Darkyn's Mate

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."