Gabriel's Hope (#1, Rhyn Eternal) (26 page)

“No chance.”

“Go forth, and use your resources.”

Gabriel rose. He liked Fate, though after the story of how the deity took out past-Deidre, he knew better than to trust the godling completely. He didn’t expect his portal to the underworld to be waiting and wasn’t disappointed. No, it wasn’t going to be that easy. He still had the challenge of the mortal world to knock out.

This time, he knew the secret to succeeding in the human realm.

The Code was no longer his master. Neither, he decided, was his past. What past-Death and the Code had been to him - the one-way relationship they’d forced upon him – would not survive the day. Fate hadn’t answered the question he wanted, but he provided the response Gabriel needed to hear. Death didn’t live in the shadows as Gabriel had for the majority of his life.

Neither did Death sit back and wait to discover the information he needed to do his job. In all his years, he’d known one Immortal with the unrivaled gifts of not only tracking demons in the mortal realm but manipulating the minds of Immortals and mortals. The same Immortal would balance the damage done by past-Deidre when she raised Wynn and help Rhyn manage the Council and Immortals. Though the power of mind manipulation was far from brain surgery, he might also know how to help Deidre.

It was a long shot, but Gabriel was willing to bet that raising the dead-dead Immortal would pay off.

He was about to fuck the Code hard.

Gabriel returned to the lake. There was no way of knowing whose souls had crossed over to the mortal world, but he was going to trust that Fate was on his side, for the time being. Gabriel stripped off his shirt and weapons then his heavy boots, dropping everything into a pile while two of his assassins watched. He whipped off his belt and added it to the rest of his belongings, leaving a single knife strapped to his thigh.

He dove into the cold water. The souls sensed their Keeper and rose from the floor of the deep lake to hover around him like suspended, tiny green lanterns. Each spoke to him as he swam, filling his head with visions as they told him their stories. Gabriel slowed his movements, quickly overwhelmed by the voices. He stopped trying to sort through everything.

If you’re here, come to me,
he ordered the soul he sought.

Nothing happened. He swam deeper into the lake. One of the gems touched his face. Images flashed through his mind. He snatched the soul and shoved off from the bottom of the lake, kicking upwards.

Breaking through the surface, Gabriel gasped in a few breaths before swimming towards the shore with powerful strokes. All five of the death dealers on guard had drawn near the lake. He hauled himself out of the cold waters and sat on the shore that turned to mud beneath his dripping body.

He placed the soul on the ground beside him and drew his remaining knife. He heard how to bring an Immortal back from the dead-dead from past-Death but never saw it done. Mainly because it broke a few thousand Immortal Codes. It didn’t break the triumvirate of laws
he
was required to follow, though it was likely to put him on the radar of the other deities, who were going to be cautious to trust him after past-Death’s antics.

Gabriel sliced his palm and squeezed blood out over the soul. If there were magic words, they were stuck in the manual he never got. He willed the magic out of his body and channeled it into the blood-covered soul, visualizing what it was he tried to do. And hoping it wasn’t like Wynn, who was reincarnated without even Darkyn realizing the soul was revived. Green power flowed from the souls in the lake, through him and into the gem. The lake blinked out for a second, the light gone completely, then blinked back on, this time much, much dimmer.

He’d always known the source of Death’s magic was the souls, but he’d never seen his predecessor wield the light of the souls. Shut off from the underworld, he could only hope he had enough soul power here on the mortal world to reincarnate one Immortal.

The earth beneath him trembled, which he took as a good sign. The soul sank into the ground. Gabriel grabbed at it, until he saw the shape of a man form beneath a haze of green. He stood and stepped back, breathing hard from his swim. His death-dealers were fading into the shadows of the forest as the ground shook.

Gabe sat down on a boulder, a thrill working through him. He’d been ignoring the extent of the power available from the souls for fear of violating the Code, which he now understood was not binding in the face of a threat like Darkyn.

If this worked, could he do the same for Deidre? Kill her, remove the soul and revive her? Gabriel’s gaze went to the lake. The souls were barely glimmering; there was no way he’d be able to pull the amount of power he needed to save Deidre.

He needed more than access to the underworld to save her; he needed the medical advice of someone like Wynn. From what he knew, if they brought her back, she’d be however she left the earth. He couldn’t have the tumor – or half her brain missing – when he revived her.

