Sadly, it was only mildly cooler on the water than anywhere else in the Yangtze delta. Which meant the old water town, like the rest of greater Shanghai, was a furnace. Sweat plastered Ben’s dark hair to his forehead, so he took a quick shower and dressed in a pair of linen pants and a loose white shirt that were a little cooler than his jeans and T-shirts.
Curious what was going on in the rest of the house, he slid the door to his room open and stepped into the central courtyard.
“Good evening, Benjamin,” Jinpa called from across the way. She was sitting at a table near the open kitchen door, shelling what looked like peas. “Some tea?”
“Yes, thank you.” He’d give his right arm for a tall glass of iced sweet tea, but hot was how they drank it in China. He’d almost gotten used to drinking steaming beverages at all hours of the day and in all kinds of sweltering weather.
Almost.
Jinpa handed him a steaming mug with a smile. “You are looking for Tenzin?”
He hadn’t been, but would Jinpa actually tell him where her rooms were?
“I had something I wanted to talk to her about. Is she awake?”
She was always awake, but he had no idea if Jinpa knew that.
“Come,” the old woman said. “I show you to her room.”
Frowning, he followed. If this was the kind of security Jinpa offered…
But maybe Tenzin was the only vampire who ever stayed there. Maybe she owned the house, for that matter. Ben had no idea. He’d spent more time sleeping than anything else. Had Tenzin brought other humans here? Had Giovanni visited? Jinpa was Nima’s family member, a niece or cousin of some kind, and Nima had been Tenzin’s human companion for over sixty years. It was possible that Jinpa kept the house for Tenzin alone.
Following a narrow passageway, the old woman led him to an arched doorway with red lanterns hanging on either side. A dark green door with brass handles stood beyond the gate. Jinpa motioned to the door, then disappeared quickly, leaving Ben at the entrance to Tenzin’s room.
He stood shuffling for a few minutes. She’d be awake, for sure. Tenzin didn’t sleep. But would she answer a knock? It couldn’t be open.
On a whim, he pressed down on the latch.
The door opened.
Well shit. What was he supposed to do now?
“I don’t sleep. And if you broke into my room, I’d hurt you.”
“I guess I’ll find out,” he muttered.
Ben pushed the door open and stepped through, closing the daylight behind him. Immediately shrouded in darkness, he grabbed his phone from his pocket and switched on the flashlight. The room wasn’t a room, but a suite. Maybe a whole other house, in fact. He stood in an entrance hall lined with intricately carved wooden screens. A formal sitting room was on the right and another room with various musical instruments was on the left, filled with low couches. A tea service was set out.
You could have heard a pin drop.
“Tenzin?” he called in a quiet voice. She’d hear him, even if he whispered.
He walked through the music room and through a doorway where a faint light shone. When he stepped through, he realized it wasn’t a light, but the heavy grey of a series of alabaster doors that must have opened onto an interior courtyard. The sunlight through the doors filled the room with an indirect light tolerable for an immortal. Clever. Each door stood at least eight feet tall, the translucent stone thin enough to reveal a faint glow without allowing any damaging sunlight. At night, the doors could be pushed open to allow the evening air to cool the rooms. A massive dragon was painted in one set. A phoenix on the other. The four doors stretched across the space, illuminating the room in grey shadows.
“Tenzin?”
When he turned, he realized the wall behind him was filled with bookcases.
“Hello,” he muttered. “Someone’s been hiding all the books.”
Ben bent down and tried to read some of the titles. Most were in Chinese, but there were a few in English. He was so absorbed in searching he didn’t even hear the approach.
He did feel the cold metal at his neck, though.
“I told you I’d hurt you if you broke into my room,” Tenzin said, floating down to perch on his back.
Ben stood up, Tenzin still clinging to his back, her knife pressed to his throat.
“If we’re comparing the situations, I’m not in your bedroom. And you’re not naked.”
“How do you know?”
He reached up and tugged the sleeve he could feel at his neck.
“Are you going to take the knife away from my carotid now?”
“Your pulse isn’t even elevated,” Tenzin said, resting her chin on his shoulder. “That’s rather extraordinary for a human.”
“What can I say?” Ben said, hand darting up and grabbing her wrist, twisting it until she released the blade. “I have interesting friends.”
Tenzin laughed and jumped off his back, walking to a lamp in the corner and pulling a cord to flood the room with light.
“Cool place,” he said, looking around.
It was a house. Not a large one, but a beautifully decorated one. He could see the door to what he assumed was a bed chamber on the other side of the library. To the left, another door that was closed.
“Yes, I like this house,” Tenzin said.
Ben nodded toward the doors. “Those are amazing.”
“They are, aren’t they? A little joke from my father when he heard that Cheng and I were together. He thought it was amusing.”
“Those are a joke? Tell Zhang he’s got my name for any and all gag gifts in the future. Those doors are beautiful.”
“They are. Are you feeling better? You look more rested.” She motioned to the low couches in front of the bookcases. “Did you want some tea?”
“Is it cold?”
She grinned. “I’m afraid not. That is one thing I do miss about America when I’m not there. So much wonderful ice.”
