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

  Zach heard the cockpit door opening and James came through and sat in the chair opposite. His voice broke in on Zach’s thoughts. “Zach, is there anything you want me to do? Can I help in any way?”

  Zach raised his eyes and just shook his head.

  James tried again. “Zach … do you want me to come with you to the cabin? I could help you with Alex after the turning.”

  Zach’s voice was barely above a whisper. “What if she doesn’t survive the turning, James?”

  “Zach, if she doesn’t survive then I could be there for you, with you, so you’re not on your own. I can’t even think about you being all alone there.” Zach heard the plea in James and wondered if he should let him come.

  He didn’t know what he wanted ... only that he wanted Alexina back in his arms. Her giggling as he spoke into her ear, telling her what he was going to do to her.

  He spoke again, the mere act of getting the words out tiring him. “I don’t know, James. If she doesn’t make it, well I’m afraid of what I could do to anyone that’s about. I made the decision to stay there so I couldn’t hurt anyone. If I hurt you – well, shit – I couldn’t stand that.”

  James nodded his head slowly. “Zach, if I can survive a fucking bomb going off right next to me, being on fire, well I think I could survive anything you could throw at me.”

  Zach smiled sadly. “I know James, you’ve gone through a lot, much more than most could stand, but if I lose it, we both know what I’m capable of.”

  “Yes, my friend, but I would still like to help. I’m going to take the plane back once I’ve dropped you off and you think about it. If you don’t call me, I’m going to come – I’ll find you and help any way I can. If you don’t want me to come, Zach, then you need to make sure you let me know. Okay?”

  Zach only moved his head slightly, not even a proper nod, but James took that as a yes and stood up and placed his hand on Zach’s shoulder. “Try and rest, Zach. It’s not a long flight and I better get back and take us off autopilot. I’ll give you a shout when we’re due to land.”

  Zach once more started to think about Alexina and what was to come. She should be out cold for at least a full twenty-four hours, perhaps longer. Then, if the turning had worked, she would start to stir. It was going to be the longest twenty-four hours in his vast life. He was sure he was going to go mad waiting.

  However, he didn’t have a choice ... he had to do this, and he had to be there for her, if she did in fact survive this part of the turning. He didn’t relish seeing her go through the pain he knew was to come. That part of the process took as many lives as the initial one.

  He hoped she was strong enough ... she fucking had to be.

  He lay his head back onto the seat and closed his eyes, actually managing to doze but only briefly. He stood up and went through to have a shower. He was covered in blood from the battle ... he needed to get clean and get dressed in clothes that didn’t stink of corruption.

  He showered in the attached bathroom of the room Alexina was in. He knew she wouldn’t be waking up any time soon, but he wanted to be close to her anyway.

  Standing for many minutes under the hot water, he used a lot of soap and shampoo to rid himself of the blood and dirt – it seemed ingrained in his skin. The blood had completely soaked through his clothes at the front, and his whole body was a grisly red colour. When he finally got it all off, he felt clean and refreshed, as he slowly got dressed. All the while watching his mate lying in the bed.

  She needed to be cleaned too, she still had her own blood over her bottom half, the special blood that made her unique ... lost and wasted, flowing out of her as it had in childbirth.

  He raised his head and threw a curse up to God. “You’ve got a fucking weird sense of humour, giving her to me and taking her so fucking fast! I get the meaning of ‘God-fearing’ now – you are one fickle son of a bitch!”

  He didn’t really care if he angered anyone up there, God, Angels ... he didn’t care, they had done their worst. They had let her bleed out.

  Zach leant down and stroked some hair from Alexina’s face, then turned and made his way back to the main cabin.

  He had his game face on now and was going through what needed to be done. Going over and over things in his head, until he had a plan. However, it would only come into play if she survived.

  James stuck his head out the cockpit door. “Landing in twenty, Zach.”

  Zach only raised his eyes in acknowledgement.

