Page 63 of The Vampire's Receptionist
When she spun around, he slouched a little in his chair. He didn't want to be on the receiving end of her wrath right now. He’d suffered enough.
She marched over, pausing beside Maverick and Isaac long enough to say, “Thank you for protecting my son. I suggest you step outside as well. Smoke inhalation is not conducive to healing.”
Isaac snorted, his lips twisting as he fought hard not to laugh. Kian saw the corner of Maverick’s mouth twitch as well, though he didn’t outright smile. He dipped his chin once and guided his mate out of the room with a hand around his waist. Isaac snapped his fingers on his way out and a cool breeze swept through the room, clearing out the rest of the smoke.
“Neat trick,” Kian murmured as they walked out. He’d need to remember that one if he was ever around grumpy dragons again.
He glanced up warily as his mother stopped in front of him. She studied him for a moment but didn’t speak to him, instead turning to the nurse and asking, “How is he?”
The nurse’s gaze shifted, her focus on Kian’s internal health for a moment, before she nodded. “Good. He could use some food, and I think I’m going to recommend a transfusion. Mr.Kuramori might not be able to tolerate foreign blood, but Mr. Alamoira can.”
“Just Kian, thanks,” Kian interrupted. He really wished he wasn’t tied to his extended family in any way.
The nurse didn’t argue, a soft smile on her face. “Kian, then. Kian, I’m going to get you something to eat. Do you have any dietary restrictions?”
“We’re vegetarian,” his mother answered for him. “How long will they be hooked up like that?” She pointed to the direct transfusion between him and Dorian.
Pushing to her feet, the nurse moved to Dorian’s side, putting a hand on his chest as she checked him over. She hummed. “I think another five minutes at most. Direct transfusions like this are quicker than using a blood bag. We’ll give Kian an IV transfusion of his own and some time to rest and reassess in a little while.”
“Alright. I’ll go get him something to eat. I’m sure you have plenty to do right now,” Mom said breezily, heading for the door. She stopped in the doorway, frowning at the nurse. “I don’t want the doctor back in here until he is calm. If he cannot be trusted around my son, a replacement should be called. Can I trust you to watch out for him?”
The nurse nodded, though she looked stunned that Mom was making decisions like that. Kian wasn’t overly surprised. His mom could move mountains if she set her mind to it.
Once she was gone, Kian looked back at Dorian, wishing he would open his eyes and tell him everything was okay.
“Is it helping?” Kian asked the nurse.
The nurse smiled and nodded. “It is. He’s healing himself now, thanks to your blood. Vampires heal a lot faster than the rest of us, given adequate blood supply. I believe he’ll be out of danger in less than an hour given the current rate of healing. It’sgood that you got here so quickly. His mate’s blood is the best thing for him right now.”
Kian’s stomach dropped, and he gaped at her. “His what?”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
When Dorian opened his eyes, he was confused to find himself somewhere unfamiliar. The room was dark, but he could see well enough without the lights on. He stared at the ceiling, trying to remember what had happened. He came up blank.
The mattress shifted and Dorian finally glanced down, taking in his surroundings. He was in a hospital room, though he had no idea why. His body ached much like it had when he woke up after Maverick had tossed him around.
Fear made his body seize up. Did he lose control again? Did he have to be separated from another victim and that was why he hurt so badly? He tried to sit up, to figure out what he’d done, but pain lanced through him, and he laid back with a groan, hugging one arm against his ribs.
A gentle palm settled on his chest, and Kian’s voice broke the quiet. “Don’t move. You’re still recovering.”
“Kian…” Dorian croaked. Was it Kian he attacked? He remembered going with Kian to his home, remembered them being in bed together. But no… He’d left Kian’s apartment. Hadn’t he?
Kian’s shadowy figure moved to Dorian’s side and sat on the edge of the bed. He kept his hand on Dorian’s chest, and it felt like a tether to reality, keeping Dorian from losing it completely.
“How are you feeling?” Kian asked calmly.
Dorian shook his head, his heart pounding in his chest. “I don’t– What happened?”
“You don’t remember?”
No, and he felt close to panicking because of it. He didn’t have the words to convey what he needed right then.
“You were in a car accident,” Kian explained. “Someone ran a red light and hit you as you were crossing through. You were so bad off you needed to be teleported to the hospital. You’re lucky to be alive.”
Something about the way Kian said that made Dorian falter. He sounded close to tears. Slowly, because he didn't know the extent of his injuries, he lifted his hand, resting it on top of Kian’s on his chest. While he could see in the dark, it was more difficult to see Kian’s facial features, especially with his hair down and hiding half his face. Kian seemed like a shell of himself, his body curled in on itself like he was in pain.
“Kian? What’s wrong?”
