Blood Ward

Chapter 6

Back at the inn, Stefan was in anuproar. "You went back into those woods to help the man whoattacked you? Have you lost your mind, Ana? He could have killedyou!"

"He didn't even try!" Iyelled. "I hadto help him. You don't understand. Something happened when he bitme. We are connected. Something about my blood." I remembered mybrief vacation in Reif's mind. He'd puzzled over my blood. He'dsaid it was better.

"No Ana, this is insane!"Stefan said.

"I'm going back tomorrow tocheck on him. If you want to come, fine, but I'm going either way!"I stormed out and went down to the tavern for supper. I couldn'tbelieve Stefan was acting so protective. He knew I was capable oftaking care of myself. I didn't appreciate the suffocation.

Beast rested his chin on my kneeafter I sat at the table Stefan and I had shared the night before. Iordered the same as before and started scratching Beast's head. I sawStefan come down and join a few locals at the bar. I sighed and tooka sip of my wine. Beast whined. I ate the food, but didn't trulytaste it. Arguing with Stefan was new to me. We'd always been soclose. I shared my leftovers with Beast, and then went back upstairsto bed.

As I lay awake, I felt sadnesswell up and a tear slide down my cheek. The door creaked open and Isaw Beast raise his head to glance at Stefan, and then drop it backonto his paws. I expected Stefan to make a place for himself on thefloor, but I was elated when he climbed into the bed next to me. "I'mso sorry, my love," he whispered pulling me close to him.

I rolled over to face him andcaress his cheek. The kiss was soft and he tasted of the ale he'dbeen drinking. "I love you," I whispered and kissed him againharder. He moved his lips down my neck, careful to avoid the injuredside. Our clothing was off before we knew it and Stefan was slidinghis hand down my side, my skin rising in goose bumps where hetouched. I moaned raising my hips in response to his attentions.Stefan was an amazing lover, very attentive and gentle. He kissed mesoftly all over as we made love, and then held me close as we fellasleep in each other's arms afterward.

I woke in the morning with everyintention to go back to the cave and check in on Reif. I felt muchbetter, my neck no longer ached and I felt well rested. I dressed andwent down to the tavern where I sat down for some breakfast. Beastfollowed me loyally and rested his chin on my knee again. A fewminutes later, Stefan came running from the room. His clothes hadbeen hastily thrown on and he looked anxious. After a quick glancearound the room, his eyes fell on me and Beast and he breathed a sighof relief. Walking over he sat down across from me and said, "Ithought you'd run off again."

I cocked a smile and saidjokingly, "I thought about it."

Beast huffed as if he knew whatI'd said and found it funny. Stefan returned my smile. "So whatnow?" he asked.

"Breakfast... Then I'm going tocheck on Reif," I said. "You're welcome to come if you'd like,"I added when I saw his smile crash.

"Ana, you can't..." He began.

"I have to, Stefan. Ipromised." I shrugged.

Beast whined. "You can't beserious," Stefan gaped.

"I told you yesterday I wasgoing. I'm giving you the option to accompany me, but I am going withor without you," I snarled. "You cannot stop me." I slid myplate aside, no longer hungry, and crossed my arms, staring downStefan.

Finally he relented. "As youwish, my lady. I will accompany you."

"I'm leaving in ten minutes,"I said standing. I went up to the room alone and gathered my things.Stefan was not far behind me.

We left the room in silence and Iled the way toward the woods and the cave, Beast walking protectivelyat my side. We reached the cave and something felt different.

"It's best you two stay here,"I said. I didn't know what Reif's reaction would be to Beast orStefan. Stefan looked ready to protest and I held up a hand. "No...I'm going in alone."

Before he could say anything, Iturned and disappeared into the darkness of the cave. Following thesame route as before, I came to the widened area where Reif had beenthe day before. No fire burned and I approached warily.

"Reif?" I called, drawing mydagger cautiously. When I did not receive an answer, I steppedfurther into the darkness, peering around as best I could withoutlight. I found the end of the cave with still no sign of Reif. He'dmoved on. Cursing, I stuffed my dagger back in its sheath and stompedback to the mouth of the cave where Stefan and Beast waited. "He'sgone," I informed them.

"Dead?" Stefan asked with aglint of hope in his voice.

"No... Gone... As in left," Isaid feeling slightly angry at Stefan for hoping Reif had died.

"Maybe it's for the best," hesaid.

"I've got to find him," Iblurted, every part of me screaming this was the right thing to do.

"You... What?" Stefanstuttered. He was clearly stunned.

"Come, he's already got a headstart," I said starting off back towards the village.

"Ana!" Stefan grabbed my armand Beast growled at him causing him to release me. "Why do youwant to find this man?" Stefan asked.

I thought about it and the onlylogical answer to me sounded crazy. "My blood calls to him."

Stefan studied me, the painedlook on my face at Reif's absence very clear. His resolve brokewith the need to do anything for me. "We will return to the inn togather our things and collect the horses. We must purchase suppliesas well... Tents and blankets..." He sighed.

I jumped into his arms, hugginghim fiercely. "Thank you Stefan!" I kissed him several timesexcitedly, and then started off toward the village.

He caught up and said, "We'llneed a travel plan. The country is large. Finding one man will bedifficult."

"I can track him," I said. "Ifeel him. We'll head toward court. I need to speak with Valkyrieabout Compton anyway."

 "Of course," Stefan said, andthen went silent, obviously entrenched in his own thoughts. I couldtell, he was jealous of my attraction to Reif but I couldn't explainthat it was much different than anything to do with sex or love. Mybody itched to be near him. It didn't make sense, even to me and Iwas the one feeling it.