Real Vampires: Glory and the Pirates by Bartlett, Gerry (red white royal blue TXT) 📕

the floor. “Are you really going to take me on this cold stone floor?” Clearly, the man was randy again. Oh, we were both insatiable. How I loved that! We had talked enough and I was ready to show him how much I loved him.

“No, indeed. I am going to let you take me. On yon stool.” He pushed aside a stack of cloths and sat, pulling me onto his lap until I was seated astride him. He gripped my hips and we were joined, perfectly. “Ride me, sweetheart. Take your pleasure and make me call your name. And be quick about it. Sunrise is minutes away.”

“Controlling bastard.” I hit his shoulder, then leaned in and bit his neck, finding his jugular. Ah. His blood was rich and familiar, the taste I craved above all. He was strong and hearty enough that I was sure he had found a blood source somewhere during the night. I didn’t care who he had used. As vampires we drank blood to survive. Jeremiah did not kill to feed, only took what he needed so that he was well able to serve me.

I rode him, drank my fill and then found my own release when he called my name. By the time we ran down the tower stairs to find our own bedchamber, I was sure he would let me fight, at least in the castle. If I wanted to do more? Well, I would have to prove myself.

4

“The Pirates are coming!” Screams echoed through the great hall and up the stairs as I put away my short sword. A crash sounded from the solar across the way. Lady Anne had heard the call. I threw open the trunk again and grabbed my bow and quiver full of arrows. I still hadn’t mastered the short sword since we’d started practicing, but I carried my knives at all times. One was strapped to my thigh under my skirt. Jeremiah had helped me secure it there. Another was at my waist.

Valdez strode into my bedchamber. “What are you doing? Lady Anne needs you. Go to her and help her down the stairs. I’ll lock you both in that hidden room before the pirates get here.”

“Oh, no you won’t. I told you, I’m not going to hide.” I stalked past him. “Is Anne still in her solar?”

“Yes, she has that blasted sword and won’t let go. You know she is useless with it. She’s crying and shaking like a dog in a thunderstorm.” Valdez stayed on my heels as I ran to the lady’s room.

Ann had a cloak thrown over her shoulders. She was sobbing and clutching her sword in both hands. She sure wouldn’t cut herself on that. Valdez had given us children’s practice swords, blunt and useless in an attack. It was a wonder she hadn’t cut herself on the glass that lay shattered on the floor.

“Lady Anne, come with me.” I managed to pry the sword out of her hands. “You don’t need this. We will find you another, better, weapon.” I glared at Valdez when he shook his head. “Here, hold onto my knife. I have another one.” I pressed a knife into her shaking hands. “Does that make you feel better?”

She looked at me through wet lashes. “Yes, yes it does. I will fight them, Gloriana. Please don’t let your man lock me in that little room.” She held the knife awkwardly. I stayed well away for I knew it to be razor sharp.

“I don’t want to hurt you, Valdez, but I refuse to be put away this time.” Anne waved the knife at him. “I will stick you if you try to force me, I swear it.”

“I believe you, my lady.” Valdez kept his face serious. I knew, though, that he could disarm her easily if he wanted to do it. “Please come down the stairs with me. The men are gathering in the great hall. I will feel better if I know where everyone is. I’m sure Lord Campbell and the king’s men are fighting on the beach. The pirates will probably not get as far as the castle, but we need to be ready. Don’t you agree?” He gently took her elbow and nodded at me to lead the way.

“Yes, we must be ready to defend against the attack.” Anne sniffed and started walking.

I handed her a handkerchief. “Give me the knife. You don’t want to take a chance on the stairs.” I carefully took the knife. The lady meant well but I didn’t trust her with a real weapon. She was delicate and a demon with a needle, but had yet to prove herself with anything larger. She would do better throwing one of her beautiful pillows at a pirate.

Colin and his men were not in the great hall. They had moved out to the courtyard and were arguing about how to pull up the drawbridge. In fact, that broken thing should have been fixed when we first arrived, weeks ago. Jeremiah had been too busy preparing his ships to attack the pirates to pay heed to what was going on at the castle.

“What exactly is wrong with it?” I hurried over to study the chain and pulleys that should make it rise. After a close inspection of one side and then the other, it was clear to me that a blacksmith could probably fix the broken chain. Why hadn’t one already been summoned? When I asked the question, there was a general pushing and shoving with everyone avoiding my gaze.

I wanted to box a few ears at the delay. At least we’d had heavy rains the past few days. The moat was clear so the air was fresh. Lady Anne had insisted all privy needs be disposed of properly to keep it that way.

“Answer me!” I yelled at the crowd of men. How did I become in charge of things here?

Colin finally spoke. “There’s a man, a smithy, who travels with the king’s