Deidre looked over her shoulder at the reflection in the mirror displaying the two markings on her back. She gripped the hourglass, a symbol of her hope at leaving, even after learning that there was no real hope.
“That was one chain of events.” Fate’s reflection moved into her line of sight. The blond deity with multi-hued eyes and a quick smile was dressed for a dressage event, complete with helmet and crop.
She sighed. “I want nothing to do with you.” She tucked the hourglass into the small pocket inside her dress at waist level.
“Love the fangs. Super sexy.”
“I’m one of those TV vampires.”
“More like a little fruit bat. Harmless.”
Deidre faced him, face warm. The way he said it made it clear he was making fun of her. He was studying her. He offered a small smile, not nearly as large as the one he’d given her the day he gave her the advice that ended up condemning her.
“Didn’t go the way you planned?” she asked.
“Yes and no,” he admitted. “I manage the destinies of billions of the living. It always pains me to see some preferred outcomes involving the innocent.”
“You knew.”
“I always know.”
“Then why did you tell me what you did?”
“To ensure this preferred outcome came to fruition. Darkyn has been spinning out of control for many years. Now that he’s the boss down here, it’s a dangerous combination. He needed something to take that edge off.”
“So you kept me quiet long enough for the marking to appear.” She wanted to slap him, more because he was making it obvious how right Darkyn was.
“I kept you quiet long enough for the bond to stick. For you, it was instant. For a creature from the time-before-time, it’s not always the case,” Fate said. “The mating bond has to take. The blood bond has to take. Otherwise, he can kill you.”
“That sounds like a preferred outcome to me!” she snapped.
“Silver lining, fruit bat,” he said, grinning. “You always find one. You will find one here in Hell. It will become all that stands between your mate and the human world. Trust me.”
“No way. If I’ve learned anything, it’s never to trust a deity or an Immortal or a demon.”
“Darkyn did what Gabriel should have,” Fate mused. “Made you face the truth before the first day was out.”
“Funny how the devil is the one who’s deceived me the least. He taught me how to kill someone, by the way,” she added.
“The danger with Darkyn is dealing and you, my dear, are harmless,” he replied. “A creature that powerful has no need to lie, until he wants to lure you to Hell. You’re already here.”
“Was that how he became the Dark One? He out-dealt the other Dark One?”
“Yes. It didn’t hurt he’s old enough that he’s had time to build his power as well. When the timing was right, he had the advantages of strength and negotiating without the hindrance of mercy or a conscience.”
She shivered. Darkyn didn’t have compassion. He hadn’t killed her, because of the bonds and a deal she made without knowing how important it was. An eternity with someone who was unable to care for her?
“If it helps, you are the only pure soul in Hell,” Fate said, reading her expression. “If anyone can make him less … him, it’s you.”
“Great. I have no purpose but to make others’ lives easier. Why is any of this happening?” she asked, throat tight. “Did I screw up somewhere along the line?”
Fate gazed at her for a moment. “Have you ever seen the web of a black widow?”
She shook her head.
“It’s a disaster. Other spiders weave these beautiful, symmetrical, ethereal webs whose designs have been the inspiration for art and mythology for as long as there were spiders,” he explained. “That is what people think of when I tell them about the chain of events. In truth, destiny is like the web of a black widow. Take all the webbing of a normal spider, wad it up and tangle everything together then attach it to random points. It’s more of a cluttered box than a web. That’s the real chain of events. I can follow the threads, but no one else can, and there’s always the chance that something unexpected gets caught up in them. Sometimes it’s even a surprise to me.”
“Was I unexpected?” she asked.
“No. It’s just an example. You were one of the first threads in this web.”
“Then you admit to lying to me to make sure I was stuck in your web.”
“I did what I had to in order to ensure the web never crashes down around the spider,” he said. “This is what I do. Imagine trying to monitor zillions of these webs.”
“Who is the spider in my web?” she demanded.
“Who says there’s a spider? Those fangs are so sexy.” His gaze was on her mouth. “You’ll want to be careful when you go to the human world.”
“Is that general advice or forecasting?” she asked, frowning.
He winked.
“You are so frustrating. Like every other deity I meet.”
She wanted to ask him more, like what happened when her bet with Past-Death was up. It didn’t matter, since she was bound to Darkyn, but she found herself wondering anyway. She didn’t think she could trust anything he told her.
“I’m glad you’re okay,” Fate sounded sincere. “Now I know you’ll remain that way.”
“You said something similar two days ago, before I became the mate of the Dark One.”
“I mean it this time.” He chuckled. “I’m okay with you hating me, now that I know you’ll be okay. One last tip. Three doors down on your left.”
