Ben frowned. “But Kezia—”
“No,” Tenzin said. “Ben and I will take Vano’s caravan; you take Kezia’s.”
“I do not agree.” There was tension in René’s voice. “Vano’s trailer—”
“I’m sure has the bigger store of gold,” Tenzin said. “Which we will leave for you. Trust me when I say there will be ample time for you to collect your prize once we have all three goblets.”
René said, “I thought you were only hired to find Radu’s goblet?”
“That was before,” Tenzin said. “If we have all three, then we are in a far better bargaining position.”
“And what are we bargaining for?” René muttered. “If you drag me into your—”
“Don’t worry; it’ll be great.” Tenzin felt like skipping. This was going to be so much fun. “I think it’s time for Vano to retire, don’t you? And we’re going to choose his successor.”
The camp had completely transformed for the festival. Music rang through the air, and the scent of food, flowers, and incense was everywhere. Ben saw reproductions of the Sara-la-Kali icon painted on banners and re-created in flower petals. Small statues of the saint decorated each caravan they passed, surrounded by peacock feathers and jars of honey. On each trailer or wagon, a sword hung over the front door, its hilt wrapped in a black scarf.
“So many flowers.” Tenzin, despite the danger of the job, looked delighted.
Ben had to admit it was hard not to get caught up in the festivities.
Flowers were tucked everywhere. Cut and displayed in vases and glasses near the steps of each door. Hanging in baskets from roofs. Woven into crowns the Poshani women wore on their elaborately braided hair.
There were red strings tied on the corners of every caravan, some with small notes attached, some hanging in elaborate knots with paper flowers attached.
The bustling camp had turned into a crowded festival, and as soon as they entered the outer ring of trailers, not a single person took note of them. There were too many activities to distract them.
In the center of the camp, a giant bonfire had been lit and young men were taking turns leaping through the edges of the flames. Every attendee, human and vampire, trained their eyes on the spectacle, and loud encouragement and cheers rose every time another young man attempted a leap.
René guided them through the inner ring of vampire caravans. There were new trailers and buses, but Ben spotted Vano’s sleek vehicle from across the clearing.
“We’re not going for stealth,” Tenzin said quietly. “It won’t matter in the end. Everyone will know that we stole them.”
René looked like he wanted to hit something. “Which is why you and I should—”
“Nope.” Ben cut him off. “Tenzin’s been planning this one for days. Just go with it, René.”
Tenzin paused and looked up at René with wide eyes. “Do you think I would cheat you out of Vano’s gold after you saved my life?”
René was unimpressed. “You mean after you trapped me in your trailer during the day and then used me to create a shelter from the daylight after your enemies tried to kill you? Yes.”
“I’m very grateful.”
“Clearly. If you’re so grateful—”
“Ben and I will take Vano’s trailer. You clearly know how to access Kezia’s goblet since you have the rubbing. We will get the goblets—”
“Do you think I am an idiot?” René was fuming.
“—and only the goblets.” She made an X over her heart. “I promise.” Tenzin took Ben’s hand. “Meet us near the kitchen wagon when you’re done.”
Without another word, Tenzin dragged Ben toward Vano’s trailer, leaving René glaring behind them.
Ben let himself look over his shoulder. Just once.
René looked murderous.
He turned back to Tenzin. “I love how you work.”
“I know.”
They walked with purpose, which Ben had discovered over the years was the key to getting pretty much any place you wanted to go.
He spotted Vano’s trailer in the distance, along with two Hazar guards near the entrance. “Ideas?”
“We don’t want to attract that much attention.” She nudged him. “Air.”
Without another word, she took to the sky and dissolved into darkness. Ben stepped behind a trailer and called the air, lifting himself to the top of the caravan where Tenzin was waiting. He felt simultaneously hidden and exposed. The humans couldn’t see them from below, but there were dozens of air vampires flying over the camp, jumping from one roof to another, laughing and visiting as the music grew louder and the dancing more rowdy.
“Just stay here for a moment,” Tenzin said.
“Limited time.”
“I know.” She nodded. “Trust me.”
In a matter of moments, Ben knew what she’d been waiting for. There was a show below, a fire juggler of some kind, and the man touched off a rocket that shot from the ground and into the sky, exploding overhead and grabbing everyone’s attention.
“Nice.” They kept an eye on the juggler, and when he was gearing up for another firework, Tenzin grabbed his hand. “Now.”
They flew from their spot and alighted on Vano’s trailer just as the second rocket exploded.
Tenzin put a finger to her lips and smiled. Then she slid across the roof to the plastic-covered air vent that was just small enough for a child to crawl through.
“There’s no way my shoulders are going to fit through that,” he hissed.
Tenzin frowned. “You’re not going in.”
“Vano thinks you’re dead, Tenzin. If he finds you in his trailer—”
“He’s not going to.” She waited for the next firework before she ripped off the vent with her hands and handed the lid to Ben. “Be right back.”
How on earth had René broken into this thing? Other than the vent that it took a contortionist—or Tenzin—to enter, it was a vault. He didn’t see a crack or a seam. Ben was reluctantly impressed.
He waited on the roof, trying his best to appear like just another wind vampire hanging out on a caravan roof at the party, watching the fireworks light the night sky.
A few minutes after she’d disappeared, Ben saw Tenzin’s hand pop up through the vent, holding a small bundle wrapped in leather. He grabbed it, stuffed it inside his jacket, and went back to ignoring the slight rocking beneath him as she moved around the trailer.
Five achingly long minutes after her hand first appeared, it popped up again, this time holding another bundle. Ben grabbed it and shoved it next to the other goblet before he scooted over and tried to help Tenzin out.
She lifted herself up and out of the vent, only to get stuck at her hips.
Ben frowned. “What’s the problem?”
“I have no idea.” She twisted and squirmed, but it just wasn’t happening.
“What’s going on?” Ben looked at her hips. “You didn’t have a problem getting in.”
“Maybe gravity helped?”
It was a tiny vent, but if she’d entered that easily…