"Darkyn's mate," Harmony said, studying her. "Never thought he'd want someone like you. Cowardly, mousy. Can't even fight."
I'm not a coward. Deidre was quiet, not wanting to provoke the death dealer.
"I need a blood sample," Harmony said. She motioned to the men beside her and withdrew a small vial from her pocket.
Deidre backed away from the large men but had nowhere to go. One grabbed her and wrapped his beefy arms around her, while the second positioned her arm and drew a knife. He cut across the vein in the underside elbow.
Expecting them to hack her to pieces, Deidre flinched and watched the thick rivulet of her blood start down her arm. "Why?" she asked, confused.
"There are certain defenses in the underworld that only the invasion of demons can trigger." Harmony sat on the table and positioned the vial to collect her blood. "You being here isn't enough, so we're going to provoke them."
"And then what?"
"Don't worry, demoness. I'll keep you around as a bargaining tool. A little bit of pay back for that fucker of a mate of yours," Harmony responded.
"Darkyn will find a way to come for you, and Gabriel will never let you keep the underworld."
Harmony met her gaze, stiffening. "I'll just have to make sure they're both dead-dead before this is over."
Deidre debated responding then decided she didn't have much to lose. "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. You can't take down Gabriel and Darkyn."
Harmony slapped her.
Deidre licked away the drop of blood from her lips, head ringing and cheek hot.
"Look at what I've done, little demon. I've taken over the underworld. A human like Gabe can never become a god, or this place wouldn't be falling a part! I'm making things right. As soon as I'm Death, the Dark One will have to bargain with me as an equal. If there's anything left of you, I'll use it to bring him down," Harmony said, agitated yet resolved.
This is madness. Deidre listened, aware of how precarious her situation was.
"Once I kill Gabe, things will calm down. You'll see," Harmony added.
"So he's here?" Deidre asked.
"What do you think?"
I think he'll kick your ass.
Harmony sealed the vial and handed it to the death dealer who cut Deidre. "Take this to the ogres. See if it works." She moved towards the door. "Stay here, Deidre. I need a bucket of blood for the next one."
"Want a guard posted?" one of the men was looking at her a little too eagerly, a familiar glow in his gaze.
"This little mouse is too scared to run," Harmony replied.