LPOV

You know how it goes, teenage girl starts dating a guy who seems really nice even though everyone hates him and then suddenly she runs away with him. Yeah this is one of those stories. Only mines a little more complicated.

My name is Lily Sage Ivashkov.

I'm a dhampir. A hybrid vampire-human whose main purpose in life is to protect the Moroi; the good vampires. But I'm not your average teenage, half vampire girl. I'm also a royal, magic using dhampir who can see the dead- well at least one dead guy.

I'm the only one of my kind. Sure there are plenty of royal dhampirs- at least in theory- but I'm the only dhampir in history that can wield magic.

My father is a royal Moroi, who is a spirit user. It's a rare element that seems to be the main reason why I'm a...let's just say freak. But not only is he royal, he's also the great nephew of the late queen Tatianna... so the fact he has a half breed daughter is taboo.

Then there's my mum, who is from a group of humans who know about vampires and spend their lives trying to keep humans unaware of both Moroi and Strigoi- I'll get to them in a moment. This group of people are called Alchemists. Oh and she's also a witch.

To say running away is a big deal, well that would be an understatement. But there's a good reason I swear.

While growing up my dad and our close family friends all agreed that my mum shouldn't know about my magic. Alchemists get a little freaked out and we weren't sure how she'd react to the news. But once I was finally allowed to go to school -at the age of sixteen might I add- my magic started causing problems.

It got to the point where I had to be trained by the spirit using teacher at my school, Sebastian Drozdov; who also happens to be a royal. But as time went on I started growing feelings for him... even though I was already dating someone.

One weekend my parents thought it would be fun to come visit me, and before I knew it the whole gang was back together, going shopping. I had finally forgiven my best friend, Andre Dragomir for nearly killing my boyfriend, Dylan South, and I was starting to get along with my ghost 'friend', Victor Dashkov.

But we were ambushed by Strigoi. Strigoi are the vampires you're probably more familiar with. They come out at night, can be killed with a stake and kill people... all the time. Only this is real life, and these monsters are worse than you could ever imagine. They're faster, stronger and sometimes smarter than a dhampir. They hunt Moroi for their blood because it tastes batter, and it's the dhampirs' job to keep them from getting what they want.

We were driving back to the school when suddenly Strigoi were everywhere. Of course we could do nothing except fight and protect. And in the heat of the moment my magic popped its little head up... and helped me kill the last of the Strigoi surrounding us... with my mum there...

After I was healed and back on my feet my parents told me I was going back to Court, where I would be safe and they could keep an eye on me...

I know they were only worried about me. I know they had my best interests at heart. But I was too angry to think rationally at the time. All I could think about was the fact that I was being taken away from my new friends, my boyfriend, and my teacher slash crush. I wasn't even sure my ghost would be able to get through the magic ward around Court.

But when Dylan suggested we run away, it was like all my problems were solved. So before I knew it, I had compelled our way out of school. Dylan hijacked a car, and we headed for Las Vegas.

I thought running away with Dylan was going to be a lot different then what the last two months had been like. At first it was pretty simple, we lived in the cheapest room in his cousin's hotel- you've probably heard of it, the Golden Nugget- working as security and keeping our heads low so no one would think twice about seeing us.

But now? Terrance, Dylan's cousin, upgraded our rooms to a suite each, and he had offered us new jobs. Dylan stuck with security but I jumped at the opportunity to work somewhere else. New dhampirs were coming in and I didn't want to risk getting caught.

I was now an assistant, mainly keeping Terrance's personal staff in order and making sure Terrance's life runs according to plan.

"So, what's happening today?" Terrance asked as he stood in front of a mirror while getting a suit fitted.

I looked at his planner, scanning his appointments and meetings, telling him what and when was on the list. "Oh, and the first new dhampir will be arriving this morning. You'll be meeting him at ten in the H2O Bar."

"Will you be accompanying us?"

I shook my head, closing his planner and placing it on the bench beside me. "I'll be preoccupied at the time, dealing with your maid service like you asked."

Terrance had found some of his belongs were going missing for a few months now and he had me interviewing all the people who had access to his room. As well as the interviews, he was getting a new personal guardian. I was responsible for keeping them in line.

"Yes, of course." he stepped away from the mirror, moving towards me. I could see the Moroi who had been fitting his suit obviously frustrated that he hadn't finished; but he knew better than to say something. "Well when you're done perhaps?"

Dylan and Terrance looked nothing a like really. Terrance was taller and slimmer though seeing as he's a Moroi that's expected. But he was more... sophisticated looking as well. His skin was like cream, smooth and white. His eyes a rich chocolate colour, and his hair was black and sleek. There was no wonder why he had woman falling all over him...

I nodded. "I should head off. Dylan wants to have breakfast together before his shift starts."

I never thought, especially after Sebastian had admitted his feelings, and that I would still be with Dylan. Yet I hadn't had the guts to break it off, and he was clueless as to my real feelings.

"Ah yes, my dear cousin. Will you both be going hunting again tonight?"

Hunting Strigoi was frowned upon, always had been. Moroi and dhampirs alike preferred it if we only killed Strigoi if they were endangering others. Going out of your way to find them and kill them was like setting up your own murder. Most dhampirs who tried, failed; and the ones that survived were extremely lucky or skilled.

When Dylan had explained everything to Terrance he had disagreed with the whole hunting thing. So for the first few weeks we were hotel bound, Terrance had eyes watching us twenty four seven. We couldn't even sneeze without him knowing.

