Disclaimer: I do not own anything that relates to the DotM or the SotD. I do not wish to own these things either because…well, I'd probably mess it all up. Anyways, I do own Marquette, Kearney, Maris, Jessimar, Aidrian, Evan, Alexander, Akhet/Celeste, Aestroth, Ezraziel, Rammelet, Nafetki, Asheru, and the concept of the Children of Anubis and all that other junk that relates to it.

Kearney watched with laughter as her friend preened and rubbed against her boyfriend affectionately in cat form. She stopped and transformed back, sitting in Evan's lap now. Marquette touched the gold and turquoise necklace around her neck, then kissed Evan on the cheek.

"Thanks, baby," she whispered. He tousled her white hair and smiled at her lovingly.

"Okay, love birds." Aidrian pretended to be annoyed by their show of affection, but Kearney knew he was happy for his former mate.

It was Marquette's sixteenth birthday. It had been six months since her journey into Tartarus, two since she lost Asheru, and one since she and Berto--a Son of the Dark--had broken up and she had met Evan--a Son of Anubis. Since then, she had been perfecting her necromancy skills under the watchful eyes of Akhet a.k.a. Aunt Celeste. She could now travel into the third plane of the Underworld with ease--with the help of her soul mist, Umbra.

They were alone now--Kearney, Airdrian, Marquette, and Evan. The others had left a few hours earlier, and Akhet had left to meet with her mate, Aestroth. Kearney sat back, and Aidrian wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She looked into his face, stared into his more lively hazel eyes.

Things between them had become more serious since he returned to her during her stay with her mother. He had been there when her mother died, comforting her. She knew she and Aidrian belonged together, despite the fact that a.) he was dead; b.) he was a Shadow God; and c.) she was part evil. No one seemed to care that they were together, though. Kearney often expressed her concern to Marquette, who easily calmed her by saying that none of the Dead had said anything to her, and she was always talking to them.

"Kearney!" Marquette's voice rang in her ears. Kearney blinked her multi-colored eyes, looking at her best friend.

"Thought we lost you for a second," Aidrian whispered.

"Sorry. Did you say something, Marq?"

"I asked if you wanted to take a trip later tonight. I've been practicing with Evan, and I can bring someone onto the first plane," Marquette repeated.

Kearney watched Marq. She was so different. Much calmer, much more in control. She was no longer plagued by Asheru's dream visits, or the haunting memories of Tartarus. She no longer blamed herself for Aidrian's and her parents' deaths. She no longer had to destroy Serene or the Necrosis. She was attuned to her necromancy and could even keep Umbra around in a physical form now. And for her, there was no fear for the Atrox. Unlike herself.

Unnatural shadows formed in her room at night. The Atrox was watching her. Ever since Tianna was lost and had bound it to it shadow form, it had been watching her. She couldn't express to anyone her feelings on this, not even to Catty. She was evil and insane. And hunted.

"You think it's safe?"

"Of course. Umbra and Asheru will be there to make sure we're okay," she reassured.

Evan looked at Kearney with a sly smile. "Aidrian and I will be there, too."

"Hey!" Marq playfully punched Evan's arm. "I can be trusted." She frowned. She was really good at her necromancy and hated when anyone even joked about her skills.

Kearney reached over and squeezed her best friend's hand. "I trust you, Marquette."

Marq smiled lovingly, then elbowed Evan. He laughed and grabbed her, pushing her down onto the couch. His fingers ran over her sides with intensity. She laughed and tried to push his hands away.

Kearney blushed at her antics. She knew Evan and Marq liked each other--hell, they were mates--but sometimes they did things that made her uncomfortable. And it was only her that was embarrassed. She had never had a boyfriend before and knew Aidrian would like to play around like they did.

Sensing her distress, Aidrian stood and grabbed her hand. They walked away unnoticed. He led her into the kitchen.

"Kearney, what's wrong?" He cocked his head, his way brown hair brushing his ears. A silver stud sparkled in one of his ears.

She sighed and brushed at his natural blonde highlights. "I bore you, don't I?"

His eyes widened in shock. "Of course not! I love…spending time with you."

