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

by A. K. Michaels

  Zach moved more fully into the room and his eyes were drawn to the very back of the large room. Two figures stood, as if waiting on them.

  A stick thin woman with long dark hair and eyes to match. Whether that was their natural state or not nobody knew. Only that the orbs within were dark, almost black. She had a small smirk on her face as she saw them enter.

  The other figure was much larger and standing to the side, and Zach saw it. The bulge on his back. A bulge that looked suspiciously like mottled grey wings.

  Shit! A Fallen, and one still with wings. Which meant he was very powerful indeed.

  The laugh on the males face as it turned proved just what kind of trouble they had walked into. The features perfect, hard, dangerous.

  Alex gasped, no, not another of these fucking Fallen. Were they never going to be rid of them. And what the hell was it doing here, in the fairy realm.

  The male's eyes bored into each of them before coming to bear on Alex. A small smile coming over it's lips.

  “Ah the Defender herself! Such a pleasure Alexina. It was due to your being late in your duties and letting all those nasty demons loose that gave some of us ideas. So I have to thank you. I'm glad I can do that in person, so Defender, thank you.” The smile on it's flawless features was cold and Alex shuddered involuntarily.

  Tatiana moved slightly and was right next to Alex. Her job as Guardian of the Defender deep inside her very soul.

  The Fallen chuckled, a cold, hateful sound. “Ah yes, Tatiana, her Guardian. Didn't do your job very well did you fairy. All of this, the demons, my brothers and I, all of this is your fault, of course! If you had done your job and the Defender had done hers then none of this would have happened! How does that feel fairy? To be the cause of such destruction? How does it feel to be the bringer of the enslavement of your peoples?”

  Tatiana gasped and her heart felt as if it would stop completely. The words cutting deep as she had thought this many times herself. Tatiana had blamed herself, for a long time, for not ensuring Alex take on her duties as The Defender.

  “NO!” Alex shouted. “Don't you dare blame others for your own selfish and depraved acts! Don't you fucking dare!”

  Alex was not prepared to stand by and let this being make her fairy feel responsible for it's own failings. Nope, wasn't happening.

  Alex felt a strong hand on her arm, Zach's. She realised she had taken a step towards the being and Zach now held her back.

  Her mate's thoughts entered her head. 'I think we should call Lexi and Conall.'

  Alex nodded once as her eyes stayed fixed on the being in front.

  “What are you doing here and how did you get here?” Tatiana knew that this Fallen should not have been able to gain access here.

  “Answers to both are simple fairy. My little witch here, she was rather taken with me, weren't you?” The Fallen's hand reached out and ran a finger down the woman's face.

  Everyone saw the reaction, a look of lust and bliss coming over her features and she turned to look up at the powerful being.

  “So I enhanced her unique abilities somewhat, she found an entrance and opened it so we may gain entry to the fairy realm. Why? Well that's very simple. Tatiana, you are the only other being to be able to get here, bring others here. So once you are gone we'll be in peace to do as we plan. Those plans? To rule this realm, for a time anyway. Once my wings have gone I'll be able to mate. With my little witch here and with anyone else that takes my fancy. Once they actually breed and produce my offspring, well then, we'll be able to return to the human realm. It will be very easy then to take control.” The cold detached way in which the being spoke made every one of them shiver.

  “Where's the Queen?” Tatiana had to know, dreading the answer.

  “Oh she's alive, for the moment. I'm keeping her to breed with. Can you imagine! A fallen angel and a fairy Queen? Our offspring will be powerful indeed!” The smile now on the features of this being was one that sent chills deep down into Tatiana's body.

  The woman, witch, whatever she was, moved to the side and there behind them lay the Queen.

  Alex gasped as did Tatiana, the Queen was on the floor. She looked near death. She was encased in some kind of magical prison. Black smoke bars surrounded the Queen and sometimes the smoke snaked in, touching the flesh of the fairy. When it made contact her body spasmed and low moans were ripped from her throat.

