Darkyn's Mate

"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."