Deidre almost cringed at the thought of leaving the chamber after her first venture out that landed her not only in trouble but also in Darkyn’s bed. She twisted her hair into a bun and felt the warm energy of Fate fade with him.
When she was done, she studied her reflection. The sultriness was present, along with the calm steadiness of her blue gaze. She felt centered and refreshed this morning, the newfound hunger for the blood of her mate sated for now. She was surprised to find the idea of tasting him didn’t repulse her, as if the intimate bond with him was natural.
She should be disgusted. Deidre shook her head in frustration and left her room. She lingered outside her door, waiting for someone to attack her. When no one did, she paced three doors down and paused.
Fate had a way of setting her up. She wasn’t so sure she wanted to know what was behind that door.
She was also tired of being afraid.
Deidre knocked. A moment later, the door opened, and she gasped. The Immortal who posed as her only friend and surgeon for years – who also nearly killed her – stood before her. His dark skin was offset by brilliant turquoise eyes, his noble carriage and cold features giving him the appearance of an ancient prince.
“Wynn!”
He raised an eyebrow in the only sign of surprise. His eyes settled on the fangs resting on her lower lips. Self-conscious, she felt her face grow warm and crossed her arms. She pressed her lip together to hide her fangs.
“He lost no time in turning you,” Wynn said. “Come in.” He opened the door wider to display a chamber the same size as hers but outfitted as if for a hospital.
Deidre entered uncertainly. A girl in her mid-teens lay still on the hospital bed central to the room. Half her face was disfigured.
“Double-bound? I didn’t even know it was possible.” Wynn was unable to hide his surprise this time.
Unwilling to admit to the bonds let alone talk about them, Deidre focused on the girl.
“Is this …”
“His daughter.”
Deidre wasn’t certain what to think at the sight of the girl on the bed. She drew nearer, eyes sweeping over the medical equipment in the room. The girl appeared to be sleeping, her breathing deep and steady.
“What’s wrong with her?” she asked.
Wynn took up position in a seat near the bed. There were dark circles under his eyes, and his face was drawn.
/>
“Sasha, one of my sons hurt her. He was on the Council until shortly after I died-dead, after which he betrayed the Immortals to work for the Dark One, Darkyn’s predecessor. Darkyn cracked down on him, and Sasha hurt his daughter.”
“If he fixed me, why can’t he fix her?” Deidre frowned, disturbed by the idea of some psycho hurting the girl. Darkyn’s daughter appeared frail and gaunt, her skin a shade or two darker than the white pillow beneath her head. The damage done to half her face caused horrible scarring that left her features lopsided and her skin knotted. The other side of her face displayed facial features that were heavy rather than feminine, resembling her father’s.
“I’m assuming it was because a deal went bad. I guess the time this all happened was when Darkyn took on the Dark One. He wouldn’t say much else, other than she cannot be fixed with the magic of Hell,” Wynn explained. “She’s in a stasis right now, caught between life and death. I’ve been charged with curing her. Or I’ll never leave Hell.”
Deidre felt no pity for him, despite the circumstances. After what he’d done to her, she wasn’t able to. Wynn’s eyes fell to her fangs again then drifted down her body.
“He changed you,” he murmured. “You won’t be leaving here after your deal is up with Past-Death.”
“How do you know about that?”
“I was waiting in the portal room with her when Darkyn came to tell me I wasn’t leaving,” Wynn said with mild amusement. “He stripped her deity powers, said she had to earn Gabriel the same way you did.”
Darkyn did two things that she almost agreed with. Deidre didn’t think it was a good sign that she cheered on the Dark One. Did it make her bad, too?
“Lesson learned. Don’t screw over his mate,” Wynn finished.
“It wasn’t for my sake,” she assured him.
“He knew exactly what he was doing.”
“Darkyn doesn’t lose. As I learned, my deals hold the same power of enforcement as his. He was making certain I win,” she said. “I’m assuming he kept you because you’re the best surgeon there is. Even if you did use your skills to try to kill me.”
“I’m not the mate of the Dark One. Those skills give me a small chance of leaving,” he reminded her.
“I was destined for this,” she returned. “Past-Death told me how she made me in her image to trick the laws into making me Gabriel’s mate.” Deidre hugged herself, disturbed. “She said she made me, used me and was done with me. She traded me to him, Wynn, like I’m nothing. Maybe I shouldn’t be, but I’m glad Darkyn stripped her power. Maybe she’ll learn a thing or two about being human.”
Wynn studied her, warmth in his eyes. “I don’t know how this all unfolded,” he said. “You truly are an innocent caught in the politics of the Immortals and the scheming of deities. You are the last person who deserves to be here.”
“You always say the right thing,” she murmured. “Even while you were killing me.”
