I'm sooo sorry I didn't upload! Some things came up...; ahem Please forgive me! Posting four chappies!

MCrystal, I had to laugh at your comment! But, I am warning you that things get worse, and then they get better, and then they get much worse, and then they get okay, and then they get really bad, and then they get really good, and then they get not so good, and then things get REALLY REALLY REALLY bad (at the end of the next book), and then...Hmm...haven't thought that far yet. ;) So I don't know how this is going to end.

Lavenderpaw: I tried to check out your story, but I couldn't find it. I guess they hadn't updated yet or something. I will get to yours, promise. If I don't, remind me in another e-mail. Thanx for reading:hug:

8 8 8 8 8

"I am leaving for the day, Daniel," Vlad said from the doorway. Danny tried to supress a smile. The longer he stayed at this house, the more vile he felt...like the very air he breathed tainted him. Maybe withthe initiator of the "vileness",the feeilng might start to fade as well. "It's a business responsability," The older man continued, "but I will return before nightfall so we can resume your training." And with that he walked out the front door. Danny just leaned by and watched him leave. He felt more alone than ever after Alesha's visit last night. He'd slept beneath the bed again, wishing that he could just leave this castle and go home, although he didn't know if he could call anywhere home now. He was more determined than ever to find a way to leave, now.

He waited in the lobby for several seconds, for what he didn't know. He simply didn't feel like leaving...almost as if he were waiting for Vlad to return, and say he was only testing him...

For the first time since he had arrived, Danny did not want to go to the gym and work out. He wasn't sure what he wanted to do, so he wandered around the castle, half hoping to run into Alesha. Although he passed several invisible ghosts doing various things, he wasn't in Ghost mode, and no one stopped him.

After an hour of wandering around, he finally decided that being a Ghost in this particular castle was far better than wandering as a human, and he transformed. Going invisible, he could now see everyone invisible around him, but he still wasn't able to find Alesha, and returned to the Lobby, where he overheard and saw something unusual.

"...sorry, but he isn't here. And even if he were, you wouldn't be able to see him without an appointment." An elderly ghost was saying into the com system that was hooked up to the front gate.

"We just want to ask him something!" the familiar voice, even over the intercom froze him where he floated.

"I'm sorry but..."

"Let them in," Danny said. The ghost turned to him.

"But, young sir, I..."

"Let them in," Danny repeted, his voice dangerous now. The ghost, seeing the look in his eyes shrugged.

"Very well, you will be allowed in," he said and turned off the com. "I do not think that Master Plasmius will be happy with this."

"I'll answer to it," Danny said. "Please take them into the Library," Danny quickly turned back into his human form. "And if there are any ghosts around to eavesdrop, I will know," He warned before shutting the door. The ghost gentleman became visible, and walked up to the door muttering under his breath.

8 8 8 8 8

"I still think we should have waited for Jazz," Tucker said as they walked down the long driveway towards the mansion.

"She had to take care of her missing luggage," Sam said, "And besides, she just tagged along." Tucker let the matter drop, but Sam's head buzzed with guilt. So she was hurt that Danny had left like that, but that didn't mean she had to get on Tucker's case too. She'd have to make it up to him later. Her actual reason, and she knew it, was that she wanted to confront Danny without Jazz being there. She wanted to see what had happened. The police had assumed he'd run away when Tucker had come forward with the note. It had been slipped under his door, but had slid under the couch, and they hadn't found it until at least a week later. She didn't really know why, but she had to do this as a friend...as Danny's friend, with no ties. She had to know if SHE could get him back...

She shook the thought from her mind. "No," she mumbled to herself, stepping beside Tucker onto the porch.

"What?" Tucker asked just before the door opened.

"Later," Sam hissed. The butler gestured for them to enter the Enterance Hall, and closed the door behind them.

"If you will follow me please," he bowed to them, and begand walking down the hall. Sam and Tucker exchanged glances before following.

"He glows like Danny does," Tucker whispered to her. Sam nodded, noting it, and motioned for him to be quiet. The butler stopped at two large doors, and bowed, waiting for them to enter. They did so, and he closed the doors. They both stared at the figure leaning against a high-backed chair, centered in the large library, and they both breathed the same name.

"Danny!"