Defender's Blood Alex's Destiny (An Urban Fantasy) Read online

  “I know, Tatiana, it must be hard for you. However, now that we are home, do you think maybe you could find the time to help me look after Alexina?” He did this not because he couldn’t do it himself. He did this because he knew Tatiana had to do something.

  The little fairy’s face lit up as she replied, “Oh, yes, Zach, I would love to help, but if I get in the way, just shoo me away.”

  Once they had gotten Alexina settled in the bed, Tatiana told Zach she would look after her for a while and he should go and relax a bit, talk to Thadius. Zach didn’t know if that would help. Thadius was his boss, up until recently he had barely met him and only on occasions to do with work. However, Tatiana and Alexina were close and Tatiana and Thadius seemed to have forged a relationship, so he guessed he would have to see him in a different light.

  He went to the living room and sat down. Thadius was looking at him closely, he could clearly see how tired Zach looked. “How are you, Zach? I know everyone is worried about Alexina and ask after her, but how are you holding up?” Once more Thadius surprised him, he was an astute man.

  “I’m okay, very worried about Alexina. Dmitri had a long talk with me and in light of that, I had some donor blood. I’ve obviously not been able to feed from my mate, it was not a pleasant experience.” Zach was amazed he had opened up to Thadius.

  Thadius responded in his rumbling voice, “I understand, Zach. Once you are bonded, it must have been very difficult for you to do that. Although, I guess Dmitri got across to you how important it is. You cannot become weak – for Alex’s sake. She needs you strong, so although it will be as you say, unpleasant, you have to do it.”

  Zach acquiesced. “Yes, I know, Thadius. I just hope Alexina gets better soon, so I don’t have to do it too often. I need a drink – care to join me?”

  Thadius thought about it for a moment. “Hmm, what’ve you got? I hear you like a good Scots whisky?”

  Zach smiled. “I do, Thadius, I do. My favourite at the moment is Ardberg ten year old malt. Care to try it?”

  “Yes – put just a dash of water in mine.”

  Zach grimaced. “Thadius, now that’s just criminal. A malt as good as this doesn’t need water in it. I can’t murder it like that!” Thadius laughed and Zach went and got them both a few fingers worth of his favourite tipple.

  Thadius had a good smell and then took a sip. “My, that does taste good.”

  “Told you it was, and you don’t need the water!” Zach sat back down in his chair and took a sip of his favourite tipple.

  They sat quietly for a while, Zach was starting to actually relax for the first time since they had left to go to Scotland.

  He must have nodded off, which was very unlike him, because Thadius was giving him a little shake. “Tatiana says Alex looks as if she’s about to wake up.”

  Zach was on his feet and heading to the bedroom before Thadius could take a breath. When he got there, Tatiana was sitting on the opposite side of the bed near the bottom and Alexina was mumbling and stirring.

  He went over and sat right next to her and took one of her hands. She opened her eyes and smiled the minute she could focus and see Zach. Her voice still sleepy as she spoke, “There you are, Mr Vampire. I had a bad dream. You left me alone.”

  Zach whispered down at her, “You know I would never leave you, honey, it was only a dream.”

  “Good,” she got out and as her eyes adjusted, she opened them wider, her voice was a little startled. “Zach, I thought you were taking me home? Why am I still in this bed?”

  Zach smiled. “You are home. You said you liked the bed so much, I got you one for yourself.”

  She looked around and realized that yes she was home, and the bedroom had been transformed. She giggled softly as she replied, “I love it, Zach, thank you.”

  It was then that she noticed Tatiana. “Hi,” she said weakly.

  “Hello to you, too. I know you’re weak, but I’m going to go and get some soup for you, we need to build your strength up. I have added a few little things to it that should help your recovery.” Tatiana disappeared and was back in minutes.

  Zach helped Alexina to sit up and helped her to eat the soup. Both Zach and Tatiana were happy, when she managed to eat it all. Zach only helping her at the end, when she had become tired again. She lay back down and was sleeping again in minutes.

  Zach looked at the fairy. “I’m scared for her, surely she should be getting better?”

