They returned to Shanghai to prepare for the transformation.
Kieran chose the monastery in the mountains—the same place where he'd been rehabilitated centuries ago. The wards would protect them during Adrian's vulnerable transformation period, and the isolation meant Adrian could learn control without risking human lives.
"Three days," Kieran explained as they prepared. "That's how long the transformation takes. I'll drain you to the point of death, then feed you my blood. Your body will shut down completely—no heartbeat, no breathing, technically dead. Then the vampire virus in my blood will begin rewriting your cells. It's agonizing."
"How agonizing?" Adrian asked.
"Imagine every cell in your body simultaneously dying and being reborn. Fire in your veins, knives in your bones, your senses amplifying until everything hurts. Some newly turned vampires go mad from the pain."
"Comforting."
"I'll be there the entire time. Holding you, talking to you, reminding you why you chose this." Kieran cupped Adrian's face. "You can still change your mind. We can find another way—"
"No. I want this. I want forever with you." Adrian covered Kieran's hands with his own. "I'm scared, but I'm sure."
The night before the transformation, they had a small gathering. Marcus, Wei, and her pack came to say goodbye—not to Adrian's life, but to his humanity.
"Don't fuck this up, human," Wei said gruffly, pulling Adrian into a hug. "The world needs more good vampires."
"I'll try," Adrian promised.
Liu was more emotional. "We just became friends! And now you're going to be a scary vampire who could rip my head off!"
"I promise not to rip your head off."
"That's all I ask."
Marcus simply handed Adrian a sword. "For after. When you're ready to learn real combat."
"Thank you. For everything."
After they left, Kieran and Adrian spent their last night alone together as human and vampire.
"No regrets?" Kieran asked for the hundredth time.
"None." Adrian kissed him. "Tomorrow, we do this. Tonight, just hold me."
Kieran did, and Adrian fell asleep in his arms, dreaming of the life that awaited him. The immortality, the power, the endless time with the person he loved.
He didn't dream of the pain that would come first.