The Grey God

The Watchers blamed him for stripping the Guardians' magic when he froze time, but he began to wonder if they hadn't done it themselves. Whoever did it, it was working in the Guardians' favor right now.

"The team should be here soon," Jenn said with a look at her watch.

The tattooed Larry motioned for them to enter the one-story house. The village and exterior of the house looked run down and barely out of poverty, but the house's interior was immaculate. Low-key, contemporary furnishings in light wood colors and pale neutrals were mixed with splashes of color: the navy blue rug, lime couch pillows, cinnamon drapes, and yellow floorboards. The open floor plan ran from the living area through a kitchen to a formal dining room area that had been converted into an office on the other side.

"I love this place," he said, intrigued by the colors. "All we need is some barbacoa."

The two Guardians gave him a curious look. Suspecting he'd missed something important, Darian joined them in the office area. Larry sat before a Mac, pictures of the portal on the computer screen before him.

"We'll set up cameras here and here," Jenn said, indicating two spots on one photo.

"Under the bushes," Larry added. "We'll have to check them every few days. The dust storms here can knock over trees."

"When did you take photos?" Darian asked.

"At the site. I sent them to Larry," Jenn replied.

"Wow, you're good."

Jenn eyed him, as if suspecting he was being sarcastic. He wasn't. His normal way of doing business was to plan the best he could then leap in. He wasn't lucky enough to get killed. Jenn took planning to another level, one he didn't know was possible after so many years without technology. Sofi had taught him to use his cell phone and Dusty had taught him the computer. He'd been fascinated by the amount of technology Dusty and Jenn used to track vamps in Miami.

"Motion sensors there," Chapo added. "And the solar battery farther back. It's big and ugly. They'll see it otherwise."

"I called for the infrared cameras. We should have good night vision, too," Jenn added. "You guys need someone else to help monitor?"

"We got nothing going on with the mandate," Larry answered. "We're good."

"I'd say to monitor it for a couple of days and get a feel for any trends in time they enter and exit. Unless you have something you want them to look for, Darian?" She turned to him.