  The pain the smoke was delivering was obvious for all present to see and Tatiana moved forward. Ready to do battle to save her Queen.

  The witch cackled, that was the only word for the sound that erupted from her mouth. One of her hands flew out and Tatiana was picked up and thrown across the room, landing with a hard thud and laying still.

  Alex started to move towards her and once more Zach's hand stayed her. He didn't want her drawing any fire from the witch or the Fallen.

  Alex's eyes were blurred, she was sure Tatiana was hurt, bad.

  Anger flared in her body and she turned towards the two in front of them. “You're going to pay for that witch!” Alex spat out and her voice was low and full of hate.

  Vlad had the dart gun in his hand and he moved quickly, using his supernatural speed, brought his hand up and fired. The dart flew rapidly towards the witch, he watched as it drew nearer and hoped it hit it's mark. Hoped to take the witch out, wanted badly to take the bitch down.

  Just as the dart was about to penetrate the witch's body she moved a hand quickly. Several things happened at once. The dart flew off to the side and landed on the floor. The gun in Vlad's hand was torn from his fingers with a force that nearly broke his hand. Another force then hit his body, throwing him against the wall and he slumped down onto the floor.

  Alex was shocked. Zach brought his hand up, gun in hand, hoping the witch was distracted enough for him to get his dart into her. The witch had other ideas and his gun was torn from his hand as roughly as Vlad's had been.

  Vlad shook his head and got up, his look to Zach saying they needed outside help. Fast.

  Zach lifted his head, spoke softly. “Lexi, Conall, we need you now.” Although his voice was barely above a whisper, the Fallen heard it.

  The massive being's head turned in Zach's direction with a hard look. “Who are those two you called on?” It's head was cocked to the side as if trying to work out if there was any kind of threat.

  “Oh you'll find out all right. I'm amazed you haven't heard of them. They're our twins!” Alex shouted and at that the twins appeared, Michael in tow.

  The twins looked around and took everything in quickly, as they always did. Without so much as a word they went towards the Fallen.

  Both went for the being, sensing the power in it. Wanting to take down the largest threat first. The being stared at them impassively as if having no fear. One of it's hands flew outwards and a visible ball of energy made it's way quickly towards the twins.

  Lexi halted for half a second and said a quick spell of her own. A bolt of bright light leaving her hands and colliding with the energy. A bright flash erupted and the energy disappeared, to a gasp and a shocked look from the Fallen.

  Conall leapt upwards and flew the last few feet, his powerful punch landing in the middle of the chest of the celestial being. It staggered back and let out a roar of pain.

  The witch saw her partner being attacked and started to move her hand. She only got half way as Finn's wolf had started to move as soon as the twins had. The large beast leapt into the air and landed on the witch. An unearthly scream escaping from her mouth.

  Lexi was almost there, could almost touch the being, and it was scrabbling backwards. Fear was now showing on it's face and he couldn't believe that these two had such powers. He realised his folly at staying completely under the radar and out of touch with his Fallen brothers.

  If he had not done that he would have been aware of these two. The power that they wielded could only come from one place and being. That place was heaven and the being was his father. For the first t
ime ever he felt fear, deep seated fear.

  Alex had ran to Tatiana as soon as the twins had made their move. She held the small fairy in her arms and tears ran down her cheeks. The fairy was limp and her body was obviously broken and damaged badly.

  Finn's wolf had the witch pinned down and his claws raked her stomach as his teeth found her throat. With one powerful bite her throat was ripped out and the wolf spat it out with disgust.

  As soon as the witch was dead the black smoke prison dissipated from around the Queen. The Queen slowly opened her eyes in hope, with more than a little fear present.

  Conall landed another blow but the being grabbed hold and threw him to the side. He landed hard but was up and on his way back in a second.

  Lexi took the opportunity to place her hand on the being and her power flowed out of her. The being's eyes widened at the severe pain enveloping his entire body and screamed long and loudly in pain.

  Lexi kept her hand attached and increased her power. The fallen celestial being fell down, dead, in less than three seconds.

