Set in between Frostbite and Shadow Kissed. I've edited a bit of the story (don't kill me) and I read the books awhile ago so I can't remember every detail. If I've spelt names wrong or stuffed up some important information, please let me know. Reviews welcome. This is my first fanfic so constructive criticism welcome but ah don't be too hard on me please. Some of the main Characters are mentioned.

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Saint Vladimir's Academy

Arianna Dashkov looked around the Academy and sighed. The academy was still as breathtakingly beautiful as she remembered. It had been along time since she'd been here, ten years to be precise. No-one would remember her. When she had left the Academy the gap it left in her was part of what lead her into a deeper pit of despair. The connection she had felt to the elements that surrounded her and the academy was immense; and devastating when the connection was broken. It had been her home for 6 months. Its loss had taken her 12 months to get over.

The wind rustled the trees and blew her blonde hair across her shoulder. The Elements played wildly around St. Vladimir's, she could feel them move and play with one another, as boisterous as young children. Sometimes the elements gained energy around protective circles and places where the 4 of the elements have been invoked. Ari rolled her head, cracking her neck, breathing in the fresh, almost unpolluted air. Whilst the area was silent from city noise of thousands of cars and mobile phones constantly ringing, noise was still apparent as the birds whistled and squirrels chattered in the trees.

Arianna looked around once more at the magnificent scenery before she got back in the limo. The car started up the final meters of the driveway. It was time to see what the soon-to-be guardians were made of.

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The oldest guardians in training were, well a miserable lot. The Juniors and Seniors of St Vladimir's Academy were assembled in front of her. The Moroi, living vampires gifted with magic, sat at the back and the Dhampirs, half-human half-Moroi, at the front. The Prinicpal, Mrs Kirova, was making a speech about "honor and appreciation," about "what great opportunity" was coming in their way, well for the Dhampirs anyway. Frankly Arianna had no idea why the Moroi were in attendance. She was sitting behind and slightly to the left of the principal. It was taking all her self control not to fall asleep or start picking at nails that desperately needed a new coat of tidal wave blue paint, or maybe crimson red.

"…..Now I'd like to welcome Arianna Dashkov to talk to you about the opportunity about to fall into your laps." Ms Kirova clapped her hands as Arianna looked up a bit startled. This certainly wasn't planned.

Arianna walked up to the podium, pulling down her blue singlet top. Arianna was a singer, that's how she made a few bucks on the side of her family's allowance. Of course she was only a small time singer, playing wherever she could get a few nights of work. The royal families wouldn't like it if she became to well known. Differences in habits and her particular sustenance may be noticed if Ari was watched closely by the paparazzi, putting the existence of her race, and their cousins, in danger. She had a small following of stalkers and fans, and it was times like these she was grateful for the experience she had on the stage. Overcoming stage-fright is a necessary step on the road to being a successful performer.

Arianna looked out over the students. "Hi all. So, I'm Arianna Dashkov, I can see a few cousins up the back, and I'm currently touring around the States, Canada and then heading to Europe. I'll cut to the chase to make sure your all still listening to hear what's on offer, I'm offering 3 dhampirs a chance to test out their guardian skills." A few of the heads that had been looking at the ground were now focused on her. Ari leaned on the podium and continued, "Most guardians already have a placing or are retired, and since I didn't want to pull anyone off their post, your fair and hospitable Principal," she flashed a grateful (and completely fake) smile at the Principal, "has agreed to allow 3 of the best dhampirs of this fine academy, to be my Guardians. We are both well aware you won't have graduated however you will be filled in with any extra information in the next 2 weeks and then travel with me for an undetermined amount of months. Of course you'll be given a chance to sign up if you think your up for the task, a few of you may be asked to show an interest, then over the next few days you'll be watched and the dhampirs, whose education to be fast tracked, will be chosen."

Arianna stepped back from the podium and waved a hand to Principal Kirova, who stepped up to the podium to start another speech. After a few minutes Arianna tuned out, whilst she may be an adult at the age of 20 but she was still young enough to zone out during speeches that carried on into a language made to put people to sleep.

Ari decided to look over the students. A few of the kids in the front row seemed to eager and a bit weedy to be any good. A couple of moroi kids in the back row, however, as a contrast, seemed about ready to make out. The Dhampirs in the middle looked well built with keen eyes, quite a few good contenders.

As Kirova finished her second speech and the students stood to leave, Arianna approached the podium again. Kirova turned and gave her a small smile.

"The students will return to their classes now. If you would like you can settle down in the visitors quarters or feel free to personally inspect the classes and look for your guardians." They started walking to through the buildings to the guardian classes.

"I must say," Kirova started talking again, (did the woman ever stop?) "I am rather surprised you choose our school to pick your…"

"Ah well," Arianna interrupted, "isn't guardian Belikov now among your teaching staff? He is one of the finest guardians around at the moment, he should be creating many young guardian stars."

Kirova pursed her lips and quietly replied, "yes well…"

Arianna raised her eyebrows. 'Maybe he's not all he's cracked up to be,' she thought.