69 Outside

"Blood. This is powerful magic so it will demand a high sacrifice." Cleo explained while Ace continued to stare at the screen blankly. 

"So … my blood?" 

"Yes." 

"Is it necessary to be mine?" Ace groaned. "I don't want to be shedding more blood than I need to." 

"Just two drops. Any more and it will turn murderous." 

"That sounds bad." Ace mumbled. "Why don't we give it your blood?" 

"Mine?? Why would I give my blood?!?" Cleo flew back, mouth agape. 

"Because I think you are being slightly annoying." Ace said, the corners of his mouth turning up. "Besides, you did not say it needed to be mine, necessarily."

"That's your whole reasoning??" 

"Should I say that you are very annoying then? Will that work for you better?" 

"Ac-" 

"Come on. Like you said, it is just two drops, isn't it?" He looked at it, mischief twinkling in his eyes. "It won't be hard, right?" 

"I am not doing that."