Real Vampires: Glory and the Pirates

by Bartlett, Gerry

  “She could have been your mother!” Jeremiah seemed determined to make the best of this. “Why not? I’ve heard of brews helping people remember things. Or to find lost items. I don’t know why we didn’t think of this before.” He pulled me into his arms.

  “Wait. Are you suggesting I try this again?” I could read his mind for once when he looked down at me. “See the witch and ask for another potion?”

  “When I met you, you said you landed on stones with no idea who you were or where you came from.” Jeremiah brushed my hair back from my face. “It has always worried you. I don’t care about any of that, but you do. Don’t you?”

  “Yes, of course. All I had when I woke was my name. Just one name at that. I took Michael’s last name because he found me but I had nothing of my own. Not a clue on me to help us figure out my past or where I came from.” I flushed. “We soon found out I was no virgin so we assumed I was a widow. I have no idea if I left a husband or family behind. That haunts me.”

  “But you tried to find out. No one was searching for you. So you said.” Jeremiah put on his belt and added a knife. “I wish I had time to talk to you about this. Just know if you remember some long-lost husband, I’ll fight him for you.”

  “Oh, Jeremiah. I’m sure that won’t happen.” I kissed him then shook my head. “You don’t trust witches. You never have. How can you suggest…”

  “You are right. Forget I said anything.” He kissed me hard then put me away from him. “I have to see to the men now. I have to find out if Valdez learned anything about why you were left unguarded. We may have more traitors in our midst than we knew. Stay away from the witch if you are satisfied with what you’ve learned. As you say, it may have been just a dream.”

  He strapped on his sword, gave me another quick kiss then went out the door. He stopped and looked over the two men on guard in the hall. He had questions for each of them before, satisfied, he strode on down the stairs.

  I just stood there, confused, worried, and considering. Did I really want to know more about my past? Or was it better left there? The water was still warm when I dipped in my finger but I decided it was too grimy for my own bath. Jeremiah had been covered in the dirt he’d slept in during the day and the salt water he’d bathed in at night. I told the guards to tell the servants they could dump out the water, then left the room.

  At least Jeremiah had helped me forget that confrontation with Zarah for a while. I could explore my past. If I dared.

  13

  J eremiah and Valdez were together when I arrived in the courtyard. I was happy to see that they weren’t fighting. But they didn’t look happy either.

  “You both look so serious. What’s wrong?” I joined them near the blacksmith’s shop. The man who usually worked with the soldiers’ horses was banging and clanging as he shaped a horseshoe.

  “Fergus reported that we are down six men. They are gone. Left here during the fighting. They must have been the pirate’s spies.” Jeremiah shook his head. “I don’t know why we didn’t realize what they were.”

  “You weren’t here, you were working at the beach with Captain Burnett before you left on your ship.” Valdez kept watching the courtyard. “Colin was in charge of the boys from Dollar. The locals who joined us claimed to hate the pirates and we had no reason to doubt them. Now it seems there were some who took bribes to betray their friends.” He gripped his sword. “We caught them in a boat, trying to make their escape. They’re in the dungeon now, waiting to be taken to Edinburgh for trial.”

  “Good work.” Jeremiah frowned. “We also brought men from Edinburgh. The man Dennis came with that group. He was supposed to guard the entrance to the secret passage but he let the pirate queen into the castle instead. Fergus found papers in his room that prove he has relatives in Ireland and planned to help the pirates all along. He escaped before we could throw him in gaol.”

  “We found two of the guards with their throats cut, stashed in an empty stall in the stables.” Colin walked up. “It’s a messy business. I’m glad to say all the men from Dollar are loyal and true. You can count on them, Lord Campbell.”

  “I hope you are right.” Jeremiah was pacing, still not at ease. His father walked out of the castle with a smile on his face. “Da, I may need your help. Can you stay for a while?”

  “Of course. Florence is having a fine time here with your Gloriana. I’ll be sending one of the lads to Edinburgh to fetch a dressmaker in the morning.” He smiled at me. “Let me know what you want him to pick up for your lady.”

