Walter swept poor Jesse into his arms. Shards of glistening cartilage hung obscenely from the destroyed throat as he sank his fangs into the gray skin of Jesse’s neck and sucked hard, even though blood now tasted like stale beer to him.

There was almost no blood in the mutilated neck. He picked up Jesse’s left arm and bit into that. There was a little more blood there, pooled, not driven by any heartbeat. He sucked desperately, not sure how to make a vampire.

He sat back, trying to think and only then did he remember Jeremy fighting for his life. Oh God, he was such an asshole, he hadn’t even atoned for his crimes by saving Jeremy’s life.

It was all quiet now; Jeremy must have fought them off. Good.

For a moment, he was sure Jeremy stood just behind him, grim eyes blazing, watching his movements.

Well, so be it. This would be his penance. If Jeremy wanted to kill him, he would have his chance.

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The seconds were flying. He thought frantically back to the three vampires who had turned him. What had they done? They’d sunk sharp teeth into his wrists and neck and (he shivered with the memory) he’d felt a fog of confusion and despair push in through the wounds to replace the warm living blood.

That fog had swept him away and only Jesse’s love had brought him back.

Walter LaMont rocked back on his heels. “Oh Buttercup,” he moaned. “Is that the only way to save you? To do that to you?”

“You can save him.”

Walter jumped out of his skin. He turned wildly. Jeremy was standing just behind him, watching him intently.

“You can save him. I’ll tell you how.” Jeremy’s burning eyes never left his.

Walter, helpless on his knees, said weakly, “How?”

He’d forgotten that Jeremy had killed Jesse, that he himself had caused Jeremy’s brother to die. He was just a lonely old man. “How?” he begged.

“Go ahead and turn him. I’m sure you can.”

“But, but…”

“And then tomorrow morning,” Jeremy continued relentlessly, “get him out into the sun. The sunlight will do the rest. I know.”

As Walter cried with renewed hope and turned back to his beloved, he heard Jeremy say softly, “I’ve seen what sunlight does to a wounded vampire.”