Chapter Twelve: Unthinkable

"You know," I commented to Niki, "Maybe we should take this fight... hmm, elsewhere?"

"True," She agreed, the stared at me expectantly.

"What?" I asked.

"You're the vampire shifter. Take us somewhere else."

I closed my eyes. Vampire shifters can shift to anywhere, since vampires are more extensive than ghosts.

I opened my eyes, and Niki and I were on an abandoned dock, over the waters.

"Nice," She grinned, "Sets the mood."

And she lunged at me.

Charity's POV

I knew I shouldn't have listened to you!

Come on, Magnus, I reasoned as we flew. We're not that lost.

You said, a right on Eighteenth Avenue. We took that right, and we're heading to LA!

Um... oops?

I'm getting directions.

And how do you think you're going to do that?

I'm a vampire, remember?

I watched as Magnus landed and changed back to human, walking up to an innocent teenage girl, who, of course, was stunned by his looks.

He whispered a few things in her ear, she gave him hasty directions, and he gave her a kiss on the cheek and left.

That was almost too easy.

Faith's POV

"Get off of me!" I screeched, proving that I was serious by actually throwing Niki off of me. The witch yelled with pain as she hit the wood. I quickly stood up and brushed myself off. We had been battling for a while now, and still no help. Surely Charity knew...?

No. I didn't want her to get slain.

Seizing the oppurtunity, I grabbed her pistol and threw it into the water. Niki looked after it for a moment, then turned back to me, a look of rage on her face.

"You b-"
"Don't even," I said calmly, notching my foot behind her ankle and pulling so that she would fall down again. Mom taught me that move when I was twelve.

"Oof!" Niki exclaimed as she fell face first.

"According to my mom," I smiled, taking my face close to hers. "That's butt kicking, New York style."

Niki was silent for a moment, then grinned. "You may have the moves," She smirked, "But I have the upper hand on mind play."

She stood and began to slowly circle me. "Where's your beloved Magnus, Faith?"
I couldn't help flinching.

"Why do you ask?"

"Just thinking... if he really loved you, wouldn't he be here?"

"Magnus does love me," I stated coldly.

"Does he?" Niki continued, "I mean, he's broken up with you... that usually means that the person doesn't love you."

"He-he told me last night!" I could hear the panic in my voice.

"True," Niki's voice was smooth, "But who said that vampires are creatures of their word? I mean, they tend to be... liars."

"Charity's honest."

"So she seems. I mean, how long before she betrays you like Magnus did? I mean, she's already... strange."

"Stop it," I whispered.

"Hmm," Niki smiled, "Maybe I w-"

That's when a girl fell on top of her.

"Charity!" I cried.

She stood up and flicked some splinters off of her clothes.

"I hate transforming in middair," She grumbled. I ran over and hugged her.

"Where's Magnus?"

"He had to go get a weapon."

"We need his help!"

"Ah, so the infamous beta Charity is here," Niki grinned maliciously, slipping a stake out of her purse.

"Yep," Charity smiled brightly, "Charity the Goth, Charity the Vampiress, Chaity the beta..."

"You'll get slain," I hissed.

"It's either you or me, and the coven needs you!" She growled, "Magnus needs you."

I blinked back tears. My best friend might truly die tonight...

Niki suddenly resumed the circling pattern. "So, Faith, does he really love you? Is Charity really honest?"

"Shut up," I muttered.

"You know," Niki said, "You and I have a lot in common."

"There's nothing I have in common with a slayer," I hissed.

"Yes you do. We both fight vampires. We're both strange. We both fell for someone we couldn't have-"

"Huh?" Charity and I said at the same time.

Niki smirked. "You don't assume that Magnus had only one love, do you?"

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DUN DUN... DUN! EEEK! Muhahaha, another twist.