Page 22 of Only Fangs

So he probably looked crazy, checking himself for his scent.

Collin let his hand fall into his lap and took another deep breath.

Mikael didn’t look like he knew what Collin was. “I’ll go let the doctor know that you’re up.”

“No, wait,” Collin said quickly because that doctor was sure to be a vampire himself, and Collin did not need any more vampires in this room. “How long was I out?”

“A few hours.”

Collin’s throat tightened. If his scent blockers hadn’t fallen of yet, they were sure to wear off soon–and then what? He needed to get out of here before anyone noticed that he was a mortal.

He rose from the bed, ignoring Mikael, who stood as well but stayed by his side. His legs felt shaky and unsteady, but not as bad as expected. “I should be going home now,” Collin said, hoping that he sounded casual.

“Are you sure?” Mikael asked. “I don’t think you should be walking around yet.”

He was probably right. Collin felt like he might pass out again at any second, but he couldn’t stay here. Really, there was no way, so he forced himself to stand straight and not to look too wobbly, despite the fact that his knees felt like jelly. “I’m fine, don’t worry. I have to get home and take care of my pet.”

It was a lame excuse, but it was also true. Luna was waiting for him back home.

He started for the door, and Mikael followed him, catching up with Collin and grabbing his arm to keep him from falling.Collin wanted to pull back, but the vampire’s grip on his elbow was surprisingly steady, and his touch felt strangely comforting. Collin’s heart warmed, and he had to remind himself that Mikael had bitten and nearly killed him earlier–and that there were many more vampires in this coven whowouldprobably kill him once the scent blockers wore off, which could happen any minute.

“You’ve still got the IV attached to your arm,” Mikael pointed out. “And I think you should keep it. You’re not fit to go anywhere.”

Collin gritted his teeth and pulled his arm away, ignoring the sting where the IV needle was inserted. “I’mfine. And I don’t need your help.”

“At least let Sterling look at you first.”

Collin’s stomach dropped. He didn’t want any vampire doctor near him. “I don’t want anyone looking at me.”

“Collin…” Mikael reached out to grab his arm again. “I get that you want to get away from me. I know that I fucked up, and I’m sorry. But please, stay here and rest. I can leave. If you don’t want to see me again, I promise I won’t come back in here. I only needed to apologize to you. I never meant to take so much blood.”

Collin’s heart clenched. Mikael thought that Collin just wanted to get away from him?

Collin chewed his lip, torn between wanting to reassure Mikael and the urge to escape this coven and get home as soon as possible so he wouldn’t expose his identity to everyone here. “It’s not your fault that you couldn’t resist my blood.”

Mikael’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

Collin swallowed. He hadn’t meant to say that. It just slipped out.

Mikael stared at him, eyes narrowing as if he was studying a complicated puzzle that he wanted to figure out before someoneelse could. “Your blood tasted special,” he murmured, and Collin tensed, holding his breath.

Was Mikael figuring it out?

Collin couldn’t wait around to hear what conclusion Mikael came to. He removed the IV line from his arm and tossed it aside. “I really have to go.”

Mikael moved in front of him and blocked the exit. “What are you hiding?” he asked. “What are you?”

Collin’s pulse skyrocketed. “I have to go.”

Mikael’s frown deepened, and Collin thought he saw his nostrils flare for a moment, as if he caught a whiff of something.

His eyes flashed with hunger.

“Oh God. You’re a–”

Collin didn’t hear the rest of the words because the panic that rushed through him overwhelmed his senses, drowning out all other sounds. He shoved past Mikael and ran out of the room, sprinting down the hallway, hoping to find the exit. Behind him, he heard Mikael shout something that sounded like “Wait!” and then, the vampire was in front of him again, using supernatural speed.

Collin crashed right into him. He stumbled backward, losing his balance. His foot slipped on the smooth tile floor, and before he knew it, he landed hard on his butt.

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