The Vampire and the Highland Empath (a Highland Sorcery novel)

by Clover Autrey

  The press of tears burned behind Edeen’s eyes and in her throat. Even with all they’d saved, losing one… She shook her head.

  “We’ve searched all the houses,” the gremlin said. “We need to get this one to the Infirmary.”

  Roque’s gaze lifted. “I’d like to take her.”

  The gremlin nodded. “I’ll show you the way.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  The Royal Infirmary was a bustle of activity. It reminded Edeen of the activity within their keep after a long hunt. Women and men in white clothing or faded green uniforms directed injured to different areas of the building or loved ones to where they could wait for news. No body stood still. All looked tired and bewildered.

  Seeing the child in Roque’s arms, a woman in a white dress and a crisp hat sliding off dark hair rushed over, calling out to two men in uniforms to bring over a little padded cart on wheels.

  When the girl had been settled, Edeen looked up at the woman and gasped. “Charity.”

  The woman blinked at her as she tiredly pushed back loose strands off her hair that had come out of her bun. She looked so much like Charity, Edeen was stunned into silence.

  “We’ll take good care of her. Is she yours?”

  Edeen didn’t answer. The events of the day and now this were wearing on her.

  “No,” Roque filled in. “We found her in a fallen house. Her mother was dead beside her.”

  The woman blanched but quickly recovered, steeling her spine and nodded. Her gaze lowered to Edeen’s bare feet.

  “Come with me. There’s a bit of a loll. Let me see what you’ve done to yourself.”

  Roque followed her gaze down and it seemed as though the life the past hours had sucked from him flooded back. “My gods. Edeen, I didn’t think…”

  She took his hand. “’Tis only cuts and bruising. There were more urgent concerns.”

  Roque’s frown suggested he wasn’t going to take her absolution so easily.

  “Come,” the woman beckoned, but before Edeen could take one step, Roque swept her up into his arms.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I should have realized.”

  Nay, he was definitely not going to let it go. “What is this place? A convent?”

  “A con--?” He looked around at all the women scurrying about in the same white dresses and crisp headwear and smiled. ‘Twas good to see and filled her with a different kind of warmth than what his dragon fire provided.

  “This is a place of healing. Those women are all nurses.” His forehead drew tight. “The doctors, I guess, are all occupied.”

  The nurse took them to a small cluttered room with a desk of metal where Roque settled her into a wooden slatted chair. The nurse got right to business, kneeling and taking Edeen’s foot in her palms. Her manner was so like Charity’s, Edeen stared at the top of her head.

  The nurse swabbed the worst of the cuts with puffed linen and some substance that stung, yet Edeen felt the trace stirrings of a healing, though the nurse acted as though naught was happening.

  “Ye’re a Healer Sorceress?”

  The woman’s head snapped up so abruptly ‘twas a wonder her head remained attached. Her eyes were wide as though her healing ability was a deep secret.

  Edeen wrinkled her brow. ‘Twas a place devoted to healing, was it not? “Should there not be healers here?”

  The nurse gave her a wry look-over. “None in our family has been called Healer Sorceress for a long time.” She stared at Edeen a while longer, taking her measure and then glanced up at Roque to find confirmation of what she must suspect.

  Edeen was not sure what passed between them. She was lost in the subtleties of what could be spoken of magic and what could not here. Gremlins and vampires were accepted easily, yet apparently a healer needed to keep her skills hidden.

  Mayhap it had to do with Hitler seeking magical wielders for his own dark purposes. A group of ghouls or gremlins had a chance of withstanding soldiers. A healer alone did not.

  Her feet tingled as a flow of magic reknit the flesh around the worst of the wounds.

  The nurse’s forehead was tight. Shadows smudged beneath her eyes. “I’ve taken care of the worse. The rest will heal on their own. My gift isn’t so strong as others, and I’m trying to help as many as I can, though…” Her skin grayed, showing a glimpse of the despair she held back by a tenuous thread. “…there’s so many.”

  Edeen reached down and took her hand. “Thank you. I’m sure whatever ye’re able to do for any of them makes a difference.”

