The Black God

Her jaw went slack. "How do you know where I live?"

"I visit Xander on occasion."

Duh. Xander had told her as much. Relieved Jonny didn't know exactly where she lived, she shook her head. "I can make it home myself."

"You don't have a phone or a ride."

"I'd rather hitchhike than go with you." Ashley spun away. She wasn't going to get her revenge this night, not when she needed to recover from her seizure. Angry with herself, she was nonetheless relieved to be walking away from the Black God with little more than scars from his bite and the fire burning in her blood from a source other than anger. She had thought anything but anger purged from her system. How did she see Jonny for the first time in four years and feel her knees go weak?

"I'll let Brandon know where you are."

She froze, hating to hear her brother's name on Jonny's tongue. "How do you know how to contact him?" She faced him once more. As far as she knew, Brandon's Natural gift kept him masked from everyone, even Xander.

"When you went missing, he called me."

"He wouldn't."

"I paid him a visit earlier. He assumed I had you," Jonny explained.

"Paid him a visit? If you hurt him …"

"I didn't. Just a friendly warning."

She touched her neck self-consciously.

"Not the same kind. I went back to claim the phone you'd stolen," Jonny said, amused. "I'd be interested in knowing how he got my number."

"He's a hacker. He can do shit like that."

"Hmm. Useful gift."

"Don't you dare!" she approached him, stopping toe-to-toe to glare up at the Black God. "You don't go near him, Jonny. I'm the one messing with your vamps."

"Then I suggest you keep in mind I know where you both live," Jonny replied softly.

"Nothing on this planet will stop me from finding you if you laid a hand on him! Even you can't match me fighting."

"No, but I'll catch you when you have another seizure."

Her face flamed hot. "I don't have them often."

"Weekly, according to your body."

She stepped back. She knew from her cousin Jessi a vamp as powerful as Jonny or Xander was able to access someone's mind and body when biting. That she and Jonny had such an intimate exchange when she wanted him dead sent her emotions tumbling again.

"Why aren't you on meds?" he prodded.

"None of your damn business."

"You're right. It's not. But if you're serious about taking me on, you better be able to stay on your feet next time."

"You have no idea what I'm capable of."