"Anyway, you must've been reborn as a human," Katie said.
Deidre struggled to absorb the wild story, unable to comprehend most of it. That she was a deity, Death, who lived for thousands of years … None of that made sense. Nothing did, except that she hurt Gabriel. He'd recognized her the morning after their one night stand, flipped out and wanted to kill her since then. In that light, his reaction to her appeared less like that of a moody homicidal maniac and more like one of a jilted lover.
"I did those things to Gabe?" she asked, upset.
"Yeah, you were really psycho to him," Katie replied.
"It's because he was originally human," Toby said. "You hated that part of him, so you tortured him for like -"
"Toby!" Katie snapped. "Overkill."
Deidre sat frozen, aware of their concerned gazes. Suddenly, she wished she hadn't asked.
"That's why everyone reacts funny to me," she managed at last. "They think I'm coming to k…kill them?"
"Yeah. You should be able to see the Immortal markings, too. They're reddish tattoos. I usually see them when I first meet an Immortal," Katie said.
"I have seen those. I thought they were hallucinations," Deidre murmured.
"Did Gabe flip out when he saw the mating tattoo?" Toby asked, giggling.
"Yeah, he did," Deidre said. "But he told me he'd give me a choice about whether or not I wanted to be with him, even though he's obligated by those laws."
"Awwww," Katie's gaze warmed. "Gabe is the reason I'm alive. He's the best man I know, aside from Rhyn. He risked everything to save me."
"Really?"
"He and Rhyn are like brothers. They only had each other for a long time. Then I came along what? Six months ago?" Katie glanced at Toby.
"Seven."
"I guess. I am six months pregnant."
"Immortal mood beast," Toby muttered under his breath.
"Oh, and there's no walking away from an Immortal that's claimed you," Katie added. "I don't give a shit what they tell you. Especially Gabe. He means well, but there's no way he could let you go. He's loved you for like, a million years."
"He doesn't act like it," Deidre said.
"He's hated you that long, too," Toby said.
"Rhyn and I tried everything to get away from each other, and Gabe put the smackdown on it all. He'll come around soon, when he realizes you're not the deity who fucked him over," Katie said. "That explains why Rhyn's been checking up on him so often lately."
"Am I different as a … as a human?" Deidre asked.
"Very. I can tell but it takes men longer to figure out that stuff."