Blood Ward

Chapter 5

That night after Stefan fell intoan ale fogged sleep, I got out of bed and quietly slipped out of ourroom making my way downstairs carrying my boots. "Can't sleep mydear?" The innkeeper smiled at me.

"I slept all day." Ishrugged. "I think I'll go for a walk."

"Steer clear of the woods. Theyain't safe," she warned.

"Thank you, I will," I saidknowing the woods were my first stop.

I crept through the village,towards the wooded area nearby. Glancing around, I made sure I wasalone, and then I slipped into the woods. I walked for a bit, gettingmy bearings and just as I was going to venture further, a mangy,hungry looking dog slunk out from behind a tree and whined at me.

I knelt, smiling at the dog andfished in the small pouch on my belt for the dried beef I had for asnack. "You hungry boy?" I asked holding a strip out toward him.He approached slowly, wary of me. He snapped the first piece awayfrom me, but as I fed him more, he got closer and more trusting untilhis nose rested on my knee. I reached out slowly and started pettinghim and scratching between his ears.

Suddenly, his head shot up and hestarted growling towards the woods. I jumped to my feet and drew myweapons. Scanning the darkness, I could see nothing, but my newfriend was standing, hackles raised and growling.

"What is it, boy?" I askedand no sooner were the words out of my mouth that I was hit hard frommy left, knocking the sword out of my hand. The impact winded me andI heard the dog snarling angrily. I had an instant to see a manpinning me to the ground then a sharp pain hit my neck, followed byan unbelievable euphoria. I was wrenched back to myself by the soundof shuffling leaves, a yelp, a cry of pain then someone running offincredibly fast.

Next thing I knew, the dog hadcome over and was licking my neck where the pain had been. I couldfeel a warm sticky substance covering my skin, and then I blackedout.

There was a cave cut into asmall hillside. I was bleeding. Stupid animal attacked and ruined mydinner. The woman. She was no normal human. Her blood tasteddifferent... better. I didn't kill her, but I felt rejuvenated. Solittle of her blood gave me energy. I was losing blood quickly. Ipacked my wound and shut down to heal.

I gasped a breath of air and shotup. Reaching for my weapon, I realized that somehow I'd had achange of scenery. I was no longer in the woods, but back in the roomat the inn. "Ana," Stefan's familiar voice was filled withworry. He rushed to my side. My body felt weak and my neck ached.

"What happened?" I askedslowly pulling my addled brain together. I noticed a headachebuilding behind my eyes.

"I should ask you." Stefan'svoice was now angry. "You could have been killed, Ana. Why wouldyou do something so rash?"

"The drunk was right," I saidthoughtfully, ignoring Stefan's question. Whatever attacked me wasno animal, but nor was it human.

"What?" he asked, stillangry.

"The drunk in the tavern... Hewas right. The killer, it's a man... or it looks like one," myneck twinged. "He bit me, and then Beast attacked him." Iindicated the dog, deciding on a name. "He's hurt Stefan... bad."

I stood, throwing the blanketsoff me and heading for my cloak. I needed to help him. I was drawn tohim. I couldn't say why, but something was pulling my body,controlling my actions. "Ana, no man made those marks on your neck.You need rest." Beast bumped his head under my hand and I absentlyscratched between his ears.

I stepped over to the vanity andglanced in the mirror. Beast whined in agreement with Stefan. Ilooked awful. My skin was pale and I had dark shadows under my eyes.The white bandage on my neck obscured my view so I reached up andripped it off. Underneath, there were two perfect circles that dugdeep into my skin. Stefan was right. No way had a man made thosemarks with his teeth. "Fine," I said. "Stefan, take Beast toget him some food." I made my way back to the bed.

Stefan tucked me back in and witha gentle kiss on my cheek he said, "As you wish, my lady."

When I could no longer hearBeast's nails clicking against the wood floor, I flung the blanketsoff and stood. Gathering medical supplies and my cloak, I slipped outof the room, checking the hall for Stefan. The coast was clear, so Ihurried downstairs to the inn keeper. "I've got a question, goodlady." I said after getting her attention. "In the woods, isthere a hillside with a cave carved into it near the river?"

She thought for a moment thenspoke. "Why yes, I believe there is. Go south towards the river.When you reach the bank, turn east for a mile, cross the river, whichis more of a stream by then, and you'll see an alcove of trees. Inthe center is your cave."

"Thank you." I smiled andheaded out, following her directions. My head pounded in time with myfootsteps, and I tried to ignore the sun blazing in the sky. The walkdid not take long and shortly, I was standing in front of the cave.He knew I was there and he was pleased. I could sense his distress,so I stepped quickly inside, adjusting my eyes to the darkness of thecave. I smelled a fire burning deeper in so I pushed on. Comingaround a curve, I spotted the fire and him. He was curled in thefetal position, shaking. The sight of him chased my headache away."There you are." I sighed, going to him. He sat up warily and Iwas just as on alert. No matter what I felt, he still was the onewho'd attacked me. "I've come to help. Those wounds will festerif you don't wash them properly." I knelt beside him. Beast hadbitten his arm and shoulder. "Remove your shirt. I have bandagesand a healing salve." He obeyed. When I turned my head to empty themedical supplies, he reached out and touched my chin, turning my headfurther to look at my wounds. I saw him run his tongue over histeeth. "You did that," I said. He released me, turning so hiswounds were facing me. I gently started working on cleaning him upand bandaging the wounds. "You're not human, though I do not knowwhat you are. I saw how fast you are. Impressive to have taken medown so easily. I would like to know how. Your wounds seem to healquickly too..." I rambled on and on as I dressed his wounds, but henever said a word, simply watched me intently. When I'd finished, Istood and said, "I will return to check on you, but I must go nowbefore Beast can sniff us out."

I turned to leave and I heard thefirst word to leave his lips. "Reif," he said roughly as if hedidn't use his voice often.

 "Is that your name?" I askedfacing him again. He nodded stiffly. "I am Anastasia." I turnedand fled.