"Just promise me you will call me if the Vamp decides to turn you into dinner," the White God said.
"The White God must exist for the sake of humanity, but an exiled immortal is no loss if he dies."
"It's not a request, Jule."
"Yes, ikir," Jule replied with a smile, amused. "Is Sofi free?"
"She's already waiting for you."
* * * Jenn heard Jonny's door close, and the sound woke her from her light sleep. He'd assigned her the room beside his. She rose, having slept fully clothed out of fear Xander would attack her in her sleep. Jonny's form disappeared around a corner as she emerged, and she trotted after him. He was dressed for the cold, snowy night. Jenn wore nothing more than a vest to keep her core warm, preferring for her arms to be unencumbered.
The hallways were quiet and vacant, and she followed Jonny into the dark night. The windows of the compound at the peak of the mountain were protected by film to keep light from leaking out. Only the reflection of the white snow and grey sky provided light once she stepped outside. Jonny's feet crunched in the snow until he reached the rocky area on the west side of the mountain. Jenn waited until he was far enough ahead that he wouldn't hear her before she trailed.
The Black God picked his way through the rocks and crags before disappearing into the forest. Cold wind whipped snow against her face. She lost sight of him and hurried her step. For half an hour, Jenn tried to find his trail. She paused to listen, looked at the ground, and changed directions three times before she heard the sound of water flowing. Instincts took her in the direction of the stream, and she reached the top of a shallow ravine in whose valley the stream flowed. Most of it had frozen in the coldness that made Jenn's breaths hang in the air.
Jonny was on a low, flat rock, making love to a woman writhing in pleasure beneath him. Jenn watched, confused, until he lowered his head to her neck. The woman jerked beneath him and clawed at the Black God draining her blood. Her body went still, and Jonny threw his head back, pure pleasure on his face and blood dripping down his chin.
"He made his choice." Xander's voice was quiet. His warm body materialized beside her.
Jenn couldn't speak. She knew what vamps were and what they did; it was why she hated them. She'd hoped … she'd wanted Jonny to be different. Jonny was only accepting the path he'd already chosen, but it was a difficult pill for her to swallow.