“Exactly.” Jonathan’s eyes when he glanced over his shoulder were amused. “Just the legal kind these days. Mostly.”
“The mostly is what we might need to discuss,” Tenzin said. “There was an incident at Penglai when your last trade representative was there.”
“Is that so?” Jonathan appeared to search his memory.
Jae almost jumped in with more information, but Ben put a hand on his arm and shook his head slightly. Tenzin was the best person to deal with Cheng.
“If it was recent, I suppose it could be Captain Sousa. Cristina Sousa,” Jonathan said. “One of our captains from Macau. She had a meeting recently with one of Elder Lu’s people about smoothing things out at the port. They were charging her excessive amounts to offload grain from Australia. A moderate amount of graft is expected for discretion, but it was getting out of hand. Cristina asked to meet with the elders personally, and if I recall correctly, her experience was positive.” He glanced at Tenzin. “Was there a problem?”
“Not with Captain Sousa,” Ben said. “Not that we were told. It was a routine visit.”
They walked from the dock and onto a broad veranda where lamps highlighted lush tropical plants; proud traveler palms and blooming birds-of-paradise gave the veranda a private air even as it faced the open ocean.
“Come in.” Jonathan pointed to an open pair of french doors. “Cheng is waiting.”
Chapter Seven
Tenzin spotted the old pirate immediately. Splayed out on a low jade-colored sofa, he wore a pair of loose pants and a billowing shirt open halfway down his chest. Cheng rose when he saw her, his barrel chest, long hair, and beard marking him as the modern-day pirate he’d always been.
“Cricket.” He opened his arms and walked forward to embrace her. “It’s been too long.”
She felt a jolt of amusement and familiar affection when she returned his embrace, then immediately after, a bitter thread of violence slipped through her mating bond with Benjamin.
He hated Cheng.
Tenzin stepped back and cocked her head. Don’t provoke him.
Cheng raised an eyebrow. Me?
Ben’s jealousy was unnecessary. Now that Tenzin had her physical need for touch met nightly by Benjamin, there was no need for her to maintain a physical relationship with Cheng. She had never trusted him the way she trusted Ben anyway, so it was far better that they were no longer lovers.
Cheng turned to Ben. “Vecchio, good to see you doing well.”
“Cheng, same to you.”
They shook hands in the Western fashion, and Tenzin could see both vampires sizing each other up.
Cheng took stock of the new vampire he’d known as a human. He could no doubt sense Ben’s elemental power, which was raw and immensely dominant. Most vampires sired to air didn’t learn how to fly for decades. Tenzin herself had been nearly one hundred before she took to the air.
Ben had woken his first night as an immortal floating over a bed.
Her mate was surveying Cheng, perhaps less impressed with the vampire now that he saw him with immortal eyes.
Cheng was wildly charismatic—it was what had made him such a popular pirate—but his elemental power was typical for a vampire his age. He was heavily muscled and carried himself with confidence, which threw many vampires off, but Ben was no inexperienced boy to be blinded by swagger.
The corner of her mate’s mouth turned up, and she felt the kick of cocky energy drifting toward her.
Good. This was good. Perhaps he’d be less hostile if he and Cheng—
“What do you say to a duel?” Cheng grinned. “For old time’s sake. I don’t think we ever had the pleasure when you were human.”
“That sounds great.” Ben smiled.
Jonathan sighed. “Is this necessary?”
“Yes.” Ben and Cheng spoke at the same time.
Cheng slapped his lieutenant on the shoulder. “Just a bit of fun, old chap.”
Tenzin said nothing. Part of her wanted to put a stop to it, but the majority was too interested in how this confrontation would progress.
“So what will it be?” Ben asked. “Host’s choice: jian or dao?”
Cheng spread his arms. “Are we on the water? Dao of course.”
The curved broadsword was Cheng’s weapon of choice and one that Ben had trained in, but not as much as Cheng had used it in actual combat.
“Dao it is.” Ben nodded toward the veranda. “I’m assuming we shouldn’t do this inside.”
“I’ll have the servants bring the weapons.” He motioned Ben toward the french doors.
“Now, no flying.” Cheng looked over and winked at Tenzin. “I’ve dueled your kind before.”
Ben’s smile was suitably enigmatic. “I very much doubt that.”
Jae looked faintly panicked. “Mistr—I mean Tenzin—is this a good idea?”
“It’s fine.” She waved a hand. “Jonathan, maybe we can talk about Captain Sousa while they’re stretching their arms.”
“Of course. Shall we?” Jonathan ushered her out to the veranda as Ben and Cheng stripped off their shirts, servants quickly moved tables, and two men in black brought a large black case to the edge of the veranda along with a large stack of white towels.
For blood of course.
“So tell me again what this mystery is,” Jonathan said. “I’ll fill Cheng in when they’re finished.”
“Certainly.”
Jae watched everything with wide eyes. “If I may, Mister Cheng may be giving a false sense of amiability with Ben. Is he—?”
“Sincere? Oh no,” Tenzin said. “They’ll both try to hurt each other quite severely.”
Tenzin wished she could watch the fight with all her attention, but she needed to question Jonathan about the seal.
As Cheng and Ben took their weapons and examined them, they were also surreptitiously examining each other.
Her vicious, ripping fang marks were evident along the rise of Ben’s waist, and Tenzin had to stop herself from staring. It was hard enough to keep her eyes from the marks on his neck and arms.
“It certainly appears that he’s well-acquainted with combat,” Jonathan said dryly. “And I am reminded why I’m so relieved we never became lovers.”
“You’re not my type,” Tenzin said. “He is.” She tore her eyes away from Ben. “What do you know about Han’s mating with Sina’s daughter?”
“Han Xiang and Mahina the water princess, legendary lovers.” Jonathan smiled a little. “Not more than anyone knows, I suppose. Theirs was a political marriage that turned to a love match, and yet they spend most of their time separated by duty, not unlike a vampire Persephone and Hades if you will.”
Jae looked at Tenzin, but she lifted her hand slightly and motioned for him to be quiet. “I will tell you in confidence and depend on your complete discretion when I say they are making some moves to change that situation. Mahina has served her sire’s court for centuries but believes her son may be a good fit for the position going forward.”
“Interesting.” Jonathan seemed to consider the information, though no surprise showed on his face. “Perhaps not totally unexpected.”