Page 23 of The Vampire's Receptionist
“I’m not much of a reader,” Kian admitted. “I moved around too much.”
The way Avery and the nurse looked at him, it was like he had two heads. He just shrugged. Not everyone liked reading. He didn’t sit still long enough to read a book.
“Perhaps he’ll have the time to read them while he’s resting,” Doctor Chapman suggested. “Your magic seems undamagedfrom the incident, but your energy is low, so I would suggest not using it for the time being. I can see you’re part witch. Would you need time to commune?”
He shook his head. “I’m only half witch. I don’t do that. Resting will be enough. How often does Dorian need to feed while recovering? I’ve given emergency donations before, but I was never around for the follow-up.”
“I would prefer smaller feedings every few hours for the next twenty-four hours. Just enough for him to heal. Then twice a day until he is well again. You will need a chaperone present until Dorian can safely ingest a full meal without risking your health.”
That wouldn’t be embarrassing at all. He was lucky he passed out before coming in his pants when Dorian fed from him last time. Having an audience was not something he looked forward to.
After the blood infusion, Doctor Chapman felt Kian was well enough to be moved. He and the nurse helped him stand and waited until a bout of dizziness passed before leading him out of the room. Dorian sat with an incubus at one of the empty desks, both speaking low to one another. If he had the energy for it, Kian would’ve probably set off a listening spell. He was nosy like that.
“He’s ready to go,” Doctor Chapman said in lieu of greeting. “I’ll be visiting again often to make sure he’s well. He has been given instruction for your feedings, which I’ll let him relay to you. You need rest as well, so don’t push yourself.”
Dorian got to his feet, offering Doctor Chapman his hand. “Thank you for coming.”
The doctor, who’d been terse and scowling since Kian came into the room to stop them from blaming Dorian, softened and took Dorian’s hand, the other coming up to squeeze his shoulder supportively. “We will figure this out, Dorian. For now, I don’t see any immediate dangers that would require intervention. Continue to feed from Kian and rest well.”
Dorian’s face twitched, like he was fighting a grimace. Kian tried not to take it personally. Dorian was private about his feedings, and they still didn’t know each other. It was a little awkward, to say the very least.
With the amount of time it took to get the transfusion and for Dorian to heal enough to be moved, the work day was finished and everyone and their mother was climbing into the elevator to head home. It took considerable work for Kian not to just portal them where they needed to go. The doctor said his magic was fine, but he needed energy to use it, which he didn’t have right now. It was hard enough keeping himself on his feet. He really needed a nap.
Since they got in the elevator on the top floor, he ended up trapped in the back corner by the time the elevator was too full to let anyone else join them. His normal bubble of magic to keep people away from him wasn’t working, and he was seriously uncomfortable with all the bodies pressed in so close. Most were trying to avoid Doctor Chapman, since his horns could poke an eye out, so they squeezed more toward the back until Kian felt like he couldn’t breathe. It was saying something that they’d rather get close to him than the doctor. Usually, people avoided him like that instead.
A cool hand wrapped around his wrist, tugging him away from the corner and over toward a pocket of space toward the middle. He breathed out a sigh of relief, shooting Dorian a grateful look. When he was sure Kian was supported by the elevator wall, Dorian moved to stand in front of him, blockinganyone from pushing closer so he could rest and breathe. The vampire was thoughtful, at least. This situation would be so much more difficult if he were an asshole. Kian still wouldn’t let him die by refusing to help, but he’d be more annoyed about it.
The elevator doors opened on the lobby floor, and everyone spilled out, including their little group. Dorian and the incubus gave the doctor one last goodbye before splitting up. Dorian looked forlornly toward the parking area.
“What’s wrong?” Kian asked with a frown.
The incubus looked over his shoulder at his friend and chuckled. “He’s upset that he’s too weak to drive. He loves his car.”
Dorian immediately masked the look and frowned at his friend. “I do not. I’m fine.”
“So you’ll let Avery drive your car to our home, then? I’ve been giving him driving lessons. He’s quite good.”
The look of abject horror on Dorian’s face made everyone laugh. He obviously loved that car more than he was willing to let on.
The incubus shook his head, still grinning as he squeezed his friend’s shoulder. “Come on. Your baby will be fine here for a night or two. Security will make sure of it.”
He led Dorian out the door, with Kian and Avery following behind them. Thankfully, people noticed when the CEO was leaving and made room for them so they weren’t jostled around on their way out the door.
Avery looked more at ease now that they were leaving for the day, chattering beside him as they headed toward a fancy town car. There was a driver who opened the doors for them, but Avery’s mate dismissed the man with a polite smile, giving him the night off, so there was room for all four of them. Since Avery and Kian were in the middle of a conversation, they slid into the back together while the two other men sat in front.
“So you work at Charmed Away, right? I originally worked there for years before meeting Ozen. Do you like it?”
Kian liked that Avery held zero apprehension around him, talking to him like a friend might, and he answered his questions with a small smile. “I really do. I’ve never been able to stick with one job for hundreds of years like most supes do. I get bored after a while. Being a temp and constantly doing something new is fun.”
Avery hummed his acknowledgement, nodding. “I did like that part. I like meeting new people, too, so it was nice to move on to somewhere new and get to know a whole new group.”
Kian tried not to make a face at that. It was the one part he didn’t love. He got too much apprehension or plain disdain from random coworkers to warrant the effort in getting to know them. He mostly kept his head down and focused on his job instead.
They talked about their favorite temp jobs on the drive, as well as the worst so far. Avery worked at Charmed Away for a while, so he had plenty of experience in both good and bad jobs. He even warned Kian about which jobs to avoid. There were only a few in the office who could handle those companies, and Avery did what he could to steer clear while working there.
When they pulled up in front of a charming brownstone, Kian let out a low whistle. “Woah. I didn’t think people actually lived in houses like these.”
Avery snickered and nodded. “Same. The first time I saw this place, I couldn’t believe it. The only con is the parking is tight. Come on. We’ll get out now and meet Ozen inside.” He nudged Kian into sliding out of the car, joining him on the sidewalk. The car pulled around the corner, probably where the garage was hidden, while Avery jogged up the stairs to the front door. Instead of using a key, Avery put his hand on the handle, and it lit up, the wards recognizing his aura to allow them entrance. They were strong enough to make Kian’s ears pop when hewalked through them, which was amazing. He didn't normally react to magic like that.
