"Wha?" He blinked, tried to sit up, and dropped back down again as dizziness nearly overwhelmed him. Aidan was kneeling on the floor next to the bed. "I'm sorry. I got just a little bit carried away. It's been a very long time since I allowed myself more than the tiniest sip." He looked down at the blankets. "I stopped in time. I'm very sorry."

"It's all right," said David. "I asked you to do this."

"Yes. And you'll know what it's like to fight the hunger all too soon." Aidan looked over at him, and shook his head. "Now that we've started this, it's time to take the next step." He slid up the sleeve of his shirt, baring a pale, slender wrist. He brought it to his lips and with a quick, harsh motion tore his fangs across it. A trickle of thick blood welled up in the cut. Aidan stretched out his arm and pressed the bleeding gash to David's lips, and David parted his lips and drank, taking in the slow trickle. The taste was strange, both like and unlike what David had expected. He swallowed, and Aidan pulled his arm back. "There. It's done."

"Just like that?

Aidan nodded. "Yes. It is possible that if you died this very moment, you could come back. But to be sure the taint has time to spread, I think I would prefer it if you lived until tomorrow."

David fought off a shiver of fear. This is what I want, he told himself silently. It's what I need to do.

"Rest now," said Aidan, his expression unreadable as he got to his feet. "Tomorrow will come soon enough."

David closed his eyes, drifting off into a weary slumber. He slept through the day without dreams.