Rhyn's Redemption (Book III, Rhyn Trilogy)

Chapter Three

The demon lord, Darkyn, circled the shape-shifting demon, looking for any signs its true nature hadn’t been completely screened by the combination of its own skill and the injections. Demons that could take on the forms of whatever human they pleased were rare, and Darkyn had hand-selected the one before him for this mission.  Impressed, he stood back and motioned the cowering Immortal in the corner forward.  The Immortal scientist, Ully, crept towards them, the chains around his feet rattling with each step.

“The transformation is complete?” Darkyn asked.

“Yes,” came the hushed answer.

“Certainly looks convincing.  I see why Andre recruited you. And the immunity blood?”

“It’ll render him near-invincible for several days.”

“Define several for my demon.”

“Four, maybe five.  He can test for it by cutting himself. When he no longer heals instantly, the shots are wearing off,” Ully explained.

“And there is nothing hidden in these injections that will alert your kind?” Darkyn asked again.

Ully shook his head and looked down. “It’ll work like it should.”

“You’re a smart creature, Ully. If I suspect you’ve betrayed me, I’ll turn my new super-demons on your Immortals. Four days is long enough to wipe all of them out.”

“Except Rhyn,” Ully whispered.

“Rhyn,” Darkyn dwelled on the name of the half-breed. “He’s about to lead my demons to the underworld.  With the Immortals in disarray and Death’s … mistake, I can own the underworld before Rhyn can control his power enough to stop me.”

“He won’t do it,” Ully whispered. “He won’t betray his brothers.”

“The Immortal side of him is weak.  He’ll do whatever it takes to get his mate back, and I intend to plant the idea in his head.” Darkyn turned his attention to the shapeshifter. “You will kill any demon or Immortal in your path. They must believe you are who we made you to be. Understood?” Darkyn ordered.

“Yes, my lord,” the shapeshifter answered.

“You are to find your way to the underworld.  When you are there, you will plant this in the ground.” He handed the demon a small pouch that contained the concentrated magic of Hell.  One pouch wasn’t enough to break through Death’s weakened barriers, but three would. “Your name is Gabriel.  You will find the death-dealer you resemble and assume his place until the sign is given in the sky for you to attack.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Go. Await my messenger.  Once Rhyn enters the underworld, you will follow him,” he said, looking over his creation with satisfaction.

The super-demon opened a portal and disappeared.

Darkyn held out his hand. An hour glass with streaming black sand appeared in his palm. He’d lost three days already.  Four was cutting it close. Once the bond between the half-breed and its human re-emerged a mere seven days after it was severed, Rhyn could channel his power again.  Death was waiting for that day, and Darkyn had to beat her at her game. That meant making it into the underworld in four days.

He glanced at the demon guards in the corner and motioned for them to leave. A moment later, a thin figure entered the room.  The last of the shapeshifters created, this one was a mirror image of the mad scientist, Ully.

The Immortal cowering in the corner gasped.  Darkyn circled the super demon in satisfaction.

“You have your instructions,” he said to the demon.