The Black God

"Nothing here leaves me with the feeling you have a clue what you're going to do about your vamp uprising," Damian said.

"I'm dealing with it. I can't prevent the loss of life but I can assure you if any of my vamps kills a human, I'll send you both bodies," Jonny said. "And you are welcome to hunt and kill the vamps working with Valon."

"Give me the location of yours so I know who not to kill," Damian said.

"Fuck no."

Darian chuckled.

"My vamps bear my mark." Jonny raised his hand to display the brand. "My vamps are adhering to the catch-and-release agreement."

"So we can kill the other vamps." Darian appeared pleased.

"I want you to consider sending Ashley and Brandon both to me when this is over," Damian said. "They need to be safe, like your sister."

"Ashley doesn't need your protection or mine. She's capable of handling herself and of making her own decisions." Jonny replied icily. "I'll consider it a personal offense if anyone interferes with her life." He heard the words only after they were out. Normally, he thought through what he was going to say but with Ashley …

He didn't regret it despite the emotion in his voice.

"So … we can have Brandon," Darian said, trying not to smile.

"No," Xander replied. "Brandon makes his own choices as well."

"I don't like any of this. Too many people are getting hurt," Damian said, gazing at Jonny. "If you're serious, if you're hunting your own vamps, you won't mind me sending an observer."

"I don't send people to make sure you do your job!" Jonny retorted.

"I haven't been in power for five years."

"The answer is no."

They studied one another.

"Vote?" Darian asked.

"No," Jonny said again. "There's nothing to vote on. I'm doing my job. If you don't like it, fuck you."

"I vote with Jonny," Darian said, smiling.

Jonny rolled his eyes. He didn't want to admit he was waiting for Damian's reaction, but he was. He wanted them to take him seriously, even if Charles was right about them having no true influence over him unless he ceded to their opinions. Damian had been as much of a mentor as any of them, one who had worked with him in situations where he didn't think another immortal would have. Some small part of him still wanted Damian's approval, even if he never openly acknowledged it.

"One week," Damian said finally. "One fucking week. In the meantime, you and I are gonna talk about Brandon, Xander."

"Call us if we can help you wipe out bad vamps," Darian added. "I'm more than happy to oblige."