[He was used to such a reaction. Of course he was. Methuselah and human alike had cast that gaze at him. If was a first though, to get such a reaction when he hadn't even revealed the crusnik.

Abels mouth set in a line as Maxwell refused his help, and practically pleaded with him not to touch him. As if his hand would somehow slice the man open.

However, it was the smell of blood that caught him. It was faint, but all too obvious as Maxwell coughed raggedly into the handkerchief, and as he tried to stand, the priest was there at his side, approval or not, gently helping him up and along.]

You're going to the hospital, that's where you're going.