Gabriel's Hope

"Even Wynn," she murmured. "It's like people know me somehow, even though I never met them."

"Wynn. Unusual name."

"He's a good friend."

"The kind of good friend I need to pay a special visit to?"

Deidre gasped. She hadn't noticed Gabriel tense but did now. Looking at him once more, she shook her head. "You shouldn't make those kinds of jokes."

"It's not a joke."

She saw the gravity on his face. Alarmed, she recalled what it was about him that terrified her. Deidre moved away from his touch, upset she'd let the moonlight trick her into forgetting how dangerous he was. Gabriel rose without speaking. Deidre watched him retrieve his sword and replace it in its sheath.

"What're you doing?" she asked.

"Gotta drop someone a visit."

"Gabriel," she said, taking his arm with both her hands. "He's the reason I'm alive. He was my surgeon." She searched his gaze. "You can't hurt him!"

"Deidre." He worked her grip loose gently. "Stop."

"No!" She was panicking. "It's my fault Logan is dead! You can't take Wynn!"

Gabriel gripped her arms. "Deidre -"

"My decision is yes!" she cried. "I'll stay with you, as long as you want, if you just …please, Gabriel, don't hurt him. Please."

Gabriel released her. His jaw was ticking. Insides shaky again, Deidre waited breathlessly, tears on her face. She couldn't … couldn't bear the thought of another friend dying because of her! Logan didn't deserve to be killed by a demon; Wynn didn't deserve to die because Gabriel didn't want anyone else around her.

"I can't let you do that," he said at last, his gravelly voice tight. He turned and strode away, disappearing into the shadow world.

Deidre watched him go, horrified at what she'd done. She frantically tried to call a portal. The magic didn't come this time. Pacing, she tried to calm herself, as she had been both times the portal did work for her. She forced herself to sit on the ground, to focus, to wish with all her heart to go back to Wynn.

It didn't work.

She'd just killed Wynn.

She slumped and began crying for her friend.

"Deidre, come in for dinner." Daniela's dark form called from the road.

"I'm not hungry," Deidre managed. "I'm just gonna sit here and wait for the ocean drown me."

"Always drama with Immortal mates." Daniela's sigh was exasperated. "For my sake, come in."

Deidre didn't want to move. Daniela hefted her to her feet. Deidre went obediently with her towards the fortress, numb and nauseous. She'd rather fall asleep crying in her bed than on the beach.

I'm so sorry, Wynn.