Defender's Blood The Return (An Urban Fantasy)

by A. K. Michaels

  She tried to focus – though her eyes had been taking in his mouth as he spoke – his lips looked utterly kissable. Her wolf was howling loud and clear in her mind and she tried valiantly to keep it in check.

  “Dmitri – that's a lot of information – I truly didn't realise the scope of the Security and Guards operations. Though the way you've just told me makes perfect sense. Thank you.” she said and Dmitri felt a feeling coming over him – he was happy to have been able to help.

  “That's ok Donna – if I can help Finn in any way let me know. He's a good boy – or young man now – and I think whatever he decides he will do well.” he finished and attempted a smile – a small one came over his lips and he tried not to growl at her.

  “Could I ask you a favour? Could you come over and talk to Finn about all this – it might make it more clearer to him what's on offer – that's if he even gets accepted at the Guards.” she said and Dmitri answered - “Oh he'll get in – I've already spoken to Vlad – if Finn wants to there's a position waiting on him. If you want I can come over later? What time would suit?” he said.

  Donna was surprised – Dmitri had been looking out for Finn since they arrived – she only wished he liked her too. “What about supper time? You could eat with us if you want? Or don't you bother with food?” she asked and Dmitri laughed.

  “Donna – look at the size of me – of course I like food! Ok I'll be over later.” he said – even though he had been going to say no – his brain and mouth were not working in unison.

  The smile Donna gave him more than made up for it though – her face was radiant and there was a tug in his jeans. He moved quickly sitting down at his desk – ensuring she had no idea of his hardening and she got up to leave.

  “Ok Dmitri – see you in a bit – I've got to rush now – the boys will be waiting.” and Donna waved and half ran out of the office.

  She wanted to get the boys but she also wanted to get out before Dmitri had the chance to change his mind! She was floating as she went to her car – maybe she could entice Dmitri with her cooking!

  Chapter 8

  Alex and Zach walked home – Vlad having taken the SUV to cart Daniel off to jail. Their steps were quick – not running – but a fast walk. Both wanted home, in the shower, and some private one on one time! Zach could've moved them but he tried not to do that too often – he felt it was an abuse of his powers sometimes to use it frivolously.

  Alex's thoughts were all over the place – trying to think what she wanted and Zach laughed down at her - “For goodness sake woman – if we take our time we can do all of that!” and she nipped his arm where she was holding it! “Zach! Even you couldn't do it all!” she laughed and Zach scowled - “What?! Is my mate besmirching my ability to please her? Well I'll just have to prove her wrong!” he said and Alex all but purred!

  God she loved this man! His looks never failed to take her breath away – the dark hair, shiny and soft, his very strange hue of grey eyes, his long lean body – full of strong muscles and she loved his thighs – thick, strong and sexy as hell! Zach laughed again - “Well thank you wench – you're not so bad yourself!” he said and she snorted – trying not to laugh.

  Soon they were back at their bungalow – the room to the nursery closed – always closed. Alex would slip in sometimes and stand and dream of her babies – there in the cot, sleeping peacefully. Most times though she stayed out – finding the room too painful to be in – the room where her and Zach saw their kids disappear in front of them!

  Zach took her hand and they moved forward and as they had passed the door to the living room there was a bright light. So bright that it shone out into the hall!

  Both stopped and Alex tightened her grip on Zach's hand – the grip so viselike that it caused him some pain. Zach looked down at Alex and her face was pure white and he pulled her towards the living room.

  They reached the door and stopped, looking in – there in front of them stood three figures!

  Zach growled and moved Alex to stand behind him – the warrior in him coming to the fore. The large figure at the back came into focus and Alex gasped – it was Michael – the Angel – large as life in their living room!

  They had seen hide nor hair of him since the Demon Battle – even though Tatiana had called on him numerous times to see if he had any information on the babies!

