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

have the energy for loveplay. Just like you do.” I ran my hands through his hair. “Especially if you do most of the work.” I laughed.

“Work, is it?” He lifted my legs onto his shoulders and showed me just how he liked to love me. “I can be gentle if that’s what you’re needing.” He nipped at that special vein on my inner thigh. “I can give you more ancient blood while we’re at it.”

“While we’re at it.” I touched his face. “I do want to live, Jeremiah. Love me. Help me forget the hell I just faced.”

“Gladly. And tomorrow night we will find out who this assassin is and if there will be more.” Jeremiah was prepared to spend the rest of our night making sure I had no doubt about his love.

Who was this assassin? What if he refused to talk? I couldn’t stand the thought of torture, but I needed answers. Where had the poison come from? It was obviously supposed to kill me. I had been standing alone so there could be no doubt I was the intended victim either.

“Gloriana, I can tell your mind is elsewhere.” Jeremiah had his hand on my breast. “Shall we forget this for tonight? You need rest after what you’ve been through.”

I ran my hand through his hair. “I love you. I love what you do to me. But I can’t stop thinking about what happened. The arrow going through me. The pain.” I sighed when he moved to lie beside me and take me in his arms. “I’m sorry. I also can’t stop wondering who the man is who shot me.” I sat up. “It was a man, wasn’t it?”

“I’d think Valdez would have made certain of that.” Jeremiah got up and went to the door. “Valdez!” The door was locked but we heard Valdez answer through it. Jeremiah unlocked it and opened it.

“You need me?” My bodyguard wore his sword and a knife on his belt. “I have another guard at the top of the stairs. Two on the prisoner in case someone thinks to rescue him. He had to have come by boat. It’s possible to come alone in a small skiff, but unlikely. At least that’s what I think. I’ll do some investigating tomorrow during the day. Colin is sleeping now and will take over guard duty on this door for me then.”

I don’t think I’d ever heard so much explanation from Valdez before. He seemed determined to protect me at all costs. When was he going to sleep?

“Valdez, are you sure the prisoner is a man and not a woman?” I held the covers up to hide my nakedness. Jeremiah didn’t bother to hide his. Men.

“I didn’t check.” Now Valdez was frowning. “But I think I would know if it was a woman in man’s clothing.” He and Jeremiah looked at each other. “I know you could tell immediately that the pirate wench was female.”

“I’ve known women who could fool the eye.” Jeremiah shook his head. “What does it matter? Man or woman, she tried to kill Gloriana and will hang for it.”

I shuddered. “I want to know why. And if more will follow her or him. When will this end?” No tears. I refused to cry. “When we wake tomorrow night, I want to meet this person and ask them questions myself.”

“Then that’s what you’ll do.” Valdez nodded. “Did you need me for anything else? I think sunrise is mere minutes away.” He backed toward the door. “Good evening.”

“Good evening.” I fell back and burrowed under the covers. I was exhausted.

Jeremiah locked the door again and crawled in beside me. “I would rather not have you get close to that assassin.”

“Well, I would rather not get close either.” I lay my head on his chest. “Unfortunately, I think it is necessary. He or she needs to look me in the eyes and tell me why he shot me, who sent him and where he got the poison.” I closed my eyes. “I don’t think I’ll ever feel safe again until I know those answers and we have finished my enemies once and for all.”

16

“There is no question now, Glory. Colin made him strip naked. This is definitely a man we’re dealing with.” Valdez nodded. “I am convinced a woman would have been more worrisome. I also checked the bastard for special talents. He’s mortal, not shifter or vampire nor witch. Though he carries the stench of dark magic around him. That’s where he got the poison, I’m sure.”

“Well done, Valdez.” Jeremiah had a grim look. No smile from him even while he handed out a compliment. “Bring him here. Is he in chains?”

“Aye.” Colin answered Jeremiah. “We gave him some of Holly’s famous gruel this morning—nasty stuff—and a jug of water. He’s been treated better than he would have been in the Edinburgh gaol, I tell you that.” Colin doffed his cap to me. “It weren’t easy to keep from showing him how I feel about what he did to you, mistress. Say the word and that’ll change right now.”

I had to smile at Colin’s loyalty. “Thank you, Colin. But we’ll question him now. If there is punishment due, we’ll try to make it lawful. Just bring him here.”

Colin looked disappointed about that as he turned and disappeared down the stairs to the dungeon.

I stood close beside Jeremiah. We were in an empty storeroom not far from the kitchen. Actually, the storeroom wasn’t completely empty. There was a stool someone had brought in and a small table. On the table were a pair of tongs like the blacksmith used to pick up hot iron and a hammer with a few nails. I shivered, trying not to think what Jeremiah or Colin intended to do with those. Lawful punishment? I was sure no one would fault us if we tortured some vital information out of this man. He had tried to kill me.

“Are you sure you wish to stay for this?”