Xander's Chance

"You've gotta tell her about the Gods and Guardians, whether you decide to keep her or not."

By Jule's tone, he suspected Xander wasn't going to let Jessi go.

Xander lowered his head, burying his teeth into Charles' throat. The former vamp jerked and clutched at his hands at the pain but soon went still as Xander bled him close to dry. When he drank his fill, he withdrew, content to be full again.

"That looked painful. Is he gonna live?" Jule asked.

Charles was limp in his grip. Xander balanced the man between his knees and leaned back. His pinkie nail grew to a sharp point, and he sliced his inner arm near the wrist.

"He'll be fine," he said, unconcerned. He placed his bloodied wrist at Charles' lips. Charles didn't respond for a long moment then finally began to drink. The only vamp that could change someone without them following the normal rite requiring human sacrifice, Xander had once created an army in months.

Xander didn't let him drink long, more interested in his own full stomach than Charles' life. He did the minimum required to keep Charles from dying. The newly turned vamp slumped to the ground, unconscious.

"He'll be out of it for awhile," Xander said.

"I hope you're gentler with your women than you are your vamps," Jule said, gaze on Charles.

Xander shrugged. He knew when and where to use his strength. Charles was disposable to him. Jessi was not.

"So … do you want to tell her or shall I?" Jule asked.

"She doesn't need to know," Xander said.

"She does. Whether you turn her over to us or keep her, she's gonna find out."

Xander knew this, but he didn't want Jessi in his world. He didn't like emotional attachments to anything; it was hard to leave when one was stuck. He hadn't been stuck since he was a child, and he had no intention of giving up his freedom.

Turning her over to Jule was the easiest solution, but he didn't feel done with her yet. He still felt the need and his intrigue with being inside her as the only means to access her mind. When she finally caved and slept with him - which she would - he would send her packing with Jule the next morning.

"At the end of the week," he said. "I'll turn her over."

"I'll let Damian know we've got a new breed of Natural," Jule said. "Mind if I stick around until either Charles wakes up or she comes back?"

"Suit yourself." Xander considered Jule. "I've got weapons."

"Let's go."

*****

Jessi glanced over her shoulder at Gerry as she started up the stairs. His hands were full with groceries from the list Ingrid texted her. She expected to see Xander on the porch or somewhere in the living area. He wasn't there, though the man whose name she thought was Charlie was sleeping on the couch.