"'Bout time," Damian said before Jule's eyes opened. "Something you wanna tell me?"

"You know me too well," Jule said with a smile. "We need to talk, D."

"I'd say so. I'll send Dusty out to keep an eye on Ireland." The White God bristled with power, but his smile was quick. The friendship between them stretched thousands of years, to just before the Schism. Gazing at his adopted brother and recalling everything they'd done to protect humans, Jule had no doubt giving up his life in the immortal world was worth it, despite Xander's uncertainty.

"Thanks, D," Jule said quietly.

"I called off the hit on your woman," Damian said. His golden eyes were calm, and he was dressed as if he'd just finished sparring.

"Thanks, D," Jule said again. "I never told you why I was exiled from the immortal world, mainly because I didn't fully know why myself."

"I take it now's the time," Damian said with a snort. "Start talking."

"I don't remember much of anything, D, but from what I've gathered, I was an Original Being tasked to help you navigate the transition to Godhood. I just refused to return. I'm remembering some things. Every time there's a new era-- where either a Black or White God transitions-- an Original Being is released from whatever exile the immortals inflicted upon him. The hope is that the Original Being will oversee the transition and make sure none of the immortal entities interfere."

"They're doing a shitty job," Damian said. "The Watchers and Others will wipe out everyone."

"It's worse than that. I ran into the Original Vamp already and am under the impression all the Original Beings are free. The Watchers must've done a number on me before I left. I can't remember the time before the Schism, except for you and Darian, and my magic is but a fraction of what it once was."

Damian was quiet for a moment. "Sofi said the Originals aren't what we've been led to believe them to be. I trust her, and I think you're the proof."

"I wish I could remember something of that time."

"The funny thing is, the Watcher told me that any Original Being that was set free would destroy the world. You're here. The Vamp is here, and yet the only tear between realms was caused by Darian and is being pursued by the Watchers and Others," Damian said. "Do you remember much of the Originals?"

"Not at all. Most of what I know comes from what I've relearned after the Schism," Jule answered.

"So you know what I know of them, which is what the Watchers and Others have propagated."

"Yes," Jule answered, pensive. "You don't think they're the enemies."

"I don't understand their motivations any more than I do those of the damned Watchers, but I feel safe saying that the Originals are not our current problem," Damian said.

"The Watchers are using us. They want me back in the immortal realm to help them battle the Others."

"Makes sense," Damian said thoughtfully. "Darian said a Watcher ordered you to kill your mate?"

"Yeah."

"I bet the Watchers were counting on manipulating the only creature in the mortal realm that can battle an Other on earth. What would make an immortal who chose humanity once return to who he was in order to save the humans again?"

"A damn woman." Jule rose and paced, anger rippling through him. "So they force me to seek out my mate by claiming she had to die, fully knowing I couldn't kill her and we'd be bound at first touch. I hate those little trolls."

"I can't tell if they have faith we'll figure this out, or if they're secretly hoping we don't," Damian admitted. "In either case, I'm planning on expelling them and the Others both from the mortal realm. Sick of their interference."

"You'll need the help of an Original Being or two for that," Jule said. His thoughts went to Yully. Caught in the middle of the battle between Others and Watchers, her danger was increasing, and he was stuck in a riddle he couldn't quite solve. "D, I need my Original powers back, but I'm not going back to the immortal realm."

"You said the Original Vamp is here," Damian asked. "Have you considered asking him?"

"I guess I could." Jule chuckled. "He didn't tear my head off when he sought me out the first time. I'll need Sofi's help, though."

"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.

"Did you make him do this, or was it really his choice?" she asked at last.

"It is as it should be." Xander's eyes glinted as he gazed down at Jonny. "Your pity is a weakness."

"I mourn the loss of what made him human," she returned. "I know you can't understand that."

"He was never human to begin with." His gaze shifted to her.

"You don't have to be a human to have a human trait," she said and looked up at him.

"Interesting. Human or vamp, he had a choice. All of them do."

"So do I. I choose to kill those that hurt others. Creatures like you, whose hearts I would cut out with my nails if I had nothing else."

"I look forward to it." The slow smile, the one that made her shiver, spread across his face.

"Anytime, shithead," she said. "You got twenty-five days left."

"You'll start to feel your world shrinking soon, Guardian. I disabled your beacon and removed your weapons from your room. I'll be watching the wolves circle you."

"I'm not afraid of you, Xander."

"I'd be disappointed if you were." He turned and walked away.

Jenn watched him go. The creature walking away from her wanted something, and she couldn't figure out what. He could have her killed or sent her away at his wish, but he didn't. Her eyes returned to Jonny, who was lapping up what was left of the dead woman's blood.

Hardening, Jenn turned away and retreated through the forest and rocks to the compound. As she hopped the short distance from rocks to the ground leading up to the compound, she caught the silhouettes of two men against the cloudy sky. One was plainly Xander by his size, and the profile of the second was familiar to her. He glowed with a different sort of power. For a moment, she wondered if Darian had followed her here, too, like he did everywhere else.

