Page 42 of Night's Reckoning
“Vampire,” Tenzin said. “Kadek’s men have been integrated into the human crew of this vessel—”
“Really?” Ben interrupted. “How did you manage that?”
The dead stare Cheng and Tenzin gave him was enough to shut him up.
“Okay then,” he muttered. “Carry on.”
Cheng continued. “It is enough to say that we have functional control of the ship. Kadek’s first mate will be in charge of the humans during the day. I am the leader of the night team, Miss Salvadori, and you are a part of that.”
“Thank you.” Fabia folded her hands on the table. “That more than answered my question.”
“Kadek?” Cheng sat and gave the room over to his son.
Ben examined Kadek. He was a stocky, dark-skinned vampire who appeared to be from Southeast Asia. His hair was shorter than Cheng’s, cut with military precision. He had a barrel chest and a face marked with several long scars near the chin.
“It’s nice to meet all of you.” Kadek stood and looked around the room. His accent was heavy but understandable. “Miss Salvadori, I’m very pleased we have at least one other person on our team who knows what kind of recovery we’re looking at. Though I have worked many salvage operations, the academic aspect of this job is new to me and my team. Your expertise will be valuable.”
“Thank you,” Fabia said. “I can’t make any predictions—not knowing more about the site—but I can offer general ideas.”
“Understood,” Cheng said. “Still, it will be good to have our own academic.” He turned to the fourth vampire in the room, another person Ben had never met. “The final member of our team is new to all of us, but we are grateful she is able to join us from her home in Alitea. Johari, your recommendations are unparalleled. Welcome to Shanghai.”
The woman who rose was tall, slim, and carried herself with preternatural grace. She was also stunningly beautiful. Her hair was trimmed close to her head, emphasizing a graceful neck. Her skin was a medium golden brown, and her eyes were a multicolored hazel with thick lashes.
Ben couldn’t shake the feeling that he recognized her energy, but he had no idea why. He’d never met her before, never even been to Alitea.
Johari said, “Thank you, Cheng. And thank you to everyone for your welcome. I’m currently in Alitea, but I am a native of Zanzibar.”
Cheng said, “Johari is well-versed in Arab trade routes through the Indian Ocean, but she also brings a particular gift with her elemental ability.”
Ben watched Johari, whose face was inscrutable. “Why did you move to Alitea?”
She turned her fascinating eyes on him. “I was infected with Elixir. Saba cured me. I am her daughter now. Earth is my element.”
Ben thought he might know just why Johari could be so damn valuable. “You weren’t always an earth vampire, were you?”
Zanzibar was an island off the coast of Tanzania. A place rich in trade with a long history of human cultures intersecting. Islands like that often attracted water vampires.
She cocked her head. “I was not. My first elemental ability was water.”
I’m sorry.Ben didn’t say it, but he thought it.
Those with Elixir poisoning could be cured by Saba, the mother of the vampire race, but in doing so, they were forced to leave behind whatever element they had controlled and take on Saba’s amnis, which was tied to the earth.
Ben couldn’t imagine what it would be like to lose an elemental ability and then have to take on another. His aunt’s element was such a deep part of who she was, losing her connection to water would be traumatizing. Tenzin was so connected to the air and the wind—losing that might be the one thing that could kill her.
“Fortunately,” Johari continued without flinching, “this has given me unique skills that my new mother has often found useful. I am an earth vampire who moves comfortably underwater. I have no fear of it. In fact, I enjoy being in the ocean very much, even though I now draw my amnis from the earth.”
Which was not typical for most earth vampires, who would feel disconnected in the ocean. Johari was a brilliant addition to the team.
Fabia sat up straight. “You’ll be able to move the sand and mud on the sea floor.” Her mouth dropped open. “That’s incredible. That could change everything.”
Johari smiled. “I’m glad you think it will be of help.”
Cheng stepped forward, and Johari took her seat again. “Johari and Kadek’s skills will be invaluable to this recovery. We won’t have a final location until we can search the area, and we’re still waiting for the human crew. Tonight I think we should share a drink and get to know each other a little more. We’ll be in close quarters on the ship.”
Fabia raised her hand. “For the purpose of clarity, I am in favor of a drink, but I am not in favor ofbeinga drink.”
Cheng smiled. “Noted, Miss Salvadori. I believe we might order some wine.”
