Defender's Blood Alex's Destiny (An Urban Fantasy)

by A. K. Michaels

  “Right, here we go.” Irina closed her eyes and had a look of great concentration on her face. She started to shimmer with a bright light all around her, it hurt Alex’s eyes, so she looked away, just for a second. When she looked again, there was a huge Wolf standing there with its head to the side and its tongue lolling out the side of its mouth.

  Alex took an unconscious step back and bumped into Zach who was behind her. “Don’t worry, Alexina, she won’t hurt you. In fact, I am pretty sure she would defend you to the last.” The Wolf wagged its tail vigorously at Zach’s words. “See, she agrees with me.”

  Alex took a step forward and the Wolf padded to meet her. It really was huge, it came up to Alex’s waist and the paws on the thing were enormous. Alex couldn’t get it in her head that Irina had turned into this huge beast.

  The Wolf decided it was time for play and gently nudged Alex’s hand, then ran towards the woods. It stopped, turned, and made a sound similar to a bark at Alex, as if to say, “Come on!” Alex looked at Zach, and then made her way after the Wolf. It was absolutely beautiful. It had reddish fur with a white chest and white on the forelegs only. As Alex followed it, it would run off, get a stick, come back, and drop it at her feet. Obviously Alex picked it up and threw it, and then the Wolf would get it again. This went on for some time and Alex realized she was having fun and had relaxed considerably.

  The Wolf trotted back and sat in front of her, looking at her with very intelligent eyes. This was all rather strange, Alex thought. The guys had been following slowly behind, giving the girls some room, so Alex could get comfortable with Irina’s Wolf. Vlad told Zach he was impressed with what Irina was doing. She never ‘played doggy’ and would absolutely never run after a stick if someone threw it. She was doing this for Alex, and he was very proud of her. Zach also knew this, and he made a mental note to send her some of the expensive chocolates she loved so much.

  Alex had grown visibly relaxed with the Wolf, so it decided to have a bit of a rough and tumble with her, see if she was game anyway. It knocked her over, stood over her, and licked her face. Alex burst out laughing and grabbed the scruff of its neck and gave it a good old shake. Just as Alex was thinking – this is mad – I’m playing with a full grown Wolf – then stance of the Wolf changed. Its nose was twitching like mad, and it let out a low moan, then a growl. It moved off of Alex and Alex stood up. What on earth was the matter with it? Had it smelled an animal it wanted to chase?

  However, with the next vicious growl that came out of its throat and the way it stood in front of Alex, she realized that it was protecting her. From what, she didn’t know. She turned to look for Zach. The guys were a little bit behind, but she suddenly ‘sensed’ his apprehension and anger. What the fuck was that!? She thought. Then right there in front of her was Amelia. Irina’s growls intensified, showing the anger that was flowing through her.

  Amelia laughed. “You’re such a scaredy cat, Irina, stop pretending otherwise! You – bitch – are going to pay for taking my man, my true love from me!” She pointed at Alex and a flash came from her fingertips. The next couple of seconds seemed to last forever.

  Zach roared, Vlad shouted, Irina growled, the light came at Alex and she covered her eyes. Then there was a scream – high pitched and awful. Strong arms picked her up. She knew it was Zach and she opened her eyes, what she saw scared her half to death. Amelia was on the ground with the Wolf standing over her. The Wolf had Amelia’s throat in its maw. Amelia wasn’t breathing, she was dead.

  The Wolf dropped the flesh from its mouth and roared as if in pain. Alex was shocked. Irina sounded terrible, was she hurt? Alex scrambled out of Zach’s arms and ran towards the huge Wolf. Vlad was already there, down on his knees talking to it in a very quiet and calm voice.

  “What’s wrong with her? Is she hurt? Oh God, please don’t be hurt, Irina. Please!” Alex’s voice was rising as she tried to stay calm. She couldn’t see any wounds on the Wolf, but it was obviously in deep distress.

  Vlad tried to explain. “She has never hurt another living thing. She’s too caring to do that. She doesn’t even hunt while in Wolf form. She has just killed another woman and she’s finding it difficult, Alexina, that’s what’s wrong with her. I’m trying to coax her into changing back, but she’s scared.”

