Title: Dark Times

Author: Ageless Light

Beta-ed by: Nobody right now! But I'd like one! Please PM me if you are interested.

Characters/Pairing: Zacarias De La Cruz and Ashelia Sole, Amelyn Stormcloud and Dominic Dragonseeker, and Iris Airan and Lojos Jaegar.

Genre: Romance/Fantasy

Summary: The mission to Romania was just the starting point. Now that they have found each other, their stories were just beginning. The next installment to Dark Moments featuring our leading couples!

Rating: T (Contains content suitable for teens and older)

Status: Continuous (Incomplete)

Disclaimer: I do not own the Dark Series Universe or any of Christine Feehan's characters. I do own the OC's though. I went to babynames. com for my character names though. A nice reviewer PMed me and told me that the book the original concept of the Ways came from Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time Series. I however, have altered their purpose, make-up, and description to fit my fic. They are very different since I haven't even read the story, but if you like epic fantasy books; I encourage you to check them out.

Spoilers: Up to and including Dark Slayer (The most recent novel in Feehan's Dark Series). This is the sequel to Dark Moments and I recommend that you read that first. You can access it through my profile

Created on: August 5, 2010

Word Count: 1,317 (Total: 14,012)

"Talk" – regular talking

Talk- Inner thoughts

"Talk"- Speaking telepathically

A/N: Installments, for lack of a better work, of Dark Times will be chronological, so you can think of this as a loosely structured story. It is in fact going somewhere but since I will be focusing on the different couples it may take a while. Just to be warned the length of these "chapters" will vary. Some will be as long as the chapters for Dark Moments and others will be as short as a drabble.

Chapter 6

Masks

There was a wave. Then a shout. And after an annoying screech finally the circle was complete as Tia dropped down into the last open chair. Days ago, Tia had been rescued and rushed to the emergency ward and was personally attended to by Ashe. After hours of advanced healing techniques, it became known throughout the compound that injured tactician was stable. It would take time and rehabilitation but eventually, the weapon mistress would not only live, but make a full recovery thanks to the talent and determination of the young princess.

Today was the first day she had been let out of the medical ward, monitored of course. The tension that was clearly seen in the other key members of team Alpha was released as soon as Tia came in close proximity to them. Whether it was done with subtly or not; the others eating, socializing in the lounge watched the interaction between the leading KATT squad members.

(Scene Change)

They were together again. That was the same thought at the forefront of each other's mind. Yes, Tia had been brought in days ago, but she had been unconscious and severely wounded. Missions required all of them to put their reunion on hold, and it was only until now that they were able to just let go.

That was why every so often, they gently brushed their mind against one another's. It was a way to reassure each other, and to take comfort in their presence. It was a reunion and the squad finally felt like they could be themselves again. But they weren't and those watching didn't suspect a thing. Masks were being worn because otherwise the reminder of how dangerous their life was became too painful. It was a maladaptive coping mechanism but it worked.

Tia was pale and she looked drained from her hobbled walk to the lounge but nothing would have stood in her way for this. Jaeden had traded patrol duty with Gabrielle just so he could be by their sides, while Ashe subjected her second in command to her piles of paperwork, letting her enjoy dinner with her best friends.

The easy going nature and good humor of the shifter helped keep the mood light, allowing them to repress all thoughts of how close Tia had come to truly leaving them. A friendly pat was exchanged and food was swiped off each other's plates while they chattered about anything not related to work. If someone was closer or if the others weren't actively avoiding the signs, they would have noticed that Iris' sky colored eyes were lackluster for once her voice was just a tad louder than usual. There were patterns or behaviors from the others that were just off.

Time passed and a collection of dinner trays were laid out at the end of the table but none of them left. A flash of silver reflected off of the lights as Jaeden waved his spoon around while telling the others of a recent exploit of his. There was a pause in the story when he took another bite bit before continuing. Suddenly, a glob of blue jello flung off of Jaeden's spoon and landed in Iris' sunshine colored locks. Iris huffed in mock anger before throwing her empty container of jello in retaliation. Laughs erupted from Tia and Ashe as they watched the exchange between their friends.

