Real Vampires_A Highland Christmas by Gerry Bartlett

Author:Gerry Bartlett [Bartlett, Gerry]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dragon Lady Publishing
Published: 2019-07-30T00:00:00+00:00

11

The laird came looking for us, Jeremiah’s sword in his hand. “What’s amiss? It is not like you to leave the celebration, son. The villagers expect us to stay until almost time for the sun to rise. Why do you hide up here?” He looked around the room and spotted Valdez near the fireplace, his hand on his own sword. “Shifter? Have we met?”

“Diego Valdez, at your service.” Valdez made a courtly bow. “I am cousin to Fergus Turnbull and his clan, recently hired by your son here to guard his lady Gloriana.”

“I am Laird Campbell, head of this clan. You should have presented yourself to me when you first arrived.” The laird stared at Jeremiah. “Is hiring this man necessary? Do you have something to tell me about your journey from London?”

Jeremiah glanced at his brother Brian, who’d come to his feet. “We had trouble on the road here. Devlin, the same vampire who killed Bran, is likely still pursuing us.”

“How do you know this?” The laird took a chair and leaned forward. “Sit, all of you. Has this vampire been seen close by? Should I send men out to look for him?”

“We have been attacked in a different way this night, Da.” Jeremiah moved closer to the fire. “Witchcraft. I was poisoned by a witch hired by Devlin. Alyse Tremaine was sent here to do the deed.”

“The red-haired beauty?” The laird glanced at me. “I saw ye dancing with her. Your ma remarked on it.”

“Lady Campbell wants Jeremiah with anyone but me.” That burst out of me before I could stop myself.

“Lass, I’ll not have that kind of talk.” The laird’s dark eyebrows drew together when he scowled. “Mag is a bit cross, I know, that Jeremiah brought home a woman he’s not wed, but she’ll get over it. Give it time.”

I bit my tongue. A bit cross? Oh, but I had to keep my bricks firmly in place or the laird with his sharp gaze would see how Mag had plotted against me. I merely nodded and looked down at my wet boots where my toes ached with cold. Tramping in the snow had done that. I longed for a warm bath and snuggling in furs with Jeremiah. Yes, I had forgiven him and he still looked pale to me.

“Now tell me all. What the witch did to you and about this Devlin. I want the entire story.” The laird focused on Jeremiah and his son pulled up a chair. That, more than anything, told me he was still weak.

“Da, he’s an old enemy and craves new vampires, especially comely women. He arranged to steal Gloriana from her bed during the day.”

“The hell you say!” The laird was up and pacing. “Taken during the day! By his minions of course.” He stopped next to me where I stood with my hand on Jeremiah’s shoulder. “Lass, I cannot imagine how you felt when you woke and realized ye had been taken from your bed.” He touched my cheek with a rough finger.

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