The Grey God

There was a tense silence and then she spoke.

"This is madness, Jonny. What did you trade them for this favor?"

He looked away.

"Jonny, what did you do?"

"I made them the deal I tried to make yesterday. All they wanted was you," he said.

"Fuck!" Jenn cried. "They manipulated you, Jonny! Can't you see what they're doing? They're preying on you. I don't know what's true about Darian destroying a world, but the Others would do everything they could to destroy ours."

"No, Jenn, they said-"

"I don't give a shit what they said, Jonny. Turning me over to them is … it's …" She couldn't bring herself to tell him why it mattered.

"I've loved you almost since I met you," Jonny said, stepping closer. "You think it was easy for me to consider turning you over? I told them no the first two meetings."

"You don't love me, Jonny."

"But I do, Jenn. You protected my sister. You came with me here, and you've taught me how to lead," he replied. "You've been the only person who stayed with me through this all."

"Jonny, what you feel for me-it's not real. It's gratitude," she said quickly as he took another step towards her. "I did those things because they're my duty. I'm here because it's the will of the White God."

"Xander told me not to agree with the Others," Jonny considered. "When he left, I felt like they started to respect me more. They didn't talk down to me like they did when Xander was at our meetings. I didn't want to agree, but … Jenn, I'm going to save the world."

"They lied to you. They used mind manipulation to control you, which wasn't possible with Xander there to protect you."

"I'm the Black God. No one can do that," he scoffed.

"Xander can. I can."

Jonny searched her gaze. "Did you do that to me, Jenn?"

"Up until last night, when it stopped working. You're too powerful now," she replied. "Xander can still do it. I've watched him work you like a puppet."

She saw the wounded look a fraction of a moment before the Black God hardened. He turned away from her.

"Jonny, I don't know how to tell you what you've done," she said. "The Others took advantage of you. They're going to destroy you and our world."