Xander didn’t confirm the words, leery of anyone who understood the power of the gem at his neck. Jule was right; he owned nothing else, but the number of people who knew about the gem was limited to the Originals and Sofi. If Jonny planted Jessi, how did he know about the necklace?
Jessi brought in a tray of coffee. She poured three cups and stood back, meeting Xander’s gaze.
“No poison, right?” he asked.
She considered. “The question you should be asking is whether or not I put in enough for instant death or if I want you to die slowly.”
“What’s the name of my show, fan-girl?”
She flushed, no doubt recalling his first bite. She whirled and marched into the kitchen.
Xander snorted, eyes on her ass and the swinging pony tail. He reached for his coffee, unconcerned.
Jule studied him. “I think you’re after more than information.”
“She challenges me.”
“Lucky for her,” Jule said, shaking his head. “I’m not sure that’s a good thing, though knowing what I do of your history…”
Xander eyed him. “You’re remembering.”
“It’s been hard,” Jule said. His gaze darkened, and Xander knew his long-time ally was thinking of their shared history from the time before the Schism that split the mortal and immortal worlds apart. Jule’s memory was wiped out and Xander exiled, until a year ago, when he landed in the human realm.
The Original Immortal had known nearly everything about Xander at one time, one of the only in existence who ever did.
“Women are safe from you,” Jule said. “Relatively speaking.”
“Unless it involves a certain issue. You remember?”
“Betrayal.” There was a thoughtful silence. “You took care of the Grey God’s issue before the immortal world went up in flames a few months ago.”
“With pleasure.” Xander had no pity for the woman who betrayed the Grey God, Darian, and his brother, the White God. Rushed for time with the immortal world crashing down around him, he hadn’t had much time to toy with her, and he hadn’t been gentle.
“There was someone else …” Jule frowned, struggling to recall.
“You don’t want to remember that one,” Xander said. “Trust me.”
“No. She drowned.” Jule’s gaze sharpened. He bristled. “You were exiled by then. That was after the Schism.”
“Maybe the Watchers aren’t the only ones who fucked with your head.”
The woman I gave up the immortal world for? No way, Xander. Jule said into his mind.
Does it matter? You’ve got your woman now, Xander replied.
Jule leaned forward. “You don’t do things without a reason.”
“Then trust that I had one, and it was damned good.” Xander refused to say more, aware there was no benefit in opening old wounds, especially the kind that had driven the five Original beings a part – thereby leaving them vulnerable to the Watchers and Others – before the Schism.
“I don’t know why I trust you,” Jule admitted.
“With some people, the truth is too scary,” Jessi said. “Go with it, or they suck your blood in the middle of a photo shoot and then plaster embarrassing pictures of you on the internet.”
Jule tensed, not sensing her approach. Xander smiled. Jessi’s glare was on him.
“What kind of pictures?” Charles asked.
“Not the kind you’re interested in.”
Charles was coiled, as if ready to take a bite out of her. Xander cleared his throat, and the former vamp eased back into his chair, obeying the silent command.
Oblivious to her danger, Jessi’s eyes dropped to her phone. She was texting with one hand and reached for the purse on the chair beside Charles with her other.
“You quitting or coming back?”Jule asked.
“She’s quit every day this week,” Xander said.
“I’m going home, after my coffee date with my soon-to-be-boyfriend,” she replied with a pointed look at Xander.
“The spineless pretty boy who couldn’t defend you against a paper plate?” he asked.
“Exactly. I like my men the same way you like your women: pretty and easy.”
“Yet you haven’t gotten laid in four years.”
“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.
“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 ar
my 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.
“You’re sure about this?” Gerry asked, trailing her into the condo. “He’s not the kind of person I want to piss off.”
“I’m not entirely certain, but I think if I ask him, he’ll do it,” she said. “You really want to be on his show?”
“Hello. Didn’t I tell you my goal?”
“I know. Become the next Alister.”
“Right now, Xander is the king of the up-and-coming. Seems like he could use a sidekick.”
“I think he’s more likely to eat a sidekick.”
Gerry laughed. He placed the bags on the counter. His gaze caught on something out the window, and it sharpened.
“What’s up?” she asked.
“Nothing. You got this?”
“What?”
He wasn’t listening. He was headed towards the stairs. Jessi watched him.
“Men and groceries,” she muttered.
The men around here were just … off. She’d been having a decent time with the blond hottie. He even went with her to the pet store for more kibbles after their coffee date.
She unpacked the groceries on her own and put everything away before looking out at Charlie. The man was alive, that much she was able to see. But he was beyond out. Her rustling around the kitchen – including dropping a can of chicken – didn’t wake him.
Movement on the beach caught her attention, and she stared. Gerry didn’t leave. He joined a small crowd of people gathered around the unmistakable body of Xander and his friend, Jule. They were fighting with bo staffs on the beach while a bevy of women in bikinis or tight clothing watched. Gerry was one of two men in the midst of the women.
Jessi watched Xander move for a moment, unable to shake the sense there was more to him than she was able to understand. He and his friend fought hard, with the intensity of men who fought for a purpose other than exercise. The odd sense made her uncomfortable.
She went down to the beach. Curious but unwilling to join the masses fawning over them, she kept her distance and simply watched. Xander moved with an agility she’d never seen before in someone half his size. Instinctive, powerful, and light-footed, he twirled the bo as if it was an extension of him, adapting to his opponent and absorbing any blows that fell to him without flinching.
