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

“Keep your voice down. That’s our secret, you know. The mortals from the castle wouldn’t understand.” I felt lightheaded. I walked over to the steps and sat. “He’s a seasoned warrior. You’d be wise to listen to him. Now send someone up to tell Lady Anne we won the day.”

“I will.” Colin gestured and whispered to a boy who went running. “Seems like you mighta killed the pirate leader. You think it was her? The one with the red hair?”

“Valdez seems to think so. That’s why he’s following them. To see if I killed her.” I made myself stand and face the gathered men and women who were waiting. They talked quietly among themselves, not sure if it could be true, that they were safe, for today anyway.

“Thank you, all of you, for coming to the aid of the castle. You are a brave lot and we won the day.” I lifted my arms in a kind of salute.

A cheer went up and the people began to talk excitedly. Gradually they began putting away their weapons and returning to their daily chores. It was a letdown, I could see that much.

“Open a keg, Colin. Ale for everyone!” More cheers and I finally picked up my skirts and walked inside.

Lady Anne was coming down the steps from the tower, her cheeks flushed. “Did you really kill the pirate queen?”

“I don’t know. I managed to hit the leader of that group with my arrow. It stopped them, anyway. Let’s go to your solar. I imagine we’ll find out from Jeremiah and the captain what happened once the pirate ships retreated.” I followed her up. “You did well.”

“I was terrified.” Anne went straight to a decanter and poured two glasses. She handed me one. “We should toast. I think we actually won!”

“Yes, it seems so.” I raised my glass and touched the rim to my lips. I inhaled then tasted the fine liquor and wished I dared drink. Instead I walked to the window and managed to spill most of it outside without Anne seeing me do it. “I hope you hit a pirate with your boiling water.”

“I doubt it, but it made me feel useful.” Anne laughed and sat in front of the fire.

I realized it was the first time I’d heard her laugh since I’d met her. She was really very pretty. Now if I could get her out of her blacks, she might learn to live again.

“You were useful. The pirates thought they would catch us by surprise. I’m sure some of them kept the king’s troops busy at the beach while the others came here. This must be how they managed to steal so much from the castle before. It won’t work now that we’re on to them.” I set the goblet on the table.

“That was so much better than cowering in that dark room.” Anne was almost giddy as she downed her drink.

“I admit I was scared. I’m surprised I managed to hit anything with my arrow. Valdez has sent a spy to find out if I killed her or just injured the woman.” I looked out at the night sky where the full moon rode high. It was still early evening. “We will have to wait to find out.”

“I hope she’s dead.” Anne flushed. “That sounds very bloodthirsty of me, doesn’t it? I don’t care. She has taken too much from us here.”

It was much later when Valdez came back with a report. He had managed to land on the pirate ship where he could hear them working over the leader. My arrow had done serious damage to the woman’s shoulder. She had bled quite a bit but they had managed to save her. Once he’d learned that much, Valdez had gone back to where the king’s men were celebrating a win over the pirates at the beach. The troops had fought well. They had no idea there had been another attempt at the castle before the pirate ships had retreated.

Jeremiah came in dirty and elated, ready for a quick bath before he told me about his night. When it came time to hear how mine had gone, he stared at me with new respect.

“You wounded the pirate queen? She brought men with her to attack the castle?”

“Yes, I made a lucky shot.” I had bathed before Jeremiah got home and lay in bed waiting for the dawn. “Valdez shifted and boarded her ship. He confirmed that she didn’t die but was sorely wounded.”

“She was clever, dividing her forces like that. We underestimated her.” He paced in front of the fire wearing only a drying cloth. “We’ll not do that again. The next time she raids, we will leave a force with you here.”

“That would be wise. But it will be a while. Valdez claims she won’t have the use of her arm for a long time, if ever.” I was boasting, but why not? “You should have seen me, Jeremiah. I was trembling, terrified I would miss. But I stood there, the drawbridge between us, and took aim. It’s a wonder that I managed to hit the mark.”

“Amazing.” He threw off the cloth and climbed into bed.

I couldn’t tell what he really thought of that. His face was serious. Was he angry that I hadn’t hidden away as he’d asked me to? Had disobeyed his order to Valdez? Surely Jeremiah knew by now that I wasn’t a meek woman to be stuffed in a little room and locked away.

“Are you proud of me?” I hated that my voice had become coaxing.

“You could have been killed. Who is to say she didn’t have an archer of her own, his arrow trained on your heart?” He ran a fingertip over my breast to where my heart beat slowly in the vampire way. “I didn’t bring you here with me so you could risk your life, Gloriana. I’ve a good mind to send you straight back to Edinburgh.”

“What?” I