Defender's Blood Tatiana's War (An Urban Fantasy)

by A. K. Michaels

  “Right, now that the elves and Lilli have gone to bed can we go over our plan. Tatiana, you still feel confident about taking out some of the guards with your crossbow?” Zach looked to the fairy.

  “Of course Zach, my aim is good and I have good night vision.” Tatiana knew that she could do this.

  “Ok, Vlad, you go in alone and place your toys around and then we'll get you at the gate. After Tatiana and I deal with the prisoners guards. Then we'll take the gate. Leave Calaron there with the detonator and the rest of us will go in. We have no idea what will be inside. Maybe more goblins.......”

  Vlad interrupted Zach. “I've got more flash bombs so if there's a horde inside I can deal with them. And of course I've got my modified gun with the special darts. Got more than a few for witches so hopefully they'll help against that couple we've heard about.”

  “Ok, good. Once they're neutralised we need to find the Queen. If we can release her she can get this world back to the way it should be. If not, Tatiana, what then?” Zach hadn't thought what would happen if the Queen was dead or not able to take control.

  “Zach I'm not sure, our Queen rules for a long time and then choose a successor. Then there's a ceremony where she hands over the power of the realm and the new Queen gets her powers. I don't think we've ever had a Queen die before that happened. Zach if we can't find the Queen I don't know what'll happen in this realm. She controls everything – the weather, people, crops, everything. If we don't get her back our realm is in for a hardship like none it's had before.” Tatiana's mind was whirling around trying to think what they could do if the Queen was dead.

  “Zach, if the Queen is dead then only Divine Intervention can help us. I truly hope we find her.” Tatiana's heart had sped up at even the thought of her Queen not being safe.

  Thadius moved closer to his mate and placed an arm around her body. With that one arm he lifted her onto his lap and held her close. Tatiana cuddled into her wolf, his strength always calming her and making her feel safe.

  “So we're set for tomorrow. Finn, I know it's going to be hard but try and stay away from Glorel. The more you're around her the more the mating will call to your wolf, ok son?” Thadius was smiling at the young man and was glad when Finn didn't argue.

  “Yes Thadius, now I know that after the mission I'm coming back to claim her, well it seems to have calmed me somewhat. I'll do a lot of scouting tomorrow and I'll hunt for dinner. Anything in particular you want me to bring back Tatiana?” Finn looked to the fairy, dwarfed in Thadius' arms.

  “That's a fine idea Finn. Now we have a small animal in the forests, similar to a deer though a lot smaller, if you could get one of those I'll make a lovely meal with it.” Tatiana was already thinking about how to cook it. She liked to cook it whole on a spit over an open fire. The crackling always tasted nice when cooked like that.

  “Well, if that's what you want then I'll get you it. Will one be enough?” Finn knew both him and Thadius had big appetites.

  “Normally I would say yes but knowing you two maybe not! Two would be more than enough, if you can't get any don't worry, anything will do.” Tatiana knew that the animals were very skittish and it might be hard for a huge wolf to catch them.

  “I'll get them, don't worry.” Finn smiled, the thought of running wild as a wolf and hunting always made him happy.

  “Ok, usual couples for watch tonight.” Zach moved and took up his post at a window, Alex took another.

  Everyone else left and Alex heard Thadius as he moved with Tatiana. “A room to ourselves tonight?” Tatiana giggled as she replied. “Yes my mate, Lilli is sharing with Glorel.”

  Thadius did a low growl and Alex was sure his steps were faster as he pulled Tatiana behind him.

  Alex looked at Zach and he had saw it too, his cheeky smile telling her so.

  “I hope it all goes as planned tomorrow Zach.” Alex had a niggling feeling, she couldn't put her finger on it, but something was up.

  “It should do Alex, it's a fairly simple mission even if there are a couple of unknowns. We have no idea who this man and woman are or how powerful. We don't know where the Queen is or if she's still alive. Apart from that it's a simple job. Why?” Zach could feel Alex's apprehension, though for what, he wasn't sure.

