Defender's Blood The Return (An Urban Fantasy)

by A. K. Michaels

  Zach turned as she came in and his look moved from her feet to her head - “You look gorgeous tonight.” he said and she gave him a demure smile. “Thank you kind sir.” she replied in a saucy tone and Zach quirked his eyebrow - “You're in a good mood – tho why are you blocking me my little one?” he asked – she smiled and was thinking on an answer when the doorbell went - “Saved by the bell!” she laughed and ran to answer it.

  James and Lisa were standing with a bottle of Alex's favourite wine - “We didn't know if there was anything else we should've brought?” Lisa queried and Alex pulled her in for a light hug - “Nothing – just you two – come on in. We're in the kitchen. The twins aren't here yet – they'll be here soon.” she said as James and Lisa followed her.

  Zach turned and said 'hi' and Lisa spoke - “Do all of you vampires cook? James is really good in the kitchen too.” she said and Alex answered - “Well in this house it's a necessity – I'm useless!” and Zach chuckled - “Indeed!” and Alex gave him 'that' look - “Have you sorted the box?” she asked and he laughed - “I have, it's on top of the piano.” he said and she half ran to see.

  There, on top of the piano, was a red satin box, tied on top with a ribbon – a slot in the middle of the lid. She picked it up and shook it – there was a noise – like bits of paper being thrown about. Alex's heart sped up – she carried it back through. “I hope you've put in the right amount?!” she asked Zach and he nodded - “I have – only one to add.” he said and she put the box down – staring intently at it – wishing she could see what was inside!

  Lisa looked at Alex and then the box - “So what's that? A present?” Lisa asked - “Sort of!” Alex giggled. “Do we want to know?” James said and Zach answered - “Absolutely not!” and then he turned back to his cooking. Alex getting glasses out for the wine, her eyes flitting back to the box several times!

  The twins arrived – at the front door – and Alex answered - “Is he here?” Lexi asked and Alex nodded. “Yes – I haven't said anything tho – I thought I would leave it to you.” she said and Lexi had a thoughtful look on her features. “You know I'm not sure if it will work?” she asked her mother and Alex only took her hand and pulled her after her – towards the kitchen.

  As they walked in Lisa and James turned - “Hello.” they both said and Alex did the introductions. Lexi was staring intently at James – he shuffled, a little embarrassed by her scrutiny. Lisa saw it and moved closer to her mate – not liking this one bit! James had gotten over going out in public since they had got together. However, seeing Lexi stare at him so, made both of them more than a little uncomfortable!

  Lexi's face was very serious - “Sorry – I'm not trying to be rude.” she said and James didn't answer – as far as he was concerned she may not be trying to be rude but it still made him feel awkward! Lexi spoke again - “James – can I talk to you and Lisa – alone?” and Lisa took James' hand – what the blazes was going on?

  Alex spoke up - “Why don't you three go into the living room to talk.” she said and Lisa looked at her – Alex obviously knew what was going on?! Lexi moved to the living room and waited – James and Lisa followed – slowly.

  Zach looked at Alex and she spoke in a soft voice - “I hope you won't get mad at me.” she said and he asked - “Why would I get mad? What've you done?” and she looked up at him “Well I sort of asked Lexi if she could look at James – see if she could help him.” she said.

  Zach frowned - “Help him how?” Alex took a deep breath - “Her abilities are huge Zach – her healing abilities.” she stopped – hoping her mate would put two and two together! Dawning crossed Zach's features – then a host of others – Alex was sure she even saw anger?!

  Zach sighed - “Alex – I'm not sure that's a good idea. James has come to terms with his scars. Who he is – he might not appreciate your interfering.” he said and Alex was hurt - “Zach – I'm not trying to be interfering – I was telling the twins about James and Lisa – and letting them know he had bad scars. So they would know before they saw him. Lexi then had a weird look on her face and it hit me – she can heal – so I thought she might be able to help James.” Alex finished with tears in her eyes, her bottom lip trembled and Zach put his arm around her.

