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

“Thank you, Patrick. I never doubted it.” I gripped the knife then stalked over to the quiet place where we would be sheltered from prying eyes. I sat on the fallen tree and gestured for Patrick to sit beside me. He glanced at Valdez who still watched us closely. Once again, my bodyguard was going too far.

By the gods, if I wanted to reward Patrick with a kiss for giving his blood or even something more, wasn’t that my business? Not that I was tempted, there was only one man I wanted to kiss. But now I wondered. Had Jeremiah told Valdez to spy on me? That thought stopped me cold. No, surely not. My lover trusted me. Of course, he did.

“Valdez, turn your back and watch for intruders. That is what you are here for, is it not?” I was angry with him. He worked for me, didn’t he? Yes, Jeremiah paid him, but not to treat me like a helpless child. I was sick of it. I waited until the shifter turned on his heel and presented his back to us.

“Now, Patrick, I promise this will not hurt.” I pulled his wrist to my mouth and licked it to dull the pain. Patrick gasped before I ran the sharp knife across it. Had I hurt him? No, I felt sure his gasp was caused by the intimacy of my mouth against his wrist. He’d closed his eyes and leaned forward.

He tasted of salty sweat but his skin was so very warm. Hot blood welled and I caught the drops with my tongue before any could escape. Oh, delicious. Fangs in, I drank until instinct told me it was time to release him. I used to count to be sure not to take too much but now I just knew the limit a mortal could stand.

Patrick’s other arm crept around my shoulders and I leaned against him to hold his wrist firm. Was he steadying me or himself? I licked the wound to seal it then sat up to look into his face. He was pale, his eyes still closed. I would make sure he had a good meal after this, even though it was late. I glanced at his britches. I had aroused him with my drinking. Poor man. I hoped he had a sweetheart here in the castle he could go to later to relieve what was surely an ache.

“Are you all right?” I touched his cheek.

“Oh!” His eyes flew open. “More than all right.” He jumped to his feet. “I see now what Brian meant. About the excitement.” He dropped his hands to cover his bulge. “Hasn’t happened before. When the laird or some other vampire took my blood.” His flush made his face rosy. “Well, beggin’ your pardon, mistress. I’ll be going now.” He swayed as he took a step toward the castle.

“Wait.” I pulled a coin, no, two coins, from my purse. “Thank you for serving me, Patrick. Here.” I pressed the coins into his hand. “Now be sure to stop in the kitchen. Tell Holly to fix you a plate of that chicken she served for last meal, on my orders. It is important that you eat now.”

“Yes, must eat right away. Oh, I feel a little light-headed.” Patrick tucked the coins away and doffed his cap. “That was a treat. I mean, thank you, Mistress Gloriana. I will be glad to serve you again. Any time.” He staggered away, finally almost running toward the castle.

“Fool.” Valdez picked up his knife from where I’d laid it on the log then wiped it clean with a handful of leaves.

“Why? Because giving me blood made him happy?” I shook out my skirt. Had I done it wrong? Spent too long using my tongue to seal the wound? I shook my head. I refused to feel guilty for Patrick’s reaction to a simple bloodletting. Men will be men. I could not get that phrase out of my head.

I looked around. No sign of Florence and Brian yet. Perhaps women would be women as well, not above feeling lusty. That made me smile even while I wondered if we should wait for her on this dark path.

Valdez straightened and steered me toward the castle. “Happy? Is that your word for it? He liked your mouth on him. A beautiful woman pressed against him that close? It’s a high treat for a working man. For any man, come to that.” Valdez kept his eyes on the trees that surrounded us. “It’s too dark out here. We need to get back inside the courtyard.”

“What about Florence and Brian?” I felt uneasy. Valdez was right, the sky was overcast, clouds covering the moon. Trees rustled as if someone hid behind each one. Pirates? Or my imagination?

“Brian can handle anyone who tries to bother that woman. I read her mind. Unlike you, she is not afraid to shape-shift. That will get her out of any trouble that comes her way.” Valdez urged me toward the drawbridge, his hand on my back. “My job would be easier if you would do the same.”

“Will you stop it? I’m not shifting and that’s that. Jeremiah has been at me already about it. I won’t accept it from you too.” I kept moving, though. It was frightening out here and I sensed a menacing presence. Would the pirate leader send a spy to try to kill me in secret? It was a horrifying thought. I would have to be alert to danger at all times. No wonder Valdez wanted me back inside where we had soldiers guarding us.

We were safely inside the courtyard when Valdez stopped me with a hand on my shoulder. “It’s my job to protect you, Gloriana. It would be easier if you could shift, but I do need to remember my place. Complain to Jeremiah and he will replace me. Is that what you want?”

Replace him. Did I?