Darkyn's Mate

Two forms stepped between them and the portal, blocking it. Deidre gripped Selyn's arm more tightly, fear spiraling through her. She didn't recognize the two men before her, but they were dressed much like the two death dealers that tried to turn her over to Harmony in her old apartment.

Deidre glanced over her shoulder and froze. Two people stood between Past-Death and the yellow portal leading back to the human world.

"Harmony," Deidre said at the sight of the female death dealer.

It was a trap. Suddenly, Deidre wished she'd left Selyn in Hell. The girl had started to tremble, no doubt reminiscing about the last time she'd dealt with Immortals. Deidre squeezed her arm in reassurance, not at all certain what Harmony wanted. Last time, the death dealer wasn't interested in her.

"What do you want?" Past-Death demanded of Harmony.

"You aren't Death anymore." Harmony punched Past-Death hard.

Deidre flinched as the small blonde woman went down. Harmony bent over her, saying something Deidre wasn't able to hear. Gabriel's mate was struggling to sit up.

"Deidre, are you okay?" Deidre called.

"Yes." The response was more of a grunt. Past-Death managed to stand. She faced Harmony. "What's going on?"

"Simple. Because of Darkyn's bitch, I've got a price on my head from the Dark One. I didn't betray Gabriel to be stuck in the human world," Harmony said. She snatched Past-Death's arm and hauled her closer to Deidre. "Who is this?"

All eyes fell to Selyn, who was shaking. The growl low in her chest sounded more like a rattle.

"A servant," Deidre said, not wanting them to hurt the poor girl.

"Kill her," Harmony said, motioning to one of the other dealers.

He grabbed Selyn and hauled her a few feet away. The panicked teen stared pleadingly at Deidre. She started forward when the dealer pulled out a knife.

"No!" Deidre cried, heart racing. "I lied. She's Darkyn's daughter."

Harmony stared at her then at the teen girl. Suddenly, she smiled.

"Perfect. Even better," Harmony said. "Darkyn's bitch will get us into Hell. Gabe's will get us into the underworld. Once we're there, we'll have all the leverage we need."

Deidre looked from Harmony to Selyn, wishing she knew how to diffuse the situation in a way that Selyn was able to escape. The girl didn't need any more trauma, and Darkyn would unleash Hell if one of them disappeared and the other was dead. Her thoughts went to what Darkyn taught her about dealing.

"Will you leave her?" she asked. "I have the power of Hell at my back. I can grant you almost anything in exchange for her life." She spoke carefully, aware no one knew about her private agreement with Darkyn that disallowed her ability to make deals. She didn't know what happened if she tried to make one, but she'd do what it took to protect the terrified teen.