Defender's Blood Tatiana's War (An Urban Fantasy)

by A. K. Michaels

  “I understand Zach, I don't like it but I do understand. I would say that once we release the prisoners I for one will be coming into the castle.” Tatiana looked to Thadius, knowing he wouldn't like it.

  “Tatiana - …..” Thadius stopped at Tatiana's hard look.

  “Ok, we'll follow as soon as we can.” Thadius finally got out and Finn was nodding his head.

  Glorel clutched Finn's hand tightly. “Be careful Finn!” She was scared for the young wolf, more so than her brother.

  “I will Glo, don't worry.” Finn bent and gave her a ghost of a kiss. Just barely did their lips touch but in that second Finn knew without a doubt who and what the little elf was. He pulled back with a smile and turned back and waited on his instructions.

  “Lilli, give me your bow. I'm good with it, I hunt all the time with my own.” Calaron held his hands out and Lilli gave it to him along with the quiver. Vlad had given it back earlier, she had felt the bow weighing her shoulder down, knowing that she would never be able to use it.

  Vlad pulled his backpack off and started going through it. He pulled out two of his dart guns and pulled out the white vials that fitted onto them. White being for witches. He loaded them both and handed one to Zach. The other he placed in the back of his waistband.

  Then he pulled out the little silver globes that were good for throwing and good for exploding.

  He fiddled with them. “Listen up, press the button on the side and throw straight away. There's only a two second delay. Don't want to make it longer because if we do we'll already have caught up to them when they explode. Try and target larger groups, it'll take more of them out. I'm going to keep one or two for inside the castle, we might need them there too. Here, just be careful you don't press the button too soon.”

  Vlad handed each of the vampires several of the small globes and they all had a good look. Checking where the button was and making sure they didn't press it.

  “This is going to get bloody, Lilli, Glorel, you probably won't want to watch. At least until most of it's over. I think both of you would prefer not to have those visions in your head. So just stay back a bit behind a tree or some such. At least until the explosions have finished.” Zach had gotten to know Lilli a bit and he realised she was completely different to Tatiana. Like chalk and cheese.

  Lilli was more fragile and he thought if she watched the initial clash she would have nightmares for months.

  Glorel was a bit of a mystery to him but she seemed a gentle woman. He also didn't want her to have terrible flashbacks to the horror he knew she would witness if she watched.

  Lilli nodded her head but Glorel just stared placidly into his eyes. Maybe she wasn't as weak as he had thought?

  “Ok, let's get going. We might as well get this over with.” Zach turned and started moving and everyone fell in line behind him.

  Chapter 9

  Lexi was pacing back and forth in the living area of their apartment and Michael was watching closely.

  “What's wrong little angel?” He could feel upset in his mate but wasn't sure what it was about.

  “I don't know Michael. Something's not right, but not here. I can't quite grasp it. It's driving me nuts!” Lexi stopped and her hands moved to the side of her head, pulling at her hair.

  The action concerned Michael and he stood up and moved to stand in front of her. “Hey, it'll come Lexi, don't get too upset. Try and relax a bit.”

  Lexi looked up into his perfect face, knowing he was trying to help. However, he had only succeeded in annoying her.

  “Michael! It's important, whatever it is. Something is very wrong!” Lexi started to pace again and then there was a knock at the door.

  Michael answered and he found Conall standing there, a worried look on his face. He walked in and past Michael and straight to Lexi.

  “You feel it too? Something's wrong but I can't quite grasp it Lexi.” Conall had been feeling progressively worse the last couple of hours and he had no clue what was going on. It wasn't something he had came across before, not knowing. He didn't like the feeling at all.

  “Yes, it's driving me nuts! I know I should be able to grasp what it is but it just keeps out of my reach!” Lexi was getting very agitated and Michael started to worry.

  What the hell had got the twins like this? He had no idea but it seemed important and he hoped it wasn't something too bad.

