Read The Problem With Black Magic for Free Online Page A

men could hear even their whispers. Maybe they really were vampires.
    "You guys aren't here for the money in the till, are you," said Dwight quietly, making it clear from his tone that he wasn’t asking a question. Khalil inched closer, coming to stand next to Cassie and Jay behind the counter. When he met her eyes, Cassie realized he was planning to protect her if it came to it, and she was torn between being touched and wanting to yell at him for being an idiot.
    "Listen, Sam's not here," said Dwight, drawing up to his full 5’6 and walking up to their guests. Cassie never would have thought of him as the heroic type, but between being the first to volunteer to attempt to save Sam during the time skip and tonight, it was becoming obvious he was brave behind his quiet demeanor. "Whatever's going on, we don't know anything, and we don't know where he went; I suggest you look for him," he finished, crossing his arms in front of him defensively.
    "We don't need him," said the (apparent) vampire, swinging the necklace in his hand like a pendulum.
    "See this thing here? It's an amulet that senses latent magic. Barely picked up anything in days, but now that she's here--" he said, motioning to Cassie. "--thing goes ballistic. If that demon were around we couldn't snatch you, but now that he's abandoned you? I'm afraid it's open season on little cashier girls," he said, putting the amulet in his pocket. With no fanfare, he casually reached out a fist and hit Dwight in the face. Dwight dropped to the scuffed tile floor, like a limp rag doll. Cassie gasped and hoped against hope that he was unconscious, not dead.
    Khalil moved quickly, putting his body between Cassie and their assailants. The blond vampire swung his long legs over the counter and drew towards them with a feline grace.
    "I really wouldn't recommend that, man," he said, that disturbing canine smile from ear to ear. "You're low on the food chain- - not your fault, just the way it is-- so don't try to be a hero and get hurt. We've got no interest in you. Well..." He paused to run his tongue over his fangs. "I am kind of hungry, but you don't smell so hot, so get out of the way."
    Khalil paused for a moment before he moved out of the attacker’s way. Cassie felt a pang of betrayal for about a fraction of a second before she realized that Khalil had done the right thing. He couldn't fight these men off, and they both knew it; why should anyone else have to get hurt?
    "Get away from me, Jay," said Cassie. When he didn't respond, she pushed him to the side, so hard he fell on his butt.
    "Cassie, don't-"
    "I'll go with you, just don't hurt anybody else, okay? Or eat anybody," she said, looking up to meet the vampire's eyes.
    She backed up until she was against the back counter; dammit, she wanted to go with them so they would leave everyone else alone, but she couldn't help herself from shrinking away from the man. It was a survival instinct, stronger than her rational mind.
    The vampire towered over her and put a hand on top of her head. "Big of you," he said. "Of course, if I'm going to eat anybody tonight sweetie, it's gonna be you, not them." With that, he opened his mouth wide, red-tinged saliva glistening on his extended teeth, and Cassie took a deep breath.
    "Don't," came a warning from the man with the pendant. The blond one made a noise of irritation and turned toward his partner.
    "Why not? He said to snatch her if we could, he never said we couldn't taste."
    "Don't bother: I've heard that mage blood tastes terrible," said the shorter one . "Magic makes it burn like rubbing alcohol all the way down. Save your stomach."
    Despite her fear, Cassie felt her curiosity pique. If she was going to be kidnapped, at least she might have a chance of finding out what it was about her that had freaked Sam out. Apparently, whatever it was made her less tasty to vampire s.
    The blond vampire frowned and put a hand under her chin, appraising. "Are you sure? Wouldn't you think the