A full head smaller than him, Darkyn was nonetheless the most lethal creature Gabriel had ever known.
A man of few words, Gabriel hadn't gotten used to the political side of his job yet.
A vision of the beach where she met Gabriel told her who it was.
A way to make Gabriel my mate and a way to prevent Darkyn from destroying everything.
After a moment, Gabriel laughed.
All five of the death dealers were borderline about abandoning Gabriel.
All it took was a kiss from Gabriel, and the words that thrilled her.
All she had to do was practice for a day or two and then find Gabriel.
Andre didn't deny she was lying to him, which left Gabriel even less certain what to do about his mate.
Andre gave him a disapproving look, and Gabriel realized the joke was probably misplaced when talking to the family member of the deceased.
Andre was the only one who seemed to think there was a reason for Gabriel to be here, and Gabriel trusted Andre more than both Deidres and Darkyn combined.
Any pain she caused was going to be short lived and quickly fixed, when she revealed herself to Gabriel once more and told him they could be together.
Are you alright, Gabriel? she asked.
As confused as he felt, Gabriel would never let anyone hurt either Deidre, no matter whose mate she was.
As much as they angered him, Gabriel wasn't going to let anything happen to her, especially in his own domain.
As noble as Gabriel was, he wouldn't hesitate to turn over anyone who hurt his mate to Darkyn.
At least, she could when Gabriel let her access the portals again.
At the half-demon's frustration, Gabriel glanced at him.
Both demon lord and half-demon were bristling with power, the Dark One's growl audible long before Gabriel reached them.
But I accept that, Gabriel.
But the day she met Gabriel, human-Deidre made an omelet.
By the end of the week, she won't want Gabriel anyway.
Coldness trickled through Gabriel.
Cora was a good woman, and Gabriel needed those in his life.
Cora was loyal to Gabriel but wanted to go home, and right now, the only way there was through Darkyn.
Darkyn appeared unwelcoming as usual, his frame rigid and his growl loud enough for Gabriel to hear.
Darkyn asked Gabriel mentally.
Darkyn did a number on her before sending her back, Gabriel said.
Darkyn didn't restrict her movement or who she saw, but the idea of seeing Gabriel again so soon after their meeting yesterday disturbed her.
Darkyn had demons searching the apartment last week for what Gabriel assumed was the soul contained in the tumor of the human-Deidre's head.
Darkyn had tensed at Gabriel's' movement.
Darkyn lifted his head in what Gabriel took to be disapproval.
Darkyn made a deal with Gabriel for your soul, Harmony.
Darkyn was entirely too satisfied with himself for Gabriel's comfort.
Darkyn wasn't happy, but Deidre wasn't scared, a sign Gabriel took as good.
Darkyn would slaughter Gabriel in a deal, but human-Deidre … would she do it, if he asked?
Darkyn's approach to the mating bond was much different than Gabriel's.
Darkyn's arm slid around her when the portal closed behind Gabriel.
Darkyn's end of the deal was hidden from Gabriel, but the deal was marked as fulfilled, according to the Oracle.
Darkyn's eyes were on Gabriel.
Deidre glanced at Darkyn in puzzlement, and Gabriel realized she didn't yet understand the depth of the Dark One's obligation to her.
Deidre glanced back at Gabriel.
Deidre had no bad interactions with the death dealer, but she suspected anyone who betrayed Gabriel wouldn't be interested in helping her.
Deidre looked at the demon lord, and Gabriel followed her gaze.
Deidre pushed herself up carefully, unable to take her eyes off of Gabriel.
Deidre tested them three times but was afraid of pissing off Gabriel by disobeying him so early in the day.
Deidre took it, and they shook, the deal sealed with the magic of Gabriel.
Deidre twisted her head to see Gabriel.
Did it matter, if doing as they said cost her Gabriel?
Do you really think you'll become Gabriel's mate? he started, ignoring her.
Dozing after his insatiable passion, she roused herself when one of Gabriel's hands moved down her body.
Dread was heavy in Gabriel's stomach.