  “Lexi, come and sit down, try some meditation. You know it helps to focus you and your powers. It might be of some use.” Michael hoped she didn't snap at him or he may just have to get stern with his little angel.

  “Meditation. Why didn't I think of that! See, my mind's all over the place. Thanks Michael, can you help me. You know I always do it better when you're there to center me.” Lexi gave him a smile and he once more realised just how beautiful she was. Thank god she was his.

  She was worth giving up his Angel status for, no doubt at all in his mind.

  “Of course, come, we'll sit on the floor.” Michael sat down cross legged and Lexi mirrored his position. The large being reached for and got hold of her hands.

  “Ok now, deep breaths Lexi that's it. You know what you're doing baby just do it. I'll stay here and hold on. Deep breaths.” Michael stopped talking and let his little angel carry on. She knew what to do and he let her do it.

  Lexi's mind floated free and she relaxed, letting her powers out and searching for what was troubling her.

  *****

  He watched from afar at his love. The only being he had ever felt like this for. She was so beautiful, specially sitting on the floor meditating.

  The only thing to mar the scene was that traitor Michael sitting opposite her. His hatred to him great, this being that used to be his brother Angel.

  The being that stole away his love from him. He watched with envy as Michael held her hands. Perfect hands, soft and strong at the same time.

  He had touched those hands before, when she was younger. Before Michael sensed his feelings for the young girl. Before Michael had started to train the twins mostly on his own. Before Michael had made it much more difficult for him to have any time alone with Lexi.

  His hatred grew as he watched his love.

  Ever careful to not be sensed. Ever careful to not let any of them know of his presence. Ever careful to hide it, from everyone, including his father, the deep love he held for Lexi.

  *****

  Alex and Zach reached the edge of the forest first and waited on the rest, only a minute or so passed til everyone was there.

  Glorel still held tight to Finn and he had to pry his hand free. “I'll be ok Glo, you stay back here, yes, right behind this tree. Lilli, come over here and stay with Glorel.” Finn pushed Lilli's body into his little elf's and Glorel automatically put her arms around the fairy. Feeling her fear.

  “Stay here Glo, do you understand?” Finn's voice had deepened, was stern, and Glo's eyes widened. The command having a profound effect on her. She desperately wanted all this to be over and to truly be with her wolf.

  Finn raised an eyebrow and Glorel finally nodded, a small smile on her face. God she was the most gorgeous thing alive, Finn thought. He pulled his gaze from hers and turned away. He had a job to do.

  Zach got their party into the two groups. “Right, we'll go first, the explosions should help you, hopefully create some chaos and distraction. Count to twenty once we've gone then go for the prisoners – ok?” Zach was staring at the wolves, Calaron and Tatiana.

  Finn and Thadius were ready, he could tell, Tatiana too, Calaron looked as if he was fighting his own fear. Zach couldn't really blame the boy, he had never had to do anything like this but he saw him steady his nerves and he gave a nod. Even although his face was white Zach thought the elf would do fine.

  With the wolves probably doing most of the work he hoped the elf and Tatiana didn't have much more to do than release the prisoner's.

  “Calaron, when the prisoners are free you come back and make sure Glorel and Lilli ar
e safe – ok?” Zach saw the boy stiffen. “It's important Calaron. The rest of us don't need to be worrying about them.” Zach pressed his point and the elf said a quiet 'yes'.

  Vlad was itching to move. Zach could feel his power now thrumming through him and smiled. Vlad did like a good old down and dirty fight.

  “Let's go, Alexina you're with me, Vlad, Dmitri, you're together. Come on.” Zach turned and moved off, increasing his speed as he went.

  Soon, all four vampires were moving fast. The distance between them and the goblins disappeared rapidly. Vlad pulled out his first bomb, pressed the button and quickly threw it.

  The silver globe went sailing high and fast, landed in a group of goblins without them even noticing, and exploded. The devastation was astonishing. Body parts flew all over and blood rained down on nearby goblins.

