“Can we not just leave the money and go?” I said it but didn’t mean it. Leave this delicious blood that had pulled me so close I could feel the heat of this mortal woman?
Jeremiah smiled. He knew I wasn’t about to stop now. “Truly? Go to the door then. Wait outside and I’ll taste—”
I shoved him aside. “She’s mine. You picked her out for me.” Oh, what had I become? I didn’t even have coin to pay the woman. Jeremiah carried what we needed. That would have to change if I was to be “independent.” But then could it? That would make me no better than a whore, paid for lying with my man. I pushed those thoughts aside. I thirsted and my fangs were down, eager to get on with this.
“Of course I did. I am glad to see you understand what we are about here.” He pulled a knife from his belt and picked up her arm. Without hesitation he sliced across her wrist.
Blood welled from the cut. I heard a growl and realized it had come from my own throat. I moved even closer by instinct.
“Take this. You know what to do, you’ve done it before on my wrist and at my throat.” Jeremiah’s grin was wicked as he handed me her wrist. “And then at my thigh. I admit I like that the best.”
I paused long enough to slap his arm for bringing up that naughty bit when I was so crazed with bloodlust and nerves. I handled the woman’s wrist carefully. It was painfully thin. That made me stop and take one of those unnecessary breaths.
“You will leave a healthy purse, Jeremiah. The woman cannot spare this blood. Look at her.” I was carrying the wrist to my mouth even as I said it. Oh, the smell. I couldn’t have stopped if I had really tried.
“A healthy purse. Of course. She is your first. A signal honor.” His hand landed on my back, gentle and encouraging. “There you go. A fine beginning.”
Because I was in, taking her vein and drinking as if I would never feast again. I had a fleeting thought that I didn’t want to kill her, but it was very fleeting. I was in heaven. The taste, the heat. Dear God, the heat. Jeremiah’s blood was delicious but cool. I held on with both hands and fell to my knees beside her. Moaning, I was moaning. I would have been disgraced if I’d had good sense. I had none. All my sense had fled at the first taste of her.
Jeremiah finally ripped me away, his hands rough on my face as he pried my fangs out of her thin wrist. “Stop. Put your head to her chest, Gloriana. Listen for her heartbeat.”
“I want—”
“I said to listen to her heartbeat. I am not playing with you. Do it now.”
I put my head against the woman’s chest. Oh, how I wish we’d asked her name! She had full breasts and I had a wisp of memory. Mother? No, it was imagination. I had no memory of who I’d been or where I’d come from before my husband, an actor at the Globe, had found me unconscious in an alley years ago. All I’d known was the name Gloriana. I’d taken Michael’s last name though we’d never actually married. My pretend husband had been kind enough to care for me before he’d died in a foolish accident.
Oh, why was I thinking about him now? I was supposed to be listening for a heartbeat. Was she dead? God, no! But I finally heard it—a heartbeat—very faint, very slow.
“What have I done? She’s near death, I think. From my greed.” I looked up at Jeremiah. Looking grim, he held out a flask he pulled from a pocket in his coat.
“Give her wine. You did almost kill her. That’s the problem with new vampires. They have no control. I will not let you go out on your own, unsupervised, until you master your thirst. For now, you promise to do better next time, Gloriana, but cannot mean it. Pay attention to your blood source.”
“Victim, you mean. I will certainly try, Jeremiah. Look at her, so pale and near death. I am so ashamed.” I took the bottle and forced red wine between her lips. She drank obediently. That encouraged me. I leaned down and listened again. “Stronger, thank God. Now what?”
“Now lick the wound closed. Remember?” He smiled indulgently, clearly relieved that I had stopped in time. He was training me like he’d done his soldiers when he’d led men on the battlefield.
“Yes, sir.” I gave him a salute. I was proving a good pupil, I hoped. A little late for that after I’d almost killed the poor woman. Not exactly sterling behavior.
“Now get her basket and her cloak and go outside. We will take her back to her door and put the purse in her hand. Plant the idea that she found the money and wish her good night.” He watched me do his bidding. “How do you feel?”
