DISCLAIMER: I do not own 'The Mortal Instruments' or its characters; they belong to author Cassandra Clare. I do however own my OCs that will be featured in this FanFiction.
Warning: Yes, this FanFiction is based off the TV series and it may seem very much alike to begin with, but when things start to develop it will take it's own twists and turns, so please don't judge too early!
Also for the purposes of the story, Alec is straight.
Happy reading!
Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, ta-
"Simon."
-p, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, t-
"Siiimon."
-ap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, ta-
"Simon!"
He jerked slightly as if coming out of a trance, and snapped his eyes to mine.
"Hmm? What?"
"You need to calm down. At the rate your fingers are going you'll be playing the drums, not singing."
"Sorry," he closed his fists and crossed his arms over the table, "I'm just…I'm just nervous."
"I think Clary's supposed to be the nervous one."
"No, I know. It's just that-" he pushed his round glasses further up his nose, "she's worked so hard for this; she deserves it."
"I know, but trust me, she'll be fine." I leaned back in my seat as Simon grabbed his iPod and began flicking through it. I looked at the big clock on the wall behind the counter. 3:15…her interview should be over by now. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little bit anxious for her – she had wanted this all her life and Simon was right, she deserved it.
"Did you hear? They've found another one of those bodies." My muscles tensed where I sat and my eyes scanned the room, looking for the source of the conversation.
"No, you're kidding?" I spotted them in the corner. A man and woman sipping on large mugs of coffee. They were dressed quite well with blazers and small suitcases and I tried to focus, honing in on their voices, trying to shut out the rest of the murmured conversations and clinks of cutlery around me.
"Nope. Early this afternoon apparently." The woman continued, stirring milk into her cup, "There was a body found outside the water towers. Police have sealed it off of course."
"This is what now? The sixth?"
"Seventh." She raised the mug up to her lips, "The police don't even have any leads."
"Yet." The man said. The woman shrugged, "How do they know it's the same killer?"
"The body they found was like the others – drained of blood." I frowned and pulled my arms tighter across my chest. It was against the law for vampires to kill mundanes, but even so to leave the corpses out for people to find... As repulsive as they were, vampires were normally careful, cautious creatures, so what on Earth would have possessed one to be as sloppy as this?
"Give me the professors' names and I…I will end them." Simon stood up and I snapped my gaze to a sad-looking Clary who I hadn't notice sneak up beside me. Now that she was here, her mango scent was overpowering and I shook my head slightly. I needed to remember to keep my senses alert at all times. Clary gave Simon a look.
"You know, with…with a scathing email to the dean." He flustered.
"Don't bother." Clary said as she pulled off her bag and slumped down beside me. I gave her a gentle rub on the back, a little deflated. I could have sworn she would have aced that interview. She threw a letter down on the table in front of Simon before shooting me a small look of thanks. Simon took the letter and looked down at the folded page.
"Whaaat?" he grinned. He turned the paper towards me and in big red letters stood the words 'CONGRATULATIONS!' Simon put the letter down and nodded approvingly at Clary as I retracted my hand from her back
"The sad face, really?" Clary giggled, "Well played, well played." They did their over-the-top fist bump.
"Thank you." Clary smiled and I sighed.
"I really hate you." I said and she giggled again, throwing her arms around me.
"I'm sorry – but the looks on your faces was worth it." I rolled my eyes but couldn't help smile along with her.
"Yeah, it's weird." She said, pulling away, "They kind of liked my assigned work, but they flipped out over the drawings for our graphic novel." She placed a hand over her folder.
"May I?" I asked and she pushed the folder over. I made sure the shock slapping through me did not play out on my face as I saw pencilled and penned runes all over the folder, the marks of Shadowhunters. How long had this been going on? Did Jocelyn know about this? Did Luke?
"You're welcome." Simon pointed and Clary laughed. My fingers traced over the art, not really knowing what to do.
"This day will go down in history as the greatest eighteenth birthday I've ever had."
"Which is why we are celebrating tonight. Yes, with Maureen after our show."
"Absolutely." I was vaguely aware of something being placed in front of me, but my eyes and fingers did not leave those drawings. Panic was beginning to swirl inside my mind. Her memories couldn't be coming back, could they? No, that was impossible. Jocelyn entrusted a warlock to take those away permanently. Clary was a strong person, but even Shadowhunters are no match for warlock magic.