  Jeremiah glanced at me. “I will. But for now, I have more serious matters on my mind than pleasing my mistress.”

  I knew he was right, but couldn’t deny that comment stung a little. “Who was killed? Did I know them, Colin?”

  “Aye, one of them was Patrick. You took a walk with him t’other night.” Colin looked stricken. “He was a fine lad from a good family in Dollar. Lord Jeremiah, you’ll need to write to his ma, if you don’t mind. I’m not so good with my letters.”

  “Of course. Patrick Barnes, is it?” Jeremiah glanced at his father. “That family will take it hard. His brother was lost in a raid by the MacDonalds three winters ago.”

  “The MacDonalds.” The laird cursed. “What are you doing about the one not two hours ride from here, son?”

  “I am ordered by King Jamie to make peace with him, Da.” Jeremiah looked like he wanted to hit something. “There’s not much I can do unless he attacks me. Then I will try my best to send Robert MacDonald straight to hell. You have my word on it.”

  “I will hold you to that.” The laird clapped Jeremiah on his back. “Let’s check on that ship. We left it in a bad way.”

  “Yes, I need to go down there. I told Captain Burnett to make a list of supplies we’ll need for both ships. Your man riding to Edinburgh will have that order as well as what we need for our ladies.” Jeremiah seemed to remember I was there. “Gloriana, what are your plans for the night?”

  “I will find something to amuse me.” I kissed his cheek. “Go, take care of your ship. I have Florence and Lady Anne to keep me company. Fergus is here, with Colin. Valdez is trailing me, I’m sure.” I smiled to take the sting out of that . No need to start the argument again.

  “Then we’re off.” Jeremiah and the laird walked across the drawbridge and out of sight.

  “Poor Patrick. He was a fine young man.” I couldn’t believe he was dead and so cruelly.

  “He thought you were a fine lady. He volunteered to guard you, mistress.” Colin grunted when Valdez hit him with an elbow. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have told you that.”

  “He knew what he was doing, Gloriana.” Valdez frowned. “Let’s go inside. Your friends are probably looking for you.”

  I just stared at the stables. Patrick had been killed there, clearly standing in the way of the ruthless Zarah. The only reason he’d died was because he’d liked me and wanted to keep me safe. Oh, I couldn’t stand the thought of it.

  “Gloriana, please. Don’t dwell on it. You cannot bring him back.” Valdez steered me into the castle.

  “No, I can’t.” I wiped at a tear. “It’s just so unfair.”

  “The longer I live, the more evidence I see that life often is unfair.” He guided me up the stairs. “I hear laughter in the solar. I believe Florence and Lady Anne are amusing themselves there. They will lift your spirits.”

  I stopped in front of the doorway. “Am I to just go on as if nothing happened?” I realized the ladies had looked up and were listening. “Sorry to disturb you both. I’ll be in shortly.”

  “It is the best you can do, Gloriana. Jeremiah will write his letter. Perhaps you would like to write your own. Tell her what a gentleman Patrick was and that you mourn his loss. It might help comfort his mother.”

  “Yes, I will do that. Thank you, Valdez.” I took a breath, added a smile and stepped into the solar. “Now what has you laughing, Lady Anne? Have you set a date for a wedding yet?”

  Her face tol
d the tale. Anne was glowing. “Malcolm said he missed me while on that ship. He didn’t want to die in battle and not have told me how he felt.”

  “And how does he feel?” I sat next to Flo on the settle and waited.

  Anne jumped up. “He loves me! He wants us to be wed as soon as possible.”

  “Isn’t that wonderful, amica ?” Flo clapped. “We will plan a grand wedding.”

  “No, not grand. I’m afraid my stepfather will hear of it and try to stop it.” Anne sat again and picked up her needlework. Her hands were shaking.

  “Let him try.” Flo looked ready to fight. “You are a widow and old enough to make your own choices.”

  “Flo is right. What does your captain say?” I had the sense that Malcolm Burnett liked things done properly, despite the fact that he had decided to share the pretty widow’s bed before marriage.

