Chapter 2
Two
“Hey, Peri!”
“Peri! You’re back!”
“What’d you bring us this time?”
The voices of his coworkers filled the air as he skipped into Charmed Away Temp Agency.
Peri loved his job, getting to try new things and meet new people, but he especially loved coming back to all his favorite people to share stories and get hugs.
He practically danced up to Doreen, wiggling the box of treats in his hand.
She beamed at him, hopping out of her chair and coming around the reception desk to pull him into a hug.
“You’re back! It’s been too long!”
Peri blew out a breath, nodding rapidly. “I know. It was a month-long contract. It was fun, though. I got to help this sweet orc named David confess his feelings to the siren who worked down the hall. He’d been crushing so hard for so long. Seeing them together really made my day.”
His words were a little rushed, his excitement making him want to blurt out everything he’d seen and heard all at once. He was just so happy to see his friends, and even though they met up for drinks or coffee at least once a week, it wasn’t the same. He was always excited to see them.
Kuzmila, a dwarf in accounting, popped up behind them, her eyes locked on the box in Peri’s hand. “Please tell me those are more of those little treats you made last time. Those were to die for.”
He snickered, accepting her side hug while offering her the box. He didn’t take her fixation on his treats as rude. She was a little grumpy by nature. He won her over with treats, and the fact that she looked forward to more always made him smile.
“Same treat, different flavor,” he said as she popped open the box.
The macarons were pastel this time, with light flavors of rose and strawberry.
He was feeling all sappy after watching David finally get his happily ever after, so the macarons were all pink and flirty.
Kuzmila popped one into her mouth without complaint, sighing happily as she savored the flavor.
“You’re my favorite,” she said dreamily, snagging another from the box.
Thankfully, Peri always made plenty so people could have more than one.
He knew his friends well, and there would be an uprising if someone missed out on a treat.
He set the box on the reception desk, smiling brightly as a line quickly formed.
He received payments of hugs and hair ruffles and even a lick on the cheek from a friendly young werewolf.
Peri beamed through it all, to the point that his cheeks hurt when the crowd finally died down and he got a break.
He snagged a few treats in a napkin and wiggled his fingers at Doreen, pointing at Morana’s office. “I’m going to check in. Be back in a minute.”
She nodded enthusiastically. “Good. I want to hear more about this orc romance. I’m still waiting for the next Avery Whitman office romance to come out, and I need my fluffy fix.”
Giggling, Peri waved her away and flitted off, using his wings to lift him above the desks.
If he didn’t, he’d get distracted by one conversation or another, and he wanted to give Morana her treat first. He landed in front of her door and knocked gently, waiting for her to invite him inside.
It took her a minute, but she eventually called out, and her tired smile brightened when she saw it was him.
“Peri! How’s my favorite employee?”
Peri wrinkled his nose with a grin, shutting the door quickly behind him so no one else heard her and got jealous.
She didn’t really mean it. She was just happy he brought her treats.
He handed her the napkin, snagging the stool from the corner meant for people with wings like him.
He sat on it, crossing his legs, and leaned forward eagerly, watching her expression as she took the first bite.
When she hummed her approval, he grinned at her.
“Good?”
“You know strawberry is my favorite,” she murmured around a bite, sighing happily. “How’d the medical office fare? Did you enjoy it?”
Peri tipped his head back and forth. “It was alright.”
“But…? I feel like there’s a but there,” she said, setting aside the rest of her treats to give him her full attention. She was thoughtful like that and the best boss he could ask for.
“Nothing bad,” he reassured her. “I just don’t think it’s a job I’d stick with long term.
Some people were really sick, and it was sad.
” He frowned to himself for a moment. “I spent a few lunch breaks crying...” Sucking in a breath, he shook off the melancholy and smiled at Morana.
“I think for now, I want to try something a little less sad.”
Thankfully, Morana didn’t take offense or get angry about his request. She gave him an understanding smile and reached out, taking his hand and squeezing it when he gave it to her.
“I understand. I wouldn’t want to send you anywhere that would dim your light.
” She picked up a paper on her desk, studying it for a moment.
“You’re actually due for your rotation at the Spellbound office.
I haven’t heard many complaints from the employees working there.
A few have even found their forever jobs while temping at Spellbound.
Maybe you can find the work that piques your interest there. ”
Peri was still young compared to most supernaturals.
He only left home last year, and he hadn’t had a clue what he wanted to do with his life.
He stumbled on an ad for a temp agency, and his parents encouraged him to apply so he could try new things without committing to year-long work contracts.
A few weeks to a month was plenty of time for him to decide if the work was something he was interested in pursuing.
So far, he’d gone to a medical office, a security office, and even worked at a restaurant that was short-staffed.
That had been an adventure. He enjoyed his time at each place but hadn’t found something that fit him long-term yet.
