Marianne R Patterson

For over a thousand years, the legendary sword Laylat al Hisab - the Night's Reckoning - has been lost in the waters of the East China Sea. Forged as a peace offering between two ancient vampires, the sword has eluded treasure hunters, human and immortal alike. But in time, even the deep gives up its secrets. When Tenzin's sire hears about the ninth century shipwreck found off the coast of southern China, Zhang Guo realizes he'll need the help of an upstart pirate from Shanghai to retrieve it.

Tenzin knows she’ll need Ben’s keen mind and political skills to complete the job. She also knows gaining Ben’s cooperation won’t be an easy task. She’ll have to drag him back into the darkness he’s been avoiding. Whether Ben knows it or not, his fate is balanced on the edge of a thousand-year-old blade, and one stumble could break everything Tenzin has worked toward.