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

  Chapter 2

  Alex was still staring at the green portal in front of her and she didn't move.

  “It's ok, come on.” Tatiana spoke as she walked forward, Thadius right behind her, and walked through and she disappeared.

  Thadius stepped through after his fairy and Vlad went next, Finn close on his heels. A look of excitement on the young wolf's face. Everyone could see and feel the feeling from the young wolf. He was eager to go on his first mission.

  Dmitri was next, wanting to cover Finn's back. The large Russian was determined to make sure Finn was fine. Not hurt in any way. Dmitri could not come back and tell his mate he let her son get hurt. Wasn't happening.

  Zach stretched his hand out in Alex's direction. His head cocked to the side and a slight smile on his face. She took the offered hand and moved towards the portal. As she got to it she turned her head towards the twins. “See you later – oh – can you lot clean up here?” and with that she was gone from sight.

  Lexi looked around and realised they must've been having a meal when all this started and she moved to start clearing up. “Jeez I hope they have a dishwasher!” Lexi commented and Conall smiled, trying not to laugh. His sister so didn't like domestic duties – of any sort. She would do just about anything to get out of them. Not this time though.

  He joined in helping clear up and the green portal was no longer visible. It was just gone. His thoughts were with his parents and he hoped all of them would be safe. He didn't like that they couldn't go. He would much prefer to have been on hand in case of trouble.

  He turned to help his sister with the clearing up. Luckily Lexi had found a dishwasher.

  *****

  As soon as Tatiana stepped through the portal she gasped. Her world was so different to as it should be.

  Overhead the sky roiled with dark, menacing clouds. The sky looked as if it was angry and several bolts of lightening could clearly be seen in the distance.

  No blue sky was visible. In it's place was a redness that made her world look as if it was angry. That alone had her heart racing. The sky in her world was always blue, sometimes cloudy but nothing like this. Tatiana had witnessed no darkness above her like this in all her years living and growing up in the fairy realm. Apart from night of course but that was just the usual darkness, not this angry sky that was now above them.

  The air was heavy, as if full of something that should not belong in the fairy realm. It made her breathing difficult until she managed to get herself under control. She could feel the electricity buzzing in the air around them. The feeling was like none she had ever felt before.

  What on earth could be going on?

  The fairy looked around, her portal bringing them to just outside her home. A home that should still have her parents and her sister inside. She moved quickly towards the gate and opened it and moved onwards towards the door, shouting. “Lilliana – Lilliana – where are you?”

  Thadius moved behind his fairy but stopped at the front door, keeping guard. The rest of their party were spread out. Vlad and Zach taking charge of scoping out the area for any kind of threat. Thadius was pleased they were with them. Knew them to be the best. Knew them to be warriors. Knew they would look after his fairy.

  Thadius knew there were no others that he would entrust his fairy's safety to. Each and every one would fight to the death if it came to it. He only hoped it didn't. Hoped that every one of their party got out of this unscathed.

  Alex was staring all around. The place was gloomy with the dark sky above them. A sky that looked wrathful and enraged. Which was weird. She could feel the air around them almost as if it was alive with the power from the lightening she could see in the distance. She couldn't stop the shiver that ran through her body.

  The house they had appeared at was like a small thatched cottage with a large garden. The garden was separated into different patches with flowers in some and what she assumed was vegetables in others. She sent her senses out to see what she could feel. Knowing Zach would be doing the same but needing to do something instead of just stand and feel the power in the air around her.

  Everything was neat and tidy and it had a small fence surrounding it. No other houses were visible but she didn't know how far the nearest one was. It could be just through the trees to the left, over the hill in front, around the bend in back. Jeez a whole town could be close. However, there were no sounds – nothing – she pushed her senses further and still heard nothing.

  Tatiana was screaming now, fear evident in her voice. The sound tore at Alex's and Thadius' heart. “Lilliana – please where are you!”