"Wait." Tia called out as the pair started to bicker, stopping them in their tracks. "I wanted to finish hearing about your courting of Gabrielle."

With that the pair separated and Iris began to wipe away the food. Once done she flung her hair over one shoulder and crossed her arms while waiting for Jaeden to continue. But Jaeden's attention hadn't been diverted back to the story he had been in the middle of telling.

"What is that?" He bit out in a hardened tone.

"What is what?"

"That." He gestured to what he was referring to. Tia and Ashe moved to see what he had been pointing it, curiosity evident in their features.

"It looks like a burn or some kind of mark-" his voice trailed off stunned. Honey colored eyes glanced to the bite mark on Ashe's neck and then back to the odd mark on Iris'. The marks looked similar. Eerily similar. The whole table was quiet for over a full second before a rush of voices flooded Iris' ears.

"Oh my god."

"What the fuck?" That was most definitely Jaeden's voice.

"When were you going to tell us, that he bit you?" Tia's voice was slightly shaken, and it was hard to tell if it was from shock or her injuries.

Soon more questions were fired rapidly at her, but she told them it was not a big deal. It took only a second to realize that that was not the proper response and soon all three of them huddled closer as they began the interrogation.

(Scene Change)

From the shadows in the hallway she looked onto the central table where her charge and those she looked upon fondly as younger siblings all wore parallel expressions of shock before crowding the young Airan. Since no one was around she allowed a small smile to show upon her face. It seems things between Iris and Lojos are improving.

She desperately wanted to go to them. She wanted to bathe in their light and allow their auras to swirl around her. Something inside of her needed to feel Ashe's soothing presence that never failed to wash away her pain and worries. The steady strong aura of Tia's was always comforting and she had missed it in the past few weeks. The energetic playful feeling when she was around Jaeden always blended well with the passionate flair that could only belong to Iris. Her feet moved without permission and she suddenly found herself in the doorway blocking it. Half in the light, half hidden. If the others had been paying attention then they would have noticed her and then she wouldn't have been able to hide anything from them.

Right now, they didn't look like prodigies, or a part of KATT. The burdens of state, of their duties and responsibilities could not be found in their expressions or in their stance. An embarrassed squeal pierced the air as Iris hid her blushing face in the safety of her hands while the other's teased her. No, she thought fondly, it has been too long since I've seen them actually look like normal young twenty year olds.

So with great strength she stepped back into the shadows and watched them, wishing she could be a part of their antics. Amelyn had always been the one they came to for advice, and yet this time the female Carpathian wanted their opinion of her situation. No it would be better to not disturb them. Not to worry them.

Without a backwards glance she turned and headed to the nearest wooden bridge. Carefully she shifted to mist. Later on she would be able to meet with her lifemate, but until then she decided to find a quiet spot to meditate. After all, she was his anchor and she constantly expended energy to help ensure the parasitic infection within him was balanced. Too much and it would consume him. Too little and it would alert their enemy.

Now that they were bonded in the true way of lifemates he was able to break through all of her barriers. She couldn't hide much from him anymore. It was her speculation but she believed that the reason they were continuing this farce was only because they were such prideful beings. That and the entirety of two races depended on the information they gathered.

Regardless of whether she was right or wrong was not important. Sooner or later, and she hoped it was the latter, but eventually they would have to make a decision. When would his assignment be up? The slow torture he went through was one thing; but as soon the others, or stars forbid Dominic found out how agonizing it was for her? She didn't want to think about it.

With a sign on the wind she soared through the velvety sky towards their meeting place.

Thanks for reading! Please leave your thoughts/comments and advice in a review. Your reviews fuel my passion for writing!

Until the next chapter,

~Ageless Light

****Notes/Comments****

1. I will be including our rescued female shifter soon, as well as Jaz and her baby. The only reason I havent yet, is because I have ideas bouncing around in my head but I can't settle on one path. So while reviewing for this fic please leave me your ideas on what their (the female, and Jasmine's baby) names should be. Also tell me what gender the babies' should be. I can't make any promises but your opinions could influence me to finally settle and bring them more into the spotlight!