* * *
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?”
“Charles found the Other. Damian went to scout things out.”
“Who’s Charles?”
“He’s a Hunter vamp we borrowed from Jonny,” she explained. Jule’s brow furrowed, and Sofi smiled. “I’ll explain later. Xander’s waiting.”
“Is Darian here? I’m not bringing an Original Vamp here without some sort of backup.”
“I’m here, Jule,” Bianca said from behind him.
“Great, so I can piss off both my brothers.”
“I just meant I can fix anyone who decides to brawl,” Bianca retorted.
“Darian’s here,” Sofi replied with a laugh. “I’ll go get him.”
“At least then we’ll stand half a chance if the vamp goes ape-shit crazy.”
“We’ll be fine, Jule,” she assured him. “Just don’t tell Damian or Dusty.”
Jule ground his teeth. Silently cursing Oracles, he Transported back to the mountainside. The vamp hadn’t moved, as if he and Sofi already knew Jule would facilitate.
“Y’all are cutting me no slack today,” he said.
“Wise Oracle,” Xander said with a cold smile. “Take me to her.”
Jule raised his hand, and the Original Vamp rested his on top. They Transported to the study where Sofi, Bianca, and the Grey God awaited. Xander’s attention was caught first by Darian.
“Gatekeeper,” the vamp said. “You’re negligent in your duties.”
“As soon as I figure out what they are, I’ll take care of that,” Darian shot back. The vamp frowned.
“You will when you’re ready, Darian,” Sofi said.
“Gatekeeper, Oracle, Healer, Original Immortal,” Xander said, taking in everyone one-by-one. “You have a message for me, Oracle, and an answer I seek.”
Jule shifted forward as the vamp held out his hand, palm up, in the traditional greeting to an Oracle. Sofi stepped to him, unafraid, while Darian edged closer. She placed her hand on the vamp’s, and her eyes began to whirl hypnotically.
The Original Vamp closed his eyes. Their exchange was silent. Sofi dropped her hand, and the vamp remained still, as if letting her magic settle.
“You are certain?” he said at last.
“It’s not the only answer, but it’s the most likely,” Sofi replied.
“Very well. A pleasure, Oracle,” Xander said and opened his eyes. “Immortal, take me back.”
Jule obliged quickly, unwilling to keep the vamp close to his brothers’ mates longer than necessary. They Transported to the mountainside again, and the cold wind swept past him. Jule released the vamp, who turned to him.
“I know one way to return your power to you.” As he spoke, his fangs lengthened. “Are you certain this is what you want?”
Realization of exactly what he’d asked for made Jule breathe out hard. His thoughts went to Yully, and he stepped forward without hesitation.
“Absolutely,” Jule replied. “Bite me.”
“As you wish.”