  “I know, Zach, but you have no idea what performing the ritual does to them. I have had to nurse both her grandmother and mother through this, and they were strong and brought up to deal with it. Alex...well, she didn’t have a clue, hadn’t been trained properly, and it’s no surprise she is like this. I am sure now she is home and she is getting my soup – with the extra ingredients in it – she will start to grow stronger.”

  “I hope so,” was all Zach replied.

  Chapter 17

  Zach and Tatiana settled into a routine taking care of Alex. Tatiana would come over every day and take over while Zach would go and get groceries, if Alex was asleep. He had found out that the feelings on separation were far less for him if she was asleep, and if she didn’t wake up, she was fine, too.

  He would source every little thing that Alex spoke of, no matter what it was. From the Lucozade she liked, to a book she wanted, to her favourite chocolates.

  He and Tatiana spent time unpacking all the things they had brought back from Alex’s place in Scotland. Her clothes now took over half the space in the large walk-in wardrobe and the amount of shoes she had was astonishing.

  He got several lovely frames and put the pictures of her mother, father, grandmother, and her as a child with all three in them, and hung them on the walls. One which she particularly liked was one with her mother, herself, and Tatiana (in the guise of her Aunt Mary), and he placed this one on her side table next to the bed. Alex appreciated this greatly, this house was truly her home now. She was getting better, but at a very slow pace.

  About a week or so after they returned from Scotland, Zach was lying next to Alexina in bed while they watched the movie ‘The Full Monty,’ which she had spoken of some time ago. She laughed at it and the sound was music to his ears.

  Just as it was finishing, she stiffened. “Oh my God. Zach, are you okay? Shit, how did I not think of this? Fuck, fuck, fuck!” she cursed. Zach was stunned, as she tried very hard not to use that word. Her thoughts were tumbling through her head so fast he couldn’t read them.

  “What is it? Are you in pain? What’s wrong, Alexina?” Zach implored, fear in his voice.

  Alex looked heartbroken. “Zach, I don’t know how I could have forgotten – are you okay? Don’t you need my blood? How long have you gone without feeding?” She had started to sob, extremely upset.

  Zach tried to soothe her. “Shh, it’s okay, don’t worry about that now. You need to be a hundred percent better before I do that.”

  Alex was confused, how was he alive? Surely he needed her blood?

  Zach told her what happened on the plane. “Honey, Vlad and Dmitri convinced me on the way home I needed to feed. I hadn’t had any blood for about five days, and at first I was very resistant, but they made me see I needed to be strong in order to look after you. It wasn’t then or now a pleasant experience, but I’ve forced myself.”

  Alex went quiet, very quiet, and Zach could sense something akin to disappointment in her. He didn’t know if this was directed at him or herself.

  “What were they like? Was it a woman?” she asked timidly.

  It struck him then, she thought he had been feeding from a live donor! “No, no, darling, I’ve no idea who the donors were. It was packaged blood, not from a live human. I would never do that again. If you are not well enough for me to feed from, I will never feed from a human again. When you are well, I will take yours again, but you need to be okay before I do.” Zach now understood why she was so upset at the thought of him
feeding.

  She let out a huge sigh. “Oh thank God, Zach, I thought you had fed on another female, and as I know the feelings that gives, well, my imagination was running riot! I can’t believe this is the first it came to me. I should have realized before this!”

  She was upset at herself. Here he was looking after her, bathing her, getting her any little thing she wanted, and she had forgot she had to sustain him. She was very disappointed in herself.

  “Please don’t think those thoughts, you’ve been very ill, all you should be worrying about is getting better.” Zach tried to calm her. He could hear her heart beating wildly in her chest.

  “I’m sorry, Zach. I’ll do my best and get better quickly. I need to. I don’t want you taking blood from anywhere or anyone else. So I’m going to sleep now, Tatiana keeps telling me sleep is good for healing.” Alex spoke rapidly as she lay back down.

  He gave her a light kiss and tucked her in. “Okay, I’m just going to do a few chores, then I’ll join you.” She smiled at him, but already her eyes were closing.

