Deidre's Death

Something missing.

If he couldn't find her, she was in one of two places: Hell or the underworld.

"What the fuck happened?" he asked, focusing on Andre.

"You fucking tell me." The Dark One faced him.

Gabriel didn't react, instead motioning to Andre to do something about Rhyn, who was ready to explode. The half-demon had the impact of a nuclear bomb with absolutely no control. He summoned Landon and gave his second-in-command an urgent message.

Find my mate.

"I want my mate," Darkyn repeated.

"Harder to hang onto than you thought?" Gabriel couldn't help baiting the enraged demon. He didn't think he'd ever be able to rationalize that both Deidres had gone to Darkyn instead of trusting him without resentment.

The Dark One approached him. They circled one another.

"I will destroy you and your underworld and anything else between," Darkyn growled.

"An eternity in Hell or what? Poor girl probably dove off a cliff."

"Unlike yours, my mate accepts her place."

"I fucked 'em both, Darkyn. You'll never live that down."

The demon stopped, rigid enough Gabriel knew it wouldn't take much more to make him snap.

"Gabriel, let's not lose focus," Andre said calmly. "Your past is irrelevant. We need to resolve this." The Immortal approached with caution, his movements deliberate and his voice steady and low.

"Boss," Landon appeared. He took in the situation and stepped back.

Gabriel glanced at him. Landon shook his head.

"Seems both girls are missing," Gabriel said, zeroing in on Darkyn. "Where's my mate?"

"Not in Hell, where she belongs," Darkyn snapped.

"Gabriel."

"Now you fucking show up," Gabriel replied to Wynn.

"You both might be interested in this." Andre's gaze was beyond the two deities. He nudged Gabriel's arm. "Come closer, Wynn."

Darkyn didn't move, and neither did Gabriel. Two forms came into his peripheral and stopped just out of their reach. The Dark One's fathomless eyes were colder than a winter night, and Gabriel wasn't about to back down this time. He'd let the demon bait him before at Deidre's old apartment, before the truth was revealed.

"My lord." The girl's voice was timid and raspy, no more than a whisper.

Gabriel looked and so did Darkyn.

Wynn stood with a slender teen demoness, half of whose face was knotted with thick scars. Her eyes were the same shade as Darkyn's, her skin pale. As soon as the Dark One's gaze fell to her, she dropped into a deep curtsy.

Darkyn gave a low order in the demon language. The girl scrambled up and approached him, eyes on the ground. With little gentleness, the Dark One took her neck when she was close enough. She closed her eyes, unmoving. He released her, and she gave another curtsy then took a few steps back.