Nikolai smiled when Lilith thanked him.  For the first time in so long, he felt like he was actually doing something good.  This was what he’d wanted when he became a doctor.  But somehow, the years had stolen his altruism -- instead of helping people, he’d settled for keeping them alive so that their vampire masters could play with them for a little while longer.<br/><br/>Momentarily forgetting his professionalism, Nikolai stroked Lilith’s hair, letting it slip between his fingers like fire spun into silky strands.  How could he do this?  How could he mend her body and then return her to a monster who would take sadistic pleasure in breaking it all over again?  A strange reluctance filled Nikolai.  He didn’t want to give Lilith back.  He wanted to keep her here, safe and treasured, warming his heart with her laughter. But her master would never willingly surrender such a prized trophy.<br/><br/>Blinking as if he’d just awakened from a strange dream, Nikolai withdrew his hand.  “I think that is enough examination for now.  You are needing your rest.”<br/><br/>Carefully, Nikolai filled a syringe with a clear liquid, before capping it and tucking it in his pocket.  Then he gently lifted Lilith into his arms.  “I will take you to the guest room and give you a sedative.  Once you have slept, we will have that feast I promised.”<br/><br/>In reality, there wasn’t a guest bedroom.  But Nikolai wanted to put Lilith somewhere more comfortable than the examination table.  So he carried her up to his own room and tucked her into its simple bed.  Like the rest of the house, his room contained almost no decoration or personal touches -- just a bookshelf with antique editions of Russian fairy tale collections.