“How long is that?”
She pursed her lips thoughtfully. “Usually we do a few months, but you won’t be in the same job the whole time.
Spellbound needs temps throughout the entire company.
You’ll move around a lot. Kian is my liaison there.
He’ll give you your assignments, and he’s a fair manager.
He never keeps anyone in a job they don’t enjoy. ”
“A few months?” He tried not to pout, but he just got back. He was looking forward to spending more time with his friends.
Morana smiled kindly at him. “I know. And I wish I could keep you here with me, but you told me when you started working here that you wanted to try different things. Spellbound is a great place to do it. You’ll like the people there, I promise.
I happen to know quite a few of them, and they’re all good people. ”
He trusted Morana’s judgment, and he was glad she cared so much about his wants and needs. He let go of the momentary upset and smiled at her.
“Okay. Sounds like fun. When do I leave?”
Peri looked up at the towering glass skyscraper, his eyes wide.
He’d never seen a building that big up close.
They always looked more reasonable from a distance.
But from the ground floor, he had to wonder if his wings could take him all the way to the top or if he’d tire himself out before he even got close.
“Don’t just stand there. Get out of the way,” someone snapped behind him, bumping his shoulder as they brushed past.
Jumping back, Peri quickly scuttled out of the way of the influx of employees crowding into the front doors of Spellbound Corps. He’d been filing along with the rest of them when he got distracted by the view. He wanted to apologize to the satyr he’d been blocking, but the man was already gone.
“Well, that was rude,” another voice commented.
Peri spun around to face them with a grimace. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to block the way.”
The man, with long blonde hair and bi-colored eyes, one lilac purple and one sapphire blue, waved away his apology. “Not you. The asshole who shoved you. Most employees aren’t like that, I promise.”
He shrugged, glancing over his shoulder back at the throng of people. “I’m sure he’s just having a bad day.”
When he turned back to face the man–fae? Weren’t their eyes that color?–the pretty man was studying him with a shrewd expression. Peri fidgeted a little under the stare, giving the man a friendly smile when their eyes met again.
“You’re Periwinkle, aren’t you?”
Peri’s eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open in surprise. “How’d you know that?”
“I’m Kian,” he introduced himself with a grin. “Morana told me you were coming. She said to look for a bright ball of sunshine with blue and purple hair and the kind of optimism that would make a puppy jealous.”
He felt his cheeks heat with embarrassment, but Kian didn’t seem to be judging him. He smirked, studying him again with a nod. “I can definitely see why she calls you sunshine. You’re criminally cute. How’d you get your hair to do that?”
Peri looked up automatically, then felt silly.
“Uh, a little magic and a lot of hair dye. My cousin is a hairdresser,” he said, resisting the urge to tuck it behind his ears.
He’d cut it a lot shorter recently, wanting something fun but low maintenance for a while, and still wasn’t used to not having to brush it out of his face.
The color had been a moment of whimsy on both their parts, and maybe a little rosé, but when he woke up in the morning to shimmery blue hair that looked purple in certain lights, he had been ecstatic and refused to dye it back.
“I might want their business card,” Kian commented, tipping his head. Peri beamed at him, always happy to drum up business for his cousin. He whipped out his phone, pulled up her social media, and spun so that he was shoulder to shoulder with the man, tipping his phone so Kian could see the screen.
“This is her shop. She’s got a place in this realm and in the fairy realm, and she hops between the two, but I can totally get you in contact with her to set up an appointment. Her dyes are all natural too, so they don’t cause damage to your hair.”
“Dearheart? Are you coming inside?” a gentle male voice asked, causing Peri to look up.
An Asian man with silky-looking short black hair and a pristine suit stood by a side door out of the way of the throng of employees.
It might have been a trick of the light, but it almost seemed like his hair flowed around him like he was under water as he came closer to join them.
He laced his fingers with Kian, his expression kind and a little curious as he took in Peri. “Are you from Charmed Away?”
Kian answered for him, taking Peri’s phone and typing something in before handing it back. “He’s the new rotation. I’m going to show him to the research floor and give him a general overview of the company. I’ll meet you upstairs. Don’t forget you have a meeting in an hour with Ozen.”
The man–vampire, Peri saw a hint of fang when he smiled–kissed Kian on the back of the hand. “Of course. Thank you for reminding me. I’ll see you upstairs.” He dipped his chin at Peri politely. “Nice to meet you.”
Kian had a fond smile on his face as the vampire walked away, and Peri couldn’t help but ask, “Is he your mate?”
Kian nodded, then shrugged. “Yep. We’re still new.” He waved toward the building, leading the way inside while speaking over his shoulder. “Come on. Your badge should be waiting at the front desk, then I get to explain the joys of the elevators.”