Gabriel's Hope

Gabe snapped his neck. It was a much kinder death than he deserved. He dropped the body and retrieved the soul. He gazed at it in the palm of his hand. He saw past-Death handle traitors but never expected he'd have one in his midst, a few months on the job.

With some regret, Gabe crushed the gem in his hand. It turned to green dust. He dumped it on the ground. Darkyn would see this man again soon in Hell.

"There's always one," Wynn said from nearby.

Gabe resisted the urge to behead the Immortal. One day, he'd be able to make love to his mate at will and kill the Ancient that almost killed her. That day wasn't coming fast enough.

"Trust me. You want to check all of them. I led the Council long enough to know there's usually more than one."

"Sound advice," Gabe replied. "If you're here to ask where Deidre is, the answer is no."

"You blocked her, not Rhyn. Guess I shouldn't be surprised."

"We both did, just in case." Gabe glanced at the Immortal. Svelte, charismatic and cool, Wynn was the opposite of Rhyn in every way except for looks. There was no mistaking father and son on that level. "What do you want, Wynn?"

"I came to see if you wanted to negotiate yet."

"I didn't think you had anything wanted, now that I have Deidre safe and secure."

"It's a tiny secret, one that may not alter much of anything." Wynn shrugged. "Or, it might, given it means more to you than it does to me."

"You tell me, and if I find it worthy, I'll tell you who wanted you brought back," Gabe said, crossing his arms.

Wynn studied him. Gabe didn't know which way the Ancient would go. Wynn's alliances and motivations were mysterious, but there was one thing they had in common: Deidre.

"She was born with a tumor. Based on her medical records, the tumor didn't grow until she hit puberty and didn't interfere with her ability to function before a few years ago," Wynn started. "What is of interest to you: the tumor in her head is formed around a soul. I discovered it during surgery."

Wynn gave him a knowing look.

"Of interest to the Keeper of Souls?"

"You know it is. Whose soul would that bitch put in Deidre's head?"

"My first guess would be hers. It's what I'd do," Wynn said. "Deities are different but they have souls. Our Deidre is a mix of human and immortal."

"Meaning the soul of the deity we know is likely somewhere else." The information was beyond valuable, and on a level that further altered Gabe's perception on Deidre. Adding another layer of separation between past-Deidre and his mate settled some of his turmoil.