She paused, knowing she shouldn’t ask what she’d wanted to since finding out what he did. At this point, there was no reason not to.
“How could you, Wynn?” she asked, with more emotion than she intended.
“It’s done, Deidre,” he said.
“It’s that simple to you? I mean nothing to you, like I meant nothing to her? I’m disposable?”
“Deidre,” he stopped then continued with some effort. “I loved you in this life and the last. I lost you in both, too, once by the choice of Past-Death and once by my own. There is no part of me that wishes I couldn’t go back and save you from this. He won’t let me out of here alive, I don’t think.”
Deidre returned her attention to the girl. Wynn regretted what he did; he regretted the impact to him more. Immortals and deities didn’t have the capacity to care for others. Would she be alone for eternity?
“Can you help her?” she asked.
“I am doing my best. My deal with your mate is dependent upon me succeeding. He gave me five days.”
“If the magic of Hell can’t cure her, can yours?”
“Not so far. I’ve tried traditional medicine” he motioned to the machines lining the perimeter of the room “and my magic.”
“Poor girl,” she murmured, recalling all her years of pain and misery with the brain tumor Wynn caused to expand. Her deal with Darkyn damned her, but also saved her life. “Is she demon?”
“Half-breed like Rhyn. Demon and Immortal. Mother is long dead, most likely one of the blood slaves. Darkyn was known for going through them like tissue paper.”
The reminder of what her mate was made Deidre nauseous.
“At least I can save other women from that destiny,” she said. “The mating bond is absolute, isn’t it?”
“It is. Neither mate can have someone else on the side. Yours is more so. He’s dependent upon you for blood, a condition that transcends the normal mating relationship.”
She deliberated on this information. Darkyn was determined to keep her, determined enough that his insurance limited him more than her. He was serious about not losing.
Wynn was looking at her again, an odd light in his eyes. It made her uncomfortable.
“He was wise to turn you quickly,” he said after a long silence. “He can’t harm you now with the double-bond. Did the transition hurt?”
“He’s never hurt me. Terrify me? Definitely.”
Wynn’s smile was fleeting. “I don’t suppose you’ll put in a good - or bad - word for me.”
“No,” she replied firmly. “Your deal is with him. You made your choices, Wynn.”
“More than fair.”
Deidre. The summons was quiet. It was accompanied by a vision of her chamber. She felt compelled to go there.
“I’ll come back,” she said. “Will you tell me if you need something to help her?”
“Without a doubt.”
Deidre left, troubled, as she returned to her room. It didn’t make sense that nothing could save the girl, or that Darkyn was capable of trying to. It meant he cared. Or he was obligated. She’d learned a lot lately about how obligation held more sway in the Immortal society than truth or emotion.
Her heart quickened as she entered her room. The sight of Darkyn’s lean frame was enough for her blood to heat before his piercing gaze caught hers from across the room.
I am yours.
She hated him. She needed him. She couldn’t navigate through the emotions.
Deidre approached unbidden and stood before him, wishing she understood him and their bond better. His black eyes saw through her; his cold features were expressionless. He scared her, and she touched him instinctively, wanting his cool energy to help calm her emotions.
“I’m sending you somewhere,” he told her.
“What? Where?”
“On an emissary mission.”
Surprised, she sought some sign he was testing her or baiting her again.
“You trust me to go somewhere without making a deal you can’t live with?” she asked.
“Clever,” he murmured. “You want something.”
“I won’t make any deals this trip if you teach me how when I return.”
He considered. “Two conditions. One, what I teach you can never be shared. Two, there will be no official deals between you and me. Private deals only.”
“Ones that can’t be enforced, in case you lose?” she challenged. “You think I’ll beat you eventually?”
“Insurance,” he replied mockingly.
She rolled her eyes at him and dropped her hand.
“You’ve gotten brave, love.”
“You like a fight, don’t you?”
The light in his eyes was response enough. It made her heart race.
“Deal or no?” he asked.
“Deal.”
“You’ll be taking a message from me to them.”
“Really?” She frowned. “What’s the message?”
“You are.”
Gabriel. Her first thought was that h
e was sending her to Death as a means of torturing her or at least, nailing home the point that he had won this round with Gabriel.
The slow smile she distrusted spread across Darkyn’s face. Did he know what she thought? Was it so obvious?
She dropped her gaze.
“You will soon learn that those who lose deals with me are a desperate lot. They will see you as a target. Do you remember what I taught you about killing?”
She placed her hand on his heart. He remained relaxed despite giving her a loaded weapon then telling her to take the kill shot.
“To summon me, simply say my name,” he added. Darkyn tipped her chin up to meet her gaze. “You think I’m sending you to him.”
“It would be awkward,” she said in a hushed voice.