“Amazing.” I stopped and kissed him. “Thank you for being patient with me.”
“I would do anything for you. I hope you know that.”
“Anything?” I gave him a saucy look. “We’ll see about that.” I stood in the alley while he brought her out. Then I looked around, glad no one had ventured into the filthy place to witness this. “You told me before that we don’t really feel the cold.” I wore a fine cloak and hadn’t put it to the test but noticed the woman’s breath did cloud the air.
“No, we don’t. It’s a good thing about our nature.” He smiled when I took off my cloak and wrapped it around the woman’s shoulders.
“She needs it more than I do. You have bought me so many lovely things.” I stepped out of his way so he could shut and lock her door. I watched him carefully as he stared into her eyes again after he put the key in her hand, along with the money.
“You are home safe now, madam. Wake and we will be on our way.” He touched her on the chin and she startled as if waking from a dream.
“Oh, thank you for walking me home. You never know what will happen.” She glanced down at the pouch in her hand. “What’s this?”
“Aren’t you lucky to have found those coins? Some poor fool will think twice before he drinks too much in a tavern again, I vow.” I took Jeremiah’s arm. “Good evening to you.”
“Wait! I found this?” She peered into the leather purse. “It is a fortune!”
“We came upon you right after it happened. That’s why we decided you needed escort home. Cutpurses are everywhere.” Jeremiah bowed to her. “Take care. No more late night walks for you, I hope.”
“Oh, no. With this much money I can even afford to move to a better room, set myself up as a seamstress.” She looked around at the squalid alley. “I, I can’t believe it. And this cloak?” She ran her fingers over the fine wool. “Surely I didn’t find that as well.”
“No, it is a gift. From me. Please take it. I have a new one at home.” I gave her a quick hug when I saw tears in her eyes. “I have been very lucky since I met this man. I lost my husband in a nasty accident as well. I hope someday you will find happiness again as I have.” I had no other advice to give her. What other choice did a woman have but to find a husband or protector? We heard voices as another prostitute dragged a customer into our alley. I would be forever grateful to Jeremiah but would have given anything for a way to be truly independent. I had no skills like this woman did. I could not even sew a straight seam.
“Hurry now. On your way. I won’t be sorry to move and that’s a fact.” She pulled my cloak around her and clutched the heavy purse. “I have guardian angels to thank for that.”
“Go inside and eat a bit of that bread. Tomorrow you can pack and move.” Angels? Devils more like. If she only knew what I had done to her! She still looked pale and put a hand on the wall to steady herself. I had used the woman and wasn’t proud of it. The cloak was a trifle compared to how she’d gifted me with her lifeblood. The whore started haggling for her price and her customer tugged down her bodice to expose her breasts. I hurried away, shame burning my cheeks.
“Gloriana, you will have to get used to this. She will recover quickly and look how we have helped her. What was a fortune to her was but a trifle to me.” Jeremiah pulled me to a stop. “Do you want another lesson? You can watch me feed. There are other clean mortals about. Or should I take you home first?”
I pressed a fist to my stomach. Contrary to what Jeremiah claimed, I did feel the chill in the air without my cloak.
Watch him feed? No, thank you.
“Please, take me home first. I have had enough education about vampires for one night, I think.” I looked up at him. “I love you, but this is…too much.”
“You will have to come to terms with it, Gloriana. There is no going back.” He kissed my cheek then put his arm around me. “Home it is.”
No going back. I knew that and had made my choice. But the reality? Well, the terms were harsh. If I ever could just callously take blood and move on, then I really would no longer be human. That thought made me shiver and it wasn’t from the cold.
What had I done in the name of love?
2
We were near our lair, if that’s what we called it now, when Jeremiah stiffened and put me behind him.
“What is it?” I knew what the look on his face meant even before he pulled out a knife then his sword. “Are we in danger?”
“We may well be.” He held up the hand with the knife as if to hush me then put me in an alcove of a nearby building. “Stay.”