But, with a little help of my compulsion, after gaining his trust he let us do whatever we wanted.

I nodded. "As far as I know. Though it depends on Dylan..." I gave him a knowing look.

He rolled his eyes and grinned. "You can't help me from trying." he shrugged. Lately Dylan had been getting longer hours, and it seemed he was almost always too tired to go hunting, and if he could it wouldn't be for long so we'd get nothing. "He's my cousin. I'd hate it if anything were to happen to him. Or you."

"I understand, but this is what we want to do. I know it sounds crazy that two kids want to go out there and hunt those things, but it's what makes us feel needed."

Terrance nodded. "Doesn't mean I have to like it..."

APOV

Two months. It's hard to believe that with all the resources we have, we stilled hadn't found Lily and Dylan. Mum had everyone worldwide on lookout for her, there was no Moroi or guardian that didn't know about the two missing persons.

But that meant nothing.

"A year." Rose repeated for the hundredth time today. "We were gone for a year Lissa. And that's with the last Dragomir princess."

"I know Rose." mum snapped, pacing the living room.

Since Lily and Dylan had disappeared I had convinced my parents to bring me back to Court every weekend. That way I could help them search.

We had Sonya, and Adrian trying to reach her through her dreams. We had Sydney trying to locate her through spells and magic. Dimitri was set up in the guardian headquarters doing surveillance checks all over the world daily. Rose and mum were reaching out to the community. And my Aunt Jill and Eddie were helping with whatever they could at the school, like informing all parents and guests.

"There has to be someone out there who has seen them." mum sighed, rubbing her forehead.

Rose nodded. "Yeah sure, I agree. But how do you know if it's Lily and Dylan everyone's seeing? I mean it's not easy, but Lily could always charm some silver and use it to hide their identities. You did it."

"But I had been practising for ages by then, and it was still hard. Do you really think she'd be able to do that by now?"

"Why not?" I asked, flicking through a book I was supposed to be reading for school. "You weren't there mum. You didn't see what she did to those Strigoi. If she can do that on the spot, why can't she use a little magic to charm a ring or two? And don't forget about her witchy powers too. We have no idea what she can do when it comes to that."

When I was finished I expected them to go back to talking, or at least say something. But we were left in silence that caused me to look up at the two of them. They just stood there looking at me as if I had said something alien to them

I rolled my eyes and continued. "So we have everyone looking for the wrong faces... we need spirit users. All they need to do is find a dhampir with a spirit aura."

Mums had slowly changed to a smile as she pulled me into her arms. "God, you're a genius Andre." she cheered.

LPOV

After dealing with Terrance's maids I realised I had a couple options. One, go and hang out in my room until Terrance sends for me. Or two, go to the H2O bar and get straight back to work... I chose number two. If I went to my room, I'd just end up being bored out of my mind. So I was left with the going down to the bar.

By the time I arrived at the bar it was almost ten thirty. Terrance and the dhampir would already be acquainted and almost done with the meeting. I was just about to turn around, feeling like it would be a waste to join them now, when Terrance spotted me.

"Tiana, come join us." he called.

Tiana was my secret identity name. It was short for Tatianna, my late great, great aunt- you know the queen that was killed. Terrance knew my real name, but according to everyone else I was Tiana Sage, and Dylan was Daniel James.

I smiled at him, making my way to their booth. I noticed that the dhampir was tall even though I could only see the back of his head and he was sitting. His hair was dark brown, wavy and soft; short and simple. I came around to stand by Terrance where I could get a better look at the dhampir and I swear I froze... he was so god damned handsome. Tanned skin, slight stubble and deep brown eyes.

"Tiana, this is Valentin Belikov. He'll be my new personal guard from now on." Terrance smiled. But I just stared in shock, unable to move.

"Did you say Belikov? As in Dimitri?"

Valentin nodded, smiling proudly. "You know my uncle?" he asked, his Russian accent so thick it was obvious he had only recently moved.

"Smile." my eyes quickly darted to the figure standing behind Valentin, Victor Dashkov my beloved dead friend... "He's a Belikov. He'll sniff out your lies if you're not careful enough. So smile, answer briefly and then excuse yourself and leave."

I nodded, smiling. Taking Victor's advice always seemed to work, and by now I was an expert at lying. "Who doesn't know the great Dimitri Belikov?" I shrugged. "Well if you could please excuse me. I should get back to work." I gave a quick nod, turning.

Terrance laughed. "Nonsense. Tiana, why don't you show Valentin around? The two of you will be working together a lot, so it'll be a great time to get to know each other." he stood, grabbing my hand. "I shall see you later this evening." he smiled kissing the back of my palm before walking off.

Looking at Valentin he gave me a questioning look. "Are you two a thing?"

I shook my head instantly. "I'm dating someone else. Terrance is just a gentleman." I shrugged.

He stood from his seat, towering over me. I could tell he would be around the same height as Dimitri, if only a little shorter. And he was built too, I couldn't see that while he was sitting down.

"Shall we?" he asked, grinning knowingly as I shook myself out of the daze from looking at him.

Clearing my throat I nodded. "Follow me."

So I'm back! Who do you think Valentin's mum is? I haven't made my mind up yet, so maybe you guys could help?

Anyway I hope you enjoyed, don't forget to review :):)

Love and miss you all xox

BaMbY