he had to guess, Cheng would send Jonathan, his right hand when it came to anything business related. Jonathan was British and his humor fittingly dry, though the man was a water vampire.

  Fabia hooked her arm through his as they walked through the crowd. “I’m guessing from that chilly au revoir you and Tenzin exchanged that things have not been settled in any way. Are you two going to be able to work together without violence?”

  “That’s always the question, isn’t it?” He spotted a tall, pale figure in the distance. “There. I see him.”

  Ben walked through the crowd and nodded at Jonathan, who spotted them and walked their way. His hands were in the pockets of his ever-present trench coat, and a thin red scarf hung around his neck.

  “Good evening, Ben.” Jonathan didn’t extend a hand. His gaze fell on Fabia and immediately warmed. “You must be Miss Salvadori. I am Jonathan, Cheng’s manager. It’s my great pleasure to meet you. I hope your journey was pleasant.”

  Fabia brightened. “It was, thank you. The train was very comfortable.”

  “I’ve heard that it is.” Jonathan extended a hand. “May I help you with your bag?”

  Ben said, “You never offered to help me with mine.”

  The hooded eyes barely glanced at him. “You’re not a renowned marine archaeologist, are you, Ben?”

  Ben loved poking the overly formal Englishman. “I’m also not as cute as Fabi, am I? That’s it, isn’t it? Are you discriminating against me because I’m not as pretty?”

  “That goes without saying.” The corner of Jonathan’s mouth turned up in a barely perceptible smile. “Miss Salvadori—”

  “You can call me Fabi.” The smile was in her voice.

  “Fabi,” Jonathan said. “Is he as annoying in Rome as he is when he travels? Or is he one of those Americans who simply becomes irritable any time they leave Los Angeles?”

  Jonathan pronounced it Los Angeleeez, which was just begging Ben’s fist to hit his mouth.

  “Tenzin and I have been living in New York. Not Los Angeles.”

  Jonathan glanced over his shoulder. “Not recently. She’s been here.”

  Oh, Jonathan definitely needed to be punched.

  Fabi put a hand on Ben’s arm. “Ben’s been so busy in Rome, I don’t think he’s had time to be irritable.”

  Bless you, Fabi.

  “Busy?” Jonathan walked out of the station and toward a black car that was waiting in the private car lot. “I trust we’ll be able to keep him occupied here as well. It might even keep him out of trouble.”

  “Are you sure you’re not confusing me with my partner?” Ben asked. “I’m usually the one cleaning up the trouble, not starting it.”

  Jonathan switched to Mandarin once they were seated in the car. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on between the two of you? Or should I just be ready to duck if blades start flying?”

  Ben answered in Mandarin. “It’s none of your business. We’ll keep things professional.”

  “Since when does Tenzin keep anything strictly professional?” Jonathan’s tone was derisive. “By the way, your Mandarin is excellent. It appears that shipping-vessel ploy worked.”

  Ah yes, the infamous container ship that Tenzin had stranded Ben on after his junior year of college. “Just don’t try it again. I’m meaner than I used to be.”

  “Yes, I can sense that.”

  Jonathan didn’t appear to be joking, which made Ben wonder.

  Was he meaner? Was he harder? He tried to remember the boy who’d met Jonathan the first time. The first time Tenzin had dragged him across the ocean on a quest. The first time she’d double-crossed him and claimed it was for his own good. The first time she’d shown a hint of awareness of him as a man and not simply Giovanni’s nephew.

  The years piled on top of each other like storm clouds gathering. Ben felt old. Weary. He watched the city lights of downtown Shanghai speed by as their driver worked his way through traffic.

  He was richer than he’d been at twenty-one, but what else had he accomplished? He’d finished a bachelor’s degree. Started a business… of a sort. He’d made alliances and built a reputation.

  And it was all in the vampire world.

  “You’ll be staying in secure rooms at Cheng’s compound for the rest of the week.” Jonathan switched back to English. “The research vessel is still gathering supplies, so that won’t leave until Monday.”

  “Oh!” Fabia smiled. “So we’ll have time to explore Shanghai? We didn’t have much time in Beijing.”

  Jonathan’s smile was indulgent. “Of course. Cheng’s city compound is centrally located. You’ll be able to explore the city tomorrow. In fact, after sundown, I’d be happy to give you a tour myself.”

  Fabia was all smiles. “Thank you. What a lovely offer.”

  “You’re very welcome.”

  Ben rolled his eyes. Jonathan being charming just felt wrong. “Hey Jonathan?”

  “Yes, Ben?”

  “Are you going on the ship with us?”