"Hey, are you OK?" Clary asked, placing a hand on my shoulder. I inhaled deeply and smiled.
"Yeah, I'm fine." I put the folder down, "Just caffeine deprived." I pulled my mug closer to me.
"Sooo, what's the deal with you and Maureen?" Clary asked, turning back to Simon. She took her hand off my shoulder and picked up her biscotti. Simon paused, his lips inches away from the rim of his mug.
"What deal? No deal." I smirked as Simon's face began to flush red, "We sing together."
Clary frowned, "You seriously don't know she's been crushing on you this whole time?"
"What? No…no." I took a sip of my coffee, still glancing down at those drawings.
"Simon, how can someone as smart and perceptive as you not realise that, the person sitting right there is in love with you?"
Simon stared at her for a moment and I held my breath. It was no secret that Simon was in love with Clary. Ever since they were little he would bend over backwards and do anything to make her happy.
"I can guarantee you I'm not the only smart, perceptive person to make that mistake." I glanced up at Simon, feeling a little awkward with the intensity he was gazing at Clary with, but she seemed completely oblivious, instead offering him a small, pitying smile. She looked down at her mug and frowned.
"That's a latté." Simon said, breaking the tense silence that had ensued.
"But I could have sworn I had a biscotti."
"Maybe you ate it really fast and didn't even notice. Happens to me all the time. When I'm happy, when I'm sad." We laughed, "But I will replace your mythical biscotti with an actual one." He handed his over to her.
"Thank you." She giggled.
"Hey, what about mine?" I cried in mock outrage.
"You ordered the regular coffee – that should be punishment enough." He remarked and I stuck my tongue out at him.
"You know what? Here's to you." He said, raising his mug to Clary. We all joined in clinking them together and took log sips of the hot drinks. As she put hers down, Clary glanced at the table and then tilted her head curiously at the surface. Following her gaze, I had to hold back a jump as a biscotti, the same shape and size as Clary's, was etched into the table.
"And that's a table." Simon said, grinning as Clary looked back up at him. I watched her closely, waiting for her response, but she merely shrugged and continued drinking. Looking down at the biscotti, I began to get a heavy feeling in my stomach. Like Clary, I knew that she hadn't eaten her biscotti and got the uncomfortable feeling that the etching on the table was more than just an etching. I toyed with the idea of stepping out to phone Jocelyn, but the last thing I wanted to do was draw attention to anything wrong. Jocelyn had spent Clary's whole life protecting her by hiding her from the Shadow World, and the least I could do was keep up the pretence of normally.
"So, what songs are you thinking about performing tonight?" I asked, driving everyone's thoughts away from certain sweet treats.
"Ah, if I told you that, I'm afraid I'd have to kill you." Simon winked.
"Let me guess – you're going to do indie covers of some pop chart songs?" He choked on his drink.
"How do you know that?"
"Because that's what you've been doing for the past two years."
"No we haven't!"
"Clary?" I turned to the red head who bit her lip and turned to him.
"You kind of have, Simon."
"No we haven't. OK, how about that time we did that cover of 'Smooth Criminal'?"
"Yeah, and what did the manager say to you after that?" He sulked down into his mug, staring into it.
"Don't come back." He mumbled. I grinned and Clary laughed.
"Well if it makes you feel any better I think our hearing's recovered now." Clary sipped on her latté, staring coyly at Simon from her mug.
"Oh ha ha." He said sarcastically. The rest of the conversation was filled with guesses as to what songs Simon and Maureen were going to perform, and although we apparently didn't get any, Simon's heartbeat raised slightly every time we mentioned One Direction.
"OK, so I'll meet you guys back at Clary's house in an hour?" Simon reiterated, hugging both of us, "There's some stuff at my place I've got to get."
"Sure." Clary smiled.
"And please, please don't forget your fake IDs." I rolled my eyes.
"We won't." We parted ways outside the café and Clary and I began the short walk to her house.
"You know he's going to tweet about this, right?" I asked.
"Oh, I've already got a notification from it."
"Ooh, you want to be alerted every time Simon tweets?" I nudged her playfully in the shoulder.
"It's not like that," she rolled her eyes, "Simon's my best friend."
"So am I, but you don't have an alert for every time I tweet."
"You don't even have Twitter."
