Defender's Blood The Return (An Urban Fantasy)

by A. K. Michaels

  Alex went back to her desk and got back to work – going through emails, “Zach – did you see the email from California? Team two should go deal with that – can you get them onto it?”

  Zach smiled, “Already done – and teams three through six are also either out or due to go out on others. It's a busy fucking day!” Zach's tone said more than his words – he was angry. Not at being busy per se but the reason they were so busy – which meant there was a lot of wrong doing going on and his ire was up.

  Alex knew how he felt – the busier they were the more victims were being abused, sexually, physically, in fact in every way imaginable and it made Alex mad too.

  The Council now had three planes at their disposal – the large jet that James manned most of the time – and two smaller ones – for getting their teams to locations that were farther than a drive away. Zach only used one – usually James' – when they knew they would have people to bring back – and only when it was several.

  Zach would Move Alex and Dmitri and if there was only one or two to bring back he would Move them too. However, if there were several it would mean multiple times that he had to Move and it tired him out after about four long distance ones so on those occasions they would use a plane.

  James had been teaching his mate, Lisa, to fly and she was now competent in the jet but her forte was dealing with the victims. Her easy manner in dire circumstances was worth its weight in gold. Distraught and emotional people were usually calm by the time they landed making it easier for the staff on the ground to deal with them.

  There was a part of their building for victims that were physically hurt – with a nurse on duty and the Doctor was only a call away. Lisa was a godsend to their unit and Alex was sure she got her good sense and caring disposition from her mother, Donna, and she was still trying to figure out why Dmitri seemed to have a problem with the woman.

  As Alex was thinking on this Donna appeared – a large pile of folders in her arms. “Alex these ones are finished – where do I file them?” Donna asked.

  “There's a file room down the hall – come on and I'll show you.” Alex advised and led Donna out into the hall.

  She walked down to the end and opened a door to a large room full of cabinets. “Ok Donna – this is where we file things – missions are on the left and expenses, finances etc are on the right. I'll leave you to have a look and see how things are filed and then you will understand the system – it's easy enough but I know I prefer to do something rather than being told – seems to stick better that way.”

  Donna nodded, “Yes I agree – what time are you leaving on your mission?”

  Alex checked her watch, “Soon – hopefully we'll be back tonight but not sure what time – so we may be in late tomorrow. The office doors are unlocked as this part is secure – you have to be buzzed in by one of the guards so nobody gets in here that shouldn't so it's safe enough.”

  Donna replied, “Yes – I got buzzed in earlier so I can just get started tomorrow whether you're here or not.” Alex nodded and left her to it.

  As she got back to their office Zach and Dmitri were suiting up – she stopped and watched her man. She always thought he looked incredibly sexy in his mission clothes. All black, combat boots, weapons everywhere and he had his long leather coat.

  This one was relatively knew – he had got rid of his last one after the battle with the demons, covered in blood and small tears from fighting. He had left it on the plane when James had taken them to Canada – to see if Alex would survive the 'turning'. James had thrown it out – he hadn't thought Zach would wear it again and he had been right.

  The coat he now wore was one of the first things Alex had bought him after they had returned home and she had found out he no longer had his. It now looked well worn and that, in a way, made her sad because it was testament to the amount of missions they had done.

  Alex's eyes moved from his feet upwards and when she reached his face she saw he was watching her close inspection of him. She smiled and sent a thought out to him, 'I can't wait to get home tonight Vampire – I want to be the one to take those clothes off you!' and his eyebrow raised as her thought reached his mind.

  He smiled and uttered, “Indeed!”

  Alex laughed, “Now that makes two for the box Zach!”

  Dmitri looked at them both, “What the hell's going on with you two today?” he asked and Alex and Zach just laughed louder. Dmitri shook his head and muttered under his breath - “Fucking crazy the pair of them!”

  Alex got ready – also dressed in black with several weapons about her person, she had become quite adept in using knives and throwing in particular. Her blades always went with her on any mission, you just never knew when they would come in handy.

  Zach spoke to both of them, “Ok the intel we have is that there won't be much in regards to defensive measures so I think we can deal with this ourselves. The Council Guard and the vehicles are already in place so it's a go with us three.”

  Alex and Dmitri nodded and Alex finished getting suited up. Once they were all ready Dmitri got a map out and pulled up ariel photos on the computer. Zach studied them and nodded - “Ok got it – Dmitri I'll be back for you in a second.” and at that he took hold of Alex and Moved them.

  They appeared at the rear of a large warehouse and Alex moved back up against the wall – keeping out of sight. Zach bent down and gave her a small kiss, “Be back in a sec.” he told her and disappeared. She counted – one, two, three – and he was back with Dmitri at his side.

  When Zach had first Moved Alex she had been sick as a dog – now it was second nature. The same with Dmitri – at first he had felt very ill but now it was no big deal. They crouched down and took a look around getting their bearings. As they did they heard a noise – a loud and piercing scream rang out.

  The scream was ear splitting and full of pain and Alex's anger flared immediately.

