The day was cold and crisp for fall In Portland. No-one was awake at this ghastly hour, still in bed lying next to their lover, the kettle waiting to be boiled and make their morning perfect. For three in the morning I was surprisingly awake, normally I'd have been at Court standing outside the gate waiting for anyone who dare to enter, be it with a purpose of mischief or meaningful. It was afternoon for Dampirs and Moroi, seeing as the sunlight affected Moroi be it a headache or penetrating pain. This meant when we were awake the Strigoi were awake and full functioning. I sat in the car, my hands tightly holding the steering wheel, awaiting a call. I turned the radio onto the local station, popular music started blaring the rhythm catchy causing my finger to fall into its beat.

I felt my pocket vibrate, my phone. I leant back into my chair struggling to get my phone out; I flipped it open just as the ringtone ran out.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Texting you the details." An unfamiliar voice spoke as the phone rang off. Charming.

My phone vibrated again, a text holding the location of the princess. The last of the Dragomir's alone with only a training Dhampir. What were they thinking, she was at threat, Strigroi running around filled with madness just to kill off every last Moroi, and she was the last of her bloodline, making her very valuable.

I revved the engine and sped off towards to where they'd been living. A retired Dhampir had tracked them down, they weren't security consciously at all, using a credit card to buy their shopping and unaware of someone following their where abbots every hour of everyday. This Dhampir needed a step up on her training. At least they had only been gone a year, she could be brought back up to scratch with the right coaching.

I pulled the car into a parking space a few houses down from the house they had been renting. The light was still low as the night sky slowly burnt off by the rising sun. The streetlights were tuning down ready for the day. I locked the car and quietly walked towards their house.

As I approached the door creaked open revealing a worried looking blonde, who had eyes only a Dragomir could own. She held the shoulders of none other than her friend, Rose Hathaway. She looked unsteady on her feet, they'd have stood no chance up against a Strigoi now, and it brought butterflies to my stomach, grateful to have found them before it was too late.

I swiftly crossed the road sneaking past a car; I looked around finding nowhere to hide. I stayed shadowed behind the cars creeping closer towards them. With only a tree to hide behind I gave up and snuck behind it. I looked round the side to catch Rose looking at me. Alarm filled her face.

She picked up the pace not looking behind her, trying not to give away her fear and knowledge of me behind her. I stepped out from behind the tree and followed them, quickening my pace. The princess faltered as her heightened senses picked up on me. Her body language changed as she became aware and worried, alike her friend. I saw them whisper as they broke into a light trot they exchanged words, moving in a purpose with somewhere to reach.

I crossed the road running to catch them, they were fast. But not fast enough. With lack of training they were weak. My pace had sped so as I was now ahead of them. I quickly crossed the road again, this time uncovered, I stood right in front of them. They hadn't seen me cross and came to halt horror written all over their faces.

Rose stepped forward sticking her chest out and trying to look as courageous as possible. She pushed the Princess behind her.

"Leave her alone." Her tone unpleasant and raw. "Don't touch her."

I held my hands out showing I held no threat. She looked at me with an unchanged expression. She tried to read my face, which held my guardian mask, yet again something she'd need to learn, as fear was still pouring out of her.

"I'm not going to –" I said seeping forward, obviously too close from comfort.

She launched herself at me, her attack unperfected: her face like thunder but her body unresponsive. She'd attacked upon impulse and put the princess more at risk. I moved quickly avoiding her whispery arms. She grabbed form my stake, in response I hit her hard sending her flying backwards. She'd be in a lot of pain, but not she was unable to move, meaning I could make mine. I spoke to sudden as I moved towards the Princess she went to attack me but hesitated as she fell, I caught her and saw her neck.

A bite wound. Blood crusted around the edge forming a scab. The Princess had fed from her, which was why she had been so weak. She gave me a concerned look and quickly concealed her neck behind her hair. She quickly pulled back, not comfortable with the contact but understanding I wasn't a threat like as Strigoi.

The princess looked at Rose, looking deep into her eyes, "Rose, Don't" She said it so gently even I felt calmed and under her influence, compulsion. Rose immediately gave up staggering back to the Princess' side.

I bent down as graceful as I could in front of them, showing I meant to harm. I gave a faint smile as I said, "My name in Dimitri Belikov, I've come to take you back to St. Vladimir's Academy, Princess."

I stood back up and looked them both, this was where the fun started, time to go back.