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

I put a hand on Flo’s back, very aware of Anne staring at her. I was shaking. Witches. I didn’t trust them. Was she going to tell Anne we were vampires? What a fine mess that would be. We could erase Anne’s memory later, but…

“You said they wouldn’t return right away, but they will return?” I wanted to know. Whether I could believe this woman was another matter.

The witch stared into the water again, swirling it, swirling it as if searching for the answer. I wanted to scream at her to get on with it. Finally, she slapped the table again.

“Yes! You will see them again. Just wait. There is nothing you can do from here.”

I sagged, leaning against Flo who said something I was sure was an insult in Italian.

“Nothing? I will do something right now, you strega falsa.” Flo moved toward the woman but I grabbed a handful of her cloak and pulled her back.

“Leave it, Flo. She said they would return, didn’t you, Mistress Haig?” Clever words. Too vague for my liking. Maybe I should let Flo at her.

“I did. They will be well. But you must wait.” She held out her hand. “You wish to know more?”

Muttering in Italian, Flo dug out another gold coin and put it in the witch’s palm. “Tell me all of it this time. Do not hold back, strega. Will they be hurt when they return? You did not say how they will be when we see them again.”

“You are very clever, madonna.” The witch smiled. “I do not know.” She stared into the water again. “But then your kind heals, does it not? Patience. He will be back and buy you more trinkets.”

Flo jerked back from the table. “I have heard enough. Pah! This woman is nothing but a greedy fake. I am leaving.” She spit on the floor. “She says she despises us, our kind. We are mistresses, yes? Is it because Glory and I have wealthy protectors, strega?” She swished her skirt. “We live in a castle, not a hovel, like you do. Jealousy. That is what I hear in this witch’s lies.”

Flo turned to a wide-eyed Lady Anne. “Do not listen to her. Except to know your lover will come back to you.”

“Yes, that makes me feel better.” Anne frowned at the witch. “I brought my friends to you, Mistress Haig. I do not appreciate your disrespect for them. They are kind and generous.”

“Thank you, Lady Anne. Flo, wait.” I knew healing was one thing, but a delay meant Jeremiah would have to spend his death sleep somewhere he might not be safe. “You are sure they will return safely?” I leaned closer, tossing another coin on the table.

“You really love this man, don’t you?” The witch grabbed my hand. I itched to slap it away. But I needed to know more. She stared into the water again. “Jeremiah. I hear his name in your head. Yes, yes, he will come back to you, drawn to your side as surely as if you were wed. No need to worry. You will still have his protection for a long, long time.” Her smile reminded me of a sneer.

Did she resent the fact that I had such a strong man who loved me? I didn’t care. He was coming back. I had heard enough.

“Let’s go.” I finally jerked my hand from hers. It wasn’t easy. Then I turned and walked to the door. Valdez was there, opening it for me. He stopped me and pulled up my hood.

“Careful, it’s still nasty outside.” He glanced back at the witch. “We should have asked how long this weather will last.”

“You think she knows? I doubt it.” I swept out the door, suddenly desperate to leave this hut that stank of herbs and something sinister. My hand burned where she’d held it and I’d heard something else in her predictions. I didn’t like it.

Lady Anne was glowing, sure her future would be bright. I was happy for her. Luckily, the talk of “others” had not been of interest to her so she had taken Flo’s insistence that Haig had referred to our living with our men while remaining unwed as the only fact that made us different. Unfortunately, the witch knew what we really were and could make use of our secret.

We struggled up the path to the castle, soaked to the skin after walking through such a downpour. We were glad to get inside and dry off. I decided to change clothes, we all did. I climbed the stairs then stopped by Mercy’s room and tapped on her door. She could follow me to my room, take my wet things, then make sure they were dried properly.

To my surprise, she looked disheveled when she answered the door, as if she’d just climbed out of bed. Yes, it was after midnight, but she knew my schedule and that I might call upon her. Then I noticed she kept looking over her shoulder.

“Are you not alone?” I was almost glad she might have found someone. “I don’t mind, Mercy. Truly.”

Colin stepped from behind the door. “Sorry, mistress. I hope you mean that. I admire Mercy ever so much. I just came to see how she goes on here. We know each other from Dollar. We grew up together.”

“Oh, I didn’t know that.” I smiled. “Mercy, when you’ve the time, my wet clothes need to be hung to dry.” I glanced down at my sodden skirt. “No hurry. Carry on.” I laughed at her flush then walked on to my room. Colin and Mercy. He would know by now that she was carrying another man’s child. Would he want to marry her and raise the child? Or was this a dalliance with the assurance that he couldn’t be blamed for her pregnancy?

I remembered that saying: men will be men. Even young Colin had needs, as did Mercy. I might not like it if he decided to use her, but it