  He spoke to himself in his head. ‘Okay, Vampire – you’ve got the biggest job of your life ahead. Don’t fuck it up. There won’t be any second chances at this, it’s got to be done right so stop wallowing, get your fucking brain in gear.’

  He smiled at himself – he could do this.

  He had to do this!

  Chapter 4

  The plane landed smoothly as always. It was pitch black outside. If Zach hadn’t been a Vampire he would not have been able to see anything. As he was, he saw a small airstrip, barely long enough to deal with the jet, and he saw a vehicle with lights on parked near a small building.

  James manoeuvred the jet and stopped just short of where the vehicle was. He left the engines running as he would be leaving again straight away. He came out, opened the door and let the steps down.

  Usually Zach would have done this, James normally staying in the cockpit, not wanting to be seen.

  Zach moved to get Alexina and James followed. Zach picked up his mate and took the quilt too, leaving the dirty blood-soaked covers from the operating room lying on the bed.

  James picked up the suitcases and noted Zach had also left a load of dirty clothes, soaked with blood ... proof of how hard he had fought, how many he had killed.

  James followed Zach and went down the stairs carrying the suitcases.

  A young woman was standing next to the vehicle and James paused. Strangers never got to meet him, he always stayed inside, out of the way. He had to carry the cases though, so proceeded slowly, staying behind Zach.

  Zach reached the vehicle and James heard the woman speak. “Hi, my name’s Lisa. I’ll drive you to our land and then give you directions to the cabin.”

  Zach nodded and placed Alexina in the back seat.

  As soon as James heard the voice, he reassessed his opinion of woman to girl – she sounded young. He took a small sniff, trying to capture her scent. Why did I just do that? he thought.

  At the same time as her scent hit his nostrils, they flared. She smelled delicious, and he self-consciously tried to get a better look at her. She was quite tall and lean, wearing very tight jeans, a warm parka and hiking boots.

  Her hair was long and dark, not black, nor brown, a mixture of the two ... his enhanced eyes took this all in.

  He was shocked at himself. Since the accident, he hadn’t even looked at a female, knowing that none would ever want to be with a monster such as he.

  Then the moment came when she turned round, she had started to speak before turning. “The suitcases can go in the back – do you want me to help you?”

  As she fully turned it was obvious she was a Wolf, with good eyesight, because she faltered for just a second before walking towards James. He tensed and didn’t know what to do.

  She stopped less than a foot in front of him and smiled up at his face – she actually smiled. “Hi, I’m Lisa.” And she put out a hand to shake.

  James was totally thrown. Anyone seeing him for the first time usually ran, very fast, in the opposite direction. He put down one of the cases and slowly put out his hand. Lisa grabbed it in both of hers and said. “Nice to meet you ...?”

  James realised she wanted his name but his throat wouldn’t work. Zach rescued him and shouted “James – his name is James – he’s the pilot.”

  Lisa smiled again still looking into his eyes. “Hi James … a pilot? Wow, bet that’s exciting.” Again James knew she wanted an answer so he took a deep breath and tried to speak, knowing if his face hadn’t put her off, h
is voice definitely would.

  “Hi Lisa … yeah, it has its moments.” James gave a very small smile and she was still smiling up at him. What the hell was going on?

  Lisa spoke again and he realised the melodic sound was lovely. “Okay James, if you want to put the cases in the back that would be great. Are you coming with us?” she asked – and damn if she didn’t sound breathless. James must’ve heard wrong.

  “Uhm no, I’ve got to take the plane back but I will be returning, I’m going to the cabin to help Zach with Alex. It’ll probably be tomorrow ... I’m going to drive ... it will take quite a while but I like driving, especially at night.”

  Why the hell did he just tell her that? He was sure she wasn’t interested in anything about his preferences for driving.

  Once more there was that smile, it lit up her entire face. “Me too – roads are quieter and you can drive faster!” She laughed and the sound to James’s ears was adorable. He shook his head hard, trying to clear his thoughts.

  “So, James, you won’t be able to find the cabin. What if I meet you here and I can direct you? I’ll give you my mobile number, just text with a time and I’ll make sure I’m here. How does that sound?”