  Alex’s heart went out to this Wolf. She had only just met this part of Irina, but already she cared for it, as much as Irina herself. “This is my fault. I’m so sorry, Irina, it’s my fault, not yours, please come back to us. Vlad needs you to change, Irina, I need you to change – please, please come back!” she pleaded while stroking the face of the Wolf. Its intelligent eyes stared back at her, but this time the eyes were full of sorrow.

  “Zach, Zach. Do something, you’ve got to do something. Oh, this is all my fault, please, Irina, please.” Alex was beside herself. She felt responsible and she couldn’t bear the look in the Wolf’s eyes.

  Vlad pulled the body away and threw his jacket over the top half, so that none of them could see the damage done to the neck. This seemed to help, as the Wolf turned towards Alex, walked over, and put its head to her hand. Alex stroked the fur and spoke quietly. She begged her to change back. Vlad joined her, gently stroking its face, down on his knees in the dirt beside his mate.

  After about another five minutes, Vlad stood back, gesturing for Alex to do the same. There was the bright light and Alex once again looked away. When she looked again, Irina was standing in front of them, crying her eyes out.

  “I’m sorry, Vlad, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it, honest. I just sort of reacted and before I knew it she was dead. No, no, no – this can’t be happening.” Irina was distraught and Vlad held her, he was saying stuff to her, but she didn’t seem to be listening.

  Zach strode over, holding himself as straight as a rod. “Irina – Irina – listen to me.” He stared into her eyes and Alex could feel some sort of power emanating from him. “You did what you had to do – you only did what I was about to – you saved Alex. It’s nothing to be ashamed of or upset by. I am proud to call you a friend. All your instincts never to harm, you fought against them to save someone else without thinking about yourself. I need you to calm down now, do you understand?”

  Alex was amazed at the difference in Irina, she was a lot more calm. She hugged Zach and then turned to Vlad who took her in his arms, rubbing her back and talking over her head to Zach. “Thanks, Zach, I know you don’t like using that power over minds thing you can do, but she needed it. I’ll take her home then come back for the body with some of my men. I’ll phone Thadius and advise him of the situation.” He turned and walked away with Irina stuck to him like glue.

  “What just happened?” Alex asked.

  Zach turned to her. “I have the power to influence some people’s minds, especially if their mind is in turmoil and not thinking properly. I just used it to calm her down. She would have got there on her own, it would just have taken a long time, and I didn’t want to see her suffer.”

  Alex was once more in awe of this man. She went into his arms and hugged him tight. “It’s okay, come, we’ll get you back home, and I think you need a drink. I know I do!”

  She didn’t look at the body as they walked by and she just wanted to get home, where she felt safe. They hadn’t even got to the jeep when Zach’s phone rang with Thadius desperate to know if Alex was safe. Zach assured him she was and that Tatiana’s spell had worked. The power Amelia had fired at her hadn’t even singed a hair on her head.

  Zach was more agitated than he let on to Alex. He had nearly lost her and the feeling inside of him terrified him. He realized he would do anything, anything at all to make sure she was safe. He was even thinking about whisking her away before tomorrow, so that she didn’t have to do this ritual, he wasn’t thinking straight.

  “Don’t be so stupid, Zach,” Alex spoke.

  “What?” he asked, confused.

  Alex answered, “I need to do the ritual. You’re not tak
ing me anywhere.”

  “Alexina, why did you just say that?” Zach was worried, how did she know what he had been thinking?

  “I’m not deaf silly, you just said it.”

  “No, I didn’t, Alexina. I didn’t speak that aloud. It was in my head, I was thinking it.”

  Alex stopped, looking up at him, was he joking with her? From the look on his face, she would say no.

  “You are so not trying to say I can read your thoughts? How is that even possible? It was as if you had spoken the words, it wasn’t fuzzy or unclear. I heard it as clear as a bell.”

  “I think we need to see Tatiana and Thadius. We’ll go there before we go home. I’ll just phone and tell them we’re on our way.” He phoned and didn’t give any details, only that he and Alexina needed to see them.