Even if she managed to save the souls and win Gabriel, the truth was going to ruin everything.
Fate wasn't going to leave him alone, but this door … Gabriel stepped back.
First the death dealers attacking her, now Gabriel.
For what it's worth, Gabriel, I've always loved you.
Forced into hiding by the circumstances of the past two weeks, Gabriel's yearning for his mate emerged stronger than ever at her passionate kisses and touch.
Gabriel acknowledged the request for a quick death.
Gabriel almost stopped mid-step, having forgotten he contacted the Dark One yesterday.
Gabriel and I didn't get that far.
Gabriel asked in a hushed voice.
Gabriel asked Tymkyn in an even voice.
Gabriel asked with a bitter laugh.
Gabriel asked, focusing once again on his surroundings.
Gabriel asked, hands on the hilts of his weapons.
Gabriel asked, holding up the paper.
Gabriel asked, looking at her once more.
Gabriel asked, unaware of the Dark One doing anyone favors for free.
Gabriel assessed the demon lord.
Gabriel assessed the half-demon was conflicted.
Gabriel awaited her on the beach near where they'd first sat together two weeks before.
Gabriel bristled at the reminder that his own underworld had shut him out.
Gabriel brought you here through the shadow world.
Gabriel called the soul to him silently and watched the green fog form around his hand before it crystallized into an emerald.
Gabriel cannot kill his own mate.
Gabriel checked Cora's thoughts, relieved to find her clean and started down the line.
Gabriel chuckled and kissed her quickly again before she was able to object.
Gabriel cocked his head to the side at the polite summons.
Gabriel considered the human's sad wisdom.
Gabriel could move forward, try to win over the woman who seemed much more interested in him than she had a few days ago, before her deal with the Dark One.
Gabriel couldn't take his eyes off the woman who had been his mate, for however brief a time.
Gabriel crossed his arms, surprised.
Gabriel crossed his arms.
Gabriel crouched near the edge of the lake.
Gabriel didn't know what to say for a long minute.
Gabriel didn't know what to say.
Gabriel didn't know what to think.
Gabriel didn't react, instead motioning to Andre to do something about Rhyn, who was ready to explode.
Gabriel didn't say what he thought, that she might've been better off in the Lake of Souls than with Darkyn.
Gabriel didn't say what he wanted, that if his predecessor knew he needed something, she'd probably torched it before she left.
Gabriel didn't touch his.
Gabriel didn't trust her.
Gabriel didn't trust himself to respond.
Gabriel dipped his head and kissed her.
Gabriel doubted Darkyn was after the Immortal because he was fighting demons.
Gabriel drained the bowl of water and placed the souls in his pocket.
Gabriel drew a deep breath and stood.
Gabriel drew her into his body, and she tucked her head against his shoulder, so she didn't have to look at him.
Gabriel emerged into Tamer's palatial home in Cairo.
Gabriel exchanged a look with Rhyn.
Gabriel faced the demon lord.
Gabriel felt a pang of guilt.
Gabriel felt a thaw deep within him, one fed by the hope that arguing over her sweaters was the worst they'd face from here on out.
Gabriel felt again he was missing something huge, the key to assuming the power he hadn't inherited with his responsibilities.
Gabriel finished collecting the souls from the bowl then straightened, motioning to Landon.
Gabriel followed her into it.
Gabriel followed Rhyn into the portal.
Gabriel frowned, unaware of anything that could push him from his position as Death.
Gabriel gave me space and a choice.
Gabriel gave up his soul to help Rhyn and would do it again, especially seeing how strong their bond had become.
Gabriel glanced out over the lake.
Gabriel glanced the way indicated, noticing the blood on the wall.
Gabriel glanced towards the fortress.
Gabriel grated his teeth.
Gabriel growled at her, the brief touch enough to stir desire.
Gabriel guessed the deity considered his work done and was no longer concerned.
Gabriel hacked at the demon before him then straightened.
Gabriel had been, and she was furious at herself for not taking him more seriously and for choosing to accept Darkyn's deal instead of taking a chance with Gabriel.
Gabriel had held her on the beach.
