"Bizarre? Is that what the kids are calling it these days?" Rayne shakes her head in disbelief. "He mistook your neck for a juicy porterhouse, Sunny!"

"Vampires in gla.s.s rehabs shouldn't throw stakes," I remind her dryly. After all, she was the one who couldn't control her bloodl.u.s.t and almost drained Corbin dry back in Ireland. (Which is totally against the Consortium code of conduct, which states vampires can drink only from licensed blood donors.) If Jareth hadn't stepped in and turned poor Corbin into a vampire at the last minute, the Alpha would have ended up a bloodless corpse. Which, in hindsight, wouldn't have necessarily been a bad thing...

She snickers. "Well, I'm out of rehab now, baby. And as a slayer, I consider it my sworn duty to stake any vampire who doesn't behave around my baby sister."

Baby. Please. She was born seven minutes earlier than me. And, I might add, has been late to everything ever since. "Even if baby sister gave the vampire in question permission to bite?"

Her wide eyes tell me I've surprised her. Good. "Since when did you go all willing-blood-donor chick on me?"

"I'm not. I just thought it might help him." I explain to her my theory on the Holy Grail blood in my veins. "I thought maybe... just maybe it would cure him."

"Well, it hasn't," interrupts a male voice.

I look up to see Magnus enter the room. My sister takes one look at the expression on his face and takes off running faster than the Road Runner. Coward!

"Hey, hon," I say casually, trying to will my voice to sound steady and nonchalant. "How's it going?"

He frowns, plopping down in the chair beside my bed. His usually perfectly pressed Armani suit is rumpled and his hair has come loose from its ponytail. "Not great," he replies in a disgruntled voice. "I've missed my flight to j.a.pan and the Consortium has been ringing me off the hook, wondering why I'm not on it."

"Okay..." I pause. "And, um, why aren't you, again?"

He gives me a pointed look. "Because a certain girlfriend of mine is in the hospital undergoing a blood transfusion after she decided to offer herself up as a gourmet treat to some hungry stray?"

Oh, right. That.

"Jayden's not a stray," I protest. "He's my friend. And friends help each other. At least, in my world they do."

Magnus reaches over and brushes away a lock of hair that's fallen into my face. He gives me a small smile. "You're very sweet," he says. "Always thinking of others before yourself. Honestly, it's one of the things that made me fall in love with you in the first place."

Hmm. I'm sensing a big "but" coming in for a landing here...

"But, Sunny!" Magnus continues, not disappointing me. "You could have very well been killed out there, had I not come along. A new vampire like Jayden doesn't know his own strength. Especially one with no training-he literally wouldn't know how to stop sucking once he started-even if he wanted to. In fact, if I hadn't pulled him off of you, I am quite positive he would have drained every last drop out of your body and still been hungry for more."

I hang my head. When he puts it like that, it does seem like a rather dumb move on my part...

"I mean, look at the mess your sister got herself in," Magnus continues. "She sucked the entire mortal life out of Corbin, forcing Jareth to turn him into a vampire. What if I had to do that to you? Would you be okay living the rest of your life as a creature of the night, just to give Jayden his afternoon blood and cookies?"

"I guess not," I mutter, feeling ashamed and stupid. It had seemed like such a good plan at the time...

The two of us fall silent, each lost in our own thoughts. Actually, I'm just trying to work up the courage to ask the question I desperately need answered, but at the same time am afraid to know the answer to.

"How is Jayden, anyway?" I blurt out finally.

Magnus looks weary. "He's stable now," he replies. "But I don't know for how long. I don't know if it's because of the manner in which he was bitten or his hemophiliac blood disorder-but his human cells aren't properly bonding with the vampire ones. Meaning he's not really a vampire. But he's not really human either." Magnus reaches over and takes my hand in his, stroking the back of my palm. "I'm sorry, Sun. I know he's your friend. But I think it might be kinder to just put him down instead of letting him suffer like this."

