Defender's Blood Lexi's Trials: Book 7 Final Instalment of the Defender's Series

by A. K. Michaels

  Zach turned the engine off and was about to go around and help Alexina, as he normally did, but found she was already out of the vehicle and waiting on him impatiently. That little pout on her face again as she danced from one foot to the other. She moved her hand in a ’come on’ gesture as he walked towards her.

  Alexina opened the main door and went inside, her small feet moving fast as she took the stairs as quickly as she could. Zach had to up his speed to keep up with her but soon caught up, grabbing her hand and slowing her down somewhat. “Alexina, you need to slow down and calm down, all this excitement will pass onto Lexi and she needs to be nice and calm. We don’t want her getting ill again, do we?”

  Zach watched as Alexina frowned, again, then nodded her head in agreement, before they continued on at a more leisurely pace. As they reached the door to the apartment it swung open, Michael standing there waiting on them. Zach noticed he had a slightly worried look on his face. Alexina, however, didn’t, as she pushed passed the immense being and straight towards their daughter who was sitting on one of the sofas.

  Zach raised an eyebrow and inclined his head as Michael said, “Come with me to the kitchen, Zach? I’m just going to make some herbal tea for Lexi.”

  Zach followed Michael into the small kitchen area where the large being started to boil a kettle, the both kept their backs to the living room where Alexina and Lexi were babbling away in rather high pitched voices. Zach’s gut told him something was wrong and he only hoped it had nothing to do with Lexi’s health or that of the babies.

  Michael looked into Zach’s face as he whispered, “Zach, I know we didn’t get off on the best terms, but you know how much I love Lexi and I’ll do anything for her and anything to keep her safe..”

  Zach interrupted, “Are you saying Lexi is in danger? From who and why?”

  Michael sighed heavily, running a hand over his face before replying, “I’m not sure. I felt something earlier, only for the briefest of moments and then it was gone. It’s got me on edge and I’m not sure exactly what it was I felt anyway. I just wanted to let you know, in case we need your help, or maybe I’m just overreacting and it’s just my nerves with everything that happened yesterday...”

  Zach could clearly see the worry on Michael’s face, the used-to-be Angel certainly wasn’t one to panic or worry at nothing. As far as Zach had seen, Michael was as cool as a cucumber and not prone to over dramatising things. If this large being had sensed something then they should probably take note.

  Zach placed a hand on Michael’s arm, “I believe you, Michael, if you felt something then we need to take heed. However, if you don’t know the who or the what then I’m kinda at a loss as to what to do. Do you want to come and stay at ours for a bit? Then Lexi would have all three of us to watch over her?”

  Michael was already shaking his head before he replied, “No, that would let her know something was wrong. Come on, Zach, you and I aren’t exactly friends so if I said we were going to stay at your place she would know something was wrong. Plus, I’m trying to hide it from her, she’s far too good at reading my thoughts to keep things from her. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see, if it happens again I’ll definitely try harder to get a read on things to give us a better clue as to who or what it is. I just wanted you to know, just in case.”

  Michael finished with the tea making, picking up the cup and walking over to Lexi and Alexina as Zach stared at all three. He sent his senses out, using every last part of his immense power, trying to find whatever it was that Michael had felt. Zach tried to hide what he was doing from everyone else but noticed Alexina’s face turn to his, frowning as she watched him.

  He shook his head and walked over, standing in front of them, Michael now sitting beside Lexi, who was sipping her tea. Lexi’s smile was huge as she babbled about getting all the baby stuff from storage and wondering where they would put it all.

  Alexina patted her hand as she butted in, “Of course we’ll get everything for you and we’ll work it out, though you may want to move into a house more suited for children. One that has a garden so the kids can play outside, we can look into that for you, if you want?”

  Lexi was nodding as she smiled, first at her mother then at him. Zach gave her one of his best smiles, not wanting his daughter to know anything was bothering him. “I can do that when we get to the office and speaking of the office, Alexina, we need to go..”

  Lexi shot a frown his way, “What? No, can’t you stay for a little longer? I wanted to ask mum about some things to do with the pregnancy.”