“Then you’ll have to trust me, won’t you.”
“You enjoy baiting me too much for me to trust you.”
“So honest, so pure,” he said.
“Don’t mock me,” she said, thinking about how Fate did the same. “I get it. This is your game. You don’t lose. You’d send me to Gabriel on a silver platter to get your point across. I assume that’s where I’m going.”
“You’ll find out.”
Deidre wanted to deck him again. And cry. And run. She hated that he’d always known exactly what to say to get to her. From the moment he first offered her the deal that landed her in Hell, he read her.
Darkyn flicked a nail against the pad of his thumb. The blood ensnared her senses at once, compelling her attention to the maroon droplets. Her hunger demanded action. The wound healed, leaving the drops on his thumb. He pressed the pad to her lips. They parted instinctively, and she tasted him.
She closed her eyes and shuddered in pleasure. He’d worked her into a frenzy the night before by dribbling a similar amount of blood, enough to tease her without satisfying her. This time, the few drops quelled the hunger and her distress. It left her calm.
“When you’re finished, call a portal,” he instructed.
Her eyes opened. His attention was on a point behind her, and she turned to see a portal waiting.
Deidre’s hand dropped from his chest. This had to be a test. He was sending her out and expecting her to return. Did he trust her or assume she knew better than to run?
She ran her tongue over her teeth to capture the last of his blood. She’d seen how hungry he was last night. He wasn’t going to let her go for long, since she was his singular food source.
One of the yellow portals beckoned her. Deidre entered the shadow world and shivered, her exposed skin chilled. She glanced back over her shoulder to see Darkyn standing where she left him, hands clasped behind his back, watching her with the cold smile that told her there was more going on than she suspected.
The calm of his blood offering kept her uneasiness at bay as the portal behind her closed. She hurried to the one waiting for her and paused. He could be sending her anywhere.
To Gabriel.
At least, if she saw him, she could determine which parts of what she felt were real and which stemmed from the bond. Deidre drew a shaky breath and stepped through the portal.
She recognized the surroundings. The Immortals’ stone fortress. She was in the middle of an unfamiliar, tall hallway. She heard the sound of a weapon scraping a scabbard behind her and turned.
Red tattoos flashed on the arms of the two Immortals in the hallway. She didn’t recognize them from her short stay there. One had his sword raised, the other’s was down. They scrutinized her.
“Rhyn,” she said, uncertain who else to ask for.
“Wait here,” one said. “No quick movements.”
She nodded.
The second put his weapon away and darted off down another hallway. Deidre waited nervously, uncertain what to think about the Immortal staring at her. His sword lowered as the time grew on. The light in his eyes was like that in Wynn’s, one she couldn’t place. It was almost the fire of desire, yet too raw.
It made her uncomfortable.
“Fuck.”
Deidre recognized the growl of the half-demon and faced him. Flanked by the Immortal she knew as Kiki and two more, Rhyn stood several meters away. The silver-eyed half-demon was tall and muscular, the air around him rippling with power. It was the opposite of Darkyn’s, whose was subtle and calming. Rhyn’s energy made her edgy.
“You’ve been gone, what? Three days? And you come back with a double-bond to someone new?” He shook his head. He motioned for the Immortal behind her to leave. “Does Gabe …”
Her sharp intake of breath stopped him.
“Double-bond,” one of those behind Rhyn said. “What is a double-bond?”
“It’s what the Dark One does when he doesn’t want his mate disappearing on him,” Rhyn said. “I sensed you arrive.”
He approached and circled her, pausing behind her. Self-conscious in front of Gabriel’s closest friend, Deidre faced him, tilting her head back to meet his liquid silver eyes.
“Did you say Darkyn is the Dark One?” Kiki asked.
“Looks that way,” Rhyn replied. “No one else can turn a human into a demon, and only demons blood bind.”
“He is,” Deidre confirmed.
“I thought you were in Atlanta.”
“It’s a long story,” she replied. “One Gabriel doesn’t know and probably shouldn’t for another few days.”
“We match.” Rhyn bared his teeth to display canines similar to Darkyn’s that would lengthen when he was hungry.
“Mine don’t retract,” she said with a grimace.
“The teeth of a demoness don’t. You left Gabe’s human mate and came back a demon bound to Darkyn. He wasted no time in turning you and blood-binding you.” Rhyn studied her for a moment. “What the fuck happened?”
Uncertain how to respond, Deidre laughed uncomfortably at the amount of bewilderment his question contained.
“Rhyn, care to share?” Kiki asked.
The half-demon looked over her head at the group behind her. He frowned. Deidre tried to figure out what it was she was supposed to say. She wanted to ask after Gabriel but didn’t. She also wanted to step outside and see the forest. She missed nature in the time she’d been in Hell.