"Put him down?" My heart reels. I yank my hand away. "Magnus, he's not a dog! You can't just-"

"He's sick, Sun. He can't get proper nutrients from drinking human blood. And so he's literally starving to death, even though we've pumped him with every blood type known to vampire." He shakes his head. "And a sick vampire can be more dangerous than a rabid dog."

I cringe. "But maybe he'll get better! Maybe he just needs more time..."

"Normally I'd say yes, but we're in Code Red right now, in case you forgot," Magnus reminds me gently. "The Alphas are readying for battle. And we have no idea what they have in store for us. We need all our top doctors and scientists working on ways to stop them from creating an army of vampiric fairies." He gives me a pitying look. "We just don't have the time or resources to deal with one sick vampire when the whole vampire race is in danger of being obliterated by our enemies."

"But this isn't just any single vampire," I whimper, my voice breaking as I think of my poor, sick friend. "This is Jayden."

Magnus lets out a slow breath as he rises to his feet, his eyes tormented and sad. "Sunny, I know he's special to you. But I don't see any alternative in this case. I wish I did. I really do."

I smile at him, appreciating the effort he's making for my sake. Especially since he's not exactly Jayden's number-one fan. It'd be much easier for him to just let Jayden die-and wipe his only compet.i.tion off the face of the Earth. But he loves me too much for that. And I love him for loving me that much.

"Master!" A vampire in a white lab coat suddenly bursts into the hospital room, a large clipboard clasped in his hands. He pushes it toward Magnus, pointing down at the charts with a shaky finger. "You said to inform you of any changes. Well, take a look at this."

Magnus studies the chart carefully, his face a mask of solemnity. Then he looks up at the doctor and nods his head. "Thank you," he says. "Keep me posted of any other changes."

The doctor agrees and heads out of the room, clipboard still in hand. I look up at Magnus, who is watching him go, a thoughtful expression on his face. "What?" I demand, my heart thudding in my chest.

"Is this about Jayden?"

Magnus pauses, then nods reluctantly, as if he doesn't really want to tell me the news. As if he has a choice...

"Come on, Mag, spill!"

"It would seem..." he says slowly. "That your blood actually did do some good for him after all."

My eyes widen. "You mean because of the Holy Grail antibodies in my bloodstream?"

He nods. "While a fully formed vampire would die from receiving a transfusion of Holy Grailinfused blood, since Jayden's still partially mortal, the Grail antibodies actually seem to be helping his human cells fight off the vampire cells. Much like an antibiotic might kill harmful bacteria."

"I knew it!" I cry. "That's awesome news!"

"Don't break out the celebratory champagne just yet," Magnus warns. "He's still got a long fight ahead of him. Vampire cells are extremely strong and he's going to need a lot more antibodies if he has any hope of destroying them altogether."

"Well, I can help. I can give more blood. Whatever he needs!"

My boyfriend shoots me a sharp look. "Believe me, I'm well aware of your willingness to slash open a vein for this guy," he replies. "But it may not be enough to save him. After all, you've only got a trace amount of antibodies in your blood. He'd have to drink gallons for a chance at a real cure. And you just don't have that much to give."

My heart sinks. Was all this hope for nothing then? "What we need is a very concentrated dose,"

Magnus muses. "Straight from the source."

The source? "You mean like the actual Grail?" I ask. "Going back to the druids and asking for another drop?"

"Maybe," Magnus hedges. "I just wish this wasn't happening now. The druids are not going to just talk to any vampire who walks up to their door. But I don't know if I can take the time out to go myself." He rakes a hand through his hair. "I've got my duties to the Blood Coven to consider. The Consortium needs me in j.a.pan, like, yesterday."

"Well, the Consortium can hold their vampire horses," I growl, not willing to let this shred of hope be ripped away. "I mean, England's on the way to j.a.pan anyway."

Magnus raises an eyebrow. "Now I know why you're getting a C in geography."

