"Wait, no." Jonny's voice held a note she couldn't place but it sounded almost like fear. "No, Xander."
"She agreed. She pays the price for my assistance."
"Not my sister."
"You're the Black God. She's no longer your sister, not when she serves the White God. You will let me do this."
"Don't try your mind tricks on me!" Jonny exploded. His magic filled the air, shoving between Bianca and Xander and pushing her away. "I felt it this time, Xander. Jenn was right. You've been manipulating me for weeks now."
"I seem to be the only thing standing between you and an army of angry vamps you can't control," Xander pointed out.
Jonny took Bianca's hand and pulled her behind him, stepping between the two of them. Her gaze returned to Sofi, whose body was under distress.
"Not anymore. I'm claiming my rightful place as the Black God, and I'll do it without traitors like you and Jenn at my side." Jonny's voice took on a firm, cold note. "Get the fuck away from me and my sister."
"Is this your final choice?" Xander asked.
"It is."
"Very well." The Original Vamp disappeared.
"What just happened, Jonny?" Bianca asked, looking up at her brother.
"I'm strong enough to do it alone. I don't know what he wanted, but he must've been trying to use me," he said. "I don't need him or anyone."
"Except your big sis."
Jonny looked down at her. He smoothed her hair from her face. Her magic prodded him, and she saw the same trace of metamorphosis that had marked Darian the past few weeks. The Grey God had morphed quickly from someone confused by his world to someone in control of his world. Jonny was going through the same.
"You would be ashamed to know what I've done," he said. "I will always protect you, B, no matter what you think of me."
"I'm never ashamed of you, Jonny. I'll love you no less because of what you are."
"I'll take her. But I can't do this again. I hope you understand."
"I do, Jonny. I won't ask any more favors," she said, spirits rising.
"Tell Dusty, if this happens again …" Jonny warned.
"It won't."
Jonny strode to Sofi and lifted her again. Bianca took his arm, heart somersaulting. She wanted to tell her brother how proud of him she was. Black God or not, he'd never forgotten his sister. He took them to the nearby hospital and set Sofi carefully on a stretcher in the hallway leading to the emergency room.