Chapter 32

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Rule Number 59- In general, it is considered good practice to take a day to recover after a difficult feed. Accommodations should be made for feeders in these instances.

Taron’s assistant was a friendly-looking woman with dark brown skin and a shaved head. She smiled brightly when Avery came in, and it almost felt like she gave off calming energy. It settled him a little, and he offered her a weak smile in return.

“Hello. I’m Avery Whitman. I was told Mr. Cunningham asked to see me?”

“You were told correctly. He’s in his office, so you can go right in. Can I get you something to drink?”

It felt weird for him to be on the receiving end of that kind of care and attention. It was always him in the support role. He wasn’t entirely sure he liked it. He didn’t want to appear rude, though, so he gave her a polite smile as he shook his head.

“No thank you, I’m fine. I, uh… I can just go in?”

“Yep. He’s been waiting for you.”

Waiting for him? Why?

As he headed for the door, he remembered the package in his hands and did an about face, offering it to her with a grimace. “I forgot. Clarita asked me to deliver this. Can I leave it with you, or should I give it to Mr. Cunningham?”

She put out her hands, taking the box with a frown. “Oh gods, what did he order now? Thank you, I’ll take care of this. If you see him ordering something online, please tell him to stop. The man can’t seem to help himself.”

Avery was still befuddled, but he forced himself to get a move on and knocked before entering Taron’s office. It was a lot more chaotic than Ozen’s office. Just as large, with floor to ceiling windows and lots of natural light. But the furniture was all random and his desk was messy, and the room smelled surprisingly like incense.

A man was on the phone when he came in, but he waved Avery over and pointed at the couch near the windows before putting up a finger to ask him to wait. It took Avery a second to recognize him. Only his eyes gave him away. Since Avery had last seen him, Taron had gone through some major changes. He was shorter, with wide shoulders and more muscle. He reminded Avery of a gymnast. His facial features were different, too. His skin was lighter, more caramel colored, and his hair was short and wavy. Avery was surprised by the change, but it wasn’t a bad one. He was still quite handsome.

Avery perched awkwardly on the edge of one cushion, fiddling with the zipper of his messenger bag until Taron dropped onto the couch beside him.

“Sorry about that. Maverick was none too pleased about me stealing you this morning, but I’m on strict orders. And technically, I outrank him.”

“Strict orders about what?” He couldn’t help but ask. He was still confused about what was happening.

“I got a call this morning. Apparently, our fearless leader can’t seem to follow his own rules when it comes to you. He said he visited you last night?”

It sounded like a question, but Taron already knew the answer. Avery felt his cheeks flush anyway. Being friends with Ozen, Taron knew plenty about feeders and he didn’t seem as judgmental as the people from the research team, but Avery still didn’t want to discuss it.

Avery’s refusal to answer didn’t bother Taron in the slightest. He waited just long enough to make Avery blush before continuing.

“Ozen is under the impression that if you’re left unattended, you won’t actually rest. I didn’t believe him until you showed up to work this morning. Did he not discuss the effects of quick feeds with you after last time? You’re supposed to take a day off if he needs something like that.”

He lifted a shoulder helplessly. He thought about taking a day off, but then the sneering comments of the research team filtered through his mind, and he couldn’t make himself do it. People already had low opinions of humans. He didn’t want to make things worse simply because he wasn’t feeling one hundred percent.

“Hmm… I can see now why he called me. You’ve got a few choices. You can either lay down on this very comfy couch, or I can bring you to Ozen’s office to use the bedroom. Ozen wasn’t happy with either option, he would prefer you go home, but I get the feeling if I suggest that, you won’t take it. Am I right?”

Avery grimaced. “I don’t need a day off. I’m fine. I’m expected downstairs to help Mr. Van Buren, and–”

“Not anymore, you’re not,” Taron interjected. “I told you, I stole you for the day.” He grinned, completely unrepentant. “You’re important to Ozen. He needs you healthy to stay alive. So you’re important to me too. Now you can either get some rest, or I’ll make you.”

Avery didn’t see that as possible, and he was just tired enough that his patience ran thin. He huffed out a breath, pushing to his feet. “I’m going back downstairs. I appreciate your concern, but–”

“Avanna, my beautiful assistant. Can you come in here for a second?”

The woman from before came in, raising an eyebrow at Taron. “What now?”

Taron gestured at Avery with a smile. “I could use a hand. Avery here needs a nap.”

Avery protested, his face bright red, but Taron caught him by the arms before he could storm out. Then Avanna started to sing, and it was like he couldn’t keep his eyes open any longer. He went limp in Taron’s arms, and after a few seconds of struggling, he was out like a light.

“I can’t believe you used a siren song on him.”

“What? Would you have preferred I sit on him until he went to sleep? It would’ve been funny, but I’m pretty sure Ozen would kill me if he found out,” Taron replied, his smirk clear in his voice without Avery even opening his eyes.

