Defender's Blood The Turning (An Urban Fantasy) Read online

  Defender’s Blood

  The Turning

  Book 3

  A K Michaels

  © 2013 by A K Michaels All Rights Reserved

  This book, or any portion thereof, may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission by the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 1

  Zach roared, as if his heart was being torn from his chest. His love was dying in his arms.

  “NOOOOOOO!” Everybody who heard it gasped – the terror in the Vampire’s voice was clear for anyone to hear.

  Tatiana, the small Fairy, came up to his waist. She grabbed onto him tightly, her own heart beating so fast she fought to breathe. “Zach! Listen to me – YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO ME!”

  Her words made it through to the large Vampire and he turned his eyes to hers.

  “Vampire, you can help her – you have to help her, Zach. You know what you have to do!”

  Zach shook his head. “Tatiana – you don’t know what you’re asking me! Fairy, she might not want this!”

  Tatiana only stared into his eyes, speaking urgently. “It’s the only way, Zach. If you don’t do something now she’ll die! You need to do it now Zach. I can’t lose my girl!”

  Zach looked to Vlad, his friend of many centuries, but Vlad could barely make eye contact. “What do I do, Vlad, I don’t know what to do?” Zach’s voice was now barely a whisper.

  “Zach – you need to do what’s best for both of you. I don’t want to lose you, my friend. You know what’ll happen if she dies. Your babies need you – both of you. I know it’s against the Law, but I think you should do what Tatiana is asking of you.”

  Vlad’s mate, Irina, was weeping loudly in his arms, “Don’t let her die – please Zach – don’t let her die!”

  Zach shook his head as if trying to clear his thoughts. He couldn’t lose her. Their babies couldn’t lose her. Fuck! She might not want this though, what if he did it and she hated him? How could he live with her hate?

  What if he did it and she died anyway from the turning, rather than made it through?

  Zach held Alexina in his arms and he could hear her heart slowing, stuttering. He roared like a caged animal one last time, before making up his mind. His fangs elongated and he listened for her heartbeats, waiting until they were almost done, almost but not quite. It came quickly, too quickly, her heart slowed, slowed again, and he knew the time was now.

  He pierced her skin and took what little was left, before quickly biting his own wrist, forcing his blood down her throat. She didn’t swallow, so he worked his hand over her neck, making her take his blood inside. She didn’t move, barely breathed, her heart was almost at a stop.

  Would it work? He hadn’t changed anyone in centuries, he had almost forgotten what to do, had he timed it right?

  Would his soulmate die, or live as a Vampire – the same as himself? They had never spoken of his turning her, it wasn’t something that had come up. If it worked, would she hate him for turning her into a Vampire? Could she live as one? He had no idea, he only did what he had to do. He could not lose her.

  He turned his head to the doctor who had just delivered their twins, her belly still cut open for all to see. “David – please close her up. Don’t do anything else, just stitch her together please.”

  His voice was not one that any of those in the room had ever heard coming from his throat, not one that any of them wished to hear again, ever.

  Desolation, fear, despair, anger ... how could a voice hold all of these emotions and more?

  Tatiana stayed next to the head of the table holding Alex, the thought that she would lose her girl was clearly more than she could bear. She heard Vlad talking and she turned, trying to hear what he was saying.

  “Thadius, it’s Vlad. Alex is, or rather was, dying, David couldn’t do anything.” Vlad heard Thadius gasp.

  Thadius took a deep breath before speaking. “Are you calling me to advise me of that or is there something else, Vlad?” It was obvious that Thadius tried, tried hard, to be all business.

  Vlad’s voice was one of disbelief at what had happened. “Tatiana told Zach ... well she said … fuck, Thadius, you know what I’m trying to say!”

  Thadius sighed heavily down the phone. “Vlad, did Tatiana ask Zach to save Alex? Has he done so?”

  Vlad was so weary, so sad, so fucking mad, he found it hard to speak. “Yes, Thadius – that’s what I’m saying. In my official role as Head of Security, I have to advise that Zach has attempted to turn Alex. Obviously we don’t know if it’s worked but he has tried.” His last sentence came out as if he had no breath left, not even to talk.

  *****

  Thadius ran his hands through his mane of hair. The thought of his Fairy, Tatiana, losing her girl, was not something he could comprehend. However, any and all turnings by a Vampire had to be by prearranged consent from the Council. Zach had broken the Law, the consequences were extremely serious.

  The Council did not take the circumstances into consideration – the Law was the Law. Shit, what could he do?

  His mind was racing and then an idea formed. Resolute in his decision, he spoke into his phone again. “Vlad … sorry, didn’t hear you there, must’ve been something wrong with the line. Did I get you right, David is having trouble, and it looks like Alex is going to die? You’re phoning for an emergency agreement from me, for Zach to turn Alex? Is that right? Is that what my Head of Security phoned for?”

  Thadius took a deep breath, if Vlad didn’t play along they were all in deep shit.

