Tenzin needed a few people around who weren’t afraid of her. Most people were either so awed or so frightened that they treated her like a mythical being, not an actual person. He and his uncle had talked about it.
Giovanni said the death of her mate, whatever their relationship had been, had opened Tenzin up in ways he hadn’t seen in hundreds of years. She’d become more human. More aware of the world around her. Less remote. More curious.
Ben didn’t want her to lose that. Ever. The older the vampire, the more removed they usually were from the world around them. And however complicated their relationship might be, Tenzin was one of his best friends. He didn’t want to lose her to the cold distance of immortality.
“You must be the human,” a voice said from the doorway.
Ben looked up. “You must be the pirate.”
Of course he would look like a pirate. Of course. The vampire he assumed must be Cheng was of medium height and medium build, but his body was lean and his face must have been very tan in life. He was ruddy looking, even as pale as he was. He had a rakish grin and spoke in perfect English. He wore a trimmed beard and his shirt was open at the throat. He even had shoulder-length hair pulled back by what looked like a leather strap.
“All you’re missing is the eyepatch,” Ben said.
“You know, it wasn’t because we were missing eyes.” Cheng toed off his shoes and sat down in the low chair across from Ben. “It was a battle tactic. A way of making sure our vision could adjust quickly going from full light on deck to darkness below. I believe military special forces often use the same technique even today.”
And he seemed cool, too. Asshole.
Ben held out a hand. “Benjamin Vecchio.”
The pirate took it. “Cheng. Just Cheng.”
“Like Cher?”
He leaned back and threw one hand up in the air in a flourish. “I prefer Madonna.”
Ben couldn’t stop the smile. “Is she expecting you here?”
“She knows I know of this place. So probably yes.” Cheng looked around. “This is a comfortable house. Its mistress is under the direct protection of her sire. She knows I would respect that.”
“Would you?”
“Yes.” Cheng smiled, his fangs sneaking down. “I’m reckless. Not stupid.”
“Hmm.”
They sat in silence for a few moments. Ben didn’t speak, but he didn’t keep reading his book, either. The two men sat across from each other, drinking the tea that Jinpa had brought and sneaking measuring glances at each other.
“Jonathan told me you were her lover,” Cheng said. “This surprised me, so I wanted to meet you. Obviously you are not.”
“Oh?” Cheng could assume whatever he wanted. Ben wouldn’t say either way until he heard from Tenzin. Where the hell was she, anyway?
“I do know you’re the nephew of the two scholars from California. You’re gathering your own quiet reputation in our world. I noticed. Somewhat impressive for a human.”
“Is that so?” He sipped his tea. “How audacious of me.”
Cheng burst into laughter. “I can see why she likes you.”
“Why are you here?”
His eyes flashed. “To see my woman, of course.”
“I’m here.”
She spoke from behind him, but Ben forced himself not to turn. Tenzin walked around the couch and Cheng rose as she approached. His friendly gaze turned predatory as their eyes met, and Cheng whispered something only vampire ears would be able to hear.
Tenzin walked up to him and rose on her toes, kissing him full on the mouth as Cheng wrapped an arm around her waist. The kiss went on long enough that Ben forced his eyes away.
“I missed you, cricket.”
Ben looked back. Cheng’s hand was on Tenzin’s cheek and she held the front of his shirt, clutching it in her hands.
She said, “I missed you, too.”
“You wait too long to visit me.”
“And you never visit me, so you cannot complain.”
Cheng shrugged and smoothed a hand over Tenzin’s hair. “You know how busy I am. And I do not want to intrude.”
“I will tell you if you are unwelcome.”
The corner of his mouth turned up. “I know you will.” His eyes flicked to Ben. “Your human is interesting.”
Tenzin finally looked at him. Their eyes met over her shoulder and locked. The stormy grey was cold again. He met her gaze, chin lifted, and forced a small smile to his lips.
She turned her eyes back to Cheng. “He’s not my human. Come, we’ll speak on your boat.”
He’s not my human.
It was exactly the point he was trying to make. And somehow, it still stung.
CHAPTER NINE
Tenzin ignored the laughter in Cheng’s eyes as he guided her to the small vessel he’d used to reach Jinpa’s home.
“What is going on there?” he asked.
“Nothing that concerns you.”
They both sat, Tenzin in the bow and Cheng at the stern. He put a hand in the water and used his amnis to force the boat away from the dock. They drifted slowly out into the moonlit canal, then farther to the lake. She watched with pleasure as he stripped off the shirt he’d put on to visit the house and held out his arms.
“Come.”
She floated to him and settled between his legs as Cheng slid down and arranged the pillows he’d brought to cushion their bodies from the wooden hull of the ship. He’d been a man of the sea as a human, but one who liked comfort. To this day, his quarters were lush with silk cushions and down-filled blankets. He collected riches from all over the world, not simply to cache them as she did. No, Cheng enjoyed luxury.