Death didn’t come. Darkness fell, and Rhyn waited. He paced and stretched, imagining there would be some kind of a struggle. At long last, he forced himself to admit she wasn’t coming. No one could’ve overlooked the blow he dealt her underworld. The trees all around them had died off with a tear forming in the earth that led in the direction of the palace.
“How long are we staying here?” Kris asked at last. “Not that I don’t enjoy your company.”
Rhyn snorted in amusement. “The feeling is mutual. You’re the reason I spent so much time in Hell.”
“You earned your place in Hell, Rhyn.”
Kris’s confident response rankled Rhyn. He leaned his back against a tree and faced his eldest surviving brother.
“I promised Kiki I’d tell you something,” he started. “But I don’t want to. It won’t help you in your duties.”
“I do my best, but I’m as flawed as any Immortal. I just hope our brothers see that I’m trying.”
“They see it. And they know you’re wounded by this business with Jade and Andre. Anyway,” Rhyn said. “That’s not what I promised to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“Lilith.”
Kris’s sigh of aggravation came out as a hiss.
“She was working for the Dark One,” Rhyn said.
“Let her serve out her eternity in peace, Rhyn. I don’t appreciate you dishonoring her more than you did.”
“I swear it, Kris. She was planted by the demons. I don’t know why they chose you, but they did, and you’re the one she came after. She reeked of demon, Kris. I’d be surprised if the hatchling she carried was yours.”
“Stop there, Rhyn. Whatever reason you have for talking about her this way – just stop.”
“Why would I lie about this now?” Rhyn challenged, irritated. “I served fucking lifetimes in Hell and kept my mouth closed. I killed her to protect you. Andre always taught me that loyalty was all that mattered.”
“You want me to believe you killed my lover to protect me, never told me she was a demon-spy, and you went willingly to Hell. It’s ridiculous, Rhyn, even for you!”