“That will cause a strain between Jeremiah and his family. He does love his father.” I let that barb sink in. “I don’t wish it on my account either. He might come to resent me for it later. So teach me this trick, Mag.” I called her that deliberately. The laird called her Mag but no one else dared. I would do it from now on when we were alone. I had earned the right. She didn’t like it but kept her thoughts to herself.
“It is easy once you get the way of it, foolish girl. Block thoughts with a wall. Put it up in your mind. Brick by brick. It can go both ways. You can keep my thoughts from your mind and your thoughts safe from anyone else. We will try it. I am sending you a thought. More than one. See if you can stop them from coming.” She looked amused. “Ready?”
I looked away from her smirk. “I suppose.” I tried to concentrate as the first thought hit me. “You are a slut. Whore.” I threw a brick at the ugly words rolling into my mind. No, that wouldn’t do. I had to build a wall, not toss bricks. Jeremiah had tried to teach me this before but we’d always ended up distracted by our lust for each other. “Worthless bitch. I think you must—” the wall was getting higher and I tried to ignore the vitriol spewing from this woman who styled herself a lady. “Jeremiah doesn’t love you. All he wants is your—”
My bricks tumbled and my eyes filled with tears. What had I done to earn such hatred? I tried sending my own hate back to her. “Hag. Scheming witch. No wonder your son stayed in London as long as he did.”
That earned me another barrage of insults from his mother. These were even more vile and I shuddered. My bricks became boulders, resembling a border wall between fields. This would never do. It was shorter than my knee and the ugly words jumped over them to hit me square in the heart. Of course Jeremiah could do better than me. The lowest whore in an alley would be a step higher.
I squared my shoulders. No, I would not take that. I was a decent woman, driven to the alley for a protector by my hunger. Jeremiah loved me. I picked up a brick and placed it carefully. One after the other became a stack, then a wall. When it got to shoulder height, I realized the noise was muffled. A little more and suddenly I heard nothing.
Wait. That wasn’t what was supposed to happen. I should still hear something—the faint music nearby and the wind in the trees. It was as if I’d fallen into a deep well. I kicked the empty goblet in the snow. I’d only had one taste and still thirsted. Damn her! No wonder this wasn’t working as it should. I hit my forehead, a few bricks fell, and sound returned.
“Señora, you are being cruel.” Valdez shook Mag until her hair flew around her face. “I could certainly tell what foul thoughts you threw at your son’s lover. What would your husband do if I told him of the vile insults you toss at Gloriana?”
“Hah! Tell him and see what happens.” Mag was very sure of her power over the laird. She frowned. “I believe she’s managed it. Before, I could tell she thinks you are very handsome, Valdez. Now I’m hitting the wall. Amazing. The dumb whore has mastered the trick.” She tried to jerk her arm free. “Can I go now?”
“In a moment. I will see if I can tell what she is thinking, shall I? I certainly do not trust your word.” Valdez gave me a measuring look. “Excellent. Her thoughts are hidden from me as well. Now look into my eyes, Gloriana. Can you read my mind?”
I stared into his beautiful eyes, glad he couldn’t read that they reminded me of my favorite chocolate drink that I missed so much or that I’d noticed his long lashes. Concentrate. He was smiling, clearly trying to send me a message but I was getting nothing but the faint sounds of the outside world.
Mag laughed. “She is hopeless. Just as well. She has no business poking into the thoughts of those around her.”
“Yes, she does. For her own safety.” Valdez kept gripping Mag’s arm. She cursed him when he wouldn’t release her. “Stay. I think I know the problem. You built your wall too high, Gloriana. You always want to read what those around you are thinking. Some could be plotting against you.” He shook Mag’s arm. “Like this one. Now carefully take down a few bricks until you can read the message I am sending you.” He kept looking into my eyes.
I concentrated. I was afraid I would fail at this. That all my bricks would come tumbling down and I’d never manage to block my thoughts again. But as I carefully imagined lowering the wall brick by brick, I began to read Valdez’s thoughts. He wanted me to pick up Mag’s wrist and drink. To take her blood to teach her a lesson. He would hold her still and make sure she was quiet. Did I hear him and understand? Could I send him a message in my mind?
