Real Vampires: A Highland Christmas (The Real Vampires series Book 14)

by Gerry Bartlett

  Maggie shuddered. “Aye. Because it is the longest night of the year. A vampire treat.” She stepped back from me. “Sorry, I forget you are one of them now. The shape-shifters are safe from the blood-letting but I am not. Fergus has frowned away more than one vampire from my wrist, hoping I would fill a goblet.” She pulled her cloak up around her face.

  As if I hadn’t been breathing in her delicious life force as soon as I’d come close! A breeding mortal woman held such a rich blood that it was almost irresistible. But I wasn’t an animal without control. I could and did resist. I fought back my fangs and was proud that I could smile without frightening her.

  “Relax, Maggie. The Campbells are very civilized. But I will say this—that monster who kidnapped me is in the area. Stay close and well-guarded. Devlin is mad with desire for revenge against Jeremiah. If he happened to come across you in his hunt for my man, he wouldn’t hesitate to drink you dry. He is that kind of hellhound.”

  “My God!” Maggie ran to Fergus’s side. She whispered in his ear then tugged him toward the shifter settlement. “See you tomorrow night, Glory!” She waved and they were gone.

  “Well, that was sudden.” Valdez stood by my side again.

  “I warned her about Devlin. Her blood is especially appetizing to vampires.” I sighed. “It is a sad fact.”

  “Fergus will protect her.”

  “I’m sure he will try.” I couldn’t forget that Fergus had been on door duty the day I’d been taken, yet he hadn’t heard a thing. I wasn’t angry with him, yet wondered… No use trying to guess about the past. I pushed such thoughts aside as I wandered toward the wagon where the crowd had thinned. I was curious about the kind of gifts the Campbells had brought the villagers. Goodwife McLean came away with a length of fine blue wool.

  “Isn’t this a treat? I will make a lovely dress with this piece.” She nodded to me. “The Campbells spare no expense on the night of the Winter Solstice.” She hugged the cloth to her ample bosom.

  “Ma! Look what I found in the treasure box!” A tall lanky girl of perhaps seventeen ran up to the goodwife.

  “Mercy MacLean! Make your curtsy to Madame St. Clair. She is here with Master Jeremiah.” The goodwife frowned at her daughter when she stumbled to a halt and made an awkward curtsy.

  “Oh, I’m sorry. Good even to you, Madame.” Her grin lit up her plain face and made her pretty. She pushed back her dark curls and tugged her cloak around her.

  “What were you doing in the treasure box? Tell me you at least picked out a needle pouch. Something practical.” Goodwife MacLean grasped the girl’s hand. “What is that you are clutching?”

  “Earrings, Ma. Aren’t they pretty?” She held one of the glass and brass dangles up to her ear. “I had to have them.”

  “Pah! You are hopeless. You’d best pray they help you get a lad to offer for you or I’m marching you straight up to the castle to see if they need a new scullery maid.” The goodwife took Mercy’s arm and jerked her toward the bonfire.

  “Wait!” I couldn’t stand to see how Mercy’s smile had been replaced by tears. The girl clearly wanted to look pretty and to enjoy the night. “Mercy, do you have any skill with a needle? Like your mother has?” I glanced at the goodwife’s well-made dress partially hidden by her plaid shawl.

  “Of course she does. I taught her well.” The goodwife sensed an opportunity and thrust Mercy toward me. “I heard your woman Maggie is marrying Fergus Turnbull tomorrow. Would you be looking to replace her, Madame?”

  “I might.” I smiled at Mercy. “I require a maid to take care of my clothes and hair and someone who is comfortable around vampires, of course. What do you think?”

  Mercy had noticed Valdez behind me and couldn’t look anywhere else. She wasn’t scared of him, far from it. My handsome shifter had her speechless with awe and feminine interest.

  “Answer the lady, girl.” Her mother prodded her with a rude shove between her shoulder blades.

  “Oh, vampires. Yes, Madame, of course I am used to them. Been around them all my life. I would be quite willing to serve you in any way you might need.” She held out her wrist and cast down her eyes as if ready to let me taste her blood then and there.

