Damian's Assassin

"Not for long," he said. "I don't know when Talon and the Black God will reappear, but we need to be ready. Evac our folks out of HQ and southern Florida at dawn."

"Got it."

"Speck, check in on Iggy. Jonny, come with me." Dusty held out a hand. The young man took it hesitantly, and Dusty Traveled with him to the town, utilizing his god-powers to locate Darian. His skin and senses crawled with the sensations of being surrounded by vamps. He stayed his urge to unleash the hand cannons on them all and stood stiffly.

Darian sensed him and whirled, his eyes lighting up before he looked down. He was surrounded by the half-vamp, half-human creatures of the town and waded through them to where Dusty stood.

"I figured it out," he said before Dusty could speak. "But it'll take awhile. I can only heal them one by one, but Dusty, if I don't do it, then you'll kill everyone, and it's not fair when they're just innocent people. Please, please, please don't-- "

"Show me," he said.

"The ones I fixed are all over there." Darian waved an elderly woman over. "This is Hazel. She's volunteered to help me round up the people and knows, like, everyone in town." Hazel was human, and Dusty followed Darian's pointing finger to a hotel ablaze with light.

"You're taking care of the pets, too?" he asked.

"Yes, everything. I'm killing the rats and stuff. Maybe … if you want to send in someone to help, then they can help me kill the bugs and rats? Oh, and I found where I think the lab was. Iggy asked about it. She said we have to destroy it, too."

Dusty looked from Darian's hopeful face to Jonny's pale features. As if noticing him for the first time, Darian stared at Bianca's brother, an odd look crossing his face.

"I can leave Jonny," Dusty said.

"No," Darian said in a low growl. The Grey God had tensed, his suspicious gaze on Jonny. Jonny looked confused and uneasy, while Darian looked like he was ready to pounce.

For a moment, Dusty was reminded again of the strong, confident leader Darian had been, long ago.

"God-slayer," Darian added. "He has to stay with you. It must be so."

"Very well. I'll send others," Dusty said. "But I want you to move the cured people out of here and then level the city and the lab. I'm not taking chances that mosquitoes or whatever remain."

"I saved everyone?" he asked, hopeful once more.

"We'll know when everything's done," Dusty replied.

"You won't destroy the people?"

"No. You're in charge of this operation," Dusty said with some effort.