I wanted to argue at being shoved about but knew better. Jeremiah was in warrior mode, ready to take on someone. He was looking around us and above. Above. That could only mean one thing. Whoever or whatever was nearby was probably not human. A shifter or another vampire. I wished for my own knife but knew little about how to use it to good effect. I needed lessons in self-defense as well as other vampire ways to protect myself, that was clear.
“Use your sense of smell, Gloriana. Inhale and tell me what you can detect.” Jeremiah kept his eyes fixed on a rooftop nearby.
I did as he said. I drew in a deep breath. Then I sorted out what smells came to me—rotting fish of course as we were near the river, then Jeremiah himself with that musky masculinity that always made my heart pound and my thighs long for him. I pushed those scents aside and concentrated. No, there was something else. Fresh blood and…man. But not an ordinary human like the woman I’d just taken advantage of for my dinner. No, this was a scent I recognized. I had been near this man recently. He was more than human, he was…vampire!
Jeremiah glanced at me. “Right. Of course you know him.” He raised his sword. “Come down here, MacDonald. Are you following us? If you think to make a play for Gloriana, you can try your luck and die for it. We will settle this right now, man to man.”
With a blur of wings then a swift change into a man, the shape on the rooftop did become the MacDonald who had helped me with my transition to vampire. Jeremiah hated him. Not just because he knew the man wanted me for himself, but because there was a blood feud that had been going on between their families for more than a century.
“You won’t kill him, Jeremiah.” I stepped closer. Despite Jeremiah’s feelings, I quite liked Robert MacDonald. He had certainly been helpful when I’d needed blood after I’d first been made vampire. I’d almost drained Jeremiah dry and Robert had stepped in at the right time. My friendly attitude toward Robert infuriated Jeremiah. So did the fact that we’d had no choice but to accept Robert’s help. There was no reasoning with a Campbell when a MacDonald was involved. Of course Robert grinned and winked at me, fueling the flames of Jeremiah’s hatred.
“Good evening, Gloriana.” Robert bowed. “Campbell.” He barely inclined his head toward Jeremiah. “My man informs me you are about to leave for the Highlands.”
“It seems our shifters talk too much.” Jeremiah growled at MacDonald. Yes, growled.
“They are cousins after all. It is only natural that they speak to each other, Jeremiah.” I smiled at Robert. “Are you also going home for Yuletide?”
“Indeed. I plan to leave tomorrow night. I don’t suppose you’d consider travelling together, Campbell. There is safety in numbers. I’ve heard tales of treachery on the roads. With the unrest between the Catholics and the Protestants, every traveler will be at risk. Brigands will think to take advantage of lone travelers with the army busy guarding the King’s entourage moving toward Edinburgh in a few days.”
“That’s true, Jeremiah.” I put my hand on my lover’s sleeve. I knew he would dismiss this offer out of hand. But it made sense. “Unless we could go with His Majesty’s group.”
“Not possible.” Oh, but Jeremiah was in a mood. He sounded curt. Surly. “We have our own unique time table, travelling after dark, as you well know. I would not ask our shifters to move us during the day without our help to watch for danger. Our absence would be noted and cause comment if we were in the king’s train. We cannot afford that.” He covered my hand with his and moved close to me. “Begone, MacDonald. We’ll take our chances on our own.”
“Jeremiah, see reason. Robert is right, there is strength in numbers. It is only fair that we combine our parties. Fergus and his cousin will help each other during the day. And there is Maggie. This trip will be hard on her.” I had no idea how we would go on. Would we lie dead in a wagon during the day while the shifters drove? Or would they have to stand guard while we were wrapped in something to protect us from the sun then only travel at night?
“Gloriana, don’t fash yourself. We have made the trip many times.” Jeremiah didn’t take his eyes off Robert. “I’ll explain the arrangements once we are at home. Alone.”
“Come now. You are being petty and stubborn, Campbell. I have a special carriage, tricked out to accommodate us during daylight hours. Can you say the same, Jeremiah?” Robert smiled at me as he emphasized my lover’s first name, a familiarity that made the man next to me grind his teeth. I could hear him.
“No, but such trappings mean little when we are lying dead during the day, Robbie.” Jeremiah flashed a fang-filled smile giving tit for tat. “Why are you still here?”