  “I would never take blood from you, Mercy. That is not what I meant.” I touched her chin and made her look at me. It was easy enough to read her mind. She was thinking that it would be a high treat to live in the castle, away from her bossy mother. And then there was that handsome man who stood behind me. Yes, he was clearly a warrior, but that didn’t scare her. She’d saved herself for marriage, but mayhap that had been foolish. If she could lie with a man like this… She shivered and a sigh escaped her.

  I realized I was going to have to watch her around Valdez. She would try to seduce him. I glanced back at my bodyguard and he grinned. He had obviously noticed her longing gaze and nodded to reassure me that he was not likely to take advantage of a young girl’s foolishness.

  “I am clean and careful, Ma has seen to that. Handy with a needle and would take good care of your clothes, Madame. I love to work with hair and will do my best to serve you. I’m not afraid of vampires but I do know not to get too close when their fangs come down.” She flushed and stepped back when Jeremiah joined us. Her curtsy this time was deep and even more wobbly. “Master Jeremiah.”

  “What is going on here?” He slipped his arm around my waist.

  “I was considering hiring Mercy here to take Maggie’s place as my personal servant. What do you think?” I looked up at him. “She is willing. I was about to ask her mother’s permission.”

  “I would be happy if she landed such a fine position.” Goodwife MacLean spoke up. “Of course I’m sure her pay will be generous. All the workers in the castle are well paid.”

  “If hiring Mercy is what you want, Gloriana, it is fine with me.” Jeremiah nodded. “See the house steward about her pay, Goodwife McLean. Bellows will know what her position calls for.”

  “Thank you, Jeremiah.” I turned to Mercy. “Pack your things. We will find you a room near us and you can start tomorrow night.”

  “This is so exciting. Wait until I tell my friends!” Mercy leaped forward and hugged me, then ran into the night.

  “Foolish girl. I hope you don’t regret this, Madame. I will give her a stern talking to about the proper conduct in the Campbell household. Mercy will serve you right or you must send her home. I have another daughter, Hope, who is but fifteen, but is sober and a willing worker. She can take Mercy’s place if there is need.” The goodwife sniffed as she curtsied and followed her daughter.

  “Another woman will be good company for you when we leave here.” Jeremiah kissed my cheek. “Lively and foolish sounds much more interesting than sober, don’t you think?”

  “Of course.” Then I realized what he’d said. “Leave?” My heart did a flip. I might have to stay my distance from his mother, but I had no desire to travel again just yet. “Not too soon, I hope. We just got here.”

  “I know, but the king has sent a message. He wants me by his side for Hogmanay.”

  “What is that?” I had never heard the word.

  “It is the start of the new year. Jamie loves the celebrations and he wants as many nobles around him as he can coax to Edinburgh. Hogmanay is an old Scottish custom. The church wouldn’t dare frown on a Scot’s love of welcoming the New Year. We must leave here soon if we are to get there in time to celebrate with the king.”

  “I know you must please your king, but, Jeremiah, you need to recover from the poison.” He was not back to himself, I was sure of it. Then there was the danger waiting on the road.

  “Don’t worry so, my love. It is a short trip. There is much merrymaking for Hogmanay. You will enjoy it.” He glanced at Valdez. “My father will send a dozen men with us as extra guards for the journey.”

  “Good.” Valdez kept his eyes on the area around us.

  “When exactly do we leave? We must stay for Maggie and Fergus’s wedding tomorrow night.”
I was not about to miss that.

  “We will. And for the Yule log on Christmas Eve. Clan Campbell has its own traditions. You will see. We will leave the day after Christmas day. The journey will only take two nights.” He hugged me close. “I know you dread travelling again. We will not take a wagon this time but go on horseback. There are buildings we use on the road for the daytime stops. It is a road I’ve taken many times. The family has a fine townhouse in Edinburgh near the king’s castle.”

  “Devlin is out there.” I couldn’t stop thinking about that.

  “That’s why we are taking so many guards.” Jeremiah pulled me toward the fire. “Relax. I will keep you safe this time. I swear it.”

  “What if that is not the best plan, Jeremiah? I don’t like waiting for the next attack. We need to draw Devlin out.” I saw that I had startled him. “I want to see the witch, Alyse. Learn what she knows so we can plan our next move. We cannot keep looking over our shoulders, worrying when Devlin will strike again. You are a warrior, you know it is best to attack, not wait for the enemy to come to you.”

