Page 27 of Night's Reckoning
Ben looked at Fabia, who nodded. “Sounds good.”
“Thank you,” she said. “I would definitely like to clean up.”
The cars drove to the rounded hangar in the distance. When they arrived, another group of humans welcomed them and took their luggage. Ben saw a slim man standing to the side with two large garment bags.
“I see Mr. Huang is already here.” Andrew nodded to the man before he ushered Ben and Fabia through the hangar door. “Mr. Huang is the tailor I recommended to your uncle. He has your formal clothing for tonight. More casual clothing will be delivered to the ship before we leave.” He spread his arms to indicate the hangar, which had been transformed into a comfortable and modern lounge. “Until then, make yourselves at home.”
* * *
It wasten o’clock when they boarded the boat helmed by a silent water vampire who looked barely legal to drive a car, much less pilot a centuries-old traditional Chinese sailing vessel.
Fabia was dressed in a richly textured green silkchang-ao, a traditional garment that folded across the front like a robe. There was delicate gold embroidery around the collar and the long sleeves, but other than that, it was simple. And very rich.
“You look beautiful.” Ben helped Fabia up the gangway leading onto the deck. “Any problems with the outfit?”
“No.” Fabia turned and smiled. “I love it. I much prefer this to the skintight formal wear expected in the Roman court.”
Ben smiled. “Emil does like his modern Italian designers, doesn’t he?”
Ben’s blackzhiduowas similar in style to Fabia’s outfit but far more severe. The silk was thick and unpatterned. The garment fell to the floor and nearly covered the simple shoes he’d been given. Loose pants completed the outfit. He felt like he was walking barefooted and his movement was unrestricted.
Yes, far better than going into an unknown situation in a wool suit.
He racked his memory, trying to think of the symbolism of the two colors, but there was too much in his mind.
Andrew followed them, dressed in a blue zhiduo similar to Ben’s. “The Penglai court is more traditional than the current Roman court, though of course all the elders are well-versed in modern conventions and manners.”
“Of course,” Ben said. He and Fabia took a seat on the forward deck of the ship while he watched their luggage being loaded. He kept his eyes on the locked laptop case that he normally carried himself. It would be impossible to keep it with him constantly, but having it out of his hands still made him itchy.
“Please remember,” Andrew said, “you will not have any mobile phone service on the island. You are welcome to keep your electronics, but put them away. No photographs are permitted anywhere. There is no internet at all.” Andrew smiled. “With all deference to our Irish friends,Carais not welcome here.”
Cara was the electronic voice of the Nocht system developed by water vampire Patrick Murphy’s software company in Dublin. She was a modern, voice-activated assistant to vampires around the world who struggled to use modern technology because they usually shorted out electronics with their amnis.
Fabia’s eyes went wide at the restrictions. “So no phones. No computers. Nothing?”
“I’m afraid not, Miss Salvadori.”
Ben nodded. “Is thereanycommunication off the island?”
“There is one landline you may use in emergencies. Other than that, if you must send a message to anyone, please contact me and I will arrange a courier.”
The boat started to move, though Ben felt nothing. No wind. No motor. Fog grew thick around them, and they floated away from the land.
“Wow.” Fabia looked around them. “It’s cold. Beautiful, but cold.”
“I was worried I’d be too warm in this.” Ben remembered summer in Shanghai all too clearly. “But the tailor knew what he was doing.”
They drifted silently through the water, moving fast enough that the wind whipped his hair around his face. Fabia tucked a blanket around herself and leaned into him.
“How long?”
It had only been fifteen minutes. Maybe twenty. But Ben knew without question. “Not much longer.”
He could feel the energy like the draw of a great magnet. It pulled him.
She pulled him.
Ben saw the clouds thicken and gather like a layer of snow covering a mountain.
