The storm raged throughout the afternoon.

Ferocious wind howled like an angry dragon as sheets of rain pounded against the rooftop of Witch's Brew and Bite. Merritt sat at one of the mushroom-shaped tables toward the back of the establishment, sipping on his scrumptious blue moon milkshake while he waited for his best friend to head on break.  Bandit nestled down at his feet with a small dish of crushed berries.

Above him, fairy lights twinkled from invisible strands of wires ran off the beams like tiny stars. The surrounding walls depicted gorgeous portraits of the wolf walkers who'd run the restaurant over the years. Merritt remembered flying over there almost every day after school to see Killian and his family. They'd always have his favorite foods ready on hand too, never taking a single cent from him despite how much he'd insisted.

There was a lot of stigmas surrounding those cursed with lycanthropy, but modern medications made it far more manageable nowadays. Mostly wizards and witches alike shunned the wolf walkers for something many were merely born with. Vampires had historically always supported their kind, even being the first to discover new kinds of medications to help them cope with midnight shiftings, particularly those during the full moons and blood moons.

Merritt smiled at the portrait near his table of Grandma Wolfram. She'd always tell him she'd let him pay for his own food after he became the hotshot lawyer she always knew he'd be. If she were still living, Merritt knew she'd be so damn proud of how far he'd come. 

A bolt of lightning flashed across the sky as the employee door walloped open. Killian Wolfram marched into the dining room carrying two food baskets and a vanilla milkshake topped with rainbow sprinkles for himself. He still wore his forest green apron that depicted a caldron and spoon on the front as he slid into the chair beside Merritt at his mushroom table.

"Tell me everything." Killian pushed him a basket of waffle fries and crispy chicken sandwich (no lettuce) toward him. "What's that sexy boss of yours like? Is he as ruthless as everyone says?" His friend sipped his milkshake with an eager glint in his golden eyes.

"Honestly?" Merritt sighed. "It was an absolute magical mess."

"That bad?" Killian's expression softened, golden eyes no longer glistening with the mirth they once held. "I've heard the stories of Lucius Bloodworth. Murderous son of witch, they say. Doesn't even have his own private hitman because he likes to rip the throats out of his enemies himself."

It should not have sent such a rushing thrill through Merritt at the mere sound of that vamp's name alone. He'd heard the stories too. He knew exactly what heinous things that man was capable of.

"I'm technically not supposed to talk about court cases outside of court, but I trust you." Merritt glanced around, then lowered his head and leaned close. "Bloodworth was almost possessed by a demon.  Their official necromancer was possessed himself and nearly released that wicked thing on him."

"Crystal balls," Killian hissed. "What happened? How did they stop it?"

Merritt bit his lower lip, shaking his head. "I had no choice."

"Merritt, you didn't."

"Do you know what would have happened had I not? Bloodworth is already a formidable vampire. Imagine how much bloodshed a demon like that would spill using his body." Merritt reclined back in his booth with a soft groan. "I don't know what to do now."

"They're going to know you're a necromancer and a demon hunter. If you need to escape town, just let me know. I'll pack us a bag after my shift. We'll disappear before they can even find you." Killian spoke those words with such determination that made Merritt smile because he knew his friend wasn't bluffing.

Killian seriously would've packed up his life and ran away with him if he were in trouble.

"There's protective clauses in Bloodworth's contract that prohibit additional blood feedings and anything like that," Merritt explained, biting into his sandwich to help calm his nerves. After he swallowed, he added, "I even got a raise right on the spot, so I guess my skills impressed him."

"He's not going to exploit your abilities though, is he? You read his contract diligently, didn't you?" Killian asked with an edge of worry in his wavering voice.

"Of course I read over it thoroughly," Merritt said. "I'm not that foolish. There are no hidden clauses in it or ways he can manipulate me to use my magic. If he ever tried, I would simply quit and find someplace else to work."

"Good." Killian nodded. "I worry about you being in that courthouse at night with all those vampires."

"You know I can handle myself." Merritt popped a waffle fry in his mouth.

"I don't doubt that." Killian frowned. "But I remember when you couldn't even venture into town after what happened. I can't imagine it being easy in a courtroom full of them. Even worse, that your boss is a notorious bloodthirsty one." His friend bristled.

"Yeah, he's bloodthirsty for women." Merritt sipped his shake.

"I guess you really did your research on him."

"His firm offers the most human protections out there. It pales even in comparison to those in the medical field," Merritt pointed out. "When I heard of his wicked ways, I'll admit, it scared me. After getting more information though, I figured it wouldn't be too bad since I'm not his preference."

"Sounds like a pretty fanged up vamp. I trust you'll quit if things get too uncomfortable for you, yeah?" Killian asked. "I swear, call me anytime on my crystal ball at night and I'll come get you and fight any vampire that gives you hell."

"I know you would." Merritt grinned. "If I'm being honest, Bloodworth didn't really live up to those ruthless claims. Not like I expected. He was super chill with me. Didn't even mind me needing to rest when I overused my magic."

Merritt certainly was not about to tell him how he'd literally fainted, and Bloodworth had carried him back to his personal office. The thought alone already had him flustered. He hated to imagine how the other vampires in the courtroom perceived that.

"Just be careful, okay?" Killian reached out, squeezing his hand. "I'll rip that bloodsucker's throat out myself if he ever hurts you. I don't care who he is or what his reputation is."

Merritt nodded. "I will, I promise."

"Do you have to work tonight too?" Killian asked, biting into his burger.

"I do." Merritt took another sip of his sweet, creamy shake.

"Well, whenever you get a free night, we need to hang out again. Maybe order in some pizza and wings and have game night like old times. It's long overdue." Killian grinned.

"Yeah, that sounds like fun. I'll let you know my future schedule for sure," Merritt said. "We don't have court on Sundays or Moondays, so those are likely ones I'll have available unless Bloodworth has me come in and do paperwork or something."

Killian nodded. "Sounds good to me."

After lunch, Merritt had some errands to run before his second shift that night. He wanted to hurry home and get some rest, hoping things would go a helluva lot smoother than his first night. The thought of returning to that courthouse had his nerves frayed, but he couldn’t deny how much he wanted to see Bloodworth again.