* * * Jenn pounded into the punching bag. Being surrounded by vamps all day and night made her crazy with the need to kill a few. Pissing off Jonny wasn't part of her plan, so she took her anger out on punching bags every evening. Jonny had begun disappearing in the evenings with most of the vamps, and she knew he was out hunting humans.
She hit the punching bag harder, sweat dripping down her body and soaking her leggings and sports bra. She waited until the vamps were gone before going to the gym, not wanting to tempt any of them to attack her while she was half-naked and distracted. Jonny had given orders that no one touched her, but she'd seen firsthand how well the vamps followed the Black God's directives. The mess in Ireland earlier made her body crawl in memory of the dangerous power.
"Good form and energy."
"Leave me alone, Xander. This is me time," she warned.
He came into view and moved around the punching bag. He was taller than it by a head. He braced it for her, watching. She ignored him, until it was clear he wasn't going anywhere.
"What?" she demanded, dropping her arms.
"You're not fully twisting your wrist when you punch with the right hand."
She stared at him then shook her head and punched again. While she wanted to ignore his advice, she found herself double-checking. He was right. She punched slowly a few times until she was certain she'd corrected her punch.
"Are you so bored you have nothing better to do?" she asked between punches.
"You do amuse me."
"Great!"
"Twist your hip more when you hit with the left."
She glared at him but adjusted her form. A few more punches, and she grew too uncomfortable with him to continue. Jenn lowered her hands and strode to the small collection of her things: a towel for the gym, a bottle of water, and a backpack filled with the weapons Jonny had given her when they returned a couple hours ago from Ireland. The Black God had mumbled an apology before leaving her alone to join the vamps on a hunt. She didn't have to ask him to know he didn't dare confront Xander about it.
"I can't imagine you came here to watch me beat the shit out of a punching bag," she said and took a long swig of water. "Did you take down the door to my room this time?"
"Brave," he said. "I've enjoyed my interactions with the Guardians."