  She looked to Zach who made some signs with his hands. Dmitri was to go round back, Alex to stay on this side and Zach would go to the other side. Once they checked for any escape routes they would enter and see what they were dealing with.

  Dmitri and Zach ran off – using their unnatural speed and Alex checked the side she was on – no doors – only a few windows up high. She moved forward to the front of the building and Zach met her – there was a door to the left and they moved towards it.

  Once in front of the door he stopped – a look of pure concentration coming over his features. She knew he was pushing his powers out to see if he could tell how many hostiles were inside. He opened his eyes and nodded and held up three fingers – three hostiles – then he held up another four – four victims.

  It always amazed Alex how accurate he was in these situations – she could probably be able to sense the amount of people inside – but she wouldn't be able to make the distinction between friend and foe.

  Zach held up his fingers – three, two, one – and he assaulted the door – tearing it off it's hinges. He was through the door first and she was right behind him – they both heard a noise from the rear of the building and knew it would be Dmitri making his entrance. They moved fast and the sight before them was appalling, making her stomach clench in anger.

  There were several areas cordoned off with clear plastic sheets and within each was a large table on top of which were bodies with medical equipment nearby. The screams were coming from a body on the area nearest to them and two figures were trying to hold it down while a third was attempting to slice open an area on the abdomen.

  One figure was shouting, “You didn't give him enough to put him out you stupid fuck! Hurry up just cut it out of him and then we can leave this little shit to die!”

  Another figure answered, “Okay – I'm going as fast as I can!” and at that Zach and Alex had burst through the plastic to shouts of alarm.

  Zach grabbed the man with a scalpel in his hand and picked him up and threw him away from the boy on the tabl
e. One of the two others ran for the rear – only to come face to face with Dmitri.

  Dmitri smiled coldly at the figure in front of him and smelled fear and wolf on him. He grabbed him by the neck and lifted him up – squeezing until the man was unconscious then throwing him away.

  Alex already had the other one on the floor with her foot on his neck – stopping his flow of air to his lungs and his face was purple.

  Zach was leaning over the boy on the table – and grabbed a towel from the side and pressed it to the wound in his stomach. Speaking quietly but firmly, “It's ok – we're here to help. You've got a wound son and I can smell you're wolf so you're going to have to change – you need to heal and stop the bleeding. Can you do that son – can you change for me?” Zach's tone had calmed the boy somewhat but he shook his head and tried to speak.

  Zach leant down so he could hear the child – he couldn't have been more than fifteen, “Silver chain – on my neck – can't change.” the boy whispered. Zach moved one of his hands and found the silver chain – he ripped it off – burning his fingers slightly in the process.

  Once the chain was gone he spoke again to the boy, “Ok son the chain is off – you need to change now – ok – try real hard and stay here on this table – don't move – help is coming.” Zach's tone was calming but authoritative and he saw the boy concentrating. He was young – probably only past puberty – so he wouldn't have changed a lot 'til now.

  There was pain in the child's face and then the shimmer started – Zach removed his hand from the wound in the stomach and stepped back. In a second there was a small brown wolf lying before him. Zach stroked the fur, “That's good – now just stay there til help comes. You're safe now.”

  Zach turned and moved to the next area – Dmitri was already there and he was snarling in rage. The body of a young girl was lying – with a horrendous wound over her stomach. She was alive but unconscious and Zach wasn't sure if she would make it. He pulled his phone out and placed the call to the waiting Guard and told him to get there asap.

  Dmitri and Zach moved to the next area where they found the body of a woman – dead – her heart had been removed and they hadn't even closed her wound up afterwards. Leaving her to die on the table.

  Dmitri grabbed a couple of towels and placed them over her face and chest – covering up the worst of the damage.

  In the next area was a very young child – a little girl of no more than eight – a Wolf. She was alive and awake and absolutely terrified. Her bright eyes darting all around and she whimpered in fear as they approached her.

  Zach put his hands up in front of him, “It's okay honey – we're not going to hurt you – we're here to help. What's your name?” Zach was trying to get close to inspect the girl – check for any damage – but every time he went near her she visibly shook with fear.

  He turned to Dmitri, “Go and get Alex – she's got one of these animals on the floor – keep him alive Dmitri and send Alex here.” Zach instructed. and the Russian moved away and soon Alex was next to him.

  She gasped – the child on the table was beautiful but dirty and scared. She moved forward, “Hi little one – my name's Alex – we're going to help you. Please don't be scared – we've got rid of the bad men – ok?” Alex spoke quietly.

  The girl nodded and then held her arms out to Alex – crying loudly. Alex moved and picked her up, cuddling her to her chest and murmuring into her ear. “It's okay – you're okay now. What's your name little one?” Alex asked the crying child.

  “Where's my mommy – the bad men hurt my mommy!” the child cried and Zach cursed

  Alex guessed what that curse meant so didn't answer, “What's your name? Who else was with you and your mom?” she asked instead.

  The girl hiccuped and spoke in a tiny voice. “My name's Mary – my big brother and sister and me were with mom – where are they, are they ok? I heard Frankie screaming – did they hurt him too?” the look on the child's face as she asked about her family tore at Alex's heart – she was scared but still wanting to know about the rest of her family.

