I stood uncertainly by his side as he drank. This was the third time I'd taken part in an attack, but I still wasn't used to the sight of the vampire sucking blood from a helpless human being.

It had been almost two months since my "death," but I was having a tough time adjusting to the change. It was hard to believe my old way of life was finished, that I was a half-vampire and could never go back. I knew I had to eventually leave my human side behind. But it was easier said than done.

Mr. Crepsley lifted his head and licked his lips.

"A good vintage," he joked, shuffling back from the body. "Your turn," he said.

I took a step forward, then stopped and shook my head.

" I can't ," I said.

"Do not be stupid," he growled. "You have shied away twice already. It is time you drank."

"I can't!" I cried.

"You have drunk animal blood," he said.

"That's different. This is a human."

"So what?" Mr. Crepsley snapped. " We are not. You have to start treating humans the same as animals, Darren. Vampires cannot live on animal blood alone. If you do not start drinking human blood, you will grow weak. If you continue to avoid it, you will die."

"I know," I said miserably. "You've explained it to me. And I know we don't hurt those we drink from, not unless we drink too much. But…" I shrugged unhappily.

He sighed. "Very well. It is hard, especially when you are only a half-vampire and the hunger is not so great. I will let you abstain this time. But you must feed soon. For your own sake."

He returned to the cut and cleaned away the blood — which had been leaking out while we were talking — from around the man's leg. Then he worked up a mouthful of spit and slowly let it dribble over the cut. He rubbed it in with a finger, then sat back and watched.