Deidre's Death

She looked ready to challenge Darkyn. Wynn wasn't able to pity her, but he was able to understand the bigger picture. Darkyn wanted more than for past-Death to lose her bet; he intended to guarantee she never again became the threat she was.

"You've gone this far to guarantee a life with him," Wynn said to her gently. "You've got one chance. You'd be a fool not to take it."

Past-Death was quiet, considering Wynn then Darkyn. He saw the uneasiness on her face. She was starting to taste the bitterness of reality.

"I'll do as you asked and help you," Wynn added. She didn't need to know he planned on having her killed off, once and for all, once they were free of Hell. As a human, she'd be much easier to render dead-dead. For good this time.

Past-Death was visibly torn, her eyes changing colors faster and faster as she thought. For a moment, Wynn thought she'd refuse.

"Very well," she said at last. "I agree to your terms, Darkyn."

"Then you may leave." Darkyn motioned to the portal.

She hesitated, as if waiting for him to say more. When he didn't, past-Death stepped onto the dais. Wynn trailed her, but the demon lord rested a hand on his shoulder to stop him.

Wynn cursed silently. He watched as past-Death disappeared through the only way out of Hell for regular Immortals like him.

Wynn drew a deep breath and faced the smaller demon lord.

"Sasha," Darkyn said.

"My son, dead by your hands, I believe," Wynn replied, tensing.

"Not by mine directly. He served me well for the time he was here. Sharp but erratic. Born to betray any master he served. My favorite kind of creature."

Wynn said nothing. He hadn't wanted to believe one of his sons betrayed the rest of the Council, though he wasn't exactly surprised, either. Sasha had a side that was far more depraved than that of any of Wynn's other sons.

"How badly do you want to leave Hell?" Darkyn sounded amused.

"What are the terms?" Wynn said through clenched teeth.

"Very simple. You undo what Sasha did."

"I don't understand."

"Come." The demon lord strode out of the portal room.

Wynn's gaze lingered on the only outlet home. He sighed and followed. Darkyn opened one of the internal portals within Hell and strode through it. Wynn trailed, dread growing at the pit of his stomach. He emerged in a hallway lined with stone doors. Darkyn waited beside an open door, hands clasped behind his back in a deceptive display of ease.

Wynn entered and stopped a few steps into the room, not expecting what was before him. A girl in her mid-teens lay in a hospital bed in the center of the large chamber. She appeared to be sleeping. Half her face was knotted with horrible scars, the other half displaying skin close to the same shade as the white pillowcase beneath her.