Chapter One

Today was not the best day for Charlotte, she had a lot of paperwork for the Institute and mail to send to the Clave announcing that… she couldn't worry too much, this was her choice and she had to man-up and tell everyone. She was sitting on the couch in the living room filling forms, writing letters and what not. For a mid-September day in London, it was rather stuffy. She decided on wearing light clothes today.

Sophie was in the kitchen washing the dishes. Should she tell Sophie? I mean, if anyone should be prepared it should be her. After all, no one else in the house did much. Charlotte packed up her courage and entered the kitchen.

"Sophie…" said Charlotte softly. "I have something to tell you.'

Sophie looked intently at Charlotte; her scar looked dull in the kitchen's lighting. "Is everything alright, Charlotte?" asked Sophie solicitously.

Charlotte sighed and stepped closer to Sophie. "Everything's fine, Sophie," she said in a low voice. "I just have a little secret and I need to tell someone."

Sophie burrowed her brow and smirked at Charlotte. "Now what's got your knickers in a bunch?" asked Sophie giggling.

Charlotte couldn't help but laugh too. "Very well, that's enough," said Charlotte in between snorts making Sophie cackle even louder.

After a minute they ceased their laughter and went back to business. "Well, the truth is that," whispered Charlotte even lower. "There will be a new addition to our Institute."

"A new add—"almost yelled Sophie but Charlotte clasped her hand over Sophie's mouth.

"Sophie, are you mad?" spat Charlotte. "You cannot go around blurting the secret… it's a secret!"

Sophie zipped her lips and smirked at Charlotte knowing Charlotte was just joking. "Very well, I won't tell your secret to anyone."

Charlotte smiled and went back to the living room to finish her paperwork only to find William snooping through them.

"William Herondale, what in the Sam heck are you doing?" yelled Charlotte astounded.

Will straightened up and raised his eyebrow defiantly at Charlotte; this one crossed her arms and gave him a stern look.

"Charlotte, are these transfer papers?" asked Will calmly.

Charlotte clenched her jaw and cursed mentally. "I don't see how that's of your incumbency,' she said sitting down on the couch and resuming her paperwork.

Will looked at her emotionless and you could see a trace of a smirk in there somewhere. What was Will playing at?

"Well, forgive me Charlotte for wanting to know what's going on in the Institute. You see, I was only trying to help," he said and his blue eyes glimmered sadly.

Charlotte stood up and reached for him but he just flinched at her touch. "No, everything's fine Char—" but before he could finish the sentence he moved towards the glass table where I was filling the forms and he snatched my papers and ran across the room.

"Will!" Charlotte yelled running after him but every time she was about to catch him he sprinted another way. "Give me those papers now, they're important!"

"You'll have to catch me first!" said William laughing.

Just when Charlotte was about to respond the Institute bell rang loudly making both Will and Charlotte freeze. Will looked at Charlotte; he was closest to the door. He gave charlotte a devilish grin and before she could stop him he had answered the door.

Will opened the large wooden door and saw a big thick man with a coat and top hat standing there with an affable smile. Behind him you could see a girl in a mint green dress hidden under a matching parasol.

Will burrowed his brow, he didn't know these people. Where they humans or maybe Shadowhunters? Where they Downworlders? "Um, good morning, how may I help you?" asked Will courteously with an edge of accusation towards them. Fortunately, Charlotte saved the visit from a full blown interview from Will.

"Will, this is Reginald Reese and his daughter Amanda Reese," Charlotte said the word daughter as if a warning telling Will not to mess with her.

Reginald Reese shook Charlotte's hands and then Will's, giving him a weird look. His daughter on the other hand lowered her parasol and under it was a thick head of bright orange hair in soft shiny ringlets. She smiled brightly at Will and shook his hand. She was about eighteen probably and Will gave her a flirtatious wink which she accepted with a wink of her own. 'Well that was a first.' Will thought.

"Come inside, make yourselves comfortable," said Charlotte motioning them to sit on the couch.

Will saw that he still had Charlotte's papers in his hand and placed them under the rug inconspicuously. Charlotte sat on the couch beside Reginald and Amanda sat on the armchair. Will decided on sitting on the other armchair in front of Amanda. He sat and smiled at her. She smirked and averted her gaze. Considering how amazingly gorgeous Will was this was not an easy thing to do, especially for a lady.

"So Reginald, have you made your decision?" asked Charlotte cringing when she saw me jerk my head towards them.

Reginald smiled and looked at his daughter adoringly; you could tell she was the most important person in the world to him.

"I think my daughter should be happy in this Institute," said Reginald warmly and Will couldn't help himself and blurted out: "What?" startling Reginald and Amanda who had a rather disappointed look towards Will. Charlotte was only looking down and shaking her head.

"Something wrong, me boy?" asked Reginald rather less friendly.

Will still had a surprised look in his face, "Mr. Reese, believe me when I say your daughter is not the problem," he said grinning at Amanda who blushed. "It's just that I had no idea of this new member to our Institute."

Reginald furrowed his brow in concern. "Oh, then my apologies then Mr. Will," he said.

Will just smiled at him. "Please, call me Will."

Sophie entered the room with a tray of sandwiches and tea and placed them on the table. "Would anyone need anything?" she asked politely.

"No thanks, Sophie," said Charlotte. "Reginald this is Sophie, she is our maid."

Reginald smiled at Sophie and acknowledged her with a small nod.

"Very well, I'll go now. If anyone needs anything just call, I'll be in the kitchen," she said and disappeared behind a corner.

"What happened to her face?" asked Amanda it was the first time she had spoken and her voice was rather sultry rather than squeaky as it seemed.

Charlotte and Will exchanged looks. Charlotte was the one who spoke. "Sophie doesn't like to talk about it but it was her last employer, he was rather… spoiled, if you will," said charlotte in a low voice.

"Oh…" whispered Amanda.

"Well, Amanda would you like to stay here?" asked Charlotte giving her a winning smile.

Amanda turned to look at Will who grinned at her. "Yes. I would like to stay here very much," she said not once taking her eyes off Will.