  Jonathan’s smile fell. “No. Cheng decided he’d rather have me back here looking over things in the city. You’ll meet your other team members later tonight.”

  “Team members?” For some reason, Ben had imagined that he, Tenzin, Cheng, and Fabia would be working alone.

  “The Qamar Jadid—or the ship we think is the Qamar Jadid—has been lost for a thousand years. You’re going to need help to find it, recover it, and document the historical significance of the find.”

  Fabia smiled. “I’m thrilled to be a part of this.”

  Jonathan said, “I understand you’re an avid diver.”

  “Yes. I love it.”

  �
��Did Ben tell you I’m a water vampire?”

  “He didn’t. So no scuba equipment necessary for you?”

  He shook his head. “I look forward to seeing the updates. I’m sure this recovery will be fascinating. It’s rare to find a vessel of this age that appears to be intact.”

  “What kind of pictures have they taken?”

  “Only the most rudimentary.” Jonathan leaned back into the plush leather seats. “But you’ll see more tonight when you meet the team. Cheng will show you everything.”

  The building where Jonathan drove them looked like a luxury residential tower in the Pudong neighborhood of Shanghai. They pulled into the basement and were waved into a deserted parking area under the building near a sleek silver elevator.

  Jonathan got out and instructed the valets who opened the doors to take Ben and Fabia’s luggage to the eighth floor. Ben kept his messenger bag with him, and Fabia kept her purse and carry-on bag.

  As their luggage was whisked away, Jonathan led them to the elevator. “You’ll have the use of this car while you’re here. Fabia, the driver doesn’t speak English or Italian, so if you need an interpreter, simply call the front desk and request one.”

  Ben sent Fabia a quick text. Talk to me before you do that.

  Fabia glanced at her phone and nodded.

  Jonathan continued. “I’ll show you to your rooms, but traffic was a little heavier than I’d expected. Will you need much time to refresh yourselves? Cheng will have a meal prepared when you arrive at the meeting, so there’s no need to eat.”

  Fabia said, “If that is the case, I don’t need much time. Would a half an hour be too much?”

  “Not at all,” Jonathan said. “Ben?”

  “Half an hour sounds good to me.”

  “Excellent. I’ll come gather you at eleven thirty.”

  The building might have looked typical from the outside, but inside, it was the picture of luxury. The elevator had a padded velvet bench, rosewood paneling, and framed art on the walls. The carpet underneath their feet was plush.

  When the elevator doors opened, Jonathan walked them down a wide hall with views of the city through a wall of mirrors. He paused in front of two carved wooden doors and handed over two hotel-room-style card keys.

  “Your rooms are adjoining. There are multiple locking systems for security when you are inside. There is also a directory of building services on the desk. A full-service kitchen, spa, and fitness center are available twenty-four hours for your convenience.” He looked at them both, but mostly at Fabia. “Is there any other way I can be of service?”

  “I don’t think so,” Fabia said. “Thank you.”

  “You are most welcome. I’ll see you in half an hour.”

  Ben slid his key in the lock. “I think someone has an admirer.”

  “Oh?” Fabia gave him a sidelong glance. “I think someone has a chip on his shoulder.”

  Ben and Fabia both opened their doors. Within seconds, Ben was opening the door between their rooms. A moment later, Fabia opened hers.

  “I don’t have a chip on my shoulder,” he said.

  “You like this city. You’ve told me a hundred times. And yet you’ve been sucking on a lemon from the time Jonathan picked us up at the station.”

  “I just… don’t normally stay here.”

  “You mean with Cheng.”

  “Yes, I mean with Cheng.” Ben ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “I don’t like him. I don’t like her being with him. I don’t like that he’s in charge of this. I don’t like that I’m apparently taking orders from him. I mean, what is that about?”

  “It’s called being part of a team, Ben. Every team has a leader. It’s the only way anything gets done.”

  “So why is he the leader? Why not Tenzin?”

  Fabia rolled her eyes. “One”—she stuck out a finger—“I believe Zhang said he’s the one who found this wreck, or found evidence of it.”

  “Fine. Yes.” Ben crossed his arms.

  “Two”—she continued putting up fingers—“he’s a water vampire. You’re not. Tenzin’s not. It seems obvious to me. Three, it sounds like he’s put a team together and acquired a research vessel. Maritime recovery is specialized work. The one who puts the tools together gets to be in charge. Those are the rules. Those are always the rules.” She reached up and pinched his earlobe.

  “Ow!”

  “Grow up. Cheng isn’t your competition. If Tenzin has feelings for him, then you don’t want to have a relationship with her. That would be foolish. If she doesn’t have feelings for him and the two of you actually stand a chance at anything approaching a normal relationship—which I still have very strong doubts about—then he’s no threat to you. According to you, she’s had him. If she wanted him, he’d still be hers.”

