The Grey God

Jenn watched him until he was gone then glanced at a vamp lurking in the shadows. Jonny had assigned her a surveillance team in his own home. They'd quickly learned to keep their distance after she killed two who thought they'd get in her way.

Her thoughts went in a different direction. Jonny didn't seem to know her fate, which meant Xander hadn't told her secret, that she was intended to mate with the Grey God. She still found the idea far-fetched. Darian had followed her around like a lost puppy before she was assigned to the Black God. She'd thought it was because his brothers were busy. Hindsight-and Xander's revelation-made her look at his persistent presence and brotherly protectiveness in a new way.

If the Others wanted to find a way to keep the Grey God from assuming his role as the Gatekeeper between immortal and mortal worlds, they'd likely find her a good target. But she wasn't about to reveal that to Jonny. At least, not until he ordered her killed. Then, it might work as a bargaining chip.

Jenn glanced at her watch. At this rate, what Xander - the forefather of all vamps - told her wouldn't matter. She'd be dead soon enough.

She couldn't help feeling relieved the Black God didn't want her going with him this time. She'd moved to Miami for a reason: because she didn't like the cold. The winter storm made her want to huddle under the covers. Instead, she'd slept with her back to the panoramic window with her down vest and boots on for warmth. And her weapons in hand.

Go for a walk. As someone accustomed to planting ideas in the heads of others, she recognized the thought as coming from someone else. Jenn cocked her head to the side. It wasn't Xander-who wouldn't hesitate to twist her mind like a Twizzler-and it wasn't Jonny. She glanced at the snowy scene outside the mansion then gathered her small backpack of weapons and strode to the door.

The vamps followed her only to the door. She stepped into the cold, snowy day and pulled on a cap.

West 100 meters, the voice told her.

Jenn drew a knife and obeyed, guessing whatever awaited her couldn't be much worse than the Black God or Original Vamp.

*****

Darian caught his reflection in the mirror as he walked down the long hallway of the White God's Texas headquarters. He paused to look at himself, studying his rugged features and swirling gold eyes. When he looked too fast, he still saw the jagged, deep scars that the Healer had gotten rid of.

They're still on the inside, he mused, troubled by his smooth skin. Once a god then a slave, he was just starting to figure out who he was now. His brothers gave him his space and their lifemates kept him company.