  James was openly staring at her now as she squirmed a little under his scrutiny.

  “Okay – if it’s no bother, that would be good, save me getting lost,” James rasped.

  She replied immediately “No bother at all, James.” Lisa once more smiled and then turned to the SUV, she got a pen and paper from inside and wrote her number down. She passed it to him, “Here you go, just make sure you give me a couple of hours warning so I can make it here in time. Bye.” She turned and jumped up into the large vehicle.

  James looked at the slip of paper, memorising the number, before putting it in his pocket. Zach was watching him from the rear of the vehicle and then urged “James, the cases – in the back please?” James realised he still had them and quickly placed them in the rear.

  He came round to Zach’s side of the car, gave his friend a small smile and rasped “Okay Zach, I’ll be back tomorrow. I’m just going to drop the plane and pack some stuff and then I’ll be on my way. It will still be dark so I can get a fair distance before the sun comes up.”

  Lisa started the vehicle and shouted “Bye – see you tomorrow,” before driving off.

  James stood there watching it leave. What in holy hell just happened? He wasn’t sure but he was determined to come back – even if it was just to see her smile once more. He would die happy then. He turned towards the jet and started jogging, the sooner he got back the sooner he could leave.

  No thinking about fuel consumption on the return journey. He was going to fly at full speed, damn the cost.

  For the first time in a very, very long time, James felt – well – he thought the feeling was happiness. It was so alien to him that he had to take a few minutes to realise that’s what it was.

  *****

  Zach held Alexina in his arms. Lisa was talking, he had to concentrate to listen.

  “So, Zach, I’ve been told what’s going on and I took the liberty of putting supplies in the back. I didn’t know what to put, I don’t have much experience with Vampires. So I just shoved a load of stuff in – hope it’s okay.”

  Zach forced himself to reply, “I’m sure it’ll be fine, thank you.”

  Her cheerful voice carried on, “So is James going to be driving at night cause he doesn’t like the sun?”

  Zach tried to clear his mind enough to focus on what she was saying. Her cheerfulness seemed off in the circumstances. “Uhm no, the sun doesn’t bother old Vampires. He just prefers nobody to see him.”

  He could sense Lisa trying to put together a response, “’Cause of the scars?” she asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Oh so he’s a bit sensitive about them?” she queried and Zach confirmed with a nod. “They are a bit scary but after the first shock ... it was his eyes I was drawn to ... he has really nice eyes.”

  Zach’s mind was now on her words. “So you like James’s eyes?”

  She did a soft giggle, “Well yeeeesssss, they are lovely – and he smells fab!”

  What did she just say? Zach’s mind was confused. She had ‘smelled’ James.

  Zach waited for a few minutes trying to put together the right words. “Lisa … James was badly scarred in a terrible incident, he is very self-conscious about them. I wouldn’t like to see him get hurt, he’s a very good friend of mine and a good man.”

  Lisa sighed. “Zach, I’m not blind, I saw the scars. It’s not that I only saw them – I saw James – not just the scars. He seems really nice and I wouldn’t do anything to hurt anyone, far less someone I liked.”

  Again Zach listened to her words, or the hidden meaning behind them. “You’ve only just met him, for a very short time, Lisa. How do you know you like him?”

  She sighed again, heavily this time. “I’m a Wolf, Zach. I can sense things sometimes ... more so than the other Wolves. It’s a sorta gift. I knew the minute I saw him that he was good. It kinda shines out of his eyes. I have no idea why but I was immediately drawn to him. I hope we can be friends.”

  Zach looked for any tell that she was lying. He didn’t see any, so he went on with a warning. “Okay, Lisa, just remember what I said. He only has a very few close friends ... he could do with another. Just make sure you don’t hurt him.”

  Lisa laughed lightly, “Oh I don’t have any plans to hurt him, Zach. Nope, hurting him is definitely not on my agenda!”