  Alex looked to Zach, “Is Frankie about fifteen?” he asked the girl, who nodded – “Well he's nearby – he was hurt but he's wolf now so he should be healing nicely. You can see him in a minute. How old was your sister?”

  The girl screwed up her face, “Hmm I think she's twelve – yes she's just had a birthday and so she's not eleven any more – she kept telling me she was a big girl now.” the tiny child spoke – and Zach realised the girl with the stomach wound must be her sister.

  Zach did a slight shake of his head to Alex – and Alex spoke - “We're not sure honey but we'll go look for her in a bit ok?” and the child grabbed onto Alex even tighter.

  “NO don't leave me they'll come back – please don't leave me!” the child screamed and Alex tried hard to shoosh her.

  “It's ok – I won't leave you alone – I'm going to take you to Frankie – ok – he's still Wolf 'cause he was hurt but you know his Wolf don't you?” Alex spoke as she moved – away from the other areas where the mother and sister lay and going in a round about way to the first area – where the small Wolf still lay on the table.

  As soon as Mary saw her brother she squealed loudly, “Frankie – Frankie!” and Alex placed her near the table – she was tiny but her hand managed to reach up and stroke the Wolf's fur. At the touch the Wolf opened it's eyes and nuzzled his sister's hand. The sight brought a lump to Alex's throat.

  Dmitri had moved the man who Alex had detained outside of the plastic enclosed area and also got the other two – all were now alive but unconscious lying on the floor with Dmitri standing guard.

  At that moment the Council Guard arrived with reinforcements and healers – who immediately started working on the unconscious girl with the stomach wound. They moved quickly and efficiently and soon had the girl in one of the vehicles and on the way to a Council run hospital.

  The mother was obviously dead so there was no rush there. The young Wolf was carried out to another vehicle with his sister close by. Finally they removed the body of the mother and then the attention was fully on the three lying unconscious on the ground.

  There was a few prods and kicks and soon all three were awake. Two were Wolves but the one that had been doing the cutting and removal of organs – he was human. This could pose a problem because although the Council could deal with anything to do with Supers – humans were supposed to be dealt with by their own kind. Whether it was local police or FBI – but Zach wasn't prepared to do that just yet.

  Zach thought they would probably get quite a lot of information from the human – humans were weak in the face of Zach and his 'techniques' to get any details he wanted. Yes, he was going to deal with this human first and then maybe, just maybe, he would hand him over.

  At the last two sites that they had found there had been a couple of 'underlings' but there had been a scent of a human – possibly this one – so he reached down grabbed the human by the neck and lifted him up.

  He began dragging him back towards the area where they had originally found him shouting over his shoulder - “Dmitri – Alex – take one each and get whatever information you can. Do whatever you bloody have to – any means necessary!” and the human started struggling – realising what was coming.

  When Zach got back beside the table they had found the boy on he lifted the human up by his neck and slammed him down onto his back on the table. Zach leaned down and took a deep breath – the scent of this human entering his senses – YES – it was the same one.

  He moved the man so that he was lying fully on the table on his back – Zach easily holding him in place and reached for a scalpel with his other. The man was struggling violently trying to get up but he just increased his grip and the man lay still, eyes full of fear. Good.

  Zach spoke – in a cold, calculating tone, “So – Doctor – I take it you are a Doctor?” Zach asked. The man nodded - “Name!” Zach spat out.
>
  The man spoke quietly – having trouble because of Zach's tight grip on his throat - “David Ruzzo,” the name came out of his lips.

  Zach smiled, “So Doctor Ruzzo – are you going to give me the information I want or do I start cutting?” Zach asked – waving the scalpel about.

  “You wouldn't!” the Doctor shouted, fear clear in his voice.

  Zach looked at him with such a look of unadulterated hatred that the Doctor shrank back, “Oh indeed I would Doctor – I've done much much worse things, so cutting you up – not a problem to me at all!”

  The Doctor shook his head and a fierce scream echoed in the warehouse – Dmitri or Alex were 'interrogating' their own ways.

  The Doctor's head moved and his eyes darted about – the scream terrifying him further. Zach laughed, “I assume that's my wife – she is such a little sadist – you're lucky you've got me – she wouldn't even ask before starting to cut you open!” his words had a profound effect on the human - his bladder let go – the smell of urine now strong in the air.

  Zach smiled coldly, “So how long have you worked for him and who exactly is he?”

  The Doctor shook his head,“He'll kill me!” he shrieked.

  Zach answered immediately - “I'll kill you too Doctor – here and now – but first I'm going to torture you in ways your mind can't even begin to comprehend. So ... I'll ask again for the last time – tell me what you know.”

  Zach moved the scalpel down and pressed it to the side of the Doctor's left eye, “I take it you need both of these?” he asked and the man tried to move his head away – Zach held tighter and moved the blade closer.

  The man had tears now – which made Zach angrier – the Doctor sure as hell didn't care when the boy, Frankie, was screaming in pain and crying – seeing this weakness in this man made Zach want to rip him apart.