“Because Gloriana is listening to me, of course. This is a fine time of year to make the trip, my dear. Though the roads are abysmal, the nights are long and the days are short. We should make good time. And we do travel during the day as well as by night. Our shifters are used to getting by on little sleep when we are on the road. It is why they are paid well.” Robert’s own smile revealed fangs.
“Maggie will need her sleep.” I turned to Jeremiah. “This carriage would be a boon for her. She can rest while we go on through the night.”
“Maggie, the woman affianced to Fergus.” Robert sniffed. “Ah, yes. I heard she is with child. Her rich blood must be calling to you, Gloriana. What a trial to a new vampire.”
“It is.” I felt Jeremiah’s hand tighten on mine.
“Brigands on the road north, you say.” Jeremiah finally seemed to be considering this.
“Yes. The worst seen in a long time. Two vampires and two shifters should make quick work of them.” Robert smiled at me. “Three vampires, that is. I would enjoy watching you rip into a mortal throat, Gloriana. That would be a high treat indeed.”
“Leave Gloriana out of this.” Jeremiah was back to growling.
“You think I couldn’t fight?” I had no idea if I could or if I even wanted to. Rip out a throat? I had no doubt Robert and Jeremiah would relish the chance to do so to a brigand. While I? The very thought made me grip my lover’s arm, very afraid he would use this trip for more training. If I was to become independent, I would have to endure it.
“I have no doubt you could do anything you set your mind to, my dear.” Robert bowed toward me again. “Shall I leave arrangements to our shifters? I say the sooner we leave, the sooner we arrive at our homes in the Highlands.” Now he wore a wicked smile. “Castle Campbell. Has your man told you about the castle, the Laird and his lady, Gloriana?”
“Little enough.” I sighed. It was clear that Robert was ready to goad Jeremiah once again. “There will be plenty of time on the road for me to hear all about the Campbells.” I shivered. “Now, we’d best be on our way. I gave away my cloak earlier and I am chilled despite what Jeremiah says about a vampire’s hardy constitution.” I nodded my dismissal. “Good evening, Robert. We will see you soon.” I tugged at Jeremiah’s arm.
“Too soon.” Jeremiah didn’t acknowledge Robert as he l
ed me away. “Travelling together! It is a recipe for disaster.”
“Not if you can put aside your differences and think of the benefits. You will be able to keep me and Maggie safe.” I squeezed his arm. “That should outweigh the pain of putting up with Robert.” I looked back. Of course the other vampire had disappeared. He liked to shift into a bat or bird and fly above the rooftops. For all I knew he was above us now, listening.
I sniffed the air. No, his scent was gone. So he had accomplished what he’d set out to do. Which was what? Safe passage? Goad Jeremiah? Or spend more time wooing me? I knew the first reason probably was easily discarded. Robert MacDonald was not afraid of anything or anyone. No, he loved to infuriate Jeremiah and he had already made one effort to steal me away from my lover.
Was I tempted? The man was unreasonably handsome with his dark hair, trim beard and flashing eyes. He had a wit that could charm the most resistant woman. I had seen him use it at court. But I was in love with Jeremiah. Yes, my own man was more serious, the stronger, more silent type of man who was quick to anger. But his passionate nature ran deep and more than once he’d shown me how he would protect me no matter who tried to take me from him. After the uncertainty I’d lived through before, safety was very important to me. Mayhap it was too important. Because I had traded my humanity for it.
The next evening we had just finished washing and were dressed when Fergus announced that the MacDonald coach had pulled up nearby. The shifter and Maggie had packed our things while we’d slept and all was ready. I donned my best cloak and almost ran into Maggie who stood wide-eyed with a basket in her hands.
“Gloriana, you will not believe what we are to ride in!” She nodded toward the door. “I have told Fergus it is not seemly. He just laughed and said he thought ’twas a fine idea.” She stomped out and down the corridor to the outside. “Men! As if you have no dignity. Nor Master Campbell either.”
Real Vampires: A Highland Christmas (The Real Vampires series Book 14) Page 2