He frowned, suddenly realizing why her house felt so different from the rest of the compound. “But your rooms are cool.”
“Oh yes. I had air-conditioning added years ago. Yours is the only bedroom that hasn’t been updated yet.”
“You know”—Ben sat back and stretched out his legs— “sometimes I go days and days harboring the illusion that you’re nice. Then I’m reminded you’re not. You’re really mean and I don’t know why I put up with you.”
“I thought it would be a more authentic Chinese experience without the AC. Plus, that room does have the best view of the canals.”
“Small blessings.” He leaned back, closed his eyes, and decided to just enjoy the cool air while he could. “What’s on the agenda for tonight, Tiny?”
“I thought we’d go into Shanghai. Eat some fish. See the lights. Maybe help Cheng lure a traitor into the open before he steals my gold.”
Ben paused, thought, then gave her a nod. “Sure, that sounds fun.”
CHAPTER TEN
Shanghai. Was. Amazing.
The lights. The people. The towering skyscrapers, their tops so high they were hidden by the fog that came off the ocean at night. Dinner boats and freighters passed between the Pudong and the Bund, crossing the divide of new and old Shanghai.
From the banks of the old town, Tenzin and Ben watched the lights of the new city flash and flicker, leaning over the railing on the riverbank.
“The best way to see the lights,” she said, leaning close to him, “is from the air. When the fog is in and it’s dark. No one can see you if you’re flying up there.”
He smiled, imagining her playing in the forest of skyscrapers that rose across the river, the crowds and traffic below oblivious to her joy.
Tenzin smiled, her fangs flashing briefly before she closed her mouth. The crowd of humans was too thick along the Bund, the older European side of the river. Tourists from all over the world came to see the grandeur of Shanghai. But even in the rush and bustle, Tenzin was forced to hide, her ever-present fangs forc
ing her to conceal her playful smile from the world.
“What?” she asked.
He leaned over, bumping her shoulder with his own. “The world misses out, not getting to see you smile.”
She rolled her eyes. “Sentimental boy. Have you liked your trip to China?”
“It wasn’t exactly what I expected.”
“Far more exciting, I’m sure.”
He laughed, shaking his head as he said, “I don’t know why I ever try to predict how things will be when I’m traveling with you. But I love China.”
“You’ll come back, then?”
“Oh yeah.” He scanned the crowds. “Though I might make my own itinerary next time.”
She turned and leaned her back against the railing, watching the mass of humanity rush by.
“Is it very different?” he asked.
“Always. This place… It is always changing. And yet, it never really does.”
“History repeats itself?”
“Constantly.” She blinked and looked up at him. “But I can still be surprised by the most insignificant things. I am a fortunate person.”
“So am I.”
“Are you? Sometimes I imagine you wish you lived a more ordinary life.”
The corner of his mouth turned up in a rueful smile. “What’s ordinary?”
“True. You and I, we are good at this.”
“Good at what?” Ben caught a flash of face. A familiar face. The woman was passing the small cart selling cold drinks on the corner. He’d seen her before. She’d been outside the small restaurant where they’d eaten two hours before. Coincidence? He didn’t really believe in coincidence anymore. He caught Tenzin’s eye and jerked his chin in the direction she’d gone.
“You see her, too?” Tenzin asked.
“Mmhmm.” He didn’t stare. In fact, Ben looked away, throwing a casual arm around Tenzin’s shoulders to lead her away from the railing. Three tourists quickly rushed in to take their place. “What were you saying? What are we good at?”
“This.” They continued walking, staying close in the press of the crowd. “We work well together, Benjamin. Over by the pharmacy.”
“I see her.” He was careful to walk slowly. To anyone looking on, they were two young people out for an evening stroll. “We fight almost constantly.”
“Only about unimportant things.”
“She ducked into that restaurant. And I’d hardly call your lack of respect for my personal space unimportant.”
“Personal space is a very Western concept, you know. And I have an idea.”
“Can we talk about it after we figure out why that woman was following us?”
“If you’re having trouble concentrating, I suppose so.”
It started to rain, a thin drizzle of warm water falling from the sky. Umbrellas popped open on the sidewalk, almost impaling both Ben’s eyes before he could duck away. The woman following them was Chinese. Young. Her hair was hidden under a plaid cap, and if he hadn’t been raised to respect his own paranoia, the girl would have appeared like any of the thousands of fashionable young women walking along the Bund that night.
“There,” he said, spotting the flash of her cap.
“No, there.” Tenzin tugged on his arm. “She gave the hat to someone else. Watch the way she walks. The way she holds her handbag. Caps and scarves are too easily discarded. But humans have a far more difficult time changing their stride.”
“Got her.”
They walked more quickly, following the pretty human into one of the large pedestrian streets lined with shops. Flying lights spun above them as street vendors shouted out to the children holding their parents’ hands, tempting them with flashing laser pointers and spinning whirligigs. Ben almost lost sight of her, but she ducked down a side street and caught her heel in a crack of the pavement. She paused and threw a cautious glance over her shoulder before she dove into the alley.
She’d definitely spotted them.
He felt Tenzin floating a little off the ground, and he squeezed her hand. “Not here.”
