The Black God - Page 155/187

She can't handle fighting vamps!!!

Jonny reread the message from his sister. He didn't know what Bianca was talking about, but he was relieved to know if Ashley was causing someone issues, she was at least alive. The White God wasn't likely to let her out of his sight now that he had her on his compound even if Ashley's last text seemed to imply she was going vamp hunting.

For once, Jonny breathed deeply after ceding one small battle to the White God. He hadn't yet been able to suppress the fear he experienced holding her near lifeless body in his arms despite the long day spent planning with Charles and Tasha. Ashley in danger wasn't something he could handle when he was looking at a confrontation with Valon.

"Ikir!" The cry came from down the hallway. "Come quickly!"

Jonny rose from his position kneeling for some light meditation. His stomach was empty and twisting, his normal sense of calm not quite coating his anxiousness about confronting Valon. Too much was at risk for him not to be worried, for him not to wish he had a little more time to strategize.

He pulled on his boots and left his room, dressed to fight rather than to monitor his teams this night.

"Yeah," he said as he joined the pacing vamp at the top of the stairs. "What is it?"

"The White God sent his fucking Guardians," came the hiss.

Jonny frowned, not believing Damian was stupid enough to drop a team of Guardians into his headquarters, no matter how tense things often got between them. Jonny trotted down the stairs and out of the mansion onto the front lawn, where the majority of his vamps were gathered in a circle.

"Make way!" someone called out as he approached.

The creatures before him parted, and Jonny strode through the vamps. His step slowed when he saw the five Guardians, hands on the hilts and butts of their weapons, with Ashley standing cross-armed in front of them.

He hadn't considered she meant to fight tonight after almost dying. His heart did somersaults at the sight of her alive, and profound relief loosened the vise that had been around his chest since he first touched Ashley's limp body at the factory. Jonny didn't miss a beat, aware of the attention of all his vamps and the Guardians on him. He stopped two feet in front of Ashley. The fire in her eyes was back, her chin raised in defiance and her stance one of challenge. But he was also able to sense her condition.

Bianca was right. What was the White God thinking to send her out so soon?