  She nodded. “I just wish I had more to give.” She frowned before looking up at Edeen. “Just so you know, I felt your gift. I sense what you are, and…” Her tone filled with wonder. “Your abilities are intact, resting beneath the surface, but they will come back to you fully restored. I’m sure of it.”

  Edeen’s heart leaped inside her ribcage. She blinked back sudden tears and felt Roque’s hand curl over her shoulder. Unable to speak, Edeen squeezed the woman’s hand and nodded.

  The nurse squeezed back, her voice awed. “Who are you? There are no more empaths.”

  Edeen strained around her vocal chords to answer. “Edeen, just Edeen.” Last empath in the world, once guardian of the Fae’s magic that she failed to protect.

  The nurse’s knowing gaze was penetrating, but she didn’t push further, and instead gave her a wan smile. “Well, Edeen, then. I’m Judith. If you wait, I have a pair of shoes you’re welcome to.”

  Edeen dropped her gaze to her bare toes. They already felt much better. “I appreciate that.”

  Judith rubbed her shoulders, clearly aching. “I’ll get them. I just need to check on a patient first. Poor lad was plucked from the Firth this morning, near frozen.”

  Heat flared off Roque, shimmering along his skin. “What?” He grabbed Judith by her arms, pulling her to her feet. “This man…take us to him at once.”

  Shocked at his sudden reaction, Judith led them out the door and into the over-filled hallway once more. The atmosphere was more subdued than before. The majority of people lining the walls looked tired and in differing stages of grief and disbelief.

  Without warning, Roque swung around and lifted Edeen into his arms. His features were so pinched with his own worry, she didn’t complain.

  Judith took them into another long hallway with many beds, all occupied, with thin draperies separating them.

  Nurses and men in thin white coats bustled about them. They followed Judith to the farthest bed in the room.

  Moving past the draperies, Edeen gasped. Roque’s chest moved in a huge exhalation against her.

  “Alex, thank the gods.”

  Judith went immediately to the young man and lifted his wrist to find his pulse. He was pale, his face badly bruised. Anger flashed through Edeen at the beating he’d taken.

  “He’s too cold.” Judith lifted the thin white coverlet and pulled out two clear bags filled with water. “These have gone cold.” Anger stained her cheeks and once again Edeen was struck by her uncanny resemblance to Charity. They even shared the same mannerisms.

  “I’ve been using my ability throughout the day to get his body core temperature up.” Judith placed the bags aside. “Even with these, it hasn’t been enough. I’ll have to reheat the water.” She looked at the slumbering young man with apology. “We’re understaffed for what we’re dealing with, yet he shouldn’t have been left unattended so long. My fault.” She brushed a loose strand of hair back. “There was a child—“

  Roque let Edeen down and went to Judith. His voice was gentle. “It’s all right. What can we do now? What does Alex need?”

  “Alex?” Judith’s gaze lifted, then settled back on her charge. A tiny smile drifted over her lips. “Suits him.” And then she straightened. “We need to get his temperature up…from the inside. These water bags are cooling too fast and my magic…”

  Roque nudged her gently aside. “This I can do.” He placed his palms upon Alex’s chest. After a moment,
drifts of steam rose from Roque’s skin to swirl in the air.

  Judith pulled the draperies closed.

  Edeen took Alex’s limp hand in hers. ‘Twas frighteningly cold.

  Judith took out a strange devise which she placed in her ears and the single end onto Alex’s chest, moving it a bit until she seemed satisfied she had it in the right place. “His breathing is better.” She took his other wrist. “He’s warmer already.” She eyed Roque. “Whatever you’re doing, keep doing it.”

  Roque nodded curtly, drops of perspiration pooling across his brow.

  And a miracle happened. Alex stirred.

  They all inhaled a collective breath, waiting.

  “Alex.” Edeen pushed his hair back from his poor battered face. “Alex, can ye hear me?”

  “Mmmmm,” he hummed and Judith and Edeen smiled across the bed at each other.

  “Alex, can you open your eyes and let us know you’re with us?” Judith coaxed.

  His head turned, responding to her voice and one eye opened, the other too swollen, and blinked up at Judith. A bemused smile tugged at the corner of his cut lips until Roque startled him out of it. “Alex.”