  Chapter 12

  Zach drove the jeep straight to HO, and when he pulled up outside, Alex looked over at him. “I’m a little scared, Zach, what do you think is going on with us?”

  “I don’t know, meine Kleine, but try not to worry.” His tone was calm, even if he didn’t feel calm inside. He got out and helped her out and they walked to the front door.

  As they approached, one of the guards opened the door and advised that they were to go to Thadius’s rooms instead of his office. Zach was a bit surprised, he had never been to his private quarters before. All meetings were usually held in the office. He guided Alex up the stairs and down towards Thadius’s office, but just before getting there, he stopped and opened a door on the right.

  It took them into another long hallway, they walked to the far end, and knocked on the door. As this was Thadius’s private quarters and not his office, Zach did not open the door and walk in, as he would normally. The door opened quickly, as if they had been waiting on them. Both Thadius and Tatiana greeted them and ushered them inside.

  The room was not quite as large as his office, but was furnished in a very comfortable style with sofas and a couple of armchairs around the focal fireplace. There were several antiques, which Alex thought must have cost a fortune, dotted about the room and the carpet was very deep and plush.

  They walked for a few steps and then both of them stopped dead. Michael, the Angel, was standing, looking out one of the very large windows. He turned and smiled at them both, and they continued on, sitting in one of the sofas. Zach would have preferred to stand, but he could sense the need for Alex to sit down, she was shaking.

  “Hello, you two. I hope you don’t mind, but I asked for some guidance on this matter. The matter being what’s happening with you two? I assumed that is why you asked to see us?” Tatiana advised them.

  “We thought it best to meet here. We don’t want everyone to see an Angel walking about,” Thadius commented. Michael ignored Thadius and Tatiana and came and stood in front of Zach and Alex. The sheer power in this being was evident to everyone in the room, and Zach felt uneasy. Usually he was the most powerful being in any company he was in. To feel somehow less powerful with this Angel in front of him, well, he didn’t like it.

  Michael bent down, so he had one knee on the floor and stared into Alex’s eyes. “I understand you are a bit worried?” His voice was having the same effect it had on her before – very calming – and she tried to answer him.

  “Yes…Uhm...things are a little strange. I heard Zach’s thoughts. As if he had spoken aloud – it was a bit crazy. I mean – you don’t expect to be doing that? Well, I don’t anyway.” She managed to get this out, even if it was a bit stop and start.

  Michael turned to Zach. “What about you, Vampire, can you read Alex’s?”

  Zach didn’t like the way he said ‘Vampire’ but let it slide. “Just about, but I didn’t say anything. I didn’t want to scare her. It’s not every thought and it’s not like I’m in her mind all the time, but yes would be the answer. I can certainly do more than I would expect even a very long bonded couple to be able to do. Plus, Alex hasn’t bonded properly with me yet, she hasn’t had any of my blood, so I can’t understand how this is happening.” Zach tried to be truthful, both he and Alex would like some kind of explanation.

  Michael stood up and smiled. “Good,” he said and walked back to the window.

  WTF, Alex thought – ‘Good’ was all he said. She needed more than just ‘Good!’ “Excuse me, but would you mind explaining this to us? I don’t know about Zach, but I’m scared I’m going nuts.” Her tone was a bit exasperated and a bit angry. She needed this Angel to tell her the truth. What was happening between her and Zach?

  Michael turned around and raised an eyebrow at her. She didn’t suppose anyone ever spoke to him like that. Well, tough. She needed to know.

  “Alexina, Zach, I don’t want you to get upset by what I am going to tell you. You need to stay calm. Okay?” Both of them nodded and Michael continued, “As you know, our leader intervened and has made you for each other. This pairing, mating, bonding or marriage, whatever word you wish to use, well, it’s going to be like no other. None before or after you will have what you have. You will be able to read each other’s thoughts and feelings. In time, you can practice how to block each other for a short time, but it will take practice. However, it goes far beyond anything a human – or in fact, a Vampire – has felt before. Zach, you will also have to either change your job or incorporate Alexina into it...”

