Page 9 of The Shapeshifter’s Secretary (Charmed Away Temp Agency #3)
CHAPTER NINE
The handover guide, while useful, wasn’t all encompassing. It didn't explain to Tony what to do if Taron was hovering. He’d honestly expected to rarely see the shapeshifter. More than half the guide was explaining what to do when Taron wasn’t around. Nothing in there said anything about Taron catering to his assistant like Tony was somehow the boss instead of the other way around. A part of him worried it was pity after what happened at lunch the other day, but Taron was being so nice about it, Tony didn’t want to complain. It was better than what past bosses had done.
The uncomfortable chair squeaked in protest as he leaned to put a file in the outbox. It made him wince as the arms dug into his leg and hip. It was hard to find a chair his size, he usually just stuck to chairs without arms to get the job done. He hadn’t found one like that thus far, but he kept an eye out, just in case. The chair he was using wasn’t bad, just too small. He figured he could offer a trade if he found someone with something better suited for him. Couldn’t hurt, anyway.
Pushing to his feet, he collected the last document in the inbox. He needed to make copies for Monday’s meeting. He could wait if he really wanted to, but there was no telling how much pain he’d be in on a specific day, so he figured he’d get it done now while he knew he could handle it. Yes, he was still in pain after multiple falls, but he could manage without throwing up at least.
He heard Taron moving through the open door, but luckily his phone rang before he could interrupt and tell Tony he’d do it himself. He worried a little that Taron didn’t think he could handle this job. He didn’t want to be fired. It’d only been a few days, but Tony felt useful here, and he liked that he could do a job while sitting down and still be helpful. He left Taron to answer his phone so he could get the copies done, hoping he didn’t get into trouble for not answering it himself.
He didn’t think he took that long, but when he got back someone was in his office talking to Taron. Crap. It was his job to greet people and tell Taron they arrived. He tried to hurry back, but that only caused him pain and forced him to slow down even more. In the fifty feet to Taron’s office, he ended up sweating and gripping his cane to stop himself from falling, which didn’t help him project a professional image at all.
Pushing through the glass door, Tony only heard the tail end of the conversation, and he honestly didn't know what he walked into.
“Has the injury been treated before?”
“Not as far as I can tell. If it had been, I doubt there would be that much pain.”
Tony’s brows furrowed. Was Taron hurt, and he didn’t notice? How? The shapeshifter rarely left his side.
Both men noticed him at the same time. Taron’s face lit up, and he smiled brightly at him. The other, a tall guy with massive horns and a sort of intimidating presence to him, narrowed his eyes but said nothing to Tony. Instead, he looked back at Taron.
“This is the patient?”
Tony looked between the two of them, startled. “Uh, what?”
Taron nodded. “Yes. The injury itself is older, but he fell a few days ago and he’s been wincing a lot ever since.”
The newcomer hummed, gesturing to Taron’s office. “Shall we convene in your office for privacy, then?”
Tony had no idea what was happening, but they were obviously talking about him and his injury. Maybe the new guy was a healer? He’d heard of those for supes. The military didn't have those for humans, though. And he’d never be able to afford to see one on his own. He shot Taron a panicked look, taking an uneasy step back, but the door was against his back, and he didn’t get very far.
Taron noticed his discomfort and put his hands up soothingly. “He’s here to help, Tony. You shouldn’t be suffering like this. Please, let Doctor Chapman have a look.”
Tony shook his head rapidly. “I can’t afford that, Taron. I’m fine.” His leg throbbed like it wanted to prove him wrong. “I’ll be fine. I can rest this weekend, and I’ll be fine.”
Taron’s lips pressed together and even though his features were soft, he very clearly didn’t believe a word that Tony just said.
“The cost is covered by the company. You were at a company lunch, after all.” Taron frowned, his voice pleading. “It was my fault you were there in the first place. Let me do this for you. Please?”
Crap. Who could resist when Taron was making that face. He looked almost heartbroken for being even remotely involved in Tony’s injury. He was in no way at fault, it had been a really nice lunch before he tripped, but he got the feeling Taron would keep blaming himself if he didn’t give in. He sighed heavily.
“Alright… Just…” He felt his face flush. “Can you not come in?”
It was hard enough facing the injuries himself. He didn’t want Taron to see them. He didn’t want the shapeshifter to pity him.
Thankfully, Taron didn’t argue. He dipped his chin and smiled, gesturing toward his office. “My office is yours. I’ll be close by in case you need me.”