"I meant, if you go around the long way," I correct hastily. "It's just a short side trip. Swing by Glas...o...b..ry, grab the Grail blood, cure Jayden, then hop back on the plane to j.a.pan. The most it'll take is a day. And seeing that j.a.pan is a day ahead of us anyway, you'll end up getting there exactly when you're supposed to."

"Your logic never ceases to amaze," Magnus replies dryly. "But yes, I suppose it won't take too much time. And I can work from the plane and keep in touch with phone and e-mail until I'm able to arrive in person."

Yes! "Oh, Magnus, thank you! Thank you, thank you, you thank you!" I cry, throwing my arms around him and squeezing him with all my might. "You won't be sorry. I promise."

"One thing, though, Sunny," Magnus says, pulling away to look me in the eyes. His expression is serious. "You're going to have to come along, too. We may need to give Jayden some small blood transfusions to keep his body fighting until we get the real blood."

I nod eagerly. Happy to be able to help. Happy to not be left at home. Finally, for once in my life, I have an actual purpose. I'm useful to the Blood Coven. Or at least to Jayden.

"Of course I'll do it!" I tell Magnus. "Whatever it takes, I don't care."

My boyfriend gives me a small smile. "You really do care about him, don't you?" he says softly, his voice threaded with envy.

My smile fades as I realize I've inadvertently hurt his feelings with my overt excitement. He knows I still retain a soft spot for the boy who saved my life. A place in my heart where he can never enter.

"I do care about him," I admit, reaching around to pull Magnus close to me. "But not in the way I care about you. My love. My friend." I kiss him softly on the mouth. "And I will never forget this act of kindness you've shown today as long as I shall live."

"And as a fairy princess," Magnus teases, reaching around to stroke my wings through my hospital gown, "that should hopefully be a very, very long time."

4.

"The captain has turned off the 'Fasten seat belt' signs," drones a bored-sounding stewardess, "indicating it's now safe to walk around the cabin."

I click out of my seat belt and make my way over to the private plane's bedroom, where Magnus is lounging on his back in the queen-sized bed. (Immortal vampires are always claiming they don't need to buckle up.) He's going over some briefs faxed over by the Consortium, but looks up and smiles as I enter, and pats the side of the bed, inviting me to sit, as he stacks the briefs on a nearby table. I acquiesce, crawling up onto the bed and melting into his waiting arms, resting my head in the crook of his shoulder. He looks down at me and smiles lovingly.

"Hey, baby," he says, moving my hair to the side to better stroke the back of my neck. "How are you feeling?"

"Like a new person," I reply, nuzzling into his chest. "Blood does a body good. Well, a blood transfusion anyway. I'm still not up for making milk shakes out of the stuff or anything."

He chuckles. "Hey, don't knock a double-malt, extra O-negative 'til you've tried one."

I make a face. "Ew.com."

"Well, then can I interest you in a pint of nectar instead?" he asks, stretching out his other arm to open the mini-fridge below the night table. My mouth involuntarily waters as he pulls out a squeeze box of imported fairyland nectar.

"Yes, please," I reply, taking the box from him and stabbing it with a straw. Ever since turning fairy, I've had an insatiable appet.i.te for the stuff. And Magnus, being the best boyfriend in the world that he is, always makes sure to keep a stash on hand.

"How's your work going?" I ask after sipping.

He groans. "I think Pyrus is sending me the worst of it as punishment for not getting to j.a.pan on their timetable."

I shoot him a sympathetic glance. "I'm sorry. I feel bad I've taken you away from your duties."

"It's okay," he says. "He'll live. And, as a bonus, this way I get to spend some extra time with my girl." He takes the juice box from me and sets it on the night table. Then he pulls me back into his arms. "After all, England is a very long plane ride away."

I smile slowly. "However will we pa.s.s the time?" I ask impishly as I roll over, pinning him to the bed, looking down at his loving eyes. I lower my lips to his own, tasting his cool, sweet kiss. His hands stroke my back. Lower and lower and...

