Darkyn's Mate

Deidre closed the door behind her and walked down the hallway. The dress moved with her like a second skin, draping her curves and swishing silently around her legs. She rubbed her mouth. It was dry and her gums irritated. She could use some water, too.

She walked for ten minutes, carefully remembering where she went, so she was able to find her way back. The first demons that crossed her path made her freeze in place. They didn't notice her, and she released her breath.

Deidre continued through the halls lined with torches bearing black flames. She reached a stairwell and descended to a floor with wider, taller corridors, as if she'd gone from the wing with private chambers to a more public area. There were more demons on this level, a couple of which eyed her before moving on, leaving her a bit more confident she wasn't going to be eaten. The stone doors lining each side were all closed.

One of them yawned opened as her eyes fell to it.

With an anxious look around to make sure no one was watching, Deidre peeked into the open door, hoping it led to a McDonalds or some other place with food. What she saw puzzled her.

Hell had a library?

At the far end of the library was a creature that made her think twice about entering. White-gray fur covered a body with moth-eaten wings, a hideous face and yellowed fangs. It was hunched over a book large enough to cover half the black stone desk at which it sat. As she watched, the creature rose and hobbled from the desk to a nearby shelf. It wheezed, its body bent by time. The small book it hefted made its stooped posture almost double over. He staggered.

She had the sudden urge to assist him. Whatever creature it was, it had to be ancient. She hesitated then crossed the library.

"Do you want help?" she ventured timidly.

The ugly face turned towards her, and she slowed.

"What are you?" it asked in a voice as old as its leathery face.

Uncertain how to explain things, she turned and swept her pink-dyed hair from her back to show him the mating mark.

"Ah." It said then concentrated on holding onto the book.

Deidre reached him just as he dropped it. The tome was far heavier than she expected, made of something much different than cardboard and paper. The two of them toppled to the floor with the book.

"It only looks small," the creature said, peering at her. "The Dark One's never had a mate."

"Ever?" she asked. She stood and bent. The book was the size of a paperback she'd buy at an airport but had to weigh fifty pounds. With a grunt, Deidre lifted it and carried it to the table. She returned to the creature, which was climbing to its feet with difficulty. She took its arm and helped him up.