Blood Revenge

Chapter 1

I rode past the broken down fencethat separated my land from the Briarwood and sighed contentedly. I'drode my old gelding War Chaser a good five miles that day and as Iguided him into the pasture, he breathed heavily. "Aren't whatyou used to be, are you, old boy?" I asked sadly, patting his neck.I hopped down from his back and freed him of my weight for the walkback to the stables.

After giving him a good rub downand splashing some water on him to cool him off, I set Chaser free tograze. I watched him for a minute, knowing that I would soon have tosay goodbye to my friend. My heart tugged, remembering two years agowhen it had been all I could do to crawl out of bed for three daysafter my companion and savior, my fuzzy friend who slobbered oneverything, my scrap begging puppy Beast had finally decided he couldno longer stick around to give me soggy dog kisses every morning whenI woke up. I missed that stupid mutt, but Beri had confessed to methat Beast had revealed his age to be a hefty 19. It was well beyondthe expected life span of a dog his size.

I shook off the sad memory andturned my thoughts to the surprise I had planned for my husband onhis birthday in two days. Anders was turning 43, though you wouldn'tknow it to look at him. He didn't look much older than the 25 hewas when I'd met him. This was a perk we both shared for twocompletely different reasons. He was a mage. His magical talents notonly came in handy in battle, but the blood in his veins gave him anunnaturally long life for a human. Me, on the other hand, my lastinggood looks and lengthy life span spawned from the bond I shared withmy vampire ward, Reif. My blood was different, special. When Reif andI came together, we were stronger, faster, more deadly.

I had planned a grand party tocelebrate Anders' big day, but there was one thing missing. Istrode across the grounds of our estate and headed excitedly towardMaster Kane's clothing shop. Before I made it to the gates, I heardmy name. "Ana!"

I turned to see my friendAelairwen running to catch up. "Wen!" I said, smiling. "Whatdid you do with you brood?"

She smiled back deviously."Daeron is keeping an eye on them."

I laughed out loud. "You are anevil woman."

"Like you are flitting about,without Anders watching Stephanie and Dante." She smirked.

I waved my hand dismissively."Steph is 17, she can take care of herself."

"So, where to?" she asked.

"Julius is making me somethingfor Anders' party. I'm going to see if it's finished. Would youlike to come?" I asked.

"Anything to get a minute awayfrom those four hellions I call my children," she joked, placing ahand over her slowly swelling abdomen.

"Where do you and Daeron findthe time?" I asked curiously.

"Same place you and Anders do,"she grinned. "Now come, if I don't get away soon, he will comelooking for me."

We walked into town, abandoningthe castle grounds and entering the bustling early evening foottraffic. I slipped in and out of the crowds, almost leaving Wen inthe dust a few times.

"Slow down, Ana, pregnant womanin your company," she complained breathlessly.

"Sorry," I apologized,slowing my pace. "I suppose I'm just excited."

"What does Master Kane have uphis sleeves now?" she asked curiously.

"I had him make me a dress forAnders' party," I confessed, smiling.

She stopped dead in her tracks."A dress?" she gaped. I nodded. "And you're excited aboutit?" Another nod. "Who are you and what have you done with thecountess?"

I laughed. "Wait until you seeit."

I'd inherited Master JuliusKane from Banaila 17 years ago. He was an expert in his craft and hadfallen in love with my somewhat unruly and very unladylike taste inclothing. He often told me I was a challenge to him every time Istepped foot in his shop. He'd picked up and followed me toMalourne after I'd gotten my lands back from the now deceased KingSimon, and that's where he'd stayed ever since. He designed andsewed all the clothes that crossed the castle walls, including all ofthe children and staff. All were free to have him design just aboutanything they wanted. He never discriminated sex, age, or race. I wasglad to have him.