  “Maybe Cheng ended it,” he muttered.

  “Would he still be alive if he’d done that?” Fabia asked. “That’s a serious question, by the way. I have no idea what Tenzin would do if someone broke up with her.”

  “Okay, probably not.” Ben rubbed his ear. “Why are you so mean?”

  “Because you are so thickheaded.” She marched back to her room and closed the door. “I’m taking a shower and changing. Unless you want to scare her with your smell, you should too.”

  11

  Tenzin watched Ben as he entered the room with Fabia. The two of them moved similarly. She hadn’t noticed that before. They had a similar gait and pace. A consequence of growing up in comparable homes or something deeper?

  Cheng glanced up from the plans he was scanning at the conference table. “Good. They’re here.” He looked at her from the side and his voice dropped. “You wanted him here. I don’t want any problems, Cricket.”

  “There won’t be.”

  “The woman is a good addition to the team. I looked over her résumé. She’ll be an asset.”

  “That’s what he said too.”

  “Did you talk to him in Penglai?”

  “Yes.” They hadn’t talked in the way that Benjamin wanted, but Tenzin was still deciding what to do about that.

  “Good.” Cheng flicked his portfolio closed. “Then there should be no problems.”

  She looked at him innocently. “Are there ever?”

  “Yes.” The corner of his mouth twitched. “Always. That’s why you should move here. You need a keeper.”

  “Do you think so?” How amusing. “And you think you’d like the job?”

  “I’ve told you before. The offer is open.”

  Tenzin turned back to Ben, staring at him with no pretense of hiding her gaze. “No,” she said. “You and I only get along for short periods of time, Cheng. We’re too much alike.”

  “Do you think so?”

  Not really. She and Cheng were as different as water and wind. Still, it was good to humor him, and she didn’t want to say no too often. Doing that might create resentment, which wouldn’t serve her purposes.

  Cheng examined Fabia. “The archaeologist is attractive.”

  “She is. The short hair suits her.” Tenzin fingered the shorn hair at her own nape. She liked the velvet thickness of it. Liked the sensation of running her fingers along the edge. She enjoyed the swing of cool silk along her jaw when the blunt edges of her hair touched her skin. The tactile pleasure of it fed a growing hunger that lurked on the edge of her consciousness. She didn’t examine it; it was a hunger and she fed it.

  She hadn’t told anyone—not even Chloe—that she’d returned to New York a month before and asked Breanna to trim it for her. It had grown out too much, and Tenzin wanted the velvet feeling back.

  Cheng had noticed the newly trimmed hair, but he hadn’t asked. Jonathan told her short hair made her look like an adult and it was about time, which made no sense to her at all. She’d been an adult for thousands of years.

  Cheng glanced at the old pocket watch he kept with him. “Kadek and Johari should be here in a few minutes.”

  Tenzin glanced at Ben. He was l
ooking at her. Looking away. Looking at Cheng. She’d rarely seen him so uneasy. He usually blended in wherever he went. “Let them eat before the other vampires get here. Humans can become uncomfortable if they are the only ones eating in a room.”

  “Good idea.” Cheng rose and walked over to Ben and Fabia, playing host for the humans, getting them food and drink to put them at ease. Chatting in that easy way he had with mortals. Tenzin remained at the end of the conference table, paging through a book she’d already read from cover to cover.

  The New York penthouse had been the same when she visited. Her roof garden hadn’t died, though it wasn’t thriving the way it had been when she was tending it. Her loft in the apartment was free of dust and smelled as fresh as when she’d left it months before. Ben was the only one allowed in her alcove, which meant he’d been cleaning it in her absence.

  Tenzin couldn’t decide what she wanted to do about New York. Or about Ben. She hated to feel surprised, but he’d surprised her in Puerto Rico when he told her he remembered what had happened in the caves. She’d thought he’d been too rattled from blood loss to remember the passionate kiss. The biting. The… other things.

  She didn’t often lose control. Not anymore. She’d felt like an animal after the cave-in, which was not a memory she enjoyed. She was angry that he remembered her weakness.

  As for what he’d told her before she left, his words were seared in her mind.

  “Tell me this has nothing to do with me. Look me in the eye and tell me this has nothing to do with you and me and what happened in that cave and what’s been happening for months—for years—now between us.”

  He’d called her a liar when she told the truth. Losing control in the cave was one thing. What had been growing between them was entirely different. Tenzin didn’t know what he wanted from her, which left her out of sorts, because she’d always known what Ben wanted.