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

“You are not really a warrior if it bothered you. But that is not so bad.” Fiona followed us to my bedchamber. “I have never killed anyone and I am not sure I could. The britches are fun though. I will have some made for myself when I get home. Just to torture Robert if for no other reason.”

“Fiona, this is not the time to tease. Glory is upset and rightly so. If we are confessing, I have found that sometimes killing is necessary. I only do it when I find it is kill or be killed. You know what I mean? I pray for their immortal soul, and for mine when we are done. Some people, men and women I have known, enjoy taking a life. I do not.” Flo crossed herself then waved Valdez away when we got to my bedchamber. “She must change clothes now, sir. Leave us.” She shut the door.

“Yes, even someone evil has a soul. He was bound for hell, but he was mortal. At least I think he was.” I turned my back so Flo could unfasten me again. I stepped out of the dress again and both women exclaimed at the damage to the dress and the burn down the center of the pretty piece. I couldn’t care about it. I walked over to the washstand and scrubbed the blood off my hands. His blood. Evil blood. I stood there staring at it. For a vampire, you’d think I’d be used to it. But this was blood from a man I’d killed. I felt sick.

“He did that to your beautiful dress?” Fiona touched my shoulder. “How? Are you all right?”

“Magic. I will be. He was a witch who played with dark magic. I am lucky he didn’t kill me first. I used my new trick, shifting, to get behind him, Flo. You gave me the idea.” I slipped on my britches, pushing the bottom of the damaged corset into it before I buttoned it and putting on a shirt to wear on top. I had to admit I loved the freedom of the britches. Fiona and Flo admired the way mine fit. What would Jeremiah say when he saw me? I tried to find my enthusiasm for the idea. It was time to move on. There were still pirates to kill. The idea made me shudder.

“Now what are we to do?” Fiona said it first. “Do you still feel like joining the guard, Gloriana?”

“We must. Get your pistols and I’ll have my bow. Flo, what are you going to use? Your sword? In case the pirates breech the wall?” I threw open the door. I had pulled out a knife for Fiona as well. We were ready.

“They’ve got them on the run, Gloriana. Fergus just told me.” Valdez had waited outside the door. “He’s sending troops to scour the woods to make sure none of them are hiding there. You can stay in the courtyard with Colin and his lads to take care of any who slip past them.”

“Did Colin and Mercy manage to get married?” I would hate for them to miss their chance with the bishop here.

“I don’t know. But the bishop cannot leave until the fighting is over.” Valdez nodded at Fiona. “Perhaps the countess can help persuade him to make time for one more wedding once we are done with the pirates.”

“Another wedding? Oh, yes, indeed, I will see to it.” She turned to me. “Who is getting married?”

“My personal servant and one of our best warriors.” I hoped she didn’t think me foolish for arranging this.

“Delightful. I am quite fond of my Margaret. If she were to wed, I would throw a tremendous party for her.” Fiona looked down at her britches and tugged at the waist. “But we must join the battle first.”

“We can do that. We’ll stay together. We can shoot or capture any pirates who think to breech the castle walls.” I picked up my bow and strapped on my extra knife at my waist. I exchanged the one I’d used to kill Janus for another. Despite what Valdez had told me, I’d probably never use it again. It felt tainted to me.

I was glad Fiona wanted to help but now I had to worry about her. She was mortal. If something happened to her, I’d have Robert MacDonald and the king of England and Scotland to answer to. Oh, dear.

“Countess, wouldn’t you like to stay in and meet the bride? Mercy would be most honored.” Valdez must have read my mind. He pointed down the steps. “We will see them on our way to the drawbridge.”

“I can do that after our mission.” Fiona was too smart to be distracted. “Come, ladies. On to battle.” She had her pistols strapped to her waist and pulled one out. She pointed it at the ceiling. “I’m the only one who hasn’t killed. It must be my turn.”

If only Fi knew how such a thing stained your soul, she wouldn’t make light of it. I followed them down the steps. I wanted nothing more than to see Jeremiah and tell him what had happened. He was a seasoned warrior and surely would be able to make me feel better about killing Janus. I knew it.

Cannons still resounded from a distance. We had two cannons mounted near the drawbridge but had not fired them. Fergus greeted us when we arrived, ready to help. When he saw what we wore and that Fiona was with us, he looked resigned.

“Ladies, I know you want to help and I’ve been thinking about the best way for you to do that.” His voice sounded odd. I was sure it was because he was trying not to laugh. The guards around him stared at the sight of women in britches. They didn’t dare repeat some of the comments they’d made about the pirate queen in her garb. To insult