“See?” Lan clapped again. “It’s perfect! She can take care of the book and then both of them can see it.”
Zhongli leaned forward, his tight smile the only evidence of his discomfort. “It is a most excellent compromise, Elder Lan, but can Miss De Novo truly guarantee that Lorenzo would remain safe when he is examining this book? Surely you are aware that Lorenzo and his sire have a… complicated relationship.”
“I am sure that Miss De Novo would guarantee Lorenzo’s safety in her library. After all”—Lan’s eyes darted between Lorenzo and Giovanni—“are not places of knowledge sacred to those immortal? As are places of worship? They are the outer reflections of our inner wisdom.” Lan rose to his feet and turned toward Beatrice. Suddenly, the childlike elder did not look like a playful boy or girl; and the wisdom, power, and amnis of the ancient vampire swept over the room.
“Beatrice De Novo,” Lan said in a deeper voice, “if it is the will of this council, would you keep this book? Would you guarantee safety to these two parties who wish to claim it? Would you guard the knowledge therein with honor? What is your answer, Mistress Scribe?”
Giovanni could hear Beatrice’s heart pounding, and her fingers still clutched his. He turned toward her as all eyes in the room searched her out. The air was still, but alive with energy. When their eyes met, Giovanni’s heart soared in pride and respect. Far from the panic he had expected, Beatrice looked calm, peaceful even. She met Lan’s eyes with confidence.
“I will, Elder Lan. It would be my honor to do this for the Elders of Penglai. I would guard this book and guarantee the safety of all those who examined it while in my library.”
Giovanni could almost hear Carwyn in his mind.
Clever, clever girl…
Though part of Giovanni rebelled at the thought of Beatrice guaranteeing Lorenzo’s safety in any way, his more practical side realized that he would likely kill Lorenzo long before his son ever had the chance to examine Geber’s manuscript. As long as Lorenzo wasn’t killed while trying to examine the book under Beatrice’s care, no one could challenge her honor.
“What a truly excellent compromise, Lan,” Tenzin’s father stated with a wide smile. “How fortunate that you were here to present such an amiable resolution to this issue. I wholeheartedly support giving the book into Beatrice De Novo’s care. I can vouch for her excellent character and wisdom, and the honor and wisdom of her kinsman, Don Ernesto Alvarez, whose own son accompanies her. Though she is young, Miss De Novo spent her mortal life preparing for this role, to be a caretaker of knowledge. It is only fitting that she take the role of scribe and steward in her immortal life, as well.”
Elder He, the Immortal Woman, leaned forward. “I, too, like this compromise. It respects both parties, as Miss De Novo has connections to both Lorenzo and Vecchio. Indeed, we have just heard from Lorenzo’s own testimony how much he admires his father’s mate.”
“Yes,” Iron Crutch Li smiled from the opposite side of the room as he sat between Zhongli and Han, both of whom wore sour expressions. “It is always best to compromise so both parties feel that they are treated fairly. I will support this as well.”
Brilliant Lan
. Giovanni would never underestimate the savvy of the odd immortal again. By presenting a compromise to the council, Lan had practically guaranteed the outcome they wanted without bloodshed. Both earth vampires on the council were known to support almost any compromise that avoided taking a clear stand. This decision would not only be acceptable to all those who had taken their side before, but would also sway Zhongli’s former ally to their seemingly moderate solution. It would leave the council voting six to two in favor of giving the book to Beatrice. A clear victory for Giovanni with the appearance of moderation.
Clever Lan.
His eyes darted back to his wife, whose eyes were glowing with victory. She wore only a hint of a smile, and Stephen watched her proudly.
Clever Beatrice.
Finally, Giovanni sought out his son, and he blinked in surprise. Far from the anger or bitterness he had expected, Lorenzo seemed placid. He wore a pleasant expression that revealed nothing of his thoughts. He whispered with the wind vampire closest to him, one of Zhongli’s guards. Giovanni narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
Elder Lu stood. “Lorenzo, Giovanni Vecchio, are you amenable to this compromise? Will you abide by the terms set out by Elder Lan and agreed to by the scribe, Beatrice De Novo?”
Giovanni stepped forward. “I will, Elder Lu. I respect the will of the council.”
He looked at his son. Lorenzo looked at him and smiled for a second. A calculating glint came to his eye. “I will abide by the decision of this honored council, as well. I am most pleased by this resolution.” He bowed deeply, then stepped back, melting into the crowd of grey and black-clad vampires on the far side of the hall.