  There was a sound – a movement – and Tatiana turned. The root cellar door was opening, slowly. Tatiana moved towards it, carefully. “Lilliana is that you? Please come out – what's going on!”

  The door popped open and Tatiana almost collapsed in relief. Her sister peeking up at her. The alarm was plain to see on her face and Lilli's head moved around quickly, looking for danger.

  “Come up Lilli – I've brought friends, warriors, to help, you need to come up and tell us what's happening. Where are mother and father?” Tatiana held her hand out to her sister. A fairy that was so beautiful it could take your breath away.

  “Tatiana – oh my goddess – you're here? Why are you here? You would be safe in the human realm – why did you come here!” Lilli's voice was full of concern, wishing her sister had stayed in a safe place.

  “Enough Lilli – get up here now.” Tatiana's tone had grown stern, they had no time for this. They needed to know what they were up against and now that she was back here in her own realm she became calm. Knowing that she had to, knowing she had to take charge and deal with whatever was going on.

  Lilli came out slowly and Tatiana pulled her in for a cuddle, patting her back as she did so. Feeling the fear roll off her sister in great, gigantic waves. The feeling so strong it made Tatiana gag.

  “Come – outside – my friends are there – we need to talk. Find out what's going on.” Tatiana pulled Lilli after her, giving her sister no choice in the matter at all.

  Lilli tried to pull away, stay inside, but Tatiana's grip was like iron on her arm. Her sister gave her no choice but to follow on behind.

  At the door Thadius waited, his wolf hearing picking up everything inside. He moved away slightly to allow Tatiana and her sister to exit. Lilli's eyes were wide as saucers when she saw the huge wolf and she shrank back. Her heart picking up speed as she looked at the large male, her breath stopping in her throat.

  “It's ok Lilli, this is Thadius – he's my..... mate.....Lilli this is my mate.” Tatiana blushed – having never thought she would use that word in relation to herself.

  Lilli stared openly between the two and Thadius smiled, put his hand out. “Pleased to meet you Lilli.”

  Lilli looked at the huge hand and placed hers in it, the large hulk shaking it gently before releasing it. Lilli could feel the love coming from this wolf – towards her sister.

  The rest of their group came closer, wanting to see what information this astounding looking fairy could give them. Her hair was golden and her eyes matched exactly – her features small and fragile, her skin unblemished. She looked perfect if not for the fear marring her beauty as it did just now.

  Every one of their party could scent the utter terror that was emanating from the small fairy. The smell so strong it invaded their senses and having them take small shallow breaths to try and diminish the odour.

  “Lilli – these are my friends – I only just felt something but I can see that whatever's going on hasn't just happened?” Tatiana knew that time moved in different ways in different realms and now couldn't guess when this had all started here. She felt guilty that they hadn't gotten there sooner. If they had they could probably have stopped so many dying. Tatiana knew that many had already died and she steeled herself.

  No point in thinking that way. They were there now and would do their best to stop any further deaths.

 
; Lilli was nodding her head. “Yes – Tatiana – it started about two weeks ago. Suddenly the sky went dark and red – it scared us all! We've never seen such a thing! Then goblins started to fight – us – they sought the fairies and elves out and fought with them. Viciously, killing many! We don't know why and we don't know where the Queen is! She wouldn't have allowed this!” Lilli was shaking – her eyes darting around and Alex's started to do the same – looking for trouble.

  “Ok – Lilli – where are mother and father?” Tatiana held her breath, scared of the answer.

  “I don't know! They were out when this all started and I've not seen them since. I've been hiding – in the root cellar. At first I tried to go and find them but I only made it to the top of the hill – I could see the goblins – they were attacking the farm there! I saw them kill them, they killed them all! Even the little ones! I ran back and hid before they could see me.”

  The little fairy's face was full of anguish and all the males felt a surge of protection running through them. It was very strange the emotion this fairy elicited in all of them.

  “Your magic Lilli – did you not use it? You're very strong Lilli – you could've taken out a whole horde of goblins?” Tatiana was worried about the answer.