  Michael spoke – his melodic voice doing what it always did – making anyone who heard him become calm. Even Zach relaxed slightly at the voice. “Alex, Zach – please stay calm – all is well, we're not here to hurt you. I'm returning something of yours.” the Angel said and then both Alex and Zach looked at the figures in front of the Angel.

  A cry escaped from Alex's throat and Zach's knees nearly buckled – he knew that hair – jet black on the female and the exact same shade of grey eyes. Eyes that were staring back at them and moist with tears!

  Zach looked to the figure next to her – a male – strawberry blond hair and green eyes – the same as Alex's. This can't be! The thought ran through both Alex and Zach's minds!

  Alex took a step forward then stopped – the figures in front of them were full grown – these can't be her babies!

  The female moved forward – away from Michael – and nodded her head. “Mother, Father – it's true – I'm Lexi and this is Conall.” she spoke and her voice was so much like Alex's, apart from the Scottish twang that Alex still had, the inflection, timbre, the same as her mother's! “How?” Alex managed to get out.

  Michael took over - “The realm they were in – well time worked differently there. They have grown up in that realm under the protection of myself and some of my brothers. They needed to be trained in their abilities.” the Angel advised and a thousand questions ran through Zach's mind.

  “Why were they taken? What abilities? What the fuck is going on?!” Zach's voice had risen and was now a shout. Michael took no notice of the tone or the shout - “They may not have been safe here, their abilities are vast Zach – far beyond the knowledge of anything or anyone alive here on earth. They have now been fully trained and have matured enough for them to come back and take up their destiny.” The Angel spoke as if giving a report at a meeting.

  Alex had tears in her eyes - “How old are you?” she asked - “Twenty One mother.” Conall answered and her eyes flew to his. “Conall?” Alex asked timidly. Conall smiled and moved forward – Alex ran to him and collapsed into his open arms.

  He was tall – like his father – and she could feel the strength in his grasp. His looks were devastatingly handsome and he had a look of serenity on his features. Alex held on and Zach moved – Lexi moving to embrace her father. Tears were now running freely down four faces in the room. Michael standing back – giving them space.

  It was some while before anyone had a grip on themselves and it was Zach who started to speak first - “Ok so can we sit down and talk? As you can imagine we've been going out of our minds with worry for the past three years – we deserve some explanation.” he said. Michael again took over - “Of course vampire.” he said and Zach noticed that the way he said vampire was no longer the insult he had made it in the past!

  Alex sat on the couch and her children sat either side of her – Zach was pacing back and forth in front of the fireplace. “So who's going to start?” Zach asked and Conall looked at his father – Zach flinched – seeing Alex's eyes in the face of a full grown man was very disconcerting indeed!

  “We have many abilities father – I have the abilities of a vampire – but I don't require blood for sustenance. I can move between places the same as you. I also have the abilities of a wolf ...” Zach interrupted - “What?! You can move and you're a wolf also?” Zach repeated what Conall had said. Conall nodded - “Yes father – I have many abilities – some much stronger than others.”

  Then Lexi spoke up. “I'm a sort of witch – though different to anything you would know. I am a seer too but I can sometimes force a vision when needed.
I am also very very strong. I can also move like Conall and can change to wolf too. Again like Conall those are only some of the things we can do.” Lexi finished and Zach looked to Alex – both were shocked.

  Alex looked between the two, “Were you looked after well? I always worried whoever had you wouldn't look after my babies.” a sob broke from Alex's throat.

  Lexi put an arm around her shoulder, “Mother – we were well looked after – do you know what it's like to play with Angels? It was amazing and they all loved us deeply. We were even allowed to see you sometimes – through a special portal – we weren't allowed contact because that could have tipped the others off to where we were.” Lexi was smiling and Alex could see she was indeed happy.

  Zach picked up on something she said, “What 'other's' – who are you talking about?” he asked with a feeling of trepidation making it's way up his spine.

