Xander's Chance

"Like rotating a new woman through your bed every night is better!" She flushed and glanced at Jule, who was covering a smile with his hand.

"You can take my car." Xander offered, enjoying the repartee.

That stopped whatever fire she was about to direct his way. Her expression grew interested.

"Really?" she asked.

Xander stretched to grab the keys on his coffee table and tossed them to her. She caught them and spun away, leaving. When she disappeared down the stairs, Jule laughed quietly.

"She'll be back," Xander repeated.

"You sure she should leave, if she's in danger?" Jule asked.

"The car has GPS tracking, along with the keys. Her date is one of your local Guardians," Xander replied with bitterness.

"You aren't letting that go," Jule said with a knowing smile.

"I'll get what I want by the end of the week. After that, there's no challenge."

"Call me when you're done. We'll assign her a Guardian to bring her into the organization," Jule said. "I think Gerry has been filing her reports."

"Not Gerry," Xander said, irritated. He was well aware that Guardians usually took the Naturals they were assigned as girlfriends or wives. The idea of Jessi belonging to someone else was unappealing. He didn't fully understand why, unless it was because he hadn't tapped her yet. Unable to read her mind, he almost understood what might be more than one night of fun about the woman.

"Change me back," Charles said. "I can't take it anymore."

"Good, I'm hungry," Xander responded. He waved him over. Charles knelt before him, bowing his head. Xander opened his mouth to make room for his lengthening incisors. He was starving, teased by the snack-sized drink he'd taken from Jessi.

"These Others. Any idea why they're tracking you?" Jule asked, watching.

Xander gripped Charles' neck in his massive hand. Despite being over six feet tall, Charles was no more of an obstacle than Jessi's small body. Xander didn't feel the need to be gentle with Charles as he was with Jessi and the other girls.

"None," Xander answered. "We've never been on good terms, since they were trying to influence Jonny before he grew balls and told us all to fuck off. There's no other history, unless they're at it again and trying to use Jonny to try to get to me."

"Any chance they want what Jessi wants?"

"Possible," Xander allowed. "It's not like them to hesitate to attack. I could cause some major damage, but I can't kill them like the Grey God can."

"Or, the girl has something to do with it."

Xander didn't acknowledge Jule's statement. He knew as much. He and Jessi alone would be able to tolerate the crystal's magic without being killed.