“She’s my mate, Kiki.”
“You’ll destroy everything, Rhyn, and for what? The two seconds you have with your mate before the Dark One unleashes demons across the mortal realm?”
He’s right, Katie’s soft voice said.
“No,” Rhyn growled.
“Andre never would’ve brought you to the Council if he didn’t see the good in you,” Kiki called as Rhyn walked. “All you have to do is –“
“ - nothing and let Kris send me to Hell again?”
“There is a higher purpose to our own suffering. Maybe this is what Hell should’ve taught you.”
“As if you know suffering!” Rhyn said. He spun, surprised his pragmatic brother would compare an existence in Hell to one of luxury and freedom.
“Every man, woman, and creature knows suffering, Rhyn,” Kiki said. A shadow crossed his features, one Rhyn didn’t expect to see.
“Nothing compares to Hell.”
“Lost love?” Kiki offered. “If you loved her enough to destroy the world for her, then you know the pain Kris has been through twice. Hell cannot hold a candle to that kind of pain. Every one of your brothers has felt it at some time. It’s what reminds us of why we fight for humanity, and it’s what makes us who we are. But you have to move on, Rhyn. It’s the way the world works. Katie is dead-dead. There’s an ounce of honor in you. Andre saw it, and I see it. Kris gave you the position of enforcer. Take your place with us on the Council. We can deal with Death without breaking down her front door and pissing her off.”
“It doesn’t have to be this way,” Rhyn replied. “Not for me, not with the power I have. Besides, Death promised to return Katie to me after four days and lied.”
Rhyn opened a portal and left Kiki in the hallway. He paused in the middle of the cool shadow world gazing at the portals. He thought of Hell, and the portal glowed blacker than night. He thought of Kris, and the portal for the Sanctuary lit up. He thought of the Immortal underworld – Death’s domain – and the portal turned gray.
Rhyn stepped into Death’s domain.
At the Sanctuary, Kris was just getting ready to return to his tent when Kiki burst onto the beach, looking as if he were being chased by demons. The portal closed behind his half-brother, and Kiki lowered the knife in his hand, facing Kris.