Deidre's Death

"Sasha did many things to her, the finality of which was kill her," Darkyn said. "I raised her when I was able to. I went after him, not knowing that whatever he did, it was something only he could undo. His soul was … lost soon after we threw your old body into the deepest chasm in the mortal world."

There was no emotion in the demon lord's voice, no indication of warmth or affection whatsoever.

"Who is she?" Wynn ventured.

"Selyn. My daughter, a hatchling born by an Immortal blood monkey."

Wynn hid his surprise. And then something else clicked. Only the Dark One was able to raise someone from the dead.

"You raised her?" he asked, the words from Darkyn's discussion with past-Death returning. "You raised past-Death. You got promoted."

"Rarely does a promotion involve conquering a creature older than time." Darkyn's smile was chilling.

Wynn felt cold inside. Dealing with Darkyn was bad enough. Knowing the most powerful creature - one the Dark One himself exiled at one point for his ruthlessness - had taken over Hell was another matter entirely.

"You're the Dark One. It's not common knowledge yet," Wynn whispered.

"Not yet. Soon."

"What are the terms?" Wynn wasn't about to ask why it was secret or spend too much time in Hell with the violent creature before him.

"Heal her," Darkyn said. "You have five days. If you succeed, you leave."

"If I can't?"

Darkyn moved in front of him. Half a head shorter than Wynn, the demon lord nonetheless commanded any space he was in. His black eyes saw through Wynn.

"If you can't. If you won't. If you don't. If you cause more damage," Darkyn said in a soft, lethal voice. "I will do to you what I wanted to do to Sasha. It will last for eternity. Every second of your life will be worse than the last."

"Understood," Wynn said. He looked away.

"You will have access to any equipment you need from any realm. The oldest of the healers has tried to repair her without success," Darkyn added. "Summon me when you know what you may need."

"What of Deidre?" Wynn ventured. "Your … mate."

"What of her?"

"She's the only innocent caught up in this mess. You are showing your daughter mercy," Wynn said carefully. "Can you not also show her mercy?"

"What I decide to do with my mate is of no concern to you," Darkyn said in a low growl. "If I decide to keep her, I'll blood-bind her, in the tradition of demon mating. It's the oldest bond there is, old enough to keep the mating bond from shifting when she wins her deal."