  “I've just got a feeling, a niggling, I think we need to take a bit more care. I don't think this is going to be as simple as we think Zach. Call it women's intuition if you want but I'm feeling very uneasy!” Alex could feel it deep inside but didn't know what 'it' was.

  “Ok hon, if you say you feel something then I'll take note. If anything comes to you let me know.” Zach turned his head at a noise he had heard, listened, it was an animal of some sort. No goblins.

  “Trust me my vampire, you'll be the first to know.” Alex settled down for their time on watch and wished it would go quickly. She wanted her mate to take her to bed.

  “Is that right?” Zach answered her thought and she laughed.

  “Indeed!” she quipped back. She just wished they could actually undress and do it properly.

  “Me too little one, me too. Hopefully it won't be long til we're back in our own bed.” Zach sighed and relaxed his head back. Keeping his senses alert for any danger he thought on the next evening and hoped Alex was wrong. He wanted a nice simple get in and out without any complications.

  Chapter 8

  Alex's head snapped up. What was that? Her eyes darted to Zach, he had heard it too. His hand up in a warning to stay still and be quiet.

  Zach's senses were out, shit. Goblins, and more than a few. He sent a thought direct into Alex's head - 'Get upstairs, everyone up, quietly, I'm going to barricade this door. They're all out front, none out back. Go now Alex.'

  Alex used her vampire speed and was upstairs and waking Dmitri in less than five seconds. The large Russian's hand covered hers immediately it touched him and his eyes opened. “Goblins.” Alex spoke barely above a whisper.

  Dmitri inclined his head and got up. Finn was in his room and the wolf had already awakened, both got up and moved towards the door. Splitting up they roused everyone else and Alex was more than a little embarrassed to find Tatiana in her wolf's arms with only the top half of her body clothed. Thankfully the blanket covered Thadius.

  Everyone in their party moved with silence and speed, even Lilli and Glorel. However, when Alex went into the room Calaron and Mornor should've been in she only found Calaron.

  The elf woke startled at having Alex in his room but as soon as she whispered Goblins he was up and reaching for his father. A father that was not there. A look of shock and then realisation came over his face.

  They didn't have time to discuss it and she ushered him out the room and to the staircase.

  As they reached the bottom the goblins could clearly be heard and were near. Lilli's breathing was quick and Tatiana placed a hand on her arm. “You need to stay calm and quiet Lilli. Do whatever one of us tells you and do it fast!”

  Lilli nodded once and held on to Glorel's hand tightly. Glorel was searching around the faces, looking for her father. Calaron saw it and shook his head, a hard look on his face. How could he be so stupid. He had put them all in danger because of his pride and the wolf.

  Glorel's eyes went wide as she realised what had happened. Her father was a fool. She knew he would probably have paid for that foolishness with his life.

  Zach joined them in the back hallway. “I've boarded the windows and placed tables and such at the door. They'll think we're trying to stop them getting in. Come on, out the back.”

  Vlad was nearest the back door and he opened it slowly and gently, making no noise as he did so. He sent his own senses out and felt nothing in the alleyway, he moved out and everyone followed quietly.

  Zach came last, protecting the rest in case the goblins got through. None had as yet broken through what he had put up but they were making inroads fast. He realised their hammers would make short work of the wooden doors and tables.

  As he e
xited the door he looked around and got a large piece of wood, he wedged it in. Hoping they would think the door was locked and that they couldn't have escaped that way.

  Vlad led them on and he took them a winding route, hoping to lose the goblins. He had no idea if they had any extra senses like good smell or such so wanted to try and confuse them if they had.

  The group were passing an alleyway, almost out of the town, when two goblins ran out and barrelled right into Lilli and Glorel. Glorel made no noise as she was pushed violently against the opposing wall and Lilli did a loud 'oomph' as the wind was knocked out of her lungs.

  Finn had been right behind and his anger flared so quick and fast that his fangs were out and he was mid change. He leaped and landed on the goblin that now had Glorel in a two handed hold and he knocked it away.

