He wanted respect. He wanted to be rich as well, but he mostly wanted respect.
When had it started to change? When had he started to change? Ben wanted different things now.
It was so… irritatingly human. Ben really needed to become a vampire. It was past time. The sentimental attachment to mortality no longer served him.
Cheng had remained at Ben and Fabia’s end of the table after servants brought platters of food and silently departed. He mostly paid attention to Fabia, leaving Ben to shoot Tenzin unspoken questions with his eyes.
This guy? Ben glanced at Cheng. Really?
Tenzin shrugged. She trusted Cheng in most things. When it came to dealing honestly with her in business, she trusted him implicitly. Cheng was too afraid of her to cheat.
Ben looked irritated. Did he think she and Cheng had become lovers again? Was he… jealous?
Perhaps he was jealous.
“We’re not having sex,” Tenzin said from across the room. “If that’s what you’ve been thinking.”
Ben nearly spit out the water he’d been drinking. Cheng looked over his shoulder, his eyes narrowed. Fabia let out a laugh, then clapped a hand over her mouth.
“Thank you for the clarification,” Cheng said. “Did you mean with me or him?”
Tenzin frowned. “Both. Or neither. I’ll include Fabia in that too. I’m not having sex with any of you.”
Ben wiped his mouth. “Good to know we’re all clear on that.”
“Thanks, Tenzin,” Fabia said. “I’ll try not to be too disappointed.”
“Good.”
Ben rose and walked over to Tenzin, leaving his plate of food half-eaten. “Can I talk to you outside please?” He paused by the table, grabbed her hand, and nearly dragged her onto the balcony.
Tenzin let him. He clearly needed some air.
There was a wide terrace that overlooked the skyscrapers of the Pudong. Black glass doors slid open with the touch of a button.
Ben walked to the far end of the balcony and dropped her hand to run agitated fingers through his hair. “What the hell, Tenzin?”
“I don’t understand why you’re irritated. I thought you might have imagined that Cheng and I—”
“Maybe.” His eyes narrowed. “Maybe I thought that.”
“So.” She spread her hands out. “Now you know we are not. You have no reason to be jealous.”
“I wasn’t jealous of Cheng.” Ben spat out the words.
Tenzin narrowed her eyes and noticed the flush in Ben’s cheeks. “I think you were.”
“I’m not.” He crossed his arms. “I’m not jealous of him. That’s ridiculous. I don’t want his life. I have no interest in being some… modern pirate businessman with hundreds of servants and—”
“I assumed you were jealous of Cheng because he and I were once lovers and you and I are not.” She frowned. “I didn’t think it was those other things.”
Ben kept his arms crossed over his chest—a defensive human gesture—and remained silent. She tried to read his face, but he’d become nearly as accomplished at hiding his true thoughts as his uncle was.
“You left me,” he said quietly. “I was honest with you, which wasn’t easy. I was expecting you to be angry. I was prepared to fight with you—God knows it wouldn’t be the first time—but I was prepared for that. Instead, you just… left.”
She shook her head. “That had nothing to do with—”
“Bullshit.”
She glanced back at the conference room. “Do you really want to talk about this now?”
“Should we schedule an appointment instead?”
Tenzin nodded. “Yes. That is a good idea.”
He dropped his arms. “I was being facetious, Tiny.”
“I don’t know why you’d make a joke about that. It’s a good idea.”
He took a deep breath. “Okay, I can’t believe I’m doing this. What’s your schedule like tomorrow night?”
She frowned. “Very busy. I need to fly to my house tomorrow night.”
“For?”
“There’s a book in the library I think might be useful.”
“What about? Most of your books in the Shanghai house are European.”
“I know, and there is an Italian one about the glass trade that I think might prove useful, but I can’t remember where it is.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Does it have a blue dust jacket?”
“Yes!”
“Take me with you and I’ll help you find it. I think I know the one you’re talking about.”
“I was going to fly.”
He shrugged. “So? Fly me with you.”
She looked him up and down. “You’re large.”
“Are you saying you’re not strong enough to do it? You going to drop me?”
If you continue to be this irritating, maybe. “No.”
“So take me with you. We can look for the book and have our… meeting at the same time.”
Talking while occupied in some other task did have its advantages. If Ben brought up things she didn’t want to talk about, she could distract him. She was very good at distracting him.
“Fine.” She walked back toward the doors. “I’ll take you tomorrow. Now come meet the team.”
Ben sat back at his seat and picked at the remnants of food left on his plate while Cheng introduced the two other vampire members of the team.
“Kadek is one of my oldest sons,” Cheng said. “He is an experienced sea captain and will be in charge of the Jīnshé. He will also be coordinating with the crew from the university. Our client, Elder Zhang, was quite adamant that he wanted more than a direct salvage operation and was interested in scholars documenting this historic site, which is why we will have the university research vessel and not a smaller ship.”
Fabia raised her hand. “For the purpose of clarity, are Ben and I considered part of the vampire crew or the human crew in this context?”
“Vampire,” Tenzin said. “Kadek’s men have been integrated into the human crew of this vessel—”
“Really?” Ben interrupted. “How did you manage that?”