“We need to talk in private,” Rhyn said for her ears only. “There’s another issue you haven’t figured out yet.”
She frowned. Rhyn took her arm and started away.
“I’ll let you know, Kiki,” he called to his half-brother. “We’re going to talk about demon shit.”
“What? Rhyn, you can’t –” Kiki objected.
“Later, Kiki.”
Deidre didn’t resist, uncertain why he looked grim suddenly. They didn’t go far. He led her into a large study with a huge, brown leather couch near a dead hearth. She brightened at the sight of the comfortable seating. Rhyn released her and locked the door behind him then paced, rubbing his jaw.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, concerned by his actions.
“You shitting me?” he returned. “You come back a demon and want to know what’s wrong?”
She flushed.
“A demon of human origin. It’s like Gabe being turned Immortal. You reek of Darkyn’s power.”
Deidre tucked her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around them, watching him pace.
“First. What are you doing here?” he demanded.
“I don’t know. Darkyn sent me. He said he had a message, and that I’m the message,” she said. “If you don’t know, then I’m not sure.”
“Oh, I get the fucking messages.”
“What are they?” she asked, puzzled.
“One, he’s letting me know he’s the Dark One. I’m assuming the transition happened recently. We didn’t know. Two, this is a personal fuck-you, addressed to me from the Dark One. Three,” he paused, studying her. “You. His mate. His human, blood bound mate.”
“Why is that important to you?”
“No demon can waltz into the middle
of my stronghold without being chopped to pieces. If you were a demon and his mate, you’d be missing your head. You’re a human mate, or were originally, which means I can’t hurt you. I’m the only Immortal who can walk into Hell. The last time I did it, I robbed him of a few prisoners he didn’t want to lose. He’s showing me he can do the same,” Rhyn said. “There’s no fucking chance of bringing you back, even if somehow you were to escape the mating bond.”
“I know that,” she replied. “He didn’t hesitate to claim me once the marking appeared.”
“Are you okay?” Rhyn’s voice carried genuine concern.
“Sort of,” she said. “He didn’t hurt me, if that’s what you’re asking.”
Rhyn didn’t look convinced.
“I’m, uh …” she swallowed, tears blurring her vision. “Scared. Horrified. A demon.”
“Yeah, there’s no reversing that.”
“Really?”
He raised his eyebrows.
“I guess I know that,” she whispered. “He’s determined to keep me.”
“I see that. The good thing is that he can’t hurt you now. The blood bond between demons is to ensure one of them doesn’t get too hungry and bleed the other dry.”
“Good to know,” she mumbled. “He hasn’t hurt me yet. But he doesn’t lose, does he?”
Rhyn shook his head. “For someone like him … he never even bowed down to the Dark One. The bond creates more than dependency; it gives you a helluva lot of influence over him.”
“I don’t see it,” she said with a snort.
“Trust me. The mating bond alone makes it easy for a woman to control her mate. Add a blood bond to it? You become the only person in the universe that can influence him. The other deities can’t even do that.”
She frowned. She didn’t see that happening. Darkyn was always too far ahead of her, twisting her into knots to keep her in place.
“Talk,” Rhyn ordered. He threw himself down in the seat across from her.
“Well…” Deidre sighed, sorting through her thoughts. She met his gaze, uncertain what to tell him.
“Gabriel doesn’t know,” he guessed and sat back.
“Not yet. At least, I don’t think he does. There’s a deal on the table,” she explained, mind on Past-Death. “I’ll start from the beginning. I, uh, made a deal with Darkyn a few days ago for him to remove my brain tumor. It seemed simple enough. He saves my life. In exchange, he keeps the tumor.”
“But that didn’t make you his mate.”
“Indirectly it did. The tumor in my head had a soul in it. Past-Death’s soul,” Deidre continued. Her throat tightened as she spoke. “I guess she made a deal with Darkyn. He brought her back, and she gave him me.”
Rhyn growled low in his chest.
“I made her a deal that expires in four days, thinking I could reverse the bond. I gave her a week to make Gabriel fall in love with her, or I get her soul. I thought if she was gone, the bond would reverse, return me to Gabriel,” she said. “Darkyn calls the blood bond his insurance for when I win. I can’t go back to Gabriel, even if I do win.”
Rhyn was quiet, his gaze intense.
“There’s more, but …” She shook her head, hands trembling. “Darkyn never loses.”
“I wouldn’t say he won. He had to sacrifice his freedom to keep you,” Rhyn said. “It’ll give you an advantage in deals with him.”
She almost groaned. She’d signed away that advantage already. Another thought occurred to her as she thought about Katie, the half-demon’s mate she met when last at the fortress.
