The Grey God

When Jonny's hand clamped around her arm again, she felt the unmistakable sense of Traveling. He released her. Jenn heard him stride away and slam a door. She opened her eyes. She was in the living area of his suite again. Jonny slammed the bathroom door then shoved everything off his desk onto the floor. His magic filled the air around him, flinging the living room furniture against windows and walls in a fit of fury.

She pushed herself up, grimacing at the flickers of pain still running through her. The cuff was warm against her skin and she tugged at it, seeking some way to free herself. It was solid. Her hand dropped, and she eyed a credenza that swept close to her head.

Just as quick as his hissy fit started, it stopped. Jonny planted his hands on his hips and stared at the ceiling. The furniture landed randomly around the room.

"You're going to do something for me, Jenn," he said.

"Whatever you say, Jonny," she replied and rose. She refused to let him see she was hurting from his magic and weak without her own. Instead, Jenn straightened and met his gaze.

"You're going to find out how to keep the Grey God from destroying our world. If that means he dies, so be it."

"If Xander told you-"

"I don't give a fuck what Xander said. For all I know, he was manipulating me, like you did," Jonny snapped. "No one seems to think they can kill him. If that's not the answer, then you'll figure it out, Jenn, and you'll do it in two days. Or I'll unleash my vamps on your precious Guardians. I'm well aware they have no magic to defend themselves."

She stared at him.

"You think I missed that thought when I read your mind?" he demanded, stalking to her. "Your true mission here, not to help me but to undermine me? I saw everything, Jenn. I saw every memory you didn't want me to see, everything Damian said to you about what to do when you got here. Even the one about how you abandoned your family. Who knew a Black God had more honor than the shitty Guardian you are."

Jenn slapped him hard. Jonny took a step back then gazed at her in silent surprise.

"Did you see the one where I pitied you?" she demanded. "Where I took on this assignment, hoping you'd retain the part of you that makes you human? Did you see the memory where I watched you kill your first, and I still thought maybe there was some part of you that could be salvaged?"