I shuddered. Drink from that bitch? She hated me. To take her blood would be like drinking poison to me. Yet I knew her blood ran through Jeremiah’s veins. She was ancient and that would make her life force even more heady and delicious. I stared into the shifter’s eyes and composed my answer.
“I will do it. Make sure she can’t hurt me or make a sound. Give me my knife after you cut her wrist with it and I will use the goblet on the ground there to catch the blood.”
Did he hear my answer? He slid my dagger from his belt and quickly sliced across Mag’s wrist then handed it to me. There was my response. I’d done it.
While Mag shrieked behind Valdez’s palm, I wiped off the knife in the snow then grabbed the goblet and caught the blood streaming from her wrist. I ignored her wild struggles. Valdez kept her clamped by his side, her kicks hampered by her long plaid skirt. She was furious. I certainly would be if forced to give her my blood. The idea of making her replace the goodwife’s blood she’d taken from me made me laugh. When the goblet was full, I stepped back.
“You’ll have to heal the cut yourself, Mag. I’d rather lick a privy seat than put my tongue to your wrist.” I tasted the blood. “I must admit though, that this is fine vintage blood.” I took a deep drink. “Valdez, you may release her. Mag, leave us. I think you know to keep your thoughts to yourself about what happened here.”
“Mark my words, Gloriana. Someday my son will see you for the lowborn slut that you are.” She sniffed and quickly closed the cut on her wrist. “Watch yourself, Valdez. Not everyone here has forgotten Spain’s attempt to invade us. You would do well to avoid speaking your native tongue. I had to do so many years ago.”
“Perhaps you aren’t as charming as I am, Señora. I have had no trouble with the locals.” Valdez bowed as she left with a mutter and sweep of her skirts.
“Where did you come from? Surely not Spain. Mag is right, we still are suspicious of your country.” I sipped from the goblet, savoring the rich taste and feeling very powerful. I had learned to block my thoughts! What would Jeremiah say when he discovered that? How would I explain it? He had promised we’d have more lessons on the process, but we hadn’t managed to find the time. Certainly, this time I had felt the pressure to make it work but I would need to practice the skill constantly.
“I am from an island near Spain. But I have relatives everywhere. Fergus Turnbull is a cousin. Shapeshifters are not so common that we can afford to ignore our blood ties. I was sorry to hear about Bran. He was a good man.” Valdez took the empty goblet from me. “I met your lover earlier and he told me he wanted you to have a private bodyguard. That you have been a target of a vampire whose minions invaded your death sleep. Devlin, the enemy you spoke of.”
“Yes. Now I am terrified of the dawn.” I let him see the truth of that in my mind. Then I quickly tried to hide my thoughts again. It wasn’t easy but I rebuilt my wall brick by brick.
“There is something you don’t want me to see.” Valdez nodded.
“Did it work?” I didn’t want him to know the details of what Devlin had done to me.
“It did. I am sorry that whatever happened when that vampire took you was so bad you must hide it from me. Madame Gloriana, I swear I will die before I let anyone harm you during the day again.” He stepped closer and knelt before me. “Do you believe me?” His dark eyes were very intent. It was as if he were making a sacred vow.
“I believe you will try, Val
dez, and I thank you. Please get up out of the cold snow.” I was very grateful for this arrangement. I couldn’t imagine what this might be costing Jeremiah. And to choose such a man! My lover had always been plagued by jealousy yet he had trusted me with this handsome shapeshifter. It told me Jeremiah was truly worried about my safety while we both slept. I studied Valdez as he stood and gripped his sword. He had the look of a man used to battle as he scanned the woods around us. He’d certainly be ready with his sword if Mag decided to return with more men.
“We must return to the party. I have been gone much too long.” I knew Jeremiah must have noticed.
“Of course.” Valdez looked around once more then led the way. “I know when to disappear as well. To give you and Master Jeremiah private time. He made it very clear that he is able to guard you adequately when the two of you are alone at night.”
