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

stared for several long moments but saw no sign of life. I could only stand there motionless, surrounded by the scent of her blood and mine. My own wounds were closing, thanks to the blood I’d had recently.

I listened to my own labored breathing, far off gunfire and the shouts of men far below in the courtyard. Her cry echoed in my mind. Was it really over? My body hurt, oh, how it hurt. But I could still stand. I threw down my bloody knife. I couldn’t stand the sight of it or that tower rooftop, with the remains of our battle scattered across it. I turned away. I felt empty and had no feeling of triumph as I made my way back to that bathing tower where I could watch for Jeremiah’s ship.

The queen is dead, long live the queen. I wondered if there would be another queen for the pirates.

Colin came to the door. “Are you all right? I found MacDougal’s body here. Then there was no sign of you. Where have you been?” He swore when he saw I was wounded. “You are bleeding.” He gently guided me to the stool. “Sit, I’ll send for Mercy. And, um, Maggie should know what to do.”

“Relax, Colin. I’m already healing. Vampire, remember?” I did sit down though. “I met Zarah, Queen of the Pirates. I think she must have come in through the secret passageway. What happened to the guards there?” I leaned back against the wall, drained.

“You met… Where is she?” Colin gazed around the room like Zarah might be hiding in the bathing tub. That almost made me smile. “You know Valdez and Lord Jeremiah are going to have our heads for this. I can’t believe she got to you. And wounded you!” He groaned and covered his face. “I’ll be lucky to still have my post.”

“You did nothing wrong. She was clever. I’m sorry we lost one man, maybe more. Now she is dead.” I paused, my stomach unsettled as I healed. I reached up and pulled the bullet from my shoulder as it rose to the surface of the wound. That surprised me. Usually bullets had to be dug from flesh, even a vampire’s. I didn’t think any more about it, was just grateful it had happened. I would toss it out the arrow slit when I got up from the stool.

“Dead? Did you kill her, mistress?” Colin looked at me with awe.

I couldn’t stand it. “No. We fought but then she knew she’d lost. She couldn’t face the dungeon and Edinburgh so she threw herself off the top of the northwest tower. Her body should still be down below it. Near the hill where the passageway opens. I didn’t see any guard there. Did we forget to post one?”

“Dennis was on guard duty.” Colin frowned. “If you saw no guard, then we will look for him. I hope he didn’t have his throat cut as well. I’ll send men there right away. And to look for the queen’s body.” Colin looked out the arrow slit. “No sign of Valdez yet? He just missed the attack by the pirates. I’m surprised he left when he must have seen their ship in the harbor.”

“He trusted you to handle them, Colin. You and Fergus.” I stood and the room shifted under my feet. I had to admit I was surprised Valdez hadn’t turned around and come back once he’d seen the pirate ship. But then again, we’d had no warning. The pirates must not have entered the harbor. They could have left their ship down the coast and walked in to surprise us. I said as much to Colin.

“Aye. I’m sure you’re right. We have guards watching for them all day and all night. The first we knew of the attack was when they hit the front gate.” Colin took my elbow when I swayed. “Sit, mistress. You look pale.”

“I admit I am still reeling from my fight with Zarah. She was clever, Colin. The attack at the front gate was a distraction.” I let him lead me back to my stool. “She wanted revenge. To punish me for ruining her arm.” I rubbed my own arm. Yes, it was healing but that didn’t take away the pain.

“You defeated her!” Colin came closer. “Since you were wounded, do you need blood? I will gladly serve you.” He held out his wrist. “You are a hero, mistress!”

“I certainly don’t feel like one. Zarah killed herself, Colin.” I sighed, tired and so worried about Jeremiah I couldn’t think straight. “Thank you for offering your blood, but I am fine. I will call on you later if I need you.” I got up and shook out my skirt. It had a tear which Maggie would fuss over. I found myself fighting tears. And fighting the picture in my mind of when that pirate, no, that woman had flung herself over the wall to her death.

Colin talked excitedly for another few minutes about the pirates and what they might do now without a leader. I sent him on his way

I walked over to the window and stared out at the sea. It was bright enough under the full moon to tell that there were no ships coming in and that the pirate ship was almost out of sight. Had they collected Zarah’s body before they left? Surely one of them had noticed that she’d gone missing. I hoped they planned to give her a decent burial, though why I should care about that, I didn’t know.

What I really watched for in the darkness and moonlight was Valdez. Where was he with news of Jeremiah? I prayed he’d bring my man home to me.

11

Ialmost jumped out of my skin when Florence arrived just before dawn. I’d been so afraid she’d be caught by the sun. She shifted right in front of me then collapsed into my arms.

“I could not find them!” She cried until her eyes were red.