Page 114 of Night's Reckoning
“Physically?”
Zhang poured two cups of tea. “We’ll start there.”
“Everything hurts. But not really hurts, it’s just… a lot.”
“Intense.”
“Yes.”
Zhang nodded. “That is normal.”
But nothing about this situation could be considered normal.
They were sitting in a room that was startlingly plain considering the owner. Half of the roof was open to the sky, and the walls were plain wood paneling. No flourishes. No woodwork or painting. Plain wood. The floor was bamboo covered in woven mats. It looked more like a monastery than the quarters of an ancient king.
Zhang looked around, noting Ben’s careful eye.
“I understand the theater of ruling,” Zhang said. “Rulers need theater. It is a valuable skill I have used for thousands of years. But you are my son now—”
Ben tried not to flinch.
“—so theater is not for you.” Zhang looked around. “These are my personal quarters. As long as you are in Penglai, you may ask to enter them.”
“Thank you.”
Two low benches with cushions sat on either side of a small table. There was tea, and Zhang had ordered a quiet vampire in the corner to bring noodle soup and more blood.
“As for the intensity of your feelings, Benjamin, you will find that the more you indulge your appetites, the more intense they become,” Zhang said. “That goes for everything but blood. Right now youneedblood. When the time comes that you do not need it and simply want it, we will begin your training.”
“What kind of training?”
“I believe I will wait for your uncle’s guidance on where we should start,” Zhang said.
Ben looked up. “Giovanni?”
Zhang nodded. “Your aunt and uncle are in route to Penglai right now. They immediately sought permission of the elders to visit you.”
“Thank you.” Ben felt like crying again, but he managed to take deep breaths to contain his emotion.
Zhang slid a cup of tea to Ben. “I have no desire to separate you from your uncle or aunt. One, they are valuable allies I respect and noted scribes here on the island. Two, they are close friends of my daughter. And three, they are your family. I respect family.”
“Thank you.”
“Nevertheless, you will not be permitted to return to them right now,” Zhang said. “Or anytime in your first year, at the very least. They are skilled and capable vampires, but you are not a water vampire or a fire vampire.” Zhang sipped his tea. “You command the air. And you are already very powerful.”
A year? “I’m going to be isolated on Penglai Island for a year?”
“Of course not. This is a court. There are too many humans who have reason to be here, and having a newborn vampire on the island for an extended period of time would be an intrusion on my fellow elders’ ability to conduct business. You and I will go to my fortress in the Khentii Mountains. You will be isolated there and no threat to humans.”
“The Khentii Mountains?”
“Mongolia,” Zhang said. “You will learn to harness your power, and I will train you in the ways of a warrior of my line.”
Ben stared at his tea. “Your line?”
“Tenzin has never chosen to sire a child.” The corner of Zhang’s mouth turned up. “Or none that she has told me about. It would not be unpleasing to me if you did not follow her example. Currently, my line has only myself, Tenzin, and now… you.”
Ben had to ask. Maybe he would be punished for it, but he didn’t care. “Why did you do it?”
