The morning dragged on, and no matter how much Merritt tossed so restlessly in his bed, he couldn’t stop thinking about his boss.  Despite how his enchanted blackout curtains kept the sunlight from pooling in, sleep would not come.  He kept replaying last night in his mind, both the feeding and how Bloodworth had been stabbed.

Merritt had tried to convince him to get checked out by a doctor at one of the vampire clinics, but he’d adamantly refused, claiming to be perfectly fine.  It wasn’t like he had the powers to compel him to listen to reason, but he still wished he could’ve done more for him.  Bloodworth had used his magic on Merritt when that lunatic came at them with a knife.  He chose Merritt’s life over his own.

After the fifth time he readjusted himself and rearranged his pillows, he sat up in his bed with a frustrated groan.  Why did everyone keep going after his new boss?  First he was almost possessed, and now, almost killed.  Bandit was curled up at his feet, peeking up at him before nestling her head back down to sleep.  

“At least one of us is getting some sleep.” Merritt looked down at his arm, tracing his fingers along the pinpricks deep in his skin with a light shiver.  It no longer hurt, but the pleasurable sensations still rushed back to him whenever he touched it.  

Without second guessing, Merritt reached over for his crystal ball on the nightstand.  His boss had given him the magic code if he ever needed to contact him on his personal globe.  Merritt wasn’t sure he’d be able to rest without worrying the afternoon away, but maybe, if he called his boss he could rest assured his fretful mind that Bloodworth was perfectly safe.

Channeling his magic through the crystal ball, he whispered the code under his breath followed by the spell to call out.  It vibrated between his hands.  Each passing second had paranoia gripping Merritt tightly by the throat, but he tried to remember that Bloodworth was likely tucked away in his soundproof coffin sleeping.  He hadn’t survived this long without him.  Ghosts and demons have probably been trying to kill the poor vamp for a millenial by now.

Finally, the haze cleared and Bloodworth’s familiar features materialized into the crystal ball.  Even half-awake, he looked so ethereal with his perfectly coiffed blond hair and pale complexion that still had a touch of color to it.  Merritt was quite tired himself, spending far too long staring at his boss before sputtering out some words.

“Merritt? Has something happened?  Why are you calling me so early?”  On the other end, he faintly heard his boss rustling around and Merritt realized he’d climbed out of his bed.

“Oh, no.  Nothing’s happened.  I, um, I just wanted to make sure you got home safely,” Merritt said, then hurried to add, “Just making sure your attacker didn’t try to follow you home or strike again.”

“All good here.” The crystal ball shook on Bloodworth’s end and Merritt watched as his boss returned to his bed.  “No murderers were hiding in my bushes or under the bed either.”

Merritt cracked a smile.  “I’m glad to hear that, sir.”

“Is that all you needed?” Bloodworth asked, stifling a yawn as he nestled down on a single pillow, his crystal ball showing the bed.

“Are you sleeping in a bed, sir?” Merritt asked, brows furrowing as he stared closer into the crystal ball.  

“Yes, Merritt.  Is that a problem?” Bloodworth’s tone was his usual austere, but with a hint of amusement.  

“Not at all.  Just surprised.” Merritt awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck.  “I thought all vampires rested in coffins.”

“Ah, many do. I personally never found them very comfortable.  I felt trapped when laying in one.”

“Yeah, that’s understandable.  I can’t imagine I’d be too cozy in one either.” Merritt hoped the nervousness in his strained laugh wasn’t too noticeable.  Honestly, there was no need for him to be nervous when all he wanted to do was ensure his boss’s safety.  Any concerned intern would’ve done the same thing.

“You should get some rest, Merritt.  It’ll be evening before long, and I don’t want you coming into the office tired.”

“Of course.  You do the same, sir.” 

Merritt ended the globe call and placed his crystal ball back in the holder, hoping he could get some sleep, yet he felt even more wound up than he had before.  It was sure to be a long night ahead of him.