Time passed. The fallen angel vampires, so oblivious to the passage of time, made no hurry to get rid of their guests. They were comfortable letting things happen to them; never acting, never stressing. It was easy to fall into their way of doing things, and events might have continued that way forever if it hadn't been for the bloodlust.

"I'm hungry," Abel hissed at Belial, after the vampire had stopped him for the second time. "I must hunt."

"I know, I know," Belial said soothingly. "But tomorrow night is the full moon. That is when we feed. You are used to traveling and feeding often, but we find that once a month is enough for us. But then, perhaps it is the difference in blood. Perhaps you have not been feeding as you should."

Abel snarled at him, furious at his tone, but Cain but a hand on his brother's arm and drew him back. "Peace," he said quietly. "Let's wait and see what we do. It won't harm us to be hungry for one more night. I like the way of these vampires; it is a good way to spend eternity. Perhaps their way of feeding is better, too. We've gone hungry often enough; we can bear it this time."

Abel turned sulkily away from his brother. He found village life wearing, dulling. But it seemed too much effort to leave on his own and too much effort to pull Cain away when his brother didn't want to stay.

Perhaps, Abel was beginning to understand why some of the other vampires were growing tired, why they might want to die and leave other, younger vampires to continue for them.

"And tomorrow night," Belial promised, "you will get to see your Ruth once more."

That night and the next day passed more slowly than time had passed in years, but at last, the next evening, Belial called to them. "It is time," he said. "Tonight, we feast."

The brothers leapt up excitedly and followed Belial out of his house and to the great lodge. It was full again, full of both servants-of whom there were about three dozen-and vampires. The servants were all dressed in white frocks, and Ruth was among them. Her hair had been braided elegantly, and she looked as radiant as they had ever seen them. She was looking around in agitation, but the servants on either side of her were holding her arms. Her eyes lit up when she saw Cain and Abel enter, lingering long on the elder brother especially.

They looked back. Abel longed to run to her, but his hunger was growing more unmanageable, and he didn't dare get too close. Cain waved.

"Now," Belial said, "we feast. We prefer to make a ceremony of this. Would our honored guests care to go first? Ah, but I see they do not understand. I will demonstrate."

Belial walked up and down the rows of servants, inspecting each one. They kept their heads bowed and their eyes on the ground. He settled at last on a young man, auburn-haired and freckled but handsome. With one long hand, Belial stroked the man's face. The man flinched slightly, but that was all. When Belial drew him out from the rows, he did not resist.

"I will take this one tonight," Belial told the brothers, "for he is young and strong and makes good blood." Without further warning, he reared back his head and plunged his fangs into the servant's neck.

Ruth shrieked and Abel gasped. Cain leapt forward and ripped Belial off the young man. "What are you doing?" Cain yelled. He took his own robe and tried to stop the servant's bleeding.

Belial laughed at him. "Feeding, dear boy. Surely that's obvious even to you."

"Feeding!" Cain cried. "Feeding? But he's a human being! You can't feed on him. We're vampires, not monsters. Hunt the animals of the forest, there are plenty enough."

Belial regarded him coldly. "You fool," he said, "we are vampires. We feast on human blood. No vampire can thrive on animal blood."

"We have."

"Have you?" Belial waved a hand up and down. "You are thin and sallow and must feed twice as often as we. You are weak."

"You are evil!"

Belial smirked. "You say so now, but you would not if you had ever tasted human blood. Here, drink." He shoved the servant at Cain, who recoiled. "Or do you prefer something a little more succulent?" He motioned sharply at the other servants, who hauled a struggling, swearing Ruth to her feet and dragged her over.

"No!" Cain cried. "Have you forgotten you too were human once? This is monstrous!"

"We're leaving," Abel said roughly, grabbing Ruth from the servants. "We want none of you, and we will never help you."

"What did you say?" Belial asked dangerously.

"You heard me. Take care of Amos on your own. Act for once. We do not help monsters."

Belial's face turned black with rage, but he quickly smoothed it out. "Very well," he said, seemingly calm. "Then accept one parting gift and go in peace." He reached inside his robe and drew out a small vial of liquid. Before Abel could react, he smashed the vial against Abel's face, breaking it.

Abel gasped, and everything went dark.