Hazel's POV
I jolted awake at the sound of the door creaking open. My muscles tensed as Leo strode in, followed by three people in white lab coats.
"Good morning, sweetheart," Leo said, his tone casual as if this were a normal wake-up call. Despite the nickname, there was no affection in his tone. "Sleep well?"
I scrambled backward on the bed until my spine hit the headboard.
"What's going on?" I croaked. "Who are they?"
The strangers stood silently behind Leo. Their expressions were clinical, detached. The woman carried a small case that she set down on the bedside table.
"Nothing to worry about," Leo said, but his eyes told a different story. "We just need a small sample from you."
"A sample of what?" I pulled the blanket tighter around me.
Instead of answering, Leo nodded to the woman. She opened her case, revealing several vials and a syringe. My stomach dropped.
"I'm not giving you my blood," I said, my voice stronger than I felt.