  Her mother's screams entered Lexi's consciousness. “Lexi – Tatiana's hurt! I think she's dying!”

  Chapter 11

  Zach and Vlad moved towards the Queen, who was looking at them with fear. She had never seen a vampire.

  “It's ok. Tatiana brought us to help. You're safe now.” Zach spoke softly and held his hand out.

  The Queen took it and Zach helped her to her feet and she held tight. Her legs were more than a little shaky and Zach put his arm around her and helped her forward.

  Lexi ran fast to her mother who was on the floor with Tatiana in her arms. The little fairy looked near death.

  “Help her! You've got to help her!” Alex was screaming and fear ran through her like an out of control train. She couldn't lose Tatiana.

  Lexi knelt down and placed her hands on the fairy, sending her power out. Sensing the damage done. Both inside and out, the fairy was hurt. Bones broken, internal organs damaged.

  Lexi concentrated hard, pushing her healing towards the fairy, pushing more, more, and even more. Suddenly Lexi could feel the healing start, bones mending, insides healing. A long sigh escaped Lexi's mouth as relief overtook her.

  Lexi knew it would destroy her mother if anything happened to Tatiana.

  Slowly, very slowly, Tatiana's eyes opened and she smiled up at Alex. “Hi – is everything ok?” The fairy had known the minute the power had hit her that she would die. She had felt the sheer magnitude of magic invade her and she had known in that split second she couldn't survive.

  Her eyes moved and saw Lexi – ah – that was why she wasn't dead.

  “Yes, we're all ok. They're dead and the Queen has been released. She seems a bit shaky but I'm sure she'll be fine.” Alex was smiling and Tatiana noticed the tears, she guessed why they were there.

  “Help me up.” Tatiana held out her hand to Alex who lifted the fairy from the floor with ease.

  “How do you feel? Are you ok?” Alex asked, the concern in her voice evident for everyone to hear.

  “I'm fine Alex, really.” Tatiana patted Alex's hand and moved her wobbly legs. She walked over to Zach who had a hold of her Queen

  Tatiana stopped in front of them. “My Queen, are you ok?” Tatiana could see the Queen's power returning already and the decomposing leaves and flowers in the room were changing.

  “Yes Tatiana, I am well enough now. Is it you I have to thank for our release?” The Queen smiled down at her little fairy. One she had not seen in nearly a hundred years but one she knew well.

  “No, my Queen, it is my friends and their children that are the reason.” Tatiana blushed as she spoke.

  “Ah but Tatiana how did they know to come? How did they get here?” The Queen looked down at the blush on Tatiana's face. She had never been one to take compliments easily.

  Zach laughed. “You should see the blush on your face Tatiana. Your Queen is wise, she knows it was you that brought us here.”

  The room around them was transforming, flowers and vines appeared all over the place. Obviously the Queen's power was returning.

  Tatiana's eyes went wide. “Thadius – I have to get back to Thadius! He was hurt earlier!”

  The fairy turned and ran, the Queen's eyes wide at her fast departure.

  “I am well now, you may let me go.” Her voice was now strong and Zach could feel her strength and power returning, quickly.

  “Ok, well we've got to go and check on some friends. I assume you'll take care of everything else?” Zach looked at the beauty in the Queen. She was breathtaking.

  A cough broke into his thoughts and he turned to see Alex with an eyebrow raised and a hand on her hip.

  Zach strode over and grabbed her to him. Picking her up he placed a kiss on her lips. Alex squealed into his mouth. “Put me down Zach!”

  Zach chuckled and kissed her again before laying her feet back onto the floor.

  Vlad and Dmitri looked at them as if they were mad.

  Finn had gone, they thought he may have gone to check on his little Glorel.

  There was a bright shimmer and the Fallen's body disappeared, which was a little disconcerting. Usually Angels came to dispose of any bodies of the Fallen. Alex and Zach wondered at the difference this time but realised it didn't really matter. The Fallen Angel was dead and his body removed from the Fairy Realm. They turned once again to the Queen and could visibly see her power returning.

