Page 28 of The Vampire’s Receptionist (Charmed Away Temp Agency #4)

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Kian felt earlier when Dorian had woken up.

He kept just enough of his magic flowing in Dorian’s direction to keep him from fully rousing.

Mostly to protect him from the seething mated pair in the room with them.

When Maverick had found out that Dorian had threatened his mate, he almost went on a rampage.

It surprised Kian that it was Isaac who talked him down.

He looked annoyed that Maverick was trying to protect him when he was fully capable of protecting himself, and he didn’t bother hiding it.

Thankfully, Ozen joined them a second later and helped them settle.

Kian could admit that while he had been feeling a little better, he didn't have the energy to put a battle mage and an angry dragon in their place. He used a lot of magic to put Dorian to sleep, the vampire’s magic wasn’t weak, and he couldn’t spare much more without passing out again.

Now that they were alone, he felt comfortable releasing the spell completely, and he let out a sigh of relief when he did. He was going to be pissed if that interaction set him back in his recovery. He did not want to spend another day on bed rest. He’d lose his mind.

Dorian sat up once the spell was broken, looking around with a confused frown.

That was normal, that kind of spell made people feel fuzzy for a while, but it’d come back to him eventually.

And then he better damn well explain himself.

They had sex one time. That did not give Dorian the right to act all macho and possessive.

“You know, I was in a really good mood when I woke up. It really feels like the universe is punishing me with how quickly things went downhill,” he griped.

“I…” Dorian’s brows pulled together tightly. “I apologize. I don’t know what happened.”

“You don’t know because you still can’t remember or you don’t know why you were acting like that.”

Dorian shook his head. “The second one. I was annoyed with her, but it felt like I acted without any forethought on my part. And Isaac–” He grimaced. “I’ve never treated my friends like that before. I’m horrified I did today.”

He sounded honest and appropriately remorseful.

Kian decided to let it go. They still didn’t know what was going on with Dorian.

They’d need to tell Doctor Chapman about the new development, but Kian felt like the vampire deserved a little leeway with his odd reactions, at least until they figured out what was wrong.

“Are you alright?” he asked, looking Dorian over.

He’d fallen pretty hard after Kian knocked him out.

Kian managed to stop him from cracking his head, but not much else, and Isaac was no help whatsoever.

Kian had had to threaten to knock him out too to keep him from hurting Dorian with his out of control magic.

The dragon wasn’t any better. He was breathing fire after he heard what happened, and the poor plants in the room practically withered in front of him.

He was seriously tired of this place and these people. He needed a break.

Dorian rubbed at his forehead, but nodded slowly. “I think so. What magic did you use? I don’t even remember you saying any spells.”

Kian tipped his head back and forth. “My magic is kind of weird. Half spell work, half wish fulfillment. It’s complicated, and it makes using it really difficult at times.

When I was younger, the two sides often conflicted with each other and backfired.

It took a long time to be able to use it like I do now. ”

He still resented his parents for it sometimes. Had they not been so evenly matched in magical power, one side would’ve dominated the other when making him. That they were so evenly matched meant he was literally split down the middle. Half fae, half witch, fully fucked, magically speaking.

Flexing his fingers, he reached for his magic.

Despite using a lot of it while dealing with the frothing idiots, he still didn't feel as exhausted as he had the other day. He really hoped that meant he didn’t screw things up too badly.

He did expect a lecture from Doctor Chapman, but the guy was a jerk.

He’d probably find any excuse to blame Kian.

Like thinking about him conjured the asshole, someone knocked at the door and it opened a second later to reveal Ozen and Doctor Chapman behind it. He braced himself for the worst.

“Ah. You’re awake. I’m glad,” Ozen said, his concerned frown locked on his friend.

He’d remained surprisingly calm through the whole thing, which Kian knew was partially because his mate was nowhere near it.

Being in a house with so many mated pairs going in and out was a little like playing with fire.

Someone was going to get pissed at some point.

While Ozen went to speak with Dorian, Kian locked eyes with Doctor Chapman.

