She would hate knowing that.

"A quarter maybe," he said at last. "It can't be more. She's got a few of their traits. Her cousin can Travel and has a knack for weapons she's hiding from Jessi. I haven't met the boy yet."

"So we're looking for a record of a Natural who got knocked up by a Watcher about sixty years ago," Jule mused. "We can figure it out. It's a little creepy to have someone like that around."

"I tagged her phone, shoes, purse and the iPad with tracking," Xander replied. "Couldn't sleep in my own home, knowing she was there but not where."

Jule chuckled. "Any idea why she's here? It can't be a coincidence."

"It's not. Someone sent her." Xander shifted forward, aware the Guardian wasn't expecting an invite this morning.

"You want me to find her a sponsor and bring her in?"

"Not until I'm done with her." Xander gave a half-smile.

Jule studied him. "Saw the bite marks. You plan on vamping her?"

"No. I want to know who sent her and why."

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"You probably know the why," Jule said, gaze dropping to the necklace at Xander's throat. "I can't see any other reason why someone would risk pissing you off."

Xander didn't confirm the words, leery of anyone who understood the power of the gem at his neck. Jule was right; he owned nothing else, but the number of people who knew about the gem was limited to the Originals and Sofi. If Jonny planted Jessi, how did he know about the necklace?

Jessi brought in a tray of coffee. She poured three cups and stood back, meeting Xander's gaze.

"No poison, right?" he asked.

She considered. "The question you should be asking is whether or not I put in enough for instant death or if I want you to die slowly."

"What's the name of my show, fan-girl?"

She flushed, no doubt recalling his first bite. She whirled and marched into the kitchen.

Xander snorted, eyes on her ass and the swinging pony tail. He reached for his coffee, unconcerned.

Jule studied him. "I think you're after more than information."

"She challenges me."

"Lucky for her," Jule said, shaking his head. "I'm not sure that's a good thing, though knowing what I do of your history..."

Xander eyed him. "You're remembering."

"It's been hard," Jule said. His gaze darkened, and Xander knew his long-time ally was thinking of their shared history from the time before the Schism that split the mortal and immortal worlds apart. Jule's memory was wiped out and Xander exiled, until a year ago, when he landed in the human realm.




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