We set off for Banaila, andarrived within the week. Valkyrie was beside herself. "Oh mygoodness, Ana, we didn't know what to think! Last we heard you wereill and still pregnant." She clutched Weston's hand as he soothedher with short rubs of his hand up and down her back. "I thoughtthe worst!"
"Actually, we're pretty damnclose," I said. "Why don't we sit down and I'll catch you upon everything."
She nodded eagerly. After we'dsettled down in chairs and sofas she'd had brought in, I glancedaround at everyone I loved and took in the heady absences. Anders'stung the most. I feared that this time I'd truly stepped in it. Hewas right. One person could only take so much and I'd pushed theenvelope far in the last few years. I took a deep breath looking toReif who put an encouraging arm around my shoulders. I saw Val andWest, eager to hear about why I looked so devastated. I watched Beriand Daeron trying to occupy the same space before Daeron finallyyielded and moved to a different chair with a mumbled curse. Finally,my eyes lighted on Steph who sat looking bored, her one leg crossedover the other and her foot bobbing to a tune only she could hear. Ismiled grimly at all my family and sighed out the breath I'd taken."Well, it started in October of last year, just before I sent youthat last letter."
My story unfolded as I opened up.I, of course, left out certain details but got as specific as Icould. No one knew of my first betrayal to Anders aside from Em and Iplanned on keeping it that way. By the time I'd finished, Vallooked ready to faint and West was thoughtful.
"So ye came ter me ter see if Icould find tha' ol' lunatic, Marl?" he asked.
"Lunatic?!" Val squeaked. "Imissed something. Weston, what do you know about possessions?"
"Not what,"Steph corrected. "Who..."
"I 'elped them ou' beforewhen Stefan was afflicted. It's the same demon, aye?" he asked. Inodded and he continued. "Back in me army days, I came across thisfunny lil' bloke by the name o' Marl. I foun' ou' la'er 'ewas an exorcist. 'is brand o' magic deals in the banishin' o'demons, bu' don' le' 'im hear ye callin' 'im a mage...ticks 'im off."
"So do you still know where tofind him?" Reif asked, taking my hand in his.
"Assumin' 'e 'asn'tmoved 'is hut... tha' happens e'ery now and again when 'ecanna find where 'e lef' the las' one," West shrugged.
"He refused your offer toescort him back home last time," Steph pointed out nervously.
West stood, smiling. "Then I'lljus' 'ave ter track 'im down again, won' I?" he mussed herhair jovially.
She managed a half scowl, halfsmile as she swatted his hand away and smoothed her hair. "Iforgot. You're Mr. Tracker." She rolled her eyes.
"Bes' there is, lassie!" Hesmirked. "Ana, I'll do all I can ter rid ye o' this curse."
"Thank you," I sighed inrelief looking from him to Val to be sure she knew I was grateful shewas allowing me to borrow her husband.
"It's the least we can doafter all you've helped us with," she smiled at West who bent tokiss her lips softly.
"There's jus' one glitch,"West said. "I don' think its wise ter show up a' Marl's hutwi' more'n the folk we need. 'e's a bi' paranoid."
"I want to go!" Steph said.
West, myself, Reif and Beri allsaid at once, "No!"
"Dammit," she cursed,crossing her arms and sulking and making Val smooth her dress inagitation.
"It's going to be myself andWest," I said.
"You're not going without me,Stasia," Reif said determinedly. "I'll be able to tell if he istruly gone."
"Fine," I said. "But that'sall! I don't want to scare him off, he's my only hope left."
Reif rubbed my back comfortingly."Reif, you've not fed," Steph pointed out softly.
His face reddened. "We'vetalked of this, Lubit,"he growled.
Did I miss something? Iasked him privately.
Later,he promised.
Steph pouted again and Reifgrowled in his chest. I figured it out and grinned. She'soffered you her blood.
Yes,he answered shortly.
Why not indulge?I asked, squeezing his hand.
She and you share blood. Ifear what it could potentially do to our bond,he confessed.
You think Steph could be aSalonul Sange? I wascurious.
He pursed his lips. Itis highly probable. I've smelled her blood. It smells, sweeter.
I gaped. My daughter? a SalonulSange? Is there no way to be sure? I asked.
Not without the risk ofbonding her to another, hesaid.
What of Zane? Iasked. Having a BloodWard would give him more power to rule Lunda.
Reif frowned. Areyou listening to yourself, Stasia?
I stopped and thought. Shit!I shook my head to clear it. Idropped my shields to talk with you. Balthazar was visiting.
He hugged me. I'msorry, we will refrain from doing so.I smiled, looking into his eyes and he smiled back. When I tore myattention away to rejoin the other conversation, everyone was waitingpatiently.
"That was eerie," Val said,smoothing her dress again.
"Ye ge' used ter it," Westsaid.
"Sorry! I forgot you've neverreally seen us mind speak," I apologized.
"It takes getting used to,"Daeron agreed.
"I grew up with it," Stephshrugged.
"Well, le's stop dillydallyin' and prepare ter ge' Ana exorcised," West said,standing again. "We can leave in the mornin'."
"I'll have rooms made up foreveryone," Val said, joining him.
"Don't worry about one forme," I sighed. "I'll just wander around until sun up." Shefrowned. "Demon possession. I haven't slept in nearly threemonths since my coma."
"Oh my," she breathed.
"Beri and I can bunk up,"Daeron offered. "Then you only need two."
"Two?" her frown deepened asshe tried to calculate his reasoning.
"Reif and I haven't hadseparate bedrooms in over a year," Steph announced proudly, causinghim to squeeze my hand in embarrassment.
I chuckled, rubbing my free handsoothingly over his short hair as Val gasped. Steph smirked, enjoyinghis distress. "Right," Val managed.
"I love you, sweetie," Stephteased, blowing a kiss to Reif who harrumphed but couldn't stop thesmall twitch of his lips that counted for a smile.
"I'll go see to those rooms."Val walked off, mumbling to herself.
