Disclaimer: I Don't Own Vampire Academy

Adrian carefully opened the door as Dimitri and two of the Alchemists waited on the other side. Adrian tried to hide his fear of impending doom, not for himself but for someone he cared about. He really would do anything to get out of working with Dimitri, the perfect guardian, this man who had ruined everything, who had stolen his girl. He already gave Sydney his word that he'd work with the Alchemists and try to find out more about Spirit. So he'd continue to work with Dimitri since he was cured from being Strigoi by Lissa, a Spirit user. He wanted to know more about the mysteries of his magic as well, but it took a lot for him to even look at Dimitri, let alone work with him. But now, now Sage was in danger. If the Alchemists found out Sydney was here this early Sydney would most likely be severely punished or at least closely looked at which could lead them finding out about her ability to use magic. But nothing like the small Alchemist magic but magic that was closer to vampire magic that they feared and loathed. Sydney just spent the whole night describing how scared she was that someone would find out. She expressed her fear that they would send her to be re-educated and she would come back as a ghost of herself. Adrian couldn't stand even the thought of Sage not being herself.

"Come in." Adrian said to Dimitri and the two Alchemists.

They walked in. The two Alchemists walked in carefully and kept their distance practically sending him signals we'll work with you but we're still afraid of you, you loathsome unnatural vampire.

Adrian tried to act like his usual self so no one would be suspicious, especially Dimitri, but it was difficult with Sage counting on him. If he messed up it could really be over for Sydney.

"Welcome to the unnatural vampires humble abode. Let the experiment begin."

Dimitri gave Adrian those holier than thou disapproving eyes. Adrian didn't know how much of Dimitri he could take but he promised Sage. Sage… she was in his room waiting for them to leave. This wasn't going to work her just waiting hoping no one would find her.

"Actually, I had a rough night; I'm not feeling that well, maybe you can come back later this afternoon."

An Alchemist spoke looking a bit afraid, "We can't keep rescheduling on your whim."

Then he noticed Dimitri's demeanor changed and then he said, "What was that?"

"What?" One of the Alchemists asked.

"I thought I heard something."

Adrian looked at Dimitri with fearful pleading eyes. He tried to signal him with his expression to stop whatever he was doing. He hated the guy and he knew that Dimitri didn't exactly have warm and fuzzies for him. He hoped that he would put that aside and be the ridiculously noble guy that Rose claimed him to be.

"What? What did you hear?" The Alchemist asked scared out of his mind.

"Oh, nothing it must have been my imagination. You know it is oftly early, the young Adrian here said he wasn't feeling well. We could reschedule for later in the day unless that sets you back."

"No, no we can manage that." The other alchemist said and then he turned back to Adrian, "But vampire, we won't reschedule for you again, so be ready."

Then the two Alchemists left and Dimitri stayed behind.

Adrian could finally allow himself to breath.

He said something he never thought he would say to Dimitri, "Thanks, man."

"No problem."

Then Sydney emerged out of Adrian's bedroom.

"Thank you; you don't even know what you just did. What you just prevented."

"I have a pretty good idea."

Sydney looked down ashamed. She knew what this looked like. She wasn't the closest with him but she knew him and spent time with him helping him on the run once and she respected him and he had respected her as well. She didn't like the thought of him losing respect for her or thinking less of her.

"Well, we better get going."

"Yes, but you should at least wait ten to fifteen minutes so thee Alchemists don't see you."

"Good idea." Sydney said.

"Oh yeah, brilliant. I could have told you that Sage." Adrian said not really hiding his jealousy.

That made Sydney smile a little.

Then Dimitri said, "Oh and Sydney, the Alchemists were discussing when they should take your blood so they can figure out a way to…"

Sydney's face went pale and she froze.

"What?" Dimitri asked confused.

"I can't do that."

"You didn't protest before."

"Things change."

He looked at Sydney and then back at Adrian and then back at Sydney again.

"Look you don't want to refuse them. That will only make them suspicious."

Sydney started shaking her head, her head spinning with pure dread of them finding their blood and ever finding out that there was something wrong with her.

"Look, there are ways to hide it so they can take your blood without suspicion."

"Hide what? What are you talking about?"

"The vampires bite."

"They already know that I have a Strogoi bite."

"I wasn't talking about a Strogoi bite. I was talking about a Moroi bite."

"Why would I have a Moroi bite?" Sydney asked and then she looked at the extremely awkward looks on Demitri and Adrian faces.

"Wait. You think that I let…."

"It's nothing to be ashamed of Sydney. I am not here to judge you."

Sydney laughed sarcastically, "Yeah." Sydney felt mortified.

"Well, this has been fun, but I think it's time for you to leave." Adrian said as he opened the door, motioning for Dimitri to leave.

"What is going on here?"

"None of your business." Adrian said.

"Look, I just want to help. Sydney, you helped me in a big way before and I just want to return the favor. "

"You did. You made sure Alchemists didn't catch me here this early in the morning and I'm grateful."

"What about your blood being tested? Why does that freak you out so much?" Dimitri asked.

Then Adrian chimed in and said, "That is none of your business. Now it's time to leave now."

Then Adrian slammed the door on Dimitri's face.

Sydney turned to Adrian and said, "Wow, that was mature."

"Would you rather have told him the truth?" Adrian asked.

"No."

"I figured you didn't, so that seemed like the best thing to do; besides I always wanted to do that."

"I know."

Then a knock came at the door.

Adrian asked, "Who is it?"

"It's Dimitri, let me in."

"I don't think so."

"The Alchemists are still here. So let me in."

Adrian was about to protest some more but then Sydney opened the door.

"Thanks for the heads up, but like you said I'll wait fifteen min…"

"No, they're on their way up. They saw your car."

"Oh my gosh, I forgot about my car. How could I forget about such an important detail?"

"You were distracted."

Sydney looked up at Adrian wondering if Dimitri was right.

Sydney had to think.

"Dimitri you have to stall them so I can form so kind of plan."

Dimitri was about to say something but was interrupted by Adrian who said, "Too late. They're coming."

All breath escaped from Sydney's body as pure panic reached her. This was it; this was the moment everything would be over.

Then they knocked on the door and Adrian whispered in her ear, "If you run, they'll know something is up. Just act natural and follow my lead. Trust me."

Adrian opened the door. "Back so soon."

"Miss Sage, we didn't realize you were here." The less timid Alchemist said.

"She just arrived." Adrian lied smoothly.

"Really?" The Alchemist asked skeptically.

"Why yes, I did call her earlier and ask her to come but …" Dimitri began to say.

"It looks I arrived too late. I'll come back later." Sydney chimed in, trying to act natural.

"Of course." The Alchemist said and then continued, "Sydney?"

"Yes?"

"When you come back, be ready for your blood test. The sooner we discover all of these mysteries about Spirit the sooner we won't have to work so closely with these vampires."

"Of course, I'll be ready. I'll see you then."

"We'll see you all this afternoon at two o'clock." Then the two Alchemists left.

Sydney stared back at them, letting herself freak out once more.

"I… I have to leave." Sydney said as a matter of fact.

"No, you don't."

"What are you talking about? Once they take my blood it's over for me. I'm done."

"No, you are not done, OK. I will take care of it. Trust me. I will not let anything happen to you."

Adrian said looking into her eyes completely and utterly sincere and in that moment she believed him. She didn't know why she believed him. She could not put her finger why she believed that miraculously it would be okay, but she believed him. He looked like a man with a plan.

A/N: Thanks for the reviews and the alerts. Hope you like this let me know.