Bone-chilling winds greeted Sebastian and Asher outside of Dark Moon Delights. Sebastian was curious about who they hid from back there.  Probably hunters.  But he also wondered how deep those pockets in Asher’s coat truly were when he pulled out his half-eaten burger and bit into it. When he yanked his soda pop out next, Sebastian swore the mage must be messing with him.

“How deep are those pockets?” Sebastian asked, flabbergasted as they crossed through the backlot of the tavern.  

Asher swiped a bit of ketchup from the corner of his lip.  “Oh, they’re charmed with a spell.  I can even control the temperature so it keeps my burger warm and my coke nice and cold.”

Sebastian shook his head, grinning in amusement.  “You spellcastors and your magic.  Where, pray tell, do you keep the spellbook?”

“On the cold side,” Asher explained, as if it were obvious.  

“So, who were we running away from?” Sebastian asked.  “I’m assuming it’s the hunters who hired you to kill me?”

“Yes.” Asher took another bite of his burger, then replied, “They go by Trubin and Damien.  Dunno if you’ve heard of them.  I figured it would be really bad if they caught us having lunch together.”

Those names didn’t sound familiar, but Sebastian knew all too well how hunters fabricated their identities. Sebastian barely got a glimpse of them, but he didn’t believe he’d encountered them before.

Sebastian scoffed.  “I suppose you could’ve told them you were poisoning me.  Or suckering me into a friendship only to attempt a betraying beheading?”

“Gods.” Asher chuckled. “Next time they need a vampire slayed, they ought to get pointers from you.”

“How did you end up as a hunter anyway?” Sebastian kicked a stone down the path, stuffing his gloved hands in his pockets.  “You’re quite young.  Don’t take this to heart, but you’re not very experienced either.”

“Pfft.  You don’t know me at all.  If I truly wanted you dead, I’d have served your head to those hunters already.” Asher bit into his burger again.  

“So arrogant,” Sebastian taunted, then his expression sombered.  “All of Nevermourn’s vampires experienced torture during last year’s Harvest Fest from Hell, and that’s why they’re so hateful toward magic users. 

“I’m not as innocent as you think, Sebastian.” Embers of silvery blue pulsed in his palms.  “You have to keep in mind that magic isn’t my only weapon.  I used to take potions to poison my blood, rendering any vampires who feed off me temporarily paralyzed.  I wouldn’t put it past those hunters to play dirty tricks like that, so you best be careful.”  

“Right.” Sebastian grimmed.  “Thanks for the warning. I shouldn't underestimate you or belittle you like a kid. It’s just hard to look at you as a hunter after meeting you and investigating.”

“No, it’s okay.”  Asher released his magic.  “I only warn you now because there’s others like me.  Those who appear naive and foolish.  It’s usually a ruse or they have talents beyond fighting.  You should be very afraid of them.”

“I’ll be careful.” Sebastian nodded. 

“Don’t let your guard around me either.” Asher folded his arms across his chest. “Who knows? Maybe the killer will wear my face next.”

“That’s possible.” Sebastian agreed. “But I trust you right now. You won’t kill me. You don’t want to.”

Asher shrugged. “I’m not going to kill you for a crime you didn’t commit. I’m not that wicked.”

“Honestly, I think you even consider me a friend now.” Sebastian playfully nudged his shoulder. 

“Don’t get too ahead of yourself now.” Asher laughed. 

“You’re the first hunter I’ve sat down and had a proper meal with.” Sebastian glanced over at Asher, walking alongside him. “They always jump to hexing or shooting.”

“I’m not an official hunter in Marusticia actually,” Asher admitted. “It was a lifetime ago. Just a way to survive, you know?”

“I figured it was. You don’t seem like a ruthless vampire slayer to me. And I mean that as a compliment,” Sebastian said. 

“Thanks. You’re not half bad either for a vampire.” Asher teased. 

“So, where would you like to go now?” Sebastian asked as he checked his pocket watch. He still had enough time before needing to get back to his clinic. “After we were rudely interrupted by those hunters, we never got a chance to look over that spellbook. I’m quite curious about it.”

“Let’s head back to my cabin,” Asher suggested. “We’re safer there, and I can’t help but worry those hunters might’ve followed us here. If they try coming to my cabin, my wards will keep them away.”

“Sounds good to me.” Sebastian agreed. “Do you wish to walk or would you be willing to fly again?”  

Asher cracked a smile. “I don’t mind flying.”

Befriending a hunter wasn’t wise. Sebastian knew deep within his heart that Asher could kill him if he let his guard down, but as they soared through the snowy sky, all those doubts faded away into the gray storm clouds.