The Grey God

"I thought I'd never fall for anyone," she retorted. "That was the plan."

"You know I'll keep your secret," he said. "Now, you've got a mission, and so do I."

Jenn rose. "Thanks, Dusty."

"Take care."

She nodded again before closing her eyes and Traveling back to Jonny's. She appeared before the panoramic window and gazed out of it for a long moment before turning to face the foyer.

Jonny was there. Jenn jumped, surprised she hadn't sensed anything.

"I just wanted you to know I wasn't selling you out," he said. "I want to do what's right for my people, and it made sense to trade you to the Others, if they'd leave me alone."

"I understand," she forced herself to say. "No hard feelings."

"Good. I really care about you," he said, distracted. "Jenn, how did you get to the immortal world?"

Jenn met his intense gaze. The Black God bristled with contained power. He was calmer than she'd seen him in a while. The air around her felt thicker than usual.

"I'm not sure. By accident," she said, recalling Darian's words about the portal.

"Charles and Xander are actively looking for the portal," Jonny said. "A Hunter and an Original Vamp can't find it, yet you found it by accident."

The air around her seized her and shoved her to her knees. Jenn didn't fight it, instead gathering her magic for a push.

"Where is it, Jenn?"

"I don't know, Jonny." She kept her voice calm and even.

"Where did you go after Damian's?"

"I went to see a friend."

"A friend," he repeated. "You didn't go back to the immortal world?"

"No." Jenn released her magic, hoping he was still vulnerable to it.

"You don't leave here again, Jenn," he said. She heard his voice break as her magic took hold of him. The clamp around her released. "You understand? You don't leave here again. Ever."

"I understand," she said.

He took a step away from her. She glanced up, unhappy at how little of an effect her magic had on him. He was barely fazed now. He shook his head to clear it and walked away, towards the front door.

Ever. Jenn stood, uneasy with his command.