Gabriel had never felt inadequate in his life until that moment.
Gabriel had no way of knowing that Darkyn was in and out of her mind.
Gabriel had seen human-Deidre but said nothing about what shape she was in.
Gabriel had stayed with her for hours without showing any sign he was ready to leave.
Gabriel had to let the past go.
Gabriel hadn't given Darkyn's bond to his mate a second thought.
Gabriel hadn't wanted to believe her story of Darkyn combining the two Deidres into one, but it certainly seemed possible.
Gabriel hated it when one of the deities made sense.
Gabriel held up his hand.
Gabriel ignored the barb.
Gabriel joined him and cursed.
Gabriel just had to watch for the signs.
Gabriel kept his eyes on the ocean.
Gabriel knew Darkyn well enough to know the demon lord would exact no small fee for these favors.
Gabriel knew his friend well enough to know he was contemplating.
Gabriel knew how sensitive the crypt in the basement was.
Gabriel knew the secrets of all seven from interacting with them over the years.
Gabriel knew the secrets of all the brothers on the Council; there were things people told Death that they never revealed to anyone else.
Gabriel knew they were loyal before he placed hands on their heads based on their body language.
Gabriel left for the Caribbean Sanctuary, where the book possessed by a long dead Oracle was busy scribbling notes about the Present.
Gabriel left his sleeping mate in her bed with a lingering glance.
Gabriel left the portal and blinked at the bright light of Tamer's study.
Gabriel lifted his chin in dismissal.
Gabriel listened to her tell him what she did, the mind check and traitor forgotten.
Gabriel listened, jaw clenched.
Gabriel looked and so did Darkyn.
Gabriel made her heart flutter; Darkyn made it fly.
Gabriel moved through the meat locker, unaffected by the cold after the half hour battle.
Gabriel nodded and felt himself relax.
Gabriel offered his hand.
Gabriel opened a portal and crossed through the in-between place.
Gabriel opened a portal and strode through the shadow world.
Gabriel pitied even the foulest of demonesses, if Darkyn took her for his mate.
Gabriel placed a large hand on her back.
Gabriel prodded her thoughts.
Gabriel pulled on his clothes and weapons again, pensive.
Gabriel pushed her aside, into the kitchen, swinging out the sword with ease at odds with his large form.
Gabriel reached out to her, wiping away the tears on one cheek with his thumb.
Gabriel reached the end of the assassins and turned to gaze at the lake with its souls.
Gabriel released her and moved away.
Gabriel resisted the urge to wrap his arm around her the way he had once before.
Gabriel rested a hand on the hilt of his sword, waiting for it.
Gabriel returned to the study of the Immortals stronghold.
Gabriel rose from his position crouching over the body of someone he knew.
Gabriel rose, furious once more, and began to pace.
Gabriel said nothing, anger barely contained.
Gabriel said nothing, but it took effort.
Gabriel said nothing, sensing the half-demon's explosive temper was close to the surface.
Gabriel said nothing, troubled by the idea of either girl being unable to help herself.
Gabriel sat down across from his mate, studying her.
Gabriel sat down on the railing to face her, arms crossed as he took in her features.
Gabriel sat in silent thought, comforted by the ebb and flow of the waves.
Gabriel sat on the beach.
Gabriel sensed someone else join them and tensed.
Gabriel shifted to see her.
Gabriel sighed in frustration.
Gabriel smashed into him, picked him up and threw him.
Gabriel smiled, entertained as much by the story as he was by Cora's visible exasperation.
Gabriel snorted and sat in one of the plush chairs.
Gabriel squinted, unaccustomed to so much light after all his years in the underworld.
Gabriel stared at her stonily.
Gabriel stayed on the beach until the sun began to set.
Gabriel stood for a long moment, numb, and then flung a knife into the forest with a roar.
Gabriel stood his ground as the demon strode to him.
Gabriel stopped and turned, glaring down at her.
Gabriel stretched towards her slowly, afraid of spooking her.
Gabriel stretched towards her slowly.
Gabriel strode down the narrow hall to the only open door and entered.