Muscles bunched and released beneath his smooth skin, the chiseled body even more defined from the effort of battle. He wore jeans that hung around ripped hips and hugged flexing thighs, the sight of which made her fan herself as she almost let herself imagine them wrapped around her. The idea of his naked body on top of her, beneath her, any way he wanted her … She’d even let him hold her down, as much as she hated his dominant personality.
The ocean breeze did nothing to cool her off.
The two stopped fighting, and the women broke into cheers. It was useless for her to fantasize about Xander, not when a couple dozen women who belonged on the covers of magazines were gathered around. He didn’t take anyone to bed last night, but he’d have no trouble tonight.
Hating how insecure the women made her feel, she crossed her arms self-consciously. She never felt ugly or frumpy or overweight before coming here. She was comfortable with her body, until she strolled onto a beach covered in cheerleaders.
Xander caught her eye over the crowd. Assuming he was making sure she didn’t steal his car, she made a face at him. A faint smile crossed his features, before he returned his attention to his sparring partner. Jessi moved up the beach far enough she was able to sit and watch. Jule glanced her way. The two exchanged some short communication before Jule tossed the bo to none other than Gerry. Jessi watched Gerry strip off his shirt to reveal a lean, athletic frame and faced Xander.
Jule wound his way through the crowd, smiling politely at the women who placed manicured hands on his arm to stop him. He made it and gave her a rueful smile before dropping down beside her. He was breathing hard.
Jessi looked from him to Gerry. The blond moved with the same purpose and skill, leaving her confused. It was like they were trained the same way or something.
“You’re figuring things out, I take it?”
Jule’s focus was on her. She returned her gaze to him.
“I’m quitting today. I came back to return his keys,” she said.
“You just decided to sit on the beach and watch the man you can’t stand.”
“Actually, I’m Gerry’s ride.”
“You have no interest in Xander.”
“Nope. He’s an asshole.”
Jule chuckled, his dark eyes warm. “I see. Do you want to know our secret?”
She eyed him.
“Gerry and I are also …different. We’re not vamps, like Xander. We’re the Guardians charged with standing between vamps like Xander and humans he preys on,” Jule started.
“You’re doing a horrible job. He sucks the blood of a new girl every night.”
“We have an agreement. As long as he doesn’t kill or turn them into vampires, we leave him alone. A man’s gotta eat.”
She stared at him, horrified.
“Pardon the dark humor.” Jule laughed. “Xander and I are quasi-friends. Gerry’s been keeping an eye on you to make sure Xander doesn’t cross any lines.”
“All Xander does is cross lines,” she said, perplexed. “But you’re saying Gerry is here because you ordered him to be here?”
“Something like that.”
“I knew it!” she sighed. “It’s not possible for someone who looks like Gerry to be interested in me.”
“Xander warned him off. But, if you like Gerry, I can arrange something. Someone like you is going to end up in our private society anyway. It’s just how it goes.”
“Xander is interested in women for one reason,” she said firmly. “I don’t want to be used by him or Gerry.” She tilted her head. “What do you mean someone like me?”
Jule smiled. “Some humans are born with unique, supernatural talents. We call you Naturals. Your skill appears to be that your mind can’t be manipulated, and you are … undetectable to our heightened senses. Really useful, given that Xander is a master at messing with people’s mind
s.”
She raised an eyebrow in disbelief. So that was why Jonny chose her!
“Some Naturals have different gifts. My wife is like a battery. She can absorb and channel the gifts of others. My sister-in-law is a Healer. Charles up there is a Tracker. The gifts are almost like enhanced senses.”
Jessi listened. Jule spoke calmly and factually, his explanations making some strange sense, after her interactions with Jonny and meeting a real vampire. She liked the idea of being special, especially with the hoard of beautiful women in front of her whose perfect bodies left her feeling plain.
“I can see that about Xander,” she said. “He definitely likes toying with people. Can he mess with you?”
“He can, though I’m aware of it. We’re what I’d call mandatory friends. We have a shared history and a truce that keeps us from fucking the other over.”
“He doesn’t seem like the kind who has friends.”
“Xander is complicated. He doesn’t necessarily want to be understood.”
“Or to relate to anyone. He didn’t even name his cat. Losing his family at such an early age, I understand why,” she said, thoughts on her cousins. “Still, sometimes he’s decent enough that I think there’s more to him.”
“There is a great deal to him,” Jule confirmed. “I’m surprised you know about his family.”
She glanced at him, uneasy with the idea she knew something private about Xander. It made her feel quasi-guilty again. Jule’s look was too intense. She cleared her throat.
“It makes me happy that I might frustrate him as much as he does me,” she said. Her resistance to his charisma made more sense with Jule’s explanation.
“You do,” Jule assured her. “He loves the challenge. If you don’t plan on sticking around long, you’re going to find yourself in a bind.”
Fear filtered through her. Some part of her knew this. She didn’t know what to do about it.
“So people like me … with these weird gifts … what happens to us?” she asked, needing to change the subject.
“Normally, I’d assign you a Guardian like Gerry, and we’d pull you into our organization, where you can meet others like you. Your kind are targets for bad guys. The same skill you have that we would help you learn to use is also of interest to those we are trying to protect humans from.”
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