Defender's Blood The Birth and The Battle (Urban Fantasy)

by A. K. Michaels

  Chapter 6

  The next couple of days kept Alex busy, packing for the trip and making lists of what she wanted to look for in the shops. Irina was very excited about what she called their ‘road trip’ and it rubbed off on Alex. She was looking forward to the break and hoping it would relax Zach a bit.

  He had been away quite a lot the day before and just told her he was sorting some things out but didn’t elaborate. As he had put a mild block on his thoughts, she was left wondering what he was up to.

  On the morning they were leaving, Vlad and Irina arrived early. Alex’s appointment at the doctor was early afternoon and they wanted to get to the hotel and book in first.

  Alex was surprised to see Vlad’s car, she hadn’t before. It was gorgeous, a Mazda 6, and it looked very sleek and fast. She sat in the back with Zach and it was extremely comfortable, she relaxed back into the soft seat before fastening her seatbelt.

  Vlad proceeded to tell them all about his car and the modifications he had made to it. It went faster than anything else he had driven, he told them. The car was almost brand new and Vlad obviously loved it.

  Once they were out on the main road leading away from Unity, Vlad put his foot to the floor and they sped along. Normally Alex would have felt a little nervous going at such a speed but Vampire reactions were so fast she didn’t have to worry. Vlad was a very good driver and it showed in the way he handled his vehicle.

  They were only on the road for a short time when she could sense a change in both Vlad and Zach. Something wasn’t right.

  “Take it you sense them too?” Vlad spoke quietly towards Zach.

  “Yup, for about the last minute or two, was very weak at first but stronger now,” Zach answered.

  “What’s going on, what are you and Vlad talking about?” Alex was a little nervous, she could feel the power now emanating from both Vampires and Irina was sitting up straight in her seat with her nose twitching.

  Zach’s voice was hard as he spoke. “Someone’s following us, or something, I can sense it. It’s evil but it’s not as strong as the Demons we have faced in the past, so I’m thinking it’s their human cohorts. What do you think, Vlad?”

  “Yeah, I think that’s about right. We need to decide what we’re going to do? If we’re going to take them on then we need to do so now, before we reach any roads with other traffic or any humans about?” Vlad spoke in a clipped tone.

  “Hold on a minute, I’m going to see if I can sense anything else.” Zach closed his eyes, a look of pure concentration on his face. “I think there are four, possibly five … no, definitely four, and they’re not far behind. I think we should stop and take them head on.”

  “Okay,” Vlad said. He pressed a button on his dashboard and a menu came up on the small screen in the middle of the console. He pressed another which looked like it said ‘Voice Activation’ then he spoke, “Speed dial number two,” and then the sound of a phone ringing could be heard.

  It was answered almost immediately. “Dmitri – we’re about seven minutes from Unity, we’ve got a tail and Zach and I are going to confront them. I need you to get some of the guys and get here as soon as you can. Get someone to follow behind with a van – there may be clean up involved.”

  “Understood.” They all heard the Russian accent in the one word uttered by Vlad’s second in command.

  “Okay, good ... see you in a few. Disconnect.” And there was silence.

  Alex was looking out the back window, though it was quite high up and she could barely make anything out.

  “Right, there’s a bend coming up, I’ll pull over once we’re round and we can wait for them. They’ll get a shock when they come round the corner!” Vlad’s voice was extremely calm and she wondered how he was always so cool, nothing much fazed him.

  As soon as Vlad pulled over, Zach was out of the car, he came round to her side and opened the door. “You need to stay in the car, Alexina – do not get out, no matter what. If I’m wrong and it’s more than humans then we may have a problem. If we can’t defeat them then you need to try to stay here and not let them get to you. Dmitri and the other Guards will be here soon. Irina, I need you to get out and shift, you need to stay at this door and do not let anyone in. Vlad and I will walk back a bit and we’ll wait for them. Irina, are you okay with this?” He spoke in a very professional tone, one that brooked no arguments, only compliance.