"Have you ever considered joining the mile-high club?" Magnus asks huskily, his fingers skillfully kneading my lower back between my pelvic bones. I swallow hard, feeling the warm tide rise over me, shocked that I'm seriously considering his proposition. Imagine. My first time, with the guy I love, on a luxurious bed, thirtyfive thousand miles in the air? What a way to give up the V!

"Mmm," I murmur noncommittally as I attempt to gather my courage. My heart pounds in my chest. Could this really be it? Is the timing finally right? All I'd have to say is one word of a.s.sent. One tiny syllable to change my life forever... "Oh, Magnus," I whisper. "I'm-"

"ARRGHHHH!"

A piercing cry of anguish interrupts the scene of seduction. Startled, I break from our kiss, sitting up in bed, trying to identify the sound. Magnus grabs my hand and tries to pull me back toward him. "It's just Jayden," he murmurs.

Jayden! G.o.d. How can I just be lying here, enjoying all of this, maybe making the most important decision of my life thus far, while he's chained up in the next room, hungry, scared, sick, and alone? Ugh. They should so revoke my friend card.

I squirm out of my boyfriend's grasp. "Maybe I should go check on him," I say, glancing toward the door. "He's probably scared out of his mind."

Magnus frowns. "Francis and Tanner are out there. They'll take care of him."

"But he might be hungry." I glance at my watch. "It's almost time for his feeding."

My boyfriend lets out a long breath. "He'll be fine, I a.s.sure you. We'll give him some regular blood to hold him over." He tries again to pull me down on the bed. "Just five minutes," he pleads.

I find myself hesitating. Torn.

"It's okay if you don't want to do anything else," he adds, evidently mistaking my guilt for cold feet. "Just cuddle with me. Please?"

Reluctantly, I lie back down on the bed, my body facing the door. Magnus spoons me against my back, his fingernails lightly sc.r.a.ping up and down my arm. It should feel amazing. But I just can't relax. I keep thinking about Jayden. Hearing his agonizing moans echoing through the cabin.

I sit up in bed. Magnus groans. "Really, Sunny?" he asks. "You really want to waste the fleeting time we have together on this guy?"

I turn to him, annoyance welling up inside me. I mean, selfish much? "Magnus, this isn't a vacation, remember?" I retort. "We're only on this flight to begin with to try to save Jayden's life. How can I just lie here and cuddle while he's out there, all alone, scared and suffering and maybe even dying? It just wouldn't be right!"

"What wouldn't be right is for you to go and leave your loving, sweet boyfriend all alone in the bedroom," Magnus replies sulkily. "Refusing to fulfill his lifelong dream of being kissed by his loving girlfriend for five hours straight."

I sigh. There was a time I would have done anything to be kissed for five hours straight by Magnus. But there is no way I could enjoy it now. Not with Jayden in the next room.

I pull out of Magnus's grasp. "I promise, I'll be right back," I a.s.sure him as I climb out of bed. "I just want to check on him and maybe give him some blood if he needs it." I turn back to my boyfriend. "Okay?" I plead, hoping for understanding.

But Magnus is already out of bed and walking over to his desk at the far end of the room. "Whatever," he mutters. "I've got that paperwork to do anyway." He sits down at his computer, keeping his back to me.

I sigh. "Please don't be mad."

"I'm not," he replies automatically. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have an important phone call to make." He picks up the plane's phone for emphasis.

Giving up, I head out the door and into the main cabin of the private plane. Francis and Tanner, Magnus's bodyguards, are sitting on the couch, drinking from blood bags and watching Jersey Sh.o.r.e reruns, laughing hysterically, while ignoring Jayden's continued moans from the next room.

"Um, h.e.l.lo?" I cry angrily, stepping in front of the flat screen. "What are you doing?"

Francis strains to look around me. "Checking out the Situation?" he quips.