Page 47 of The Psychic and the Vampire

“Because she’s not over there, she up there, by the light shade.” Ant pointed at the ceiling. “Bridget, my gods. Have you died? Is that what you came to tell me? Where’s your body?”

“Oh my goodness, I knew you’d freak out.” Bridget’s spirit rolled over laughing. “I’m not dead, my body is over at the Mage Academy and yes someone is watching it for me. Robert insisted that’s normal protocol for astral projection.”

“Robert? Robert?” Ant tried to match the name to people he knew at the academy. “Do you mean Doctor Stevens? He’s helping you with this?”

“Yes.” Bridget nodded happily. “Robert, come in here. You can see Viktor’s delicious muscles. He’s not as shy as my brother.”

“Damn it. This place is getting too crowded.” Viktor simply disappeared, although Ant could still feel the weight of his bulk against his body. Ant wanted to growl, too, when Doctor Steven’s head popped in through the ceiling.

“Doctor Stevens. Did you put my sister up to this? What do you mean, astral projecting into my bedroom?”

“Oh, Doctor Channon, I realize this is a little irregular.” Robert pulled himself into the room, so his spirit was hovering next to Bridget’s. “Your sister was telling me about her experience when she inadvertently left her body during a recent trauma and was asking if the process could be replicated without the trauma aspect. As you know, my thesis was on the application of astral projection in medical and non-medical situations, based on the idea that these processes could be taught in a safe, replicable environment.”

“I’m aware of your thesis, Doctor Stevens. It was very detailed, and I appreciated your conclusions and recommendations for further research. I just didn’t realize that part of those further studies would include popping into my bedroom uninvited, outside of typical visiting hours.”

“Ah, yes, well…” Robert looked sideways at Bridget who laughed.

“That wasn’t Robert’s fault. I told him I would ask you if we could try it. He was especially interested in your ability to see us in spirit form and actually talk. Apparently most people who participate in his studies are never seen by anyone else.”

“Definitely, Doctor Channon. It was a simple slipup on my part,” Robert said earnestly. “I was aware you could speak to and hear the spirits of the departed, but I never made the connection that you’d be able to see and interact with spirits of the living as well. When I heard that, I won’t deny I was hugely excited as your assistance in this study could be hugely beneficial in recording the events actually occur.”

Ant inhaled sharply. He could feel Viktor’s chest vibrating against his arm and guessed his mate was laughing. “I totally understand academic enthusiasm, Doctor Stevens,” he saidthrough a tight jaw. “But this is my bedroom, it is almost eleven at night. Most people, myself and my mate included, could expect to be granted some semblance of privacy at this point.”

“I knew I could get through the wards,” Bridget said with another laugh. “And I would’ve mentioned it, if you’d picked up your messages today, which you didn’t. You’ve got Captain Bains wanting to talk to you, Prosecutor Hammond wants you to call him, and you have three private clients wanting readings from you next week.”

Ant let out his breath. “Viktor and I are on vacation. Able is still recuperating. The school term hasn’t commenced at the academy yet, and now I’m no longer working as a police consultant, my time is my own. That means my sister does not take advantage of my family exception in my wards and visits me for breakfast, like she’s supposed to, instead of acting like a voyeur in my bedroom. Now would you please leave?”

“We’ll go. It was so worth it, just to see your face, and Viktor’s muscles.”

“Bridget!”

“Actually, Doctor Channon, can I ask one more question?” Robert seemed nervous, glancing between the bed and Bridget.

“What is it?” Ant was surprised no one could hear Viktor laughing enough to shake the bed.

“I’ve come to admire your sister a lot since we’ve been working together this past week. I’d really like your permission to date her, if that’s acceptable.”

“You put him up to this.” Ant pointed at Bridget.

“I simply explained to Robert that I asked you to vet my dates for me, because I’ve had some bad luck in the past.” Bridget’s innocent look did not fool Ant for a second.

“Doctor Stevens, contrary to what you might have been told, Bridget is older than I am by four years. That means she’s a fully independent woman who can make her own decisions on whom she dates. You do not need my blessings. You need hers, and if you do date her, believe me, I hope you have a lot of patience because you’ll need it.” Ant rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Now if you don’t mind, would you please leave? I have a missing mate to find, and then I’m going to go back to what I was doing before we were rudely interrupted. Good night.”

“I’ll call you about dinner tomorrow,” Bridget sung out as she grabbed Robert’s hand and started moving through the ceiling. “We can double date.”

“Leave.” Ant waited for a moment, taking a few deep breaths. “Now, where were we?” He chuckled as he felt a hand move down his torso. “Are you going to let me see you?”

“I think it might be fun if we do it like this.” Viktor’s chuckle had Ant closing his eyes as he let go of the covers.

The End…or is it?

---