Real Vampires: Glory and the Pirates

by Bartlett, Gerry

  “Bold words but I don’t see you even trying to spell me.” I had my own tricks and wanted to catch his gaze. Could I freeze him in place like I’d done with mortals? Or would I be taking a chance that I’d fall under his spell?

  “This is more amusing.” He suddenly had a sword in his hand and drew the point down the center of my corset. It burned a path that should have made it fall open but, surprisingly, it held. I slashed his arm, taking advantage of his amusement as he watched what he’d done.

  “Devil’s armpit, but you’re good.” Blood trickled down his arm and he saluted me with his sword. “Will you still fight when I have you naked under me?”

  “I’ll fight until you’re dead, you bastard.” I briefly closed my eyes, imagined, and then opened them. It had worked. I was behind him and raised my knife to stab him in the back. He must have sensed my movement because he jerked away before I could send it deep enough to kill him. He fell forward, the knife halfway there. The scent of his blood in the air certainly didn’t tempt me. It did reek of evil.

  “What did you do?” He gasped and coughed up blood. I stayed away as he slapped at his back, trying desperately to reach the knife to pull it out. He couldn’t manage it. Then he struggled to get to his feet and failed, falling face down on the dirt and leaves. He began mumbling what I feared was a spell that could end me as he clawed at the ground in agony.

  “Shut up.” I jerked out the knife and jumped on top of him. I held it to his jugular. “Move and you’re dead.” I pressed my knee to his wound and he screamed. He wasn’t a big man but I was afraid he could still pull some witch’s trick that would send me flying. I couldn’t let him escape. I should go ahead and slit his throat. Why didn’t I?

  “Do it, Glory.” Valdez spoke from behind me. “You’ve got him down. Take the kill.”

  I looked up and blinked back tears. “I can’t.”

  Janus raised his head “Weak woman.” He gasped. “I knew you couldn’t kill me. But I can kill you and everyone you love.” He laughed until coughing choked him and he dropped to his face again. He began muttering an incantation, his hands working frantically against the soil.

  Everyone I loved. No! I plunged the knife into his throat and he fell silent. My hand gripping the knife felt a surge of such power that I couldn’t let go. It burned me, making my eyes sting and my head hurt. I stared at my fingers wrapped around that hilt and now covered in his blood.

  “Release me. ” I begged his evil spirit, already on its way to Hell. I could hear his laughter inside my head, mocking me. Oh, but he wanted to hurt me, to drag me down with him. Pain, sharp and biting, seared my fingers. He refused to let me go.

  I looked up at the night sky, at the clouds gathering above me to blot out the moon. Evil could not win. I had no choice but to pray to my ancient gods, to those two sitting on their golden thrones.

  “Please. ” Suddenly an arrow of light came down from the moon and I was free. I leaped off of him, taking the knife with me. I stared in horror at what I’d done then finally managed to toss the knife aside. I shook my blistered fingers and they immediately began to heal.

  Trees were burning around us when a gentle rain began to fall, snuffing out the flames. Was this a last demonstration of his magic or a blessing from nature, approving of his death? I held out my hand to let the rain wash his blood from it and felt an instant relief from the pain.

  “Glory, are you all right?” Valdez handed me my dress. He frowned when he saw my damaged hand. “What did he do to you?”

  “Evil magic. No, I’m not all right. Give me time.” I stepped into the dress, scorched where the witch had touched it, and turned my back. I doubted I could wear it again after this. Valdez quickly fastened it. I couldn’t look at that body, lying there so close, and stepped away from it.

  “How did you find me, Valdez?”

  “Florence and Fiona came to meet you at the bedchamber but you weren’t there. We assumed something had gone awry in your shifting. When we saw trees in flames from a tower window, it was like a signal that something important was happening here. I hurried to see if it involved you.” He picked up my knife then carefully cleaned it with damp leaves before he tried to hand it back.

  “I don’t want it.” I shook my head. “He was their leader. A powerful mage. I, I need to tell Jeremiah.”

  “We’ll do that. But you also need your knife, Gloriana.” Valdez touched my shoulder. “The knife isn’t tainted. It did the job it was intended for. You may have to use it again. Take it.”

  My hand was shaking as I grasped it then lifted my skirt and settled it into the special scabbard in my garter. He was right. I might need it again. This war was not over. I glanced around us looking for more pirates.

  “I hope you aren’t sorry that you killed that bastard, Glory. He was the enemy. You have been determined to join the battle. You have to know killing is part of that.” He took my elbow and steered me away from the clearing. As quickly as the rain had started, it stopped. I was damp but not thoroughly soaked.

  Since I had no idea where we were, I was glad of his help. “Sorry? I’m not exactly sorry he’s dead. Though killing any man, um, witch, is a hard thing, this one deserved it. He was behind all of the attacks. In his mind, they were just. To help the Irish recover from something the English and Scots have done.” I shook my head. “How he decided these innocent people were the ones who had to pay the price, we’ll never know. And, and he threatened the ones I love.”

  We’d reached the drawbridge. When they saw us coming, Flo and Fiona rushed out to greet us.

  “Where were you? Are you all right?” Flo looked me over. “What happened? You look pale. Do you need to feed?”

  “I’ll tell you the details later. Just not now.” The very idea of taking blood made my stomach heave. “I hope I just rid us of our last spy. McFee was the leader, also a powerful mage.”

  “You got ‘rid of’ him?” Flo put her arm around me. “Have you had to do that before, amica ?”

  My eyes filled with tears. “Yes, but I hated it. Even though he was evil, I took a life, Flo.” I leaned against her.

  “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 shudd
er.

  “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 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

  I gestured 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 leav
e 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 sword then leaped forward. At least the britches made it easy to fight like Valdez had taught me. We clashed, sword to knife, then the man took a clumsy jab at me and missed. He stumbled and I rushed forward, my sword finding its mark. He fell screaming and clutched a gaping wound in his chest. When I pulled out my sword, he fell silent. He lay on the rough stones, his breathing shallow and his eyes closed. I could hear his heartbeat slowing. He was down for good.

  Blood, yes, there was a lot of blood. But I didn’t have time to think about it when a gun roared near my left ear. It was loud and echoed off the stone walls.

  “Got him,” Fiona said proudly, as if she’d just taken down a deer in the forest. I could see that she had indeed killed a man who’d come at her with his knife.

  “Fiona, look out!” Another man, more finely dressed, held a sword that looked dangerously sharp in the torch light. He seemed eager to try his luck with her.

  Fiona still had one loaded gun and trained it on the man. “You! Stop where you are and drop that sword. Raise your hands or you’re a dead man! Look at your friend and you can see I mean it!” Fiona screamed it. She clearly wouldn’t hesitate to shoot again.

  I waved my bloody sword in my right hand and gripped my knife in my left as Valdez had taught me. “Get into a cell.” I urged him back with them.

  “Now I’ve seen everything. The Scots have put their women to fightin’. I doubt either of ye’ve got another lucky hit in ye,” a man said from my left side.

  I turned in time to see him leap out of the shadows. He hit my sword hand, jarring the sword loose and I dropped it. Unlucky for him that he didn’t count on my vampire speed. I threw myself at him, knocking him down before I thrust my knife into his belly. His screams were equal parts surprise and pain.