Black Magic Rose (5 page)

“Yes. I do know what Rick did last night,” he answered, and then said something to someone else.
 

“So you know he shoved Louis off the roof?” she asked.
 

“Well, I’m not sure ‘shoved’ is the correct word. But I do know he was teaching the new recruits jumping and landing skills last night.”
 

“It has been reported that he pushed, and ‘pushed’ is the correct word, Louis off the roof.”

“Who reported that?” Sofia heard something brush against the phone and then Osgar came back. “Well? Who?”
 

“I want to speak with Louis,” she said.

“Do you? You’re sure about that?” he asked.
 

“Yes. I’m sure. It’s my job to investigate claims of this nature,” she answered. This was the first actual investigation she’d performed at Cader.
 

It wasn’t, however, the first investigation she’d ever performed. She’d conducted plenty of them at her other jobs. She’d get a statement from Louis, then speak to Rick. She may need to suspend Rick pending completion of the investigation. She knew that wouldn’t go over well. But she’d discuss it with Fergus and Dr. MacDuff.
 

“Come on down,” Osgar said.
 

“Is Louis still at Cader?” she asked.

“Yep. He’s just finished eating. If I were you, I’d hurry,” he said.

Sofia heard the laughter in his voice and glanced toward the window. To the west the horizon was lit with a peachy pink glow. To the east darkness blanketed the sky. Soon,
they
would rise.
 

“Is he on the second floor?” she asked, voice filled with hope.

“No. He’s still in the Lower Level. I don’t want you to be surprised when you get down here,” Osgar said.
 

“Surprised by what? Is Louis all right?”
 

“Louis is fine, aren’t you?”

Sofia heard a voice say, “Yes, sir. Ready to have another go at it.”

“Osgar, surprised by what?” Sofia asked. “And don’t get him worked up. I want to speak to him without your interference.”

“I will not interfere in the least. I’ll meet you at the stairwell. I don’t think you know the code, do you?” Osgar asked, referring to the security access code.
 

“No. I don’t have one. Surprised by what?” she asked again.
 

“Hey there, Drag. How’d you sleep?” Osgar said.
 

Sofia’s heart thumped when she heard
his
voice.
 

“Same as always.”

“So, like The Dead, you mean?” Osgar chuckled.
 

Chapter Four

Fluorescent lights flickered overhead as Sofia followed Osgar down the stairs, through the corridor, and into the security office. A bank of TV screens lined one wall. Lights flickered across a panel below them. Osgar stopped in front of a computer and tapped a few keys on the keyboard before turning back to Sofia.
 

“This is where the action is monitored,” he said. “There are cameras at all the access points, outside the building, and on all the units within the building. We see all.” He wagged his eyebrows.
 

Sofia looked around. Three men she’d never met before sat behind computers, and although not one of them looked up, she had the very distinct feeling they were watching her.
 

“Marvin, Jefferson, and Bart,” Osgar said, pointing to each of them.
 

Bart nodded, Marvin waved, and Jefferson’s eyes met hers for a brief second before his glance moved across her like freezing rain. And she knew immediately he was the vampire.
 

“This is Sofia,” Osgar said.
 

Two nods and another ice-cold glance, only this time it lingered. She shivered.

“They’re studying the Rhode Island crime reports. There’s been an uptick in attacks at the malls, carjackings, muggings, and the like. A number of the victims were knocked unconscious and don’t remember what happened. Most likely they were fed from or wolf bitten. We’ll track them for changes in behavior or disappearances,” Osgar explained.
 

Sofia nodded. “The malls? Why the malls?”

“Lots of people gathered in one spot and parking garages where women walk alone. Bas Dubh can hide easily enough between cars, attack, and escape virtually unnoticed. It’s a perfect place for new vampires to practice honing their skills,” Osgar explained. “And with the holidays coming, it’s bound to get worse.”

Sofia remembered the news report from the night before. A man had jumped from the top of the four-story parking garage, killing himself. It had been the third suicide at the mall in as many months.
 

“What about the jumpers?” she asked.
 

“We think they might have been attacked by wolves and the shock or horror of the experience sent them over the edge.” Osgar scratched his chin. “Literally.”
 

“The paper said the man from the other night had long-standing financial problems. His family believed he jumped because he was going to lose his house,” Sofia said.
 

“It helps to have the right people in the right places.” He smiled.
 

“What do you mean?”

“The Alliance has members embedded in the police force, at the local papers, and now with the medical examiner’s office. We’ll know the real story about the guy who jumped yesterday when The Board convenes tonight,” Osgar answered.
 

“So, the paper guy made up the story? How did you get the family to agree to it?”

Before Osgar could answer, Jefferson was across the room, standing between him and Sofia.
 

“I’d be happy to answer that question for you,” he said. Deep within his brown eyes something glowed, lighting his eyes like crystals.

Sofia gasped as she felt him. His presence closed in around her, trying to force her compliance. “Stop that!” She turned away from him, lost her balance, and landed on the floor.
 

Osgar grabbed Jefferson, and hooking his arm beneath the vampire’s chin, trapped him in a headlock. The vampire choked and clawed at Osgar’s arm.

From her position on the floor, Sofia saw the door fly open, and the room was suddenly cramped. Dr. MacDuff came to Sofia. Fergus and Meg stood in front of them like a barrier between Sofia and Jefferson. Sofia leaned to the right and saw Osgar and Jefferson dangling in the air, held off the floor by Dragomir.
 

“Sofia, look at me.” Dr. MacDuff knelt beside her.
 