  A day or so later, Zach thought he should broach the subject about her killing a man. He hadn’t up until now, but he didn’t want it to impede her recovery, if it hit her and upset her. She had just finished some more of Tatiana’s soup and she looked a bit better. Not quite at death’s door.

  He removed the tray, laid it on the dresser, and came and sat down next to her. He took one of her hands in his before he spoke. “Alexina...do you want to talk about that man that had a hold of Bri? I know something like that can have a profound effect on someone. So I think we should discuss it. How you feel about it...those sorts of things.”

  Alex looked pensive as she answered, “Zach, at the time I was just angry. He had Bri’s hair, and she was screaming, she was terrified. I just saw red and reacted. At the time I was glad. I felt good when I saw him die! Does that make me a bad person?”

  The plea in her voice made his stomach turn. He spoke softly as he replied, “No, my darling, it doesn’t make you a bad person. As far as I’m concerned, it makes you a very brave person. You’re human, no extra strength, spells, nothing, and you went back to save Bri. You are one of the bravest people I know. So how do you feel now? Are you feeling any guilt? I know that your first killing can affect you, it affects any of us that has to do it. I don’t want you to feel bad, but if you do, we can talk it through.”

  Her eyes were clear. “No, Zach, I don’t feel guilty. I would’ve felt a hell of a lot worse if I hadn’t done something and he had killed Bri. God...now that, I couldn’t have lived with.”

  Zach smiled. “Indeed.”

  Alex laughed, Zach cuddled her close and was so proud of his mate, he felt his chest was going to burst.

  A couple of weeks later, Tatiana was looking after Alex. She was well enough now to get up and was lying on the sofa with a cover over her and watching TV.

  Zach asked if it would be okay if he went to see Thadius. “In theory, yes, but what if we get those feelings again, once you leave? I’m not sure I could go through that at the moment,” she replied.

  “Okay, here’s what we’ll do...” He got her phone and gave it to her, then dialled her number on his phone, which she answered. Zach continued, “So, I’m going to talk to you all the time. I will go out, drive off, and we will keep talking. If at any time, Alexina, any time at all, you have those feelings just say ‘Come home’ and I will turn around and get here as quick as I can. How does that sound?”

  She thought about it. “Well, okay, I guess it can’t hurt to try it.” Zach leaned down and gave her a kiss and headed out the door.

  Zach kept his phone to his ear and spoke to her. He got in the jeep and started the short journey to HO, all the while talking. He talked about anything and everything. He told her who he was seeing walking the streets, washing their cars, or just standing talking to friends. Seeing Vlad walking his dog, Irina laughing as the dog completely didn’t do what Vlad wanted it to. When he was nearly at HO he asked, “How are you? Are you okay, hon?”

  She was very surprised, she was in fact okay. “I’m fine at the moment. When you go into your meeting though, you’ll have to hang up.”

  Zach agreed, “Yes, I will, however, I will keep my phone in my hand, if you need me, just ring. I promise to answer immediately. Is that fine with you?” She was a bit apprehensive, but agreed. Zach kept talking to her ‘till he was standing outside the office.

  He knocked on the door and let himself in, Thadius was behind his desk shuffling papers about. “Do you have any idea of the amount of bloody paperwork that’s involved with this town and the Council, Zach?” Thadius spoke, but he didn’t wait for Zach to answer. “No, of course you don’t! Let me tell you, I feel like sometimes I’m drowning in the stuff, drowning.”

  Thadius sighed and left the papers in front of him and lifted his head. “So, Zach, what do you want to see me about?”

  “Thadius, as you know, Alexina has been pretty ill, she is on the mend, but I just don’t feel I can take any missions at the moment, or in fact, for a while. I’m sorry, I know that might cause you problems, but I really need to be with my mate.”

  Thadius knew it had taken a lot for Zach to come to this decision. Before now Zach never took more than a day or two off at a time.

