Page 21 of Night's Reckoning
The Ferrari was a classic from 1968, and it lived in Tuscany. Ben couldn’t control rocks that flew up from trucks, but he was going to get it fixed. Soon.
Giovanni narrowed his eyes. “Tabling the car discussion for now. I heard through very convoluted channels that you’re ignoring a letter from Penglai Island.”
“That’s not exactly true.” He was ignoringfourletters from Penglai. “I have them, I just haven’t had time to open them yet.”
“Them?” Giovanni’s eyes went wide. “Ben, what the hell are you doing?”
He sat on the couch in the living room and ran a hand through his hair. “Listen, I know this is just her trying to get my attention without actually talking to me, and I’m not going to play her games right now—”
“Benjamin.” Giovanni’s voice had fallen into “scary quiet” mode. It was a tone that often preceded fiery, burning kind of situations. It was a tone that was used so rarely Ben could count the occasions.
It was a tone that made Ben shut up immediately.
“The Eight Immortals are the most dominant vampire council in Asia,” Giovanni said quietly. “They rule all of China, most of Korea, and much of the marine territory in the Pacific.”
He took a breath. “I know that, but—”
“Shut. Up.” His uncle’s eyes were burning. “Have I taught you nothing? Do you realize that your aunt—mymate—is a scribe of the court? Do you know what that means? Do you know how this reflects on us? Onher? As far as they are concerned, you are herson, Benjamin. And you are ignoring them.”
Ben felt like he was about fourteen years old. He felt a rush of embarrassment combined with anger. “Do you know how long it’s been since she—”
“I don’t care!” Giovanni yelled before he threw the tablet down, and Ben heard shuffling and muffled voices in the background. A few seconds later, his aunt came on the screen.
“Hey.” Beatrice’s eyes were wide. “What’s going on? Why are you angry? Why is he being all steamy?”
Ben cleared his throat. “I’m not responsible for his moods, B.”
“Excuse me?” Her voice was sharp. “It looks like you’re both having temper tantrums. What is going on?”
“Someone on Penglai Island sent me a few letters. I haven’t opened them. Did Tenzin call you guys?”
“I haven’t heard from Tenzin. Why haven’t you opened the letters?”
“So how did he hear about—”
“Why are you avoiding the question? He had a meeting with Ernesto earlier tonight, but I hardly think Tenzin would send a message—”
“No, she wouldn’t.” Everything clicked at once. “But Cheng and Ernesto constantly coordinate on shipping stuff,” Ben muttered. “Which means she’s probably in Shanghai, and she probably said something to Cheng, who said something to Ernesto, who said something to Giovanni.”
Beatrice pursed her lips. “Vampire politics. Not as different from high school as you’d think, actually.”
“I’m going to open the letters, B. I’ve just been—”
“Good. Full stop. Don’t say anything else to me right now. Open them and answer them. Ignoring formal correspondence like that makes me look bad and makes you look like an irresponsible kid. Which you’re not. You may think that’s unfair, but that’s the way it is. Part of my status depends on showing respect to scary people. And you may not find Tenzin scary, but the entire rest of the world does, especially those elders. So buck up, buttercup. Answer your mail and stop avoiding your responsibilities.”
Ben knew she was right, but he didn’t have to like it. “I’ll answer the letters.”
“Today.”
“Today.” He let out an angry sigh. “You know, I didn’t ask—”
“No, no, no, no,” Beatrice said. “Don’t piss me off, Ben. This is the way things are. If you’re going to be in this world—”
“Well, maybe I don’t want that anymore!”
Beatrice was silent for a long time. “Okay,” she finally said. “Talk to me.”
Ben stood and walked toward the stairs. “Maybe I don’t want to be part of this anymore. You know, I could stay here. Stay in Rome. Find a job here working for… I don’t know. I have money I’ve earned myself now. I could take some time and… I don’t know.”
