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

by A. K. Michaels

  “Okay, well I have to feed and go – there’s a lot going on that needs my attention.” He spoke quickly but with passion.

  “Oh … well your mate needs your attention, Vampire.” Alex spoke with passion too, a lot of it.

  Zach answered, “Indeed you do.”

  He picked her up and took her to their room. He was glad that Vlad and Irina were out. Scott was outside and with his advanced hearing he would hear, but Zach didn’t care. He devoured her flesh and made her a happy, happy mate. He worked her up to such an extent she thought she was going to burst with need.

  He laughed gently and worked her all the more. “Alexina, I’m going to take a little more than I normally do, just in case I can’t get back as quickly as I’d like. Is that okay?” He asked her as she was grabbing the sheets as he worked his mouth over her most intimate place.

  “Fuck, Zach – you’re asking me now? At this moment you could bleed me dry and I would still ask you to do more!”

  Zach laughed against her sex. “I take that as a yes.”

  He went back to her nub and made her come. She was still shaking from it when he moved up and lay beside her, turning her on her side so he could enter her from behind. She started the little mewling sounds she did when they made love and his fangs descended all on their own. He thrust harder and felt his own release near. He bit down and drank. From his mate, the taste was always exquisite – always pulled him closer to his own climax. Alex screamed his name as his bite took her to high heights.

  He continued to suck her neck and more of her blood ran down his throat. He was thrusting in her and at the same time trying to hold off. She was already mounting to another high and another fierce climax. He thrust and sucked … life couldn’t get any better than this. She screamed his name once more and he thrust harder, sucked harder, and joined her. Her body shook and trembled, coming down from the double high of his bite. He held her close and gave her a few minutes to calm her body, he needed to calm his also.

  He slowly withdrew and got up, bending down and picking up Alexina, his mate, his love, and carrying her to the shower. The shower was shorter than their normal one, he had to get back to work. He insisted Alex lie down and rest afterwards. He dressed her first. She was complaining and saying she didn’t want to get dressed, but he insisted in case they had to move fast, she didn’t need to be losing time finding clothes.

  Once she was dressed and laying down in bed he moved – back to the office where Vlad was waiting for him.

  *****

  Scott had moved slightly further away from Alex and Zach’s house. He didn’t need to be hearing their lovemaking. Truth be told, he was jealous. He missed Bri. He was glad that she was safe though and took solace in that.

  He sensed when Zach had left the property, and his Wolf stalked back to its job of running the perimeter and trying to sense anything wrong. Just as he got around to the front door area he sensed a change in nature around him. He didn’t know what it was, but it worried him.

  He changed to human and walked through the door to take up guard at the bedroom door. He took his phone out and called Zach, who answered immediately. “Are you or Alex under attack?” the Vampire barked out.

  Scott thought that a weird first sentence but answered nonetheless. “No, but I was in Wolf form and I sensed something, a change in nature, in something … I’m not sure but I sensed something.”

  Zach spoke quickly. “Yes Scott, you need to get Alexina to her safe room. We’re getting calls from every Wolf and Witch in the area. We think there’s been some kind of attack against the wards we have in place. I don’t have any further info just now. Get her here Scott, now.”

  “Done.” Scott hung up the phone while opening the bedroom door and shouting at Alex. “Alex, you need to wake up, we need to leave now – come on.”

  Alex sat up and was awake in an instant. “Zach already took some stuff for me to the room we’ll be in, but I’ve not been there yet. I don’t know where we’re going, Scott.” Her voice had risen – she was going into a slight panic.

  His tone was calm as he answered, “That’s okay Alex, I know where we’re going. Just get your shoes on and follow me.” He had the keys out for the car sitting outside, they would be there in a couple of minutes.

  His hearing was picking up noise, lots of noise. When he opened the door, there were cars and folk all over, obviously going to their designated areas. Scott was worried they would hold him up getting Alex to the safe room.