  Alex jerked his gaze to Roque, his features twisting with pain. “Cor. I awoke to beauty, but now here’s your ugly mug.”

  “Very amusing,” Roque said blandly, yet his eyes shone. “Bloody hell, Alex, don’t do that again.”

  “All right. What did I do?” A trace of a smile warmed his weary gaze.

  “Let yourself get tossed into the Firth.”

  Alex’s eye’s closed and he nodded. “Ah, right. That wasn’t one of my best plans. I’ll avoid poking at trolls in the future.”

  Judith patted his arm, drawing his attention back to her and Alex’s countenance once again fell into a bemused state like he couldn’t quite grasp if she were real or not.

  “Go back to sleep,” she said. “You need to regain your strength.”

  He nodded, watching her every move. Amusement curled Edeen’s lips. Alex had refused her offer to help with his burned hands, yet he readily gave into Judith.

  Edeen looked from one to the other, noting the slight rosiness to Judith’s cheeks and how her mannerisms were suddenly off, somewhat self-conscious.

  Judith glanced at Alex, then away, and tried pushing her stray hair back inside her bun. “I’ve got to go. There’s others needing my attention.”

  Roque reached over Alex and took Judith’s arm to stop her. “Thank you. For all you’ve done for him.”

  Judith nodded and ducked away.

  Alex gave a low whistle. “Damn, Roque. Think you can leave me alone with the pretty nurse next time?”

  Roque jabbed a finger at him. “There better not be a next time. Alex, I’m—“

  Alex held up a hand. “Don’t say it. I’m fine.”

  “You’re beat to hell.”

  Alex shrugged, then winced. “Point is, we’re all safe.” His gaze slid to Edeen. He couldn’t have missed their dirty and disheveled appearance. “Roque, what the hell happened?”

  Alex’s face turned grayer and grayer as Roque filled him in on the events of the day.

  Chapter Sixteen

  She awoke to the soft murmur of voices. She sat in a hard chair, body leaning against the side of Alex’s thin bed. She didn’t remember being in a chair, nor falling asleep. A pair of women’s black brogues without cross laces, were on the floor next to her feet.

  The voices stopped talking as she opened her eyes and found Roque and Alex both looking at her. The lanterns were low, the heavy black fabric had been lowered to cover all the windows, which subdued any moonlight that might have come in.

  Somewhere Roque had found himself a shirt.

  She smiled at Alex’s appearance. Though still swollen and bruised, his pallor was much better. He sat up against a pillow and she could see that his arm was encased in layers of wrappings. Relief swarmed through her and something else…a quiet tenderness she’d before only reserved for her brothers.

  “Ye look better. Are ye all right, Alex?”

  “They tell me I’ll live.” He grinned. “What of you, Edeen? You look near done in.”

  She felt it in every joint and muscle. “I’ll keep.”

  Roque looked at her with something akin to pride shining in his eyes, making strange little prickles leap around in her belly.

  Judith pushed aside the drapery. “I’ve asked around for you and found out the train station wasn’t hit. There’s only one train leaving for Glasgow at dawn, but there’s many trying to be on it. You’re best chance is to be at the station tonight.”

  Roque rubbed his temple, the weariness taking its toll. Had he rested at all while she slept? Vampire, dragon, or nay, he had to take care of himself.

  He needed someone to see to it. Edeen’s heart flinched at the realization she wanted to be that person.

  Roque’s hand had moved to his forehead, pressing in. “I’ve lost all track of time.” He smiled apologetically.

  “It’s a little before midnight,” Judith informed.

  Alex made to swing his legs off the mattress. Stepping agilely to the side of the bed, Judith stopped his progress, putting a hand to his chest. “You aren’t going anywhere.”

  “Of course I am.” Alex’s scowl reeked of defiance. “Don’t tell me you don’t need the bed.”

  “We don’t need the bed.” Judith’s stern look suggested Alex wasn’t going to win the argument.

  “She’s right, Alex,” Edeen patted his bandaged arm. “Please rest and get better.”

  He looked from Edeen to Judith and threw up his uninjured arm in defeat. “Oh bother, it’s not fair, the two of you ganging up on me.”

