Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
Knocking on Morana’s door, Alistair waited for her to call for him to enter before opening it.
The medusa was sitting behind her desk, eyes on her computer, but she immediately turned and smiled at him when he entered the room, giving him her full attention.
The difference between her and the foreman was immediately noticeable in that action alone.
“Hello, Alistair. Welcome back. How was the warehouse contract?”
He pressed his lips together, considering his words carefully. Morana noticed the hesitation, because her brows drew together tightly. She gestured to the chair opposite hers, leaning forward as she asked, “Did something happen?”
Sitting in the comfortable chair in front of her desk, he shook his head.
“Not to me directly. But I’m a little concerned about the behavior of the foreman.
He said…” He felt his power roil as he thought about the cruel words of the foreman.
The pain from the blockers stopped him from repeating them.
“He has some concerning opinions, and I’m just worried about how he might treat someone he considers unacceptable. ”
Pursing her lips, Morana turned to her computer to pull up the information about the company.
She blew out a breath, her snakes seeming to writhe with her agitation.
“This wouldn’t be the first time we’ve had issues with them.
They’ve refused reasonable accommodations before, and I had a very long meeting with their management about it.
They said they’d do better in the future.
I’d hoped they’d keep their word, but if they’re still showing that kind of behavior, then I might consider refusing any further contracts with them. Can I ask you to write up a report?”
“I can…” he began with a frown. “But he never did anything to me directly. It was just a quick comment. And some concerning behavior toward his own people that bothered me.”
“What kind of behavior?” she demanded.
The meeting ended up being longer than he’d anticipated.
He went over everything he’d seen during his time at the company, including documenting every comment and action of the foreman.
While the draconian had never said or done anything to him directly, Morana refused to work with a company with that kind of mindset that thought they could get away with that kind of behavior.
She had him write a report and send it to her, and thankfully, with her fully supporting his concerns, he didn’t lose his temper again rehashing it all.
He actually felt a lot better knowing she was going to do something about it.
Her support meant a lot, and the knowledge that no one else would face that kind of treatment settled his protective nature.
He was just finishing up for the night when his phone rang.
Isaac’s name on the screen didn't surprise him. They didn’t travel together to get home, despite Alistair working in the same city.
Maverick needed the time to shift, and Alistair didn't begrudge him that.
But without fail, Isaac called just as he was leaving work to check in and ask what he wanted for supper.
His mother hen act was cute, and Alistair teased him about it, but he also appreciated how much Isaac cared.
It was more than he could say for the rest of his family.
“Hey,” he greeted, tucking the phone between his shoulder and ear as he typed the final comment into the document and sent it to Morana.
“Hey…”
Isaac’s voice held that tone that said he needed something but felt bad for asking. At this point, after everything Isaac had done for Alistair, he didn't think there was anything his brother could ask of him that he’d say no to.
“What do you need?”
Isaac huffed out a laugh. “I forgot that you can see right through me. I need a favor. A friend of mine is going to be staying with us for a few days and needs a ride. Can you swing by Spellbound and pick him up on your way home?”
“Maverick approved of this?” he had to ask. Dragons were extremely territorial. If he hadn’t invited him himself when Alistair asked if the offer Isaac had given him still stood, Alistair would have been apprehensive to set foot in his home.
Isaac scoffed. “Of course he did. Like I’d hide anything from my mate. So, can you pick him up? He’s got his stuff with him, he just needs a ride to our place.”
Shutting down his computer, he considered grilling his brother about the guest but decided against it. Isaac wouldn’t invite someone to stay with him if he didn’t trust them. It was only Alistair’s hangups that made him so apprehensive, and he was determined to get past that.
“Sure. I’m just finishing up now. I can be there in twenty minutes.”
“You’re the best. I’ll make your favorite dinner to thank you.”
Alistair was going to hang up after saying goodbye, but Isaac stopped him before he could.
“One more thing!”
He frowned, putting the phone back to his ear. “Yeah?”
“The friend you’re picking up? He’s a telepath.”
Panic dumped into Alistair’s system, and he opened his mouth to tell his brother he changed his mind. Isaac interjected before he could.
“Before you freak out, he’s a good person.
He helped me and Maverick during our mating when things were chaotic and made sure Maverick got to keep his job.
He’s a friend, Al. And he’s in a tough spot right now.
You don’t have to hang out with him at the house or anything if that makes you uncomfortable, but please do this for me. ”
His brother’s pleading voice and the reminder of how much Isaac had done for him without asking anything in return made him waver.
Isaac didn’t fully understand why Alistair so vehemently despised telepaths.
Any supernatural who could get in his head, actually.