  Before he could go further Zach stood up. “What do you mean? My job is important. I help people and save a hell of a lot more from rogues. What the hell are you talking about – Angel?” Zach said Angel in the same tone that Michael had said Vampire, he was getting very agitated.

  “Please calm down. If you had not interrupted me, I would have gone on to explain why!” Michael spat out. Alex took Zach’s hand and pulled him down next to her, he put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her to him.

  “Now, where was I? Oh yes, Zach, the reason I spoke of your job, well, simply put, you will not be able to be apart. I don’t mean you won’t want to be apart. I mean you won’t be able to be apart. Your bond is going to continue to grow, and it will be so strong that if you are apart for any great length of time or by a great distance...well, let’s just say, it wouldn’t be pretty.”

  Tatiana gasped and Thadius said, “Oh my God,” very quietly. Zach and Alex stared at the Angel and then turned to look at each other. Jesus H Christ, Alex thought, this is lunacy. Surely he was joking?

  “So, Michael, can you elaborate? Will they get ill or some such?” Tatiana asked, and Alex was astounded at how calm the fairy sounded.

  “At first, yes, they would get ill, but if they don’t reunite, then the longer they are apart the worse it would get. Eventually they would die.”

  Die? Zach thought, surely this can’t be true? God would make them for each other, but let them die, if they were apart? That can’t be right.

  “I can see your mind working, Zach, but the answer is yes He would. He has broken His own most sacred vow to join the two of you, so in His eyes, if you ‘throw that away’ so to speak and are not together, then you are mocking him. He has made it so that you can never do that without the direst consequences. Short times apart, if in the same vicinity are fine. Distance is a bigger problem – you cannot be far apart – at any time. So you couldn’t fly to Europe for work, Zach, and leave Alex here. She would have to go with you, or you don’t go. It’s as simple as that.”

  Simple? Nothing was simple about any of what the Angel had just told them. They were both thinking this at the same time. They realized the other was thinking the same – then realized they knew that the other was thinking the same. They looked at each other and Zach pulled Alex even closer.

  “This is not the only unique thing about the two of you. However, I have told you enough for now. I don’t want to burden you any further. I must leave, my brothers require my assistance. Many Demons have come through the gate and we have to deal with them.”

  At that, he disappeared, again. Why does he keep doing tha
t? Alex thought. He tells us such important information and then promptly leaves. Great.

  “Yea, I know,” Zach said aloud, and they both jumped. He was answering what she had been thinking. This was going to take some getting used to.

  Tatiana and Thadius both had shocked looks on their faces. Thadius took Tatiana’s hand and they went to another sofa and sat down. Tatiana’s feet didn’t touch the floor, but she just curled them up under herself. She also leaned into Thadius who had his arm around her.

  Alex tried something. In her mind she thought ‘I was right about those two. Look how they’re sitting.’

  Zach answered her back. ‘Yes, you were, she looks like a doll next to Thadius.’ Both of them gave a small ‘hmm’ and the other couple looked at them as if they were a bit crazy.

  Then a look of dawning crossed Tatiana’s face and she said, “You two were just talking to each other, in your heads, weren’t you?” Zach and Alex just nodded.

  Thadius took over. “Okay, that was pretty unexpected news, but we will just have to accept it. We can’t change any of it, and to be honest, I think when the two of you have some more time with this, you wouldn’t want to. Personally, I think you have been given a great gift, apart from the distance thing that is. Means no separate holidays for you!” He tried to make light of what had transpired. Alex didn’t need any more upset than she already had. But Zach could tell Thadius was also worried that he might lose one of the best assets that the Council had. Zach was the best at his job and there was nobody that came even close to filling his shoes.

  They would just have to wait and see what the future brought them. That is, if there was a future. If the ritual didn’t go according to plan, well, there may not be a future for any of them.

  “Zach, I think the two of you should go and prepare for tomorrow. I’m not sure what weapons you wish to take, but whatever you decide, you should get them ready.” Thadius had a concerned look on his face as he spoke.