  He got Alex into the car and pulled away. He had his lights flashing and his hand didn’t lift from the horn. Everyone got out of his way. He pulled up in front of the building in under two minutes.

  As he got out and went round to help Alex, he spotted Duncan, shouting orders to the people he was in charge of, Wolves and Vampires alike. Duncan turned, Scott’s scent alerting him that he was there. When he saw Alex, his eyes widened. He nodded once to Scott as he now realised why he was in charge of keeping that building safe – Alex would be in it.

  It just doubled his determination. He turned to his mixed bag of fighters. “Right all of you, we’ve got a very special package inside, an we need tae protect it. If any oh yous lets even one fucker past ye – well it’ll be me ye need tae be scared oh, no some fuckin Demon! Understood!”

  Everyone shouted back “Understood!” They went to their allotted area, most of the Wolves changing to their strong beasts immediately. One or two were waiting, Duncan having tasked them with communications – a Wolf paw didn’t dial a phone too well or its large ears hold a comms link, so they were human just now. Duncan, of course, had changed. His Wolf was the largest by far and one of the most powerful any of the Vampires present had ever seen.

  *****

  As Alex was taken inside, the building was a hive of activity. Irina was waiting for them and she took Alex’s hand, whether it was to help her waddle along or just to calm her, she wasn’t sure. Alex’s heart was racing. She had hoped this day wouldn’t come. She was scared for everyone and her babies.

  She followed Scott and they took a door and went down stairs. Both Scott and Irina helped her, it was difficult with her being so big.

  Finally they came out into the hallway leading to the very large steel door. It was already open and Zach stood waiting on her. Her heart did a flip at seeing him. He looked so handsome dressed all in black with his leather coat, and then he moved slightly and she saw his sword strapped to his back. Handsome and deadly – her Vampire.

  Fear rocketed within her. Nothing could happen to him. As she neared him, he held his arms out and she went into them willingly. “Okay now, little one, you have to stay here. Scott and Irina will be with you. I hate to do this darling, but I need to block you fully – I can’t be distracted.” She nodded up at him with tears in her eyes.

  One last time before he placed his block, Zach sent his thoughts to her. Love was foremost in them and he tried to push calmness towards her, he could sense how distraught she was. She smiled and he bent down and kissed her with a passion that rocked her. Halfway through the kiss, the block went up and she felt desolate.

  Zach pulled away and passed her off to Scott who gently but forcefully led her into the safe room. Zach stayed until the door was closed and his mate was sealed in the safe room.

  “Be safe, my little one,” he whispered, then turned and ran back along the hallway. Up to what, he didn’t know, but he was ready for anything. He wanted this all to be over and his mate and babies to be safe.

  *****

  Once inside the room, Scott sat down at the bank of computers and booted them up. Soon he had a view of just about everywhere and he had a direct link to Vlad. “Glad to see you, Scott. I take it all is well with Alex and Irina?”

  Scott nodded. “Yes Vlad, we’re here. Good luck.”

  Vlad replied, “Thanks Scott. I’m going to be busy but I’ll give you a run down before I get too occupied. The Witches confirm that most – not al
l – wards have been dismantled. They don’t know how this could be possible but that’s a moot point because it’s happened. All Vampires, Wolves and Witches are in place. We’re scanning every camera to try and see where they’re going to come from. As soon as we do, I’ll give the order to throw everything we’ve got at them. Mortars, rocket launchers, heat-seekers. Once that has been done, I’ll give the order to attack. There are a number of units that are to be based solely around this building, for obvious reasons. Duncan and his unit are the last guard. I just hope he doesn’t get much action. Okay – keep safe. Irina, if you can hear me … I love you, my little Wolf. I’ll come get you as soon as I can.”

  With that he was gone. They could still hear him in the background shouting orders and asking for updates.

  Irina smiled at Vlad’s parting remark. She loved him just as much and dearly wished he didn’t have to put himself in any danger. However, she knew that he couldn’t just take a back seat in all this, and the truth was that if he could have, then he wouldn’t be the man she loved so much.

