Nevermourn’s forest harbored wicked creatures banished by wizard-kind and hunted by the vampires. It inspired nightmarish tales to keep the curious kids away. Beware of those trees that came to life in the night, ready to snatch up innocent little wizards and mages and humans alike who dare to tread across their cursed lands. Sebastian had heard all the stories before.

Some tales held pieces of truth behind them while others were just born from the creative imagination of folks. One thing that was certain, those woods were dangerous. Even vampires traveled wearily through the serpentine paths and convoluted branches of skeletal trees.

Fog embraced him like lonesome ghosts as he flew through the trees, cautious of anything that might reach out and snatch him away. Many wicked creatures slept during the wee hours of the morning, but Sebastian knew better than to chance his fate. He wouldn’t be careless out there.

Sebastian remembered the way to Asher’s little cabin. When he neared his home, he felt the magical barriers vibrate against his slowly beating heart. Power pulsed through the air in waves as Sebastian slowed down, sweeping over to the boughs of some trees.

Mist gathered around the cabin, and as Sebastian neared the porch, he transformed back into his vampire form. Wind nipped at his face with each step up the rickety wooden floorboards, coated in a layer of snow. Sebastian sensed nothing out of the ordinary. As he reached a fist out to knock on the door, an uncanny sensation crawled through his skin like insects burrowing into his blood. He tried to shake it off.

Sebastian perked his ears, listening over the roaring winds. He smelled nothing but the fresh morning dew. The revolting odor of the wolf walkers clung to them like a second skin, so he knew that hairy animal was nowhere near. Any other wicked creature out there would have some sort of scent or he’d hear their footsteps. It had to be his paranoia.

From the window, Sebastian noticed the black curtain rustle. Locks unclicked, and the door creaked open just enough for Asher to peek outside.

“S-Sebastian?” the mage choked out, trembling as he gripped the door.

“Are you okay?” Concern filled Sebastian’s voice. “Did something happen?”

“You can’t come in. I have to give you permission to enter my home, and I don’t.” Asher’s words came out in rapid bursts, barely enough for Sebastian to catch.

“I understand.” Sebastian spread his hands, then took a step back. “I just wanted to check on you. Did you sleep well? Did anything try to break inside your home?”

Asher blinked. “Why were you here last night?”

Sebastian frowned. “What? After I made sure you got home, I went to work at the clinic. That’s why I’m checking up on you now.”

“No,” Asher’s voice came out hoarse, barely above a whisper. “I saw you.”

“I swear, I wasn’t here last night. You can ask anyone at my clinic. I came back to check on you this morning because I saw a wolf walker out here last night, performing some kind of magic,” Sebastian explained. “I asked Castor about it, hoping he’d know what spells he might’ve performed last night. Maybe it did something to look like me again?”

“Why were you eating that raven?” Asher asked, scrunching his face in disgust. “Right outside my fucking window.”

Sebastian wasn’t sure what he was prepared to hear, but it wasn’t that. “What? Why the hell would I do that? Vampires don’t eat creatures, and I have finer tastes than that. I don’t know what you saw, but it wasn’t me. I promise.”

“You vampires are all sick fucks,” Asher spat. “Probably did it to scare me, right? Act like a hero, then show your true insane colors.”

“I own a clinic, which provides free blood for starved vampires. It’s better quality than anything I’d find out here. Think about that. If I truly wanted your blood, I could’ve just taken it while you were under my care,” Sebastian pointed out.

Asher wavered, then eased the door open just enough to step outside and close it behind him. The mage wore some plaid pajamas, paired with some bunny slippers. Sebastian bit back a chuckle at how adorable he looked, with his snow white hair tousled up and comfy-looking attire. Nothing like a vampire hunter.

“It doesn’t seem like something you’d do.” Asher crossed his arms over his chest. “I just… I’m not sure if it’s really you here now. I already don’t trust you, but this makes it worse.”

“I can leave if you’re uncomfortable.” Sebastian hung his head low. “I only wanted to make sure you weren’t in danger. Hearing that you saw me outside your cabin last night is troubling. Something’s watching you.”

“Gods.” Asher shivered. “What have those dumbasses gotten me involved with?” He gazed around the yard, as if searching for the creature, and clenched his fists at his sides. “I’ll probably regret this, but come inside. If you are the real Sebastian Wraith.”

