Chapter 29

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Rule Number 19- A feeder should make wise decisions despite ambiguity. It is not the client’s job to walk the feeder through every decision in their life. This is a work contract, not a relationship.

The Saturday with Ozen had been amazing, but Avery had to return to his apartment eventually. He was surprised that Ozen didn’t put up more of a fight when he mentioned it the following morning. Avery was hoping to distance himself a little, to better hide the ever-growing crush he had on his boss, but with the way Ozen had been so demanding about taking care of Avery, he thought Ozen would argue at least a little. He tried his best not to be disappointed. It was harder to mask his disappointment when Ozen wouldn’t even accompany him home. He called his driver to pick Avery up and instructed him to relax at home for the rest of the day before sending him on his way.

Avery figured he’d overstayed his welcome, and that was why Ozen was so dismissive of him, but when he showed up to work on Monday, Ozen was nowhere to be found. When he asked Mrs. Sable where he was, she only said he wouldn’t be in the office today. It worried him. Ozen hadn’t fed from him the day before, and he had no idea if Ozen would contact him sometime that day to feed. Avery wasn’t sure if it was appropriate for him to call to find out, either. He felt out of sorts and barely followed the conversation when Mrs. Sable told him to report to Mr. Van Buren’s office for the week.

The legal floor was quiet when Avery headed downstairs. He had shown up early to feed Ozen, so most of the office hadn’t arrived yet. Mr. Van Buren’s office door was open, however, and he invited Avery inside when he knocked.

“Mrs. Sable said to report to you this week.”

“She was correct. Our normal legal assistant is incompetent, and I don’t trust her to help me. I’ve heard good things about you, so I requested your assistance.”

He must not have spoken to anyone from the research floor then. Avery was dreading when that came to light. He’d done his absolute best with what was in front of him, but he had to acknowledge that last week wasn’t his best work. He wouldn’t have been surprised if there were several complaints about him waiting on Brennus’s or Ozen’s desks this morning. Perhaps Avery beat them since he arrived early, and Mr. Van Buren would find out later.

Avery’s mood sank lower and lower throughout the day. He did his job and gave no reason for Mr. Van Buren to complain about him, but his normal joy for the new experience was missing. His smile was forced whenever he had to interact with anyone, and he found himself looking for Ozen any time he left Mr. Van Buren’s office. Mrs. Sable said he wouldn’t be there, but Avery kept hoping anyway.

He was helping Mr. Van Buren by pouring through legal texts in search of something he needed when his phone rang. Mr. Van Buren answered it with a gruff, “Van Buren.” Avery wasn’t close enough to hear who was speaking on the other end, and he didn't much care until Mr. Van Buren said Ozen’s name.

“Ozen... You know how I feel about you visiting that place.”

Avery stopped breathing, trying not to let it show that he was listening in. He turned the pages of the book every once in a while and kept his eyes down, but he wasn’t taking any of it in. He was desperate for any scraps of information on Ozen.

Mr. Van Buren grunted in response to whatever Ozen said. Avery felt the shifter’s eyes on him and forced his face to remain neutral, flipping the page again and running his finger down the text like he was looking for what Mr. Van Buren wanted. He kept up the charade until Mr. Van Buren turned his chair fully around, his voice low.

“If you feel that’s necessary, then I can’t object. Yes, I’ll watch over him. How long will you be gone?”

Avery’s spine stiffened. If he was gone for a while, Ozen would need to feed eventually. And it was Avery’s stupid idea to open up the contract so that Ozen could feed from anyone if Avery wasn’t around. Avery didn’t think it through at the time. If Ozen was avoiding him, then technically Avery wasn’t around and Ozen wouldn’t be breaking the contract if he fed from someone else.

“Yes. Do not fret, my friend. All will be handled here. I’ll see you when you get back.”

He hung up but didn’t offer an explanation. Not that Avery expected him to. Mr. Van Buren was still as intimidating as ever. He didn’t seem to do it consciously, and he was polite since Avery gave him no reason to get angry. But he heard the way Mr. Van Buren spoke to people on the phone, and twice that morning smoke filled the office when he got upset. Avery found it hard to imagine that the dragon shifter would give him the time of day if he asked for any information about Ozen.

The next few days were a blur. He found the information Mr. Van Buren needed, brought him coffee, spent some time organizing files for a case he was working on, but other than when Mr. Van Buren was explaining what he needed, they were both silent. Avery left the office each evening feeling worse and worse. The knowledge that Ozen would most likely be feeding from someone else was beyond depressing, and each day he didn’t hear from him only solidified the idea that he was likely getting his feedings from someone else. Avery’s crush had gotten out of control, but no matter how many times he said it was a good thing to have some time apart, it didn’t make Avery feel any better.

“Mr. Whitman?”