  “I know you mean well Alex – I'm not doubting that part – I'm just not sure how open James will be to even trying this. I don't want him hurt. I don't want him to feel as if we think he needs 'fixing'. I care for him as much now as I did before he was hurt – his scars don't change the way I feel about him. I don't want him to think otherwise.” Zach finished and Alex realised that she may just have caused a problem – one that she hadn't meant to.

  When James and Lisa joined Lexi in the living room she motioned to the couch – they both sat with slightly worried looks. “So – I'm sorry for staring James. Especially if it upset either of you.” she started, trying to figure out how to continue without causing offence!

  Lisa had a scowl on her face - “And just why were you staring at my mate?” she asked in a very confrontational tone! Lexi was impressed – everyone knew how strong she and her brother were and here Lisa was talking as if she was ready to scratch her eyes out!

  “Lisa – James – you know both my brother and I are very strong and have some very useful abilities?” she asked and both of them nodded – Lisa again speaking - “And?!” and Lexi smiled – this wolf had guts!

  Lexi took a deep breath - “One of my abilities is healing.” she said and James spoke - “We know that – we saw you heal Thadius after the fight and you also helped Donna, Lisa's mom.” he said and Lexi was nodding - “Yes James – both of those times I only used a fraction of my power – my power is vast – I may be able to heal you James.” Lexi stopped – watching the reaction.

  James sat right back into the sofa – Lisa grabbed onto his hand – tightly - “He doesn't need helping – he's fine as he is!” Lisa spat out. James didn't say anything and didn't move.

  “Lisa – I don't mean to be rude, or to hurt either of you – trust me. However, if I can be of help then I should offer. It's up to you James whether you take me up on it.” Lexi spoke with a calm but strong voice. James stood up quickly - “Yes!” he said and Lisa jumped up - “James – you don't need to do this! I love you the way you are – you don't need to!” Lisa spoke quickly and her voice broke at the end, she was very upset!

  James turned to his mate - “I know Lisa – I know you would love me no matter how I looked and that means a hell of a lot to me. I thank god every day that you're in my life – but Lisa I want to be able to go places – new places – where people don't look at me with horror or fascination – I want to be me again.” he said in a voice so low even Lisa's hearing barely heard it.

  Tears leaked from Lisa's eyes – James wiped them away - “If Lexi can help I would like to try – if it doesn't work then nothing's lost. However, if she can help – even a little – it will mean a lot to me – do you understand?” he asked and Lisa was trying hard not to sob – she was scared!

  James was the most beautiful person alive in her opinion but she was scared if he lost his scars he might not want her any more! She was nothing special, in her eyes!

  Lexi looked between the two of them - “Lisa – you don't need to worry – James will love you til the end of time – you should have no fears on that account.” Lexi said and James and Lisa turned to look at her - “Ooops – sorry!” Lexi squealed.

  “Just how do you know that?” Lisa asked and Lexi blushed - “Well, we can – sort of – sense things – see things – hear things.” she tried to explain – Lisa jumped in again - “Are you saying you can read our minds and thoughts?” and Lexi was getting redder and redder - “Uhm yes – sorry – dad has been trying to teach us about blocking but we usually forget.” Lexi was so embarrassed – James smiled!

  “See – even she knows that you are my queen Lisa – there will never be anyone else for me – you are mine – and I am yours – always.�
� he said and Lisa lent into him – let him cuddle her to his body.

  They stayed like that for a few moments – Lisa trying hard to get a hold of her emotions – finally she pulled back. “Ok – so Lexi – do you think you can help James?” Lisa asked and Lexi nodded - “I think so – I've never dealt with scars or damage this old – but I'm willing to try.” she advised them and James was getting excited. “So how do we do this?” he asked.

  Zach and Alex had been listening in – neither one bothered about being caught eavesdropping! Alex sighed – she had thought it was going to go badly wrong for a bit there but now it looked as if it may just turn out ok!

  James took a deep breath, trying to calm his stomach that had gone haywire, clenching in hope and fear. “So how do we do this?” James enquired again and Lexi relaxed slightly in the knowledge that he was accepting her offer of help.

