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He stopped short and was suddenly distracted. “Your hair…is glowing…like a flame.”
“Well, I am a redhead,” I answered, perplexed.
“No, not just red…but twinkling and glowing,” he said in awe.
“Oh, that,” I said. Aunt Elle had told me about this many years ago. “It happens now and then. I hope it wasn’t flying around my head as well? It does that sometimes.”
“It happened when the lass went into what she calls her Shama,” Devin explained.
Jeremy’s expression was one of admiration and I felt a blush fill my cheeks.
He said, “Well, while your red hair all twinkling and glowing may be something to see, you might not want anyone else to see.” He paused and put a finger to his nose. “So don’t go into your…er…Shama when anyone else is around.”
“Which reminds me,” I said. “You, Tunny, and Davis are pretty tight. I know they told you what they believe…about the vampire.”
He looked surprised. “Yes, amazing that Mrs. Tunny trusts you already. Here is the thing, while they might suspect I have magical qualities, I never did confide that to them. You should keep that sort of thing to yourself, Bobbie. Safer, easier.”
“They know, Jeremy. They aren’t daft,” Devin said. “Ye haven’t aged, ye have certain qualities they have noticed over the years. ‘Tis why they confided in ye and told ye about Mrs. Tunny’s husband and the vampire.”
“Perhaps, but suspecting and knowing are two different things, my friend. Now, enough of that. I have news and it isn’t good. Shall I give you the news…or should we install the wards first?”
“News. We need to know the news,” I answered, and slumped back down into the brown leather chair with a thump.
“I’ll get right to the point. Allora’s presence in Paris was confirmed by one of my operatives in Calais. She will be in England tonight. I have a notion when her spy vamp didn’t check in, she became suspicious. There is nothing for it. She will no doubt make her way here within the week,” Jeremy said, looking as grim as he sounded.
Devin exploded, “The devil ye say!” His fists were clenched at his sides as he stepped up to the transparent wall and shouted, “Blast her to hell.”
“Don’t I wish I could do just that! Look, my operatives are superb at what they do. They are immortal mages and have been trailing her from the moment I made contact with you, Bobbie. It was my operatives who finally found you. So, this is what we have. I am told Allora only travels by night, which is something that has never changed over the centuries. I am expecting them to report to me early tomorrow morning as to her most recent whereabouts and if they have discovered her immediate intentions. As of this morning, they believe she is still unaware of your existence, Bobbie.”
“So, you knew…all this time where Allora was?” I asked.
“Yes, Mrs. Tunny and I speak often, and I knew that Allora had been spotted in Paris recently and I directed my operatives to investigate. It hadn’t mattered in the past where she was going…or why, but now, with you here, well, that changes everything. We need to keep you safe. This…you being here, is as much my fault as it is Devin’s. I put two of my best operatives on her. They have been watching from a distance, careful that she doesn’t spot them. Allora is very astute.”
“And they are sure she hasn’t spotted them?”
“They are sure. They are shifters and can change into a raven, a beast, or a different persona at will. No, she has no idea she is being trailed.”
“And they—these…uhm, operatives, do this for…money?” I asked. I wondered immediately if they could be paid off. If Allora did notice them, could she buy them?
“Investigations are how they make a living, but in my case, friendship is involved. Besides that, they have their own reasons why they want Allora brought low. Aaron, Caswell, and I go back many years…and they were friends of my sister as well,” he said as a sad expression fell over his face.
Devin had been standing, quietly listening, but at this he said, “Jeremy, ye and the lass are in grave danger. Allora is cooming here…and she can coom and go at will. I cannae protect ye both stuck here on this side.”
“Look,” I stuck in hurriedly, “neither of you can decide anything for me. I have made the decision to help you, Devin, and will protect myself from her one way or another.” I smiled at Jeremy. “Besides, we made a pretty good team, Jeremy and I.”
“He was naught compared to Allora!” Devin shouted.
“And I am an immortal witch with my eyes wide open. I can protect myself,” I answered angrily. “You both brought me here on a pretext. Then you tell me you need my help. I said yes to helping. End of story. Besides, Jeremy and I will ward our rooms with our blood. I don’t know of any vampire that can get past a Druid Blood Ward. I know…I read about it in one of your ancient manuscripts last night. Druid wards are probably older than she is.”
Jeremy’s brows went up. “She isn’t wrong there. And you are sure you used the correct incantation?” Jeremy appeared impressed and asked before I could answer, “The door and the windows as well?”
“Yes, Jeremy, it was so fascinating. I drew on an ancient Druid ward and the spell just came to me as though I knew it all my life…I simply put a drop of my blood at the windows, the doors, and I even did the walls. I stood back and watched the blood spread and encase everything between my room and the outside world. My Shama was like a beast in my head…all dark and hungry, but I knew when I was done that it had worked.”
“Druids have used Blood Wards for eons,” Devin said quietly. “Their gifts coom from the Fae and in return for their powers, they must keep the walls of the Dark Realm up so the Dark Fae cannae escape. No vampire, not even Dracula himself, could pass through a Druid Blood Ward.”
“That is impressive,” Jeremy said. “Right, now we should do the outside perimeter of the castle as well.”
“Aye, but she isn’t easily deterred. She doesna think like we do. Her ways aren’t ours and she will find a way to kill Bobbie, if she can, and I cannae have that,” Devin said with feeling.
