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

to end this war tomorrow night.” Jeremiah squeezed my waist. “Captain Burnett has drilled them over and over again. He looked a bit ragged since he’s been working so hard—day and night. I told him to take tonight away from here and rest. He will need to be sharp tomorrow night.” He kept watching that boat then noticed how quiet I was at his side.

“Here now. You look worried. No need, my love.”

“I have news that may make a difference for you.” I would feel better if Jeremiah didn’t look excited to go into battle. Men! Why did the idea of fighting make his blood pound? Not that his blood didn’t pull me closer. I wanted him even more when he was like this—vibrant, eager to pick up his sword. Later I’d show him how he aroused me. Right now, I could only pull him away from where Florence and the laird were talking, Flo with her usual hand gestures.

“Colin told me the villagers around the castle have seen what they are calling flying night creatures.”

“Really. When? Recently?” Jeremiah looked up at the sky, as if searching for one.

“No, before we came here. I think they might be shape-shifters or even vampires. Things were stolen. The local people definitely thought the night creatures were responsible.” I was wasting my breath. Jeremiah was so worried about his cannon, he barely heard me.

He kept watching that cannon’s progress. It had arrived at the ship and ropes were being tossed down to the men in the smaller boat. Those waves were making things very difficult. A man almost went overboard.

Jeremiah finally focused on me again. “I would think that if the pirates had shifters or vampires in their ranks, they would have used them before. Like when you wounded their leader. Yet no one came after you then. Another vampire would have sensed you. You might have sensed them. I certainly didn’t smell any when we were fighting on the beach.”

“You’re right about that.” I kept watching the sky. The clouds had blotted out the moon and it was dark, the water luminous when it hit the shore. Jeremiah was always so logical. He had easily dismissed the notion of pirate vampires. Yet I shivered, feeling eyes on us. And they weren’t friendly ones.

“If there are shifters or vampires here, perhaps they have their own plans. They might not owe allegiance to the Irish.” I frowned. “We know who else is on this island.”

“MacDonald.” Now he was taking me seriously. “A vampire clan who also employs shape-shifters.” Jeremiah paced the sand. “By God, I wouldn’t put it past the man to send some here to make mischief. Just when I am busy trying to guard the coast!”

“We don’t know that for certain. Remember, the rumors started before our arrival.” I knew how much Jeremiah hated Robert MacDonald. The enmity was so bad between the Campbell clan and the MacDonald’s that the king had ordered them to share this island as a punishment. I never should have brought this up on the eve of Jeremiah’s departure.

“King James was mad to think our clans could share this island and just decide to end our feud. As if we are children fighting over toys.” Jeremiah hit the air with his fist.

“Stop. You have no proof Robert has sent shifters to harry us” I grabbed his fist and held on. “Now listen to me. Concentrate on the coming battle, Jeremiah. Rout the Irish and then you can confront Robert. Ask him if he is up to mischief here. Then, if you must, you can report to the king about it when you go to tell him about your great victory.”

“I’ll not run to the king with any but good news. Any problem with a MacDonald I’ll settle like a man.” Jeremiah had a firm jaw and a determined look. “Never doubt that, Gloriana.” He took my hand. “You look very pretty tonight. You think I didn’t notice?” He bent to kiss me, ignoring the stares we got from the sailors nearby. “I look forward to some time with you before sunrise. A fine farewell, eh?”

I hated that word. Farewell. As I’d told Lady Anne to give her captain. How many warriors had been sent off to battle and never come back? But Jeremiah wasn’t an ordinary warrior and I couldn’t forget it. I just hoped the Irish really didn’t have any shifters or vampires on their side to make this battle worse than it already would be.

I kissed Jeremiah good-bye with a promise of a fine time together later. As soon as I started walking away, he ran to a rowboat and ordered men to take him out to the ship as fast as possible. Finally, he took an oar himself in his impatience. I was sure he’d get that new cannon loaded properly if he had to use his vampire strength to manage it.

I dragged Florence away with me. We truly were only a distraction when our men needed to prepare for battle. Valdez had stayed near us but not too near and now followed us back to the castle.

The evening meal was over by the time we returned. There was no sign of the captain and Lady Anne in the great hall. That was promising. I did find Colin and told him I wanted to look for hidden passageways under the castle. It was always possible that there were no flying creatures, just clever lads who knew this castle better than most.

We went over the walls inch by inch it seemed. No way to escape. The small hole we found that was used to empty chamber pots would be tight even for tiny Florence. She had left us to return to her room. Mercy was helping her sort through her dresses. Both women did enjoy looking through a fine wardrobe.

“I supposed someone could slide down that small tunnel but you’d land in the moat.” Colin shook his head at the spot that reeked of its