  “Not if it means you are in any danger from Devlin, Gloriana.” His hands bit into my shoulders.

  “I won’t live my life in fear, Jeremiah. We must finish with that monster. And soon. Will you take me to the witch?”

  Both men stared at me, thinking. Was it impossible for them to believe that a woman could have a way to end this? Valdez was the first to nod. Finally Jeremiah eased his grip on me.

  “I will take you to see Alyse and Gertrude, but I will not promise to let you ride into danger in some foolish attack.” He was grim as he led the way down a dark path. We were on our way to Gertrude’s house.

  I realized I could smell the witch’s power even before we got there. Not evil, just different. I had to force myself to keep going. I simply couldn’t live in fear forever. Face the enemy and defeat him. My time with Jeremiah had taught me that. Unfortunately convincing myself that I was brave enough to follow through with some mad plan was harder than I thought, especially when Gertrude’s door flew open even before we knocked.

  Alyse stood there, eyes wild. “I know why you’ve come.” Her voice could have come from the depths of Hell itself.

  12

  Jeremiah stepped in front of me. Valdez stayed close. Both of them drew their swords. Before they could do something that would end this before we had answers, Gertrude pushed Alyse aside.

  “Why are you here?” The older witch looked as if she’d had trouble with Alyse. Gertrude’s hair was wild and she’d lost her shawl. There was a fire burning in her fireplace and a pot hanging over it. Whatever was cooking didn’t smell like food, far from it. The noxious odors wafted toward the open door and all three of us took a step back.

  “We need to speak to Alyse.” I tried to shove Jeremiah aside but he was immovable.

  “About?” Gertrude looked behind her. “Girl, get away from there.” She rushed back into the room and we heard a slap. “Don’t touch the stew. You know naught of what I’m brewing.” She turned back to us. Alyse had collapsed on the dirt floor and sobbed. “Come in. I’m trying to get her back to herself. You can see I haven’t had much luck. Poor lassie.”

  “Poor lassie? She poisoned me!” Jeremiah kept his sword handy as he walked inside, almost bumping his head on the door frame. The hut was small but clean. A cot, neatly made, stood against one wall. A table and stool were pushed against another with shelves of items I didn’t want to examine too closely lining all the walls. Except for the stench that made my eyes burn, it could have been any crofter’s hut. A woven rug covered most of the floor but someone had shoved it close to the bed, away from the fire and the space where Alyse sat, trembling and wailing as she cupped her cheek in her hand.

  “Ye didna have ta hit me, missus.” Her elegant speech had disappeared. So had her lovely looks. Had a spell made her seem beautiful? Instead of pale cheeks, ruby lips and arched black brows, we now saw an ordinary woman in a fine dress that she was getting dirty as she sat rocking on the floor. A frown drew those lips downward and her dull black hair was tangled and knotted. She reached up and began to twist a few strands together.

  “Do not touch my things and I won’t have to slap you.” Gertrude stirred her potion, muttering over it. “I’m sorry, sir, but it seems you are fine now. Thank the goddess, of course.” She faced us. “What brings you here?”

  “I have questions for Alyse.” I finally managed to push Jeremiah, then Valdez, aside. “Alyse, look at me.” I started to reach for her when she kept staring at the floor, but Valdez put a stop to that. Instead, he grabbed her chin and forced it upward.

  “You heard the lady, look at her.” His tone demanded obedience and she straightened her spine and did as he said.

  “Let go of me.” Suddenly she was ladylike Alyse, her manner like it had been on the dance floor. “You dare put a hand on me, insolent cur.” She raised her own hand as if to stab him with her fingernail, then stopped, peering at the blackened nails as if seeing them for the first time. She glared at Gertrude. “Bitch! What have you done? He’ll tear out my heart for this!” Then she seemed to notice Jeremiah for the first time and covered her eyes. “I failed. I am a dead woman. If he doesn’t kill me, Red Mary will.” She fell back on the floor in a swoon.