"Still, I'm hurt." Clary sighed as he turned left to cut through the alley. As we walked, I inhaled foul smells like urine and sick mixed with alcohol, but there was something else as well. Something…not earthly.
"I hate this shortcut." Clary groaned, but my eyes were darting from left to right. Something had been here. I sniffed again and almost wretched. It smelled like death.
Demon.
"Let's hurry." I said, pushing her along slightly. Even if the demon wasn't here anymore, it was still too close to home for my liking. I sighed in relief when we approached the ivy covered plaque for 'GREENWOOD ANTIQUITIES' and the door plastered in protective runes and warlock markings of different shapes, colours and sizes. Of course Clary couldn't see this yet as she was still blind to the Shadow World. You can't see what you're not looking for.
"Hey Dot," Clary greeted brightly as we entered. I was always cautious going into this room – the full glass cases of goblets and jewellery and figurines always looked so delicate and fragile and I was scared that I'd accidentally break something. That, plus some of the antiques kept in here were made of pure silver. I shivered at the thought of them.
"Hey," Dot smiled, looking at both Clary and me. She was leaning over the glass counter playing with her tarot cards. I smiled and nodded back. I always liked Dot – she was kind, funny and helped me a lot when Luke or Jocelyn couldn't in my younger days.
"How's your future looking?" Clary put her bags down, glancing at the cards even though I knew she didn't really know what she was looking at. Dot seemed to know that too as her eyebrow kinked at the redhead as she leaned over the counter too.
"Not as good as yours," she smirked, "The tarot cards tell me you got into the Advanced Programme."
"And by the tarot cards you mean Simon's Twitter account?"
"OK, I follow him," she admitted. I looked into the case by the door and was freaked to see what appeared to be a shrunken head. Was it legal to trade those in this country?
"It turns out predicting the future with tarot cards is very complicated." She flipped over a couple of cards, "But I do see a birthday present in your future!" She leaned down under the counter and pulled out a large bag.
"Dot…" Clary sighed.
"OK, open it!" Dot squealed excitedly.
"Wow," Clary rummaged in the bag and pulled out a short tight black shirt.
"Yeah, you might wanna keep that on the DL cause your mom's my boss and I don't want her to flip out."
"Yeah but that's how I know it's cool." They laughed whereas I was stil eyeing up the little head. I could swear it was looking right at me, "You know you're way better at gift giving than magically predicting the future." I pursed my lips, trying to hold back a laugh and saw Dot shoot me a look out of the corner of my eye.
"Nothing magical about it," she said, turning back to Clary, "I just…buy the things I wanna wear. Happy birthday." They hugged.
"Thank you." But as they pulled away, Dot suddenly became serious.
"I love you Clary."
"I love you too…" Clary said uncertainly. Every nerve in my body began to stand on edge. Dot wasn't normally this serious…Something was wrong. "You OK?"
"Yeah…yeah. Happy birthday." She smiled, but I knew Dot, and that smile was forced. However, Clary was oblivious to it and smiled back her bright genuine smile, "Go up and see your mom." Clary turned and picked up her bags.
"Coming?" she called over to me.
"In a minute," I said, "I want to go over some final plans with Dot for the celebration tonight." I smiled, looking at Dot. Clary looked between us and nodded before climbing up the stairs to tell Jocelyn the news of her acceptance into Art school.
"What's going on?" I asked as soon as I heard the top door slam shut. Dot's face was nothing like it was a moment ago; it was grave. She silently walked past me and flipped the 'OPEN' sign on the door, shutting it behind her.
"They're coming." She said, eyes boring deep into mine.
"Who?"
"Circle members." The panic I felt about Clary's drawings earlier in the café was nothing compared to the panic I felt right now.
"H-How? How did they find…?"
"The protections that have hidden Jocelyn and Clary are breaking now that Clary has turned eighteen. They'll be able to be traced now – it's only a matter of time." My head was spinning and I took a deep breath, trying to wrap my thoughts around it.
"When are they coming?"
"My guess is they're already on their way." She said solemnly. She then walked over and placed her hands on my shoulders. Her eyes filled up my vision and I couldn't look away even if I wanted to, "Robyn, you have to look after Clary. If something happens to me or Jocelyn tonight, you're the only hope she's got."
"But what about Luke?"