  Zach shook his head, “I’m sorry, we’ve got a lot to catch up on, Lexi. Tell you what, why don’t you come for dinner tonight? Bring Conall with you and I’ll do some steaks for you all. Say about seven, is that okay? Then you and your mother can talk while us boys have a drink.”

  Zach watched as Lexi frowned before nodding her head, Alexina nodding also as she answered. “Yes, that’s a good idea, don’t be late you two, there’s a lot to discuss.”

  Alexina gave Lexi a quick cuddle before getting up and he took her hand as they left, Michael placing an arm around Lexi’s shoulders as she sipped her tea. Zach still had the partial block on his mind and he knew that his little mate was bursting to ask him what was going on. He wasn’t quite sure whether he would tell her, or not.

  As soon as they left the building and were in the jeep she turned to him, one eyebrow raised and staring intently. She didn’t say anything, just stared as he tried hard to ignore her. He drove away and kept his eyes on the road ahead, not wanting the conversation he knew was coming. Not yet. He wanted to get the words right in his head before he spoke. The last thing he wanted was to spook her enough that she about turned and went straight back and told Lexi. The last thing their daughter needed was to worry about some unknown threat.

  They were almost at their offices on the outskirts of the town when he broke under her stare, taking a deep breath before talking. “Okay, now first thing is, you have to stay calm and here, in the jeep, no shouting about turning around and going back or anything...”

  Zach heard her gasp and sneaked a quick look, seeing her eyes wide, her mouth open and her face full of worry. Shit, he hadn’t started that right at all so he tried again. “Alexina, please, try and not worry because we don’t even know if there’s anything to worry about yet..”

  Alexina cut him off, her tone cold and hard, “Who’s we? You and Michael perhaps? I saw the two of you in the kitchen and you two don’t just chat, Zach. Until recently, you two could barely be in the same room together, so I know something’s up. Tell me now, please.”

  Zach pulled the jeep to the side of the road and turned to face his mate, her face now marred with a little anger to join the worry. He reached over and took one of her hands in his, rubbing his thumb on the back as he stared into her face. He sighed, “Yes, you’re right, Michael and I aren’t the best of friends but I am trying to treat him with the respect he deserves as our daughter’s mate, and the father of our grandchildren. However, he did take me aside to tell me he thought he had felt something earlier. Now, Alexina, he is not even certain he did feel something, or if he did, what that something was. Before you say anything, the first thing I offered was for them to stay at ours for a bit but he declined, because then Lexi would definitely know something was up. I think we can all agree that she doesn’t need any more worry or stress right now. Okay, that’s me finished, fire away, meine Kleine.”

  Zach waited on the onslaught he guessed was coming and he wasn’t disappointed. Alexina’s face was upset, worried and angry all at once as she started to speak. “What? Are you telling me that our daughter is in some kind of danger? That there’s something trying to hurt her? Is that what you’re telling me? If so, then there’s no way in hell I’m not going straight back there! You hear me, Vampire! Turn this vehicle around right now, buster!”

  Zach let her rant, knowing it was her fear that was taking over her rational thought process. He waited for a few
seconds as she took several deep breaths in before he went on. “Firstly, we do not know if she’s in any danger. I’ve told you, Michael isn’t sure even if he did sense something and if he did he has no clue what it was. For all we know, honey, it could be another Angel that came to check in that she was okay. After all, Michael wasn’t the only Angel that looked after the kids. I’m sure some of them pop in and out from time to time to check on them. So, it could be completely innocent and not a threat at all. We are not going back, we will carry on and only if there is real evidence that there’s a threat will any action be taken. Conall is very close and he would know the second that Lexi was in any danger and get there far quicker than us. Alexina, I understand you’re worried but we need to stay calm, for Lexi. You know I’m right, honey, so please just calm down and we’ll take things as they come.”

  Zach stopped for a moment, sending his own senses out to feel his mate’s. Her anger was still right there at the top, but she was calming down, she could see the sense in his words but was reluctant to agree with him. A smile crept onto his face as he watched her, “Really? You should know better meine Kleine. I’m glad you agree, so can we get to work?”

