No, she needed the rush of adrenaline again. She hadn’t felt this restless since the days that she and Giovanni had been mercenaries.
Now that had kept her occupied.
But the world had changed. There was no longer any honor in living a warrior’s life. Those who hired out their services as soldiers, even in the immortal world, were a different kind of animal than she and Giovanni had been, and she felt no kinship with them.
Ben turned and met her eyes in the low lights that reflected off the river.
Tenzin had a different kind of plan to occupy her time.
He stood and carefully wound his way through the outdoor tables and the small crowd watching a musician. Then he stood under her, his chin just reaching the edge of the ledge where she was sitting.
“Did you think I wouldn’t see you there?”
“I didn’t think about it. I didn’t want to disturb you and your friends.”
He held out his hand. “Jump, don’t float. Let the humans see gravity.”
Tenzin jumped down and let her feet land hard. Such an awkward, heavy feeling. Yuck.
“Do you want me to leave you?” she asked.
“No, you’re going to join us for a drink.”
Tenzin halted. “No.”
“Tiny, Fabi’s the one who spotted you. Your cover as an inconspicuous statue has already been blown. You might as well come have a glass of wine.”
Tenzin wasn’t comfortable socializing outside her close circle of friends, and Ben knew it.
“Just try,” Ben said, putting an arm around her shoulders. “All of them—except the tall Ethiopian guy—know about your kind anyway.”
“Fine. One drink. And my Italian is rusty.”
“We’ll speak English then.”
She made her way through the crowd of humans, automatically assessing threats and marking weapons. A surprisingly high number of them for a lazy summer evening, until she realized that two of the tables were surreptitious security for the young people at the table.
Interesting.
The guards immediately took note of Tenzin, and she felt Ben’s arm tighten around her. He’d spotted them too.
Sometimes she was astonished by his perception. It was truly exceptional for one so young.
Fabia and Ben didn’t warrant security from Giovanni, at least not under normal circumstances. She wondered whether socializing with Giovanni Vecchio’s ward was considered something to be cautious about by other immortals. It could also be that there were current threats in Rome of which Tenzin hadn’t been apprised. She’d have to give Giovanni a call later.
Until then, a far greater danger awaited her.
Small talk.
“Hey, guys!” Ben said. “This is Tenzin.”
She saw the recognition immediately. Young people growing up under immortal aegis wouldn’t have any idea what Tenzin looked like, but almost everyone in their world—human or vampire—knew her name.
The ancient one.
Daughter of Penglai.
Commander of the Altan Wind.
Assassin.
Spy.
Tenzin had been a legend before most of the Western immortals took their first breath.
Ben pressed a hand to her back and eased her into a chair he pulled next to his.
Only Ben, his friend Fabi, and her clueless boyfriend were at ease.
“Tenzin, it’s so good to see you,” Fabi said. “How long are you in town?”
Tenzin smiled. Fabi was Angela’s niece. A smart, humorous girl. Ben was at ease with her, so Tenzin could be too.
“I’m here for a time,” she said vaguely. “I have some business in the south, then I’ll probably head north to visit some property.”
She had a house in Venice. It was one of her favorites. Had she ever told Giovanni about it? She couldn’t remember. She’d show Ben.
Ben said, “You know Ronan and Gabi, I think. And this is Elias, since Fabi is being rude—”
“Zitto!” Fabi laughed. “Sorry, I forgot. I feel like Tenzin must know everyone.”
The young man leaned forward and held out a hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. You’re an American friend of Ben’s?”
Tenzin stared at the hand for a moment before she held hers out, touching the young human’s fingers only briefly so he didn’t notice the unnatural chill of her skin.
“I am,” she murmured, careful to keep her lips closed and her fangs covered. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
Ben seemed at ease with the young man. His earlier stiffness had eased the more he talked with Fabia’s new friend. If Ben approved of the young man, Tenzin would give him the benefit of the doubt.
Ben quickly led the conversation into a discussion of a current film that had just premiered in Rome. Tenzin sipped the wine he poured for her and smiled, but she avoided speaking. Elias didn’t know about immortals, and it was too difficult to conceal her nature from ignorant humans.
Ronan and Gabi’s tension eased after a few moments, and soon the young people were drinking, joking, and laughing like the old friends they were. Tenzin, however, watched Ben.
Did he have friends like this in Los Angeles? He must have, but she didn’t know them. When she was in LA, she didn’t socialize except with Giovanni and his family. It was fascinating to see Ben in his element with the other humans his age.
He was a natural leader. He steered the conversation without effort, probably not realizing the others followed his lead. He was the kind of man other males would follow, not out of fear but because he made them feel a part of something greater. More important.