“Rhyn, is any of what you feel when you become a mate real?” she asked. “The bond I shared with Gabriel. I mean, as soon as Darkyn’s name was on my back, it shifted, like none of the emotions I felt for Gabriel were real … and now with the blood bond…”
“Gods. I’m the last person to ask this touchy-feely stuff,” Rhyn said and rubbed his jaw again. “The bond brings you together. You still have to … make a relationship. One is physical, the other mental. They’re both real.”
“Gabriel and I didn’t get that far. He kept pushing me away,” she said. “Darkyn’s been relentless in pursuing me.”
“There’s another reason for that,” Rhyn said slowly. “Deidre, you can’t be around normal mortals or Immortals for long or even really demons outside of Hell.”
“Why?” she asked, fear spiraling through her. “Does something happen to me?”
“How do I say this…” he sighed. “My mother was a sex-demon. It’s a sub-class of demons. You are, too.”
“Meaning …”
“Meaning you might be one of them. Every man you cross will do what it takes to try to fuck you.”
She gasped. “What? Why?”
“Why?” he echoed. “Because you’re a sex-demon.”
She stared at him. Rhyn rose and motioned her up. He crossed to a mirror and pulled her in front of him. She saw the same woman here as she did in Hell: sultry and sweet, beautiful of face with a body enhanced by the dark dress.
“You don’t see it?” he asked.
“No.”
“I’m dealing with enough shit,” he muttered. “Trust me. You’ve got that vibe. Darkyn is relentless because of the fucked up double bond and whatever subclass of demon he decided to turn you into, which I’m guessing was a sex-demon. It’s good for you. Might give you an advantage with him if you’re willing to play the seduction game.”
Deidre shook her head, not seeing this either. There were no advantages with Darkyn and she was the last person on the planet who would try to seduce anyone, especially a demon. Darkyn had to know this. Was this some sort of twisted sense of humor on his part?
They returned to the seating area. Rhyn grabbed an iPad off the desk. He considered her.
“I have to show you something,” he started. “It’s bad. But since he sent you, I want you to see it.” He paused to pull up photographs on the screen. “Before a few months ago, the Immortals and demons had an understanding that the normal humans are off limits. Things have gone to shit fast, partly because I can’t get the fucking Council to agree on anything.” Rhyn snorted. “Darkyn recently decided to send his demons after human kids. They’ve been attacking schools all over the world. We’re getting better at tracking them, but haven’t been able to stop them.” He handed the device to her.
Deidre almost dropped it at the pictures displayed. Horrified, she wasn’t able to look away. The children were all elementary age, their dismembered bodies nothing but carnage. There were dozens of them.
This was what she was bound to for eternity, the monster behind all the evil in the world. Rhyn snatched the iPad as it slid from her fingers. She stared at the floor. Fate said she was a balance for the out-of-control demon, but how could she live with something like him?
“If you have any influence over him …” Rhyn prodded. “I’ll make you a deal to stop this. Just let me know your terms.”
“I can’t make deals,” she whispered. “Rhyn, I …” The images in her head were brutal. “I was terrified of Gabriel, knowing he was Death. This is something so far beyond what he was.” She stood and paced anxiously, hugging herself.
“You’re his mate, his representative. As much as I hate to do this, I need for you to help me fix this,” Rhyn said. “It’s been going on for two weeks, and it’s getting worse. Redirect the violence at the Immortals. Human children are off-limits.”
Deidre was silent, grappling with the issue and her emotions. Her chest was too tight for her to breathe deeply. What power did she have to do what Rhyn wanted?
She caught sight of her gaze in the mirror again and stared. Distraught, she was also clearly the mate of the Dark One. The only person who might influence him, based on what Fate and Rhyn believed.
She was beyond terrified of the power Darkyn held. What he was in their insulated world in the bedchamber was far removed from what he was outside. She’d accepted her place in his bed. How did she accept her destin
y as his mate?
What part of her was able to live with not trying to help spare innocent children?
Claustrophobic, she started to panic.
“I, uh, I need to go,” she said.
“Alright. If you need anything … I have no fucking clue if I can help, but ask.” There was concern on Rhyn’s face.
Deidre nodded, focused on calling a portal. It yawned open for her. She left, stopping in the shadow world to try to calm herself. She wasn’t able to make an official deal with Darkyn to save the kids, and she had nothing to offer him. What the fuck did she do?
The portal to Hell glowed darkly. Deidre moved towards it, recalling the last time she’d crossed through it. Her eyes filled with tears, but she forced herself to do it.
It left her on the covered landing where Darkyn first brought her. It was where he told her she’d never leave Hell, where he’d first drawn her blood. The landing overlooked the parched desert surrounding the black fortress. The dual sub orbs were dim, casting a sickly light over Hell. She leaned against the waist-high wall.
