Page 144 of Dawn Caravan
“Enough to know that something is coming and it could be violent.”
Her blue eyes went wide. “This is the Dawn Caravan. Radu would never—”
“Radu would not,” Ben said. “Others might.”
She didn’t say anything more, but she nodded.
“I like you,” Ben said. “Take care.”
“You smell like her now.” The corner of Tatyana’s mouth turned up. “Did you resolve your dispute?”
“You’re very observant,” Ben said. “You know that, right?”
Her smile fell. “That’s what got me into trouble.”
“Good luck.” Ben tipped the edge of his cap toward her and sauntered slowly toward the edge of the camp again. He picked up a few more chairs and moved a few buckets, trying to keep from any appearance of haste.
He got to the edge of the clearing and walked straight into the trees. He heard a shout behind him, probably from a perimeter guard, but within seconds he was in the air, darting through the tree canopy as he and Tenzin had the night before, and in minutes he heard nothing but the wind.
37
Ben and Tenzin flew to the edge of the forest moments before they were to meet René the next night. Tenzin landed in a clearing and waited for Ben to land beside her. She looked to her right and watched him descend, her feeling of satisfaction immense.
He was beside her now, her blood in his veins, and his amnis knew hers. His light would never fade; it would grow and change like a jewel gaining facets with friction. His love for her was simple now, a seedling barely taking root.
What she felt for him?
The love I hold has lasted as I have. It lives in my blood.
She lived in Ben and he lived in her, joining the lives of those she had loved before. He existed with Nima, Stephen, and her children, residing among the names she’d chosen to forget and those she couldn’t bear to speak.
He watched her watching him. “What?”
“This is right.”
Ben frowned. “The job?”
“No. I mean, probably the job is right. I think our plan is solid, and if it isn’t, we can always fly away and lie about what happened. I was talking about us.”
He gave her half a smile. “Agreed. Not about the lying thing though.”
“It’s a minor lie.” She lowered her voice and fell into step beside him. “René said he hadaccessto the goblets?”
“Yes.”
“You know what that means.”
Ben said, “He’s planning on us doing the dirty work.”
“That would be my guess.” She stubbed her toe on a tree root and had to remind herself why she wasn’t flying.
Act human.What a ridiculous idea.
“We should stay together,” she said. “He will attempt to separate us.”
“Agreed. We stay together and we go after Vano and Radu’s goblets. Let him get Kezia’s.”
“Yes.”