The dead stare Cheng and Tenzin gave him was enough to shut him up.
“Okay then,” he muttered. “Carry on.”
Cheng continued. “It is enough to say that we have functional control of the ship. Kadek’s first mate will be in charge of the humans during the day. I am the leader of the night team, Miss Salvadori, and you are a part of that.”
“Thank you.” Fabia folded her hands on the table. “That more than answered my question.”
“Kadek?” Cheng sat and gave the room over to his son.
Ben examined Kadek. He was a stocky, dark-skinned vampire who appeared to be from Southeast Asia. His hair was shorter than Cheng’s, cut with military precision. He had a barrel chest and a face marked with several long scars near the chin.
“It’s nice to meet all of you.” Kadek stood and looked around the room. His accent was heavy but understandable. “Miss Salvadori, I’m very pleased we have at least one other person on our team who knows what kind of recovery we’re looking at. Though I have worked many salvage operations, the academic aspect of this job is new to me and my team. Your expertise will be valuable.”
“Thank you,” Fabia said. “I can’t make any predictions—not knowing more about the site—but I can offer general ideas.”
“Understood,” Cheng said. “Still, it will be good to have our own academic.” He turned to the fourth vampire in the room, another person Ben had never met. “The final member of our team is new to all of us, but we are grateful she is able to join us from her home in Alitea. Johari, your recommendations are unparalleled. Welcome to Shanghai.”
The woman who rose was tall, slim, and carried herself with preternatural grace. She was also stunningly beautiful. Her hair was trimmed close to her head, emphasizing a graceful neck. Her skin was a medium golden brown, and her eyes were a multicolored hazel with thick lashes.
Ben couldn’t shake the feeling that he recognized her energy, but he had no idea why. He’d never met her before, never even been to Alitea.
Johari said, “Thank you, Cheng. And thank you to everyone for your welcome. I’m currently in Alitea, but I am a native of Zanzibar.”
Cheng said, “Johari is well-versed in Arab trade routes through the Indian Ocean, but she also brings a particular gift with her elemental ability.”
Ben watched Johari, whose face was inscrutable. “Why did you move to Alitea?”
She turned her fascinating eyes on him. “I was infected with Elixir. Saba cured me. I am her daughter now. Earth is my element.”
Ben thought he might know just why Johari could be so damn valuable. “You weren’t always an earth vampire, were you?”
Zanzibar was an island off the coast of Tanzania. A place rich in trade with a long history of human cultures intersecting. Islands like that often attracted water vampires.
She cocked her head. “I was not. My first elemental ability was water.”
I’m sorry. Ben didn’t say it, but he thought it.
Those with Elixir poisoning could be cured by Saba, the mother of the vampire race, but in doing so, they were forced to leave behind whatever element they had controlled and take on Saba’s amnis, which was tied to the earth.
Ben couldn’t imagine what it would be like to lose an elemental ability and then have to take on another. His aunt’s element was such a deep part of who she was, losing her connection to water would be traumatizing. Tenzin was so connected to the air and the wind—losing that might be the one thing that could kill her.
“Fortunately,” Johari continued without flinching, “this has given me unique skills that my new mother has often found useful. I am an earth vampire who moves comfortably underwater. I have no fear of it. In fact, I enjoy being in the ocean very much, even though I now draw my amnis from the earth.”
Which was not typical for most earth vampires, who would feel disconnected in the ocean. Johari was a brilliant addition to the team.
Fabia sat up straight. “You’ll be able to move the sand and mud on the sea floor.” Her mouth dropped open. “That’s incredible. That could change everything.”
Johari smiled. “I’m glad you think it will be of help.”
Cheng stepped forward, and Johari took her seat again. “Johari and Kadek’s skills will be invaluable to this recovery. We won’t have a final location until we can search the area, and we’re still waiting for the human crew. Tonight I think we should share a drink and get to know each other a little more. We’ll be in close quarters on the ship.”
Fabia raised her hand. “For the purpose of clarity, I am in favor of a drink, but I am not in favor of being a drink.”
Cheng smiled. “Noted, Miss Salvadori. I believe we might order some wine.”
“Speaking of drinks,” Kadek said. “What will be the policy on the boat?”
“Preserved blood only,” Cheng said. “If you want fresh, feed before we leave port.”
Kadek wasn’t pleased. “There will be more than enough humans—”
“Who are guests of the ship.” Cheng added something quietly in a language Ben didn’t speak.
Kadek fell silent, but Ben could see him brooding.
“Preserved blood,” Cheng said. “And blood-wine. We will bring stores of both. We’ll be too far offshore to hunt, but those who are diving will need to be mindful to keep their amnis fed.”
Kadek looked like he wanted to speak, but he pressed his lips together and said nothing.
Interesting.
Ben would have to keep an eye on that.
12
Ben met Tenzin on the same balcony where he’d left her the night before. She wore her usual uniform of black leggings and a loose black tunic. This one was sleeveless and bared the smooth curve of her shoulders, the subtle muscles in her arms, and her delicate wrists.
