Tracing steps

　　Irena's POV

　　"I mean if we retrace our steps and link up our evidence, he's a prime suspect," Magnus said in a conclusive tone, lifting his shoulders and leaning back on his chair.

　　I hummed, "yes, that's plausible. Given that he had escaped before the incident with Fabian Ruiz,"

　　Magnus looked at with an exhausted expression on his face. "He escaped before the incident with Pomp- I mean Fabian Ruiz?! I thought you just said he escaped during the commotion caused by Pompeii at the council meeting last time?" He explained slowly.

　　I frowned, no I didn't say so. " No, I didn't, he had escaped long before then. Why would he be at the Museum in the first place? He had been locked away, hidden from general knowledge, and he managed to escape,"

　　Magnus face-palmed. Yeah, it's his turn to enjoy the art of facepalming more than ten times in one evening. "That is not what you said at first. I'm starting to think you're the one drunk here," he closed his eyes, holding a firm expression on his face as he clicked his tongue in disapproval.

　　"I'm not drunk," a hiccup escaped my mouth exposing my lie and I quickly covered my mouth in guilt, laughing nervously when Magnus gave me the 'I told you so' expression.

　　"And besides you agreed with me when I said that, so I'm guessing you're pretty much drunk too," I retorted, trying pathetically to defend myself.

　　"Well I don't know why I agreed with you either, maybe the author of this book is drunk also," his response confused me.

　　" What are you talking about Magnus? Author of what book?"

　　" I have no idea about what you're talking about," He was staring at me blankly.

　　" You just said something about the author of this book being drunk, are you okay?" I was beginning to feel concerned for my friend, maybe all the wine is getting to him the wrong way.

　　"I didn't realize that I said that, but then, what if we are just thoughts of some unknown force being put into play?" He asked dreamily.

　　I shook my head, I wasn't ready to have one of Magnus's deep, wine-fueled conversations.

　　"Anyways, we have all our potential enemies, the one linked with magic one way or another,"

　　" They are directly linked with magic," Magnus correctly.

　　I rolled my eyes and flipped him, "whatever, still the same difference." My voice was slightly slurred. I was getting drunk. Drinking with Magnus is a plunge to a lost cause.

　　I remember times when Magnus and a few other friends hosted beer pong competitions and Magnus would end up setting new high scores in every game. It is as if my queer friend was always in a state of drunkenness that he never exceeded. Magnus never got past being slightly tipsy, which I would always admire and see as a huge disappointment because it just fuels his love for wine and drinking.

　　"So we've gotten somewhere and are sure of a few things to be watchful for," I continued, looking at the notepad in front of Magnus. Little wine had spilled on it and our table looked messy, with wine bottles lying about.

　　Magnus nodded. "We know that there is a mole among us. Someone had let Fabian's men take in weapons unnoticed and someone had informed the client behind August's abduction about the rules and standards of the company."

　　I nodded in agreement, I was glad that this was going evenly and fun if I must admit. Things like these are usually stressful and nerve-wracking.

　　"And just as I was unable to use my powers around Babatunde the defiler, I was unable to use them around Fabian Ruiz," I added, feeling a little uncomfortable with that fact.

　　Magnus' eyes widened andI could almost see the wheel whirling on his head." what if Babatunde is Fabian Ruiz?" He stared down at me as if he was transferring some sort of realization through his stares.

　　I huffed, brushing off his thesis. "That's impossible, I've known Fabian Ruiz long before Babatunde escaped from his holding,"

　　" They could be working hand in hand then, we don't know," Magnus replied. " But one thing for sure is that we have a mole and we have to work towards catching him or her." He concluded.

　　I nodded in agreement. " Tomorrow I'll start searching for Babatunde's whereabout and see if he has any involvement with Fabian Ruiz,"

　　Magnus closed the notepad and leaned back on his chair again, exhaling tiredly. His eyes looked as of I had overworked him when in reality we’ve just been drinking and brainstorming.

　　Giving him a stare, I scoffed as I checked the time, it was way past eleven. Wow, it's that late already? My eyes widened in surprise as I mumbled. Then I took the notepad and my phone, putting them in my bag. "We should start leaving," I threw at Magnus.

　　Magnus nodded, signaling the waiter; Tom to the table. " I'll take care of the bill," he informed me, reaching into his pants for his wallet.

　　Nodding in acknowledgment, I carried my bag and walked out of the restaurant, deciding to wait for him while I took in the view of the night sky.

　　Alexey promised to call, but he hasn't. Not like I was bothered though, I didn't plan on seeing him anymore, I could not afford to put his life in danger.

　　"What are you thinking about?" Magnus asked as he stood next to me a few minutes later.

　　I looked at him, smiling slightly. "nothing important,"

　　A knowing smile played on his lips and he looked like he was going to say something, but decided against it.

　　"So are we going to spend the rest of the night here, or go home?" Magnus asked, smirking.

　　" Maybe we'll be spending the rest of the night here," I replied sarcastically, walking towards my car.

　　He chuckled and followed me.

　　We got back to my place and Magnus went straight to bed. I'm sure he would fall asleep with his clothes on.

　　If Magnus was the test subject for understanding how vampires function, many would think vampires tire easily as Magnus could fool almost any vampire into thinking that he is human from how lazy he acts.

　　"Bitch!" I called out, "better take your fucking shoes off before you sleep!" I yelled.

　　He didn't reply, signifying that he was already far gone.

　　Urgh, I'll ask Fray to help me take off his shoes, I'm too tired to care.

　　I changed into my nightie and got on my bed.