  Silence greeted him from the other end. Finally, he heard a long sigh before Vlad spoke. “Thadius, as Head of Security for the Headquarters of the Supernaturals Council, I am officially asking your permission in an emergency situation – may Zach attempt to turn Alex? All medical procedures have failed and she is in imminent danger of dying.” Vlad’s voice was strong and official, all trace of his upset gone from his tone.

  Thadius relaxed into his chair. Vlad was playing the game. “Vladimir, as Second in Command of the Supernaturals Council, I give Zach the approval to attempt a change, pending a full Council meeting, to be arranged as soon as possible.”

  *****

  Tatiana heard the conversation, but as she was new to all this, she hadn’t a clue as to what was going on. Irina, however, let out a gasp and a “Thank God!” So Tatiana went back to watching Alex, she had no idea what was to come but she prayed with all her heart for the turning to work.

  She looked over at the two nurses in the room, holding the two babies who had been forcibly removed from Alex’s belly.

  The babes lay quietly ... no newborn cry, just silent in the arms of the nurses as their eyes seemed to take everything in. The nurses were cooing down at the perfect bundles in their arms. The uproar around them didn’t seem to affect them or take their attention from th
e babies.

  David finished sewing Alex back together, he cut the thread and stood back.

  Blood was everywhere, the floor covered in it, the smell that is unique to fresh blood filled the air. His shoulders drooped – he seemed bereft at having lost a patient, and not just any patient. Tatiana felt sorry for the doctor who seemed broken by what had happened.

  *****

  David stared down at Alex, his heart aching at the sight before him. He hadn’t ever lost a mother in childbirth, not even in an accident situation. His patients were mostly Vampires, Wolves or Witches, none of which were weak. Alex was human – and he had lost her.

  The Defender of Man had died under his watch.

  He felt the worst he had in his life, he couldn’t believe it had happened. Could he have done something else? Did he miss something?

  His head was a mess and he felt sick, bile rose up his throat. He ran from the room to find somewhere private to throw up.

  David ran past Duncan and Scott, who were still standing guard outside the door. He knew that with their Wolf hearing they would have heard everything that had happened in the room.

  *****

  Scott, who had been given the job of guarding Alex throughout the battle that had only just been won, nearly fell to the floor. He was so distraught that his Alpha, Duncan, grabbed his arm and held him upright, pushing his Alpha power towards his Beta. Trying to calm him and help him through this painful time.

  Slowly, very slowly, Scott stood straight once more and his breathing calmed somewhat. He looked Duncan in the eye, nodding his head, knowing what his Alpha had done for him.

  “What the fuck happens now, Duncan?” Scott asked.

  The extremely large Scottish Wolf shook his head. “Ah’ve nae idea son. Ah’m no even sure oh whit happens at a turnin. We can only hope it’s worked, cause if no … Fuck, I dinae even want tae think oan that!”

  Everyone knew of Alex and Zach’s unique pairing. An ancient Vampire and a very special human. God intervening to ensure they were made for each other.

  In each and every way, they were perfect for each other, had abilities that no other mated couple had. Jeez, even so far as Alex falling pregnant to a Vampire ... which was impossible.

  These benefits came with a high price, though. If they were apart for a long time, if they were apart by long distance, or if one died – the other died too.

  The field hospital was silent, everyone’s eyes turned to the impromptu operating room at the rear.

  The nurses walked out holding the two babies, a boy and a girl. That alone was a miracle. Alex’s line had only ever had one child, and that child was a girl, to carry on the special bloodline needed to keep the doors to Hell sealed. For her to have any babies to Zach was miraculous, but to have two, with one a boy ... it had never happened in her line’s history.

  A history that went all the way back to the dawning of humankind.

  As the nurses raised the babes for everyone to see there was a cheer, everyone was happy to see these little ones. After all, that’s what they had all been fighting for. The battle between Demons and Supers, to protect Alex’s babies.

  The battle had been won, but only after divine intervention in that the Angel, Michael, and two of his brothers had helped.

  However, when even the Angels’ great power could not take down the huge final Demon, Scott had fallen to his knees and prayed, Michael joining him on the ground. After fervent prayers, many Angels flew down from the heavens, and killed the Demon easily.

  The aftermath was a lot of bodies, dead and injured, and blood ran freely in some parts of the town. The field hospital was full of injured from slight to severe, and many, many more lay dead on the battle ground.

  The Angel, Michael, had said that these babies would have powers – vast powers – and to let them be taken and used by a Demon was unthinkable.

  Hence the call to arms and the battle, a battle that the earth had never before seen. Never before had a battle on this scale between Demons and Supers been waged. Demons had never battled on earth since being closed off in the deep, dark recesses of Hell. For it to end with the babies’ mother dead, and possibly their father too, meant the cheer was rather subdued.

  What would happen now? Nobody knew but everyone was worried. They all knew Zach, he was ancient beyond most people’s wildest thoughts and he was deadly. A killing machine.

