The Grey God

"What do you want?" Jenn demanded, stepping between the women and the towering vamp.

"I see you made a choice." His eyes went to the necklace dangling at the center of her chest.

"You didn't come here to gloat. If you came to stop us …" Jenn drew her second knife.

"He's going to help us," Sofia said.

"You're talking about Xander, right?" Jenn glanced over her shoulder and saw the Oracle teetering to her feet with Bianca's assistance.

"Yes. You're going to take that thing off Jenn's arm, and you're going to make sure we all make it back safely," Sofi said to the Original Vamp.

"I didn't come here for that," Xander replied.

"But you'll do it."

"What the fuck is going on?" Jenn asked, startled as the Oracle pushed her aside to stand before Xander. The small woman glared up at the Vamp. Jenn sensed some sort of silent communication between them, one that made the Original Vamp shift.

"I do nothing for free, Oracle," he growled finally. His eyes fell to Jenn. His fangs lengthened. They were half the size of her longest finger.

"If that's all it takes. I survived the first time" she said and lowered her weapons. She swallowed hard. Xander's bite hadn't been gentle. "Bite me, Xander."

"You'll do it, Xander, or I'll reveal your little secret," Sofi said calmly.

"An Oracle-"

"-has nothing to lose right now and doesn't mind breaking your rules."

Jenn glanced at the fiery Oracle, impressed by her spunk. The woman radiated cold power, her eyes brighter than even Xander's.

"You get one favor in exchange," the Vamp snarled. "The other will cost one of you."

"Your secret. And I won't fuck up your … fate. That's two."

Xander stared at her. "Someone's not playing fair."

"Looks like you just got your ass beat," Jenn said, unable to keep the smugness out of her voice.

Xander's fangs receded. He didn't look happy.

"You can Travel here?" Jenn asked, looking up at their unwilling protector.

Xander nodded once.

She held out one hand to him and another to Sofi. The Oracle took it, and Bianca took her other one. Jenn touched Xander's arm. He was tense and furious. She felt it even without her magic. Touching him was like sticking her finger in a light socket. She tried not to move away.

They Traveled, stopping at the base of the tree at the center of the orchard. An alarm went up at the wall. Sofi dropped to her knees, holding her stomach.