  “All I do is touch you and focus my power – you shouldn't feel any pain – maybe a slight warming in your body, that's all.” Lexi answered and Lisa spoke up - “You won't do any more harm to him tho?” she wanted to know. Lexi looked into Lisa's eyes - “No – absolutely not.” she informed and Lisa visibly relaxed.

  Lexi took James' hand and led him to the couch and sat him down, lowering herself so she was next to him. Alex, Zach and Conall had moved to the door – all pretence at not knowing what was happening gone – everyone's eyes were on James. James looked around taking everyone in and smiled, shyly, then his eyes settled on Lisa - “Don't worry my wolf – I'll be fine. If it works then great, if not then I'm no worse off – ok?” his voice was very calm and Lisa nodded once, her bottom lip trembling slightly.

  Lexi placed a hand on the side of James' face where the scars were worst and closed her eyes – a look of concentration on her face. Lisa gasped – she could already see a change – a slight movement of the skin – her stomach turned but she couldn't look away.

  Alex was watching intently – amazed at what her eyes were telling her brain!

  Zach stood totally immobile – Conall totally relaxed.

  The skin continued to change, a slight shimmer visible, and James kept his eyes on his mate – feeling a warmth spread throughout his entire body.

  Lexi's touch was soft but a calming overcame James – he was the most relaxed he had been in years – no worries troubled his mind. As Lisa's eyes widened James realised that something must be happening but he didn't dare to hope.

  A tear escaped from Lisa's left eye and made it's way down the side of her cheek until it finally dropped – landing on the floor. A small smile came over Lisa's face, slowly, and then it got larger – her eyes shining. James thought that must be a good sign!

  After only a few minutes Lexi removed her hand and smiled – James very slowly moved his arm up – placing his hand over his face. He felt soft skin, no roughness, no scaliness, no scars!

  Slowly he got up and made his way to Lisa – she reached up – lovingly cupping his face. “You are beautiful.” she gasped and James pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

  When he pulled away he turned to the others in the room – Alex was openly crying, mascara had run down under her eyes and she looked like a small panda! Zach was looking in shock and Conall was leaning on the doorway with a knowing look on his face.

  “A mirror?” James asked and Alex pointed to the hallway – James walked, slowly, towards the hall and saw the mirror on the wall near the front door. His movements were sluggish as he neared the mirror – scared to look into it and see the scary, vampire monster he had became after the bomb.

  He kept his eyes to the floor until he was right in front of the mirror and slowly looked up. A lump came to his throat as he looked at his face – scar free even if it was a little pinker than the rest of his face. He pulled his collar to the side – the scars that had went all the way down his neck, over his shoulder, half way down his chest on one side – they were gone!

  James moved closer to the mirror as if he didn't believe what he saw – the fact was that he didn't! He turned and everyone was standing watching him, Lisa in front and he moved very quickly to her. He grabbed her in a tight embrace – more tears now falling from her eyes. “Thank you.” James said to Lexi who only acknowledged the thanks with a slight smile.

  Alex squealed - “Get that bloody wine open – I could do with a glass!” and the strange mood that had overcame everyone was broken. Zach laughed and soon everyone joined in – James bouncing Lisa up and down - “I'm not the scary monster any more!” he shouted and laughed. “You were never a monster to me!” Lisa stated and James kissed her again!

  The wine was poured and Zach held his glass up high - “A toast – to Lexi – and to James!” he said with pride in his voice – Lexi was amazing!

  Everyone joined in – Conall and Lexi had apple juice – and then Alex noticed a worried look on her daughter's face. “What's wrong?” she asked – and all eyes turned to Lexi. “Look – I'm glad I could help James – but the truth is we need to be careful – if it got out that I could heal just about anything we would be inundated with people wanting me to heal them – cancer and such. The truth is I wouldn't have the time or strength to do it all and who am I to pick who to heal and who not to heal? I'm worried!” Lexi spoke quickly – and everyone was silent for a few minutes, thoughts going through all of their minds.