  “Yes Zach, I’ll make sure Alex is safe. Vlad, be careful.” She moved over the middle console and gave him a kiss.

  “My little Wolf, you know me, I’m always careful. Take care, I’ll be back soon.” And to Alex’s amazement, Vlad’s tone was one that told of his excitement and even frivolity, he was looking forward to whatever was going to happen.

  Vlad got out and followed Zach. Irina made her way to Alex’s side of the car with the keys in her hand, locked the doors then placed them on the top of the back wheel. Alex was worried, not for herself but for her Vampire and her friends.

  She undid her seat belt, got up on her knees and looked out the back window. Vlad and Zach were standing a little way back. She saw a flash to her side and noticed Irina’s Wolf standing guard.

  She loved seeing the Wolf, it was so large she always thought it amazing that it had come from Irina and usually when she was around it, the Wolf was playful. This time, however, Alex could feel the tension in the animal. It looked like it wanted to sink its teeth into something, or someone.

  Alex pushed a thought to Zach. ‘I think you should put a block in place – I don’t want to distract you.’

  He replied immediately, ‘Yes, I was just about to do that. Be with you soon.’ Then his thoughts disappeared from her mind. She hated it, she felt only partly whole without his thoughts.

  It wasn’t long before an old battered pickup truck appeared round the bend. When they saw Zach and Vlad, they slammed on the brakes and the vehicle skidded, coming to a halt sideways across the road, very close to the Vampires.

  They stayed parked for a few moments as if discussing what they should do. Vlad and Zach started towards them, the doors opened and four men got out. Dressed rather shabbily, all in black, and with various weapons in their hands. One had what looked like a chain, although it looked a tad too shiny and Alex wondered what it was made of. One had a crossbow and the others had wooden stakes and a gun, one of each in their hands.

  Alex’s breath caught when she saw the guns. She wasn’t sure what damage a bullet could do to Vlad and Zach but she was sure it would hurt Irina and it would sure as hell kill her, and her babies!

  Vlad moved towards the men and then took off at his supernatural speed, he literally was a flash of movement. He went for the man with the crossbow first, snapping his neck like it was a twig, then moved onto the man with the chain. As he grabbed him the man tried to throw the chain backwards towards Vlad, who caught it and pulled it out of his hands. Alex could see smoke coming from Vlad’s hands. What the hell was that made of that it was doing that?

  The other two had tried to shoot Zach, so far unsuccessfully. He moved to the one farthest away, lifted him into the air and threw him back towards their pickup. The man hit head first on the top of the bonnet and Alex could hear the noise his head made, she doubted he was still alive.

  Zach then went towards the other man with the gun and stake, he relieved him of the gun and broke the wrist that held the stake. The man was screaming in pain. Zach just held him by the front of his clothes in the air, feet kicking futilely in Zach’s direction.

  Vlad had turned the man who had the chain around and it looked like he had punched him in the chest. However, Vlad’s hand came back and into sight of Alex and she saw he was holding what she assumed was the man’s heart. He threw the body away and squeezed the heart in his hand until it was nothing but a mushy mess. He then made his way over to Zach, they looked as if they were going to ask the one he was holding some questions.

  There was a flash to her side and onc
e again it was Irina standing at the side of the car, a look of relief on her face. She retrieved the car keys and unlocked the car. Alex’s heart had been pounding out of her chest, but it looked like the worst was over and it started to calm down.

  There were three bodies lying in various positions and she was in awe of how the two Vampires had dealt with them so quickly.

  She could hear shouting from Vlad and Zach and the man in the air just kept shaking his head. She couldn’t hear the words but she didn’t think they were discussing the weather. Zach’s fangs were out, he moved to bite the man’s throat and he screamed all the more. Zach pulled back and listened for a minute or so and then moved his head forward again. This time he didn’t stop and he tore the man’s throat out. He turned his head, spat the flesh from his mouth and dropped the body to the ground.

  Alex gasped. She knew he was deadly, knew he could fight, but seeing him rip the throat from the man, well it scared her a little bit. However, what scared her the most was … well ... it also aroused her somewhat.