  The goblin landed on it's back and jumped up, hammer in hand. It's eyes were wide in fear as it saw the huge wolf in front of him and Finn's wolf didn't hesitate. He tore it's head clean off it's shoulders before the goblin could take another breath.

  The second goblin was now in Dmitri's hands and the large Russian quickly and silently broke it's neck and dropped it to the ground like a piece of rubbish.

  Finn changed back straight away and moved to Glorel. Taking her into his arms and running his hands over her to check for any damage.

  “I'm ok Finn.” Glorel whispered, her heart racing at seeing his wolf rush to protect her.

  “Are you sure?” Finn was distraught at the thought of her being hurt.

  “Yes.” Glorel whispered and leaned into his body. She liked the feel of his hard, strong, muscles and wished they were somewhere safe and alone.

  “Sshh, come on.” Vlad's tone was impatient as he moved on. Hoping they didn't run into any more of these little fuckers.

  At each opening he and Calaron now looked in, making sure nothing was there before passing.

  At the very edge of town Vlad could sense more goblins, shit. He put his hand up and motioned for Zach who moved to his side. “More?” Zach asked, but he knew the answer, he had sensed them.

  “Yea, we need to get out of the town and move into the forest but there are at least four up ahead. We don't want them to make any noise and alert anyone.” Vlad was whispering so low that only the vamps and wolves heard.

  Tatiana guessed what was going on, and moved forward, her wolf at her back.

  “Where are they?” the fairy asked and Vlad pointed. In the distance where there were only shadows but she saw four goblins, barely.

  “How good are you with a long bow?” she asked Vlad, who frowned before answering. “Not too bad, what're you thinking?”

  “I could take two down quickly, without noise. If you could do the same with the other two we can get out.” Thadius' hand was now on her shoulder. She could feel his concern.

  “Thadius, don't worry, I can do this.” Tatiana smiled over her shoulder and saw the frown on her mate's face.

  “Ok, get me the bow from Lilli.” Vlad motioned and Lilli's bow was taken from her by Alex and handed forward along with a quiver of arrows.

  Vlad held it in his hands. It seemed awfully small to him, however, he was a master with weapons and soon felt he had the feel of it. “Ok – come on.” Vlad bent low and moved, not as fast as he would've liked but Tatiana didn't have his speed.

  They made their way as close as they dared and stood in the shadows on either side of an alley. They had a clear shot to the goblins who were just standing about talking, not even looking around. These little guys were really stupid. Vlad couldn't believe their luck.

  As Tatiana loaded an arrow and placed one in her teeth Vlad did the same. “Ok on my count of three – ready?” His voice so low the fairy had to strain to hear.

  She nodded her head. “I'll take the ones on the right, you go for the other two.” She said, already having one of the goblins in her sights.

  Vlad got his bow up and in position and steadied it, taking aim with great care. “One, two, three.” Vlad let his first arrow fly and Tatiana's was less than a second after his.

  Both struck with precision. Tatiana's straight through the throat and Vlad's through an eye. Tatiana gasped at his accuracy as she placed the other in and fired immediately, her second target falling just as he realised something was wrong.

  Vlad's struck and this time it went into the temple and the goblin fell straight down like a puppet who had it's strings cut.

  Tatiana let out a long breath, they had done it. She turned her head and saw Vlad chuckling quietly.

  This vampire liked death far too much in her opinion.

  Vlad moved with his incredible speed and checked they were all dead and not going to make any noise before he ran back and past Tatiana. He got to their party and ushered them on.

  All moved quickly. Everyone wanting to get out of the town and away from the danger therein.

  Soon they were in the woods and they relaxed a bit, hoping the goblins wouldn't follow.

  They hadn't gone too far when Zach felt more. Christ. Could they not catch a bloody break tonight.

  Thadius moved to the vampire. “How many Zach?”

  Zach concentrated harder. “Six or seven.”

  Thadius motioned to Finn, who moved to the side of the older wolf. “Think we can handle seven goblins boy?”

  Finn's smile was hard as he nodded. “You bet. Let's show these goblins what a couple of wolves can do.”