She pulled her eyes from the scene in front of her to focus on the doctor. Her mind was fuzzy. Something was wrong. She shook her head.

“How are you feeling?” He held her wrist, fingers poised over her pulse.
 

Warm
. She glanced at his hand. “Did you feed before you slept?”

A gentle smile crossed his mouth.
 

“No. I fed when I rose,” he answered.
 

He gazed at her face, and she felt him, a gentle brush of his presence beside her, near her, not trying to claim or possess her, just existing with her.
 

“It’s only now sunset. How could you feed?” she asked, her voice sounding smaller than it should.

“Master vampires rise early, and sometimes we don’t sleep at all.” He helped her to her feet. “I think you’ll be fine.” He turned around to face the situation behind them.
 

“You can let him go,” Osgar said, still holding Jefferson in a headlock.
 

“What is he doing awake before nightfall?” Dragomir asked, his hand wedged beneath Osgar’s arm, fingers digging into Jefferson’s neck.
 

“I’d say passing out from lack of oxygen, if he was a wolf. But as a fairly new vamp, I’ll assume he’s trying to figure out how he’ll feed with a broken neck,” Osgar answered, releasing Jefferson’s neck and dropping to the floor before stepping away from the two vampires.
 

“Why is he awake?” Sofia asked, peering at them from behind Dr. MacDuff, Fergus, and Meg. A buzz of energy flowed between Meg and Fergus.
 

Fergus, the alpha for the wolf pack, and Meg, his wife, seemed to have a connection of sorts, something Sofia didn’t quite understand. When Osgar stepped closer, she felt the pull of energy from him. The three of them were somehow connected.
 

“I awakened him early to assist with the study of the last three nights,” Dr. MacDuff answered. “I did not realize you would be so tempting to him.”

Jefferson’s eyes bulged. His jaw dropped. His fangs, shorter, stubbier than Sofia expected, descended.
 

“He’s killing him,” she said.
 

“No. He’s already dead, remember?” Osgar said and grinned. “Although, you are rendering him utterly useless for the rest of the night.”
 

Osgar clasped his hand on Dragomir’s shoulder. “You should let him go.”

Dragomir stared at Jefferson, not responding to Osgar. Silence filled the room. Bones cracked, and Sofia’s attention was drawn back to Jefferson’s neck.
 

“Stop it!” Sofia rushed past Dr. MacDuff, Meg, and Fergus and pushed Osgar aside. “Let go of him!” She reached up and pulled on Dragomir’s arm. Having no impact, she positioned herself between him and Jefferson and pounded on Dragomir’s chest. “Let go!” Still no change.
 

Dragomir stared past her at the young vampire, his dark blue eyes, glowing brighter than anything Sofia’d ever imagined, as if two sapphires sat in his eye sockets.
 

“Dr. MacDuff, stop him. This is outrageous. The amount of workplace violence that occurs in this organization is unacceptable!” Sofia gaped at the doctor.
 

“Dragomir, I think you’ve made your point,” Dr. MacDuff said.
 

“There is no point. My job is to protect her. I’ve seen his desires. He would take her, given the chance.” Dragomir glared at Jefferson.
 

The weaker vampire cringed. His body trembled.
 

Dr. MacDuff stepped beside the vampires, facing Jefferson. The longer he stared at him, the more his eyes glowed. He nodded. “He would have her. Do as you must.”
 

Dragomir stepped around Sofia and dropped his arm, lowering Jefferson so that the barely conscious vampire slouched onto the floor. Without loosening his grip, he dragged Jefferson to the door.
 

“Wait!” Sofia ran to block him. “What must he do? Where are you going?”

With a swipe of his arm, Dragomir moved Sofia aside and continued toward the door.
 

Sofia grabbed his hand, clinging to him. She dug in her heels, unsuccessfully trying to stop him. “No! Where are you going? What is he going to do?” she called toward Dr. MacDuff.
 

“Woman, step aside,” Dragomir ordered, shaking his wrist in an attempt to dislodge her.
 

“I will not,” she snapped. “Let him go,” she barked at Dragomir as she shifted her weight to shove against his body.
 

It was like trying to move a cement wall. Every place her body touched was hard.
 

“I do not take orders from you,” he said and continued walking without any indication that she was impeding his progress.
 

“As the Human Resources…”

“We are not human,” Dragomir interrupted, reaching the door.
 

“I mean as the Employee Relations Manager, it’s my duty to insist we give him an opportunity to explain his actions.” Sofia clung to Dragomir, pulling herself in front of him. One hand crested his shoulder and one held his waist. She wedged her feet in the doorway and leaned against him, forcing Dragomir to stop walking or break her legs.
 

“Every employee deserves the chance to be heard before being…dealt with,” she huffed.
 

With her cheek pressed to Dragomir’s chest she could hear his heart beating. Strong, steady beats pounded against her skin. His body was warm and she knew what that meant. Her nose scrunched.
 

His scent enveloped her. Leather and the musky scent of the woods and soap. She inhaled. Something stirred inside her, starting in her belly and spreading to her chest and limbs. Warm and tingly. Her legs buckled.
 

Her arms became rubbery. She dug her fingers into him, feeling the firm muscles of his shoulder. His skin twitched under her hand at his waist. His shirt bunched in her fists as she held on, trying not to slide down his body.
 

“Oh!” Her legs gave way. The sound of ripping fabric filled the room.
 

Dragomir dropped Jefferson and caught Sofia as she tumbled downward, ripping his shirt from his chest. He placed her back on her feet and stared down at her without any hint of expression on his face.