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

“Good evening, mistress.” There was a guard on the well. Jeremiah had realized early on that the well could be poisoned by the Irish.

“Good evening, Fin.” I smiled. “I hope you got to eat this night.” Otherwise he might be going inside and could share that he’d seen me outside without Valdez.

“Yes, indeed. Holly put out a fine meal.” Fin rubbed his stomach. “Now I have the chore of staying awake here.”

“Sing a song or dance a dance if you get sleepy.” Flo patted his muscular arm. “I bet you have a fine voice.”

“Some say so, madame.” Fin started humming. “A good idea. But I have to look sharp. There’s been some strange noises in the courtyard. Be careful, ladies. I hope you aren’t going anywhere without a guard.”

“Of course not.” I waved at him. “Just a stroll around here.” I pulled Flo along. “Noises in the courtyard? Maybe this isn’t a good idea.”

“Are you afraid, amica?” Flo looked around. “I don’t see anything to worry about. Fin means well, but sees two women who he thinks are helpless. We are not. Am I right?”

I wanted to think I was brave and able to face whatever came my way. However, almost dying wasn’t so easy to forget. Nor was the pain I’d felt from that poisoned arrow Flo carried. My friend was clearly fearless so I forged ahead. I refused to show her how reluctant I felt as we crossed the open drawbridge. Clyne had just left with his escort.

Instead of raising it, the guards left it down when a cart loaded with supplies arrived. Flo and I managed to sneak past the guards while they argued with the driver about where to put the load of grain. I didn’t like the fact that it had been so easy for us to leave. I was afraid others might have come in just as easily. Distracted guards. I would have to tell Jeremiah about that.

The walk to the beach was dark, thanks to a cloud-shrouded moon. I felt more and more unsure about this mission. Did I really want to see Helen and ask her about this poison? What if she was in league with the Irish? For some reason I didn’t think so. But a vague feeling wasn’t much to rely on.

By my side, Flo chatted excitedly about the upcoming wedding and her own dress for it. She’d been to see Jolie and had glimpsed Lady Anne’s dress. It was beautiful and elegant, exactly Anne’s taste.

“Hush, Flo. I think I hear something.” I stopped in the path. Had that been a growl? I walked faster. Once we got on the beach, there would be soldiers or sailors. We might even run into Jeremiah. Of course, I didn’t want to see him. Not before I’d been to see the witch.

“You’re right. I smell—” Flo gasped and turned around. “Run, Glory! I’ll try to hold it off!” She pulled a knife from her waist.

I looked back and froze. It was the biggest bear I’d ever seen, black with huge claws that reached for us. Suddenly it opened its mouth, roaring and showing long fangs that could easily tear us apart.

“Run!” Flo screamed and lunged at it.

I was very afraid my friend had sacrificed herself for me.

19

“Don’t hesitate. Change and get out of here.” I stayed where I was. My heart was pounding. Yes, it could still pound, but slowly. “Now!”

“I can’t leave you.” Flo backed up until she could grip my hand. “I can shift into a huge bird and pull you up with me.”

“And make the local villagers go mad when they see us flying over their heads? Forget it, Flo. I’m staying here. Go!” I pushed her away. The next roar made my hair stand on end. “This bear won’t hurt me. I swear it. I know who this is.”

She looked at me then nodded. “If you’re sure.” She changed into a blue bird and flew away, toward the castle.

“All right, you’ve had your fun. Now show yourself.” I put my hands on my hips. Really, wasn’t I allowed any freedom?

“You have been expressly forbidden from roaming outside without a guard, yet here you are.” Fergus shook himself. Valdez had done the same thing after a shift.

“I see Jeremiah has been talking to you.” I turned and continued toward the beach. Let him chase me. I was furious. I hated being treated like a naughty child. I had been scared witless at my first sight of that huge monster. Then I’d caught his scent. I’d spent many hours travelling with Fergus in a small wagon when we’d left London for Edinburgh. That had made me too familiar with him not to recognize his smell immediately.

“Valdez spoke to me as well.” Fergus stopped me with a hand on my shoulder. “When I saw your bodyguard enjoying the evening meal and you nowhere in sight, I had a suspicion that you were up to something.” He looked tired, as if his new duties as Jeremiah’s trusted man in charge of the castle were wearing on him. “Gloriana, why are you determined to put yourself in harm’s way?”

“I am not.” What was the point in even talking about this? I laid my hand over his. “Have I thanked you for coming when we called? It means so much to me to have Maggie here.”

“She is happier away from Dollar.” He squeezed my hand then stepped back. “I am always glad to work for Jeremiah. Don’t ever doubt it.” He kept pace with me when I continued walking. “I regret that my family made so many demands on my wife that she felt unwelcome in my home. Marrying a mortal wasn’t something I planned on, but I wouldn’t change a thing. I love Maggie. And our daughter…” His smile changed his face from plain to handsome. “She has stolen my heart.”

“Mine as well.” I stopped at the edge of the forest. I could see smoke coming from the witch’s