  “That’s the problem. He thinks he should ask the baron’s permission to wed me.” Anne clutched her needlework. “I warned him the man is impossible to deal with. Mama chose most unwisely. Lord Clyne will demand some kind of bride payment in recompense for letting me go. He sees me as a way to settle his gaming debts.”

  “That seems like nonsense but then you might have to deal with him. Is the captain able to pay him?” I didn’t have any idea if a man who commanded men for the king earned a decent wage.

  Anne flushed. “Malcolm comes from a fine family. His father is wealthy but my, um, lover,” her face became even redder and I felt sure that was the first time she’d ever said the word aloud, “chose to go his own way, to earn his own monies.” She put a hand to her hot cheek.

  Flo and I glanced at each other and hid our fangs behind our own hands. Mmm, that mortal blood behind those blushes.

  “His father would give him whatever he asked. I think he hates to ask it of him though.” Anne threw down her sewing and walked to the window. “Malcolm is a proud man.”

  “If you truly want him, sell your jewels and give him the money.” Florence fingered her own sparkling bracelet.

  “I already offered. He wouldn’t take it. He told me to keep what I had.” Anne whirled and smiled at us. “Is he not just the most remarkable man! I love him so.”

  Yes, I could see that. A remarkable and stubborn man. I honestly had no patience with such attitudes. When male pride stood in the way of happiness? Give way! But here we go again—men will be men.

  “Let him write to the baron asking for your hand then, Anne. We will go on preparing for your wedding. If he wants to stop the marriage, Baron Clyne will have to come here. He will surely bring your mother. Wouldn’t it be nice to see her? Surely we can deal properly with Clyne when he gets here.” I got up. I was restless and not sure I wasn’t going to see the witch for more potion. Flo glanced at me and stood too. She looked into my eyes and seemed to read my mind if her frown meant what I thought it did.

  “I would love to see my mother. She came here right after Ralph died, but then the baron dragged her back to Edinburgh for a party and more gaming. I haven’t seen her since.” Anne walked us to the door. “I will write to her. Tell her how happy I am with Malcolm. I doubt she has much influence, but it can’t hurt to try.”

  “It’s a good idea. Do it now. Jeremiah and the laird are sending a man to Edinburgh in the morning. He can take your letter. I am going for a walk. Florence, are you coming?” I left Anne pulling out paper and quill and headed down the stairs. Flo caught up with me at the bottom.

  “What are you doing?” She dragged me outside. Valdez stayed close, never letting us get far enough away that he couldn’t hear what we were saying. “Why would you go see that witch again?”

  “She gave me a potion the last time I saw her.” I heard Valdez rumble, as if he’d turned cat and was giving me a warning.

  “This is news to me. What kind of potion? Did you take it?” Flo looked me over, as if I had sprouted wings or a tail. “Aye, I can see that you did! You know I don’t trust those streghe . I have heard their potions can kill, even vampires.” She looked around, trying to keep her voice very low.

  There weren’t many men about, since we were short some guards. But when we walked through the open drawbridge, there were two standing there, Dollar men. They were taking their duties very seriously, eyes on the path we took.

  “I couldn’t resist. She had promised it would calm me and it did. In a way. At least it didn’t kill me. I’m still here, aren’t I?” I threw open my arms.

  “Hah! So far. What did it do for you that you are seeking another? Calm? In what way? You are making no sense.” Flo grabbed one of my arms and shook it. “Are you pazza ? Sick in the head? Under a spell?” She crossed herself, made one of her other signs and spit on the ground. “Glory! No one trusts witches. I sure don’t trust that one. She is beautiful and probably has her eye on your man or mine.”

  I kept walking until we were far enough away from the drawbridge that I was sure we couldn’t be overheard. “Her potion gave me visions, Flo. Helped me see parts of my past.” I looked up into the dark sky. More clouds. Did it rain here every night? It suited my mood. I felt Flo staring at me.

  “I have no idea who I am, really, or where I came from. Can you imagine how that makes me feel?” I could feel Valdez’s eyes on the back of my head, disapproving. He was dying to say something but had vowed to restrain himself. I knew that wouldn’t last long.

