"Where are we?" Jonny asked.
"Pacific northwest," Xander answered. "At one of your compounds."
"I was thinking Miami," the Black God admitted. "I'm not used to cold weather."
"This is the safest place you could be, but whatever you desire, I will obey."
"No, no, this is fine. It looks safe. I just need to rest."
Xander stepped aside and Jonny walked through the front door. Jenn started forward, not surprised when the vamp blocked her path.
"You got a problem with me?" she demanded.
"A huge one."
"I'll be gone in three and a half weeks. Deal with it." She brushed by him.
"Do you spar, Guardian?" he called after her.
"Not with vamps."
"Shame."
She faced him. "Why is that?"
"You make a good adversary."
"Of all the Guardians out there, how did I end up your personal adversary?"
"You're the first Guardian I've ever met without killing. I'm curious."
"Likewise, but I intend to kill you before this is over," she told him. "Although, not before I find out what you are."
"There's no mystery to what I am."
"You're no more loyal to Jonny than I am. You survived whatever it was he did, because you aren't a vamp. You're feeding him information that he somehow accepts as truth."
The massive vamp crossed his arms and drew closer as she spoke. He stopped within arms' reach.
"Imagine what I could tell him about you." His threat was a low growl.
"What do you want, Xander?"
"I want to know why a Guardian is so interested in protecting a Black God. Personalizing a mission gets people killed."
"It's not personal," she replied. "I was sent to train him, and I will complete my mission."
"What was your first thought when you felt the power surge?"
I hope Jonny's okay. She clenched her jaw.
"Your feelings are in the way," he continued.
He gripped her forearm. She snapped into motion, but he deflected her next strike as easily as he had those of the vamps he killed. The vamp snatched the phone from her pocket and stepped away, hands raised. Furious, her glare went from the phone in his hand to his gaze.
"You're on your own now. Let's see if you can make it through the month," he said and dropped the cell. He smashed it with his heel.