She crept near enough to make out the second man's features and was surprised to see the White God's commander of the Eastern Hemisphere, Jule. Half a head shorter than Xander, Jule was speaking quietly to the vamp, whose arms were crossed and head tilted in consideration.

"Jenn?"

She turned at Jonny's voice. The Black God absorbed the darkness around him, glowing eerily. He smelled of fresh blood.

"Hi, Jonny," she said softly. "Trouble sleeping?"

"A little. You?"

"Yes. I thought a walk would help," she lied. "How are you feeling?"

"I feel ... good. Real good. Alive. Must be the winter air."

"Yeah, Jonny. I noticed it, too." Her eyes went to the rocks. The two silhouettes were gone. "It's a bit chilly for me. Do you need anything?"

"No, no, I won't keep you," he said quickly. "I think I'll stay out for a little while."

"Stay safe," she said and returned to the compound. Her heart felt heavy as she walked away from the Black God, aware he'd crossed a point of no return. Jenn returned to her room and flipped on the lights. It looked untouched, but a quick search revealed the only weapons remaining were those she'd taken when she left her room, and the beacon was gone.

I'll be watching the wolves circle you.

She went to lock her door, only to find the lock had been removed. Xander was playing games with her, like the bored predator he was. She'd just have to play smarter.

Jule Transported himself to the Black God's compound, vaguely aware of Xander's presence. The Original Being was impossible to track with his senses and seemed to fade in and out of existence. Sensing him, the large vamp stopped walking to the fortress built into the mountain and faced him. The cold night didn't affect Jule this time; he used his magic to keep himself warm.

"Ready?" Xander asked.

"Ready enough," Jule replied.

The vamp strode towards the fortress and cut through a trail to the rocky area to the west. Jule trailed, forcing himself to ignore the tingle of vamps that made him itch to reach for his weapons. Xander faced him and crossed his arms, waiting.

"I don't remember much of anything," Jule started. "But I know I hate the Watchers about now."

"They betrayed you."

"They seem to think I betrayed them."

"You made a choice to fulfill your role then refused to be confined again," the vamp said. "I tried to defy them once. I didn't know the key was getting here first."

"I guess I figured it out, though I don't know that I'd say I won that round. I have no powers. How is it you haven't ripped my head off?" Jule asked warily. The massive vamp hadn't attacked or turned his back at the first sight of him, a sign Jule took as positive. He didn't remember Xander, but Xander remembered him. Jule saw it in his face. Xander had seemed curious, the opposite of what Jule expected from the father to the creatures Jule regularly killed. For once, he wished he remembered his time before the Schism.

"You really don't remember. The Originals have a truce that's older than all of us combined. We don't turn on one another."

"Like the balance between White and Black Gods?"

"Stronger. If any of us turns on the other, we all cease to exist. Powerful motivation," Xander said, amused. "Doesn't mean we can't mess with whoever else we want."

"If you're free, why are you here?" Jule asked.

"I do whatever I please," came the guarded answer.

"Very well. Do you know how I can regain my Original power?"

There was a pause, then Xander purred, "You know I do nothing for free."

"No one does," Jule replied. "I'm not asking for a free pass."

"Sounds like a favor to me."

"You're here for a reason. Tomorrow, this world will be destroyed if one-- or both-- of us don't step up. This seems motivation enough," Jule said.

Xander considered him and then stepped away, thoughtful. Jule couldn't shake his amazement that there was a vamp capable of thinking. He sensed a great deal in what Xander wasn't saying about his purpose in the mortal realm.

"I want two things. I see the girl and the Other in your thoughts. I want the Other," the vamp said at last.

"As long as you kill him."

"Definitely. I have a debt to settle with all of them," Xander said.

"You won't see me arguing," Jule replied. "What's the second?"

"I want to see the Oracle."

"Why?" Jule asked. Sofi wasn't surprised to learn he was an Original Being and had known where to find this creature. He suspected she was expecting Xander to want to see her, too.

"I need an answer to a question."

"There's something she knows that an Original Being doesn't?"

"I'm not a Watcher. I see only what is in my narrow lane."

"I can't agree to that without the White God's permission," Jule said.

"My terms are far kinder for you than I'd give anyone else. Just because we can't fight each other doesn't mean I must help you."

"Something tells me it's in your best interest to help me regain my power," Jule noted.

Xander chuckled. "Yes, Guardian, it is. Summon your White God. I will see the Oracle."

Jule frowned. Certain creatures with unlimited power and motivations thousands of years in the making weren't what Damian really needed right now. He almost refused before he realized he had no choice, if he wanted to help Yully survive and Damian defeat the Other. Jule Transported himself back to Damian's headquarters. The Oracle seemed to be waiting for him. She raised her eyebrows at him, and he hesitated.

"I'm not taking you there, kiri."

"Bring him here," Sofi said promptly. "Jule, he has to be there. You won't save her without him, and you're running out of time."

"You don't pull any punches, Sofi," he growled. "Where's Damian?"