  She led Alex to the bed, asking her to lie down. Alex was hyped up and she didn’t know if she could sit still, but Irina coaxed her to lie down. She sat with her for a few minutes to make sure she would stay put and then went over to the bank of computers. She pulled a chair beside Scott and sat down. The monitors showing the town were full of units getting into position. More than a few Wolves loped across the screen and her inner Wolf whined to get out. She looked to Scott and he just nodded – he felt the same.

  Something in the corner of one of the monitors caught their attention, it showed the large open area outside the town. It looked like a dark cloud on the ground moving forward. They strained their eyes to try and make out what it was.

  Irina gasped. Scott inhaled sharply. It wasn’t a dark cloud – it was many thousands of what looked to be humans, with a good few Demons along for the ride.

  Scott had never seen a Demon. He hadn’t been with Zach, Alex and the rest in Scotland on that mission, he had been charged with watching Margaret. However, he sure as hell could guess that’s what they were. Some were huge – bodies writhing as if alive, others had fire for hair and fire in their eye sockets, others still had disgusting appendages where arms and legs would be. Watching this unfold, his stomach clenched in fear … not a feeling he was comfortable with.

  Scott was a church-going man – always had been – even though he was a Wolf. Seeing these apparitions in front of him, he just hoped they were going to get some help from ‘upstairs’. He closed his eyes and sent a heartfelt prayer up to God and any Angels that happened to be listening. He asked them to help his comrades in this fight against evil. He finished and opened his eyes and hoped that they had heard and listened.

  Just at that point they could clearly see flashes in the sky, going towards the great mass. Explosions rained all around the horde. They could clearly make out bodies being thrown about and some being blown apart. The sight was sickening and he only hoped that they killed as many as they could before hand to hand combat commenced.

  Irina was holding her breath. Scott put his hand on her shoulder and she took a shuddering breath. Hoping Alex would not hear, she whispered “Scott … there’s so many of them!”

  He nodded. I know, Irina, but I’m sure Vlad’s rockets and mortars will take out a lot, and there’s thousands up there on our side. Not humans either, but strong Supers. Try not to worry.”

  “Oh my God!” the sound came from behind them and they turned to see Alex standing a couple of feet away staring at the screens. She gasped. “Scott – Jesus – look at them! Oh dear God, how can they fight them all?”

  Scott stood up and, seeing as he didn’t think Alex was going to go back to bed any time soon, he sat her down in his chair. He pulled another one over and sat beside her. “Alex, listen to me. Vlad’s rockets, mortars and heavy guns are already making an impact, he’s killing an awful lot with them. That’s good news for us – the more he can kill, the less there will be for hand to hand combat. Vlad knows what he’s doing, Alex, trust him.”

  She slowly nodded her head but couldn’t take her eyes from the screens.

  They could clearly hear Vlad’s shouts, telling units to stand firm, don’t move till he said, get more fucking rockets in the air pronto. His voice was quick, hurried but calm. He didn’t sound as if there was a horde of countless bodies coming towards them.

  *****

  In the control room, Vlad was staring at the monitors and roaring orders. Zach was at his side and Dmitri was dealing with getting units into place. He spoke to his Guard on the roof. “I want the heat-seekers ready, every fucking one. Get them ready, guys.”

  Over his earpiece his Guard replied, “Ready for first volley, Vlad. Firing … now!”

  Vlad could see the streaks of white in the sky, the rockets flying straight and true. The first exploded and Vlad cheered, it had homed in on one of the Demons who had fire instead of hair on his head.

  Another took out so many bodies, it was impossible to count – limbs flew all around. He almost thought he could smell the blood from where he sat. One more flew straight at one of the largest Demons and he yelled again. Zach was quiet, not a sound coming from him.

  Once all the heat-seeking missiles had been launched, the horde was dramatically reduced. What Vlad was more happy about were the Demons that had been destroyed. The fewer of those they had to deal with, the better.

