Hey everyone! Once again, thank you to all those who have reviewed my story so far! Your comments have been really useful and inspiring, so thank you :)
Anyway, I won't keep you waiting, so without further ado... here is the next chapter!

"LISS, I AM SO SORRY," I said to my best friend for the thousandth time that night. Lissa was in Christian's arms and she was heavily crying. Christian was trying to stay strong, but I knew that it was eating him up inside. "But I promise you, I will get her back. I'm leaving tonight to go track her down."

Lissa looked up from her knees and brushed away her tears.

"I don't blame you Rose. You were outnumbered and there was nothing you could have done." I sat on the couch and squeezed her hand comfortingly.

"But there's something I can do now. And I will get her back, no matter what." She gave me a small smile and a gentle hug.

"I know you will bring her back safely, I just wish that you would let me come."

"You know why I won't let you. If you come, then so will Christian, which means that I will have three Moroi to protect, and it will end in disaster."

And with Mason now on the loose, it wasn't going to be a fair fight.

Lissa sighed, but it was Christian who spoke.

"Why can't Dimitri go? Have you even told him that you're leaving tonight?" I groaned and got up from the couch.

"What are you Christian? My conscience? I've told him that I am leaving and that I'm going alone and he understands." It was all lies of course and they both knew it.

"That's a load of crap Rose and you know it," Christian said.

"So what if it is, it's none of your business."

"The hell it is, it's my kid that you're saving, and Dimitri being there doubles Ella's protection." I sighed and tried to calm myself down.

"Dimitri being there won't be beneficial Christian. It will put Ella in more danger."

"How would it put her in more danger? He's one of the best Guardian's around." Lissa asked joining in the conversation.

"Yes, he is. But it's not his skill that worries me, it's the fact that he might choose my safety over Ella's, and that I might do the same for him."

And the thing was, I knew that that was a definate possible as Carly sure had it in for me. But I sure wasn't planning on going down without a fight.

They both fell silent, not knowing what to say.

"I still think you should tell him that you're going," Lissa said after a few moments. I nodded, promising her and myself that when I went to collect my things from our room that I would tell him. I at least owed him that.

After hugs and goodbyes from all except Alaric- he had locked himself away in his room- I headed off down the corridor and towards my apartment. But before I could get there I ran into an old face.

"Hey little Dhampir."

"Hey Adrian, are you going to see Liss?" He nodded as he pushed back some of his messily styled hair.

"Yeah, Eddie told me what happened and I thought that I would go see her." I smiled, Adrian did have a good side to him and I was glad that he was letting it show more often. He had changed, and I was positive that it was because of Mia.

"How's Mia going?" It was a shock to us all when Mia and Adrian got married, but an even bigger shock when she fell pregnant. She was eight months in and Adrian didn't even seem nervous.

"Yeah, she's good. She's just at home sleeping."

"That's good to hear. Anyway, I got to go get my things. Tell Mia I said hi." Adrian seemed a bit surprised at my words.

"You're leaving tonight? But you only just got out of hospital a couple of hours ago, don't you need to rest?" I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

"I'm fine, besides I need to find Ella. I'll rest when she's safe and back at home," I said irritably.

"Ok, ok. Sorry for asking," he said holding up his hands in defence.

"Sorry, it's just I hate how people keep fusing over me when there's a little girl out there scared out of her mind. I know there's a whole army of Guardians out there looking, but I know that they won't be able to find her." I looked up to see Adrian's warm eyes on me and felt instantly soothed.

"You'll find her Rose. Just be careful." I nodded and gave him a quick hug goodbye.

"Thanks. See you around." I began to walk away, but Adrian held me back. "Wait, let me heal your wrist before you go." He placed his fingers delicately against my tanned skin and closed his eyes. It was over in a matter of seconds. I rolled my wrist and smiled.

"Good as new, thanks. I was going to ask Lissa to heal it, but I couldn't bear asking her for a favour after I had lost Ella."

I sighed, letting my smile drop.

"Hey, chin up Rose. You'll find her. Just try not to break any more bones in the mean time... well at least not your own that is..." My smiled returned as he laid a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Now get going little Dhampir."

I obeyed and left him to head back to my room, hoping for once in my life that he was right, and that I would find her.

When I entered the apartment, I expected to see Dimitri waiting for me at the table or lying on the couch, but instead he was nowhere to be found.

Looks like he was going to get the news in a hand written note. I sighed, deep down, I knew this was for the best, but I would have liked to have held Dimitri just once before I left.

I was packed in a matter of minutes and at my SUV even faster. I climbed into the van and chucked my bag into the back. I headed for the main gate as that was the quickest way out of here and the easiest way to get back to the beach. I was going to try and retrace my steps and see if I could find Carly's trail.

I reached the gates and the man on duty smiled in recognition and then proceeded to let me through. It was all too easy, I couldn't believe Dimitri hadn't seen this coming. But, unfortunately I was wrong. He had seen this coming because as I exited the gate, he was there. Standing casually in the drive, blocking me from the road. I sighed and leaned out the already open window and asked the obvious.

"Are you going to move?" And of course he shook his head. "Please?"

"Nope, you'll have to let me come or run me down." I groaned and felt the sudden urge to hit the accelerator. But he knew me to well and had me at a stale mate.

"Fine, hurry up and get in then."

"That was easier than I expected," Dimitri said as he slid into the van.

"That's because I haven't told you my condition that you have to promise to follow if you want to come."

He tensed, looking worried now.

"What is it?" I turned towards him in my seat and placed my hands over his own.

"You have to look me in the eyes and promise me that no matter what happens, Ella comes first. I don't care if I am in mortal danger, if it comes down to me and Ella, you pick Ella." I knew this was hard for him to agree to, but after a few moments and a few arguments, he finally agreed.

"I promise." I could tell by his eyes that it hurt him to make such a deal, but he knew that I was right. They come first...

I leaned forward and pressed my lips gently to his. Our lips parted and I forgot everything but the feeling of his hands running through my hair and his intoxicating breath tickling my skin.

"Thank you," I whispered when we broke for air. He nodded, but didn't say anything else except for, "Can I drive?"

And of course the answer was no.


That's the end of chapter four!
Next chapter will be up soon...
Please R&R and share your theories. I've already been getting some interesting ones, so let's see if anyone can figure out this riddle?
I'll announce and congradulate the person who comes closest to or completely figures out the truth about how Mason's back when the chapter that reveals the truth is posted :)
So, start thinking... :D


Chapter Four