  “When the gates of hell started to weaken it gave some Angels ideas – some became Fallen – they are very powerful and we need to catch them and stop them. That is now Conall and Lexi's mission. They will hunt them down – they have been trained for this – they have the abilities and the strength. Depending on the circumstances they can either kill them or detain them until I or one of the other Angels come and return them to our father for punishment.” Michael's tone was as calm as if he had just told them the kids were going shopping.

  “Are you fucking kidding me?!!” Zach roared - “My children are NOT hunting Angels – why don't you and your brothers do it?!” Zach demanded of Michael.

  The large Angel smiled, “I know you are upset Zach but this is their destiny. We are unable to get close to them – they can sense us – they cannot sense the twins in the same way. Trust me when I tell you they have the ability to do this – they were made to do this.” Michael finished.

  Alex jumped up – anger flaring in her face, “Oh no you fucking don't – not again – none of that 'he, she, they were MADE for it' they are my CHILDREN – I carried them in my belly – I have mourned them since the day they disappeared – only to have you bring them back fully grown and with a host of god knows what abilities! AND you then say they've to hunt fallen fucking angels! NO – you can't do this to us – not again!” Alex was crying as she finished – her anger from her words palpable in the room.

  Conall stood up and grasped his mother into his arms – she fell against him sobbing. “It's ok mother – we can do this. We have to do this – if we don't there will be chaos – they are going to start breeding with humans and their children will be powerful – there will be a huge imbalance on earth. The fallen angels and their offspring could transform the face of the earth – and humans will be the ones to suffer. Kneeling in supplication before them. We can't have that happen – mother – mom – please you need to understand.” Conall finished and the moment he called her mom she knew she was lost.

  Lexi stood up and walked over to Zach - “Father – before we do any more hunting we will show you what we can do – you will see how powerful we are. You won't worry once you've seen that – trust me.” she said and Zach looked down at his daughter – she was stunning – taller than Alex by quite a bit but it was strange seeing his eyes in her face!

  His hand moved and touched her hair – jet black like his but curly like her mom's – it was soft and wild – just like Alex's! “You have no idea how much we missed you little one – your mother's been having nightmares – she can't sleep – because we lost you. Couldn't they have at least let us know you were safe?” he asked and Michael replied - “No Zach – we couldn't give any information away – we couldn't take the chance. They had to mature, get their abilities up to full strength – or they would have been fodder for the Fallen. I know this has hurt – I know Alex has struggled daily – and I'm truly sorry for that but there was no other way.” Michael's tone was low – apologetic – and Zach had to accept what he said – there was no other choice.

  Conall moved Alex away slightly - “Well mom – we've got lots to talk about – but right now I'm starving – could we get something to eat?” he asked and Alex moved away - “Of course – of course – silly of me – I should've asked if you needed anything. What do you want?” Alex babbled.

  Lexi laughed - “Conall – always thinking of his stomach he is! Burgers – we love burgers – can we have those?” Lexi asked and Zach moved to the phone. He placed an order for delivery at the diner – more than enough for everyone and then sat down on a chair. Suddenly his legs felt weak!

  Alex kept looking between the two of them – Conall then Lexi and back again. Her brain was finding it hard to process everything and it started to thump. Lexi placed a hand on the side of her face and Alex jumped – a warm feeling spread out from the hand and up to the top of her head. In seconds the beginnings of the headache were gone and she looked in awe at the woman in front of her – this was her daughter and she had just got rid of the pain in her head!

  “How did you do that?” Alex asked quietly and Lexi smiled. “I can do lots more than that – though healing is one of my stronger abilities.” Lexi replied. Zach was dumbstruck – healing – did she just say healing – by touch?!

  Conall took Alex's arm and led her back to the sofa – they sat down and Lexi moved to sit on the arm of the chair Zach was in. Michael hadn't moved – watching what was going on.

