Chapter Thirteen: Of Tattoos and Routines

"Look," I said, catching up to Magnus. "I'll slit some non life-threatening vein in my wrist, you get some blood, you're fine."

"Can't let you do that," He said firmly, still walking closer to the woods ahead.

"Why?"

"You don't get it, do you Faith?" Magnus hissed, whirling towards me. "I'm a vampire. Do I need to spell it out for you?"

"Insulting someone's intelligence," I observed. "Very modern."

"This isn't a laughing matter."

"Duh."

Magnus shook his head. "I didn't think I'd need blood. But I spent so much time talking to Josephine that-"

"Oh!" I exclaimed angrily. "Who's Josephine? Another one of your... how do you say it? Mistresses?"

"First of all," Magnus stated. "Remember? Josephine is the one that bit me. She's a witch. Second of all, I was one of the few men of my time who didn't have mistresses."

I rolled my eyes.

"Right."

"Ask Rowena," He added sharply. "She was the one doing many, many things with Sir Lionel."

"What do you mean?" I asked. Both of us slowed to a halt, and he bowed his head.

"I'd prefer not to speak of the things she did."

Huh?

"First of all," I sighed. "Let's stop by one of your wacko donors' houses. Then we can talk."

I waved Rob down. "Hey!" I yelled. "I've gotta go home!"

He nodded. "Bye!"

I turned to Magnus, tapping my foot.

"Let's get going."

Slowly, we slipped away into the bushes, and found Magnus's car. I felt oddly comfortable as I sat down. We had broken up. I shouldn't be this comfortable in his car. As Magnus hit the gas, I clutched the seats.

"St-" I began, but he sent me a glare. I saw the dark circles under his eyes, and the shadow of hunger. That was always there, but it was more pronounced now.

"OK, see your point. Keep going."

He laughed, a reckless laugh that I rarely heard from him. "I can always hypnotize any policeman that stops us."

I was sure he could.

"How long has it been since you've had any blood what so ever?" I asked. Magnus looked a bit embarrassed and nervous.

"Week and a half."

"MAGNUS YOU IDIOT!"

Vampires start to get starved once they don't feed for a week, let alone a week and a half.

"I've been very busy."

"I know, with your stupid girlfriend. Your retarded mis-"

"Don't even-"

"-tress."

"-say it..."

"While we're talking," Magnus continued. "You aren't exactly perfect. Got back together with Ben three times, correct? What do you call a male mistress?"

I glared. Then looked down. I heard an exasperated sigh.

"Don't give me that look."

I gave him The Look.

"Don't!"

More of The Look. Magnus rolled his eyes.

"Fine. Sorry. But what's that golden rule preschoolers always talk about?"

He had me there.

xxx

"I don't know why you're doing this," Magnus sighed, sitting down across from me. We were at his place, just gotten back from the donor's house. "I-"

"Don't say the B-word. Connected with the U-word."

He shook his head.

"We can be... friends..." I sighed.

Once we talk about Charity.

"So," I propped my chin in my hands. "What's up with Lady Love?"

Magnus stood and walked over to his window, silent.

"You mentioned a Sir Lionel," I added, trying a different approach. "What was up with him?"

"He was a fool," Magnus hissed. "Always very fond of Rowena. An idiot, to be completely honest."

"Uh-huh," I nodded. "Continue."

"He was always trying to get Rowena to be with him."

"And...?"

"I don't want to talk about what she did," Magnus insisted.

That's when it dawned on me. I clenched my hands into fists.

"Don't tell me she cheated on you, Magnus," I hissed. "I already hate the girl."

"Please don't go Tai Kwan Do on her," Magnus begged.

"You can't tell me you're still in love with her!" I cried.

Magnus sighed again. "Faith," He murmured. "The more you do things like this, the more I am... reminded of things. And want to do things. I can not allow myself to have those memories and... uh, desires. We can not even be friends, let alone you manage my love life."

I stood. "In case you didn't remember," I spat. "A big part of your love life was ME. I'm not gonna let you be dragged around by a ghost."

"Josephine may have been lying," He stated. "She's EVIL. Wouldn't be the first time."

Dang it. He has a point there.

"I may not be a part of your life anymore," I sighed. "But I still don't wish anything bad on you, Magnus. Oh, and one tiny thing before I leave."

"What?"

"About you kissing Charity..."

xxx

Charity's POV

"SO," I began loudly as Sam and I walked down the sidewalk. "This Courtney. What was she like?"

"Cheerleader."

"No criminal record?"

"No."

"No piercings?"

"No."

"No tattoos."

"N-do you have one?"

"A couple," I admitted. "Easier to get when you're resistant to most pain."

Sam got a mischeivous look on his face. "Where are they?"

"Like I'd tell you, sicko. And Courtney sounds pretty boring."

Sam gave a sad sigh that was half joking, half... well, not.

"I'm worried," I said finally.

"About what?" Sam asked.

"About... well, the kiss thing. The one Faith found out about." I bit my lip. "What if she talks to Magnus about it. Then all my matchmaker efforts go to waste."

"I'm sure it won't," Sam soothed.

"Do I need to go through Magnus and Faith's routine again?" I asked.

"N-"

"They fight. A lot. And halfway through the fight, Magnus begins to flirt with Faith. He, from what I understand, thinks she's very sexy when she's mad. And she... well, she thinks he's sexy anytime. He kisses her, she kisses back, they end up making out... and then they realize what they're doing after about half an hour, and decide to fight some more until they find a suitable closet or bathroom."

"Interesting..."

"Sick."

"Yet interesting."

"True."

xxx

Which is your favorite of the three in the Vampire Shifter Series so far, and why? Tell me!