The thought of getting near one made his magic rise to the surface, and the bands around his wrists burned like fire. But…
“Al? If you’re too uncomfortable–” Isaac began, his tone strained.
He had no doubt Isaac wouldn’t force him if it was truly a problem for him.
But he also knew his brother well enough to know if Alistair didn't do this, Isaac would find some way to help his friend without him.
Either by flying home and driving back to pick him up or renting a car.
Or worse– Hiring a fae to portal them. He shuddered at the thought and forced himself to speak.
“It’s fine. I’ll pick him up. Who should I be looking out for?”
“Me. I’ll be there with him so you guys don’t have to play any guessing games. Thank you, Alistair. I really appreciate it.”
He grunted in response and hung up, resisting the urge to drag his feet as he headed for his car.
He’d had been working toward pushing himself to move past his issues.
He couldn’t expect his ex-wife to be comfortable letting him take the kids if he reacted so strongly to even the thought of getting close to another supernatural like that.
He just hadn’t expected to face this particular issue so soon.
This would end up being one hell of a test.
When he pulled up in front of Spellbound, the sky was already dark, thick grey clouds blocking out the setting sun. Alistair tried not to see it as a sign of how this drive would go.
Isaac was waiting on the curb, a slight man with red hair and glasses standing beside him.
Alistair took him in as they picked up the man’s bags and approached.
At first glance, he didn’t look dangerous.
He had short auburn hair styled neatly to one side.
His pale skin was dotted with freckles across his nose and cheeks.
He had a slender build, and he looked almost as tall as Alistair.
Maybe an inch of height difference between them.
The harmless appearance did nothing to settle Alistair.
He knew better than most that appearances were deceiving.
The back door opened and a duffle bag and cat carrier were placed on the seats. The telepath hesitated before closing it, asking, “Would you be more comfortable with me sitting back here? I don’t mind either way.”
The question surprised him. He hadn’t expected such consideration.
He hesitated just long enough for the telepath to nod, sliding the bag and carrier over to take the back seat.
Isaac, who had been talking to someone over his shoulder, turned and frowned at them when the telepath closed the door.
The telepath rolled down his window, smiling softly at Alistair’s little brother.
“I’m worried about Helios. I think it’ll be easier on him if he can see me.”
Another wave of shock hit Alistair, and he stared incredulously at the redhead in his rearview mirror. The telepath was lying? So he could save face in front of his brother? Who even was this man?
“Ah, okay,” Isaac nodded. “We’ll head out soon and be waiting for you when you arrive. Al, if you somehow manage to beat us, I was going to put him in the guest room closest to the living room. The bed should already be made up but text me if I’m wrong.”
Which meant Isaac chose to put the telepath in the room furthest away from Alistair. To make Alistair more comfortable? Or to protect him?
Isaac walked away while Alistair was still considering it. He only realized when the telepath spoke to him.
“I’m sorry if I’m making you uncomfortable. I know you probably won’t believe me, but I don’t read people without their permission.”
Alistair pulled away from the curb, his voice gruff when he asked, “Don’t telepaths pick up on things without needing to do a full reading?”
He heard the telepath hum in agreement. “Sometimes, yes. For those who are young or undisciplined, they can pick up on things they don’t mean to.
Most do their best to avoid it. But I did extra training in an attempt to keep my magic to myself.
I only ever catch things without my active participation if the person I’m with is feeling incredibly strong emotions, or I’ve ingested something that affects my magic. ”
He frowned, flicking his gaze to the rearview mirror for a moment to take in the calm expression. “What do you mean?”
The telepath wrinkled his nose, his expression sheepish when he admitted, “I found out the hard way that alcohol makes it hard for me to control my magic. Caffeine works the same way. Basically, anything that alters my brain chemistry can have an effect if I’m not cautious.
I do my best not to indulge myself unless I’m alone. ”
Alistair wasn’t surprised that alcohol affected the telepath’s magic; it affected lots of magic users, which was why mages were taught at a young age the consequences of losing control because they were foolish enough to overindulge. What did surprise him was the comment about caffeine.
“Caffeine makes a difference?”
The telepath nodded. “Yes. I participated in a study about it when I was younger. It doesn’t affect me so much that I’d enter someone’s mind without their permission, but I do pick up more than I intend if I’ve ingested caffeine. I avoid it for the most part.”
Just like before, Alistair was surprised by the consideration of the telepath.
He knew plenty of supernaturals who would throw a fit if someone tried to take away their coffee.
They wouldn’t care how it affected others or their magic.
And yet, this man refused to do something as simple as drink caffeine if it meant he’d be making others uncomfortable.
What did that say about the world that a telepath most people probably feared was going out of his way to make people more comfortable while the rest of the society wouldn’t?