  Everyone was scared what he would do if he lost Alex. He could decimate a whole town. He could kill most of the Supers alive. He could probably give the Angel, Michael, a good run for his money.

  So everyone hoped that Alex did not die, because God help them if she did.

  Chapter 2

  Vlad moved away from Irina’s tight grip on his arm and towards Zach. He moved slowly so as not to startle his friend who was standing stiffly next to Alex’s head, running his hand through his mate’s hair.

  Vlad gently placed a hand on his shoulder, before talking quietly. “Zach, I got permission from Thadius for the turning. What do you want to do now?”

  Zach didn’t move for a few moments and then he looked around the room ... as if coming awake. Zach’s tone was fearful as he asked “Where are the babies? Where are our twins?”

  Irina went to the door and motioned for the nurses to come back inside. The nurses walked back into the blood-filled room, and stood just inside, still staring at the bundles in their arms.

  Zach moved to them ... as if drawn on a rope pulling him. He looked down into the eyes of his boy and girl. The eyes that stared back held a knowledge that no infant should have.

  Both of them smiled. The nurses gasped – newborns couldn’t, or rather shouldn’t, be able to do that.

  Zach moved one of his hands to each of their faces, cupping them softly. He smiled and spoke to them quietly. “I’m sorry little ones, I had to do it – your mom was going to die. I couldn’t let it happen, you need your mom. She’s awesome, so full of love and compassion, but I had to do something that I didn’t want to do. I’m so sorry!”

  Vlad frowned. He didn’t know why Zach was saying sorry, if the turning worked then Alex wouldn’t die.

  Zach’s next words told him why he was apologising. “Me and your mom need to go away for a bit ... you can’t come, it won’t be safe. I need to take her somewhere where she can turn, without the chance of her hurting anyone. It would kill her if she hurt someone. Especially you two. So Tatiana and Vlad and Irina are going to watch you for a bit, they’ll take good care of you, I know they will ...” Zach’s voice broke, he couldn’t go on.

  He looked to Vlad ... his best friend ... and the sorrow Vlad saw shot straight to his stomach, making it clench tightly. He nodded to Zach and pulled his phone out once more.

  “Dmitri, I need you to do something, we need somewhere for Zach to take Alex. It needs to be somewhere remote, away from any others, safe for a newly-turned Vamp.”

  Dmitri, Vlad’s Second, gasped at Vlad’s words. “What happened, Vlad? What the fuck happened?” the large Russian demanded.

  Vlad told him, “David couldn’t do anything – she lost too much blood, it was the only way. Zach needs to take her away, you know the drill, newly-turned Vamps can get the blood-lust, he can’t take that chance. We both know what it would do to her. So Dmitri, please, can you find somewhere – now. They’ll leave as soon as you get it organised.”

  Dmitri spoke in clipped tones, biting back the emotion that engulfed him. “I’ll get back to you Vlad, ASAP.”

  *****

  Dmitri hung up and couldn’t believe it. Alex, that little lady, so kind, compassionate, loving … how the hell would she cope with being turned?

  The first few weeks and sometimes even months were rough – very rough. He hoped Zach could get her through it.

  He set his mind to the task and made some calls, all the while still shouting commands to those around him. They were still collecting the wounded and dead from the battle. Fuck, what a fucking shit end to the day.

 
*****

  Zach turned to the others in the room. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but can you take the babies ... watch them. I’ll let you know how things are going with Alexina, but she can’t be around them just now, it’s too dangerous.”

  Tatiana stepped forward and spoke up to the ancient Vampire’s face. “Of course we will, I’m sure there will be plenty of help looking after them. But you have a couple of decisions to make first, Zach.”

  He frowned. What was she talking about? He was barely holding it together ... what decisions?

  The little Fairy smiled up at him as she said “We need their names Zach, we need to know their names?”

  A solitary tear escaped from one of his eyes. Alexina had just about decided on names, their daughter’s being obvious, but they had been waiting to ‘meet’ their son before making the final decision.

  He would have to make this choice of name without her, he knew there would be more but this one was hard.

  He turned and looked at his twins and their eyes were still on him. “Tatiana, our girl is, of course, going to be Alexina – though her mom said she wants her to be called Lexi. Our son is to be called Conall. Alexina chose that because it means ‘strong Wolf’. She wanted it to honour Irina, Duncan and Scott.” Zach’s voice nearly broke.

  Irina’s weeping got louder and he could hear both Duncan and Scott taking a sharp breath, even if they weren’t in the room with him.

  Tatiana placed a hand on his arm and gave it a tight squeeze. “Fine names, Zach, fine names.”

  Zach turned and took his son into his arms. The feeling in his heart was so immense that he thought it would choke him to death.

  “Hello Conall, I’m your dad, it’s so nice to finally see you, son. I know you’re going to live up to your name. I don’t know how I know that, Conall, but I do.” He bent his head and placed a kiss on his son’s forehead.