  “I can fix this.” Gertrude poured a pitcher of water on the girl’s face. Alyse sat up with a sputter. “Stop this nonsense! The man you tried to kill can tear out your heart this instant. Or cut off your worthless head. Do you see the sword in his hand?” Gertrude set down the pitcher then took Alyse’s shoulders and shook her. “Look at me. Answer their questions and you may live a while longer.”

  “How? You don’t understand. I made a deal with the Devil. That man. He is in league with Red Mary. And she…” Tears ran down Alyse’s face. “I never knew such a powerful witch. She can conjure up anything. Anyone! I saw her raise a dead man. He’d been on the gallows, hung for his crimes. His family paid her to make him come back to life. They brought his body to her and she did it. I saw it happen.” Alyse pulled up her skirt to wipe her eyes. “Devil’s work.”

  “What about the man who paid you? What was his name?” I wanted more than a witch’s tales. “You met him? He gave you coin to poison Master Jeremiah?”

  “Yes. Devlin, he called himself. He had one eye but it was evil. He could trap me with it, make me unable to move, as he told me what to do.” Alyse began shaking. “I have never killed anyone, I swear it. I didn’t want to do it. Didn’t want to go see Red Mary. My mother had some magic in her. I knew I had a little. I had heard the tales about good and evil witches. But I never thought…” She dropped her face into her hands.

  “Sit up, girl, and finish. If you want to live, you must help these people.” Gertrude studied Jeremiah’s face, then mine.

  “They want to end this. They will find Devlin and perhaps Red Mary and make sure neither can come after you again. You want that too, don’t you, Alyse?”

  “Yes, yes! Because I failed. They both warned me, I had to kill you, Master Jeremiah. There was no turning back. If I couldn’t do it right the first time, I was to try again. Who would suspect a mere woman of such a deed?” She looked around the small room. “Where is it, Gertrude?” She lunged for the other witch, catching her around the waist and knocking her against the table. “Where is the poison? Don’t you see? This is my chance. I can throw it at him and end him now. He is right here!” She screamed and wrapped her hands around Gertrude’s throat.

  Gertrude was muttering words that she surely expected to send Alyse flying across the room. Before they could take effect, Valdez and Jeremiah took hold of Alyse and dragged her off the witch. They tossed her, none too gently, on the floor again.

  “Stay there or I’ll take my sword to you.” Jeremiah picked his up again.

  Valdez crouched next to Alyse on the floor, his dagger at her throat. “Or move and I’ll finish you with my knife. It would be my pleasure.”

  Gertrude sto
od, rubbing her throat. “Thank ye, sirs. She’s crazed and that’s a fact. I think I told you I feel like there are eyes seeing through hers. A spell I can’t unwind.” She glanced at her pot on the fire. “If you’ll tie her to the bed, I’ve got the makings of a cure almost ready. Are you done with your questions?”

  “I wanted to ask where she met them. Or if she knows where Red Mary is to be found.” I still had in mind making myself bait for a trap.

  “Don’t go anywhere near that witch’s lair. You would be falling into their hands, Madame. No one seeks out Red Mary without coming away the worse for it.” Gertrude handed rope to the men and watched as they tied Alyse’s hands and feet to the posts of the cot. “Be sure those knots are good and tight. I don’t trust the wench as far as I trust the one who spelled her.”

  “Wise, I’m sure. Do you know where the witch lives?” Jeremiah asked that as he put his sword away.

  “I do. I was one of the council who was foolish enough to go see her and ask her to turn her evil ways to good. We left there sure she couldn’t be persuaded. Felt lucky to leave with our lives, truth be told.” Gertrude sighed and sat on her one stool. “Please, sir, do not think you can battle one such as her. Leave it alone. It will be enough to end this one called Devlin.”

  “Do you really think Red Mary will be content to let this go? To let you keep Alyse here to learn your ways after she sent her here to do her work?” I had to ask. My own recent brush with witches had me thinking that they didn’t like to lose. “Do you have enough power to fight her if she decides to come after Alyse?”

  “No, of course not on my own. But I have friends. I can call for more to help me. As a group, we might…” She got up with a groan. “Let me worry about Red Mary. Go to Edinburgh. I heard you are called there, Master Jeremiah.”

  “Yes, I am.” He frowned. “I haven’t even told my parents of our trip yet.”