  “Never stood a chance, mate.” Roque chuckled. He leaned close to Alex and grasped his forearm. “Stay here, regain your strength…and flirt with the pretty nurse. You can thank me later.”

  Alex’s eyes slid over to Judith who busily began folding bandages on the tray, pretending not to hear. “Well, when you put it that way…” Alex gripped Roque’s arm tighter, his features taking on a seriousness rarely betrayed. “Hey, be careful.”

  Roque grinned. “You know me.”

  “That’s what I’m afraid of.” He looked away. “Watch out for Edeen.”

  Roque’s grin dropped. “That you can count on.”

  Edeen rolled her eyes. They were worse than her brothers, and like when her brothers became overly protective, a tender place in her heart warmed. She slipped on the shoes and went to Alex, cupped his face between her palms and kissed him. “Thank you, Alex. For everything.”

  She wanted to say more, but couldn’t think of how, but the warmth in his expression relayed that he already knew how she felt.

  Roque turned to Judith. “See that he stays out of trouble.”

  “I will.”

  Then as an afterthought, he said, “If anyone tries to kick him out of this bed, inform them he’s a lieutenant in Her Majesties Royal Army, attaché to the Ministry of Defense. Lieutenant Alexander Greves.”

  The air rushed out of Edeen’s lungs.

  “I’m Charity Greves from Seattle.”

  Col's lips twisted and Edeen forced back a smile. "That's quite the telling. Ye're from centuries beyond us? And ye believed ye could simply travel back here and pluck my brother out from under the grasp of the most fearsome witch of a hundred generations?"

  Edeen looked from Alex to Judith, a strange floaty sensation cresting over her essence as Roque guided her from the partitioned room.

  Chapter Seventeen

  She wanted to check on Margaret and Thomas and after all Edeen had lost, Roque wouldn’t deny her anything.

  His heart squeezed, watching her with the children, giving them reassurances, praising their courage. Her face crumpled when they asked if the Luftwaffe would come back. Edeen didn’t coddle, but told them she didn’t know. She kissed each head and left the children to the Infirmary’s care.

  They walked along the silent streets,
neither felt like talking. The full moon cast eerie light upon battered shells of buildings as well as entire blocks that had been left untouched.

  Late, there were very few people out, most hunkered down in railway tunnels or spending the night within their pre-fabricated Anderson shelters. A few Air Raid Protection wardens were out, some of the gremlins they’d worked with earlier remained on the streets, casting wary glances up at the sky.

  Edeen stumbled and Roque caught her elbow, aware that she didn’t share his or the gremlins’ keen eyesight and with the black materials covering all windows and doors and dull black tape covering every reflective surface from iron trim on the unlit street lamps to the shine of bicycle bells, even in the moonlight, she’d have trouble seeing obstacles.

  At least she had on some damn shoes. Guilt rose in Roque’s chest over that.

  He took her hand in his, moving onto Bakers Brae toward the rail station. The sooner he ensconced her in Glasgow, the better.

  Then what?

  He wasn’t simply going to deliver her to the powers-that-be, that was for damn certain. She would not be a pawn or weapon, even for the Allies. Military Intelligence could decipher their own bleeding codes.

  She was under his protection now. He’d take her to his mother’s people if he had to.

  An entire coven of vampires could bloody well keep her safe.

  Or they could go to the Americans, though he doubted the yanks would remain neutral in this war much longer. Roque squeezed her hand. Whatever they did, he wasn’t leaving her.

  Mate, the dragon purred and Roque didn’t push the thought aside. Whatever this was between them, this pull, he was utterly hers.

  He stopped and took both her hands. Her expressive face angled up toward his.

  “Edeen…?”

  Her pulse pounded a rhythm straight to his heart, steady and strong, like she was. His blood burned to take her. Fire exploded in his belly, radiating through him. His palm dragged into her hair, cupped the back of her head and brought her to him. Warm lips pressed to cool lips and the world tilted, spinning away. Fire blanketed his soul, threatening to burn, burn, yet his focus filed down to Edeen, her lips, her soft skin, giving everything she was to him and the dragon cooled, pacified, enthralled by the woman’s touch. Her taste. Her smell. Mate. His. Treasure. The serpent would never touch her in flame.