  Seconds after the last man was dropped to the ground, a car flew round the corner and slammed on its brakes, barely missing the abandoned pickup truck.

  Dmitri flew out the driver’s door and three other very large Guards joined him. “I see you took care of the threat, you could have left at least one for me?” He spoke to Vlad, with the hint of a smile on his face.

  “Sorry my friend. Didn’t you know we’re on a road trip, no time for messing around,” Vlad responded with a smile.

  “The van is on its way, we’ll get rid of the bodies but I’ll search them and their pickup for any paperwork or ID, see if we can get any leads.” Dmitri was all business and shouted at two of the Guards to start searching the pickup then told the other one to start searching the bodies.

  Irina had opened the boot of their car, she reached in and got something and then closed the boot again. She walked towards Zach and Vlad and handed them a packet of wipes each, to clean whatever mess they had on them. Zach rubbed his face vigorously and Vlad cleaned the mess from his hands.

  Zach moved towards the car and when he got to the boot he opened it and took out a bottle of water. He swirled the liquid in his mouth and spat, again and again he did this, trying to get rid of the disgusting taste the last man had left in his mouth. He smiled over at Alex who was still on her knees looking out the window. He let down his mental block and his thoughts once more entered her head. It calmed her, she didn’t like it when they weren’t ‘in touch’, so to speak.

  Irina returned and got in the car, she seemed extremely calm and Alex started to talk quickly. “Irina – you’re so calm? How come you’re so calm? I thought my heart was going to burst from my chest!”

  Irina turned round and smiled at Alex. “Alex honey, surely you didn’t think four humans would be any type of threat to us? Either one of the guys could have dealt with them on their own, they just worked together to get it done a teensy bit quicker. Jeez, even I could probably have taken them, unless the bullets were silver that is. Then it could’ve got interesting. Although I would have gone for the ones with the guns first, just in case. Humans, unless there are a large number, do not pose any threat, Alex. Relax, we’ll be on our way in no time.” She promptly turned round and relaxed into her seat.

  Alex forgot sometimes just how strong these people were. Good grief, Irina’s Wolf was huge, of course she could have dealt with several men. As for Zach and Vlad, they were extremely powerful, she knew that. Sometimes she forgot just how much. She relaxed a bit more and sat back down no longer looking out at the carnage behind them.

  Zach and Vlad were in the car in a few minutes and Vlad took off – fast.

  “Zach, what did that one at the end say?” she wanted to know.

  “Well, we don’t know if it’s the truth, but he said they were supposed to just follow us. He said they were told in no uncertain terms not to cause a confrontation or harm you in any way. They had been sent by their Demon – didn’t get a name or anything – several weeks ago with orders to stay and watch outside the compound and if you left, to follow you. Nothing more, just follow you. So the upshot is that we have no idea what they were after. Vlad and I discussed going back home but decided we would carry on. Once we’re in Tucson it will be more difficult for anyone to follow us or indeed attack. We don’t think they want to draw attention to themselves. Well, not at this point anyway.”

  Alex processed what he had said. She wondered why they were interested in her in the first place. She had done the ritual sealing of the doors to hell a while ago. It would be about thirty-five years before it would need doing again. Some Demons had escaped but she thought Michael and his other Angels had dealt with them. Although maybe not all of them, going by what that man had said.

  “Why do you think they were sent to watch me though? Do you think the Demons know I’m pregnant? They won’t try and harm the babies. Will they?” Alex’s thoughts were for her unborn children, the thought that anything bad could happen to them scared her to death.

  Zach placed his arm around her shoulders. “You know I wouldn’t let anything happen to you or the babies.” His voice strong and placating. Yes she did know, but what if he wasn’t there, or if he was hurt and couldn’t help her? As usual her brain was going into overdrive.

  “Now Alexina, my little one, that’s quite enough. You’re going to give me a sore head with all that going on. Relax, we’re going to have a nice trip and return home so stop worrying.” She tried, but it was all still in the back of her mind.