This was her eternity. The only innocent soul in Hell. There had to be a greater purpose to all of this, a reason why she was trapped. A reason why she was the only light in a very dark place. Was it to help the innocent? To blunt the bloodlust of the Dark One? Was this her silver lining? If she didn’t find one, she’d spend eternity weeping.
Her heart slammed into her chest at the thought of confronting the devil. With a deep breath, Deidre summoned him.
“Darkyn.”
As before, he appeared instantly. She turned away from the desert and crossed her arms. He stood a few meters away, hands clasped behind his back. His black eyes scoured her features and lingered on her lips.
“Rhyn … showed me what the demons are doing to human kids,” she started uncertainly.
“And?”
“They’re just children!”
“The Dark One is not known for mercy or kindness,” he said, amused. “The source of my magic is from the forbidden, the depraved. The death of innocents, the weakness of a man’s honor, heart or soul.”
“You’ve shown me mercy,” she said, approaching him until they stood toe-to-toe. “What will it take to stop this now?”
“How strongly do you feel?”
“I’ll play your game,” she said firmly.
“The first lesson in making deals: make the terms yourself. Don’t let anyone else determine them,” he said. “For example. I’ll do as you ask, if you can make it to our bedchamber by the count of five.”
“I don’t even know where it is from here!” she exclaimed.
“Then you lose before you begin.”
Deidre stared at him. He stepped aside, out of the way to the corridor leading into the fortress.
“This is it? This is all you’ll give me?” she asked, torn between fury and sorrow at the impossible challenge.
“Second lesson: you will do whatever it takes to win the deal.”
“Like blood binding yourself for insurance,” she said in frustration. “Or stripping Past-Death’s power.”
“Exactly.”
She had to focus. There had to be a way. He’d told her she wasn’t able to travel via portal when she was human. Yet she drew off his magic now. She was able to kill and call a portal from the human world.
“One.”
Her gaze flew to him.
“Two.”
Deidre bolted, silently willing a portal to appear as she sprinted into the fortress.
“Three.”
A black cave yawned open before her. It was different than the other portals; there were no doors visible through this one, just a hole in the world. She flung herself through it, not caring what waited for her on the other side.
Deidre emerged in her room, a full second before Darkyn did. It took a moment for her to register the truth.
“Omigod! I did it!” she breathed. She hurried to him. “You lose. You have to stop hurting them.” Praying she hadn’t missed some term of the deal, she waited for his reaction. For a long moment, Darkyn was quiet. Deidre’s despair began to form anew, along with tears. She started to shake, unable to bear the idea of more children dying or living with the creature behind it.
His cold smile scared her, until he spoke. “Done.”
“Is this your insurance plan where you don’t follow through because it’s not binding?”
“I always execute my terms,” he replied. “There will be no more attacks on human schools.”
She waited another few seconds for a catch before letting herself believe him. Relief made the tears she’d been holding begin to fall. Deidre reached up to him and fluttered kisses across his face and neck. She nuzzled him there, smelling the blood so close to the surface. It made her hungry to taste him.
“Lesson three. If you win or lose, let it be on purpose,” he said.
“You let me win?”
He chuckled as she nibbled timidly at his neck. “You don’t need an invitation to drink, love.”
At the amusement in his voice, she flushed. She nudged his chin aside but wasn’t certain about biting him. His fangs were lengthening, and he lowered his head, nudging her back. Darkyn rested his hands on her hips and drew her into his body.
“I beat you,” she whispered into the shared space between them. “Even if you let me. I’ll take it.” She pushed his chin aside with more force and kissed his neck before closing her eyes and letting her fangs sink into him.
He growled in response. Deidre drank until she grew sleepy. She released him at his nudge.
“Does it hurt?” she asked.
“Yes,” he said. “Since you are demon now, there is pleasure in it for you. If you are pleased enough about your victory, you will grant me leave to show you.”
She hesitated. “Just once?” she ventured.
He locked one arm around her in response, the other holding her head. His canines were four times the length of hers. Before she could tell him she’d changed her mind, sharp pain penetrated her neck. Deidre clutched at the material of his shirt. After the initial shock, she felt the pleasure, warm and hot, burning and mixing with the pain. It raced through her body, lulling her into a strange trance of heightened senses while he drank.
When he withdrew, she rested against him. She still didn’t quite trust he’d keep his word, but she prayed with every ounce of her soul that he did.
“Why did you let me win?” she asked.
“Because it pleased me to do so.”
“Seriously?”
“The humans mean more to you than they do to me. It was an extremely easy victory for me.” He bit her hard. “You are happy enough I no longer need to dull the pain.”