There it was again. Taron was supposed to be a wandering spirit. What made him want to stick close? Was it just the fall? Or was it something else?
He didn’t have the nerve to ask, and he didn’t think he wanted to know. Instead, he headed for the office, closing the door quietly behind him. The doctor stood near Taron’s couch, gesturing for Tony to sit.
“We will talk first. Then I will assess the injury. Yes?”
Nervously, Tony nodded, making his way to the couch to sit. He could feel the doctor’s stare, and his cheeks burned hotter, but he kept his mouth shut. Taron was nice enough to call someone to check on him. It’d only take a few minutes for them to say there was nothing they could do, just like the military doctors had. Then Taron could finally let it go and let Tony do his job.
Lowering himself onto the couch, he set his cane out of the way so he didn’t accidentally trip the tall man. Supe. Tony wasn’t really versed in the varieties of supes. This one looked human if you didn’t count the horns. He sat in an armchair next to the couch, gesturing for Tony to speak.
“I, uh… We were at a restaurant and someone bumped into me. I tried to catch myself on a table, but it collapsed, and I fell. I’m really fine. It wouldn’t have been that bad, but I fell the day before that too, and my injury is just protesting, is all. He didn't need to call you…”
The doctor hummed, studying Tony not unkindly but clinically. It was disconcerting, and he regretted asking Taron to wait outside. It’d make him feel better to have Taron’s support. But he assumed the doctor would ask to see it, and he didn’t want Taron seeing, so he pushed aside his nerves. He could deal with it.
“How long ago were you first injured?”
“A couple of years ago. Stepped on an IED. I was lucky to survive.” He only wished his family felt that way. Military service was in their blood. Making a mistake like he did, being medically discharged, it was shameful. They only visited him once since the accident, and he could see in his family’s eyes that they were disappointed in him.
Doctor Chapman made a tick sound behind his teeth, irritated. “Humans and their bombs. Those practices are supposed to be eradicated.”
True. After the dynamic shift, where supernaturals became the dominant species, they made sweeping changes to the way things worked worldwide. Most weapons were collected and recycled, and anyone found using them would be sentenced to death. Most battles were done with magic now. They might change the rules, but there was always a fight somewhere. Not even the supes being in charge could get rid of war completely. It just changed the way the game was played.
“Some factions don’t care about that,” Tony murmured.
The doctor sighed. “Yes. I’m aware. Alright. If you don’t mind, I’d like to see the injury.” He waited for Tony to nod and start undressing before continuing to ask questions. “So after you were injured, what healing facility were you brought to? If you are still in pain, I question their methods.”
Tony’s brow furrowed. “Uh… I was treated at a military hospital.” He tugged off his tie and laid it on the back of the couch, unbuttoning his shirt with shaky hands. He hated this part. He had to see a doctor whenever he needed new pain cream, and they always had to look and see how it was healing. His face burned as he shrugged off his dress shirt and pulled the undershirt over his head.
Doctor Chapman sucked in a sharp breath, his eyes flashing bright green for a moment before he whipped his head up to look Tony in the eye.
“What– How is it still this bad? You said it’s been years! Do they want you to suffer?”
Tony grimaced, dropping his gaze. “This is, uh… only half of it. And no. They did the best they could. Human hospitals aren’t great in general, but military hospitals are worse. They don’t get a lot of funding.”
Doctor Chapman made an incredulous sound, and Tony could feel the energy in the room warm to uncomfortable levels. He was a little worried for his safety, but Taron wouldn’t have invited someone who would hurt him. Right?
“The rest, if you please. I can’t help if I can’t see just how much damage was done,” the doctor said tightly.
Humiliation burned his cheeks as he pushed to his feet. He kept his eyes on the ground, dropping his pants to show the doctor the rest. He knew what the man saw. Tony’s entire right side was made up of scarring, deep and angry red. It started at his cheek, ran down his neck, covered half his chest on the right side, and went straight down his leg. His lower half was worse, his thigh basically one big scar ending in an amputation just above his knee.
“Goddess…” Doctor Chapman’s voice was stunned, but Tony couldn’t make himself look the man in the eye. “It’s like they didn’t even attempt… Did they use magic at all?”
“No. I was treated by human doctors. It’s all my insurance would cover.”
The doctor stood abruptly, shaking his head. “I apologize, but I’m going to need to call Taron back in here. This kind of damage will need extensive treatment. He needs to know.”