  Finn changed there and then and Thadius followed. Tatiana moving forward, what was going on?

  The two wolves moved off, loping quietly through the forest Neither made a sound and it surprised Zach a little. They were large animals, how did they do that?

  “Where are they going Zach?” Tatiana hissed. Thadius hadn't even said anything to her before he changed and ran off.

  “Several goblins ahead, they've gone to deal with them.” Zach was concentrating hard, waiting on the sounds of the first clash.

  Tatiana wasn't happy. He shouldn't have just gone.

  The wolves ran and then Thadius slowed, Finn following suit. He would follow the older wolf's lead, he had much more experience than him.

  Thadius' wolf moved it's head to the left and Finn's took off in that direction. Thadius wanted to flank them so that's what they would do. Finn's wolf was relishing this, it's first proper engagement with an enemy.

  The wolves found the goblins in a small copse sitting around a very small fire, what looked like beer or something in their hands. None of them was alert and none seemed to be looking for any danger. Good, made the wolves job easier.

  Finn looked over to the other side and he saw the other wolf, slowly making it's way forwards. Finn did the same and as soon as they were within pouncing distance they leapt and landed in the goblins midst.

  The little men made no sound. Shock and fear on their faces as one by one the wolves attacked and killed them. Both did so with a ferocity that the goblins had never witnessed and their fear held them in place, unable to run.

  When all were dead the wolves loped off back in the direction of their party, finding them in the exact same spot. Although Tatiana was standing tapping her foot with a frown on her face. Both changed and Finn had a small smile on his face as he looked between Thadius and Tatiana.

  “Later my fairy.” Thadius touched her face and she scowled at him, even as he smiled at her.

  “Right, let's move to the other side of the forest and see what's going on there.” Zach moved on, his lithe body moving silently. Everyone followed, Finn now at Glorel's side and holding her hand tightly.

  As they moved through the trees Zach kept his powers out and his senses on high alert. He didn't feel anything else and they made it to the other edge of the forest without running into any more goblins.

  Alex walked at his side and her hand slid into his. He grabbed on tightly and she knew he was wired. He always was at the start of a mission.

  If she was honest, so was she. The adrenaline had started to course thr
ough her system and she felt the beginnings of that high it brought. She loved that sensation, even when it meant they were walking into danger.

  As they neared the edge of the forest Zach motioned with his hand and they all stopped. “Stay here, we're going to see what's happening.”

  Zach nodded to Vlad and the two vampires took off this time using their speed. As they were about twenty feet from the very edge of the trees they dropped down and crawled forward. As they reached the edge they saw they had a problem.

  None of the goblins was in the fire pit area. None looked as if they were settling down for the night. Shit. Damn Mornor!

  “This is going to get bloody Zach.” Vlad's tone was deadly and Zach realised they were going to need his toys after all.

  “Yup – ok – we need to organise and split up. The vamps are going straight for the gate, you can give us some of those toys. We can throw them as we run, hopefully take out a lot. The wolves, Tatiana and Calaron can go for the ones at the prisoner's. Now we want them free, they could help. Lilli and Glorel, I want them here in the forest it'll be safer for them. Sound good?” Zach stole a glance at his friend.

  Vlad's smile told him all he needed to know.

  They belly crawled backwards and when far enough under cover of the trees stood up and ran back. As they arrived everyone moved forward, wanting to know what was going on.

  “No silent get in and out. The goblins are all up and all over the place. Mornor really mucked up out plans. Anyway, this is what we're going to do folks. Firstly, Lilli, Glorel, you will come as far as the edge of the forest and then wait there. Thadius, Finn, Tatiana and Calaron, you're to go for the prisoners get rid of the goblins there and release them, hopefully some may be of help. If and when you get that done you can follow us in, if you want. If not come back and wait here with Glorel and Lilli. The rest of us are going straight down, we're taking them head on, with the help of some of Vlad's toys. Tatiana, I know you didn't want us to use the bombs but our hands are tied now. Mornor has obviously told of our existence and plans. This is the only way.” Zach waited on the fairy's reaction.