"But, she's not the same person," Wynn said when the attempt to provoke him failed. "Fate is not the only one you can thank for that. She's learned to appreciate life and those around her, following a diagnosis of a terminal illness."
"Is she really sick?"
"She wasn't when I met her." Wynn's smile was cold. "Vengeance upon someone who has no idea what she's done isn't nearly as satisfactory, but it soothes the burn a little. As sweet as she is, I almost wish I'd given her something a little less lethal. How is that for her having the last laugh?"
Furious at the idea, Gabe began to wonder how the reincarnated Deidre made it this far without being slaughtered by one of her many enemies. Even Rhyn had a reason to hate the deity. That the skin around Wynn's eyes relaxed in genuine warmth made Gabe realize she'd survived partially because she really was different. Innocent.
"What did you do to her?" Gabe asked in a level voice.
Wynn studied him for a moment then shrugged. "It's irreparable. A mix of advanced medicine and magic. I intended for it to kill her over the course of a lifetime. I didn't expect her to be …so different. Instead of a slow, fifty year death, it'll be three years. I connected the tumor - which was completely operable - with magic to her emotions. Happiness causes her pain, the tumor to grow and eventually, death. I thought it fitting, given the amount of misery she caused men like us."
"It's irreparable, even with magic?"
"Completely. Remember that, the next time you make love to her. Pleasure kills, Gabriel."
Despite the bitter words, there was regret on Wynn's face. Wynn never cared for anyone. He killed his wives in cold blood after they gave birth to his sons, until he tangled with the demoness that was Rhyn's mother. She'd slaughtered him. Deidre affected even this cold bastard, which made Gabe a little less resentful of how she made him feel.
"I'd like to see how … Death handles her," Wynn continued.
"The same way I handle everything," Gabe replied.
"It's not that easy, as I discovered. If you want her tumor to slow its growth, you'll ensure she's unhappy," Wynn advised. "I gave her three months, but it's probably generous, given her sunny nature."
"You're a real piece of work, preying on someone like her," Gabriel said. He wanted to snap the Ancient's neck. "I know how you operate, Wynn. Whatever the rest of your plan is with her, it won't work."
"I know how devoted to the precious Code and your honor you are, Gabriel. I'm counting on it."