Gabriel's Hope

"Probably not."

Gabe shifted in time to see the portal close behind the half-demon, Rhyn, whose muscular form, crackling aura and cunning, liquid silver eyes sent most people running the opposite direction.

"Did you send a message?" Gabe asked, frowning.

"Five. A day," Rhyn replied. "Maybe six. I hate waiting."

"I'll add the message system to the list of shit I have to fix."

"I'm stacking up bodies for you. No rush. Whenever you've got time."

"I'll send someone up to collect," Gabe replied. "You at the castle again?"

"Demon free for a month." Rhyn's chuckle was like a low growl, his sharp eyes traveling over Gabriel in what Gabe knew was brotherly concern. "You look like shit."

"Haven't slept in weeks," Gabe grunted and rose, tucking the soul in his pocket. "What's up?"

"I have a name for you," Rhyn continued. "Logan Myers."

Gabe glanced at his forearm. "On the list. You need him dead-dead?"

"Yeah, I guess," Rhyn muttered.

Gabriel stared at him. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you're trying to keep a secret."

"We spotted some strange demon activity last week. Shape-shifter demons, Gabe. They're stalking a couple of mortals."

"Hate those things," Gabe said.

"One of them might be targeting Logan Myers," Rhyn said. "We're watching, but it's not easy balancing the Council, demons and a pregnant mate."

Gabe smiled at the look on Rhyn's face. "I need to visit more often."

"Dude, you have no fucking idea. I'd take a herd of demons over this shit. One day, she's begging me to fuck her every five minutes. The next, it's my fault she's gained twenty pounds. I told her to lay off the ice cream. Been on the couch for a week. I don't know where you're going, Gabe, but take me with you."

Gabe laughed. Despite Rhyn's frustration, there was affection on his face as he talked about his mate.

"I admit, I'd rather deal with the shit I'm dealing with than a woman," Gabe said.

"Still with Harmony?"

"Yeah."

"Hmmm." Rhyn was studying him again.

"Don't look at me like that. She's a good girl. Stable and ..."

"Boring?"

"I was going to say drama-free," Gabe replied.

"Whatever."

"Like you know shit about relationships."

"I know that you'll know when it's right," Rhyn shot back. "I've been fucked since then, but I got my Katie. You need your Katie. You're driving yourself into the grave."

"Good one," Gabe said, appreciative of his friend's humor.

Finding a mate wasn't a priority, not when he was trying to fix his world. He'd watched Rhyn and Katie's relationship unfold from its rocky beginning, when Katie inadvertently rescued Rhyn from his sentence in Hell. Gabriel gave up his soul to help Rhyn and would do it again, especially seeing how strong their bond had become. Their world was far from perfect, but they were handling it together, as a team.