Had he ever dismissed her as anything but utterly beautiful? If he had, he was a fool.
She was standing on the edge of the balcony, looking outward at the city. Fog drifting in from the ocean hung over the lights downtown.
“It’s a good night for flying,” she said.
“How long will it take to get there?” Ben was wearing a pair of grey linen pants and a black T-shirt.
She glanced at him. “With your weight added, maybe half an hour.”
“I forgot how close it is.”
“Yes.”
“Why aren’t you staying there?”
She turned her dark grey eyes up to him. “Is my presence here distracting?”
“Just wondering why you trust Cheng so much.”
“My day chambers here are very secure. And you know I don’t sleep.”
He lifted his hand and ran his palm over the nape of her neck and the shorn black hair on her neck. It was soft. He wanted to put his mouth on her neck. Wanted to run his lips along the curve of her ear.
You want to bite her.
Was it payback or something more?
Tenzin’s skin prickled in the darkness. “I flew to New York a month ago so Breanna could cut it.”
“It looks great.” He ran his fingertips up her neck. “I was in Rome a month ago.”
“I know.”
“Can you see the bruises?”
“Yes. They’re faded, but they’re there. Who put them on you?”
He shrugged. “No one important.”
She didn’t question him further. If she truly wanted to know, she’d find out.
“Should we go?” Ben left his hand on her neck. Tenzin didn’t push it away.
“Yes.” She slid an arm around his waist. “Hold on to me. Like you’re hugging me.”
Are you trying to torture me? “Okay.”
Ben put his arms around Tenzin and immediately felt her power rising. The air around him moved, teasing over his skin like a curious cat winding through his legs.
“It won’t feel like we’re going fast,” Tenzin said.
Ben felt his feet leave the ground and pushed back the panic instinct that wanted to rise.
“We’re not flying against the wind but with it.” Tenzin’s mouth was close to his ear. “If I were too close to other elements like water or earth, lifting you would be difficult.”
He clung to her, but she held him tight. He felt cushioned in a bubble of air.
“Up here,” Tenzin said, “nothing interferes.”
They rose up and over the roof, quickly rising into the dense blanket of fog.
“It’s not flying.” Her breath whispered against his neck. “We’re simply asking the air to move us.”
Ben looked down. Tenzin was in his arms, and they were moving through the air. Fog whipped past them, curving around the bubble of air that carried them.
“It loves you,” Ben said.
“Yes.” She smiled, letting her eyes close. “It knows me.”
I know you.
His heart twisted in his chest. “Have you decided what color you want to paint your loft? Chloe wanted to call painters next week since we’re both gone.”
“No.” Tenzin frowned. “I’m not sure… We’ll talk about it at the house.”
I’m not sure I’m coming back. It didn’t need to be said. Ben knew she was having second thoughts about working with him. It was the only thing that gave him any kind of hope. If she truly didn’t care, she’d abandon him without a backward glance. The fact that she was being evasive was probably the most positive sign he could hope for.
“Almost there,” she said.
“Good.” Not good. Of course, she still had to fly him back. “Tenzin, did you bring a backpack?”
“No, but you left one in your room at the house.”
“I forgot about that. I’ll grab it when we land.”
Was this what needed to happen? Should he just pretend nothing had taken place between them in Puerto Rico? Move on? Forget what her mouth tasted like, what her body felt like? Forget that
she’d writhed over him in pleasure, making his body ache and tripping her from hunger into pure bloodlust.
She is perfectly content with denial.
It shouldn’t have surprised him, but it did. A little.
If Ben pretended nothing had happened and simply went back to the way things were, Tenzin would follow his lead. He could have his life back, have his friend back. He would never taste her mouth again. Never know what it would be like to sate her hunger. But she would be back.
Could he do that? Did he want to?
Ben felt their descent. The distant lights of Tenzin’s small water village became visible through the fog. Dark channels cut through warm yellow lights and bobbing fishing boats.
They landed in the courtyard of the water house, and Ben immediately recognized the scent of the tangerine tree. Heavy fruit hung on the branches of the small tree in the center of the garden plot that lay in the middle of the courtyard.
She made sure their feet were on the ground before she released her arms from around his waist. “There. You’ve flown.”
“Thank you.” He didn’t want to take his eyes off her. If he looked away, she could disappear.
She narrowed her eyes. “What?”
“Flying is much better than sitting in traffic.”
“Is that the first time you’ve flown?”
He shook his head. “Gavin.”
“Ah.” She turned and looked around the courtyard. “I didn’t tell Jinpa I was coming. I don’t think she’ll have any food prepared.”
“Don’t bother Jinpa. I ate before we left.” Ben glanced around the courtyard. It had been over a year since he visited, but it was exactly as he remembered it. “Want me to make some tea? I remember where the kitchen is.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I may not value convention, but you’re still a guest in my home. I’ll make the tea.” She pointed toward the gate leading to her private quarters. “You go to the library.”
“Thanks.”
He waited in the courtyard, watching her walk away.
Night’s Reckoning: An Elemental Legacy Novel Page 10
