Hey guys! This is my story for the 39 Clues contest Katja made! I hope you guys enjoy it, please review if you do! Oh and are there any more entries apart from my one for this? I'm just wondering. Anyway, start reading.

Chapter 1

Irina Spasky sat patiently outside the office door. She was at the Lucian Stronghold in Russia. However, things seemed more strange for her. She was used to being called to the Kabra Mansion for mission briefings, as she was about to receive, not here. She wondered why her boss would call her here, in her own home country. Could it be that she was being fired, and being sent home back to her husband? But somehow Irina knew it couldn't be, the Lucian leadership had been commending her for her outstanding performance in the field.

The office door opened and Irina looked up. Isabel Kabra stood before her with a warm smile.

"Come in." She said.

Irina frowned and followed her inside. Normally she wasn't this happy.

Isabel sat down behind her vast desk and motioned for Irina to sit at a chair in front of her.

"Any reason for your cheeriness?" Irina asked as she sat. She preferred Isabel's calm, yet firm attitude. But her smile made Irina...annoyed. Even as Isabel's eyes gleamed, like she knew something that pleased her.

"I have news." She said, her smile widening. "I'm pregnant."

Irina stared at Isabel with pure shock. Isabel...pregnant? That couldn't be possible. But Isabel wasn't a joker.

"Wow." Irina managed.

Isabel looked scornfully at her. "Is that all you can say? My child is the future of the Lucian Leadership."

Irina's polite smile drained instantly. "Future of the Lucian Leadership?"

"Of course!" Isabel said. "Who else would it be?"

Me. Irina wanted to say, but she kept quiet. She didn't want to step into Isabel's ugly side anytime soon.

"How long until it is due?" She asked, clearing her throat.

"Six months."

"What will you name it?"

"Please don't ask me that."

Irina frowned. "A problem?"

"Yes there is a problemski. Vikram wants to name the baby an Indian name. Rajesh, if it's a boy. I can't stand for that. I would much rather prefer Victor or Ian."

Irina nodded slowly. "And what about the mission you call me here for?"

"Ah yes, the mission." Isabel said, her smile reforming on her face.

She reached underneath the desk and pulled out a folder with the Janus crest boldly displayed on the front. Isabel opened it and pulled out a sheet of paper, before placing it in front of Irina.

"This is the mission briefing. The Janus idiots have stolen one of our clues. A Lucian spy has reported that it has been stored at the stronghold in Venice. Your job is to find the clue and bring it back to me. However, I will not be overseeing your mission."

Irina frowned. "So why are you here in Russia?"

"I have an art dealership to do here. And I wanted to introduce you to someone."

Blast. Another thing Irina hated more than Isabel's smile was meeting new people. She didn't let that show however, even as Isabel picked up the telephone on her desk. "Yes...you can come in now."

Then the door clicked open behind them and Irina turned in her seat. There standing with a folder in her hands was the most beautiful woman Irina had ever seen. She wore a white blouse, which made her dark hair look dazzling. Irina instantly hated her.

Isabel rose from her seat. "This, is Natalyia. She will be overseeing the mission."

Natalyia smiled warmly at Irina. "A pleasure to meet you."

Irina smiled back, but the gesture was forced. She was taken aback by how Isabel stood up for Natalyia. She didn't stand for no one. And Natalyia was gorgeous, perhaps outweighing Isabel's beauty. And everyone admired Isabel's beauty. Irina couldn't relate with Natalyia at all.

"I'm Irina." She said to her. "Nice to meet you too."

That was a lie.

Isabel assembled her belongings and stepped out from behind her desk. "I'm sure you two will get nicely acquainted. I shall be expecting the clue in my hands by next week. Now I have a flight to St Petersburg to catch. Ta-ta."

With that, she left the room, leaving Irina and Natalyia alone in her office.

"Well." Natalyia chirped. "Let's make a start."