Blood Ward

Chapter 27

We soon found on the ship thatsea sickness was a vampire thing, not just Reif's thing. He andStefan were both laid up before we even left port. As a result ofAnders' wild magic, our love drunk moods lasted nearly a week. Iwas clumsy when I sparred with Daeron, and Anders' spells were allon the fritz. Weseemed to find it all kind of funny.

One morning Anders asked me, "Youstill feeling wonky?"

I shook my head. "I think it'swearing off."

"I can't believe we actuallycaused that," he said.

"No more ale before sex," Isaid laughing.

"At least not for you. I amalways just a bit on this side of tipsy," he smirked.

"That's not fair," Ipouted.

"The way of the world, luv."

Our ship made several stops alongthe river, extending our journey to two weeks. I'd never seenStefan happier than the day we landed in Dravin.

"Feeling better?" I asked himand Reif as we rode toward the inn we'd stayed at the time wepicked up Reif. By now, Reif was so used to all of us he did not mindthe crowds at the inns.

"The world is no longerrocking. It's a good day." Stefan actually smiled as he made hislittle joke.

I laughed. "Was that humor?"I asked.

"I believe it may have been,"he admitted.

"Then it isa good day," I agreed.

Stefan was truly coming out ofthe self imposed shell he'd hidden himself in since our journeybegan. I was beginning to see signs of the old Stefan, the one I'dfallen in love with when I was 15. Reif's arms tightened around meas Wen trotted Gingerbread past us and Lúthiel and Stefan exchangedsmiles. "Don't mention it," he whispered in my ear as I openedmy mouth to ask Stefan about Lú. I took his advice and minded my ownbusiness.

In the tavern, we heard news ofvampire stragglers in the woods outside town. "Finally someaction!" I said excitedly.

"I think I'll stay behind,"Lúthiel said quietly. "I'll just be in the way."

"That is a good idea," Stefanagreed.

"I'll stay with her," Wenvolunteered. "My bow is not much help, compared to all yourskills."

"You'll be alright?" Daeronasked her. I'd noticed the two of them sneaking off more than oncefor some alone time without Beri interfering.

She nodded, smiling sweetly."I'll watch over Lú. You, go kill things."

"The perfect arrangement,"Anders said to me. "Except you'll be killing things and I'll bestaying behind."

I smirked and backhanded his armas he laughed. "Fine, you two stay behind. We should be off."

We hunted the woods, picking offfour vampires before Reif said, "I smell no more. Gather everyone.We can head back to town."

I whistled sharply and withinminutes, everyone appeared from multiple directions. "I torched twoof my own!" Anders said in surprise. "Are there any left?"

"No, but they seem to havemassed in this area," Stefan said sniffing the air like Reif sooften did. "I had three."

"Four for us," I said. "Beri?Daeron?"

"Two," Beri replied.

"One," Daeron added.

"Blimey! There were a dozen inthese woods?" Anders said.

"We'll need to keep our guardup as we travel," I said. "The closer to Lunda, the more we'llrun into I think."

"We'll set watch when wecamp," Beri agreed.

 "For now, let's return to theinn and regroup," Reif suggested.