“I wasn’t about to let him drag her out of here against her will.” Valdez gave us one of his rare smiles. “What are you ladies going to do now?”
“Look at Lady Anne’s wedding dress. I know that will bore you.” Flo made a shooing motion. “Run along, take a break. You earned it. Threatening that horrible man with a hand on your sword.” She touched her heart. “Onesta , I was most impressed.”
“I might sit down for last meal, if you are sure you are going to be busy in the castle.” Valdez studied me. “Gloriana?”
“Of course. Jolie hasn’t shown us the finished dress yet. I am dying to see it.” I knew what Flo was up to so I kept my mind full of wedding dress details. Lace, ribbons, satin rosettes.
“Very well. You’ll know where to find me if you decide to go out.” He headed for the table in the great hall while we went toward the storeroom where Jolie did her sewing.
When we were out of sight of the great hall, Flo stopped me. “Look what I have.” She pulled out the broken piece of arrow. “I know you want to visit the witch and Valdez won’t let you.”
“I didn’t think you’d go with me. Are you suggesting we sneak down to her hut now? Without him?” I was surprised. Flo was usually more sensible about things like this. She had called the witch a fake, hadn’t she?
“I have a feeling, il intuito , that she might help us. Sometimes I get these notions. I may not like this Helen Haig, but I think she may smell this poison and recognize it. She may even know who put it on the arrow.” Flo gripped the shawl it was wrapped in. She watched for my reaction. “Either that or we will be able to see her own guilt when we show it to her.”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I think.” I grabbed her arm. “Now let’s go. Do you have a knife? Something in case this goes wrong?” I wasn’t going to be stupid about this. I was a little, no make that a lot, scared of Helen.
“Glory, I can fly out of there if we have a problem. You, you need a knife or a gun.” Flo led the way down the hall to the kitchen.
“Yes, I have my knives.” I touched the ones I had hidden on me. I didn’t go anywhere without them since the attack. I had my own kind of shifting but hadn’t practiced it enough to trust it to save me. Not yet.
We could hear the crowd in the great hall talking loudly. The smells in the kitchen stopped me for a moment. Jeremiah believed in feeding his soldiers well and there was a roast beef cooling on the table.
“Come. You know you cannot have that.” Flo tugged at me. “Foolish woman. Though I have known vampires who enjoy cow’s blood, even eating a bit of the cow’s hearts.”
I swallowed. “No thank you.” I kept going. We followed the servants’ passage around the hall and were soon out in the courtyard near the well. I took a breath of the cool night air.
“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
“ D on’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 chimney. “I’m glad you’re with me. I admit witchcraft scares me. Helen scares me.” I pulled out the piece of arrow still wrapped in my shawl. Flo had slipped it to me before she left.
“I’m glad to hear it. You’d be foolish to trust one of her kind.”
“But I must see the witch. To ask her about this. Jeremiah is afraid she’ll hurt me, but I need some answers and I think she can help me find them.” I turned to Fergus for understanding. “I have no reason to think she is against us.”
“Maggie told me about this.” He took the arrow and studied it, handling it carefully as he sniffed it. “Dark magic indeed. I’ve not come across the like before. I want to know who did this too, Gloriana. Let’s face her together. Know your enemy. Jeremiah should have remembered that. She could be one of them or may know who is trying to harm you.”
“Thank you, Fergus. I have trusted you with my life before, I’ll gladly do it again.” I scanned the beach. As usual, there were men on guard but Jeremiah must have joined his father on their ship. He was determined to get the repairs completed quickly in case we were attacked again. With spring advancing, the nights were growing shorter. It made his time on the ship precious.
“Let’s go then.” I took the arrow and tucked it away. “Let me do the talking. I sense Helen is not drawn to black magic and that is what she claims. But we will see.” I started toward her door. It opened before I could get there. A black cat ran out and toward the forest. Was it a shape-shifter, one of Helen’s cohorts, escaping before we got there?
“I knew you would be back. Come in.” Helen held the door open. “Who is this?”
“Fergus Turnbull, at your service, madame.” Fergus made a slight bow and removed his hat. “I am on guard duty today. I’m sure you’ve noticed that Mistress Gloriana goes nowhere without someone to watch her back, especially since she was attacked and almost killed.”
“But you survived, mistress.” Helen smiled. “I saw it all in my bowl. Poison on an arrow. Someone was very clever.” She waved her hand and her power washed over me, chilling me. “But your attacker was not clever enough to survive, I think.”
“It’s true, the man who shot the arrow is dead. But we need to know more about the poison. That’s why we’re here.” I passed it to her.
She carefully unwrapped the shawl, drawing back slightly when the arrow’s point was revealed.
“We haven’t washed it so you can see my blood and the poison on the tip. I want to know who made this poison. Who helped the Irish pirate?” I watched her sniff the arrow and frown. “Could the maker be nearby? Do I have to worry there will be another attack on my life?” My voice rose along with my fear.
Gods, but I had to remember that I had people around me to protect me and skills of my own. I was immortal! So why did this one attack make me tremble? I’d survived, hadn’t I?
“Sit.” Helen looked me over. “You are right to be afraid, mistress. Trouble follows you. I have seen it.” She gestured and I took my seat. Fergus hovered close behind me.
“Tell me. What have you seen?” I knew I sounded impatient and her brows rose at my tone. “Please. I almost died from that poison.”
“I understand.” She nodded. “This will take time. I must study the poison.” She gathered her herbs, moving much too slowly for my liking.
