Sharmeen: Salix is the bad guy…he killed Dahlia's parents…her soul mate… and anyone else she ever knew, basically he is an evil vampire.

Okay wow I'm updating fast…here's the newest chapter. Enjoy!

Thierry was pacing in his front hall. Mary-Lynette was really worried. If Salix had killed Ash it would be public knowledge by now and this gave Thierry hope.

'Hey guys,' called Ash as he strolled in through the main entrance, 'did ya miss me?'

'Ash,' a strangled voice called from behind him. Ash turned to find himself attacked by Mare.

'Where the hell have you been?' Mary Lynette continued her assault on Ash punching him repeatedly in the chest.

'Hey hey, it's okay I'm back,' Ash attempted to placate Mary Lynette, and then was suddenly taken by surprise as she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him thoroughly.

Thierry calmed himself mentally, Ash was okay, but how did he do it?

Ash pried himself off Mary Lynette long enough to fill Thierry in. When he was finished Thierry breathed deeply. This mysterious woman who didn't look the same twice sounded dangerous. Ash seemed to think that she might join their side though,

'I mean it guys, if we can get her on our side, we'll have a much better chance against the council. You should have seen Salix's face guys, it was priceless.'

Thierry frowned in thought. This was an interesting turn of events. Lady Hannah opened the door and came inside. 'Ash you're okay! You have as many lives as a cat!'

Thierry's mind was taken off of the weird woman who had saved Ash's life momentarily and focussed on his reason for living, Hannah. He forgot about Salix and yielded to his soul mate.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Dahlia found herself intrigued by the concept of Daybreak. When she had been confronted by the reality of killing Salix herself she found that it was not quite as glorious as she had first anticipated. The pacifying teachings of the druid lore had affected her need for revenge; she no longer was driven by the need to kill Salix, though he often dominated her thoughts. She wanted him to suffer for what he had done but she could not kill him. That would go against all she believed in. Dahlia was at a loss. Walking into her office she contemplated going over parts of the ancient scrolls she had missed. Then she had a better idea. Sitting at her computer Dahlia started to hack into the Internet. All her knowledge of the ICT world came from a contact of hers. One of the few outside people she trusted. He was a human researcher. He came across night world but she managed to tell him to keep it quiet. Reagan Wilde was a computer hacker. Reagan helped her to get materials such as food, training weapons and even a gun. He was one of the best and had taught her everything he knew. As a result she could slice through most of the world's toughest security systems. Most had loops, and Circle Daybreak was one in that category. Dahlia hacked into the private files of each existing Daybreak member, undercover, covert and open. She downloaded the files onto her own disc before copying it onto her database.

This would make for some interesting reading, she thought to herself. Dahlia exited Daybreak files and instead started to surf the council's files. She usually didn't find much. The council preferred to document their information on paper rather than enter the 22nd century. This time however she found something new. Personal Memoirs…sounds interesting Dahlia tried to enter the file, but there was a code. She tried to bypass but found it blocked.

Eventually about an hour of hacking she managed to make it through his defences, and what she found was very useful…

This woman is unlike anyone I have ever met. She is the perfect candidate for the venture. She will however be hard to convert; she is a druid, which would pose a problem. If she is fully trained we have no idea what she may do, or what she is able to do. I had thought my people could be trusted to deal with the druids, but I was obviously wrong. I find myself strangely drawn to this woman; she makes me feel…human, if that is possible.

Entry Salix Hedera, Heir to Hunter Redfern.

Dahlia finished his entry amazed. She had no idea of her effect on Salix; he seemed so cold when they met. She curled her lip in an uncharacteristic show of emotion; perhaps she could use this to her advantage. First she must turn her thoughts to Circle Daybreak. If what Ash had said were true, they would probably welcome her skills.

She would have to check them out first though. She opened her email and found Reagan's address, she would need his help.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A short girl the exact image of Poppy North appeared at the door to Thierry's mansion and Circle Daybreak headquarters. It had taken Dahlia an hour in the mirror to perfect her image to the photo likeness from Daybreak's database. She looked like Poppy's clone.

A man in a dark suit opened the door; Poppy smiled and greeted him as Ben, one of Thierry's bodyguards. He smiled and let her in. Dahlia now knew each of the Daybreak members by name and face.

Poppy entered the lavishly furnished mansion; the main hall was in itself elegant and tasteful. Dahlia had memorised the layout of the house and headed for an office room. It was where members of Night world were interviewed if they were held prisoner or such like. Dahlia chose this room because it had a hidden camera and bug.

