Jeremiah 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 told 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.
“I know that. I saw a building, a palace, last night. Is that where I come from?” I leaned forward. If only I could learn the truth about my past.
“I am not seeing that. Someone is calling you, searching for you.” She ran her hands through her hair, a deep red tonight, making it stand out from her head.
“There were two people in my vision. Are they looking for me? They wore crowns.” I reached for her. I wanted to shake the answers from her.
“Do not touch me!” She glared at me, her eyes glowing, and I jerked back my hands.
“I see danger coming for you. Your fight is not over.” Suddenly the bowl rose from the table and flew through the air, making a circle over our heads.
Flo shrieked. “Don’t you dare drop that on me!”
Helen ignored her, staring up at the ceiling as if looking for an answer. She waved her hands and the bowl finished its circle around the room.
“Who is trying to kill me?” I was glad to see the bowl full of water come to a sloshing rest on the table again. “Is it the pirates? Who is looking for me? Is it my family? The two people who wore the crowns? Are they my parents?” I hated the way the witch ignored me. I slammed my hand on the table. “Answer me!”
Helen lowered her eyes to stare into mine. “You cannot demand answers, vampire. The universe will deliver them when it is ready.” Her voice could have come from hell, it was so low and unsteady. “Watch your back or you will die.”
“I have heard enough.” Valdez pulled Flo out of the way and lifted me out of the chair. “We are getting the hell out of here.” He tossed another coin on the table. “Give her the potion she came for. It had better not harm her or I will be back for your head. Do you believe me, bruja?”
“I believe you, shifter.” Helen stood and walked to her shelf. She brought back one of the glowing bottles. She lifted the stopper, sniffed, then replaced it and smiled. “This is it.”
Valdez snatched the bottle, staying in front of me.
“Be careful with your threats, shifter.” She held out her hands as if ready to cast a spell on all of us.
“Enough. Keep your spells to yourself. We are done here.” He pushed Flo and me out the door. “Go, ladies. Back to the castle.”
I realized Valdez was truly spooked. He slammed the witch’s door, then took my arm and Flo’s, walking between us so fast we had to skip to keep up. It was almost laughable except I breathed a sigh of relief when we were safely back inside the gates.
“That visit was not to my liking.” He handed me the bottle of potion. “Do with this what you will. I hope you weren’t lying when you said Jeremiah approved it.”
“No, I wasn’t. I will wait until he comes home near sunrise to try it again and do it in his presence. I swear it.” I slipped it into my pocket. I was still shaking. Would I try it? I wasn’t sure.
“Mio Dio! I did not like that either. Strange messages. Why can’t she say what she means?” Flo had pulled out another of her beautiful silk fans and was using it to cool her face. “I wouldn’t drink anything I got from that woman if I were you, Glory.”
I sat on a wooden bench. “I’m thinking about what she said and didn’t say. Surely, she meant the pirates want to kill me. I am to blame for Zarah’s death. They’ll want revenge.”
“You didn’t get answers about your home, your visions.” Flo sat next to me and put her arm around me. “I’m sorry, amica. I know who I was and have always been. Sometimes I wish I didn’t. I had a hard life when I was young. I did bad things to stay alive. There were acts that shamed me and my family.” She leaned her head on my shoulder. “I won’t tell you what they were or you would hate me.”
“No, I wouldn’t, Flo. If you were poor, you had to do whatever was necessary to stay alive.” I patted her knee. “I was ready to sell myself for food when Jeremiah found me.” I sighed. “Actually, that’s exactly what I did. Do you hate me now?”
“No!” She sat up. “We are alike, you and me. We are strong and wanted only to survive, no matter what we had to do, am I right?”
“You are right.” I was happy to have this new friend. I began to think that I needed to forget my search for the past. What was important was now and the danger I’d been warned about. I felt cold coming from that bottle of potion and shivered.
No, I wasn’t going to take it. Not now. Flo was right—I needed to be strong to defend myself and this potion had made me weak. Someone wanted to kill me. That’s what I had to prepare for, not lose strength in a futile effort to look back.
“Flo! Do you know how to fight with a sword?” I eased away from her and stood.
