Page 37 of The Vampire’s Receptionist (Charmed Away Temp Agency #4)

With Maverick’s massive frame blocking the way, Kian couldn’t see the doctor’s reaction, but he could hear the terseness in his voice when he replied, “None of your business. There are some things he doesn’t get to know just because he demands it. Get him to release his spell, or I’ll make him.”

Maverick didn’t move. Kian was ready for a fight, but he didn’t know the scope of a druid’s power and should’ve considered that before making that challenge.

A sharp pain, like a shard of ice, stabbed between his eyes, and he crumpled in on himself clutching his head tightly.

The shouts in the room muffled and eventually were drowned out by the ringing in his ears.

He felt something wet drip from his nose, but he couldn’t open his eyes to see what it was.

All he could do was grit his teeth against the urge to scream.

A sudden rush of energy slammed into him, breaking Chapman’s hold on him instantly. Kian sucked in a ragged breath, the pain easing little by little. Warm hands pulled at him, helping him sit up again, and when he opened his eyes, he was surprised by who had joined them.

His dad and Doctor Chapman faced off, both silently seething and disheveled like they’d been in a fist fight.

Dad wasn’t the kind of person to start a fight.

He was a pacifist, even with his nature as a fae.

He’d always been the black sheep of his family, especially after he mated an outsider.

It was rare that he used his magic like this.

Mom stood at his side, berating them both, but it took a minute for Kian’s hearing to come back.

While he waited, he glanced up at who was touching him, surprised to see Avery by his side.

He blinked a few times, frowning at the little human.

“Is it just me or is the room hazy?” he croaked, wincing as the volume of his own voice made the pain come back for a second.

Since Avery stood so close, Kian could hear him over the ringing in his ears when he said, “That’s Maverick. He breathes smoke and fire when he’s angry. Isaac is working on it.”

Avery’s hand soothed up and down his back, which was a little disconcerting. People didn’t just touch him like that. No one except maybe Dorian. His gaze skittered to the man beside him, but he was still out cold.

Ozen came into the room with a nurse on his heels, pointing her in Kian’s direction before turning his attention back to Chapman and Dad. At this point, they both looked a little abashed as Mom continued to screech at them, and they didn’t look inches from attacking each other again anymore.

The nurse hurried to his side, and Avery stepped away to give her room but hovered nearby almost protectively.

What the little human thought he could do in a room full of supes, Kian didn’t know, but he appreciated it anyway.

The nurse’s magic swept through him like warm water, eating the icy pain in his head and muffling the ringing in his ears.

His breathing, which had been ragged and heavy, smoothed out and he could finally draw in a deep breath.

He really needed to do some research on the power a druid could wield, because that was insane.

Once the ringing stopped, he could finally hear his mother’s voice as she scolded the two older men.

“... Absolutely ridiculous! You are acting like children! Especially you! Do you lack so much control that you can’t handle a panicked loved one without violence?

” she hissed, pointing a finger at Doctor Chapman.

He scowled, then flinched when Mom took a step closer. “He was using his magic to trap me. I warned him–”

“While I’m sure that must have been frustrating to you, I highly doubt it was the first time a distraught family member has used magic against you. Is hospital protocol to torture loved ones? Especially ones currently hooked to IVs to help the patient on the table?” she accused.

“Of course not,” Doctor Chapman argued. “But he–”

“No. I don’t care for your excuses. From where I’m standing, you’ve been away from nature for too long.

I’ll be making a call to the council of healers about this incident.

Now, unless you need to check on your patient again, I suggest you step out.

Both of you. And if I need to intervene between the two of you again, you won’t like it. Now, go.”

Like chastised children, both Dad and Chapman left the room with their tails between their legs as Mom watched on. It’d been a long time since Kian saw his mom in action, and it still stunned him to his core that she could cow people like that so easily.

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’s good 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?”