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He half laughed
“That was quick.” he said. “What do you need me to do?”
“I need your help with some magic.”
“Magic is it?” He shook his head smiling. “Well it's been a while, but any help that's mine to give is yours to have.”
“Good.” I stood up. “I don't know how much I can do like this, and I need two powerful spells.”

I couldn't cure myself, but I could make sure that I couldn't spread sickness to anyone else. But what was foremost on my mind was to weave a protection spell; one with power enough to fend off even Vlad.
“I can't remember much.” Henry warned me “So you'll have to prompt me.”
“Don't worry.” I assured him. “I'll do all the hard parts.” We had worked together before, so once we were set up, it was possible for us to weave the magic together fairly easily. He had such rich energy that I didn't feel any scruples in using it.

Besides; he'd offered it freely.

“That was different.” Henry muttered. “We never cast anything like that before.”
“I'm afraid our circle's scope was a little bit selfish.” I grinned weakly at him. “I can't recall a single protection spell we cast that wasn't linked to something else.”
“We're hardly more than boys, Xan.” We were sitting across from each other, both tiered. In a bit I'd have to get up and clean up the materials, but for now, we rested.
“You're older than me.”
“A year or so. I'm barely twenty.” He stared at the ceiling.”I don't think I can be selfish any more.”
“You're not selfish.” I protested.
“It's hard to say.” He sighed. “Nothing I do is that selfish in itself; but what's the result?” He looked at me and smiled. “Never mind. I did help, right?”
“Couldn't have done it without you.”
“Right.” he came to his feet, and dusted off his knees. “This will help you right?”
“I certainly hope so. Almost half of it was making sure I don't make anyone else sick.” I grimaced guiltily. “Speaking of selfish; that didn't even occur to me until today.”
“I'm not surprised.” Henry stumbled over and slid down the wall next to me. “Why worry about infecting anyone when you won't admit to yourself that you're sick?” I laughed, and dropped my head on his shoulder. It was easy to think about childhood intimacy with Henry, and mistake it for what I had had- what I had- with Edward.
“You're right. Again.”
“Of course I am. Part of being noble, don't you know. We're always right.”
“What about me?”
“Ah; you're just a b*****d.”
“Who's a b*****d?” I gave him a shove, and he rocked back, laughing.
“Someday you'll tell me why you've been avoiding me these last few months; right?”
I put my chin on my crossed arms.
“If you're ever ready to hear it.” I sighed. “I don't think you are.”
“What makes you think that?”
I leaned across the distance between us and kissed him. Just gently, like school girls do.
“Xan!” He gave me a shove.
I shrugged.
“Ignore it; It's not important.”
“Fine.”
“Fine.”
We looked away from each other. At last he stood up again.
“I've got to go. I have a lecture to attend.”
As he moved to go, I caught the fabric of his trouser.
“Henry- Thank you.”
“Don't mention it.”