  Alexina snorted, “Hmph, low blow, Vampire!”

  Zach laughed as he drove off, “Alexina, firstly, you can read mine just as well as I can yours. Secondly, you are a Vampire too so am not sure why you keep using that when you’re pissed off. Oh yes, and thirdly, I love you and I love Lexi. We’ll keep her safe, just as I kept you safe when you were pregnant. Okay?”

  At his words he felt the difference in her, as she relaxed slightly, taking just a moment before she replied. “Okay, Zach, I just don’t want her to go through what we did. I want her pregnancy to be normal, healthy, happy. Not full of worry and stress, so yes, we will keep her safe and those two grand-babies of ours. Put your foot down, we’re late for work.”

  Zach chuckled at her last retort, after all, it had been him urging her to get to the office. However, he complied with her request and pressed his foot to the floor, the jeep flying along the road and into the car park outside their building. He slammed on the brakes and the jeep skidded to a stop in their usual parking spot.

  Zach moved quickly, getting to Alexina’s door before she even had a chance to undo her seatbelt. He held out a hand and helped her out, her face a little flushed from the rather fast journey. He leaned down and kissed her nose, “Your wish is my command.” he laughed as he pulled her after him towards their office.

  Alexina tugged her hand, pulling him back a step or two, using her Vampire strength to halt his progress. As he turned around she was smiling up at him, a mischievous look twinkling in her eye as she whispered, “I hope so, ’cause I’ve got quite a few wishes I wouldn’t mind asking for later tonight!”

  Zach laughed, “Naughty, naughty, my little one.”

  With that she let go of his hand and flew past him, running fast to reach the relative safety of her desk, as he watched her with a huge smile on his face. Boy, did he love that woman, he thought as he took off after her.

  Chapter 3

  Alexina only just made it to her desk, flying past a startled Dmitri to make it, before Zach flew in behind her, laughing. Dmitri looked at each of them and shook his head, “What are you two up to? Or don’t I want to know?”

  Zach laughed louder as Alex replied, “Oh you definitely don’t want to know!” before she burst out laughing herself.

  Donna, Dmitri’s mate, stuck her head in the door, “What’s going on here?” she asked, “My sensitive ears picked up running feet and laughter. Is everything okay?”

  Dmitri looked at them as he replied to Donna, “I think these two are acting like love sick puppies again.”

  Donna smirked as she looked up into Dmitri’s face, “Nothing wrong with that.” she said as she twirled around and moved back to their office next door.

  Zach sat in his chair as he gave Alexina one last long look, then turned his attention to their Second in Command, Dmitri. The large Russian still giving them weird looks as he asked. “So, Dmitri, sorry about yesterday and yes, Lexi is fine, though we’re still coming to terms with the thought of becoming grandparents. Is there anything that’s urgent that needs our attention?”

  Dmitri’s face completely changed as he smiled, no longer the immensely huge scary Vampire that he looked like normally. “I’m glad Lexi’s going to be fine. We were all worried and when we found out what was going on, well, you could’ve knocked me down with a feather. It’s a miracle, that’s what it is. I sincerely hope you two get to enjoy these little ones this time.”

  Zach quickly turned to his mate, knowing she had been thinking the same thing. Their own twins snatched from them at such a young age and they never having the chance to raise them. He saw a flicker of hurt and anger race across her face before she got herself under control again.

  Alex’s tone was a little frosty as she spoke, “I bloody well hope so too, ’cause if not, there’ll be hell to pay this time.”

  Dmitri nodded, obviously understanding completely how they felt. “I know, Alex, I’ll be right there with you if anything happens to these babies. Now, onto work, I’m afraid we do have a situation and you’re not going to like it. I know I don’t and to be honest I wish we could take a pass on this as I really don’t want to deal with it. It gives me the, how do you Americans put it - the heebie jeebies! Yes this one definitely gives me the heebie jeebies.”