Gabriel shuddered at the thought of hurting her.

Was this why Darkyn hadn’t grabbed her? Had Wynn unknowingly protected Deidre by linking her life to that of the soul in her head?

The haze cleared, and the earth settled. Gabriel rose and approached the still form. The night-skinned Immortal appeared to be either dead-dead or sleeping. Squatting, Gabe shook him. Tanzanite eyes opened, the familiar blue-purple making Gabriel smile in triumph. He was going to win this round against Fate, Darkyn and anyone else who stood between him, the underworld and his mate.

“Welcome back, Andre,” he whispered. “A little reminder. I brought you back. I pretty much own you, at least temporarily.”

Andre sat, steady gaze on Gabriel. Gabe knew he must look half-wild: drenched, muddied and sizzling with power.

“It looks like a few things changed while I was gone,” the Immortal said with the calmness Gabriel remembered always admiring.

Gabe nodded. Soul power rippled through him and with it, the sensation of the invisible shackles he’d worn his entire adult life melting away. He was
alive
after a lifetime banished to the shadows. Things would be different from here on out.

Like Deidre, he was going to live on his terms.

“I need a drink and some clothes,” Andre said.

Chuckling, Gabe stood and offered the Immortal a hand.

Rhyn, can you drop by the lake and bring a couple sets of clothes?
Gabe asked his friend.

On my way.
Rhyn replied.

“What’s it like being dead-dead?” Gabriel asked.

“Much more peaceful than being alive,” Andre replied, looking around. He sighed. “If I’m here, it’s not because the world is operating smoothly.” His French accent rolled off his deep voice.

“Not in the least.”

“Holy fuck.” Rhyn’s curse made Gabriel turn. The half-demon paused a few feet away, and Gabe saw the emotion cross his eyes.

The eldest of the seven brothers, Andre was the only who supported Rhyn’s petition to be recognized by the Immortals who hated the half-demon. Andre was rendered dead-dead while Rhyn was stuck in Hell, killed by the same brother who held Rhyn prisoner.

Rhyn recovered quickly and tossed them both clothing. Gabriel stripped out of his pants and pulled on the new ones before striding back to the pile of the rest of his things. He figured Rhyn and Andre needed a private moment and snorted as he heard Rhyn start off.

“I’m not going to ask why you two are naked,” Rhyn said. “Or why Andre isn’t dead-dead. Or why Gabriel looks radioactive.”

“Hello, little brother,” Andre said with some affection.

Gabriel smiled to himself and pulled on his clothes, replacing weapons. He felt the wary eyes of his death-dealers from the shadows.

“We’re all here,” Harmony’s voice carried a note of uneasiness.

“Line them up. I’ll be quick.” Gabriel glanced up at her as he tugged his belt tight.

“Will do.” She hesitated. “You … changed.”

He met her gaze. While he didn’t want his death-dealers to fear him, he also recognized the look in her eyes and those of the assassins behind her. They no longer regarded him as one of their own after the demonstration of Death’s power. Gabriel mourned the loss of the community he’d belonged to for so long. But things had to be different from here on out. He had to preserve and protect the underworld, even if it meant stepping away from the comfort zone he’d existed in for millennia.

“I’m going to get us home,” he said gently and squeezed her arm. “There’s only one way I can do that. You’ll have to trust me.”

“About the other night …” she started. “I didn’t … I shouldn’t have …I’m sorry, boss.”

“Don’t be. I’ve been avoiding talking to you about us for awhile,” he said, aware he couldn’t push it off any further. “Harmony, I have a mate. I found out a few days ago.”

She frowned.

“I owe you an apology for not telling you sooner,” he added. “I wasn’t prepared for what that meant, just like I wasn’t prepared for my new duties. I’m taking steps to remedy those issues. If I hurt you, I’m sorry.”

Harmony was quiet for a long moment. Gabriel sensed her emotions, even if she tried to keep her face impassive.

“I understand,” she said at last. “You have a duty to your mate. I would never interfere.” She turned away, issuing silent orders to the death-dealers.

Gabriel watched her, not at all satisfied with the exchange. She was hurt; he was an ass. He’d fucked over both the women in his life, and neither deserved it.