On the way down the corridor she met a tall red haired girl, the same girl she had seen at Salix's club two years ago. She never forgot a face, otherwise known as Jezebel Redfern, one of the wild powers who did not die. Iliana and the twilight witch Theyssia had both died, but Jez and Delos still lived. Dahlia greeted her with a customary chirpy Poppy smile, which was returned by Jez who stopped her to ask when Morgead was. Poppy did her best imitation of ignorance and sympathy saying, 'No I haven't seen him. Sorry,' and Jez moved on. Dahlia wondered why she couldn't call him telepathically. She sidestepped into the office she was looking for, and shut the door. Throwing off her Poppy disguise she assumed dark straight auburn hair, which fell to her shoulders. Her figure became sinewy and lean, always ready and alert for an attack. She grew in height and her featured became more defined. Dahlia made sure that all this was captured on the camera positioned in the corner of the room.

Then she began to pace.

'Circle Daybreak is not as elusive as I would expect. Your security is somewhat lax, as I have just proven. You probably wonder why I am talking to myself in an empty room don't you? But I'm not talking to myself am I? I'm talking to you'.

She bent down to the bug hidden in a pot plant, squatting down to it's level so they would not miss anything she said.

'You don't recognise me do you? Perhaps as you have never seen me before. Even now you are not seeing me. Maybe you never will,' Dahlia paused then continued, 'I want to make one thing clear here. I am here voluntarily. Not because I have to be. I have chosen you. You are the only people who I believe can learn. Night world would not accept me. Before I talk to you face to face you must understand this. You may not understand now, but in time you will learn that not everything is what it seems.

I will be in touch, and we will meet. Say hi to Ash for me. With that Dahlia got up and turned as the door opened.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Jez continued down the corridor to one of Thierry's living rooms to find…Poppy and James talking to Morgead, Mare was sitting on the window seat. Jez opened her mouth in shock. Morgead stopped mid conversation feeling her distress.

'What is it?' he asked

'Poppy,' Jez started urgently, 'If you're here, who did I just talk to out there?'

Mare looked up, 'it's that woman!' and with those words she jumped up.

'Where did she go Jez?' Jez led the way followed by Mare and Morgead.

Opening the door to the room, they came face to face with Dahlia. Mare started forward, 'I want to thank you for saving Ash.' Dahlia stood still, she remained silent. Mare frowned slightly, but before she could say anything more, Dahlia flicked her hands and the window swung open. Dahlia bowed minutely to the group of three, turned and transformed into an eagle. Letting out an eagle call, she flapped out of the window and into the sky.

The three left in the room stood stunned. Mare stammered, 'Did you just–'

'Yeah,' Poppy interrupted stepping through the threshold, 'She must be really powerful. The only other person I've known to transform was Maya, and she was the first vampire.'

'We'd better tell Thierry,' Jez suggested.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Dahlia landed on a tall building in the middle of the city. She perched on the edge for a moment. Then, opening her wings, she took flight, her feathers trapping the air as she rode the thermals. I'll have to pay them another visit soon. First I need to meet Reagan.

She landed down in an alleyway before changing into a tall plain woman of around 25. Dahlia picked up a stick of wood and transformed them into glasses, which she perched on the edge of her nose. Waving a hand over her clothing, her jumpsuit became a black business outfit. She made her sneakers take the impression of high heels. Dahlia moved around the corner of the alleyway and looked into the reflective glass of a shop window. She looked at her face and focussed on putting pale pink lipstick on her unadorned lips, added with blusher on her face. Checking her image one last time she saw a prim, neat businesswoman, not unduly pretty or interesting, but plain and formal. She strode across the street in a purposeful manner and entered the building opposite. She met Reagan in a café on the ground floor.

'It's about time,' he growled rising from his seat as she approached, 'I took the liberty of ordering you a coffee but it's cold now.'

Dahlia smiled blandly and replied, 'You know I don't drink coffee Wilde,' she sat in the seat opposite him.

'Okay so what did you call me to meet you for?'

'I need you to get me into the night world club.'

Reagan grimaced, 'And what makes you want to go and do a stupid thing like that?'

'I need to be a respectable member of the Night world community, and since they have a record of every one every made, I need to be included on that list, several times, as several different persons.'

'You didn't answer my question,' he answered testily.

'Why doesn't matter, do you need a reason?'

'Yes, I'd like a reason to send you to your death.'

Dahlia sighed, 'Again you underestimate me, I have a measure of my opponent. If I know the enemy, and I know myself, I need not fear a hundred battles.'

'Sun Tzu,' Reagan recognised the quote, 'Yeah but that isn't going to help you when you meet the big shots. They may have you down on paper but the bigwigs always know who's in power and who's faking. If they don't know you, you are in trouble.'

Dahlia pursed her lips, 'Let me worry about that. All I need you to do is make me a certified member. Make sure that they can't trace it.'

Reagan scoffed, 'what do you take me for? And amateur? Just be careful okay?'

Dahlia nodded curtly and walked quickly out of the café and the building. Reagan's eyes followed her until she was out of sight.

*~*~*~*~*

ooooh things getting interesting. What is Dahlia planning??? Will she join Circle Daybreak???? Do Reagan and Salix have feelings for Dahlia???? Find out in the next episode of Fallen Star. Chapter 21 is coming soon.