  Zach moved to Lexi and placed an arm around her shoulders - “I'm sorry – we hadn't thought on that – but you're right – the consequences could be vast. We'll need to keep a lid on your powers – or the scenes could be pretty bad – people queueing up to get healed – we can't have that. We'll make sure that talk of you and your abilities cannot be passed on in any way shape or form. Ok?” he said and Lexi visibly relaxed.

  “Thanks dad – it's not that I don't want to help people – I just couldn't do it all – and Conall and I have a job to do – we've got to hunt these Fallen down – I can't get distracted from that.” Lexi explained and Alex felt bad – she had been the one to ask outright if she would help James. “Lexi I'm sorry – I should've thought before asking you to do this.” Alex apologised and Lexi shook her head - “No mum – it's ok – I wanted to help James – we just can't let it out that's all.”

  After they had finished their wine Zach went to top up the glasses but Lisa spoke - “No – uhm do you think we could skip dinner? I want to go to my mom's and show her James' face – it's a miracle and I want them to be the first to know.” she said and James then spoke - “Yes – we can do that – then I want to stop off and see Vlad and Dmitri if he's about, if that's ok?” he asked his mate. She smiled up at him with pure love on her face - “You can do anything you want – so long as we get home soon!” Lisa's tone let James and everyone else know just what she had on her mind!

  Zach had realised that now James would be more of an asset – with his scars he was easily recognised and couldn't blend in anywhere without being noticed. Now – he could get back to doing so much more and help both him and even Vlad on missions. He had, after all, been a member of their Elite Squad before the bomb!

  “James – we've got a mission – in Vegas – could you and Lisa come and help out?” Zach asked and the smile that spread across James' face was huge - “You bet!” he said.

  Lisa realised at that moment how much her mate had missed being a full member of the teams that they ferried around.

  “Just text me the details and we'll be ready.” James said and Alex spoke up - “Pack some party clothes – we'll be going to a club – we need to blend in.” she said and Lisa was now smiling too – a trip to Vegas and going to a club – great!

  James and Lisa left – Lisa on the phone to her mother saying they were popping over – they had something to show her and the kids – she asked if Dmitri was there and was told yes – two birds with one stone! Alex was beaming as they left – they were a gorgeous looking couple – they would definitely come in handy on some of their undercover missions!

&n
bsp; Chapter 20

  After the young couple left, Zach fed the twins – hungry as usual – they ate all that he put in front of them!

  He decided to call Thadius – told him about Lexi and James and that it wasn't to be talked about – Thadius agreed! The last thing they needed was scores of humans arriving looking for the girl that could perform miracles!

  He promised Zach that a note would be sent to everyone in Unity – no information about the twins was to be leaked – dire consequences would be brought to bear on anyone who didn't comply!

  Zach finished the call in a much happier mood – at least that was dealt with. Lexi seemed more relaxed when Zach relayed the conversation and soon her and Conall decided to go back to their apartment and rest.

  “It's just I can sense something big on the way – and I want us to be ready – so let us know when you leave for Vegas – we might drop in on you there. We've never been – tho Michael has said it's a 'den of iniquity'!” and Zach had his own thoughts - “Well some aspects of it are exactly that – tho mostly people just go to have a good time – not everyone is out to sample the seedier side of the place.” he told the twins – who looked very intrigued about the whole thing!

  After the usual goodbyes the kids moved – disappearing from the kitchen, Alex helped Zach to clear up - “I think we need to make those two clear up once in a while.” she said and Zach agreed wholeheartedly - “Good idea. Now – do you want to go and bring that box to me?” he said – pointing to the 'Indeed' box. Alex's heart fluttered in her chest as she moved over and picked up the box, returning to Zach with a saucy smile.

  Zach took the box and untied the ribbon tying it together, he lifted the lid slightly before speaking - “Ok close your eyes – that's right – now pick one out.” he said whilst moving her hand inside the box. She felt about and there were several pieces of paper inside – she grasped one and took her hand out. Zach quickly closed the lid and tied the ribbon back in place then looked down at his mate. Alex opened her eyes – the paper was doubled over in her palm - “Ok – open it and read it.” Zach said and Alex's stomach was full of butterflies!