  Lisa continued driving for a couple of hours. She had finally stopped chattering, which Zach was relieved about. Her cheerful voice, in the same space as his nearly-dead mate, just didn’t seem right.

  Zach saw they were literally in the middle of nowhere. She pulled through some wooden gates. A guard stood watch – she waved at him as she passed, not slowing down. Very soon, Zach could see cabins dotted about, lots of them. This must be where the Pack lives, he thought.

  Lisa broke into Zach’s thoughts. “Okay, so I’ll be getting out now. You continue on this road for a good hour, then there’s a fork in the road and you take the right one. Continue on it and you’ll come across the cabin. It’s not got electricity, but there’s oil lamps, a large fireplace with plenty of logs outside, and a wood-burning stove for any cooking. No TV or anything like that, my mom and dad go there to not watch TV.” She let out a rather dirty laugh and Zach remembered what Dmitri had said.

  “So you’re the Alpha’s daughter, Lisa?”

  She nodded her head. “Yeah, we’re quite a large brood – I’m the oldest and there’s quite a few younger. The cabin seems to work wonders for my mom and dad, most of us were ‘made’ there.” Again she laughed and Zach squirmed slightly. She was a bit forward, this young Wolf.

  The vehicle stopped outside a very large cabin, right in the middle of a copse with trees surrounding it on three sides. “This is me, Zach. I sincerely hope all goes well with your mate. Hope to see you both soon.”

  The serious tone was not one she had used up till now, and Zach saw that she was sincere, “Thank you Lisa, I hope so too. I may see you when you bring James.” And with that she nodded and jumped out.

  Zach got out of the back, making sure Alexina was in a comfortable position, then getting in the driver’s seat, moving it back to accommodate his long legs. He took off and wondered if things would work out, the thought of losing his mate again crashing into his head and he resolutely pushed it away. Not going to happen, he told himself.

  *****

  Lisa stood watching the Vampire and his mate drive away. The journey had been quite hard for her, the smell of his mate’s blood filled her nostrils. She took several large breaths in and out through her nose to try and rid her senses of the smell. As she did this, her thoughts turned to James. She had been drawn to him ... but he was a Vampire.

  Not once, since her mating seasons had started, had she been drawn to anyone. She would only avail herself of on
e of the many young Wolves ready and able to give her release in that time. Always with protection, as the thought of a baby scared her senseless. She knew she shouldn’t feel like that, all She-Wolves wanted babies, but she didn’t and would go to any lengths to make sure she didn’t conceive.

  Lisa also knew she was older than most females to not have taken a mate. Again, she didn’t know why, but the thought of mating with one of the Pack sent her mind into chaos and fear. She didn’t want anyone in her Pack.

  Her father was not happy that she hadn’t found a mate yet, and each passing mating period made him more and more annoyed. She had considered running away at one point, scared that he would force a union, but her mother had stepped in.

  She had heard her mother shouting at her father. “You will do no such thing! Do you hear me? You leave her be – if and when she finds a mate it will be for love, not you fixing her up with someone just for the sake of it. We both know what happens when people go down that route, and it’s not a happy ending. I want more for our daughter! You know this, my Alpha! You know you have to leave her be – if you love her as a father should then you need to let her choose.”

  Her mother’s tone had softened at the end and Lisa could see in her mind that she would be running her hand over her father’s face, something which usually calmed him. Her mother would do this at times he was angry, trying to calm him before he erupted. Finally, she heard her father’s words, “Okay, I’ll leave her be … for the moment.” His tone was one that didn’t make her feel safe at all.

  She thought back on that day, she didn’t like eavesdropping but couldn’t help herself. Her father agreed that she could choose her mate, her mother’s words in her mind – for love. Although he seemed to be angry at her mother, and had added that ‘for the moment’. However, she knew it would have to be a Wolf – he would never agree to a Vampire.

  Her thoughts were running wild in her head. Jeez, she had only just had a couple of minutes with James. She didn’t really know him, or him her. He might not even find her attractive, for goodness’ sake.