Darkyn's Mate

"I will, too," Past-Death added. "Any deal I make will be sealed by Death's magic."

Harmony was quiet for a moment. Deidre exchanged a look with her look-alike.

"Darkyn made a deal with Gabriel for your soul, Harmony," she said. "Whoever finds you first, Darkyn keeps you."

The death dealer paled. Deidre guessed the death dealer knew enough about Darkyn to fear him. She definitely feared him, and she was shown mercy by the Dark One.

"Let the girl go, and I'll make sure your soul goes where it should, right beside mine," Past-Death said with calmness Deidre envied.

"Or you can risk an eternity with the Dark One personally overseeing your day-to-day … activities," Deidre seconded.

Harmony appeared indecisive.

"The soul of a deity or former deity has special standing," Past-Death continued. "Yours will remain right beside mine."

Deidre studied her, hearing the carefully chosen words. Seeing Past-Death, it was hard to remember that the human with the mussed hair and tear-reddened eyes had spent thousands of years cultivating deals. She probably knew many of the same rules Darkyn did about creating terms.

Harmony couldn't know that Past-Death's soul was destined for Hell in a matter of days, or more specifically, to Deidre herself. Darkyn had bargained with Gabriel for Harmony, and Past-Death just sealed the deal for her soul. Deidre waited apprehensively. Right now, no part of her was willing to protect Harmony's soul from Darkyn the way she planned to Past-Death's.

Harmony tossed her head towards the death dealer holding Selyn. She held out a hand to Past-Death. Deidre took it, and they shook, the deal sealed with the magic of Gabriel. Deidre stared at Past-Death, wondering why the former goddess was trying to help the daughter of the Dark One that meant to crush her.

Whatever Past-Death's reasoning, Deidre was grateful. She couldn't stand the thought of seeing Selyn hurt, as much because of everything the girl had been through as the thought of hurting Darkyn. Even if he was incapable of feeling real pain.

The death dealer tossed the teen demoness through a yellow portal, onto the mortal plane rather than into Hell. Deidre gasped, stunned. She was about to demand to know where the girl was sent when Past-Death's words jarred her.

"She's alive."

Deidre swallowed hard and nodded, reining in her panic. Selyn could find her way home. Nothing else mattered except that she was alive.

"If either of you summons your mates, I'll kill the other. If you try to alert anyone or escape, I'll peel your skin from your bodies and watch you scream," Harmony warned. "Got it?"

Deidre nodded. So did Past-Death.