“Do I! Of course, amica. My brother is one of the best swordsmen in all of Italy. In all of Spain as well. He taught me years ago.” She flushed. “They say he is also one of the best lovers. Some call him Casanova. Women beg to come to his bed.” She laughed. “He is the one who made me vampire. I begged him for that.”
“You have a brother?” I grinned. “That is wonderful. Also wonderful that he taught you to use a sword. Show me. Let’s work on my sword craft, shall we? I’m not going to sit around waiting for an assassin. I’m getting ready to meet and defeat one.”
Flo smiled. “Yes, let’s do it. I have my own sword, amica. Fine Toledo steel made in Spain, a gift from my brother. His birth name is Damian. Someday you will have to meet him. Maybe you will end up in his bed. He might be irresistible, eh?”
“We will see. I do love my Jeremiah. I am loyal to him.” I followed Flo inside. I would use one of the swords left behind by Lord Ralph. Why not? It was time to get serious about my own defense. No more playing with toy swords. If someone wanted to kill me, they’d have a hard time doing it.
Valdez rumbled again as I picked through Lord Ralph’s trunk we’d put in an empty room. I ignored him. Let him wish to keep me playing with toys. If Flo and I cut each other, we would heal. A little blood and pain would serve to remind me to take sword play seriously.
“This would be easier if I had britches like Zarah wore.” I tried to make the kind of moves I’d seen the men make when they practiced in the courtyard. My skirt kept tangling around my legs.
“Britches!” Flo danced into the room, her sword gleaming in the candlelight. Valdez murmured in appreciation when he saw it and she handed it to him to admire. “I would love to try out a pair. We could ask my dressmaker when she comes to make some for each of us. Or your Maggie is clever with a needle, Mercy told me.”
“Yes, Maggie could do it.” I ran a hand down my hip. I knew how Jeremiah would feel about me in britches. His warrior woman wielding a sword like a man.
I grinned at Flo. “Jeremiah would hate it.”
“So would Angus.” Flo’s eyes twinkled. “I fancy a pair in black velvet with gold trim. What do you think?”
“Let’s do it.” I was already imagining it. “Mine will be blue velvet with silver. We can start a fashion.”
Valdez groaned and reluctantly handed Flo her sword. “You know this is going to be a disaster, don’t you?”
“How can it be? With you and Florence as my teachers, I will soon be a master at sword play.” I saluted Flo with my sword. “En guarde, mon amie.”
Flo began to rattle something in French, clearly excited that I had managed to say something in that language.
“Stop! I was parroting what they said in Master Shakespeare’s plays.” I laughed and we started again, our swords clashing. Valdez stayed against the wall, a frowning presence as we parried and I took a few hits. I realized Flo was playing with me.
“You should be doing this outside but I think you would draw a crowd.” Valdez held up a hand. “Stop. Glory, you are bleeding.” He walked over to inspect a cut on my shoulder.
“I’m sorry, amica. I didn’t want to ruin your dress!” Flo rushed forward to inspect the wound. “It is but a tiny scratch, you are already healing.”
“I know. Don’t feel bad.” I was glad Valdez had stopped the fight though. If I had to defend myself against someone trying to kill me, I’d have been dead ten times over. Except… “A sword through my heart wouldn’t kill me, would it?”
Flo and Valdez exchanged looks.
“No, not necessarily.” Valdez handed me a handkerchief to dab at the small amount of blood that still oozed near my neck. “But if you get your head cut off, that’s the end of you.”
“Or if someone manages to cut out your heart, Glory.” Flo put her arm around me. “Here is my advice. Don’t fight with a sword. You are not ready. Keep Valdez close. If you are alone and trapped? Scream for help. Use your knife. Kick. But you need years to learn to be a maestra with a sword.”
I had a lot to think about as I felt the heaviness that meant it was nearing sunrise. I hurried to put away my sword and head to my bedchamber. Mercy was there with a tub filled. She fussed over the dress that had a few tears. At least they could be easily repaired, this time.
I sank into the tub, sore from the unaccustomed exercise. I had to admit I was worried. I would keep up my practice with the sword. Since I was immortal, I had time to eventually become what Flo called a maestra. If I didn’t lose my head or my heart first.