Gabriel studied him with a frown.
Gabriel studied the demon lord.
Gabriel studied the scene before deciding finally he had to tell Rhyn.
Gabriel summoned a portal and emerged at the lake.
Gabriel summoned a portal and returned to Deidre's room.
Gabriel summoned her with enough power that she wasn't able to ignore him, even if she was upset.
Gabriel suspected he did, too.
Gabriel suspected the Dark One wasn't going to let his little human out of Hell, especially not to see her former mate.
Gabriel took a moment to breathe deeply, unsettled by how quickly his assassins were falling.
Gabriel took her arm and spun her back.
Gabriel took in her body and face again.
Gabriel tossed her bag on the floor next to the bed and strode to the doors, opening them.
Gabriel tossed his head towards the portal.
Gabriel tossed it into the lake.
Gabriel trailed her, resisting the urge to wrap her shivering body in his arms.
Gabriel trotted first to the lake, curious to see how last night had gone now that they knew about the tears.
Gabriel turned her to face him again.
Gabriel understood why the old standard was gone.
Gabriel untied the knot from the rope.
Gabriel waited in front of the yawning portal.
Gabriel waited, sensing the Dark One wasn't finished.
Gabriel wanted to say something to her, to apologize, to rationalize what happened … He felt like he was on the verge of snapping, unable to settle the turmoil of his emotions.
Gabriel was fed up with everything.
Gabriel was halfway to the lake when Darkyn spoke to him.
Gabriel was locked out, and Darkyn wasn't permitted access in the first place.
Gabriel was never one for small talk.
Gabriel was quiet for a long moment, which she took as a bad sign.
Gabriel was quiet for a long moment.
Gabriel was ready to challenge the Dark One when Landon and the demon reappeared.
Gabriel was reminded of the many times he'd expressed something human to the goddess he'd loved for thousands of years.
Gabriel was speechless for a long moment.
Gabriel was still for a moment.
Gabriel was still reeling from the sudden, inexplicable changes in his mate and the admittance by Deidre that she had made a deal with Darkyn.
Gabriel was struggling with his domain.
Gabriel was too busy to answer.
Gabriel was working them – and himself - overtime to try to catch up.
Gabriel wasn't certain what Andre wanted him to know.
Gabriel wasn't certain why that surprised him.
Gabriel watched Deidre's small form walk into the forest.
Gabriel watched her, wanting to verify that she didn't fear the creature she was trapped with.
Gabriel waved the dealer over.
Gabriel went down the line.
Gabriel went to her jewelry box.
Gabriel withdrew a piece of paper from his pocket as he went, studying the symbols.
Gabriel withdrew and called a portal to take him to the lake.
Gabriel, can I talk to you?
Gabriel, I can stay with you, on the beach.
Gabriel, I want to stay here.
Gabriel's arms fell away.
Gabriel's arms went around her.
Gabriel's attention was caught on a faint green glow on a table in the middle of the stacks of dead bodies.
Gabriel's biggest mistake was not forcing you to accept your new world from the start.
Gabriel's body was built for power; Darkyn's was crafted for agility.
Gabriel's eyes were on her.
Gabriel's gaze lingered on the images playing before him.
Gabriel's gaze took her in with some concern.
Gabriel's gaze went to the waiting death-dealers.
Gabriel's mate was alive and well.
Gabriel's mate was struggling to sit up.
Gabriel's shout was closer than she expected.
Gabriel's temper was close to boiling over, for the umpteenth time since he inherited the responsibilities of Death.
Gabriel's thoughts drifted to Deidre.
Gabriel's throat tightened at a second thought.
He circled the small, blonde woman and stopped behind her, gaze on Gabriel's name, which was written across her back, along with the Immortal mating script.
He didn't ask questions, which Gabriel liked.
He didn't give her the reassurance she sought about whether or not they had a real future together, and she brokered a deal with the Dark One in a desperate attempt to ensure she had a chance with Gabriel.
He scribbled them down onto another piece of paper and tore them off for Gabriel.
He should leave you alone, Gabriel agreed.