  Vlad spoke urgently into his comms link. “Listen up everyone. Unit leaders, we want to take this fight to them, out in the open where we stand a better chance. So, units one through to fifteen, repeat, units one through to fifteen – attack. Go boys, no prisoners, death only. Kill the motherfuckers!”

  He looked at Zach and nodded. “Dmitri! Devon!” Vlad shouted. Dmitri was there in a flash – for someone so large he moved extremely swiftly. Another very large Vampire was at his side, one of Vlad’s Elite Guards.

  “Dmitri, you’re with Zach and me. Devon, you know what your orders are – watch Zach’s back. At all costs, you have to keep him alive.” The large man nodded his head as Vlad carried on.

  “Okay, we’re on. Come on, Zach, lets keep your babies safe.”

  Zach inclined his head and the look on his face shocked even Vlad. This was a Zach he hadn’t seen before, even in all the battles they had fought together. Zach’s face was a mask of pure hatred and icy calm. Shit, he even scared Vlad ... just a little.

  The four of them headed out and as soon as they got outside they started to run, their Vampire speed making them nothing but a blur. When they reached the open ground leading up to the town, they stopped. Vlad reminded Zach of what was to happen. “Zach, remember, stay with Dmitri and me. So do you want to just go for any of those or someone in particular?” Vlad guessed what the answer would be.

  Zach spoke in an extremely deadly tone. “The big Demon out front and those smaller ones – we need to take them out first. We should tag team and go for them. The humans can be dealt with by everyone else.”

  Vlad looked out over the large area in front and saw so many of their people going into battle. The Vampires were using their vast speed and were way in front of the Wolves, though the Wolves were moving fast and catching up. Zach saw Sam and Emily loping out to join the fight, which surprised him ... he didn’t think they were the fighting sort. But they were Wolves, so he shouldn’t really have been surprised. They waited for a moment. They wanted to see the first clash, gauge what they were up against.

  The Witches were on the roofs of the buildings sending bolts of lightning, mainly to the edges so as not to hit any of their own. The bolts were devastating, bodies flying all over and the smell of burning flesh hit their nostrils.

  The Vampires hit first, and it was soon apparent that the humans had been enhanced – they were much stronger than an average human. However, not as strong as Vampires or Wolves and they were cut down in a mesh of bodies and blood. Vampires were break
ing necks right, left and centre, ripping throats out and blood was spraying everywhere.

  The Wolves were next, and the carnage they left behind was astonishing. Vlad had seen nothing like it in his long life. Jeez, they were killing machines. Arms, legs and even heads were completely ripped from bodies and then they would move onto the next. Some of the enemy were getting through, due to the vast numbers.

  Vlad spoke into his comms link. “Everyone back at town – there are some getting through, it’s your job to end them. Units sixteen through to twenty-two, head to the edge of town and tackle them. Units twenty-three to thirty, spread out around the town and get any stragglers. Units thirty and over, keep your positions – we can’t be certain they won’t attack from another angle. Keep alert, boys. Vlad out – you won’t hear from me for a bit guys, I’m going to be busy.” He turned to Zach, Dmitri and Devon. “Okay, let’s go.”

  They took off fast – very fast. They ignored everyone and everything around them, pushing through anything in their way, sometimes killing to get through. Zach’s sword was in his hands and he was using it with deadly precision. Devon stayed behind Zach, watching his back. Dmitri’s size and speed threw bodies out of the way and Vlad was the quickest – he could dodge and get around just about anything. They were heading for the large Demon near the front of the horde, they would go for him together.

  First they had to get to it, some smaller Demons stood in their way and they fought as one to end them. Dmitri fired one of his guns into the head of one coming their way and the Demon roared in pain before the head exploded. Vlad and Zach killed another two smaller ones, both using their swords in devastating accuracy, taking the heads clean off. Soon there wasn’t a hell of a lot between them and the huge Demon.

  Devon stayed at their rear, taking out any humans that came within his reach, but focusing totally on Zach. Vlad gave him a quick nod in acknowledgement as they continued to fight.