“You can’t,” Toby said, the minute I brought it up. “It’s way too dangerous.”

“I love danger,” I said, trying to joke. But it fell flat.

“Do you?” Toby asked. “You’re so brave, Paige, but… I’m worried your bravery is going to get you into another tight spot.”

“I’m not that brave,” I said. “I’m really not--”

Toby leaned in to kiss me, gently.

“Maybe I just don’t want you to keep leaving me,” he whispered, burying his face in my neck.

I tilted my cheek against his soft hair.

“I wish I could stay here forever,” I said.

He shifted, but didn’t pull away.

“Forever…” he echoed. “I don’t think I understood that word before. Forever.”

I almost shivered. I hadn’t thought about Toby’s newfound immortality… and it sounded like he’d been trying not to think about it, too.

“Just don’t go,” he said, and kissed my neck. This time I did shiver.

“I told Nico I’d feed him,” I said. “That was the deal. I don’t want to know what happens if I piss off an ancient Averus vampire…”

I almost stayed there. I wanted to stay there. I didn’t want to face Nico again--I didn’t know if I was more afraid that he’d been tricking me all along, or that he really was who he said he was.

But as much as I loved having Toby in my dorm room, I also didn’t want to find out what happened when he stopped enjoying hiding away from the world. Sooner or later, he’d want to go back to his life… and the thought of him resenting me for keeping him hidden away made me want to die. I needed Nico’s help.

I took the same path into the woods that we’d taken that first time. Memories flooded back--of the way that Toby had taken my hand so confidently, of the way he’d looked back to check on me.

Of the fear that coursed through me when I first saw Nico on that ridge. Of the blood flooding out of Toby’s body.

I shuddered as I crossed the line under the trees and out of the moonlight.

“You’re back,” a voice said. I whirled around with a yelp, and smacked my elbow against a tree.

“Ow!”

Nico emerged from the shadows as I cradled my elbow. The terror at his sudden appearance was quickly overwhelmed by the throbbing pain in my arm.

“God--” I bit my lip to keep myself from swearing, but a high whine escaped. Real brave, Paige.

Whatever. I had enough on my plate without worrying about what this four hundred-year-old vampire thought about me.

“Lurk much?” I growled. Nico frowned.

“Grammar has changed since I was in society,” he observed.

Oh, no. I was not going to deal with a vampire complaining about my grammar. Not tonight.

“I said I would be here,” I said, “and I’m here. But I have questions.”

“I thought you might,” Nico said.

I hesitated. I had expected--I didn’t know what I had expected. But I didn’t think he would be so receptive.

I should have written down my questions.

“Toby’s transformation,” I said, trying to gather my thoughts. “How long is this adjustment period?”

“A few months. Maybe shorter.” Nico shrugged.

“How will we know when he can go out in the sun again?”

“When it stops burning his skin,” Nico said. I rolled my eyes.

“Fine. How much blood does he need per week?”

“The accord allowed for one pint per day,” Nico said, “but we can survive on less. I survive on less. A newly turned vampire…” Nico tilted his head thoughtfully. “He’ll need a pint a week at a minimum. Just to keep from going insane.”

He said it so casually, as though it were a given.

“It will get easier,” he continued, “and it will be easier to survive on less over time. But a vampire’s appearance is influenced by the amount of blood they drink.”

That explained a lot.

“To keep from going insane?” I echoed.

“It’s a traumatic process,” Nico said. “Many have descended into madness in the process, if they weren’t properly cared for.”

“Great,” I said. “That’s great. What does properly cared for mean?”

“Regular feeding. Attention. He has to learn to control his impulses,” Nico said.

“I’m not worried about that,” I said. “I’m worried about--”

“You haven’t noticed any rash behavior?” Nico interrupted.

“... should I?” Nico frowned.

“I assume he’s fed off of you?” Nico said. I nodded. “How much?”

“A little bit every day?” I said.

“Curbing his appetite.” Nico nodded. “That will help ease him in.”

I paused.

“Are you telling me newly turned vampires are just hangry?” I asked, mildly irritated.

Nico looked confused.

“Hangry?” he echoed. Then a flicker of recognition crossed his face. “A portmanteau? Both hungry and angry--”

“Angry because they’re hungry, like when you--” I cut myself off this time. “Look, we can keep him fed if that’s all. But I also wanted to know if there’s anything else…”

“Else?”

I didn’t want to say it.

“Averus-related. Anything else that might be specific to Averus vampires. Aside from the… tattoo.”

Nico bent his head.

“It has been a long time since I was turned,” he said, slowly. He looked off into the forest, as though searching for something. “And to tell the truth… a long time… since I’ve known anyone who was turned.”

I couldn’t believe it. Nico was our final option--the last possible chance to learn anything. And I’d hit another dead end.

Or undead end.

Just my luck.

I sighed and leaned against the tree I’d whacked my elbow on. I felt like I’d been running on adrenaline for days now--like all that sleep I’d missed was finally catching up to me.

“Are you well?” Nico asked, concerned. I waved my hand.

“Fine. Great. Just… my boyfriend who isn’t my boyfriend got turned into a vampire, my college career is already a bust, and no one knows… how to… fix… any of it.” I felt tears welling up.

I was not going to cry in front of this undead Beethoven-looking sad boy.

“Being a vampire… isn’t something to be fixed,” Nico said. He looked mildly irritated.

“That isn’t what I meant,” I said quickly, trying to pull myself together. “I’m just trying to make sure he’s okay.”

“I understand,” he said, somewhat mollified.

I wanted to go home. I pushed myself off the tree and started rolling up my sleeve, so Nico could feed.

I staggered a little, and he caught me by the arm. I yanked my arm away reflexively, bracing myself against another tree, and tried to catch my breath.

“Are you… well?” he repeated.

“Fine. Just a little dizzy.” I was a little dizzy a lot of the time these last few days.

“How much is he taking per day?” Nico demanded. I shrugged.

“I don’t know. I don’t know how to tell. Sometimes I black out--”

“He shouldn’t be drinking that much,” Nico said. “Not every day.” He looked like he wanted to say more, but he turned as if to go, then looked back over his shoulder. “Come back when you’re feeling better. Not before.”

“Wait,” I said. “Is there anything we can do? Anything else I should know?” I couldn’t go back to Toby empty handed. Not again. “If we can--if we can make it easier for him…”

Nico paused.

“There is one thing…” he said slowly. Reluctantly. He eyed me for a long moment. “An ancient ritual,” he said finally.

“We’ll try anything,” I said.

“Very well,” he said.