  “So you don't need us now?” Lexi said as she moved to her mate. Michael enveloped her in his large arms and as soon as her father made a shake of his head they moved. All three going home.

  The Queen moved forward. “I can take over from here. My thanks to all of you. If you had not came, my realm would have been destroyed. I am afraid we will have a lot of work to do. I fear any goblins will no longer be welcome here. It brings me great sadness but I am not sure if the people will be able to see past their wrongdoings. Anyway, that's for me to worry about. For now I will make sure everyone is fine and start from there. My thanks again, and I must say it was... intriguing ... to have met you all.”

  The vampires nodded their heads and moved out of the room. The Queen was right, it was her job to sort things in this realm. They had enough trouble trying to keep on top of things in their own realm.

  They moved quickly, wanting to check on Thadius and see exactly where Finn was.

  As they reached the main area outside the castle they were amazed at the difference. Calmness seemed to swamp the area. Already elves and fairies were coming out of the woods, coming closer to the castle slowly.

  As they passed more and more people they got more than a few smiles. Although most of the people gave them a wide berth. Fear still evident on their faces as they looked at the motley crew of vampires. They didn't blame the fairies and elves, after all they were covered in blood and gore.

  They trudged on and soon found Tatiana, sitting on the ground, her arms around her wolf's head. The large animal looked more than content and Alex looked him over, where was he hurt?

  “A hammer broke his hind leg. I think it's nearly healed though, we'll stay here for a little bit longer. Can you go and check on Lilli for me? I'm worried some of those goblins may have made it to the woods.” Tatiana spoke but didn't look up from her mate.

  “Ok, we need to find Finn anyway. Stay here, we won't be long.” Alex smiled as she spoke, seeing her little fairy with her huge mate.

  “We'll come too, in case any of those little fuckers did get to the trees.” Vlad was still hyped up. He actually hoped there were some more of those goblins so he could burn off some of his pent up energy.

  The four vampires moved off towards the trees and where they had left Lilli and Glorel. Calaron should be with them but they wanted to make sure for themselves that all was well.

  As they neared where they had left them they all clearly heard raised voices and a few growls.

  The vampires raised their weapons, what now?

 
; As they grew closer they realised that it was an argument. All could clearly hear Glorel and Calaron's voices, raised and almost shouting.

  Alex guessed at the reason and as they moved through the trees she was proved right.

  Finn now stood with his arms around Glorel's waist, her back to his front. Calaron was shouting and saying that Glorel wasn't going anywhere. While Glorel said she was. Finn was snarling and growling low in his throat and his body was tensed as if ready for a fight.

  Lilli stood wide eyed, not having a clue as to what to do.

  Vlad took over, marching into the middle of the small huddle of bodies. “Ok – what's going on? One at a time, Finn, report!”

  The young wolf dragged his eyes from Calaron and looked to his boss. He stood up a bit straighter and spoke with restrained anger. “Glorel realises we are to be together. Calaron says she is not leaving. Obviously she is.”

  Vlad tried not to smile as his eyes lowered to Glorel. The beautiful elf now sporting an angry look and blush to her cheeks.

  “Glorel?” Vlad asked and the elf looked up into his face.

  “As soon as you all left my stomach clenched. I felt it as soon as Finn left me! I need to be close to him. I need to be with him! I AM going with him!” Glorel finished by throwing her brother a defiant look.

  “Calaron?” Vlad now looked to the male who was standing as if he was going to fight? Was the boy mad? Finn would rip him to shreds in seconds.

  “She's my sister! She's all I have now! I will not allow her to be taken from me!” Calaron looked as if he was going to move to grab his sister. Vlad placed a hand on his shoulder, keeping him in place. Knowing that if Calaron made a move nobody would be able to stop Finn from attacking.

  “Ok,well we have a problem. A couple of solutions, Finn, do you think Glorel is your mate?” Vlad asked and the boy was nodding his head quickly.

  “Yes! She is and I'm not leaving without her!” Finn once more growled at Calaron.