The old druid narrowed his eyes, but it didn’t look like he was looking at Kian exactly.

More like into him. Creepy. When the druid blinked, his vision corrected, and he tipped his head toward the chairs near the window, a little farther from Dorian and Ozen.

Huh. Not the reaction he’d expected. He got to his feet, following Doctor Chapman, and sat in the empty seat across from him.

“I heard there was an incident. How are you feeling?”

Kian shrugged. “A little tired but nothing crazy. It was necessary. I wasn’t being reckless.”

Doctor Chapman put up a hand to stop him.

“I know. Nurse Orien assured me you were careful and didn't take action until you knew it was safe to do so. From what I can tell, you didn’t overdo it. I would still suggest a few more days before using your magic but needs must. I’m grateful for what you did to ensure Nurse Orien was safe. ”

Once again, he was taken off guard and didn’t know what to say in response. From the day they’d met, Doctor Chapman didn’t like him. Having him act so politely now was disconcerting.

Since it weirded him out to have the grumpy doctor thanking him, he changed the subject. “Can you check on Dorian?”

The doctor’s brows furrowed. “Hawksley said you merely knocked him out. Did he have any adverse reactions to your magic? Or are you worried you used too much?”

“No, nothing like that. I’m more worried about what happened before. He was acting really out of character. First with the way he treated the nurse, then his reaction to Isaac. Is it somehow related to whatever is going on with his feedings? He’s not getting worse, is he?”

Doctor Chapman pressed his lips together, his eyes narrowed slightly.

He stood and moved in front of Dorian, checking him over the same way he’d done to Kian.

Slowly, he shook his head. “He looks fine to me.” That didn’t make Kian feel any better, and the doctor must have seen that because he followed up with, “I’ll add it to my notes and get back to you.

You are both well for now. Continue as you have been, and I’ll get back to you when I can. ”

He groaned heavily, his shoulders slumped. “You’re not seriously keeping me on bed rest, are you? I feel fine!”

It hadn’t been his immediate concern, but now that he knew Dorian wasn’t getting any worse, the idea of going back to bed made him want to throw shit. He already proved he could use his magic without passing out. He didn’t need to sit in bed all day.

“I suppose it's fine to end that restriction. However, you’re still not healed.”

Kian felt his temper threaten. He felt like he was going to crawl out of his own skin if he didn’t start doing things normally again.

Doctor Chapman sighed, like he could hear Kian’s protests without him announcing them. “Alright. I can see that resting won’t be beneficial if you’re this worked up about it. I’ll allow you to resume normal activities if you get one more good night of rest.”

Kian perked up at that. “So I can go home? Go back to work?”

The old druid nodded. “Yes. Staying with Ozen was a precaution for Dorian, not you, so you can return to your home when you’re ready.

And as long as your job is restricted to light duties, I see no reason why you can’t return to that as well.

But if you are feeling at all tired or weak, you must contact me immediately.

Remember, it’s not only your life you need to consider anymore. ”

He waved that away. “Yeah, I know. I’m not risking Dorian by pushing too much. When can I go home? Now?”

He was eager to get back to his life and not be trapped here.

He could still act as Dorian’s feeder, meeting once or twice a day didn't bother him in the slightest. Maybe they could meet at his place, where there was lube aplenty and no one in the vicinity to overhear them.

Then, when he was through, he could live his life.

Use his magic. Leave the house. Goddess, he wanted out of this house.

It felt like months since he had any fresh air, not days.

And it was stifling with all the people always coming around.

He was used to being on his own. He never really cared to change that.

Doctor Chapman’s gaze flicked over Kian’s shoulder, and he turned around automatically to see what the druid was looking at. Dorian’s expression was closed off, his posture rigid. Was he about to have another episode? What happened now?

“Dorian? Are you comfortable with this?”

Kian jerked a little in surprise. “Why would he be uncomfortable with me going home?” He shot a questioning look at Dorian, who shook his head.

“You know I’m still going to help you, right?

I just figured we could meet at my place instead.

No offense to your friends, but I really miss my apartment.

And no one has been watering my plants.”