  Flo touched my shoulder, willing me to look at her. “I can’t imagine what you are going through. But to use a witch’s potion? That is dangerous, amica . How did you feel after you took it? Tell me everything.” She stared into my eyes, reading my memories of last night.

  I told her what I’d seen. “I am convinced what I saw was true. That I might have really come from that strange land.” I kept walking toward the beach and the hut. “I admit the potion made me weak for a while.”

  “First, if what you saw was true and not just a wish?” Flo hugged me. “That is meravigliosa ! But then to make you weak? I do not like it, not at all. A vampire must have her powers.” Tiny Florence seemed to swell, her eyes bright, her fangs showing against her pink lips for just a moment. Powers. I didn’t doubt she had them.

  “Think, Glory! The pirates know you killed their queen. They might want to seek revenge. You must be strong if they come again.” Flo gripped my hand. “You must be ready.”

  Valdez was rumbling again. No, maybe it was a growl, low and dangerous.

  “I didn’t kill their queen. I just fought her until she gave up.” I hated that the locals had made me into a kind of hero, telling the story of my fight on the battlements until I might as well have run through poor Zarah with my sword.

  “A detail. You fought. She died. You cannot take a witch’s potion again. That’s what I’m saying. Surely Jeremiah has told you the same thing.” Flo put her hands on her hips, her stance when she was trying to have her way. I wasn’t giving in.

  “Jeremiah knows how important it is that I find out who I really am.” I glanced over my shoulder at Valdez. “Jeremiah said that, if I want to take the potion again, I should do it.” Let my bodyguard think about that!

  “I am surprised. The laird told me there was a witch who attacked you before called Red Mary. Just the name makes me shake.” Flo was busy again, crossing herself and making her signs, ending with a spit on the ground. “This one, this Helen Haig, said she hates what she calls ‘others.’ That means vampires like you and me, Glory. Then she gives you a potion? Why? Ask yourself that question?”

  “Red Mary and I came to terms, though you are right, she scared me. I met another witch named Gertrude who saved me. I saw for myself that not all witches are evil, Flo. Helen gave me the potion and it helped me. I am thinking it was a kind gesture. I have to try it again.” I could see Helen’s hut. There were men working on the beach but Jeremiah and the laird were nowhere in sight so they must have been rowed out to the ship. “Are you coming with me?”

  “I will not let you go alone.” Flo stayed by my side
as we walked up to the door.

  I took a breath and knocked. The smell coming from the chimney made me think of burning feathers, hot wax and a stable that had not been cleaned. I pinched my nose and realized Flo had just quit breathing. I still had the mortal habit of taking breaths. It was hard to break it.

  Helen threw open the door. “I was expecting you, Mistress Gloriana.”

  The smell was worse inside and I resisted walking in when she gestured.

  “I am brewing something new. Is it bothering you? Let me take care of it.” Helen smiled. With a muttered incantation and a wave of her hand, the air suddenly smelled like spring flowers. “Is that better?”

  “Yes, thank you.” I stepped inside. There were dozens of candles lit all around the room. Flo followed me, Valdez on our heels. “Do you know why I’ve come?”

  “Of course. The potion. How did you like what it did for you?” She smiled. “Please sit. I have a message for you.” She motioned for me to sit at the table facing her. Flo and Valdez were going to be left standing.

  “What?” I glanced at Flo. “A message? From who?” I did sit. The same bowl she’d used before was already on the table and she filled it with water.

  “I have no idea. All I know is that I’m getting the sense that it is important.” She pulled her herbs or whatever they were from her bag at her waist and sprinkled them into the water. Before I could ask any more questions, she started moving her hands over the bowl, making the water darken and swirl.

  “This is nonsense. Let’s go, Glory.” Flo tugged at my cloak.

  “No, I want to hear what she has to say.” I put a coin on the table. I had a feeling the swaying and swirling could go on for a while if I hadn’t paid for it.

  “You are not who you think you are.” Helen stared into the water and said that in a strange voice that could have come from the bottom of a well.