He showed Gabriel the drawing of the different symbols with a sketch of the sun on one end and the ground on the other.
He stopped a safe distance away, his multi-hued eyes on Gabriel.
He stripped her deity powers, said she had to earn Gabriel the same way you did.
He'd said she had a chance not only to leave, but also to help save Gabriel's life, if she did exactly as Darkyn said.
Heading home to my Gabriel.
Heavy in her mind was the thought that there might've been something Gabriel could've done to save the other Deidre.
Her first thought was that he was sending her to Death as a means of torturing her or at least, nailing home the point that he had won this round with Gabriel.
Her Gabriel had distrusted her – hated her even? – for much longer.
Her Gabriel, who spent his life a part of the shadows, radiated the quiet power of a deity that reached her from across the room.
Her greatest warrior, Gabriel had experienced his fair share of battle wounds.
Her instincts were at full alarm, but she didn't understand what she had to fear from Gabriel's death dealers.
Her secret now revealed, Gabriel understood why she'd refused to tell him.
Her throat tightened at the memory of the night she met Gabriel.
Her way involved deals with Darkyn and lying to Gabriel.
His eyes were blacker than Gabriel's, and his plain features deceptive.
His nearness rattled her senses in a way that reminded her of how she felt around Gabriel.
His silver gaze was wary and his muscular frame only slightly smaller than Gabriel's.
His words struck her as true; they were the same doubts she'd had about Gabriel since she met him.
How did Gabriel get souls back to the underworld if he wasn't allowed there?
How do I … earn your trust, Gabriel?
How she won over Gabriel.
I also foresee Gabriel refusing to kill her.
I can't fix whatever is wrong down there, Gabriel said in frustration.
I can't go back to Gabriel, even if I do win.
I can't talk about it with you, Gabriel.
I didn't betray Gabriel to be stuck in the human world, Harmony said.
I don't know what else to say, Gabriel.
I gave her a week to make Gabriel fall in love with her, or I get her soul.
I had to have it, Gabriel.
I have a feeling we'll need that combination, Gabriel reasoned.
I have to win over Gabriel in a week.
I loved Gabriel, but I know now that love was nothing compared to what I feel now.
I loved you, too, Gabriel.
I swear to you, Gabriel, I never meant to hurt anyone.
I was terrified of Gabriel, knowing he was Death.
I wonder what your Gabriel will think when he finds out.
I'll try to help you, Gabriel.
I'm Gabriel's, she retorted.
I'm glad you told Gabriel the truth.
I'm learning that with Gabriel.
I've gotta go, Gabriel said, standing.
If a demon nowhere near his size was able to hurt her, what could Gabriel do, if he was upset at her for any reason?
If Darkyn had a connection to Deidre, he'd be affected by the place as much as Gabriel was.
If Darkyn told him about the death dealers attacking his mate, Gabriel would've ignored him.
If Deidre found pleasure in funnel cakes and warm socks, she found utter ecstasy in Gabriel's arms.
If Gabriel didn't fall in love with Deidre in three days, he would be betrayed once more.
If Gabriel had killed her while trying to save her, he'd kill the soul in her head, too, the one that damned Deidre to Hell.
If Gabriel wasn't immune to the mind manipulation magic, he suspected Andre would be using it on him right now.
If her bond to him was like hers to Gabriel, he'd be able to find her no matter what.
If it was Gabriel, he'd made it clear he'd walk in.
If you were alive, I wanted to see if you had any … advice about how to deal with Gabriel.
Ignoring the acid tone, Gabriel sat in the chair a few feet from him.
In desperation, the goddess made a series of deals with the former Dark One, Fate, Darkyn and others to alter the series of events that might see her with anyone but Gabriel.
In doing so, she drove Gabriel away.
In three days' time, she'd not only lose her soul, she'd lose Gabriel, too, this time for good.
It had to be the private deal, the one Gabriel found no trace of that Darkyn himself had mentioned to him.
It sounded far too good to be true, especially since Darkyn knew who she was and what he might extort out of Gabriel to have his mate returned.
