Preface
It was yet another day in the lively state of New York. People moved quickly on the sidewalks, their expensive heels clicking, making what sounded like a theme song to the street. Cab drivers honked their horns and business men talked non-stop into their cellular phones. All was normal. Or, well, normal for a big city. Nothing much was changing.
It was business as usual; for all but the Fey.
Both the Seelie courts have been attacked. The kingdoms were left in pieces, valuables stolen and many killed. Even the demon hearts of the Fair Folk could not understand how someone could leave their homes in that horrible condition. Several started to accuse others, starting drama and igniting wars. Agreements have been shattered and now chaos and uncertainty were filling the air of these creatures home.
Upon seeing that the damage was not done by the other court, they pointed the blame to the warlocks of the earth. The warlocks then blamed the demons and the Shadowhunters. If the demons were to be at fault, the Clave should have already stopped them. Now with the Downworlders finger at them, they fought back. Many were killed in arguments which violated the Accords and now laws and guild lines are gone.
No one is protected anymore. The mystical world hidden from the mundanes is now set free.
Chapter 1
Emma trapped down the steps of the local churches steps. Her long dark brown hair was held out of her face by only a thin black headband. She headed off into the streets of the city, using glamour so no one will be tempted to bother her train of though.
She had just been informed to the situation in the meeting of all Shadowhunters that had been established to help prevent anything Valentine might be up too. But even more so than that, it was to help train Shadowhunters. It was held once a week by Jace Wayland and attendance was mandatory. You learned the latest holy weaponry and fighting techniques. It came in handy for keeping other Shadowhunters informed.
After being told about the latest obstacle to the crazy obscenity of the supernatural world, she felt off. Different from how she normally feels. The cold winds breeze and being hidden from the human eye didn't comfort her. Everything felt hopeless, even if it didn't directly relate to her. It didn't directly affect the rest of the Shadowhunters at the weekly meeting either. But she didn't fail to notice that it set Jace into a strange mood.
Emma had always kept an eye on the handsome instructor since she first saw him. His hair had a disheveled look that accompanied by the blonde color of his hair, made his eyes seem enchanting. She knew it was pathetic to have such a crush on a man that was close to four years older than her. It was always beyond her how he could care less to the women all around him. He acted reserved; as if waiting for someone he knew he couldn't have.
Even if she didn't want to, she always found herself working extra hard to impress him. She would focus extra hard during the two hours of session and use all the energy she could get to make her attacks and defenses the best they possibly. And if that isn't pathetic enough, she finds herself absentmindedly replaying the speech he gave that week.
Today he looked off. She had noticed that he talked in a robotic tone and didn't ask if anyone had questions. He was different, and the only cause could be the attack on the Fair Folk. If it hadn't been for his reaction, she would have ultimately left the whole situation to the people in Idris. But because of him and all his gorgeous features, her mind would not stop its obsessive running.
She pulled her jacket closer as new snow started falling into the streets of the ever living city. Emma liked how the city was always moving. She liked how it never stood still, not even for a moment. It gave her comfort to know that whatever happened, the movement would never seize. It was like the heart of an immortal.
Moving swiftly up the creaky wooden steps, she knocked three soft knocks and taking a small step backward and waited quietly for the tall dark wood doors to open.