Page 146 of Dawn Caravan
René guided them through the inner ring of vampire caravans. There were new trailers and buses, but Ben spotted Vano’s sleek vehicle from across the clearing.
“We’re not going for stealth,” Tenzin said quietly. “It won’t matter in the end. Everyone will know that we stole them.”
René looked like he wanted to hit something. “Which is why you and I should—”
“Nope.” Ben cut him off. “Tenzin’s been planning this one for days. Just go with it, René.”
Tenzin paused and looked up at René with wide eyes. “Do you think I would cheat you out of Vano’s gold after you saved my life?”
René was unimpressed. “You mean after you trapped me in your trailer during the day and then used me to create a shelter from the daylight after your enemies tried to kill you? Yes.”
“I’m very grateful.”
“Clearly. If you’re so grateful—”
“Ben and I will take Vano’s trailer. You clearly know how to access Kezia’s goblet since you have the rubbing. We will get the goblets—”
“Do you think I am an idiot?” René was fuming.
“—andonlythe goblets.” She made anXover her heart. “I promise.” Tenzin took Ben’s hand. “Meet us near the kitchen wagon when you’re done.”
Without another word, Tenzin dragged Ben toward Vano’s trailer, leaving René glaring behind them.
Ben let himself look over his shoulder. Just once.
René looked murderous.
He turned back to Tenzin. “I love how you work.”
“I know.”
They walked with purpose, which Ben had discovered over the years was the key to getting pretty much any place you wanted to go.
He spotted Vano’s trailer in the distance, along with two Hazar guards near the entrance. “Ideas?”
“We don’t want to attract that much attention.” She nudged him. “Air.”
Without another word, she took to the sky and dissolved into darkness. Ben stepped behind a trailer and called the air, lifting himself to the top of the caravan where Tenzin was waiting. He felt simultaneously hidden and exposed. The humans couldn’t see them from below, but there were dozens of air vampires flying over the camp, jumping from one roof to another, laughing and visiting as the music grew louder and the dancing more rowdy.
“Just stay here for a moment,” Tenzin said.
“Limited time.”
“I know.” She nodded. “Trust me.”
In a matter of moments, Ben knew what she’d been waiting for. There was a show below, a fire juggler of some kind, and the man touched off a rocket that shot from the ground and into the sky, exploding overhead and grabbing everyone’s attention.
“Nice.” They kept an eye on the juggler, and when he was gearing up for another firework, Tenzin grabbed his hand. “Now.”
They flew from their spot and alighted on Vano’s trailer just as the second rocket exploded.
Tenzin put a finger to her lips and smiled. Then she slid across the roof to the plastic-covered air vent that was just small enough for a child to crawl through.
“There’s no way my shoulders are going to fit through that,” he hissed.
Tenzin frowned. “You’re not going in.”
“Vano thinks you’re dead, Tenzin. If he finds you in his trailer—”