"Luke will look after you as best as he can, but he's known among Downworlders – you're not. His pack monitors what he does and where he is; you don't have that kind of trace on you. No one knows you exist, and you need to keep it that way."
I felt sick, "But would it…would it be easier if she knew?"
"Jocelyn is going to try and tell her now. As her mother she naturally wants Clary to stay here tonight so she can protect her, but you have to make sure Clary is away from here when they come. After you've had your fun, go straight back to yours and Luke's place." I shook my head.
"I'll come back. I can fight-"
"No." Her fingers squeezed my shoulders tighter, "No. Jocelyn and I have a plan. Your top and only priority is to keep Clary safe."
I looked into Dot's deep warm eyes and felt a wave of pain go through me. Dot was like my second mother after Jocelyn, and if anything were to happen to her I don't know what I'd do. But she was right – Clary was the key to all of this, and if I was her only hope then I'd do everything in my power to make sure she was safe.
"OK." I didn't recognise the small voice that passed my lips and Dot pulled me into her chest.
"I love you Robyn. Never forget that." She stroked my hair and I had a hard time trying to choke back the sobs that wanted to rack over my body. I inhaled her apple scent, committing it to memory, "And remember just because you're not related to us by blood, doesn't mean you're not part of our family." She pulled away and stroked my cheek.
"I love you too." I said tearily. She placed a gentle kiss on top of my forehead and stood back.
"Now go, and remember what you need to do." I nodded and took a moment to compose myself, wiping the small tears on the sleeve of my jacket before heading up the stairs to the flat. When I opened the door, I found Jocelyn sat at the kitchen counter, head in her hands.
"Jocelyn?" Her head snapped up and I could tell by the red in her eyes that she'd been crying. I strode over to her and wrapped my arms around her.
"Oh Robyn," she cried into my jacket. I hushed her soothingly, stroking her hair as Dot had done to me only minutes ago.
"Where's Clary?" I asked. She pulled away.
"Getting changed in her room." She sniffed. I went to grab a tissue when I saw the silvery glint on the table.
"Is that-? Did you-?"
"It's my birthday present to her." She took the tissue from me and I continued to watch the stele's box warily. I had heard of the powers steles contained and the stories of what they could do.
"Did you tell her?" She shook her head.
"Not yet, but she needs to know." She gripped my hands suddenly, "You need to cancel tonight."
"I can't."
"Robyn, you don't understand. It's not safe-"
"For Clary to be here. I know about what's coming."
"What? How-?"
"Dot told me." She sighed and wiped her eyes before grabbing Clary's rune covered folder off the table. She lightly traced the design with her forefinger and seemed to be deep in thought, gazing off out of the window.
"Hey, sorry I'm late. Captain's got me on those demonic murders." A deep voice said behind me. My anxiety was momentarily forgotten.
"Luke!" I grinned, throwing myself into his arms.
"Hey kiddo." He chuckled, wrapping his big arms around me, "You alright?" I nodded into his chest and squeezed him again, "Woah, careful – don't break me."
"Oh please," I snorted, pulling away, "I couldn't break you even if I tried."
"No, probably not." He grinned. He walked over to Jocelyn, placing the newspaper and a bag down on the counter.
"Look at the drawings." She said, sliding the folder over to him. Luke looked down, "It's already happening."
"We both knew this time was coming." He said. I shuffled over to them, "We'll tell her together."
"No," Jocelyn shook her head, "It was my choice; I'll do it alone."
"Alright. Well do it soon. If she's unprepared, your life is in danger. And so is Clary's." He gave me a serious look.
"Dot already told me." I said.
"Told you what?" Clary piped from behind. I spun around on the spot and smirked.
"Oh, just what Luke got you for your birthday."
"Hey, no fair!" She grinned, strutting over to us. I noticed she was wearing the top Dot had bought her under a thick green hoodie…this girl had no sense of fashion at all.
"Hey Luke, what's up?" She greeted brightly.
"Hey! Incredible drawings." Luke gestured to her folder and it was as if the tension had suddenly disappeared for a moment.
"Oh thanks."
"And I got you these." He reached into the bag and pulled out a colourful box, "Spray paint."
"Oh they're perfect!" Clary breathed, pulling the box closer to her.
"If I catch any of that paint on city walls, I will arrest you." He turned to me, "Both of you."
"I'm offended." I huffed and Clary giggled.
