Page 50 of Fangs, Frost, and Folios
“I’m really proud to be your big brother.” He looked at Tenzin. “We’re both really proud of the person you’re becoming.”
Her embarrassed smile fell. “Thanks.”
“You know, I thought this was kind of a weird idea when Tenzin first brought it up.”
Sadia rolled her eyes. “I’m so shocked.”
Ben smiled. “But now I think it’s a great idea.”
Her eyes turned mischievous. “Are you, like, trying to get your own initiation ceremony because you missed out when you were thirteen and didn’t get any presents?”
Kaya giggled, and Ben heard Dema laugh too.
Ben looked at Tenzin. “That’s it; no more school. She’s going to be smarter than us if she keeps going.”
“Too late now,” Tenzin said.
“Yes!” Sadia threw her arms up. “No more school!”
Dema cleared her throat. “I don’t think Ben gets to make that decision.”
Sadia groaned, and Ben took the opportunity to place her gift in her lap.
“This is from me and Tenzin,” he said. “Well, I picked it out, but it’s from her treasure cache.”
Sadia blinked innocently. “’Cause she has better stuff than you?”
Zain snorted.
“I mean, do youwantan antique silver sextant?” He reached for the box. “Because I have an extra one lying around if you’d rather—”
“This is fine!” Sadia smiled as she opened the carved rosewood box, but then her eyes froze on what was inside and her mouth dropped open. “Ben, this is way too fancy.”
“You save it for when you’re older, okay?” He reached over and lifted it. “For tonight though, it can sit next to your cross.”
The piece that he’d picked out was a Scythian gold torque from the third century. It was a thick crescent of pure gold with a delicate series of chains hanging in back. Tiny twisting depictions of animals, flowers, and mythical figures decorated the front, and gemstones hung from the chains in the back.
“I received this as payment for the very first treasure-hunting job that Tenzin and I did in China.” He reached behind her neck and affixed the clasp of the torque. “This was my fee for driving a really stinky vegetable truck all the way across the country.”
Tenzin said, “And I originally acquired it in Russia a very long time ago.”
“For real?” Sadia turned to Kaya. “Look at this.”
Wearing ancient gold around her neck, Sadia looked like a young queen.
Kaya’s eyes were the size of saucers. “That is so cool.”
“It’s a grown-up present,” Ben said. “But you’re growing up. So” —he glanced at Tenzin— “this can be your first piece of treasure in your hoard, little dragon.”
Her eyes were wide, and her fingers pressed against the gold at her neck. “I think this is too much.”
Ben shook his head. “Nope. It’s not. But after tonight, we’ll put it in the safe until you’re older, okay?”
She smiled, her expression relaxing with relief. “Okay.”
Sadia jumped up and stood, gold at her neck and silver around her wrists. She turned her face to the fire with a defiant expression. “My name is Sadia. I was born during a war, and my first parents gave me my first name. My second parents gave me my second name. And tonight I’m choosing my third name. Hayat. Because I’m alive.”
Sadia Isadora Hayat. It was a strong name, one worthy of the girl who had survived a war and a near-fatal migration to safety.