It was a new one, recently made by the Ancient Immortal that Gabriel hired to help, indicating another of his dealers had defected.
It was about Katie, when she was in the underworld and you didn't know she was alive, Gabriel clarified.
It was also a warning, one Gabriel understood innately, that Deidre belonged to the Dark One.
It was far more important than the bet with the human, but Deidre couldn't help thinking about her deal and Darkyn's threat to reveal everything to Gabriel.
It was good that Cora had faith in Gabriel when he was losing death dealers who no longer believed in him.
It was harder to resist him than it was Gabriel, which made her want to weep.
It was impossible to help Gabriel without Darkyn finding out.
It was the Deidre, the deity who ruled over Death's domain before turning it over to Gabriel.
It was the same thrum she felt with Gabriel, after she'd been claimed as his mate.
It wasn't coming out the way she practiced it, maybe because Gabriel was sitting close enough that she wanted to lean against him instead of the bed and place his large hands on the parts of her body hidden by clothes.
It won't work, Gabriel said.
Just like every other soul collector Gabriel sent out the past week, Harmony had gone on a mission and returned empty-handed.
Landon's grim expression was enough to tell Gabriel the route to the underworld was there.
Letting go of Gabriel was much harder than accepting her new mate.
Locking him out of his underworld wasn't a summons Gabriel could ignore.
Mid-morning sun warmed Gabriel's face, drawing him out of the deepest slumber he'd experienced in years.
Morale was low, and many had lost faith in Gabriel.
My deal with Darkyn is complete, and I get Gabriel.
Neither she nor human-Deidre thought to involve Gabriel in their plans.
No matter what happened from here on out, neither Darkyn nor Gabriel would ever let them live after this.
No need to be jealous, Gabriel said, bristling.
No need to be jealous, Gabriel said.
No part of her wanted to reveal what Gabriel told her or that she meant it when she said she would find a way to help him.
No, Gabriel would never go through that door.
On a mission to ensure there was a clean slate between his mate and Darkyn, Gabriel waited in the middle of Deidre's old apartment for the Dark One to arrive.
Once more, Gabriel was right.
One Gabriel doesn't know and probably shouldn't for another few days.
One that would result in her capturing Gabriel's heart and keeping her own soul.
Or paint her face blue, Gabriel added.
Perhaps when she lost her soul at the end of the week or maybe, if she could help him recover his underworld, she'd tell Gabriel then.
Remember that, Gabriel cautioned his friend.
Revealing her secrets, though, would drive Gabriel away forever.
Rhyn and Andre stood near Darkyn between two lines, one of Immortals and the opposite of demons larger than any Gabriel had ever seen.
Rhyn asked Gabriel, his gaze never leaving Darkyn.
Rhyn went through one door while Gabriel went through another.
Right now, she felt like she was on the verge of an important breakthrough with Gabriel.
Seeing Gabriel was painful.
Send someone to grab Gabriel's soul?
Shaking his head, Gabriel left, headed to the place he knew he needed to be.
She could help Gabriel and the souls, even if her whole world crashed at the end of the week.
She didn't want to keep secrets from Gabriel.
She disappeared, and Gabriel assumed she was in Hell hiding.
She dwelled on Gabriel's touch, lost momentarily.
She managed to hurt everyone around her, even her precious Gabriel.
She moved away from Darkyn to stand in front of Gabriel, searching his gaze.
She pressed herself against the warm, humming swamp cooler and turned a corner, only to come face to face with Gabriel again.
She struggled to recall what her real mother looked like or the day she became Death or even the day she met Gabriel.
She swallowed hard, willing herself to remember that she was meant for Gabriel, even if it was Darkyn's name on her back.
She traded everything for this moment, and Gabriel wasn't beside her.
She tried to deny it, but she knew Gabriel too well.
She wanted Gabriel to be happy but couldn't bear to see it, not when her own world was still so new and frightening.
She wanted to ask after Gabriel but didn't.
She wanted to see Gabriel; it was the reason she'd done everything she'd done.
She wanted to think that Gabriel wouldn't turn his back on her so quickly.
