Page 29 of Only Fangs

How was this precious little creature not scared of a vampire?

“Collin?” he called, knocking again, a little louder this time. “I’m sorry to wake you, but Luna is hurt.”

From inside, he heard movement and a low murmur.

A moment later, the door opened, revealing a sleepy-looking Collin, barefoot, dressed in only a pair of pajama pants. He blinked, trying to clear his vision, and took in the sight in front of him. His gaze lingered on Mikael for only a second before it fell on the bunny in his arms. “What’s wrong?” Collin asked, immediately reaching out to take Luna from him.

“I found her under the couch,” Mikael explained, handing the bunny over. “There’s blood on her fur.”

“Where?” Collin’s voice was thick with worry as he inspected his pet. "I don’t see a wound.

Mikael nodded. “I don’t know where it came from. I think… I think it might be internal. Blood might have come up her throat.”

Collin whitened.

Mikael resisted the urge to reach out and touch him. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault.” Collin swallowed, cradling his bunny against his chest. “She’s got a tumor.” He hesitated, his grip tightening around the bunny, before he added, “She needs surgery, but I can’t afford it.”

Fuck.

Mikael watched Collin bury his face in Luna’s fur, shoulders slumping.

“She doesn’t deserve this.” Collin’s voice shook. “She’s always been there for me and now…”

Mikael couldn’t help himself. He reached out for Collin, placing a hand on his arm and squeezing.

Collin looked at him, eyes glistening, and the raw emotion in his expression broke Mikael’s heart. “She’s all I have.”

“Take her to the vet.” Mikael spoke without a moment’s hesitation. “I’ll pay the bill.”

Collin’s eyes widened, and he seemed to stare at Mikael as if he didn’t quite comprehend what Mikael was saying.

Mikael pulled his credit card out of his wallet and held it out to Collin. “I’m serious. Consider it payback for all the blood I took from you.”

Collin’s brow furrowed as he slowly reached for the card. “I didn’t let you bite me because I wanted your money.”

“I know.” Mikael forced a smile on his face. “I’m still going to insist.”

Collin looked down at his pet bunny. “Thank you,” he said, the words spoken quietly.

He walked back to his room and returned a minute later, fully dressed and holding a carrier cage. His eyes were red-rimmed as he carefully placed the bunny in the cage. Mikael watched silently while Collin put on shoes and grabbed his keys. It was really too bad that he couldn’t go with Collin, but the sun hadn’t set yet.

Some days it really sucked being a vampire.

Collin cast another uncertain look at him.

“Go,” Mikael said.

Collin nodded, took the pet carrier with Luna in it, and headed out the door.

Mikael walked back to the couch and sat down heavily.

What a mess. Picking up his phone, he sent another text to Collin: “Get that surgery scheduled. We’ll figure out a way to make it happen.”

Collin’s apartment was empty by the time he got home, just half an hour after sunset.

He felt drained and exhausted, physically and emotionally. It had been a hell of a day.

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