"I'm the Black God's most trusted servant," Xander said.
"Damian, he's my most trusted servant," Jonny echoed, turning to him.
Xander smiled at the demonstration of his power. Damian wasn't amused.
"Jonny, step aside," he ordered.
The Black God hesitated and then moved away, leaving Damian with the Original Vamp.
"You here for very long?" Damian asked.
"Looks that way. All the Originals have been freed and expelled. I landed here," Xander replied.
Damian studied him, not sure what to think of the oldest vamp in the universe. Xander was too powerful to care what went on around him. Nothing on this world-with the exception of the combined power of the awestruck Black God and Damian-were threats to him. Xander seemed like nothing more than a bored guest. One of Sofi's peculiar predictions returned to Damian, and he thought of the Guardian he'd assigned to Jonny. Sofi claimed Jenn would have a protector, and there was no need to worry about what Jonny might do. There was only one vamp in Jonny's camp more powerful than the Black God.
Damian never imagined her protector might be the towering vamp before him. There was more to Xander than Damian could pinpoint. He didn't have the need to kill like a normal vamp, and he hadn't landed here by accident.
"I take it you're not a fan of the Others," Damian said.
Xander's lip curled with a growl. He looked at the body beneath him and kicked it. Damian almost smiled.
"I have about three weeks left in my truce with Jonny," Damian started. "The gateway between realms is cracked, and I have a slight Watcher infestation problem. Jonny isn't quite ready yet to deal with the Others who have been stirring up trouble within the vamp ranks."
Xander crossed his arms, his head tilted in interest as he listened.
"I don't want either the Watchers or Others on my planet," Damian finished. "And I can't wait for Jonny to figure out how to do his job. With Jule-and you-I think we have a chance of ridding the planet of the immortal interference and returning to our day-to-day battle between good and evil."
"Jonny is not the only God who doesn't know his job," Xander pointed out. "The Gatekeeper has yet to step up."
"Leave that to me," Damian replied. "He'll be ready when the time comes. I want the immortals to fight in their realm and leave us to fight here."
"And after the truce?"