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

placed his hand on her shoulder. “You must alter your perspectives on employee relations. Otherwise, I fear you will be continually frustrated and require a guard to even meet with the staff.”  
    Her eyebrows furrowed, her jaw jutted forward, and she shook her head. Dragomir wasn’t sure if she was more put out by having to change her philosophy, or the threat of having a guard with her more often.
    “Even if I change my perspective, there is still way too much violence in this workplace. He…” She jabbed her finger in Dragomir’s direction. “…stabbed a… man for no reason.”
    “He attacked you.” Dragomir stood beneath the air vent, hoping to smell something other than her damn scent.  
    She glared at him. “Convenient excuse for you to act out with violence. I don’t want you with me. You’re too quick to resort to physical assaults.”
    He nodded. She might not have been wrong about that. He knew full and well he did not worry about silly human concerns. He was a warrior. Warriors could be frightening. He understood her feelings. He’d have much rather been on the front lines, leading troops into battle than in Wooddale, protecting one woman from werewolves who were supposed to be on the same side as her. And he would love for her to convince Jankin to let her have a different guard. Though he knew no one could guard her better than he. He also knew Jankin felt the same.  
    “Sofia, even on the Lower Level with a skilled security team available, myself, Osgar, Fergus, Meg, and half the council, still it was Dragomir who sensed your fear before anyone else.”  
    “With all due respect, Jankin. The woman screamed. The only sense required was the ability to hear.” Dragomir may have been highly skilled, but he was not a liar, and in this matter, one so important to Jankin, he would not mislead or allow anyone to think he was better than he truly was.  
    “I did not scream,” Sofia argued. “Dr. MacDuff, he’s delusional. I’ll admit I was nervous, but I did not scream.”  
    Dragomir shook his head. Typical. How many women had he encountered who pretended to be tough? More than he cared to remember. These were always the most dangerous, always getting themselves into trouble and never admitting their own fault in the matter.
    Jankin raised an eyebrow. “Nevertheless, it was Dragomir who responded to your need. He is the best guard for you.” Jankin’s voice remained calm, not even a hint of emotion.
    Dragomir had heard this tone before, knew it well, and was surprised to hear Jankin use it now. It was the one he employed when dealing with other masters, other vampires he could not control, in situations requiring extreme diplomacy.  
    “But… I…” she glared at Dragomir, then turned to Jankin. “Why can’t Osgar train me like he does the wolves? Why can’t I learn to defend myself? Then I wouldn’t need a guard at all.”
    “Sofia, you could never be a match for any werewolf or vampire.” Jankin glanced down at her. “Even with a bodyguard you’ve managed to be attacked in the building. There is no training in the world that could make you able to compete with the likes of one of us.”
    Dragomir had to agree. In fact, he was fairly certain that any amount of knowledge in this area would make her dangerous. She already possessed more confidence than she should. If she had any sense, she’d ask Jankin to send her away to a remote, well-guarded safe haven. She’d go on a lifelong vacation.  
    “I didn’t say I’d be a match, but I’d at the very least know what to expect and have some ability to defend myself, deter an attacker. It can only help, especially if you all insist on becoming violent with every conversation. If I’d known what Jefferson could do, I’d have been better prepared and never been caught in that situation. If I’d known this…” She waved toward the wolves. “…could happen, I’d have…well, I’d have done something.” She rubbed her