  “It's gone Tatiana. I tried – I've not been able to do any magic since the sky went dark! I can still sense things but I can't use my magic properly.” At this Lilli started to cry and Tatiana pulled her close. Her sister's words making no sense to her at all.

  “Oh dear god – how can that be? Lilli – are you sure?” Tatiana just couldn't believe it but her sister nodded her head, unable to speak for the tears now coursing down her face.

  “Hush now Lilli – crying won't help – come on, you need to be brave! We need to help our people.” Tatiana's words must've gotten through as everyone saw the little fairy take a deep breath and seem to get a hold of herself. If only slightly.

  “Ok – Lilli – I'm going to try. Move away.” Tatiana moved her sister away from her body and stood concentrating. Alex saw the movement of the hands that she knew accompanied the fairy's spells and the look of concentration was great on her face.

  After another minute or so, pain was evident on Tatiana's face.

  “My mate, are you ok?” Thadius moved forward and just as he got to her Tatiana let out a groan and fell into his arms.

  “I told you! It hurts to even try Tatiana. I don't know what's happening!” Lilli was nearly screaming now and Alex moved closer.

  “Lilli – my name's Alex – we're all here to help but you need to stop shouting. Your voice can carry a long way and if there are enemies out there they could hear you – ok?” Alex smiled at the end, not wanting to scare the fairy but needing to get her point across.

  Zach looked all around before speaking. “Ok – we are definitely in hostile territory. We need to find out several things. Firstly, the Queen, you say she could've stopped all this so we need to find out if she is dead or if not. Then where she is and why she hasn't intervened. Second, we need to see if we can locate Tatiana's parents. We also need to find out who's behind all this, these things don't just happen. Someone made it happen – we find them, take them out. That should go a long way to sorting out this mess.”

  Vlad was nodding, he agreed with everything that Zach said, he only hoped his friend had a good plan.

  “Ok so we can't find any of that out by staying here – we need to move. Tatiana, where does the Queen stay? Is it near here?” Alex asked.

  Tatiana nodded. “Not too far, we should reach it by nightfall on foot. Though if there are goblins on the way they would attack.”

  Dmitri snorted. “Do not worry Tatiana – we will take care of anything that gets in the way.”

  Tatiana looked at the huge Russian. “I know – but I don't want any of you getting hurt.”

  “Let us worry about that Tatiana.” Vlad said with a smirk. He loved fighting and he didn't go on nearly enough missions to sate that love.

  “Give us a few minutes – we need to change clothes.” Tatiana grabbed Lilli's hand and dragged her back inside the cottage.

  “I wonder what on earth's going on?” Alex asked as she thought on what Lilli had said.

  “No idea – but we need to find out before any more are killed.” Zach said in a firm tone. One that said he was determined to find out.

  A few minutes passed and then Tatiana and Lilli emerged through the door.

  Everyone stared – Tatiana was clothed in leather leggings with soft, supple boots that laced up the front and came to just below her knees. On top she had a white blouse covered by a tunic, with a wide leather belt around her tiny waist.

  What had everyone staring was not the clothing, as they were practical for what probably lay ahead. No – it was the weapons that adorned the fairy.

  Tatiana had a short sword in a sheath hanging from her belt, several dangerous looking daggers tucked into said belt. Over her back hung a crossbow and quiver, full to the brim with arrows.

  Lilli was dressed in a similar fashion but had far less weapons, her main one, or perhaps her only, being a long bow slung over her shoulder.

  Thadius growled, seeing his fairy dressed for battle made him feel as protective as he had ever felt in his life.

  “Now now Thadius, I think all of you are forgetting what my job has been for nearly one hundred years?! I was the guardian of the Defender. I was trained well and I can look after myself, even without magic.” Tatiana smiled shyly. None of the friends present had ever seen this side to her and she guessed it was a bit of a surprise.

  Thadius took Tatiana's hand, pulling her away from the house. “Come on – we can't do anything standing around here. Lilli – you are obviously coming with us, stay close.”

