A/N Again thanks for your AMAZING reviews. And I am sorry for short chapters.

I've tried to make it up to you. There's a SURPRISE for you !

So what are you waiting for, start reading!

Chapter 4

I woke up next day with a blistering head ache.

I took an asprin and set out to do the daily chores. I dropped Taylor at school and called at my day job to inform them that I won't be able to come today. I had decided that if I wanted to know about my mysterious enemy, morning would be the best time to search alchemist records.

I drove to the headquarter. It was situated in the less populated area of the city , surrounded by closed warehouses. Showing my ID I entered the modern building. The walls were a light peach color and resembled the nearby buildings. It was nothing auspicious and appeared quite ordinary from outside. I was ushered in to a spacious basement which stored the alchemist records.

Various computers were lined in systematic rows. I sat on the last one.

I searched for the alert which was sent to me and found the message. It had been reported by a dhampir and it said nothing about the second strigoi.

Disappointed I sighed and was about to turn off the computer, when I saw a dialogue box asking a password for additional information. Additional information?

I typed my alchemist code but it rejected it.

Hmm. It seemed I required the password of a higher authority to access it. But why?

What did the alchemists want to hide about such a normal report?

I picked my bag and rushed to Stanton's office.

Stanton's secretary was a shrewd lady with sharp eyes which made you feel like she could look right through your soul.

"Can I see Donna Stanton? Its Sydney sage."

"Do you have an appointment?"

"No, but its quite important."

She rang Stanton and motioned for me to go in.

"Hello, Sydney, what brought you here?" Stanton asked

"Yesterday, I was given incomplete information regarding a case. You told me that there was one dead strigoi but I wasn't informed about the other living one."

"Ahh, yes, I read your report. I agree that it was grave mistake on part of our officials. We are very sorry. You need not worry about this in future. I promise you that it won't happen again."

I wanted to believe her, Oh I so wanted to believe her. But I couldn't. Something about the way she averted her eyes while talking to me, struck me very wrong.

The phone on her desk started ringing and she jumped. This was odd, alchemists,especially senior alchemists, were never startled.

"Hello. Donna Stanton here...Oh! I'll be there don't worry its all taken care of...hmmm... Yes, I will check right now ... just let me open the server."

This was my chance I realised, though I absolutely hated doing it.

Closing my eyes I uttered a spell and... found myself looking through Stanton's eyes. As she typed her password I memorised it and ended the spell.

"Thank you ." I said and left.

I almost ran through the corridor to the Record room. Once again taking my previous seat,I opened my file and entered Stanton's password. It worked!

But my elation only lasted for a second as I saw what was on the screen.

It was the image of the Strigoi choking me...followed by a shot of me throwing a fire ball at me.

As I scrolled down I saw numerous other pictures of me, some quite normal...the others not quite so.

They knew. The alchemists knew I was a witch!

But the question was, why had they kept quite this long?

I searched and found no pictures of Taylor. Thank God.

Now, the only question was that why had they kept quite this long and only now decided to kill me?

And what would they do to Taylor?

I needed to know their complete plan. And their was only one Moroi who could do this.

It seemed that the universe was playing a game with me. The man from whom I was hiding just yesterday, was the one I needed to see today. It would be quite hilarious if it wasn't so depressing.

Tonight I'm going to see Zmey.

I left the headquarters and went home to prepare for a scrying spell. I didn't know for sure if Abe was going to be at that club today. I was lucky that today was a full moon.

The door bell rang and I went to open the door. Who could it be at that time of the day?

My eyes went wide as I looked at who was standing at the door

Wearing his trademark grin and stylishly messy hair was none other than Adrian Ivashkov, with my daughter by his side.

I gaped at him like a fish out of water. My mouth closing and opening.

I blurted the first thing that came in my mind.

"How did you get her out of school?"

"We meet after five years and this is the first thing that you say, Sage? How do you think I got her out?" He wiggled his eyebrows at me.

"Ofcourse, compulsion." I muttered.

"Now would you invite me in, or do you want to talk standing at the door? Adrian said.

"Oh! You can come in daddy, I want to show you my room. I have so many pictures of you and mommy."

I numbly closed the door and turned around and suddenly Adrian's lips were on mine and it seemed like we were back in Palm Springs. Heat shot through me and I put my hands around his neck to pull him closer. Adrian wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me up and I was in ecstasy.

He pulled away suddenly.

He grinned at me but then his expression turned serious.

"Well, that was an amazing welcome Sage, but don't you have some explaining to do?"

And I didn't know if I should laugh or cry at seeing the love of my life after five years.

Then I remembered the contract with the alchemists and the color drained from my face.

A/N What have you got to say?