She muttered something under her breath, but followed him. She probably wasn’t able to see the woman, but Ben, being almost a foot taller than her, hadn’t lost their tracker.
“Was this part of your plan?” he asked. “To draw some attention?” They were getting closer to the alley.
“Yes. I was expecting someone else, though.”
“Kesan?”
Her head whirled around. “How—”
“Who else knew we were retrieving something in Kashgar? I was mad at the time, but really, we hadn’t been in town long enough for rumors to have reached the VIC. Kesan tipped someone off. And whoever is running Kashgar would be smart enough to send more than three guys after you. So Cheng’s guy tipped someone off, but he didn’t want them to succeed.”
No one had come out of the alley, and no one else had entered. It might be a shortcut to another street. It might be a passageway between buildings. It might be a trap.
“Is anyone looking?” she asked in a whisper as they turned the corner. It was utterly and completely black. The unnatural glow of the city lights had thrown the space between the buildings into deep shadow.
“If they are, it’s too dark to see anything.”
There was a fluttering at his side and Ben knew she’d taken to the air. A few minutes later, there was a scuffling sound. Then Tenzin marched out of the alley with the unconscious young woman thrown over her shoulder.
Ben sighed. “So I’m supposed to carry her back to the car like that? Do you want me to get arrested?”
“Don’t be silly.” She hovered a few feet off the ground. “Take the car. Drive to the docks. I’ll meet you there.”
“Okay, but—”
She was already gone.
“Tenzin!” he hissed, looking for a trace of her in the shadows. “Tenzin?”
Ben sighed and walked out of the alley, grabbing his phone and wondering if there was any way to put a GPS tracker on a vampire.
Two hours later, Ben was sitting in the car, staring at the locked chain-link fence surrounding the destination his GPS had led him to. Not surprisingly, the port of Shanghai was massive, and he had no idea where he was. The phone rang. He was hoping it was one of Cheng’s people, but he saw his uncle’s number pop up instead.
He picked up and phone and answered. “Hey.”
“Ah. Excellent. You’re not dead,” Giovanni said, the slight echo telling Ben he was on speakerphone. “Injured?”
“Nope. Kinda lost. But no major injuries so far.”
“Yes, she forgets the entire world doesn’t see things from a bird’s-eye-view at times.”
His head fell back on the headrest. “So she’s always been like this?”
“As long as I’ve known her, yes.”
“And you worked with her for how long without killing her?”
His uncle chuckled. “No one forced you to go, Benjamin.”
“I know.” He looked around the empty parking lot. “I guess it’s more interesting than spending every night at clubs and hooking up with… actually, clubbing sounds pretty good right now.” He scraped a hand along his jaw. “I miss air-conditioning. And Mexican food. I’d kill for a really cold beer.”
“When will you be home?”
“As soon as we get this cargo on the ship. Which is supposed to be tonight. I’ll call the airline in the morning.”
“Let us know when you’ll be back.”
“Will do.” He yawned. “What time is it there?”
“Six in the morning. I’ll be going to rest soon. I was just wondering how you were doing.”
Well, Gio, I’ve lost all my possessions, I’m pretty sure I still smell like rotten carrots, and I stabbed a vampire in the eye while he was trying to kill me. Then I practically assaulted one of your oldest friends when she interrupted me having a sex dream about her.
“It’s been… great,” Ben said, clearing his throat. “Now, if I can just find Chen
g’s docks, it’ll be even better.”
“Why don’t I have Caspar text you or email you Jonathan’s contact information? He always keeps a human secretary close by. He’d be the one to help you. So, you’ve met Cheng?”
“Yep. And Jonathan’s number would be great.” Ben did a mental fist pump. What was he thinking? He should have called Caspar to begin with.
“What did you think of Cheng?”
“He looks like a pirate. I’m considering sending him a parrot for Christmas. Or Chinese New Year. Whatever. Hey, could you get me that number?”
“Oh yes. Of course. I’ll let you go and have Caspar send it right away. Stay safe, Benjamin.”
“Night, Gio. Give B my love.”
When Ben finally pulled into the parking lot near the private docks where Cheng loaded his ships, Jonathan was waiting for him.
“Where is Tenzin?” Jonathan asked.
“No idea.” He got out of the car and grabbed the messenger bag that was still hanging on. It was the only thing that had stayed with him the whole trip, and its comforting weight bumped against his hip. “She’s not here?”
“No.”
Thinking of the human woman she had to be carrying, Ben said, “Well, that’s… not good.”
“I would agree with you. Come.”
The tall Englishman led him through security, past the maze of containers, and into the open, where a pier that looked more like a giant road seemed to lead straight into the sea. Beside them, the hull of a freighter rose in the night, lights lit and cranes roaring as they loaded the massive ship. An almost empty container holding ten small crates stood in the open. Cheng and another figure stood nearby, a black car parked a little distance away.
Cheng nodded as they approached. “Mr. Vecchio. How are you tonight?”
“I’m well.” Ben glanced up, but Tenzin was taking her time appearing.
“I believe you know Kesan,” Cheng said.
Ben held out his hand, but the vampire ignored it. “We met in Ürümqi. Nice to see you again.”