“You’re both terrible,” Bridget said primly, but she was smiling. “That dog is going to be insufferable.”
“He’s an amazing companion,” Ant corrected. “And he has excellent judgment.”
Robert cleared his throat. “Speaking of judgment - Viktor, I wanted to ask about the invisibility extension you performed.The magical theory suggests that expanding a vampiric gift to encompass multiple additional beings should cause exponential strain on the caster, but you maintained it for nearly forty seconds while moving at speed. How did you manage the load distribution?”
Viktor blinked. Then he looked at Ant. “Is he asking how I didn’t pass out?”
“Basically yes,” Ant confirmed.
“I...didn’t want us to die?”
Robert leaned forward, his academic interest clearly piqued. “But the mathematical models indicate…”
“Robert,” Bridget interrupted gently. “Maybe we could save the magical theory discussion for after dinner?”
“Oh. Yes. Of course.” Robert’s ears turned slightly pink, but he didn’t look particularly discouraged. “I just thought, since Viktor has practical experience with advanced vampiric applications…”
“I appreciate the interest,” Viktor said, and Ant could tell he was being truthful. “But honestly? I just did it. There wasn’t a lot of math involved.”
“Instinctive magic,” Robert murmured, his eyes taking on the distant look Ant recognized in a fellow colleague who was working through complex theoretical problems. “That’s simply fascinating. The stress response may have triggered a temporary enhancement of your natural gift parameters, essentially overclocking your magical capacity through pure survival drive.”
Viktor stared at him. “Sure, it was something like that.”
Ant hid his smile behind his water glass. Robert was brilliant and well-meaning, but he tended to translate everything into academic frameworks that most people found incomprehensible – a trait Ant shared, so he understood. The important thing wasthat Bridget seemed to find it endearing, and that was all that counted in the end.
“How’s the wine?” Ant asked, deciding a subject change might be beneficial.
“Excellent,” Bridget said immediately. “Where did you get it?”
“Viktor selected it.”
“Of course he did.” Bridget raised her glass toward Viktor. “You have good taste. In wine and in family members.”
Viktor’s mouth curved into a small smile. “I’m a pretty decent judge of character.”
“Pretty decent?” Bridget’s eyebrow arched. “It’s going to be a long time before I forget you spent years working for Tony Manzano.”
“I said decent, not perfect.”
Robert laughed, an actual surprised laugh that made Bridget beam at him. Ant observed the exchange with interest. His sister had dated extensively over the past several years, but none of her previous relationships had progressed to the “attending family dinners” stage.She must consider Robert a long-term prospect.
The realization made something warm settle in Ant’s chest. Bridget deserved someone who appreciated her competence and shared her interests. Robert was kind, intelligent, and clearly devoted to her.An acceptable match.
“So,” Viktor said, his tone casual but his posture shifting slightly, “you’re still teaching at the Academy, right?”
“Yes,” Robert confirmed. “Advanced Astral Theory and Practical Applications of Projection Magic.”
“Is that a heavy course load?”
“It’s manageable. Although this semester I’ve taken on additional administrative responsibilities, reviewing curricula for the graduate program.”
Viktor nodded slowly. “That must keep you pretty busy, then.”
Robert’s expression turned cautious. “I…yes. But I always make time for Bridget. She’s very important to me.”
Ah.Ant suppressed a grin. Viktor was evaluating Robert’s commitment to Bridget, which was unnecessary since Bridget was perfectly capable of making her own relationship decisions. But Viktor took family seriously, and, apparently, that extended to vetting his mate’s sister’s boyfriend.
“Good,” Viktor said simply. Then, after a pause, he added, “She’ll kill you if you fuck it up.”