She wanted to win, so she could return to Gabriel.
She was never meant to outlive meeting Gabriel.
She was running from someone in the forest and instead of helping her, Gabriel would only watch.
She was supposed to attract Gabriel, until I was brought back, and then she was to be turned over to Darkyn as his mate.
She was the last to lose hope, and it was being forced to see how out of place she was in Gabriel's equation that finally broke her resolve.
She was torn between anger and pity for Gabriel's mate right now.
She wasn't going to be on the beach when dark fell, in case Gabriel came back.
She wasn't going to fall under the spell of Gabriel's strong body, his passion, his taste.
She went back to her room, startled to find Gabriel there.
She'd broken the rules from the time-before-time for a chance with Gabriel.
She'd felt that level of desperation before and didn't wish it upon the woman meant to be with Gabriel.
She'd have to throw herself at Gabriel's mercy.
She'd killed herself and Gabriel and landed … here.
She'd walked away from Gabriel, because he all-but-pushed her away.
So they weren't there on Gabriel's behalf but on Harmony's.
Soft voices drew her attention to the doorway, where she was able to hear but not see Cora behind the massive frame of Gabriel.
Something about the demon was different enough to make Gabriel pause.
Struck by the change, Gabriel laughed in bewilderment.
Surprised at the casual wisdom of her words, Gabriel was quiet.
Tamer had translated them, but they meant little to Gabriel.
Tamer was serious, but Gabriel wasn't about to take him up on it when his own dealers were ditching him.
Telling him that she'd mated off human-Deidre to the Dark One would make Gabriel hate her.
Terrified Gabriel was coming to kill her, she sought a place to hide, finally settling on a small, dark space under a counter.
That's what the man, Gabriel, had been doing in this spot last night.
The bond I shared with Gabriel.
The chain-of-events had unfolded the way she planned, except that Gabriel didn't fall into her lap, and she had lost all her power in the process.
The Dark One's fathomless eyes were colder than a winter night, and Gabriel wasn't about to back down this time.
The demons beat us here again, Gabriel shifted.
The dread and guilt at the pit of her stomach were countered by the confusion of knowing that she'd fallen into the grip of the Immortal laws first with Gabriel then with Darkyn.
The flutter of a black trench coat blended with the dark sky as Gabriel twisted them in midair, so he'd hit back first, with her protected in his arms.
The Gabriel she remembered would've dropped it and left.
The highest ranking of his death dealers to defect, Harmony had been Gabriel's lover for months and his second-in-command since he took over the underworld.
The human thought herself unwanted, except by Darkyn, who had done more to help her than Gabriel thought possible.
The idea that Gabriel's people were there brought confusion.
The immortal mating script clearly read, Gabriel.
The mating laws from the time-before-time were absolute, but what if Darkyn and Gabriel made their own private deal to return the human Gabriel loved and abandon past-Death to the hands of the Dark One?
The morning sun felt hot, and Gabriel was soon sweating.
The news of their deal had infuriated Gabriel once more and driven him off, leading Deidre to believe that he had loved the human more than her.
The only thing I didn't count on was Darkyn giving me the choice of my power or Gabriel when I left Hell.
The Oracle listed the complete terms, but Gabriel was only able to see the portion concerning his domain.
The overload of emotions, the inability to read Gabriel's mind to find out what he thought, so she knew what to say or do.
The sense of satisfaction was there again, along with the faint smile that made Gabriel furious.
The tension around Gabriel was present.
The tension melted from Gabriel's shoulders as he sat on the settee across from Andre.
The thought of the Dark One reminded Gabriel that he lost three death-dealers to him in the course of a week, not to mention the deal Deidre made.
The tool lit up at Gabriel's touch, the symbols swirling around the edges then settling.
The tracker was wide and thick, a head smaller than Gabriel, and built like a boulder.
The woman Gabriel touched today wasn't the one he touched last night.
Then again, if she owed any sort of debt to Darkyn, Gabriel wasn't about to be caught off guard.
Then why are you here, Gabriel?
