Blood Ward

Chapter 40

The siege lasted three weeksbefore Genovia decided to make a foolish move. Reif and I went outinto the woods with Anders as a referee. I was itching for a goodwork out and Reif was the only one who would give me that work outand know to be careful. Anders sat off on the side of the clearingwhile I prepared, circling Reif.

A familiar jolt of adrenalinecoursed through my veins, putting a smile on my face as we exchangedblows. We danced around each other for a few minutes before Reifstopped mid block causing me to have to pull up quickly so I didn'tslice him. His head perked up and he spun, pushing me out of the way.I stumbled, falling into a tree, and catching my breath, I turned tosee what had happened. "Reif!" I cried, seeing him pinned to theground.

"Get out of here, Stasia!" hegrowled, fending a snarling Genovia off.

I was having no parts of that. Ilifted my sword and charged. "Ana!" Anders yelled. "No!"

Just before I reached them, Reifthrew Genovia off him and sprung to his feet. He took the splitsecond to spin, grab me and push me away. "I said go!" hedemanded, his eyes two black pits.

It was all Genovia needed. Sherecovered and with amazing speed, she slipped past both Reif and meand grabbed me from behind by the throat. I dropped my sword andreached up to try and pry her hand off my neck. "You tookeverything from me Reif! Nowit is my turn to take from you all that you love," she taunted asmy eyes flicked to Anders with a sad apology.

I fought to breathe as I watchedAnders' face settle into a fury I didn't know he possessed. Hiseyes locked on Genovia and he started to chant under his breath.Reif, oblivious to him, stood looking frantically around for a way torescue me. I felt an unbearable heat stir in the air around me andsuddenly, Genovia disintegrated into a pile of ash, burning up fromthe inside out.

Both Anders and Reif rushed overto my side, kneeling as I'd dropped, trying to catch my breath.They asked after the baby. "Fine," I choked. "We're fine."

Anders gathered me in his armsand tightly hugged me. "Don't scare me like that!" he said, hisvoice frantic.

"Remind me neverto... get on your bad side," I said around a sore throat.

Reif lifted my chin to look atthe bruised skin on my neck. "Let's get her to Daeron," hesaid.

"That bitch had a grip." Theyhelped me to my feet. "My sword." I reached out my hand.

Reif picked it up and handed itto me. I slid it into the scabbard and they led me back to camp. Wesought Daeron who asked, "What the hell happened?"

"Genovia," Reif growled.

"She's dead," Andersconfirmed.

"Let's take a look," Daeronsighed.

Anders took my hand and squeezed,warning me before he said, "Could you take a look at the baby,too?"

"Baby?" Daeron frowned.

I rolled my eyes and lifted theshirt, exposing my swollen belly. "I'd have preferred you foundout differently," I croaked.

"All this time!" he gaped.

Anders hurried him along and hesnapped out of his shock. He placed a hand on my stomach and closedhis eyes. I felt a tickle as his attention seemed to wake the babyfor the first time. "Oh," I said, a thrill of excitement hittingme.

Daeron smiled. "That was thefirst time, wasn't it?"

I nodded. "What?" Andersasked. "Is she alright?"

"Everything's just fine,"Daeron said. "I just woke your child." He held an excited grin.

"It moved," I said in awe,putting my hand over the spot where I'd felt the fluttering. Ismiled widely.

"Commander?" Beri camerunning over to see why the crowd had gathered. "What..." hervoice trailed off as her mind just halted. She even slowed to a walkas the sight of my obvious condition interrupted her train ofthought.

"Your neck." Aelairwen said,not phased at all.

"You knew?" Daeron asked her.

She shrugged. "You spend enoughtime in the background observing, you tend to notice things."

I laughed. "And I thought I wasbeing discreet."

"The way you carry yourselfchanged," she observed.

"Could we deal with her neck?"Reif requested, still obviously shaken by the encounter with Genovia.

"It barely hurts," I assuredhim, dropping the shirt and once again covering my stomach.

"Uncanny," Daeron mused andthen shook his head. "Let me see." I lifted my chin to give him abetter view of the bruises. "An easy fix." He touched me gentlyand I stumbled dizzily and so did he, but neither of us passed out.

"You're getting better," Isaid, recovering.

"With you around commander, Iget enough practice," he joked. "Even pregnant, you can't stayout of trouble."

"My sense of adventure ishighly developed." I smirked.

"General!" One of Reif'sright hand men came running up to us. "Lucard has requested ameeting."

"Of course he would. Has heoffered parlay?" Reif asked.

"Yes, can I ask what happened?"

"Genovia is dead," I offered.

"Dead?" He gaped.

"Notify Lucard I will see him,"Reif responded.

"Wewill see him," I corrected.

"Ana..." Anders said.

"I'm going and that'sfinal," I said determinedly.

"There's no arguing." Hesighed. "Stubborn woman."

"Thank you Cyrus," Reif saiddismissively.

The vampire bowed and hurried offto do as he was told. "I wish to go at your back," Beriimastepped forward.

"Don't think you're goingwithout me," Anders added.

"It is wise if we all go. I amgoing to select some of my lieutenants to accompany us as well. Themore united our front, the better it looks," Reif said.

 "Of course," Daeron agreed.