  Their shock and fear were instant and strange screeches started up, the noise increasing quickly. Soon there was utter pandemonium as the goblins ran about, mostly in circles, screaming and screeching. The sounds coming from their mouths were more than a little strange. More animalistic than anything the Vampires had heard before.

  Dmitri let one of his globes fly at the same time as Zach, both using their vast strength to send them far in front. As they landed and exploded the smell of blood reached the fast moving vampires. The stench so foul that all had to focus hard to ignore it.

  The goblins were now running around in total terror and Alex saw a group huddled to her right. She concentrated her power and pressed the button on her globe before letting it fly. The small, metal bomb flew straight towards the group and decimated it entirely.

  The goblins nearby started running wildly. Trying to get away but having no idea which way to go. Death was all around them and their panic was overwhelming any of their meagre thought processes.

  Zach let one of his go and he put every ounce of his immense power behind the throw. The bomb flew high and wide and landed near the entrance to the castle where a group of goblins had gathered in fear.

  Once again the little device did it's intended job and most were obliterated. Most, but not all. Some were left, although badly hurt, limbs missing and losing blood at an alarming rate. Zach knew they would be dead before they reached them.

  The bombs flew quickly now, in all directions. Death and destruction followed wherever they landed. The goblins numbers getting eliminated at a colossal rate.

  The vampires drew closer to the gate and they now had weapons in their hands. Mainly swords and blades. The vampires were fast and deadly as they reached the few goblins still standing near the entrance.

  Alex was exceptionally fast and darted in and out, her sword striking at anything within her reach. Zach was the deadliest with a sword – it being one of his favourite weapons. The sword he wielded being in his possession for centuries and he had used it in many battles.

  Zach always went for a killing stroke, usually beheading, and soon him and Alex were at the gate. Both turned and watched as Vlad and Dmitri dispensed with the few goblins in their way.

  Vlad had a tight smile on his face as he fought and Dmitri had the coldest, hardest, face that Alex had ever seen. Shit just seeing him would probably cause most to have heart failure.

  As they joined them Zach looked inside the gate, nothing appeared in their way. However appearances could be very, very, deceptive.

  He moved forward cautiously and the rest followed. Dmitri keeping a close eye on their rear, protecting them from an attack.

  *****

  Thadius counted to ten and changed to wolf, Finn doing so also. As he got to twenty the two wolves flew down the hill towards the prisoners. Leaving Tatiana and Calaron far behind as they streaked in front.

  Tatiana shouted on them to wait but neither took heed. She could only watch as her mate and the young wolf ate up the ground and the distance between them got larger with every second.

  Tatiana started to run, as fast as her legs would take her and Calaron was right beside her. Tatiana ran quicker than she had in her life. Desperate to make sure her mate was not hurt.

  The explosions going off to the left of them scared her immensely. She hoped none of those bombs came in their direction.

  The fairy could hear the shouts and cries of the goblins. Both in fear and pain. Then the noises in front of her got her attention.

  The wolves had reached goblin guards and she could hear their loud growls and screams of goblins, fairies and elves. The poor prisoners, they would not know that the wolves were there to help. They would be terrified out of their wits, not having seen anything like the two wolves before.

  Finn and Thadius were attacking any goblins that got in their way. Their huge maws ripping and tearing and leaving body parts in their wake. The taste of the blood in each wolf's mouth stirring the beast within.

  Thadius had tried to keep count but lost it around the dozen mark. By then his wolf was so wild that he was trying hard to keep control.

  Finn was at his side and the young wolf was deadly. Very fast and strong. If he was in a proper Pack he would definitely have been the Alpha. Then Thadius realised of course he would. His biological father had been an Alpha. A bastard of one but an Alpha all the same.

  Thadius looked on in admiration as the young wolf tore into anything it could get to. Dmitri would be proud when Thadius told him.

  As that thought went through his head Thadius realised he had let his concentration wander. Too intent on his thoughts of Finn, Thadius felt a heavy hammer hitting one of his hind legs. He heard the bone snap loudly.