"The paint is for Simon's van." she reassured, "I'm insisting they rename the band."
"Oh yes please," Jocelyn sighed and I giggled.
"Yeah," Clary agreed.
"Did your mom talk to you about that?" Luke pointed to Clary's pocket. She looked down and I instinctively drew closer to Luke as she pulled the silvery stele out of her hoodie. Luke's fingers brushed against the back of my hand behind the counter, reassuring me that I was safe.
"The heirloom? Yeah, it's beautiful." Jocelyn glanced up at Luke and me.
"Clary," Luke began, and I tensed up, "you're eighteen now and-"
"What is with you guys?" Clary asked, cutting off Luke. She looked at me as if I had the answers, "I'm turning eighteen. It's not like I'm headed off on some epic journey."
"But you are!" Simon cheered from behind Clary. Damn, I really needed to learn to focus on my surroundings – I didn't even hear him come in! "See, we are going to Lombardy's to celebrate your birthday after our gig."
"You should come back here after." Jocelyn suggested, glancing at all three of us, "The city's not that safe right now."
"Oh, thanks mom but we're set." Clary said, picking up her spray paints.
"Yeah we will take a rain check." Simon backed away, but then stopped, "Wait…do I smell chicken cacciatore?" Jocelyn smiled and held up her hands in surrender.
"Simon, your gig?" Clary said, grabbing his wrist.
"Oh, you're singing?" Luke said.
"Yes. Big gig. And by 'big', I mean 'not so'." Simon and Luke laughed as Jocelyn enveloped Clary in a hug.
"Uh, losing circulation here." Clary wheezed and for a split second I wanted to scream at her. She and Jocelyn were in so much danger right now and all she wanted to do was go partying. If it wasn't for my promise to Dot, I would've made her stay. Luke must have sensed my irritation as he placed a hand on my lower back, calming me.
"Breakfast. You and me. Tomorrow. Promise?" Jocelyn said firmly, still constricting Clary.
"Yeah. Mom?...Uh, mom?...Mom, you have to let me go; I'm biologically and legally an adult."
"Yeah," she whispered, letting her go, "That's what I'm afraid of." She played with Clary's red hair for a moment before Clary turned to Simon.
"Shall we?"
"Yes," He replied, grabbing the spray paint. Clary jumped on his back.
"You coming Robyn?" she called over her shoulder.
"Yeah sure, just give me a sec."
"We'll be in the van!" Simon yelled and they headed out of the door. I sighed and turned to Jocelyn and Luke.
"Just let her be a kid, for one last day." Jocelyn said to a stern-faced Luke.
"OK." Luke nodded.
"She'll be safe with me," My gaze switched between Luke and Jocelyn, "I promise." Jocelyn regarded me for a moment before fiercely pulling me into a hug.
"Look after her tonight," she whispered into my ear, "And please look after yourself too." She pulled away and stroked my dark hair, "I wasn't lying when I said the city isn't safe right now. Not just for me and Clary, but for you too. There are very few people that will take kindly to a rogue wolf, especially at such a young age. You may be eighteen but you're still a vulnerable target."
"I understand." I said. She smiled sadly at me and kissed my cheek before allowing Luke's arms to take over.
"You know how to reach me if you need to." He murmured into my hair, "You remember your training?" I nodded, "Good. But only use it if you must. Call me if you think anything's wrong. Even if it's just a niggling feeling. Trust your instincts."
"I will." He kissed my head and I squeezed him harder than I ever had before. I thought Jocelyn was going to have to pry me off him but somehow I found the strength to pull away. Luke was everything to me; he was my mentor, my friend, my brother, and my father. He was there for me when no one else was. He raised me, a scared, young, lost wolf pup, as his own. I would be forever in his debt, and if anyone dared try to hurt him I would tear out their throats and rip their hearts from their chests.
I walked towards the front door and looked back at them one last time before making my way downstairs. Dot was nowhere to be seen and I avoided the glass cases as I made my way outside. I stood still for a moment, listening and watching for anything out of the ordinary.
"Come on Robyn!" Clary called from the back door of Simon's van ugly van which was parked at the end of the road, "I have a change of clothes and makeup for you here!"
I did one last look around before walking over to the van which was filled with laughter and blaring music. I took a deep breath and plastered a smile to my face as I jumped into the back next to Clary, slamming the door shut behind me.