Charles joined them and briefed his team before one of the Traveler returned from his current mission to drop off another team.
Jonny watched them vanish and returned to the makeshift headquarters, where a team of four vamps and Stu monitored the missions from multiple computers. He stood back to watch, arms across his chest and tightness in his frame. He was about to begin pacing when one of his wards tripped. He tensed, the hair on the back of his neck rising.
He traveled to the edge of his wards, a good mile from the central camp.
The Grey God awaited him.
"What is it?" Jonny asked, bristling.
"Chill, Jonny." The Grey God was relaxed. "I'm not here to interfere."
"Damian send you to observe?"
"No. Just wanted to warn you about something."
Jonny waited, not convinced the White God's brother hadn't come for some ulterior purpose.
"The Others tech you're using. I can sense it," Darian started. "It's a locational talisman?"
Jonny said nothing.
"Anyway, it works both ways. You can find anyone, but anyone can also find you," Darian explained. "More specifically, any Tracker who can sense Others is going to sense it like I did."
"There are very few who were able to sense Others."
"Most of them were part of the old guard from both sides."
Jonny considered this. Valon had older Trackers with him. It was possible one or more sensed the Others talisman. If so, had they purposely not attacked him or were they still figuring it out?
"And … my personal opinion, not exactly shared by Damian," Darian continued, "is that you can use it to draw Valon to you. Damian doesn't think you can take out Valon and prefers you in charge, even if you don't always see eye to eye. But if you want to end this fast, use the talisman."
"Let him know in no uncertain terms where I am and challenge him directly," Jonny said.
"Exactly."
"You agree with Damian?" Jonny spoke with resentment.
"Not really." Darian flashed a smile. "Five years ago, three years, even six months ago, I'd agree. But you told him to fuck off for the first time this week and you were right about everything. He's not ready to see it yet but he'll come around."
Jonny studied him, not expecting any of the White God's allies to show him any sign of respect.
"He wants Brandon," Darian added. "Xander won't let him have Jessi or Brandon, and we've never seen Natural powers like either. If you can deliver Brandon, and wrangle Xander's consent in the process, he won't fight you about Ashley like he plans to."