"I need some time alone," Jonny said abruptly and rose, facing away from her.
"I'll go to the gym. Let me know when you need anything," she said. His mood swings weren't unexpected. He was young and scared. Itching to relieve some of her own nervous energy after the run-in with the vamps, she'd reached the door when Jonny spoke again.
"Jenn, thank you for helping me today."
"It's why I'm here," she replied.
"You defended me. My own vamps won't do that."
"It'll take a while for you to adjust and for them to adjust to someone new."
"Thank you for your loyalty. I never imagined any Guardian would go to the extent that you have. I'm happy you're among us. I'll treat you well, as long as you remain loyal."
She frowned at his tone, as if he considered her the newest, permanent member of his organization and not the guest she was. Jenn left without saying anything, once again unable to get a read on the kid. Sometimes, when he was afraid, he was easy for her to understand. Sometimes he gave her the creeps, and she suspected he was sharper than he let on.
She stopped in the hallway and turned. Xander trailed her.
"Making sure you go where you say you will," he said. She turned her back on him in blatant disregard he wasn't likely to misinterpret.
The number of female vamps outnumbered the number of female Guardians, and she ducked into the locker room for the females. Ignoring the hisses of the others, she locked herself in a bathroom stall and texted her boss, Dusty.
Others have a weapon. Want to split the heavens. Something weird going on here. Dusty's response was quick. Roger. You ok? Jenn snorted, wondering how she explained there was only one vamp in an entire organization of inhuman blood suckers that gave her the creeps. In the end, she typed a smiley face and locked her phone before changing into gym clothes and making her way to the gym.
The instincts that warned her Jonny wasn't as naïve as he seemed were confirmed when she stepped into the gym and saw Xander standing in the doorway, watching her. The boy-god was taking no chances she betrayed him. Looking over the largest vamp she'd ever seen, she had a feeling a confrontation between them wouldn't end well for her.
* * * Jule was beginning to think death was better than his weakened state. He'd managed to add more wood to the fire and tear the stitches in his chest while doing so. Soup was out of the question; it might as well have been a million miles away in the kitchen. He rested against the cushions. He'd never been human, and he had no idea how long it took for a human body to heal. It seemed like too long already, especially since the woman was alone to protect herself.