As usual, it was gloomy in the small room. There were candles lit but not enough and a fire blazed in the fireplace, making it almost uncomfortably warm. The bowl sat in the middle of the table, empty now. As soon as I had the thought, Helen walked over to the hearth and picked up her kettle. She splashed water into the bowl before sitting across from me. She threw in a handful of her herbs then started her ritual of hand waving and humming until the water began to whirl, gradually gaining speed.
“What’s this? Are we going to get a show?” Fergus shuffled his feet restlessly.
“Hush. Let her do what she thinks necessary to find our answers.” I waited while Helen stared into the bowl. Suddenly she dropped the arrow into it. It made the water boil and foam over the sides. Yellow smoke and a horrible sulphury smell filled the room.
“By God! That was a trick.” Fergus wouldn’t stay quiet. I reached back and pinched his arm.
“Evil stalks you, Gloriana St. Clair. I smell revenge.” Helen’s voice was low, almost a growl.
“I smell rotten eggs. Can I open a door?” Fergus started toward it.
“Stop!” Helen stood. “I am trying to get an answer, you clod. Be still.”
Well, that told him. Fergus stayed put.
Helen went back to gazing into her bowl. She began to gesture, her hands moving in a circular motion. How she could stand to be so close to that horrible odor, I didn’t know. I scooted back as far as I could and remembered to stop breathing. Handy trick for vampires, not breathing.
I desperately wanted answers. Revenge. That was always on the menu here but how did that help me now? I had to know who was after me. I’d thought the danger might be past in Scotland since McFee had killed the pirate queen’s lover.
“What you think you know, you don’t know.” Helen kept swaying and waving her hands above the bowl to stir the water, careful not to touch the boiling surface.
“That’s a riddle. Revenge. I knew that. So what? Will they give up soon? They can always pick a new leader and move on.” I made myself lean forward. “I want to know who to look for if I am still in danger.”
“They have not given up. Beware.” Helen’s eyes were red. “It’s a man. Someone you have already met.” She shook out her glossy hair, which was black today. If anything, it made her more beautiful.
“Not very helpful, Helen.” I knew I was pushing her, but honestly, I had met many men here. Time for her to get serious. I dug out a gold coin and laid it on the table. “I need a name.”
“It will not help you. He is very clever. He hides behind a false one.” She stayed fixed on that boiling water. “And behind a false smile. Trust no one.”
I slapped the table. “Give me a clue. A real one that will uncover this false friend.”
Fergus’s hand landed on my shoulder. “Lass, you are playing with fire.”
“Listen to your shifter, Gloriana. I have told you what I know.” She made the coin disappear into her robe. Tonight’s was red, the color of blood.
“I think you can do better.” Yes, I was challenging her but she’d told me nothing. I could have guessed as much. A man who pretended to be a friend? Hah! We had a spy at the castle. No surprise there. I pulled out another coin. “Who made the poison on that arrow? Where did the dark magic come from?”
“Some things are best left alone.” She reached for the coin but I covered it with my hand.
“Others are best revealed. Names, Helen.” I heard Fergus move behind me. Yes, I was taking a chance, defying her, but I’d risked much when I’d walked through her door.
She gave me a baleful look then muttered an incantation and threw another handful of her herbs into the water. Sparks flew, making me duck in spite of myself. The smoke turned black this time and filled the room. Fergus coughed and sputtered.
“Lass, we’d best be going.” He gripped my shoulder.
“No, she’s looking for a name.” I still wasn’t breathing and leaned closer. “Who used dark magic to get the poison, Helen? Did you give it to him?”
“No! I will not trade in the dark arts.” She suddenly slumped then began to shake.
“The time for playing is over.” Helen’s head had come up and the voice was not her own. It seemed to come from the depths of Hell. “Soon you will rue the day you made Zarah lose her will to live. Her spirit must be coming.” A vague form, the outline of a man, rose from the bowl and flew above our heads, racing around the room and
screaming vile curses. “Where is she?”
Cold air rushed by inches from my head. Fergus cursed and flailed at it with his knife but couldn’t seem to touch it. Helen sat drooped in her chair once again, her eyes closed and helpless, as if she’d become a tool of Satan.
When the spirit stopped close to me and screamed, calling me names, I saw its face and recognized it. Zarah’s lover. Had he sold his soul for that poison?
“You should have died.” He raised his hands and lunged at me.
I threw myself on the floor, shivering as it hit me with its malevolent essence. All I could do was pray to my gods to protect me.
Please, save me.
The thing, whatever it was, pounded me, hitting me again and again with its icy fists. I’d never felt such hatred, such malice. I kept praying, putting all my hopes into what I wanted to believe were loving gods.
Finally, a wave of heat came over me, starting at my head then moving down my body until I was warmed from head to toes. The entity shrieked in disappointment and agony. Then it suddenly vanished.
“What the devil was that?” Fergus put his knife away. The smoke cleared and Helen began to stir. “It felt like Hell came calling. Are you all right, Gloriana?” He knelt next to me.
I lay face down on the dirt floor, under Helen’s table. I knew the table was not what had saved me from the evil that had tried to kill me. No, it had been whatever gods I’d prayed to. I whispered a word of thanks to those deities then crawled out to grasp Fergus’s strong arms. For a moment I let him hold me.
Safety, security. I knew why Maggie loved him. He was a big man and made me feel like he’d protect me from whatever came next, perhaps at the cost of his own life. Too bad he’d been powerless when faced with that creature from Hell.
“I, I am all right.” I took his help to get to my feet. “Helen?” She moved again, groaning and rubbing her eyes. “What was that?”
Real Vampires: Glory and the Pirates Page 24