“Yes, he is a warrior.” I smiled when I saw my lover on the other side of the fire. Then I noticed Jeremiah stood close to a beautiful woman, staring at her as if she were the only person at the celebration. When a new tune started, she took his hand and dragged him among the dancers. They danced close to each other. Her red hair caught the firelight and I realized every man nearby stared at her hungrily. Who was she?
Valdez saw where I was staring. “That is the woman Lady Campbell wanted for her son.” He must have realized how jealous the sight of her arms around my man made me. “Be careful, Gloriana. The men call her a vixen.”
“She is the one who should have a care.” I started to cross the clearing so I could pull her off Jeremiah by her flowing red locks.
“Wait. Some say she has a witch’s skills. Clearly, she is weaving a spell on your man.” Valdez kept his hand on my elbow. “Naturally Lady Campbell encouraged her. She thought she’d have gotten rid of you by now.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” I’d had enough when Jeremiah laughed at something the vixen said. I looked up at Valdez and nodded. “I’m sure you know how to dance.”
“Of course.” He grinned and made a little bow.
“Don’t be surprised if I make a scene.” I took his hand and we twirled into the dancers.
“If this will cost me my job, make it a good one.” He laughed and steered me toward Jeremiah and his partner.
This was going to be fun.
9
Valdez was indeed an excellent dancer. We were soon noticed. Not by Jeremiah and the wench who pressed herself against his chest covered in plaid, but by the other dancers. I laughed up at my shifter and pretended to be having a delightful time while sending him a message to get us closer to my sire.
“Careful, you don’t want to make him angry.” Valdez leaned down to whisper in my ear.
“Don’t I?” I knew that whispering could be seen as flirting and I smiled slyly. “Whyever not?”
“It is Yuletide. We are celebrating. I wouldn’t put it past the woman to have used a witch’s spell to make your lover behave as he’s doing.” Valdez took my hand and led me to the refreshment table. “Look at him, Gloriana. His eyes are glazed, unfocused. I have seen this before.”
“The only way she could spell him is if he took blood from her.” At least that’s what I thought. Jeremiah didn’t like me taking blood from other men? Well, how did he think I would feel if he had put a fang to this red-haired beauty? The very idea made me snarl.
“Not necessarily so. If she is powerful, a look into her eyes, a prick with a poisoned pin could do it.” Valdez touched one of his daggers. “I admit a strong dislike for witches. This is not the first time I’ve dealt with them or their wares.”
“If Jeremiah is truly ensorcelled, what do we do?” I could read the signs now that Valdez had pointed them out. When a man called Jeremiah’s name, he didn’t even look away from the woman. No, he was staring into her eyes so fixedly it was clearly unnatural.
“Come. We need to intervene. There are some who would see her turned over to the Protestants for trial if she were known as a powerful witch or is having dealings with one. Let us drop a warning in her ear. She is being foolish to pull this kind of trick in open company. And with the heir to the clan!” Valdez didn’t bother to hide his animosity. “I know I was hired to protect you, Gloriana, but I cannot let this attack on the man who pays my wages go unchallenged.”
“Thank you. Just tell me what to do.” I hurried to match my strides to his as he wended his way through the dancers. “What would the Protestants do? Torture her? Burn her at the stake?” I might like the sound of that, but knew we could never turn her in to the authorities. Jeremiah had explained the unwritten agreement among creatures such as vampires, witches, shape-shifters and even, God help me, demons. We meted out our own justice when needed.
“Isn’t that enough?” Valdez asked before he stopped next to Jeremiah and gripped his arm.
“What’s this?” Jeremiah looked down at the interruption. “I see you found Gloriana.”
“Yes, I did. Will you come with me, sir?” Valdez glanced at the woman who Jeremiah still held in his arms much too closely for propriety.
“Jeremiah, who is this?” I felt I had the right to ask.
“Alyse Tremaine, Gloriana. She’s here visiting cousins in a neighboring clan.” Jeremiah smiled at Alyse. “Alyse, this is Gloriana, my mistress.”
