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

you suggesting I try this again?” I could read his mind for once when he looked down at me. “See the witch and ask for another potion?”

“When I met you, you said you landed on stones with no idea who you were or where you came from.” Jeremiah brushed my hair back from my face. “It has always worried you. I don’t care about any of that, but you do. Don’t you?”

“Yes, of course. All I had when I woke was my name. Just one name at that. I took Michael’s last name because he found me but I had nothing of my own. Not a clue on me to help us figure out my past or where I came from.” I flushed. “We soon found out I was no virgin so we assumed I was a widow. I have no idea if I left a husband or family behind. That haunts me.”

“But you tried to find out. No one was searching for you. So you said.” Jeremiah put on his belt and added a knife. “I wish I had time to talk to you about this. Just know if you remember some long-lost husband, I’ll fight him for you.”

“Oh, Jeremiah. I’m sure that won’t happen.” I kissed him then shook my head. “You don’t trust witches. You never have. How can you suggest…”

“You are right. Forget I said anything.” He kissed me hard then put me away from him. “I have to see to the men now. I have to find out if Valdez learned anything about why you were left unguarded. We may have more traitors in our midst than we knew. Stay away from the witch if you are satisfied with what you’ve learned. As you say, it may have been just a dream.”

He strapped on his sword, gave me another quick kiss then went out the door. He stopped and looked over the two men on guard in the hall. He had questions for each of them before, satisfied, he strode on down the stairs.

I just stood there, confused, worried, and considering. Did I really want to know more about my past? Or was it better left there? The water was still warm when I dipped in my finger but I decided it was too grimy for my own bath. Jeremiah had been covered in the dirt he’d slept in during the day and the salt water he’d bathed in at night. I told the guards to tell the servants they could dump out the water, then left the room.

At least Jeremiah had helped me forget that confrontation with Zarah for a while. I could explore my past. If I dared.

13

Jeremiah and Valdez were together when I arrived in the courtyard. I was happy to see that they weren’t fighting. But they didn’t look happy either.

“You both look so serious. What’s wrong?” I joined them near the blacksmith’s shop. The man who usually worked with the soldiers’ horses was banging and clanging as he shaped a horseshoe.

“Fergus reported that we are down six men. They are gone. Left here during the fighting. They must have been the pirate’s spies.” Jeremiah shook his head. “I don’t know why we didn’t realize what they were.”

“You weren’t here, you were working at the beach with Captain Burnett before you left on your ship.” Valdez kept watching the courtyard. “Colin was in charge of the boys from Dollar. The locals who joined us claimed to hate the pirates and we had no reason to doubt them. Now it seems there were some who took bribes to betray their friends.” He gripped his sword. “We caught them in a boat, trying to make their escape. They’re in the dungeon now, waiting to be taken to Edinburgh for trial.”

“Good work.” Jeremiah frowned. “We also brought men from Edinburgh. The man Dennis came with that group. He was supposed to guard the entrance to the secret passage but he let the pirate queen into the castle instead. Fergus found papers in his room that prove he has relatives in Ireland and planned to help the pirates all along. He escaped before we could throw him in gaol.”

“We found two of the guards with their throats cut, stashed in an empty stall in the stables.” Colin walked up. “It’s a messy business. I’m glad to say all the men from Dollar are loyal and true. You can count on them, Lord Campbell.”

“I hope you are right.” Jeremiah was pacing, still not at ease. His father walked out of the castle with a smile on his face. “Da, I may need your help. Can you stay for a while?”

“Of course. Florence is having a fine time here with your Gloriana. I’ll be sending one of the lads to Edinburgh to fetch a dressmaker in the morning.” He smiled at me. “Let me know what you want him to pick up for your lady.”

Jeremiah glanced at me. “I will. But for now, I have more serious matters on my mind than pleasing my mistress.”

I knew he was right, but couldn’t deny that comment stung a little. “Who was killed? Did I know them, Colin?”

“Aye, one of them was Patrick. You took a walk with him t’other night.” Colin looked stricken. “He was a fine lad from a good family in Dollar. Lord Jeremiah, you’ll need to write to his ma, if you don’t mind. I’m not so good with my letters.”

“Of course. Patrick Barnes, is it?” Jeremiah glanced at his father. “That family will take it hard. His brother was lost in a raid by the MacDonalds three winters ago.”

“The MacDonalds.” The laird cursed. “What are you doing about the one not two hours ride from here, son?”

“I am ordered by King Jamie to make peace with him, Da.” Jeremiah looked like he wanted to hit something. “There’s not much I can do unless he attacks me. Then I will try my best to send Robert MacDonald straight to hell. You have