Read Online Black Magic Rose by Jordan K. Rose - Free Book Online Page A

 
      “Help him!” Sofia pointed at Rick’s neck, though she backed away from the werewolf.  
    Rick yanked the knife from his neck and roared, rising to his feet to tower over Sofia, dwarfing her size so that she appeared tiny and utterly fragile beside the wolf.  
    Sofia squeaked. Her mouth dropped open but not another sound escaped.
    Dragomir snapped out of the daze she knocked him into and scooped her up, carrying her out of the room and down the hall to the security office. She needed to be removed from the Lower Level. Jankin’s assertion that she’d be safest down here was completely incorrect. The simple fact remained the Lower Level was probably the most dangerous place for her. In less than two hours’ time she’d been attacked twice.  
    “Put me down!” Sofia’s feet thrashed about. She punched Dragomir in the chest and shoulder and wiggled out of his grip, landing on her knees on the floor. “You are an animal!” Her voice echoed. “A Neanderthal. Don’t ever, ever pick me up again.” She pulled herself to her feet, clinging to Dragomir’s coat and wincing with each movement. When he reached to help her, she barked, “Don’t touch me.” Then she sidestepped him and marched out the door, hobbling on bruised knees and one shoe.  
    Meg and the other four wolves sitting at the first bank of security screens stared up at him. Meg’s lips twitched, and Dragomir glared. The smile beginning to form on her mouth returned to a perfectly straight line.  
    He spun on his heel and followed the sound of Sofia’s voice back down the hall.  
    “Dr. MacDuff!” Sofia yelled. Her high heel clicked, then her stocking foot thudded. “Dr. MacDuff!”
    Dragomir measured the tenor in her voice and knew she was fighting with fear and anger. Her pitch was higher than usual, consistent with any woman on the brink of hysterics, but the hard huff that ended each shout told him wild anger bubbled just below her surface.
    “In here,” Jankin called from the conference room.
    “It’s unacceptable. Completely unacceptable!” Her voice cracked a few times. And even though she cleared her throat, she could barely contain herself. “Every issue that occurs does not require a physical response.”  
    Dragomir laughed to himself. She could use some self-reflection. Apparently, she had no idea how she was reacting, no concept of her own physical response. She’d hit him three times this evening and ripped his shirt off and her scent didn’t simply waft behind her. It was as though the fragrance of raspberry and that damn flower were being piped into the Lower Level with the intent to suffocate everyone.  
    What is that flower? Peony? No.
    “He is an animal!” Sofia stood in front of Jankin, pointing at the doorway where Dragomir stood. He wished she’d calm down. She was turning into a highly potent olfactory weapon. He glanced at the wolves, inspecting for drool, but though they were both focused on her, neither showed any signs of hunger.
    “Sofia, Dragomir is a warrior and he is tasked with ensuring your safety—” Jankin began only to be cut off by Sofia.
    “I do not need him to ensure my safety. I’m perfectly capable—”
    Rick growled.
    Dragomir edged closer.  
    Sofia spun to face Rick and Osgar, who had also shifted to his wolf form, a security measure, Dragomir was certain. But it was clear Sofia didn’t understand. She backed straight into Jankin, her mouth hanging open.  
    Dragomir smiled.
    “Stop laughing at me!” she snarled at Dragomir, and her display of anger made it nearly impossible for him to remove the smile from his face. She had no idea what she was dealing with. She stepped beside Jankin, keeping the wolves and both vampires in her line of vision. “I just haven’t seen them in this state before. It’s slightly unnerving. That’s all.” Her neck flushed and another burst of florally tangy-sweet berry puffed.  
    “Lass, you are not working with humans anymore.” Jankin