Also potentially his fault.
What was worse: he suddenly realized he might have the means to get into his underworld. Darkyn would never let him through Hell, but Deidre …
He felt like shit just thinking about it yet recognized the danger he was in. If he didn't find his soul and quell the rebellion, more than his fate was fucked.
Gabriel sat in silent thought, comforted by the ebb and flow of the waves. The other night, he sat on a beach with one Deidre and watched the moon cross the sky. Tonight, he was alone, but he needed to be for a while. His soul, the underworld, rebellion … everything that mattered didn't when he considered how the mighty Death hadn't been able to save one innocent human from a dark fate.
Only when the moon was halfway across the sky did he rouse himself. He saw Darkyn's mate yesterday. She'd been shaken, and he wanted … needed to verify that she was okay.
"Deidre," he summoned the demon lord's mate.
A moment passed. Gabriel suspected the Dark One wasn't going to let his little human out of Hell, especially not to see her former mate. His fury grew.
"Hi, Gabriel."
He twisted, staring. He'd been too shocked yesterday to notice how much she changed. Deidre glowed darkly with the Dark One's power and something else, an aura that drew his gaze and left him feeling slightly addled. He looked her up and down.
Dressed in the seductive clothing of Hell, her body's gentle shape appeared voluptuous, her narrow shoulders exposed, her round hips and breasts enhanced. The black dress she wore fit her like a second skin, outlining every curve, dip and nook of her body. Sexy little fangs rested on her full lower lip. They were the kind of fangs a man fantasized about, not too large to cause damage but sharp enough to offer an exquisite combination of pleasure and pain if she nipped him. The perfect bow of her mouth appeared red, roughened and plump from kisses. Her large eyes were steady, her porcelain skin clear and smooth. He noticed her eyelashes, long and thick. She oozed fragile innocence and sultry sex appeal, her allure capable of ensnaring even a deity.
Struck by the change, Gabriel laughed in bewilderment.
"He turned you into a sex demon!" he said. He saw her blush in the dim starlight.
The ocean breeze made her dress move as if it was alive, and her pink hair swept across her features. She pushed it away and crossed her arms, shivering.
"I like it," he added. He patted the sand beside him.