She shuddered at the pleasure-pain.
“I said once, didn’t I?” she murmured.
“You only have to agree once.”
Damn unwritten terms. She didn’t think she’d ever win with him, but she was thrilled knowing she’d done something right. For once.
In Hell. In a deal with her mate, who just happened to be the devil.
With the hum of their bonds and the satiation of the blood exchange, she ventured a look at him. His head was bowed near hers, eyes closed, as if he was…pleased to share the moment with her. Deidre touched her cheek to his and reached up with one hand to his other cheek. She was perplexed by this creature. He was yielding now, as he’d been last night. As if sensing she’d noticed, he straightened and moved away, breaking contact to stand a few feet away. The intimate moment was gone, replaced by the tension that always filled the space between them.
“Did the half-breed receive my message?” he asked.
“All of them,” she replied. “He also said I need to be careful in the human world. Is there something wrong with me?”
The cunning look on Darkyn’s face did nothing to reassure her.
“Lesson four. Deals made while the negotiator is distracted or emotional are easier to win,” he said. “
I only enhanced what appeal you already had. It’ll make it easier for you to deal with others, and it’s no sacrifice for me to want to fuck you every time we meet.”
“Why did you have to do that?” She flushed, humiliated. “I take it the distraction won’t work on you in our private deals.”
He flicked a fingernail against his thumb in response, commanding her complete attention. Deidre groaned as the hunger returned.
“Does it work on you?” Agitated, she bit her thumb.
“I can control the hunger.” He smiled and waited.
Deidre paced for a moment before caving. She needed contact with him as much as the blood. Leaning into him, she sighed when he placed his thumb at her lips. The calm spread through her again. He licked her finger free of blood.
“You are already a distraction for me,” he said gruffly.
Triumph fluttered through her at the admission. Maybe Rhyn was right; maybe she had more power than she knew.
“You should’ve thought of that before you blood bound me and turned me into a sex-demon,” she retorted softly. “I guess that’s my insurance, isn’t it?”
“I find it entertaining that you were willing to do whatever it took for humans you never knew, but those who knew you weren’t willing to do the same,” he said.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“I offered Wynn and Past-Death deals for your safety. Neither was willing to bargain with me for your life.” He sounded pleased once more.
Disturbed, Deidre withdrew from his embrace. She scoured his features.
“Why are you telling me this?” she asked, her upbeat mood fading.
“Why do you think?”
“I don’t know. I don’t expect them or anyone else to make deals with you for me,” she said, hurt as much by his words as the thought that there was no one outside of Hell who wished her well. She stared into the hearth.
“You are true to your nature. I can assess that you would make deals for them.”
“Why did you have to ruin this, Darkyn? I did something good. Why couldn’t you let me have my victory?” she whispered.
“I’m closing the doors around you, until there’s only one that’s open.”
Deidre looked up at him.
“When you accept that, you can celebrate what victories you have. Your victory today hasn’t gone anywhere,” he added. “I always keep my terms.”
He took her arm. She pushed him away, upset. The demon lord gripped her more tightly and wrapped her in his arms. Deidre strained then sighed, letting her head drop back against his shoulder. His cool magic calmed her thoughts. He nudged her head aside, and she yielded, albeit unhappily.
“Fight me, love. You want to. I feel it,” he said.
“You people have the lowest standards when it comes to quality of life.”
“The spirit of a human and the bloodlust of a demon.”
“Bloodlust? No. I mean, I only want your blood. I think,” she said, puzzled. “Don’t I? Oh, god. I’m not going to want to drink the blood of others am I?”
“Only mine. Such is the nature of a blood bond.”
“You hurt my feelings, Darkyn.”
“Good. You are too trusting. What I do will help you survive.”
It wasn’t the first time she’d heard such a thing, but it sounded far worse coming from the devil than it had Wynn.
“I’m being summoned. You can fight me later,” he said and released her. He strode towards a waiting portal.
Deidre watched him. It really did hurt to think that Darkyn outright tested others and they failed when it came to her. Of course, he chose two of the most selfish people she knew. She wanted to think that Gabriel wouldn’t turn his back on her so quickly.
In hindsight, she really didn’t know any of them. She wasn’t an Immortal or deity. She held no sway in what happened or played no larger part in their twisted doings.
In spite of that, hope flickered through her. She’d helped Rhyn stop Darkyn’s demons. Darkyn himself had shown some signs of being affected by her, perhaps not as much as she liked, but more than she ever expected.
Maybe she could make a silver lining here, protecting the innocent.
Breakfast was on the magic obsidian tray next to the bed. She wolfed it down, satisfied she was still able to eat real food in addition to drinking from Darkyn.
Day Four
Chapter four