  Zach tried to form a proper sentence - “So – will you be staying? Here I mean – will you be staying here with your mother and I?” he asked. Lexi answered - “Yes – if that's ok? Though we may want an apartment just for us two. We've been used to just us together – it may be a bit strange living with our parents now. We don't want to cause you any pain or hurt your feelings but we think it's for the best. We're not children any more and living here would not be ideal.” she said.

  Alex's heart sped up - “Why not? You've been gone so long and we've missed you – we love you both – even if you're no longer children we would like if you would stay with us.” Alex tried hard not to make it sound like a plea – she didn't think she had succeeded.

  Conall put an arm around her shoulders - “I know – mom – but trust me we will probably be moving at strange times – all day or night – so we wouldn't want to disturb either of you. More importantly we wouldn't want you worrying if we disappeared in the middle of the night. Lexi and I have discussed this a lot – we would prefer to actually live in an apartment ourselves – but we will be here a lot too – visiting, catching up – that sort of thing.” Conall finished and gave Alex a hug – she smiled – not happy but having to accept that this was what they wanted.

  The food arrived and they moved into the kitchen – Conall and Lexi devoured the food – making satisfying noises whilst doing so. Zach and Alex didn't have anything – neither of them thought their stomachs could take anything right now.

  Michael stood at the doorway – a strange look on his face. He was staring intently at Lexi and she must have sensed his gaze because she looked over and gave him the most devastatingly beautiful smile that either Zach or Alex had ever seen!

  Alex looked from Lexi to Michael – a frown on her face. Surely there wasn't something between those two? He had been her guardian – brought her up from a babe – it wouldn't be right if he felt for her in that way – would it?

  Once the food was eaten they sat around talking – it was extremely strange for Alex and Zach – their babies were months old when they disappeared three years ago and now here they sat all grown up. Alex was struggling with this big time! Then a thought struck her!

  “Shit – we'll need to phone Tatiana – she needs to know Zach.” Alex stuttered and Zach cursed - “Yea and Thadius – I'll call them now and try to explain ... they'll probably be over here before I finish the call.” Zach said. He moved away pulling his mobile out. After a few minutes he walked back in - “Yup – they're on their way – be here shortly.” Zach told everyone.

  Zach went to stand by Conall - “So you're a vamp a
nd a wolf?” he asked and Conall nodded.

  “You could say that – I don't need blood like a vampire but I've got the rest of their abilities – although they are enhanced. I'm much stronger, faster and I can fly too...” Zach interrupted him - “What? Did you just say you can fly? How is that even possible?!” Zach exclaimed. Conall laughed - “I have no idea but I can do it. You can move when most other vampires can't dad so is it such a leap that I can fly?” Conall asked and Zach just stared – fly – his son could fly?! Alex piped up - “Shit that's something I want to see!” she said and Lexi laughed.

  Conall continued on - “Lexi can too – she's very strong and her wolf is massive – unlike anything seen before. She doesn't have vamp fangs though – but hey her wolf's teeth more than make up for it. Her healing abilities are huge – she can heal all but the most fatal of things – and if she gets hurt – her body heals itself – almost immediately.”

  Alex pounced on that - “What do you mean – how do you know that unless she's been hurt? Have you been hurt Lexi?” she asked, the concern in her voice evident. Lexi just nodded - “Of course I have – we've been training all our lives – of course there would be times when I was hurt – not intentionally as such but my body healed itself as Conall said so you don't need to worry.”

  Lexi was looking at Alex with a calmness on her features. Alex whirled round to Michael - “And just what were you doing whilst my daughter was getting hurt?” she spat out at him.

  Michael answered with a deadpan face - “I was the one doing the hurting. They had to be trained properly – in a real fight a Fallen One is not going to hold back Alex. I would've been failing in my duties if I had not trained them in the proper fashion.”

  Alex walked over to Michael – he was very large even if his wings were clasped tight to his back – when she was in front of him she motioned for him to bring his face down. As if she was going to whisper something in his ear – the Angel complied and Alex punched him square in the jaw.