“Very well,” Lu continued, outlining the agreed-upon plan. Lu would send for the book by one of his guards, who would bring it to Mount Penglai to be given to Beatrice, who would then take the book back to her library in Los Angeles, where it would supposedly be accessible to Lorenzo and safely preserved.
Giovanni stepped back and motioned to Baojia. The vampire stepped toward him.
“See what you can find out. I don’t trust Lorenzo.”
“Agreed. This was too easy. He already has a plan to take it from her, I can almost guarantee it. I’ll call Ernesto and let him know what has happened.” Baojia’s eyes danced for a moment. “I’ll tell you right now, my father will be crowing about this honor to his granddaughter for a hundred years, at least.”
The corner of his mouth lifted. “As will I.”
Baojia’s smile fell a fraction, and he leaned closer, speaking in Mandarin. “I hope you realize what a fortunate bastard you are, di Spada.”
“I do.”
“Feel free to piss her off, though.” Baojia smirked. “A lot can happen in eternity.”
Giovanni couldn’t stop the reluctant smile. “Go check in with Ernesto, then find out what the gossip is among the guards. I’ll take care of my wife.”
Baojia smiled and stepped back, vanishing into the crowd in a heartbeat. Giovanni turned to Beatrice, who was surrounded by Stephen and Tenzin. For a second, he saw Tenzin’s eyes examine Beatrice with a pride and care he had rarely seen. He wondered if Beatrice even realized how deep her connection to the wind vampire was. With the blood Tenzin and Stephen had shared, almost as much of Tenzin’s blood ran through Beatrice’s immortal veins as Stephen’s. If Beatrice had been sired to wind, it would have been unexpected, but not unheard of.
“Tesoro,” he murmured, and she immediately turned to him, reaching out a hand to grasp his own. “I am…” He smiled, at a loss for words, overwhelmed by love and pride.
“I guess I’m still a librarian, huh?” She gave a crooked smile. “Thanks for giving me the library, by the way.”
Giovanni shook his head. “It’s yours. Of course it’s yours.”
She pulled him closer, but only squeezed his hand, mindful of the attention of the milling vampires around them. “It’s ours.”
They both spoke to Lu Dongbin for a few minutes. The elder was sending a group of guards the next night to retrieve the book, which would then be given into Beatrice’s care. Giovanni urged him to send more guards than he thought necessary, but Lu seemed confident that, though Zhongli was disappointed, he would control Lorenzo while he remained on the island.
Beatrice was pulled away by one of Zhang’s administrators, as Giovanni tried to persuade Lu. “I have confidence in the excellence of your guard, Elder Lu, but I do not trust my son. I do not doubt the honor of the Elders, but it is not like Lorenzo to give up like this.”
Elder Lu only smiled. “I do not wish you to worry. I will send double the guards. The book will be quite safe.”
Giovanni was not satisfied, but knew he could not press the issue without offending the elder. He nodded and retreated to Beatrice’s side. She was still speaking with Zhang’s administrator.
“—a most excellent resolution, Miss De Novo. Elder Zhang considers it an honor that one so close to his aegis, and a close friend of his daughter, has been given this distinction.”
“Please tell Elder Zhang thank you for all the help. I’m really glad I could be part of the resolution in this situation. And I’m very pleased to assist the council.”
Ever the politician,
Giovanni thought. Though it all seemed very casual, Beatrice continued to amaze him with her instincts. She seemed to have a gift for knowing exactly what people were looking for and how to offer them what they wanted while still getting her own way in the process. He congratulated himself again on persuading her to become his wife. He felt a tug on his arm and turned to speak to another administrator, this one belonging to the Immortal Woman, Elder He.
When Stephen, Tenzin, Beatrice and Giovanni finally returned to their quarters an hour later, all pretenses dropped.
“Shit! I am
not
happy about this.” Beatrice pulled at her collar. “I know he has a back-up plan. What the hell is Lorenzo up to?”
“Agreed,” Tenzin said. “That was far too easy; he is planning something.”
Giovanni said, “We all agree Lorenzo is going to try to steal the book, correct?”
Every one of them nodded.
“The question is,” Stephen asked, “is he going to try to intercept Lu’s guards? Or try to take us on directly?”
Tenzin said, “He’d be a fool to take us on directly unless he has a private army we don’t know about.”
Beatrice asked, “Is there any way he could find the monastery?”