Spinning around, Avery searched for the voice speaking to him. A chimera in a fancy suit stood not far behind him, all three heads focused intently on him. Avery swallowed hard. There weren’t many supernaturals that he was afraid of, but chimeras used to hunt humans, and the few interactions he’d had with them weren’t great. They were known to be ruthless and looked down on humans. Luckily, he was still outside the Spellbound building and in plain sight. Hopefully, that would keep him safe.

“Y-Yes?”

“My name is Walter Quinn. You’re Ozen Hawksley’s feeder, are you not?”

Avery stiffened. He didn't realize that was common knowledge. He wasn’t sure who Walter Quinn was, but his instincts told him it wasn’t a good thing that he was on his radar.

“I, uh–”

“Mr. Whitman, you don’t need to lie to me. I’m not here to cause trouble for you. I’m here to discuss the lawsuit Mr. Hawksley’s previous feeder filed against him. I’m a lawyer, you see. I’m only here to help.”

Avery didn’t question the lawyer thing, but he did question who this guy was here to help. It wasn’t Ozen. Mr. Van Buren was Ozen’s lawyer, and if he had questions he needed answered for the case, he would’ve asked Avery directly. Avery wanted to say as much, but that feeling like he was someone’s prey skittered up his spine when the chimera came closer. This didn’t feel like a simple conversation. The chimera was intimidating him. Avery’s heartbeat picked up, and he took a step back automatically, bumping into someone behind him. A heavy hand landed on his shoulder and a familiar smokey scent filled the air. Oh, thank the gods.

“What are you doing here, Quinn?” Mr. Van Buren growled.

The chimera looked irritated at being interrupted, and his slow stalking stalled out as he hissed at Mr. Van Buren.

“I’m here to talk to a witness. You can’t keep him from me.”

“You have a copy of his deposition. Any questions you have regarding it can be discussed in a courtroom. Leave, or I’ll file a motion to have you dismissed from the case for intimidating a witness.”

Mr. Van Buren’s tone was steady and clear, but Avery could tell his temper was only hanging on by a thread. He seemed to exude heat in general, but the angrier he got, the more heat he gave off. The office got stifling whenever he was angry. Avery could feel it now, despite the cool outdoor temperature. It was like a heater was pointed directly at his back.

Two of Walter’s three faces morphed in fury, teeth bared, and low growls filling the air. Only the middle one remained calm. He blinked slowly before turning his attention back to Avery.

“It’s for the best that we get this lawsuit dealt with quickly. I would hate for it to drag out.” He pulled a card from his inside pocket, offering it to Avery. “I’m sure we can clear up this misunderstanding. Let’s talk later.”

He looked at Avery expectantly, but Avery refused to take the card, shaking his head and taking another step back until he was out of range and partially behind Mr. Van Buren. There was nothing the chimera could say that would make Avery change what he said. Ozen was the victim. Calvin shouldn’t get away with hurting people like that.

Avery’s response only angered Walter more, the hissing sound growing louder. That prey feeling got worse, and Avery felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. Mr. Van Buren wasn’t being dramatic. Walter wasn’t here to talk. He was here to intimidate Avery. And with Ozen gone, Avery wasn’t sure if he’d be protected outside of the office.

Mr. Van Buren growled out a warning, and the air shook with the vibrations of it. It was intense enough to make Walter back off. He shot them both one last scathing look before spinning on his heel and stalking off. Avery didn’t let out a breath until he got in the back of a taxi and it sped away.

When Mr. Van Buren turned to face him, Avery worried he’d be blamed for the confrontation. He seemed to get blamed for a lot of things here when he wasn’t around Ozen. He braced himself for it, but Mr. Van Buren’s tone was gentle when he spoke.

“Are you alright?”

“Y-Yes… I– I didn't know who he was when he approached me.”

“I’m aware. I was just inside when he showed up. I heard what he said. You’re a very loyal employee. Most would have taken the card just to appease him. Maybe even considered calling to see what he had to say.”

Avery’s brow pinched tightly. “It doesn’t matter what he has to say. I’m not going to change my statement. Ozen was a victim and Calvin got what he deserved by being blacklisted. Honestly, he got a lot less than he deserved, in my opinion. I think he should be punished more severely for starving Ozen like that.”

Mr. Van Buren’s rumbling hum of approval relaxed Avery’s shoulders a little. At least he wasn’t in trouble for the confrontation. It did make him nervous that the chimera approached him on the street. He knew Avery’s full name. What if he knew where Avery lived as well?

“I’ll need you to come with me. I want you to write a witness statement for the confrontation.”

Avery nodded quickly. Anything to drag out going home. He probably wouldn’t sleep well tonight. He’d never felt unsafe in his apartment before, but there was a first time for everything.