Gabriel's Hope

Jared's eyes lit up with hunger. "Kids make the tastiest morsels. Should I be concerned about pesky Immortals tracking me down?"

"With the Ancient Andre dead, they won't be able to find you in time," Darkyn replied. "Keep at it until I send orders otherwise and change locations daily. I want to thin their ranks."

"You intend to attack Rhyn again?"

"What I intend is not your concern," Darkyn snapped. "Go."

Jared bowed his head and fled, well aware of the power of the demon lord's fury.

I intend to claim what will be owed, when I find that fucking soul, Darkyn added to himself.

"Harmony, come." This order he spoke out loud.

The death-dealer on the Dark One's payroll appeared immediately at the summons. Beautiful and slender, she was likewise deadly. Darkyn liked his women willing to fight him before he fucked them and bled them dry. Her fate would be no different, and he anticipated a good, long fight and slow death.

"Report," he ordered.

She held out something that looked like a compass. Darkyn took it, instantly recognizing the magic as Death's. The symbols were from the time-before-time, an era of chaos he barely remembered.

"Soul compass," he said, not expecting the tool. "Death is going old school."

"Our soul radars are broken," she explained. "Gabe is having these made for us while we're trapped up here."

"Trapped?"

"The underworld kicked us out. Even Death."

Darkyn chuckled, a low, dark sound. "Very good, love."

"You are satisfied with my work?" She was nervous.

"Very. And Death? What of his mindset?"

Harmony hesitated, and Darkyn met her gaze, sensing weakness. Not hesitating to hand over the compass, she appeared torn at taking the final step of betrayal. Darkyn gripped her neck, shoving her into the wall. The scent of an Immortal - a female one - made his hunger roar to life.

"When your master asks, you answer," he snarled.

"He's … confused. Angry," she gasped. "Lost. Forgive me."

"Your first lesson." His fangs lengthened.

Harmony gripped his arm, fear crossing her face.

"Twice you resist," he hissed. "There will not be a third time."

She dropped her hand and closed her eyes, bracing herself.

Darkyn had no intention of going easy on her, even if it was her first lesson in the proper behavior expected of a demon's blood slave. Eventually, he'd reveal the fate that awaited traitors and order her to fight him. For now, he was content to make her life miserable while she fed him information about Gabriel.

With a soul compass in one hand and his dinner in the other, Darkyn was satisfied for the first time in months. He'd find the missing soul. It was just a matter of patience.