Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters, they belong to Cassandra Clare.
Chapter One
Clary ~
I evaluated my appearance carefully in the long mirror in my house. Long red hair cascaded down my back, the fiery strands straightened for once. I had on a black strapless dress, the silky material falling just above my knees and hugging my body in all the right places, making my barely-there curves appear more flattering. Long, elbow length gloves covered my hands, which were currently fixing the strappy black heels I was wearing, adding a couple more inches to my short height.
To complete the look, a black mask perched on my face, decorated in orange and white jewels, my green eyes looking like two emeralds beside them.
This is so stupid, I thought, Why the hell is the school throwing a masquerade ball anyways?
And it was stupid. There was no way people wouldn't be able to recognize each other, and I loathed the entire idea. But i did promise Simon...
As if summoned by my thoughts, there was the sound of the door opening and closer, and a loud greeting was called out, "Clary?"
"In here!" I shouted, fiddling with the ends of my dress before turning to see him come through the doorway and gape. I suddenly felt incredibly self- conscious and wanted nothing more then to run and hide.
"Well, someone looks like they like the dress." Teased my mother, Jocelyn. Her hair, twisted up into messy buns, was an exact replica of my own.
Simon blushed and swept over to me, kneeling down on one knee, "Shall thou accompany me to the dance, fair maiden?" I rolled my eyes and shoved him, which only made him laugh.
"So, what do you think?" He asked, standing up and stepping back so I could fully see what he was wearing. He had on a black tuxedo, a basic blue mask in his hand. His dark hair fell just past his eyes, and he tossed back his head impatiently to get it out of his face. He looked good.
"Looks awesome- you clean up nice Lewis." I grinned, then rose an eyebrow, "But where'd you get the tux?"
"Jordan." He said sheepishly. I laughed took his hand.
"Of course. Come on, we're going to be late."
Jace ~
I leaned against the table, arm slung casually over Aline's shoulder as she giggled with one of her friends. I rolled my eyes as they squealed about something again. Good grief, does she ever shut up? I thought to myself, exasperated.
Considering she'd been like this all night, apparently not.
I spotted someone across the room and gave a sigh of relief, murmuring a quick excuse to get away from Aline and slipping away. She gave a wave of her hand, sending a flash of irritation through me. I ignored it and left.
"Hey Alec, where's your boyfriend?" The boy jumped in surprise at my voice, turning around and fixing me with an icy blue glare.
"Shh!" He hissed, looking around nervously to see if anyone heard me. He adjusted the plain red mask on his face, folding his arms over his chest afterwards.
"Oh, right. Nobody here knows you're gay." He gave me a horrified look.
"No, they don't. And i'd appreciate if you wouldn't tell anyone." Alec snapped.
I sighed and rolled my eyes, "Just don't let mom catch you sneaking him in the house."
"I won't. Now go!" He shoved me away just as someone came up and latched herself onto Alec's arm.
Poor Magnus, I thought, shaking my head and walking away, Alec won't tell anyone he's gay, or that he's seeing him. Not even to our parents.
I started to walk back to Aline and then paused. Did I really want to go back to that death trap? She was definitly hot, and a fantastic kisser, but anymore time with her and my ears were going to drop off.
On the other side of the room, against the wall, a couple girls chatted and laughed, giving me my next destination. I placed an award worthy smile on my face and walked over to them.
Clary~
"Don't panic," My best friend, Maia, said quickly, "But Jace Wayland is coming over here." I felt my eyes widen.
Oh god, please no. Not now, not him. But it was him, and he was making his way over to us.
"Hello." He said silkily, almost making me jump out of my skin. Maia turned and gave him a curt nod, her caramel coloured curls falling over her silver mask.
"Hi." She said, turning back to me. From the corner of my eyes I saw him frown. He wasn't used to such a reaction from girls.
Apparently deciding Maia was a lost cause, he turned over towards me. God Simon, get your ass back here. I willed.
I glanced up at Jace. Big mistake.
He had on a black tuxedo that made Simon's look like it was bought from a garage sale- or maybe it was just because it showed off his lean build. His hair, golden blond,l fell of his head and brushed the ends of his black mask. Golden eyes bore back into me, it's colour amplifying because of the dark mask.
My heart stopped.
No you idiot, don't freeze up. MOVE! My subconscious was screaming at me, but I stayed were I was.
He tipped his head to the side, brows knitting together as he looked at me quizzically, "Do you... go to this school?" He asked at last.
Thank god. He didn't recognize me. I didn't have time to sigh in relief though, because the lights shut off then, completely shrouding us in darkness. A couple surprised shrieks rang out, and people started moving around in a blind panic, trying to locate their friends.
My head swung back and forth, looking around for Maia.
There was a muffled oath from Jace as someone bumped into him, shoving him in my direction, and suddenly I was backed up against the wall.
"Shit, sorry." He muttured, peering down at me, "Are you okay?"
I looked up to answer him, maybe shout athim to leave me alone, when someone knocked into him again and our lips met.