“So instead, you used magic to get your way. You realize he could sue you for that, right? Non consensual magic use is illegal,” Mr. Van Buren growled.

“He won’t sue,” another voice chimed in. It sounded like Mr. Martell, but it was hard for Avery to be sure. He wanted to open his eyes and look, but it felt like his eyes were weighed down by sandbags.

“What makes you so certain?” Mr. Van Buren demanded.

“He doesn’t overreact. I saw him when he was being harassed this morning. He ignored comments that I would have lost my temper over. He’s incredibly patient.”

“Of course he is. He’s Ozen’s feeder. Not just anyone can pull off that job. The only one who was even a little successful was Tristan, and he only lasted the year,” Taron commented.

Avery didn't know who that was, but an uncomfortable feeling twisted in his gut. It felt a little like jealousy, but he stuffed it down before he could take a good look at it. He wasn’t allowed to be jealous or possessive over Ozen. They weren’t in a relationship.

“Did he say when he’d come back?” Mr. Van Buren asked.

“No,” Taron scoffed. “His old man is being vague as hell. You know how he is. The asshole tried to convince Ozen to feed outside his contract as a ‘test’. I’m glad Ozen turned him down.”

Avery tried to keep his breathing even so no one would notice he was awake and he could hear everything they were saying. It was rude to eavesdrop, but Avery was desperate for any scraps of information about Ozen. He was still confused about what was happening with him.

“He’ll be gone as long as he needs to be,” Mr. Martell’s craggy voice snapped. “Don’t rush him. He gave you a week to handle your issues. You should give him the same courtesy.”

“It’s not the same and you know it. I needed a boost to handle the transition. He’s being stubborn. I don’t understand what the big deal is. So he’s got feelings for his feeder. So what?”

Avery’s heart stuttered in his chest, and he froze, listening intently.

“He didn’t say that,” Mr. Van Buren argued. Avery’s heart sank. “He said he’s attached.”

“Same difference,” Taron complained. “He’s got feelings that don’t fit into his little contract and he’s doing whatever he can to turn back time. It’s stupid. There’s nothing wrong with dating.”

Mr. Martell scoffed. “You can say that. You aren’t reliant on your romantic partner to feed you. If Ozen gives in to his attachment and things go wrong, he’ll lose the most dedicated feeder he’s ever had. It's smart to leave feelings out of it.”

“How long does he have to be alone before he–”

“Enough,” Mr. Van Buren growled. “He’s listening.”

Crap.

There was no point in pretending if Mr. Van Buren had already noticed he was awake, so Avery slowly opened his eyes and looked up at the supernaturals surrounding him. He was on Taron’s couch, tucked tightly in the fluffy blanket from Ozen’s office bedroom. Mr. Van Buren stood behind the couch, and Taron and Mr. Martell sat on the coffee table in front of him. It was a little weird, them hanging around him like this, and Avery considered hiding under the covers to escape their staring.

“Feeling any better?” Taron asked, his smile coming back.

Although, yes, he was a lot more alert than before, Avery didn’t answer, instead glaring at the shapeshifter who magically forced him to sleep.

Mr. Martell chuckled and shot a pointed look at Taron. “You deserve his wrath. There were other ways to get him to listen. Now that I know he’s alive and I won’t need to be writing up a new contract, I’m going back to work. No using your assistant to manhandle the feeder. And call me when you hear from Ozen. I want an update.”

Taron still looked unrepentant, and he grinned with all his teeth when Mr. Van Buren gave him a dirty look.

“I’m not going anywhere. I don’t trust you. He can rest just fine in my office.”

“And die from smoke inhalation. There’s a reason Ozen asked me to watch him.”

Smoke billowed from Mr. Van Buren’s nostrils as he glared at Taron. “I can control myself. You’re the troublemaker here.”

Taron raised his eyebrows, giving a significant look to the smoke filling the room. “You’re only proving my point right now. Don’t you have a lawsuit to work on?”

Avery sat up, wriggling free of the blankets, desperate to escape this weird situation. “I don’t need a babysitter. If no one needs me today, I think I’ll go home.”

It was better than sitting around here being treated like a toddler who needed supervision.

“Great,” Taron said as he bounced to his feet. “I’ll go with you.”

Mr. Van Buren made a face. “You have a company to run in Ozen’s absence. Or did you forget that?”

Taron rolled his eyes. “Unlike my dear friend, I know how to delegate. I’ve got it covered. Come on, Avery. Let’s book it.”

For some reason, Avery felt like this might be the worst possible outcome, and it didn’t take a psychic to know that no amount of arguing was going to change Taron’s mind. If he wasn’t so uncertain about his place with Ozen, he’d be calling him for backup. Instead, he silently prayed for patience.