She cast her eyes down in doubt. Something about the way he hesitated made her uneasy.

"Kearney, look, if you want me to go, I will. I only stay here because of you. That's the only reason why Marquette keeps me. I'll understand if you want to find a normal boyfriend," Aidrian told her.

Their eyes connected as she looked back up at him. "No, please. When you disappeared after Marquette went to Tartarus, I felt so alone. You were no longer around to cheer me up. For almost four months you were gone! I don't want that again. Do you?"

Slowly, he brought his face to hers, his fingers delicately placed under her chin. His lips were on hers then, sweet and firm. His eyes filled with desire, desire for her. Their tongues slid along each other, exploring. She knew he didn't want to go.

She pulled back, whispering, "Aidrian, I—"

Her words were cut off by shrieks.

Kearney looked down at her amulet, but it was still. There was no danger from the Atrox and its Followers. She ran after Aidrian, towards the sitting room they had left Marquette and Evan at. Why had Marquette screamed? Worry filled her bones as she prepared to fight. She could see that Aidrian was also tensing.

Berto hugged Marquette close. She pressed her cheek into his shoulder before pulling back quickly. Kearney sighed with some relief as she leaned into Aidrian. Her hands ungripped her skirt and it brushed along her ankles.

Aidrian leaned down. "I wouldn't be able to do what Evan does."

It was true that Evan was never jealous of Berto and his relationship with Marquette, or of the relationships she had with the other Sons. Marquette had bonded with her "brothers" in a way no one truly understood. She hadn't said much of her time with them. An attraction between her and the darkness grew stronger, and even the Daughters voiced their worries about Marquette now.

"Evan understands how Marq feels. About Berto, anyway," Kearney whispered back.

"He doesn't understand anymore than you, or the Daughters, or the Sons, or the Shadowed do. Don't argue. You know she didn't tell you anything about it."

She frowned. That was a lie. Marquette had told her a few things. When she found out about Berto's dream visits, she had asked her friend how she justified seeing him like that.

"Easy, Kearney," Marquette had said. "Once, Berto asked me if I loved Asheru because I loved him on my own, or because I was supposed to. I didn't know then, and I don't know now. But I do know that I love Berto on my own. I can't turn my back on that. Jessimar won't allow it."

She had never told Aidrian that.

"You boys are late!" Marquette laughed as she kissed Kyle's cheek.

"Hey, Obie, great concert last night," Evan said.

"Thanks, man." Obie plopped down next to Evan.

"Ket, we're going to take a walk. I'll have Kearney back soon."

She waved them off.

xXxXxXxXx

"Birthday girl seems to be having the time of her life," Aidrian muttered.

Keanrey pulled her sweater tighter around herself. "You sound angry."

He looked out at the dark water. The half moon was reflected on it, but the abyss was still there. "No. Confused. We're all still in danger. And, maybe it's just the dead guy feeling this, but ever since Marq defeated Serene, we've been a little too relaxed."

She grabbed him by the elbow, turning his so that he looked at her. "Have you been feeling it, too?"

"Yeah. I've been feeling it since your mother died." He grabbed her hand, kissing the tips of her fingers gently. She smiled at him, her body melting.

"Aidrian." She couldn't tell him her fears. She needed to speak to someone who would understand. Catty or Marquette. Possibly even Stanton.

The thought made her frown. She wasn't exactly Stanton's number one fan. Since the first night she and Marquette met him, they had not been too friendly. Yet, despite her father being a former Prince of Night, they really didn't get along. But, it was Stanton and Marquette that were always at each other's throats.

"What's wrong?" He looked at her with concern in his hazel eyes.

"Nothing. Why do you ask?"

"You weren't there for a few minutes," Aidrian informed.

Her eyebrows lifted. "A few minutes?"

It was getting worse. Lately, she would space out and it would take a few seconds, maybe a minute, to get her attention. She at first assumed it was only because she had been daydreaming, but she couldn't remember anything that had been happening.

Aidrian looked at her, then grinned. "Jeez, look at me. Getting all serious." His eyes sparkled mischievously. "I have an idea."