I was struck dumb. This was the first time Jeremiah had ever called me that. It was a stark reminder of my place in his life. Before, he’d always claimed me as his “love” or “lady” but never just his “mistress.” I fought tears and my pain, focusing on my anger. The spell she’d put on him had caused this disregard for me, I knew it.
“Please, step away from the other dancers, Jeremiah. We need to talk.” I said it with what I thought was remarkable calm.
Jeremiah finally looked at me. “Gloriana, you are blocking your thoughts. I didn’t know you could do that.” He smiled as if I were a child who had learned a new trick.
Didn’t he care that I was hiding something? I wanted to snatch that woman from his arms. What had she done to him? I knew people were watching us. Some dancers nearby had even stopped to see what we were going to do. A hair pulling fight over a handsome man made for good drama, Master Shakespeare had taught me that.
I took a calming breath. “I just learned it. Your mother taught me.” I took his arm and tried to pry it away from the beautiful Alyse’s waist. It was like attempting to pull a tree root from the ground. “Come away with me, please.”
“We are dancing. Can’t you see that?” Alyse gave me a cold smile. “We are having a fine time.”
Now that I saw her from just a foot away, I noticed she had pale skin, so white her red brows were startling in her perfect oval face. Her eyes were a brilliant blue and seemed to pierce right through that brick wall I kept up to shield my thoughts. I took an involuntary step back before I could stop myself. Witch? I’d had a near miss with one of those before and knew they weren’t to be trusted.
“Please, Jeremiah. There is something amiss here.” I grabbed his arm again. “Jeremiah, concentrate. She is a witch, trying to steal your free will.”
“Nonsense. She is a charming lady. We are dancing and enjoying a few moments together. I will dance with you again. Later.” Jeremiah shook his head and suddenly lifted his arms from around Alyse. “Ah, I know that tune. Excuse me, both of you. I must join the men. The sword dancing will begin soon.” He smiled at Alyse. “Watch me now. You will like this.”
“Jeremiah!” I knew my heart was in my call to him.
He turned and looked at me. His eyes still had that dazed look. He was clearly not himself. “What is it?”
“Have a care.” I wanted to do something, anything to help him remember me, us.
He threw back his head and laughed. “I have been dancing with a sword since I was a lad. I told you that. This will be nothing but fun. You will see.” He stalked off to pick up his sword where he’d left it on a table and to join the other men who would dance with him.
I
turned to Alyse and grabbed her arm. “What have you done to him?”
“I would advise you to move your hand.” She glanced down. “Before I turn you into a lamb bleating helplessly after her lover. Can you not see he is already happy to replace you?” She tossed her abundant red hair.
“Hollow threats. If she were a powerful witch, Gloriana, we would never have been able to touch her without being knocked across the clearing. She must just be coming into her powers. I am sure she has used a potion, though, on Jeremiah.” Valdez gripped Alyse’s arms and dragged her away from the crowd. “Come. We will deal with this here and now. I’d advise you to stay quiet, woman, or we will let these people loyal to the Campbells know you were using witchcraft on one of their own.” No one in the crowd paid us any heed when the pipers began a song and the men wielding their swords took their places in an open space in front of them.
“You will regret this.” Alyse struggled when Valdez finally lifted her and carried her into the woods away from the crowd. She started murmuring what sounded like a spell until Valdez stuck a rag in her mouth. Then he tied her hands together with a cord.
“From what I know about witches, she needs either her words or her hands to finish whatever nasty spell she was going to throw at us.” Valdez looked as if he couldn’t wait to be done with her.
“God, Valdez, can she really turn me into a sheep?” I put my hand to my heart. Yes, it barely beat, but scares like this one did make it gain speed.
“I doubt it. Not without some weeds and such and her cauldron.” He looked around. “I wonder if there is a local witch who could help us. These people are loyal to Clan Campbell. They would not like to see the heir trapped by one such as this.”
“Mag encouraged her.” My head ached and I had a feeling it was because this woman with her light eyes full of hate was sending me evil messages. They were hitting my poorly constructed brick wall constantly, making it tremble.
Real Vampires: A Highland Christmas (The Real Vampires series Book 14) Page 10
