Blood Revenge

Chapter 22

As the months passed, tensionsmounted. We were all anxious as Beri's pregnancy progressedseemingly normally. I was sitting with Anders in the kitchen whileDante had a snack one day when Stefan burst in looking alarmed."Beri's gone!" he cried.

"What?!" I shot up from mychair. "She's due any day now! Has she lost her mind?!"

He ran shaky fingers through hisred hair. "She was fine when we went to bed last night. When I wokeup, she'd disappeared. I've looked everywhere, Ana." His eyespleaded with me to do something.

"We'll find her," Ipromised. "Anders, you get Steph and tell her I need her to watchallof the children. If Beri's gone into labor, I'm going to needWen's help. I'll gather everyone else. Stefan, STAY... WITH...ANDERS... I don't want you mounting some one man rescue operation.Anders, if he tries to escape, you have free range."

He smiled widely. "As youcommand, little warrior."

I pushed past Stefan and headedfor Daeron and Wen's usual haunt. Reif!We have a situation. Beri's gone missing. I'm going to need yournose.

Don't worry, Stasia, I cantrack her, though your Beast may have been better.

I trust you, Isaid. Now get ready,I'm gathering Wen and Daeron.

I'll meet you at the gates.

Anders told me Stephanie tried toargue with him about her assignment, but Stefan had gone off on her,nearly starting a war that he had to intervene on. In the end, she'dsubmitted with threats he told her I'd made. "You were vicious,luv."

"Good," I said, mountingStardust. "Let's find Beri before this gets worse."

With a bit of borrowed power fromme, Reif wasable to track Beri. She'd made it all the way to just before thetown where I'd first met Reif so many years ago. Ismell blood, he said,dismounting his horse.

Dammit! She's probably goneinto labor! I got offStardust and padded over to touch Reif's shoulder. He shrugged somy hand fell into his.

We need to run. Hesmiled in anticipation.

"Try to keep up!" Iannounced, taking a deep breath to ready my limbs. "Reif knowswhere she is."

Before anyone could protest, wewere off. Reif and I crashed headlong through the woods, blazing atrail for the others to follow. We ran faster than I could havewithout his influence. I loved running with Reif and I could tell bythe waves of joy flowing through his hand to mine, he felt the same.Obstacles seemed to melt out of our way as we dodged trees and vinesand rocks meant to hinder. Finally, we came to a stop. I could hearwhimpering to my right as Reif reluctantly let go of my hand.

I followed the sound to a tinyclearing. Beri's favorite horse was tied contentedly to a tree andits saddle lay forgotten on the ground. A few feet away, Beri sat,back against a tree, with sweat pouring down her face. She had herknees propped up and her belly between them as she clutched at herside. "Shit," I whispered, running to kneel beside her. "Beri,"I said touching her shoulder to draw her attention.

Her eyes flew open and she lookedto me for help. "Commander," she whimpered.

"How long have you been here?"I asked softly.

She winced and shook her head. "Idon't know. I lost track of time."

"It's okay," I soothed asshe grabbed and squeezed my hand. "The others are coming. Stefan iswith us."

"Beri!" Daeron was the firstto come scrambling over. "Oh, sister, why?" He sighed.

Wen joined us quietly. "Beriima,I need to check and see how far along you are," she said softly."Is that okay?"