Sebastian raised a brow, then a playful smirk tugged at his lips. “And what if I’m not the real Sebastian?”

Asher glared at him. “Then you’ll combust into flames until you dissolve into ash.”

“Reasonable.” Sebastian nodded, taking cautious steps toward the threshold. Power shifted around the doorframe. With a daring plunge into the living room, Sebastian almost expected a trap to actually kill him. “Thank you for inviting me in.”

“Don’t touch anything.”

Sebastian obeyed as he followed close behind Asher, eyeing his bookshelf brimming with spellbooks and other magical artifacts. A few spines caught his attention, particularly the ones on how to slay vampires. While Asher didn’t look like a hunter, it was evident that he’d trained up over the years.

“Sit.” Asher yanked out a chair for him at the dining table.

Sebastian frowned at the command, but did so anyway. He eyed Asher curiously as he grabbed his steaming mug of coffee, taking small sips while gathering supplies. A small jar of fangs on the table made Sebastian cringe. Upon noticing he saw them, Asher swiped them up and stashed them in another drawer.

“Lovely little collection you have there,” Sebastian remarked.

“I forgot I’d left them out. My bad.” Asher shrugged as he rummaged through his cabinet.

“So, what are you doing?” Sebastian asked.

“I need to be sure you’re not lying to me.” Asher placed a crystal ball in front of him. “This might hurt a little, but it’ll fade. I’m just going to take a small peek into your mind, okay? Just for last night, nothing else.”

“Lucien did this to me once. If it’ll help you trust me, then go ahead.” Sebastian nodded, reclining in his chair. He placed his arm out toward Asher, rolling up the sleeve to expose his pale skin.

“Who’s Lucien?” Asher asked, with a trace of curiosity in his voice.

“Castor’s lover.”

“I see.” Asher nodded.

Asher gathered his necessary ingredients in a little petri dish filled with water. Then, he took a switchblade from his pocket to slice Sebastian’s wrist. It surprised him how gentle the mage was with the cut, sealing it back with a brush of his thumb. Crimson blended with the water as Asher dribbled his own blood into the dish next.

Unlike his wizard friends, Asher didn’t use a wand. With his hand, he levitated the bloodied water and swirled it around his crystal ball. Whispered words caused the crystal ball to stir on the table, filling the darkness with drifting snow flurries.

Pain pulsed through Sebastian’s temple. He closed his eyes, waiting for it to abate, when a gentle hand touched his face.

Warmth caressed him like a delightful summer’s eve. As he reopened his eyes, he saw Asher’s hand soothing the aches with his healing magic. Embers of light blue twinkled around him while he flicked through Sebastian’s memories.

Finally, it all dissolved. Asher raked a hand through his tousled white hair, sighing. “You’re not lying. That’s a relief.”

“Glad we’ve got that out of the way.” Sebastian rolled his sleeve back down.

“Why are you really here?” Asher narrowed his silvery eyes. “Surely there’s more to your visit than checking up on me.”

“Well, if you’re up for it, I’d like to check out that place where I spotted the wolf walker,” Sebastian replied. “I know you normally work alone, but I think a partnership could benefit us both. Don’t you?”

“I’m listening.” Asher drummed his fingers against the table. Exhaustion weighed in his silvery, bloodshot eyes.

“I can offer you protection against the other vampires. When you’re with me, they won’t dare to attack. And I could use your influence with the hunters to back off.” Sebastian’s glare darkened. “Those fools don’t bother me, but I don’t want them harassing anyone at my clinic. You understand, right?” He folded his hands together on the table.

“I don’t trust you.” Asher paced around his kitchen, chewing on his lower lip. “This is probably a terrible idea. I’ve made a lot of those lately. Dammit.” He groaned. “If you kill me, I’ll just haunt you for eternity.”

The last thing Sebastian wanted was for that mage to follow him for the rest of his damned life. So, he plastered on a saccharine smile and held his hand out to shake on it. “Sounds like we have a deal.”

Asher reluctantly accepted his hand, then wiped it on his pajama bottoms as if he were contagious. “Let me get dressed and we’ll head out.”

Alone in the kitchen, Sebastian wondered if he’d made a grave mistake. He couldn’t gauge how he’d react. That mage was too damn unpredictable. One moment he seemed skittish then ready to conquer anything that came his way before his fears slithered through the cracks.

What if it was all a ruse? What if Asher truly intended to hand him over to his hunting buddies?