Page 118 of Night's Reckoning
“I’m saying that Ben might not be in Penglai by the time you get back with your father’s sword. Be prepared for that.”
Tenzin stared at the horizon, watching as the sky lightened to a dark, pearlescent grey.
“I am prepared for Ben to hate me quite thoroughly. In fact, I expect it.”
“So why—?”
“I did what I had to do, Cheng.” She turned and walked to the stairs that led belowdecks. “Ben is alive, and I will not regret it.”
* * *
She was staringat the painted white bulkhead, drifting in a heightened level of consciousness. She saw the room from above, floating over her body. Saw the neatly stacked books, the spinning basketball, and the young girl cowering in the corner.
Wait.
She blinked awake, came back to her body, and stared.
What was that?
The basketball was between her palms and she was pushing the current of air around it, spinning it in an endless spiral. She heard footsteps approaching and knew who would open the door by the rhythm of the steps.
She didn’t knock. Impertinent. Then again, Fabia was trying on wrath for a change.
“You should not have come back here.” Fabia stood over Tenzin, putting her hands on her hips. “How could you do it? Youknewwhat he wanted.”
“To die?” Tenzin said quietly. “Do you really think he wanted to die?”
“No one wants to die”—tears filled her eyes—“but you knew he didn’t want to be a vampire. Youknewit, Tenzin.”
“I know he didn’t want to die.” She turned back to the corner where she’d seen the vision of a girl. “Go away.”
“You should go away!”
Tenzin looked back at Fabia. “You’re young and you love him. But don’t test me.”
“You called him your friend”—tears were running down her face—“but you are the one who killed him.”
“Johari killed him.” Her patience was wearing thin. “I saved his life.”
“You ended it.” Her voice broke. “Don’t you know why he didn’t want this? He worked every day and every night to prove he wasn’t like them. And you’ve taken that away.”
“Now you are being foolish.” Tenzin rose and walked to Fabia. “Go away before you try my patience.”
“You think you know him—”
“No,” Tenzin said firmly. “I do not think I know him. In fact, I know I do not.” She walked toward Fabia, who backed up to the door. “Your mistake, Fabiana Teresa Salvadori, is thinking that you do.” She shut the door in Fabia’s face and leaned against it.
Why was she so tired?
She locked the door and walked back to the soft pallet where she’d been meditating. She lay down on her back and closed her eyes.
And then Tenzin fell asleep.
* * *
She woke with a gasp,confused and uncertain where she was. She looked around and locked eyes on the one thing that made sense.
Basketball.
