Page 20 of The Vampire's Receptionist
“What… What happened?”
“We’re kind of hoping you could tell us,” Taron said, his face unusually serious as he stood over him, arms crossed over his chest. Zephyr stood nearby, his hands flexing like he too wanted to pull Taron away. He couldn’t see their other mate, Tony, but he couldn’t see much at all with the way his friends surrounded him. He was lying on the floor, his chair upended nearby, and his friends surrounded him on all sides.
“Doctor Chapman is on his way,” Avery said, twisting his fingers anxiously. “We were going to call an ambulance, but–”
“But Doctor Chapman would be the one who could help you. We’re just skipping the middleman,” Taron finished.
He shook his head slowly, still dazed and confused. “I don’t know what’s happening. What happened? Why are you all here?”
“You tried to suck your receptionist dry,” Taron said, frowning at him. “That’s not who you are, Dorian. What the hell happened?”
Horror sank into his stomach, and he lurched upright, groaning when pain shot through his back and up his left arm. A heavy hand landed on his shoulder, holding him back from standing, and when he looked behind him, Maverick glared down at him like he was ready to hurt him.
“Don’t move. You’re unstable, and there are humans nearby. Stay where you are until Doctor Chapman clears you.”
“But–”
The door to the office opened, and Maverick’s mate, Isaac, came in, leading Doctor Chapman behind him. The sorcerer seemed to spark with electric magic, his expression foreboding. Doctor Chapman didn’t look any happier, which was unusual for him. He was generally calm and collected at all times.
The druid stopped in front of him, narrowing his eyes. “You’ll be happy to know your receptionist is alive. Now, before I check you over, I want to know how this happened. Leave out no details. Your fate depends on it.”
It felt like a punch to the gut to hear Doctor Chapman threaten him like that. All eyes in the room held accusation and distrust, like they were waiting for him to lash out. His chest hurt from the realization that all his allies were against him at this moment. And he had no answers to give them.
“I don’t… I don’t know.”
“I’m afraid that’s not good enough,” Doctor Chapman said with a scowl. “A life was nearly lost today, Dorian. We need to know why.”
He swallowed hard. He had no idea. He didn’t even remember asking to feed from Kian. The last time he remembered trying to feed, he left Harlem’s apartment and vomited up what little he’d gotten down the minute he stepped outside.
A commotion in the hall drew everyone’s attention, and Kian came in a moment later, his skin pale and sweat dotting his temple. He scowled at the room, leaning heavily on the door frame. Dorian thought the man’s ire was for him, but his expression only softened when he looked Dorian’s way. Then he lifted his gaze to Maverick, who still held him in a tight grip, and he glared daggers at the dragon.
“Let him go,” he gritted out through heavy breaths. “He didn’t do anything wrong.”
There were several protests, Taron’s being the loudest when he said, “Dude, he tried to kill you.”
“No, he didn’t. It was an emergency blood donation, and I didn’t remember until we’d already started that I needed a team to do it. He didn’t have the capacity to stop himself on his own. Let. Him. Go.”
The dragon growled and didn’t look interested in following that order. It was Doctor Chapman who stepped in to stop the argument.
“Maverick. Release Dorian. Kian is still weak, and this exertion is dangerous for him. I don’t believe he will rest until you step away.” Doctor Chapman sent an exasperated look at Kian. “I’ve heard of you. You’re the paramedic who puts his life at risk for his patients. I thought you were fired for such recklessness.”
“I was,” Kian growled, shoving himself off the doorframe. He wobbled a little before forcing himself forward, pushing past the group to move to Dorian’s side. “I’m his receptionist. And I didn’t risk myself just so you assholes could throw him in prison. Leave him the hell alone. If there’s anyone at fault for this incident, it’s me.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The tension in the room could be cut with a knife. A heavy amount of guilt and heartache sat on Dorian’s chest, but he didn’t know what to do to fix it. He could only watch as Kian stood above him, glaring at the room until Dorian’s friends backed off and gave them space.
“You need to lie down,” Doctor Chapman insisted, his expression both irritated and worried.
Kian narrowed his eyes but didn’t move to follow directions. His stance was protective, which stunned Dorian a little. They didn’t know each other. And according to his friends, Dorian had just tried to kill him. Dorian didn’t miss the way his hands shook at his sides or how he swayed where he stood. And yet the man stood over him, protecting him from the people who mattered most to him.
“Kian,” Dorian pleaded. “You need rest.”
Kian’s blue and lilac gaze flicked down to him, then back at the group. “The druid and Dorian’s feeder can stay. The rest of you need to leave. You’ve done enough damage for one day.”
“He’s dangerous,” Maverick protested with a glare. “I had to rip him off you to save your life.”
Kian glared right back. “Let’s not start comparing who’s the dangerous one in this room, Dragon. At least he didn’t level a city block.”
