"James, you don't have to do this; we can help you, it's not too late," Nat insisted, tears in her eyes, but stake also held firmly in hand, because she couldn't take any chances, not this time.

"It's not that simple, Natalia," he replied, shaking his head, lips pulling over fangs as he slowly smiled, "I've come too far, there's no going back for me - my life belongs to the darkness now."

"Then I guess I have no choice," said Nat, taking a deep breath to steel herself, letting the stake slip from her fingers and clatter to the ground, before reaching up to pull at her collar, exposing her neck; "Do it."