The assassins lined up obediently. He went one-by-one, checking the minds of each with the occasional glance across to Rhyn and Andre, who were speaking quietly.

An hour later, Gabriel reached the last of the death-dealers in line, relieved yet troubled not to have found another traitor. The assassin he’d killed earlier had a handler, one that acted as a messenger between him and Darkyn. While the dead man hadn’t known who the handler was, he’d suspected it was another death-dealer. Gabe checked all of those in the mortal realm, except for …

He turned, realizing Harmony hadn’t been in the lineup. In fact, she wasn’t anywhere.

Harmony,
he called over their internal channel.

No response.

Gabriel felt something heavier than dread in his stomach. He’d just told Harmony he had a mate. It wasn’t going to take much for her to put together who, especially with the ultra-secret assignments protecting Deidre.

Landon.

The death-dealer appeared at once. Second to Harmony on Gabriel’s list of the most effective, Landon was her back-up when it came to organizing the missions and personnel.

“The protective assignment,” Gabriel started. “Double it. Move them closer to their ward. I also need accountability on all of these.” Gabe handed him the soul compass he’d found on the demon’s body.

“Sure, boss.” Landon’s response was chipper despite his severe features.

“Send Tymkyn to find Harmony,” Gabriel said, referring to the top tracker among his death-dealers. “Tell him to bring her in. Alive, preferably.”

Landon absorbed Gabe’s word choice, recognizing the gravity of the situation without further explanation.

“Find me when you’re done,” Gabriel added.

“Alright, boss.” Landon disappeared through a portal.

Gabe watched him, rubbing his rough jaw. He’d never thought twice about trusting Harmony or any other death-dealer. Or about the Code. Or about pushing Deidre away when she needed to be by his side to keep her safe. Fate was right; the only thing in his way was
him.

“I’m liking this new Gabe.” Rhyn pulled him from his thoughts. “Snapping necks, breaking Codes, bringing back the dead-dead.”

Gabe turned. The brothers were standing beside each other a short distance away. Rhyn was smiling faintly, Andre’s controlled expression reminding Gabriel of Wynn.

“I learned a few things recently,” Gabe replied. “I need to borrow Andre. We’ve got some demons to track. And Wynn. I’ll bring them both back.”

“Do me the favor and don’t bring Wynn back,” Rhyn said, anger flashing across his features.

“He’s our father, Rhyn,” Andre said.

“Don’t start that mediator shit with me,” Rhyn snapped.

“You have much to learn about diplomacy, little brother.”

“And discretion,” Gabriel added, unable to help but tease his rankled friend.

“Where’s your mate, Gabe?” Rhyn retorted.

Gabriel rolled his eyes.

“Children, if you’re done, I still need that drink,” Andre said smoothly. “Let us get whatever this is over with. As a man of fashion, I’m afraid I won’t be able to tolerate this clothing long.”

Rhyn eyed him, suspecting it was an insult, while Gabriel recalled how polished Andre was. The peacemaker of the brothers, Andre instinctively used his gift of mind control to counter the tempers of his fiery brothers. It was impossible to stand near him and not relax. Gabriel felt the effect of being near him, and Rhyn shifted away from the subtle magic.

“He’s yours for a couple of hours,” Gabe said to Rhyn. “I’ve got a rat in my ranks. I need to find her.”

“Harmony?” Rhyn guessed.

“Is it that obvious?” Gabriel complained.

“I have a knack for spotting traitors.”

The bitterness in his voice was not lost on Gabe. He slapped Rhyn on the arm. Rhyn lifted his chin in farewell before motioning for Andre to follow him through a portal. Gabriel waited until they were gone. He felt different. Centered. Clear-headed. He had a shit ton of work to do the next couple of days. With Andre’s help, he might gain some insight into Deidre’s illness and be able to counter the demons tracking and stealing souls.

“Thanks for the pep talk, Fate,” he murmured.

You’ll pay for it later, Death,
came the deity’s amused response.

Gabriel smiled. “Bring it.”

As he started away, he realized Fate had told him something else this day. The godling promised to tell Gabriel about he bet that took out past-Death, only when Gabriel was on the right path.

For the first time in months, he had confirmation that he was headed the right way.