  The old wolf roared in pain and felt his hind quarters give way. He knew it was broken, had heard it break,felt it break. He roared again and turned to take down the goblin that had dared to attack him.

  As his head swirled around he saw the hammer in the air again and used his huge front paw to swipe it out of the hand of the goblin. His claws bit deep into the little male and blood sprayed all around as the goblin fell dead.

  Thadius tried to put weight on his leg but knew it was useless. He whined loudly to let the younger wolf know he was out of the action. He could now only try and defend himself from further attack.

  As Tatiana ran she heard it. The roar of pain and she knew it was her wolf. Her heart nearly stopped beating, fear shot through her system and she ran faster. Her small feet flying over the grass in a desperate attempt to get to her mate.

  Finn heard both the roar of pain and the whine. He was on his own. His concentration never wavered, he fought and killed, fought and killed. His wolf nothing short of a killing machine.

  He took the head clean off one goblin and turned for his next. None? There were no more in the area. All were either dead or had run off in fear of the wolves.

  The boy moved back to the old wolf who was now lying on the ground. His hind leg looked broken and Finn knew if he stayed wolf it would heal soon.

  Not soon enough though. Thadius would not be going in the castle with them.

  Finn stood guard over Thadius, making sure he was free from any further harm. It was at that point that Tatiana and Calaron reached them and shit the fairy looked mad as hell.

  Tatiana saw him, he was on the ground, Finn standing over him. The overpowering feeling of fear was rushing through her and she could barely think, barely breathe.

  She fell onto her knees in front of her wolf. “Thadius! Oh dear lord, what's wrong? Why didn't you wait! You should've waited!”

  Tatiana's fingers moved over the huge beast and at first found nothing. Finally she saw and felt the break. His hind leg, must've been hit with a hammer, broken badly.

  “Ok Thadius, stay wolf my mate. You know you'll heal quicker. I can't stay to heal you my wolf. I have to find the Queen. Calaron! Calaron, take Finn get the gates of this prison open now!” Tatiana's voice was loud and Calaron looked at the huge beast she was stroking. It was difficult for him to think this was her mate.

  Finn's wolf moved forward and nudged the elf who jumped almost a foot in the a
ir at the touch. Calaron's eyes wide as he looked at the blood spattered wolf.

  “He's telling you to move. Get those people free Calaron, Finn will help.” Tatiana was getting annoyed at the elf. Why would he not MOVE?

  After the large wolf, Finn, nudged him a second time Calaron started to move. Searching for the entrance in the fence. After a few minutes they found it. A very large chain and padlock securing it.

  Calaron pulled and pulled but it wouldn't budge. The wolf knocked him out the way, none too gently. One huge paw snaked up and then down and it's claws had a hold of the chain. With little effort the chain broke under the immense strength of the wolf.

  Calaron pulled the chains apart and pulled the gates open. The people inside had watched the wolves killing the goblins. Had seen Tatiana fall down and stroke one. Had watched as Calaron had been pushed aside and the wolf broke the chain to their prison.

  However, none moved, all staring quietly in fear at the great beast. Calaron started to shout. “He's a friend! Tatiana brought them from the human realm. They're here to help. Come on, you need to get out of here. Come on!”

  The elf's voice had risen and was now a very loud shout. Finn moved back a few paces. He did not want to be the cause of these people not getting away.

  Finally one bolted out the gate and took off running towards the trees. That one was followed by one more, then two, then the whole lot moved. Soon they were all headed out of the confines they had been kept in and towards the open area and forest

  Some were angry and stayed at Calaron's side asking if they needed any help. Tatiana heard and raised her voice. “Check for goblins, if you find any still alive bring them here, lock them up and keep guard over them.”

  The men looked around and picked up a motley assortment of weapons and headed out.

  They came back quickly in dribs and drabs with goblins and placed them inside the prison that they had just been released from.