Tenzin shook her head. “I don’t think so. All the Elders know where it is, but if anyone revealed the location, their life would be forfeit. I can’t imagine Zhongli taking that chance.”
“But
you
know where it is, don’t you?” Stephen asked.
Tenzin snorted. “Of course.”
Giovanni rolled his eyes and sat at the table, pulling Beatrice onto his lap and tugging at her collar while Stephen and Tenzin argued about something under their breath.
He felt his wife relax a little bit. “You’re very covered up in all this, Tesoro.”
“Watch it now,” Beatrice said as she snuggled into his chest. He could feel the tension begin to drain out of her shoulders. “Don’t start getting handsy with the honored scribe.”
He chuckled and nipped her ear with his fangs. “Do I have to call you Mistress Scribe now?”
“Only if you’re really good,” she whispered.
He smiled before he captured her mouth in a kiss. “I sent Baojia out to see what he could learn from the guards. They gossip like old women.”
“They do, huh? Do—” She broke off, and they both turned toward a commotion in the hall. Baojia stormed into the room carrying four swords and scabbards. He tossed Tenzin her curved scimitar, a
jian
toward Stephen, and a
dao
to Beatrice. She stood and caught it instinctively. Giovanni could already feel the fire teasing along his collar.
“What’s happened?”
“Lorenzo left the island over an hour ago with a large group of Zhongli’s guards. They were flying and left fully armed. We need to go. Now. It’s already getting close to dawn. They will have a head start because they are only carrying one and the rest are flying, but we may be able to catch up if we take the plane. We can have the pilot fly us to…” Baojia looked at Tenzin, who actually looked speechless.
“Nanping,” she whispered. “How could he… The monks. All the monks are there.” She reached back and grasped Stephen’s hand.
“The word from the guards is that Zhongli has a human mistress who has refused to turn,” Baojia said. “He will do anything to keep her, including fund Lorenzo in his search for the elixir. Including revealing the location of Lu’s monastery.”
Giovanni’s fangs burst forth along with the fire that he smothered along his neck. He rose to his feet and began to pace.
Beatrice sent a cooling mist toward him. “So Lorenzo is going to take the book from the monks?”
“He is on his way to the monastery right now. Hurry up.” Baojia tossed the odd straps toward Giovanni, who caught them. “I’ve adjusted these so we should be able to swim with them fairly easily.” Baojia walked over and began to buckle the scabbard around Stephen as Giovanni helped Beatrice with hers. “We have to—Tenzin!”
The small immortal had rushed out of the room.
“She’s gone to tell Zhang,” Stephen said. “He must be told of Zhongli’s treachery. And Lu will need to be told, as well. Zhang can send some immortals to help.”
Baojia shook his head. “They’re going to be too late.
We’re
going to be too late unless we can get on that plane before dawn.”
Giovanni walked down to the library to call the pilot of the plane in Beijing. He and Tenzin would fly while Baojia, Beatrice, and Stephen swam to the mainland. They would just be able to make it to Beijing before dawn; then they could fly during the day and land in Nanping by nightfall. With any luck, they would make it to the monastery within a few hours. When he returned to the meeting room, Tenzin was speaking.
“—and they have already taken Zhongli before the council. They found the mistress, as well. My father has sent out his guards in pursuit of Zhongli’s, but even he admits they are not as fast, and they will have to rest during the day. We are even farther behind.”
“We won’t be by evening,” Giovanni said, striding into the room. “I’ve already contacted the pilot. He can have us in Nanping in six hours. Where do we go from there?”
Tenzin paled at the mention of the plane, but straightened stoically. “Up the Nine-Bend River. I will fly you, but the rest will have to go by river.”
“Shouldn’t be a problem,” Baojia said. “I haven’t spent much time with Beatrice in the water, but—”
“I’ll be fine,” Beatrice said. “I’ll keep up.”
Giovanni nodded. “So we’ll fly to Nanping today while we rest. By nightfall, we’ll be headed upriver. If we’re lucky, we’ll beat them there.”
Baojia snorted. “I don’t think we’ll be
that
lucky, but we may just get there in time.”
At that grim statement, the room fell silent. Giovanni could only imagine what Lorenzo would do when he arrived at the monastery. He had little respect for vampire life, and none when it came to humans. If he would defy the council of the Eight Immortals to retrieve Geber’s manuscript, he was capable of anything. Giovanni felt for Beatrice’s hand, and she looked up at him with frightened eyes.