Disclaimer: I do not own any of the content involving characters, previous plots, or settings. This is strictly a fictional version of the events that take place after City of Lost Souls. All credit goes to the original author of the mortal instruments.

*Note* This takes place after City of Lost Souls.

Chapter One – The Tale of a Vampire

The rain pounded against the windows of the institute without mercy, leaving streaks on the windows that Isabelle had just been forced to clean. Apparently, her mother was not happy with her attitude when she tried to convince her mother that she knew Jace's whereabouts. Alec and she were both sentenced to cleaning duties for a month to give the maid a break.

"Alec can clean them this time," she muttered to herself as she left her room. Though she was only granted permission to see Simon between the hours of four and six P.M., her mother usually let that rule bend a little.

Isabelle wore her mother's black cocktail dress which she stole from the large closet in the room. Maryse wasn't staying in that room anyway. She resided in one of the many guest bedrooms where Robert's belongings didn't dwell. The dress was slim fitting and sleek, wrapping its self around her like cellophane. She also borrowed the black pumps her mother used to wear all the time; she hadn't seen her where them since her father left for Idris.

Sneaking out of the house had never been any trouble for Isabelle because she had a hefty amount of runes at her disposal. But she didn't want to mark herself up and look like some biker chick when she was going on a date. It was far too tacky for her taste. And if she was being honest with herself, she didn't think the burning pain of drawing them was really worth it.

"Going somewhere?" The voice slightly inclined like a sly question. Alec was propped up on the ceiling boards where they were low enough to be reached by the staircase. His blue eyes challenged her with an intense gaze. The crooks of his mouth were raised, flashing his brilliant smile. And his dark hair fell over his forehead loosely like strings. Magnus's scarf was wrapped around his throat making his gaze that much more mesmerizing.

"I'm not in the mood to listen to your comments, Alec. Aren't you supposed to be sucking up to Magnus or are you two still not talking?" She saw his grin quickly fade to a more serious glare. Magnus Bane was still a pretty touchy subject with him.

Isabelle brushed passed him casually, making sure to snicker along the way. "That's what I though."

Simon was waiting for her outside, leaning against one of the street lamps and scrolling through his phone. He quickly closed it and stood up straight to greet her. She liked how alert he was when they were together. It was like had always gone out of his way just to listen to what she had to say.

"You look beautiful," he said, planting a kiss on her cheek. His lips were soft and cold, brushing against her cheek. A tingling sensation ran through her body like liquid nitrogen was being poured into her veins.

"You don't look so bad yourself." Compliments weren't really Isabelle's thing. She could tear a person down and make them feel worthless with one whip of her tongue. But being nice?

She noticed he was wearing the leather jacket and combat boots she had picked out for him. But he wasn't wearing one of his usual slogan tee shirts. Instead, a white shirt with nothing on it covered him. His hair was cut. Not completely buzzed off-it wasn't even that short. But it seemed shorter because of the jagged cut of his bangs. She liked the way he looked because she could stare into his eyes as long as he would let her.

"What are we going to be doing?" Simon had left her completely in the dark. He wouldn't tell her where they were going or what they would be doing. Isabelle had to admit, the mystery to him was an attractive quality.

"I thought we'd go for a walk first. Then you'll find out." He grabbed her hand, pulling her closer to him. She could smell his laundry detergent-it smelled like lingering oranges. Being this close to most boys, she'd be able to feel their breath. And it was quite startling to think that he didn't breathe. But Isabelle was used to Simon now. They knew each other, knew what they did, who they were, what they liked. She couldn't remember the last day she had gone without at least talking to him on the phone.

But with Simon came the nauseating thought of Clary. Isabelle wasn't completely convinced that there was nothing between them anymore. She wasn't prepared to give her whole heart to someone who wasn't willing to do the same. It wasn't exactly that Simon wasn't willing; it was more like it wasn't possible for him to forget his feelings for Clary. It might have been too late for Isabelle to stop herself. Every day, her heart inched its way closer and closer to the vampire boy who claimed to care about her.