Gabriel's Hope

"I want to thank you for the use of your existence," past-Death continued. "You let me see my Gabriel in a whole new light. Tender, compassionate, weak, like a human, and failing miserably to take my place. Also, no surprise, given his origins."

Deidre suddenly liked her even less. No Immortal alive had a good opinion of the deity, and the mocking way she spoke about Gabriel infuriated Deidre.

"I made you in my image. Incredible handiwork, don't you agree?" Past-Death stepped away from her, admiring her like she was a clay pot kilned in the backyard by a bored goddess.

"Fortunately, I'm nothing like you, or I would've died long ago as a human," Deidre replied. "Gabriel wouldn't have fallen for me, either."

This drew the deity's attention. "Interesting. You don't realize you're disposable to me. I needed you for a while, and I no longer do."

"Thank god. I can go on living a normal life."

"No. You are the preordained mate of a deity, just as I am. Your fate still lies within the Immortal society."

Past-Death turned and drew her hair to the side in one elegant motion. Deidre's breath caught at the name scrolled across the narrow shoulders.

Gabriel.

Deidre recalled what Katie told her about how Immortals only got one mate in the entirety of their lifetimes. How were they both Gabriel's mates?

"With your deal with Darkyn complete, you'll live a very long life." Past-Death appeared amused by the idea. "As will I with my Gabriel."

"You made one with Darkyn, too?" Deidre asked. She purposely didn't take the bait that Gabriel might choose his ex over her. She wanted to deck her mirror image. "Or you wouldn't be hanging out here."

"I did, and it's complete. We have one other small matter between us, but" past-Death smiled again "I don't lose. The others thought they trapped me, and here I am, against all odds."

"You left Gabriel a mess. You really think he'll welcome you back?"

"He will if he thinks I'm you."

Deidre laughed. "My god. You might have a better chance if you tell him you're you."

"Are you that blind, human? Gabriel wouldn't let himself near you in order to protect you. He fell in love with you .. with us … the first night on the beach. Unwillingly." Past-Death's chuckle was as warm as her eyes. "But you did what I knew you would. You made him love us in a way he never loved me."

The coldness of fear settled into Deidre. How did she warn Gabriel from here?

"You think Darkyn will let you leave here?" she asked. "Or do you have an escape plan you'd like to share?"