Page 42 of Inhuman Nature

Rake paused. “‘Okay’ might be too strong a word for the moment. But I don’t believe you would ever hurt anyone if you didn’t have to, would you?”

Shaun bit his lip so hard it bled. “I have hurt people. Not because I wanted to. But I took part when Ma— Uh, Lawrence, told me to.”

“What would happen if you refused Lawrence?” Rake asked.

Shaun stayed silent. The blood on his lip bubbled and dripped down his chin. Shaun wiped at it, looking forlornly at his reddened thumb.

“Why aren’t you healing?” DJ asked. “Don’t vampires have mad healing powers?”

Shaun blinked. “I haven’t fed in a few days. Makes the healing process slower.”

“Do you want to drink from me?” Rake said.

“No,” Shaun replied, far too fast to be believable. For someone who’d kept a secret for so long, he was a terrible liar.

“If it means you’ll heal, I’ll do it. I imagine the Savlon won’t do as good a job as blood, will it?”

Shaun gave Rake a wry smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “But I promised you I wouldn’t bite.”

DJ managed a half-hearted snort of laughter, but Rake’s jaw tensed in disapproval.

“It’s one thing to see me flash my fangs and speed around,” Shaun said. “It’s another to have me bite you. I haven’t eaten in a while. It might not go well.”

“In what way?” DJ asked.

“I might not stop.” Shaun stalked away from them to the far end of the room. “I’ve never fed without Lawrence being there.”

“How badly are you hurt?” DJ raked his gaze over Shaun. He saw the damage on his face and forearms, but he must have been hiding more.

“I’m fine,” Shaun said.

“You turned up wounded at our door,” Rake said, one imperious eyebrow raised. “You’renotfine.”

“Logic,” DJ agreed. He crossed his arms over his chest, making it clear he meant business.

Shaun deflated, leaning against the living room wall as if it were the only thing keeping him upright. “Iwillbe fine.”

“Once you drink,” Rake clarified.

“Once I drink.”

“So do it. Feed from me,” Rake said.

Shaun stood in front of them in a blink. DJ reared backat the sudden movement. Rake stared at Shaun for a second before sitting down on the edge of their sofa.

Shaun gripped their coffee table, nails gouging lines into the wood. DJ was glad he’d never tried to keep it nice by using coasters, seeing as the table was now being used as a vampire scratching post.

“I trust you, Shaun,” Rake said. He still only wore the football shorts he slept in, so extended a bare arm.

“Wait,” DJ said, grabbing Rake’s wrist. “Biting him won’t make him a vampire, will it?” he asked Shaun.

Shaun looked horrified. “No! I wouldn’t do that.”

“I’m not accusing you of anything. I just want to check.”

“I suppose this is as good a time as any to develop an understanding of the concept of forethought,” Rake said, digging his elbow into DJ’s side.

“Excuse me! You’re the one about to stick your arm into a vampire’s mouth.”