Hi Everyone!
I'm back! Well, sort of (being a science major is tough). I will try to update every month or two, barring major happenings in school like tests and concerts. I, also, am working on now three other stories and a series of one shots (on top of all my school work). So please try to understand if I don't meet deadlines. Hope ya'll enjoy this chapter and please give constructive criticism. Also, I only own Iris/Anuket and all other OCs; the rest is Nalini Singh's and please support her by buying the Guild Hunter books.
Thanks!

"Are you sure you can't give me any more than that?" asked the Guild Director.

"I wish I could," commented Iris sadly, "but Raphael would have my tongue. What he wants from Elena is between him and her."

Sara sighed. "I'm losing one of my best hunters because of this."

Iris shrugged and stood up. "It's out of our hands now but I'll be watching over her." When I can.

"That only makes me feel a little better," said Sara sarcastically, "It doesn't change the fact that my best friend is working for an Archangel."

"He wanted the best. The Archangel always gets what he wants," commented Iris.

"That's what scares me."

"Me too."

Iris left the Guild Director's Office. Sara Haziz was right to fear for her best friend. Raphael would not take no for any answer. It was something many of those working under him knew all too well. Iris prayed to whatever higher being or power that was out there that Elena would be safe.

Iris was so lost in her thoughts that had not realized she was back at Archangel Tower. She did not even sense Dimitri come up behind her.

"Back so soon, Anuket?" Iris jumped and a male chuckle followed. She was not expecting his voice to come out of nowhere, especially from behind her.

"Don't do that." Iris quickly turned and smacked his chest but before she could get a second hit in, Dimitri caught her hand.

"Thinking about me little half-breed?" Dimitri took a step closer enveloping her in his warmth. However Iris still had her wit.

"I was thinking about all the things we could do to celebrate the world ending," replied Iris giving the vampire an almost sensual look.

Dimitri leaned down close to Iris's ear and whispered, "There are so many things I could do to you Anuket but are you mentally prepared for them?" He pulled back just in time to see the quick flash of pain across the woman's face. Whether he'd admit it or not, Dimitri did care about the half-breed woman standing in front of him. Just like him she had been through so much and she responded just as he thought she would.

Iris quickly pulled away from Dimitri, opting to stare blankly across the street at nothing. He knew he had struck a chord. She could go back in forth with the banter all day, something Dimitri enjoyed, but they never touched; she still was a little weary of men. However, with that being said, Iris did not ever think she and Dimitri would have a relationship past the teasing; he still loved his late wife. A cell phone buzzed pulling her out of her thoughts. Iris watched the vampire talk, his face calm and eyes calculating. When he hung up, Dimitri turned to face her again, he touched her cheek gently.

"Another time Anuket." And in the blink of an eye he was gone, Iris left alone again. She decided to return to her room in Archangel Tower. Though she had a house outside of New York, Iris was granted a small apartment like room in Archangel Tower for certain occasions. Being ready to aid her master against a fallen archangel was such an occasion.

Opening the door to her apartment, Iris hurried inside. Even though she hated being in Archangel Tower, this was a safe haven for her. The kitchen was her pride and joy and cooking was one of Iris's favorite past times. She quickly kicked off her shoes, turned on the TV, and began to pull various things from the cabinets. It was not long before wonderful smells were wafting through the apartment. The black-haired woman bounced around to room, stirring various pots, humming to a song in her head. Iris was so engrossed into what she was doing that she did not hear her apartment door open. She turned to grab something from the refrigerator and froze.

Standing in the door way was a painfully familiar green eyed man. He had been watching her for quite some time with an amused look on his face. Iris took a step back as he shifted and ran his hand through his dark blond hair. Iris's eyes scanned over the man. He had not changed in the four decades since she last saw him.

"It's been a long time, Iris."

"Alastair."