Deidre reached for a sword at her feet and hefted it up, preparing to lift it and hack off Harmony's head.
"Deidre?" Gabriel approached her cautiously, uncertain what to expect.
The woman faced him, black fog tracing her movements and pooling in the air around her. Her eyes were completely black, tears on her cheeks while her chest heaved, as if she was trying not to cry.
He stopped within arms reach. Whereas Darkyn's magic had been subtle, the woman before him radiated cold power. It was wild, uncontrolled, the opposite of how her mate had handled the power of Hell. Sensing the danger of a Dark One out of control, Gabriel shifted closer.
"This is you." He pointed to the sky. "Isn't it?"
She nodded. "Darkyn … gave it to me."
"So what? You could kill Harmony in cold blood?"
She glanced at the death dealer. "She deserves it." The vehemence in her voice contained an inhuman edge, another sign she wasn't in control.
"But you don't."
Deidre appeared confused.
"Listen. You aren't the kind of person who does things like this," Gabriel said, resting his hands on her shoulders. "Deidre, you aren't in control right now."
"Back off, Death," she snapped and wrenched loose. "I will end this! I must kill her!"
"Are you hearing this?"
Deidre ignored him and lifted the sword with both hands, eyeing Harmony.
Gabriel caught her wrists and twisted the weapon loose, pulling her towards the edge of the roof.
Deidre struggled, and he wrapped both arms around her, stymying her efforts and carrying her.
"Look at what the fuck you're doing!" he snapped. He faced the wide path of destruction the storm had left.
"I don't care!" She thrashed at him, the black fog around stretching for the black hole overhead.
"No!" he roared to the power of Hell trying to evade him. "You will obey me!"
The magic froze in midair before retreating back to Deidre. She was fighting him hard.
"Stop, Deidre!" he ordered. "The Dark One doesn't care, but you do! The human side of you. The one mourning the loss of your mate!"
She strained in his grip, and another sob wracked her tiny frame. He held her securely.
"You are destroying my world, Deidre," he said more quietly. "What happens to the souls in the Lake when your storm takes them? Billions of innocent humans? People you've known and cared about?"
She stilled, panting. "I don't care," she said more quietly.
"You do. I know you do," he replied. "You're hurt, Deidre. You lost someone you care about and you're seeking revenge in a way that will leave no one standing when it's over."