  A little farther on and Zach was still swirling water in his mouth, he couldn’t get that taste to leave. He knew only one thing that would definitely help. “Vlad, could you do me a favour and pull in at the next gas station. Park behind in a private slot, would you?”

  Zach knew that Vlad would have an idea of what was going on and smiled. “No problem, Irina and I will go and grab a coffee, give you two a bit of privacy.” Irina opened her mouth, she was going to say that Alex might want something but Vlad reached over and gave her knee a squeeze. She looked at him and he smiled, a rather smutty smile she thought, and then it struck her. “Oh,” she said to Vlad and he just nodded.

  It was another twenty minutes until they came across anything. It was a small gas station with a shop attached selling everything from coffee to some very old-looking flowers in pots outside. Vlad pulled his car round back, there was nothing else round there and no windows in the back of the building. He got out and Irina followed. “See you two in a bit.” She laughed and skipped off after Vlad, giggling like a schoolgirl.

  Zach undid his seatbelt and also Alex’s then pulled her onto his lap. “My little one – I wouldn’t normally do this or ask you to do it but I can’t get the taste of that Demon follower from my mouth. The taste in my throat is making me feel decidedly grumpy. Do you think you could help me?” He spoke quietly and Alex was confused – how could she help?

  Zach placed his head into the nook of her neck and licked it softly. “Oh,” she let out and then it hit her, he wanted to feed.

  “Zach, but … but ... you know what happens when you feed.”

  He licked her throat again and then gave a small chuckle. “Indeed I do, my little one.”

  One of his hands had crept up and slowly and gently was caressing the underside of one of her breasts. Her breath hitched in her throat. “Here! Now?” she whimpered – he was already turning her on.

  “Yes, here and now. Very much now!” he groaned into her neck.

  Alex was wearing a simple dress, an outfit she thought fitting for going to see a new doctor, with bare legs and sandals. She nodded her head and Zach reached under the dress to pull down her panties. Once she was relieved of them he picked her up and placed her so she was straddling him. She reached down and undid his trousers and immediately his arousal popped out.

  She bent down to kiss him and positioned herself so that he could enter her. She moaned loudly,
he gripped her behind and pulled her closer still. “It’s going to have to be quick, darling. I don’t want anyone to come round here and see your beautiful bare behind going up and down,” Zach laughed.

  “Quick’s good, but I’ll need to go to the ladies to clean up.”

  “Nope, I’ve come prepared,” and Zach pulled out a package of wipes from the side of the door.

  Zach thrust up and licked at her throat, he used one of his hands to tweak one of her nipples through the dress. He did it quite hard and the response was dramatic, she started to ride him fast and hard. He smiled into her throat and let his fangs elongate, he played for a few minutes more, running his very sharp teeth over her throat and the top of her breasts which the dress allowed.

  He felt her getting more and more aroused and he moved her head, thrusting his hand into her hair to hold her head still in the perfect position for him to reach her throat. He pierced her skin and drew a large mouthful of her sweet blood into his mouth, it was mind-blowing.

  As soon as the blood touched his taste buds his release was near. Alex’s was already upon her and she let out a host of little sounds. She was aware they were in a public place and she was desperately trying not to scream at the top of her lungs as she normally did.

  She finally pushed her face into his shoulder trying to lower the sound as she screamed his name. As soon as she tightened around him in her release, he soon followed.

  He hugged her close to him. Once more she had surprised him. He hadn’t thought she would do it. She had been quite a reserved person when he had first met her and as far as sex was concerned, well to say she was a novice was putting it mildly. However, Zach had taken great pleasure in teaching her all about sex and loosening up her inhibitions. “Yet another first,” she laughed.

  They disentangled and both used the wipes and sorted their clothing, Zach jumped out the car and put the dirty wipes into a nearly overflowing dustbin. Very soon after, Vlad and Irina returned, both had smiles on their faces and Alex blushed. She realised they knew what they had been doing. She punched Zach playfully in the arm and he raised his eyebrows as if to say ‘What?’