The Grey God

"You're staying," Xander said as Jenn bent to help the Oracle to her feet. "You two, go."

"Remember, Xander," Sofi gasped.

"I heard you the first time," he snapped and grabbed Jenn's arm.

Before Jenn could object, they Traveled. When her vision cleared to reveal where he'd taken her, she sucked in a breath.

"I doubt this was what Sofi told you to do," she muttered.

"Next time, she won't fuck with an Original Vamp. And neither will you."

"You're not going to free me first, are you?"

"What is it you used to say to me?" He pretended to consider. "Oh. Fuck you."

Jenn looked up at him then grabbed her weapons, stepping into the ring with an opponent she wasn't sure she was meant to beat.

*****

Near the desert gateway between worlds, Darian found his rhythm. Evade, strike. Evade, strike, kill. Evade, strike. Evade, strike, kill. His body adjusted to the physical blows while his magic absorbed the purple lightning. Every once in awhile, he absorbed too much, and the result threw him on his back.

He launched to his feet again, this time flinging a dagger at the Other nearest him. His rhythm disrupted, he glanced towards the boulder where he'd hidden Yully and Charles, making sure they weren't in danger. The Black God was fighting nearby, hurling black clouds at the Others then trying not to get hit by lightning in return. Darian heard him yelp twice, but the pain only seemed to make Jonny angrier. His power swelled, until dark clouds blocked the desert sun.

Darian was working hard to keep the Others from returning to the immortal world. He'd killed a dozen so far, but more kept appearing. At some point, he'd have to snatch Yully and Charles and drag them down to the immortal world and hope they had a chance to Travel before being blasted to pieces.

From what Jonny revealed, Darian needed to be on the immortal side of the world before he unleashed his magic. He wasn't entirely certain the Black God could be trusted, if not for Bianca being in danger.

Darian tripped suddenly and landed on his stomach. He rolled, startled to see two people come through the gateway where no one had been before.

"Bianca!" Jonny cried, moving towards them.

"Darian, Sofi-"

Darian didn't let her finish but swept the Oracle up into his arms, grimacing as he absorbed the lightning magic. It rippled through him and into Sofi, who'd gone still in his arms. She was bigger than he remembered. He dropped to his knees behind the boulder where Yully and Charles hid.