Page 26 of The Psychic and the Vampire

“That was true, too.” Ant smothered another yawn. “But I fully expected Tony to do something as soon as he saw what I looked like back at the police station.”

Huffing out a long breath, Viktor resisted thumping the table although his hands were clenched as they rested on it. “We don’tknow each other very well yet. However, what I do know is that I’ve seen you face a bullet twice in the past week.Twice. I’d like to avoid a third time if possible because while you don’t appear to be upset about it, I AM.”Don’t thump the table.Another long breath later Viktor added, “Please explain to me why Tony would target you now that he’s seen you, so that I can better understand how you are seeing this situation.”

“It’s not my fault if people take a shot at me. I can’t control their actions.”

Gods, give me strength.“I’m not saying it your fault.” Viktor deliberately lowered his voice in an effort to project calm he did not feel. “I just want to know why you think Tony would have people shoot at you instead of me. I’m the reason he’s in jail right now, facing murder charges.”

“I think you’ll find that was a joint effort. And of course, Tony would come after me and not you. Those two men admitted it themselves. You have a reputation for ripping people’s head off. I’m a magic user. You’re at least six-foot-five tall, possibly more, and built. Whereas I’m a slender five foot four.

“You look like a rugged Viking from old – the type of man who creates carnage wherever he goes and barely breaks a sweat. In contrast, I look like a mild mannered barista who’s going to ask if you want cookies with your coffee order. If cowards are going to go after someone and they had to choose between you and me, then the choice is obvious…especially” – Ant added, almost as an afterthought – “especially if the cowards concerned didn’t understand how a paranormal mating link works. Is that clear enough for you?”

“You’re not wrong.” Viktor took another swig of his coffee and wrinkled his nose. It had gone cold and for him, hotter was better. “That doesn’t explain why you apparently show no fearwhen faced with a man with a gun. He was barely three or four feet away from you, and the gun was pointed straight at you when it went off.”

“But the bullet didn’t hit me.” Ant got up and grabbed Viktor’s half empty cup before moving over to the kitchen counter. “This house is extensively warded,” he said. Viktor half turned in his chair to see Ant making a fresh pot of coffee.

“You could shoot a canon at this house and the cannonball would just bounce back in the direction it came from. Same with flame throwers or bombs. In theory, although I haven’t tested the hypothesis completely, but in theory this house would be the safest place to be in town.” Ant paused in the act of putting a coffee pod into his machine. “Although Bridget’s house might be more warded than mine – I’m not sure. I did hers, too.”

That did soothe Viktor’s mood somewhat, although not much. “So if anyone tries to shoot you around this house, they end up shooting themselves?”

“Pretty much. It’s why I told them not to discharge their gun, but again, it’s not like anyone listens to me.” Ant poured two fresh cups of coffee and came back over to the table, offering Viktor tantalizing glimpses of pale skin as he put the cups on the table and sat down.

“What about when you’re out of the house? You didn’t know when the last bullet was coming toward you.”

“That was an unusual situation.” Ant actually smiled in Viktor’s direction. “You know, like you biting me in the lecture hall. Life happens. I didn’t die. Let’s just move on. See, this is where I think you’re spending so much time in the shadows wasn’t healthy for you. You see death and violence as a normal way of life, but most people go about their day, perfectly happy, and never have a gun pointed at them.”

“You’ve been shot at twice!”

“I’m not going to live in fear over what some delusional madman, or two, might do!”

The smile was gone. Ant was meeting his eyes without flinching and his expression was just as determined as Viktor’s. Both of them were breathing hard, and Viktor knew in that instant that while Ant might look like the easier target, he wasn’t.

“You’re just going to keep going about your day like normal, aren’t you?”

“Yes.” Ant didn’t look away.

“Are you as horny as I am?”

Ant didn’t pause. “Yes.”

Thank fuck, something we can agree on.Viktor reached across the table and dragged Ant out of his chair, scooping him up in his arms as he blurred his way to the bedroom, kicking the door shut as soon as he got Ant inside.

“Bridget will probably be here in two hours for breakfast,” Ant panted out as Viktor stripped off Ant’s robe and attacked his neck with his lips.

“Plenty of time for what I’ve got in mind.”

Chapter Twenty

It was interesting watching Bridget interact with Viktor. She barely blinked when Ant introduced him over the breakfast table. Just shook his hand and tucked a stray strand of hair into her upsweep as she welcomed him to the family.

Conversation over food was confined to Bridget letting Ant know about his messages that had come into the office. The Mage Academy wanted to schedule Ant for another set of lectures with more emphasis on coping with the side effects of visiting crime scenes, which Ant agreed would be a good idea provided the classes were for vetted students who showed skills that were useful to police. He didn’t want to waste his energies on people who were just hoping to hear graphic stories.

Officer Mike had also called the office a few times. “He did tell me you applied for your three days mating leave, but he had questions about the Fallows murder and the coat scene.” Bridget popped the last piece of her bacon bun in her mouth. “Did you tell him it was the same guy who abducted those young men who dumped the body in the park?” she said around her food.

“I can’t remember if I did or not, but it is the same person, yes.” Ant looked over at Viktor who was watching them quietly. “I’ll let him know later.”

“Is it possible this second guy is the one responsible for you being shot at while you were reading the scene?” Viktor growled.

“It’s not impossible,” Ant said slowly, thinking about it. “But if that was the case, those two people would’ve been hired.”

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