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

the king’s cousin would almost be considered treason and they knew it.

“Where can we help, Fergus?” I knew he was a mind reader and I sent him a mental message to put us out of harm’s way if he could. We could not risk Fiona in any real battle, I hoped he knew that. If she got killed or even wounded while here under Jeremiah’s command, it would be much worse than an insult.

“The secret passage needs guarding. I posted men on the hill, but it’s not a bad idea to have someone in the room there or at the dungeons.” He pointed toward the kitchens. “Countess, you haven’t broken your fast. Holly has made a tray for you. You might want to eat first. Or carry it with you wherever you decide to set up.”

“That is most kind of you.” Fiona smiled. “I didn’t want to say anything around these two ladies, but I am starving.” She flushed and glanced around. “Thank you for understanding.”

“We have to walk through the kitchen to get to the dungeons.” I urged them that direction. I hoped this meant I’d be able to keep Fiona out of any fighting. She had no idea of the reality of what she might be facing. If we were lucky, we could leave her in the kitchen.

“Are there rats and spiders in the dungeon? I am not sure I want to go down there.” Flo complained all the way through the great hall and into the kitchen. “Glory! Cobwebs in my hair? No. I think I’ll go up to the battlements. Where I can see the sky. I will take your bow. You cannot use it in the dark dungeon.”

“You’re right. I have my sword and knives. Take the bow.” I knew Flo could protect herself and shift if faced with an enemy. “Just be careful. Fiona and I will be down below.”

“I am not afraid of rats and spiders.” Fiona sat at the table and ate a meat pie. Oh, but it smelled delicious. That had been one of my favorite dishes when I’d been mortal.

“When I was small, Jamie and I loved to explore whatever castle we happened to be in at the time. We’d carry sticks and brush those cobwebs out of the way, pretending we were hitting evildoers. Such fun!” She finished and brushed crumbs off her hands and mouth. “Now that he’s king, he rarely has fun anymore. So sad.”

“You and the king really are very close.” I tried and failed to imagine the future king of Scotland and England playing with sticks in a dungeon. Fiona had enjoyed a very interesting childhood.

“Yes, we are. He is like a brother to me.” She smiled at the cook who’d been watching her eat. “Delicious. Thank you, Holly!” The fact that she’d bother to learn our cook’s name made the entire kitchen staff glow with pride. Every servant curtsied when she rose from the table.

“I guess Flo isn’t as brave as you are.” I led the way, getting the dungeon keys from Holly. “It’s no treat down here, but Fergus is wise to post someone there in case of a breach in our defenses from the passageway.” I seriously doubted anyone would get past our guards on the hill. This had been a good way to keep Fiona out of the fighting. I didn’t love the spider webs, but I’d had a taste of battle with Janus and didn’t look forward to more of that bloodshed.

“If I have to shoot, I have extra shot and powder.” Fiona patted a bag on her hip. “You won’t believe the noise the guns make. It will really be loud if we are in a small space.”

I unlocked the door then walked cautiously down the steps. I was grateful that torches had been lit already. Had that been Fergus’s doing?

I held up my hand when we were almost to the dungeon. Was that a noise ahead of us, different from the usual scrabbling from mice? Perhaps Fergus already had men posted here and he’d forgotten to tell us.

“What was that?” Fiona whispered. “I think someone is already here.” She pulled out both guns and aimed them ahead of us. I was afraid she’d shoot me in the back.

I held up a hand. “Wait. Don’t shoot. They could be our men.” I stood still and listened. Yes, there were voices, men talking. I recognized an Irish lilt when I heard it and my heart sank. We’d chanced upon a secret meeting. More spies. But how many? And would they climb the stairs when they were done? That would put them face to face with us.

23

Igestured madly. We should go back. Fiona wouldn’t move. I could see by the look in her eyes that she was still determined to fight. If she only knew!

I was afraid to go on but did want to see how many men were below. They had to be gathered in the dungeon room. Fiona’s hands drooped and she finally let her heavy pistols rest beside her legs. Was she really a decent shot? What chance did we have if the men came up the steps? I stood between her and an attacker. I was determined to protect her. When I took one cautious step, Fi gasped.

“What was that?” One of the men must have heard her.

“I don’t hear nothin̕.” Feet shuffled. What were they doing?

“Yer jumpin̕ at yer own shadow, that’s what. Admit it, Janus failed. We got to leave and that’s a fact.”

“Not without takin̕ some of the Scots with us.”

“Aye!”

Oh, no. I’d counted four different voices. We stood no chance against that number. Fiona didn’t seem to agree. She bumped against my back.

“We can take them. Come on!” She bumped me again and I fell forward.

“I heard it that time. Comin̕ from the stairs.”

Then I was face to face with a man in dirty clothes who held a knife. I knew what to do. I slashed him with my