Deidre's Death

Her calm acceptance faded, replaced by turmoil. He couldn't read all the emotions crossing her face. She ducked her gaze, and her breathing quickened.

"You're afraid," he said.

She shook her head.

"You're not the only one who can sense emotion in others," he reminded her with a nudge. "It's more than fear. I'd say you're still pissed at me."

"You know what you're asking me to do?" she said at last.

"Yes. I have no other option, Deidre. There's something in my underworld that I have to find before they do."

"What is it?" she asked.

He grappled with himself. He trusted the human, but dared he trust the mate of the Dark One?

"Only my soul," he replied ruefully.

"Oh, god, Gabriel."

"Just get me through Hell. What happens then won't matter."

"Gabriel …" Deidre sounded distressed. She rose and paced, the dress tracing her movements in a way that made his eyes follow her body. "You shouldn't have told me that. You shouldn't have asked me."

"I have no alternative," he said with some irritation, rising. "I'm not asking because of what we had. I'm asking because I have no choice. I'll owe you."

"You already do owe me one favor," she reminded him.

"I'll owe you two."

Deidre sighed. "I'll try to help you, Gabriel. God help me, I don't know how."

She paced. He watched her, resolute despite how it made him feel to ask more of the woman he'd already fucked over.

"I have to figure this out," she murmured. "Can I have a little time?"

"Whatever you need."

"Don't worry. I'll figure it out way before our deal is up," she said, rolling her eyes.

"What deal?"

"The one between me and your Deidre."

"You made a deal." He crossed his arms, unimpressed. He'd thought to ask Darkyn about any debts owed but not about any future debts. "Do I want to know what it was?"

She hesitated. "No. Because it doesn't matter."

"Your deal is sealed by the Dark One. Why do I have the feeling he's waiting to collect?"

"I can't talk about it with you, Gabriel. She shouldn't either," she said quietly. "Please just know I bear neither of you ill will, despite the outcome."

"Fuck," he muttered. "That scares the shit out of me."

"It shouldn't. I'm the only one in this mess who isn't out to hurt anyone else," she retorted. "It's strange, but I've learned from Darkyn not to be ashamed of my nature. He laughs at me for being unwilling to hurt anyone else, but he says no one should feel shame about who they are."