There were no other buildings, nowhere else to hide that might withstand an angry Gabriel.
They could've both gone somewhere else entirely, wherever they wanted to go, without the underworld crumbling or the pain Gabriel was in.
They shook, and their deal was sealed with the magic of Gabriel.
They were more alike than Deidre realized; they both sought out Darkyn for quiet deals they hoped would result in ending up with Gabriel.
They were the same she'd said to Gabriel on the beach, the night they met.
This Gabriel wasn't going anywhere.
This time, Gabriel did laugh.
This very building was the one Gabriel dived off of in an attempt to keep the terrified human from trying to kill herself.
This was almost beyond Gabriel's ability to believe.
This was the best day of my life, Gabriel.
This was too similar to what she physically felt towards Gabriel to be anything other than the Immortal bond that branded Darkyn's name across her shoulders.
Though he had visited Rhyn regularly, Gabriel never was able to fully forgive himself for what felt like a betrayal of the only friend he had.
Though rough around the edges, Rhyn was the best friend Gabriel had ever had.
Though terrible news, Gabriel couldn't help thinking it was the best thing he'd heard all week.
Thousands of miles away, Gabriel was with one of his death dealers surveying the gruesome discovery.
To win Gabriel, Deidre planned on lying to him, convincing him she was human-Deidre.
Troubled, Gabriel didn't move until she was gone from sight.
Twelve hours and forty three souls later, Gabriel gave up on the icons.
Uncertain he could handle more bad news, Gabriel trailed.
Uneasiness grew within Gabriel.
Unless more than Harmony had betrayed Gabriel.
Verify there is a portal through Hell to our underworld, Gabriel instructed Landon.
Was there anything remaining of her memory that might help Gabriel?
Was what she felt for Gabriel nothing more than destiny and Immortal laws she knew nothing about?
We can do it together, Gabriel.
We have eternity, Gabriel replied.
We have to take care of the souls first, Gabriel.
What did you do, Gabriel? she demanded at last, the fire flaring in her eyes once more.
What else had she broken to cause Gabriel so much hardship?
What happened if Gabriel didn't want to be with her at all?
What if it was her fault the human Gabriel loved died?
What other deals were in place that Gabriel didn't fully know about?
What she started to feel for Gabriel had been real; what she felt for Darkyn was real.
What would it be like to run her hands over Darkyn's lean frame the way she had Gabriel's, to feel his sharp teeth nip the delicate skin of her inner thighs and breasts?
What Wynn did was really bad, Gabriel.
What you did to Deidre cannot be undone, Gabriel replied.
Whatever happened next, Gabriel prayed the underworld didn't throw him out.
When Deidre was close enough, Gabriel stretched out and gripped the rope looped under her shoulders.
When she didn't reject him, Gabriel deepened the kiss, nibbling at her full lower lip.
When the sun was up, she retreated from the French doors, troubled by the lost souls and what she did to make Gabriel's life worse, when she'd hoped to make it better.
When they fell silent, Gabriel moved, his grip loosening around her.
Which means this could be your doing, Gabriel pointed out.
While he envied them, Gabriel really didn't want to go through all that shit with his own mate.
While male, this voice wasn't Gabriel's.
Why did you make me face Gabriel today?
Why he wanted the soul that he then let go was another mystery Gabriel wanted to resolve.
Will you answer a question for me, Gabriel?
Would it be as strong as hers had been to Gabriel, where she'd ached for him to touch her, no matter how little sense it made?
Would the deity shed light on what Gabriel was doing wrong?
Wynn said to tell Gabriel the truth.
You already know the Immortal mating is what made you feel that way towards Gabriel.
You also know Gabriel won't kill me even if I do lose.
You deserve so much better, Gabriel.
You did nothing wrong, Gabriel.
You made up your mind to deal with me, even if Gabriel was not part of your future.
You were never meant to belong to Gabriel.
You weren't about to take a chance that you lose her, Gabriel said, sounding baffled.
You will never have a chance with Gabriel, even when you win your deal.
You're not going after Gabriel.
You're scaring me, Gabriel.