  Alexina looked more than a little shocked and Zach couldn’t blame her. What the hell spooked someone like Dmitri? He didn’t know, and truth be told, he wasn’t sure he wanted to know. He only motioned with his hand to tell the large Vampire to continue.

  Dmitri nodded, “Okay, well technically it’s not something we should deal with, however, Vlad has asked that we go in with him and his men. He’s personally taking over the mission and he wants you two, and me, as his Alpha team. This is...”

  Zach interrupted, his impatience growing, “Out with it, Dmitri, what the hell has you spooked?”

  Dmitri pulled himself up straighter, his immense frame turning fully to face Zach. “A necromancer, that’s what! The mission in New Orleans that time, gave me the heebie jeebies and so does this one! There’s reports of a necromancer at work in a small town on the border with Canada and we’ve been tasked with going and dealing with him, and those abominations he’s created. Vlad wants us over at his office asap and he’s got another two teams all set to go.”

  Alex was staring wide eyed at Dmitri as she queried, “Are you saying we’re going to take out, erm zombies? Really?”

  Zach shivered, he hated zombies! Only having dealt with them on one previous occasion...and that had been one time too many.

  Dmitri was nodding towards Alexina as she continued to stare, “Yes, that’s what I’m saying and I have to say, I’m not happy about going on this mission. The last time was bad enough, to have to deal with those things again wasn’t on my repeat list of things to do. Vlad isn’t happy either, he didn’t say much when he phoned, but I could tell with his voice that he wasn’t overjoyed. So, are you two ready?”

  Alexina looked to Zach, “Do we have to? I’m not sure I’ll be able to deal with those things. Can’t I stay here and catch up on paperwork?”

  Zach stood up, shaking his head and giving her a lopsided grin. “Nope, if I have to go then so do you, come on, meine Kleine, time to go face some freaky zombies.”

  Alexina sighed heavily before getting up and following behind the two very large Vampires. Just as well her and Zach dressed in their mission clothes this morning. Her eyes taking in her Vampire as he walked in front of her, his tall muscular frame sheathed in black with his long leather coat flapping behind him. Jeez he looked so damn fine this morning!

  Zach’s head swivelled around, catching her eyes with a lustful look that mirrored hers. He obviously read her thoughts and she smiled back at him with a very cheeky grin. She saw his lips moving, whispering, “Later.” before he turned and co
ntinued down the hallway.

  Dmitri followed them in his own vehicle to the Security Offices where Vlad waited. As they walked into the building they found him pacing back and forth with another two teams. All armed to the teeth with what appeared to be swords and machetes. What the hell? Alex thought as she saw the sun glinting through the windows and onto the shiny blades.

  Vlad stopped his back and forth movement and held out two large bladed weapons, nodding to another of the guards as he did so. The man moving towards Dmitri and handing him a long, double edged sword. Alex took the proffered blade and looked at it, a frown on her face.

  Vlad started talking immediately and his tone told of his unhappiness at what they were taking on. “Okay, so I assume Dmitri’s filled you in? We’re flying, James and Lisa are all ready for us and there’s a small area near where we need to be that he says he can land on. It’s not exactly a proper airstrip, well, not a functioning one anyway, but he says he can land the jet and if he says he can then that’s good enough for me. So, let’s get going. I want this over and done with today, as soon as possible, so I can get home and shower for a few hours!”

  Zach immediately knew what his friend meant. The last time they had killed some of the undead they had been covered in the most disgusting gore that smelled like nothing he had ever come across before. To say it was revolting was putting it mildly, it was the most loathsome, foul and repellent substance in the universe, in his opinion anyway.

  Zach watched Alexina’s face as she looked more and more worried. He hoped she didn’t freak out when she came face to face with the living dead they were going to hunt. In New Orleans even he had a hard time dealing with them. He hoped then that he would never have to deal with them again and silently cursed the necromancer responsible. If he could catch him then he was going to mete out some of his own punishment for his actions.

  Everyone moved outside and into vehicles to take them to the airstrip, Zach driving their jeep and as soon as they drove away Alexina turned to him. “Why have we got blades? And just what the hell did Vlad mean about the shower?”