  Lilli stared wide eyed but started to move. The tone of the wolf was not one to argue with.

  Zach fell in behind Thadius. “Vlad, Finn, go ahead – get the lay of the land. See if there's any trouble – Tatiana – what direction?”

  Tatiana pointed towards the small hill, a well worn track cutting up and over the top. Finn and Vlad started to move, using their speed until they were at the top of the hill. Then they lay down and crawled the last few paces, darting their heads up to look.

  All must have been clear as both stood up and waved them forward. Their pace much slower as they had to accommodate the small legs of the two fairies with them. Zach didn't like the pace and wondered how they could move faster?

  It took them quite a while to reach just the apex of the hill going at the two fairies pace and Zach frowned. As they reached the top of the hill he looked down. The farm that Lilli had spoke of was burned to the ground, a black ruin in it's place.

  However, there were several animals dotted around and he saw what looked to be horses? “Tatiana – do you and Lilli ride?” he asked as he realised that this would mean they could move quicker.

  Tatiana looked to where Zach's gaze was and saw the small horses, well small to a human but still large for a fairy. “Yes we do – we'll get them – they will be skittish around you lot. All that vampire and wolf scent will scare them.”

  Tatiana took off at a jog and Lilli went with her. They reached the horses before the rest of the party and made their way slowly towards them. Horses here were usually tame, calm, creatures but the fairies were sure that scents of wolves and vampires would make them wary.

  The fairies caught them easily and saw the simple rope reigns were attached, a little jump and both were seated on the backs. No saddles, they never used them, using their affinity with nature and animals to ride. Both fairies calmed the animals with their touch alone and by the time the rest reached them all was fine.

  Their journey carried on, quicker than before and Vlad and Finn continued to scout ahead. Their job getting more difficult as more and more farms came into view and then a town.

  As they had approached each farm they had to wait until Finn scouted ahead. Using his wolf senses he made sure all was safe b
efore beckoning on the rest of the party. As they saw the town they slowed down completely, Zach was wary of getting caught out by the enemy, Goblins.

  He looked all around, this was certainly a good place for an ambush and he was more than a little worried about going straight through. If their party didn't have the fairies he wouldn't be worried. Vamps and wolves were strong and fast, not a lot would concern him, if not for the fairies.

  “Tatiana – can we go around?” Zach would prefer not to go through the streets with lots of hiding places for hostiles.

  “Well we could but it would take a lot longer.” Tatiana knew the area, it would cost them at least a few hours, probably more, to go around and she wanted to get to the Queen's small castle as soon as possible.

  “Ok – we go through – Vlad, Finn you scout, Dmitri you next, keep an eye out for any signs of trouble. Thadius, I want you at the rear. Alex and I will be either side of the horses. Let's go.” Zach moved to beside Tatiana and Alex next to Lilli. Thadius didn't like leaving the side of his mate but bowed to Zach's greater experience in these kinds of situations.

  After all Zach was the best the Council had. He knew what he was doing and it had been a long, long, time since Thadius had been 'in the field'.

  As they neared the town all of them could smell the death. They knew there were bodies in the town – decomposing bodies. Even the fairies could scent the corruption that was carried on the wind from the town.

  Tatiana whined, a sound none of them had heard from her before. The sound spoke of the pain she was feeling at knowing some of her people were laying dead within the town. The way her heart was aching for those killed in the town who now lay rotting.

  The smell affected Finn and Thadius the worst. Both being wolves and having a very enhanced sense of smell. Finn's face was chalk white as he walked on, his senses on high alert.

  Thadius wrinkled his nose and had to stay his hand from covering it. He would not show any kind of weakness on this mission. No matter that the smell was nearly making him gag.

  The closer they got the odour became worse. Zach knew that it wasn't as bad as it smelt though. He had been in battles that had many hundreds and thousands dead and the aroma here and now wasn't nearly as bad. That meant there were dead but not vast numbers. At least that was something, Zach thought.