Ben paused and reached into the bag where they’d stored the treasures they’d taken from the British vault. “In the course of investigations for our client, we happened to enter a vault where there were many treasures from Ethiopia. This was… not a museum or any place that should have these items. Do you understand?”
What Ben was really saying was: we stole these, but it was for a good cause.
Hirut was listening. “Much of our cultural heritage was acquired by others in less than ethical ways. If you have happened to come across heritage items that you believe are the rightful property of the Ethiopian people, I am happy to accept them on their behalf.”
What Hirut was really saying was: if you’re stealing other people’s stuff but giving us our treasure back, I’m not going to ask any questions.
“The most precious item we found was this.” Ben carefully unwrapped the gold and velvet crown.
Tenzin said, “I dated it to the seventeenth century, but you may be able to identify it more precisely.”
Hirut took the crown in both hands with a soft look on her face. “I remember the empress who wore this crown, a humble and devoted queen. Thank you for returning it. I will see that it goes back to the correct institution.”
“Likewise, we found a collection of crosses that must have been looted from churches,” Ben said. “Along with a number of scriptures in Ge’ez.”
Hirut wasn’t an easy vampire to read, but Tenzin knew the woman was surprised and delighted. “You said you were on a mission of restoration, and I confess, I doubted your intentions. I would like to apologize for my cynicism.”
Tenzin gave her a slight bow. “It is cynicism born from bitter experience, daughter of Saba. I understand, as I understand duty.”
“Do you?” Hirut met Tenzin’s gaze, and the piercing look she directed toward Ben, then back to Tenzin, told her everything she needed to know.
Hirut knew what Saba had done to Benjamin. She knew about Johari and the Night’s Reckoning. But like Lucien in California, Hirut was a servant of her sire. She would not cross Saba.
“I heard you have a new sister,” Tenzin said. “From Zanzibar.”
Ben turned to face them but didn’t say a word.
“My mother has cured many,” Hirut said. “I admit it has created… a complex family situation.”
Because there were vampires who had taken Saba’s cure, and then there were Saba’s true children who had taken her own blood and shared her amnis. The cure was made from Saba’s blood, but it didn’t carry Saba’s amnis the way that a naturally sired child would. In effect, Saba had two families now, an army of vampires loyal from her cure, and her true children.
Immortals sired directly from Saba’s blood would have greater status and fulfill greater roles in her clan. Vampires like Johari, on the other hand, were more disposable. It was a recipe for rivalry and conflict.
“Your sister from Zanzibar…” Tenzin never let her gaze waver from Hirut’s. “I understand she was injured when she was in Asia.”
“She suffered to send a message to my mother,” Hirut said. “That message was received.”
“There are many kinds of thieves,” Tenzin said. “And many kinds of treasure.”
“I cannot disagree with you, daughter of Zhang. But know that my mother values all kinds of treasure, and gold is… not high on the list.”
“Tenzin, why don’t we finish giving these items to Hirut?” He pasted on a smile, but it was fake. Hirut probably couldn’t tell. “We still have a lot to take care of tonight, and I’m sure she’s busy too.” He passed her the black duffel bag. “All the items are packed as carefully as we could manage. The manuscripts, in particular, should not stay in the paper sleeves for too long. I’m sure you have librarians or archivists who specialize in all that.”
“We do.” Hirut took the bag and held the gold crown in her other hand. “My thanks on behalf of the people of Ethiopia. You have done us a service tonight. These items will find their rightful place, I assure you.”
Tenzin bowed more deeply. “We were happy to perform a service for our host. I pray it will not be forgotten.”
“I promise you it won’t.”
They were packing the last of their backpacks when Mika tapped on their doors. “Ben? There’s a Dr. Liya Tegegne here to see you?”
Tenzin saw Ben fist pump. He actually pumped his fist up and down several times.
“Yes!”
“Mika only said she was here,” Tenzin said. “Not that she was here to help. Don’t count your ducks in a row.”
Ben frowned. “What?”
“Don’t count your ducks in a row.” She waved a hand. “You know, do not count on things that have not happened yet.”
“Chickens before they hatch.” Ben smiled. “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”
“Oh, that makes much more sense.” Tenzin set down her backpack. “I told Sadia she was mistaken, but she told me she was very sure it was ducks.”
Ben put a hand on the small of her back and nudged her toward the door. “Okay, let’s go see what Liya has to say.”
“I admit,” she said, “if she can help us, I will be relieved. The search area is massive.”
“I know.”
Liya was sitting under the mango tree, sharing a glass of wine with Mika. When she saw Ben and Tenzin, the archaeologist broke into a huge smile. “Why weren’t we meeting at your compound all along? This place is beautiful!”
“Thanks.” Ben looked at Tenzin. “We’re actually heading to Lalibela tonight, so we were curious—?”
“Tonight?” Liya shook her head. “Rich people. You must have a private plane or something.”
“Something like that,” Tenzin said. “Have you thought any more about my offer?”
“I have, and I checked out the library you mentioned. It wasn’t easy to find outside sources, but I talked to the librarian in Puglia, along with a couple of friends of mine at UCLA, and it sounds like it’s all legitimate.” She reached into her bag and took out a manila folder. “Even with all the special circumstances, I still feel strange handing these over to you.” She pressed the envelope to her chest. “You have to promise me that you’ll be careful.”
“We will use as light a touch as you have ever seen,” Ben said. “The team we have with us is second to none. I promise.”
She still looked doubtful, but she handed the folder over. “I’ve listed nine sites on there, but I believe the top four are the most likely locations based on the criteria you described to me. They’re all former treasuries from the Aksumite dynasty. Two of them are active church or monastery sites, so please respect the wishes of the priests in those places. If they tell you you cannot dig, you must promise to listen to them. They have their reasons.”
Ben flipped through the folder, and Tenzin said, “We understand.”
She understood, but she promised nothing.
“Okay.” Liya took a deep breath. “Okay, I’m trusting you.” She nodded at Tenzin. “And I’m expecting you to follow through too; I really need that funding for the Nile dig.”