“Yes, she’s alive, or was when I left her,” Gabe said.
“Where were you when this happened?” Rhyn asked. “How did you get Katie away from Death?”
“I told you, she’s not dead!” Toby shouted. “No one listens to me!”
“The underworld,” Gabe answered. “Toby’s right. She found a loophole. As long as Death doesn’t find her and we can get her back to a Sanctuary, she’ll live.”
“Darkyn was right,” Rhyn said.
“About what?”
“Death offered to return Katie to me after a few days. Darkyn said she wouldn’t do it, and he was right. She doesn’t have Katie.”
“It would break every Immortal Code – some older than Death – if she returned a mortal to the mortal world,” Gabe said. “If she finds Katie, she’ll never let her go.”
Rhyn felt like the fool he was.
“Tell the demon to let me out,” Gabe said. “We need to go.”
“Jared, free Gabe,” Rhyn ordered.
“Only if – “ the demon started.
“Yes, fine. We’ll come back for you.”
Jared returned to the antechamber.
“Ully, Toby, you’re staying here until we get back,” Rhyn said.
“What?” the two responded simultaneously.
“You’re safe here. And, you’re out of my way.”
“Rhyn, no!” Toby whined.
“You need my help!” Ully added.
“Then I’ll come back for you. Right now, Gabe and I are going to the underworld. You’ll slow us down,” Rhyn said.
“Rhyn, I can help you,” Toby pleaded. “Katie is my human. I can find her for you.”
“I’m not looking for her. I’m going to find Death.”
The cell block fell silent. Even Jared looked at him in surprise. Rhyn took the talisman dangling from the demon’s hand and pressed it against the wall of the cell holding Gabe.
“You can’t go after Death,” Gabe said quietly as he stepped from the cell. The death-dealer was more unkempt than Rhyn had ever seen him. His clothing was ripped and his face unshaven. “Do you know what she’ll do to you?”
“You don’t have to go, Gabe,” Rhyn said. “You can stay here or I’ll take you to the Sanctuary. I just need you to tell me where she is. She’s after Katie. We find Death before she finds my mate.”