"The other Deidre is Darkyn's mate."
"Yes. She went to him for him to save her life. He removed me, raised me, and accepted his mate as payment," she replied. "My deal with Zamon is complete. My deal with Darkyn is complete, and I get Gabriel."
"Darkyn isn't just going to kill her?"
"It was a risk." She struggled to remember. "If he doesn't kill her, she might be what prevents him from building his Army of Souls. The deities plotting against him - and me, the sons of bitches - will salvage the mortal realm. If he does, I guess they've got to create a new plan."
"So you left Deidre in Hell at the mercy of the Dark One."
She looked up from her tea at the note in his voice. She wasn't able to muster any concern, not with the heaviness of the air around her. Andre didn't appear to be judging her.
"Yes," she said simply. "I didn't think I'd meet her before I left Hell."
"She knew at that point."
"She did. We made a deal …" Deidre drifted off. This memory was recent and came easily. "I was angry and upset. I shouldn't have agreed. I have to win over Gabriel in a week. I think she thought that if I failed, she'd get him back. She doesn't understand how unlikely that is. Darkyn doesn't lose deals. Or battles. He won't lose his mate, even if he chooses to kill her rather than give her up. He went after Sasha when Sasha hurt his daughter and didn't stop raiding the Immortals until Sasha was dead. Darkyn doesn't lose."
Andre's hand was over his mouth. He studied her.
"I, um, didn't realize how intense the human world is," she continued, troubled. Her hand went to her neck, and her thoughts grew disturbed. "I can't help thinking I hope he doesn't hurt her. But I mean, of course he will. It's what Darkyn does. It makes me feel…"
"Remorse?"
"Yes, I think so."
"Zamon manipulated you and Darkyn."
"Maybe." She frowned then nodded. "I got what I wanted. The only thing I didn't count on was Darkyn giving me the choice of my power or Gabriel when I left Hell. I chose Gabriel."
"The world of deities is messy," Andre said. "It is a shame to involve the innocent in such dealings."
"It is. But sometimes, it's necessary," she replied. "What is one life in exchange for saving the mortal realm? Zamon phrased it thusly."
"On the surface, it's a fair argument. It grows harder when you meet that one life, doesn't it?"
She nodded, gaze going to her tea. "Gabriel loved her."