Darkyn's Mate

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.