Darkyn's Mate

"What's a hatchling and what did you just do?" Deidre asked, standing in alarm. The strange calm she felt around Zamon remained, and she recalled more clearly Darkyn's words about how the original Dark One lured in his prey.

"A hatchling is what demons call their offspring," Fate replied.

"You're Darkyn's father," she said, surprised.

"I am. I simply took on a form that you would not find threatening," Zamon answered. "Would you have entered my library if you saw me like this?" He motioned to himself.

"No way," she replied. "But you sent him into the middle of Hell for thousands of years. Did you want him to die?"

"That was the plan," Zamon replied. "I figured if he survived the worst Hell had to offer, he'd make a worthy successor. If not, no loss."

Darkyn's assertion that demons didn't have emotions almost seemed true. Deidre shook her head, once again feeling too far away from the reality these creatures lived in.

"They are different creatures," Fate said. "Zamon and I have always gotten along. Darkyn and me? Not exactly."

"Darkyn is a poised predator. He strikes where men are weak. He has no patience for your games. I invite them in for tea then steal their souls while they talk about the weather." Zamon winked at her. "If you weren't his, honey, I would've fucked you up the day you walked into my library."

First the videos then the confrontation with Gabriel, now this. It was turning out to be a horrible day.

"Why did Darkyn let you live?" she asked in a strangled voice.

"We made a deal," Zamon replied with a grunt. "You should know the power of a deal with him by now."

"Yes," she replied. "And the strength of a blood bond."

"Good," Fate said, satisfied. "In two days your deal with Past-Death is up."

They both looked at her. She flushed, wondering how many people were interested in her fate. She seemed unable to keep secrets from anyone.

"I know," she said.

"Darkyn loses no time claiming his victory," Zamon said. "Brash young demon."

"You win," Fate told Zamon.

"You had a deal about me?" she asked with a frown.

"Hell runs off deals," Zamon replied. "Fate said he would conquer you, but you couldn't conquer him. I said a creature who has never known peace will surrender unconditionally when he tastes it for the first time. Past-Death offered him a private deal before she died-dead and before my retirement." His dark gaze was steady, cunning.

Her mouth dropped open.

"She offered him something that was never before attainable. He is a fearless opportunist who has always wanted to be a god, and the deal was unofficial. If any part of it displeased him, he was able to cancel it. The terms were right," Zamon continued.