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

wouldn’t, Flo. If you were poor, you had to do whatever was necessary to stay alive.” I patted her knee. “I was ready to sell myself for food when Jeremiah found me.” I sighed. “Actually, that’s exactly what I did. Do you hate me now?”

“No!” She sat up. “We are alike, you and me. We are strong and wanted only to survive, no matter what we had to do, am I right?”

“You are right.” I was happy to have this new friend. I began to think that I needed to forget my search for the past. What was important was now and the danger I’d been warned about. I felt cold coming from that bottle of potion and shivered.

No, I wasn’t going to take it. Not now. Flo was right—I needed to be strong to defend myself and this potion had made me weak. Someone wanted to kill me. That’s what I had to prepare for, not lose strength in a futile effort to look back.

“Flo! Do you know how to fight with a sword?” I eased away from her and stood.

“Do I! Of course, amica. My brother is one of the best swordsmen in all of Italy. In all of Spain as well. He taught me years ago.” She flushed. “They say he is also one of the best lovers. Some call him Casanova. Women beg to come to his bed.” She laughed. “He is the one who made me vampire. I begged him for that.”

“You have a brother?” I grinned. “That is wonderful. Also wonderful that he taught you to use a sword. Show me. Let’s work on my sword craft, shall we? I’m not going to sit around waiting for an assassin. I’m getting ready to meet and defeat one.”

Flo smiled. “Yes, let’s do it. I have my own sword, amica. Fine Toledo steel made in Spain, a gift from my brother. His birth name is Damian. Someday you will have to meet him. Maybe you will end up in his bed. He might be irresistible, eh?”

“We will see. I do love my Jeremiah. I am loyal to him.” I followed Flo inside. I would use one of the swords left behind by Lord Ralph. Why not? It was time to get serious about my own defense. No more playing with toy swords. If someone wanted to kill me, they’d have a hard time doing it.

Valdez rumbled again as I picked through Lord Ralph’s trunk we’d put in an empty room. I ignored him. Let him wish to keep me playing with toys. If Flo and I cut each other, we would heal. A little blood and pain would serve to remind me to take sword play seriously.

“This would be easier if I had britches like Zarah wore.” I tried to make the kind of moves I’d seen the men make when they practiced in the courtyard. My skirt kept tangling around my legs.

“Britches!” Flo danced into the room, her sword gleaming in the candlelight. Valdez murmured in appreciation when he saw it and she handed it to him to admire. “I would love to try out a pair. We could ask my dressmaker when she comes to make some for each of us. Or your Maggie is clever with a needle, Mercy told me.”

“Yes, Maggie could do it.” I ran a hand down my hip. I knew how Jeremiah would feel about me in britches. His warrior woman wielding a sword like a man.

I grinned at Flo. “Jeremiah would hate it.”

“So would Angus.” Flo’s eyes twinkled. “I fancy a pair in black velvet with gold trim. What do you think?”

“Let’s do it.” I was already imagining it. “Mine will be blue velvet with silver. We can start a fashion.”

Valdez groaned and reluctantly handed Flo her sword. “You know this is going to be a disaster, don’t you?”

“How can it be? With you and Florence as my teachers, I will soon be a master at sword play.” I saluted Flo with my sword. “En guarde, mon amie.”

Flo began to rattle something in French, clearly excited that I had managed to say something in that language.

“Stop! I was parroting what they said in Master Shakespeare’s plays.” I laughed and we started again, our swords clashing. Valdez stayed against the wall, a frowning presence as we parried and I took a few hits. I realized Flo was playing with me.

“You should be doing this outside but I think you would draw a crowd.” Valdez held up a hand. “Stop. Glory, you are bleeding.” He walked over to inspect a cut on my shoulder.

“I’m sorry, amica. I didn’t want to ruin your dress!” Flo rushed forward to inspect the wound. “It is but a tiny scratch, you are already healing.”

“I know. Don’t feel bad.” I was glad Valdez had stopped the fight though. If I had to defend myself against someone trying to kill me, I’d have been dead ten times over. Except… “A sword through my heart wouldn’t kill me, would it?”

Flo and Valdez exchanged looks.

“No, not necessarily.” Valdez handed me a handkerchief to dab at the small amount of blood that still oozed near my neck. “But if you get your head cut off, that’s the end of you.”

“Or if someone manages to cut out your heart, Glory.” Flo put her arm around me. “Here is my advice. Don’t fight with a sword. You are not ready. Keep Valdez close. If you are alone and trapped? Scream for help. Use your knife. Kick. But you need years to learn to be a maestra with a sword.”

I had a lot to think about as I felt the heaviness that meant it was nearing sunrise. I hurried to put away my sword and head to my bedchamber. Mercy was there with a tub filled. She fussed over the dress that had a few tears. At least they could be easily repaired, this time.

I sank into the tub, sore from the unaccustomed exercise. I had to admit I was worried. I