Free Do Or Die [Nuworld 4] by Lorie O'Claire

it was, she
    handed it to Andru.
     
    “I think this is the latest report,” she said as she handed it to him.
     
    “I appreciate this. Where did you say my mama is?” Andru stood and studied the
    printout Jolee gave him.
     
    “She’s overseeing military procedures.” Jolee smiled at Ana. “I’ve got all
    communications transmitted recently from the clans ready for you in your file.”
     
    “Thanks, Jolee.” Ana watched her brother study the printout.
     
    “Well, I need to get down to Tara. Will you join us soon?” Jolee pulled on her coat.
     
    Andru looked up at his sister, curious to hear her answer.
     
    “Yes. I’ll be down after I see what the clan sites have to say.” She turned her
    attention back to her brother. “Would you like to check out the Runner armies with
    me?”
     
    “Yes.” He turned to Jolee. “We’ll be down there shortly.”
     
    Ana walked past him to sit at the landlink after Jolee left. He moved in behind her,
    pulling up a chair so he could see the landlink with her. She figured Andru knew of her
    communications with the Runner clan sites in the Norther country and was here to find
    out what they had to say. Without speaking she opened the file and accessed the first
    response. She went through several more before leaning back and sighing.
     
    “Why hasn’t anyone seen any of the she-witches?” She closed her eyes as Andru
    began twisting her hair. He had done this to her since they were children and the
    affectionate touch relaxed her.
     
    “Either they’ve moved out of the Norther country or they’re intentionally hiding.”
    His voice was raspy behind her and she turned around to face him.
     

 
    “They were hauling too many supplies to move out of the Norther country,” Ana
    guessed.
     
    “Agreed. You said Lara was a Runner. Maybe she’s not appearing as a she-witch
    anymore.”
     
    “I couldn’t describe her. I’ve never seen her face.”
     
    “I have.” Andru’s gray eyes sparkled at her.
     
    “You remember what her face looked like?”
     
    “I remember a lot of things about that night.” His hand moved to stroke her cheek
    but she jumped up quickly.
     
    “You’re the one who said we would put that behind us,” she said nervously. Then,
    tossing her hair to shake the fears that grew inside her, she smiled sheepishly at her
    brother. “But I remember that night too.”
     
    “Are there any good memories, Ana?” He whispered the words and she could see
    straight through to his soul when she looked into his eyes. He was in pain. Heir to all of
    Gothman and respected by everyone, he held his head high and took on all of his tasks
    aggressively. Yet, here was something he hadn’t taken on. He’d washed his hands of it
    and grief was eating him alive. Instinctively, Ana reached for him.
     
    “Don’t be mad, but the only good memory was waking up in between the two of
    you.” She whispered the words. “I felt more safe and protected at that moment than I
    think I’ve ever felt. I wanted to stay there forever and at the same time I knew I needed
    to get out of there as quickly as I could.”
     
    Andru held her hand in his but didn’t comment. He stared at her and she thought
    she saw some form of peace quietly work its way through him. His thoughts
    bombarded her suddenly. In a whirlwind. Briefly, just for a moment, and then they
    were gone, like a quick breeze. It was a sensation she’d experienced from time to time
    when they were alone and their emotions were strong. She looked into the face that
    looked so much like her own and gave him a questioning look.
     
    “I want to touch you,” he said quietly, and when uncertainty crossed her face he
    added, “Don’t worry. I just want to feel.”
     
    He placed his hand on her abdomen and held it there firmly, lowering his head so
    she couldn’t see his eyes. Her belly protruded, although not visibly through her clothes.
    It was hard, though, and obvious to the touch that she was