  Thadius smiled at the ancient Vampire. “Zach, you have about twenty years of accrued holidays owing! Of course it’s okay. You take as long as you and Alex need. When she is well, come back, and we can discuss where we go from here. As Michael said, you won’t be able to jump all over the globe without Alex, so we will have to reassess things. But that’s in the future. For now, go, take care of your mate and don’t worry, there will always be a job for you.”

  Zach smiled in relief. “Thank you, Thadius, that’s a great weight off my shoulders. I...” At that his phone rang and he immediately picked it up.

  “Zach, could you come home now?” Alex requested.

  Instantly he replied while already moving. “I’m on my way, honey, don’t worry, I’m coming home.” He turned and ran out of the office with Thadius watching him with a smile.

  Zach continued to talk to Alex on the phone while he drove very fast. He had already started feeling ‘off’ while talking to Thadius, but had tried to push the feeling away. He was glad he was on his way back to her.

  He parked the jeep, jumped out, and ran over the grass to the front door. It was lucky it was unlocked because if he had to wait to use a key? Well, he wouldn’t have, he would just have battered it open. He was at her side in seconds, and as soon as he was he felt fantastic. She did, too, going by the smile on her face.

  “Wow, that was the most we’ve managed to date,” she said.

  Zach nodded his head. “Well, yes, when you’re awake that is. I’ve managed some errands, but that’s when you’re asleep.”

  “Do you think we will ever be able to have a semi-normal life, Zach? I mean, when I feel better, I want to look for a part time job maybe?” Alex was frowning as she looked into his eyes.

  Zach had been thinking things through lately. He’d had plenty of time to do so. He had a few things in his head and thought they might as well have a talk about them, now that Alex had brought the subject up.

  “Well, hon, I’ve been thinking a lot about what we could, would want, or even should do. I’ve got the beginnings of an idea...you want to hear it?” he asked her.

  Alex smiled. “Shoot, Batman, what’ve you got in mind?”

  He laughed. “There you go again with the Batman thing! Okay, here’s what I’ve been thinking, I’ll tell you, then we can discuss it.” She nodded for him to continue.

  “Well, obviously I can’t go off on missions and leave you here, and I obviously would not ever want to place you in danger, but I still need tech backup. I need someone to get me information, whether it’s on the subject I’m after, or the area, local customs, and so on. Usually the guys in tech get me the info and give backup
with sound links and cameras. As you have a background in IT, what if you were my designated ‘guy,’ so to speak? You would not actually go with me on the hunt. You would be either in a hotel room, if there was a Pack in the area you could stay there, or Council offices, or even on the plane. It would obviously depend on the situation. What do you think?” Zach finished and waited on her response eagerly.

  Alex thought about what he had said and picked up on a few things. “What sort of sound or cameras do you have to use?” she asked him, all the while her mind was processing things.

  He replied, all business. “Well, I’m usually in contact with the tech guys via an earpiece. I may need info while I’m on the ground. I also, usually, have a lapel camera – this is mainly for evidence. If the subject is one we want alive, then this helps in prosecuting them, but it is also used as a sort of control. So that none of us does things that are either unhelpful to the case, or illegal – the Council has strict laws, and ensures we don’t kill just for the fun of it. If I have to kill any subject I am after, well, it has to be because I don’t have any other option. I can’t just go out and kill whoever I decide. However, there are times when I have to eliminate the subject. You would have to decide if you would be okay with that.”

  Alex mulled this over before replying, “I can see your job is a little more complicated than I had first thought. However, all the points you have said are valid. I would need to study your laws, though. I wouldn’t be able to do any kind of decent job without knowing those.”

  Alex was getting a little excited. This may be a solution. She could work alongside Zach, but stay out of the firing line, so to speak.

  Zach was also getting excited. “Yes, and you would need to hone up on the tech side, but I’m sure it wouldn’t be a problem for you. Vlad could train you. So do you think it’s a good idea?”

  Alex was elated. “Yes, Zach, I do. I think it’s a great idea!”

  Zach tried to calm her enthusiasm a little. “Obviously we can’t even begin until you are fully fit, but it’s something I think we could do together. I don’t know about you, but I would go crazy if I couldn’t do something worthwhile.”