A/N: Hey there! Let's admit it, I can't stay away from writing and so here's my new story set in AU. Enjoy the first chapter. :)

Chapter 1:

It was, like any other day after summer break when September arrives, bringing a thoroughly whole windy weather and replacing the blast of warmth from mid-June. The sky was still blue although the invisible assault that hits every man's skin who dares step out from their residents was more than an indication for the next season.

That was how, from one of the big houses in Idris, where lived a young boy turning eighteen that very month look up at the universe this morning. He wore a dark blue sweater over his concealed uniform and his jet black hair pronounce more character than his pale complexion. Alec stood by his window in his room, gazing along the street watching people helplessly covers themselves with too little materials on them with the aim to impress. His fingers absentmindedly grazed his family ring that hung from a chain wound around his neck. It had the flames symbol on it, bearing the Lightwood's precise figure of each member in the house for generations.

Although, without anyone with the power to look into his mind and read his every thought like he himself possess, Alec knew he was different. Well, not meaning to say that he has the ability to hear 'voices' in his head was absolutely ordinary but it was something else; something that makes him apart from the rest of his family.

His already passive form of power deviate him from his siblings and being the first-born, it wasn't something he'd be proud of. Alec remembered the day when Isabelle got her power, a few days later after her seventh birthday and the contrast was felt by both parties.

"Look, Alec! I can do this now." She'd said, in her high-pitched voice as she demonstrated her newly acquired ability. Alec stayed staring, having decided that keeping his mouth shut was better than commenting on anything until Isabelle had asked him with all innocence,

"Why is it that no one can see your power? Mine shows." And to set her point, she grows a few more leaves on the plant she's been showering her power with. Alec fought hard not to feel dejected.

"I can see them. That's more than enough already." He tried to justify but knowing himself, he hardly succeeded.

"Mum flies and dad has super strength. I wonder what Max will become." Isabelle said aloud as if Alec hadn't spoken and he didn't like to argue, not with Isabelle so he sighed and voiced out,

"Me too."

Five years later Max made his power known to their mother who, at that time was apparently trying to slip in some boiled spinach into his meal.

"I was just about to feed him a spoon when he did it. A clean transparent barrier between us and I tested it, it was firm and solid." Maryse had told her husband, Robert that same evening.

"It looks like we won't have to worry about someone getting bullied, huh Max?" Robert laughed with clear amuse and a hint of pride.

Ever since then, no one had to really keep an eye out for Max even when there was more to his power like the rest of them. In time, or more accurately after puberty, one's power will develop fully and reached its maturity. Alec's got to him when he was barely sixteen. He's known as a genius since then.

"What's the point of you sitting for exams when you don't even have to study?" Isabelle had asked him this to which Alec thought had a little resentment in her speech. That was enough reason for him not to slip out half of what he had discovered after his more broad ability emerged.

Being the only girl among the siblings, Alec had always known that attentiveness was prone to be Isabelle's most conductive trait. And it would always require a sort of retribution towards the giver. Alec had long learned not to voice any of his thought on his sister 'affection' and struggled to restrain from calling her an attention seeker.

Max, as young as he was Alec had never really understood his role other than being the image of an older brother. Despite the stark similarities they both held physically- both having dark bushes as hair that never really seem to tame even with the aid of gel hair and pale complexions due to seldom greetings from the sunlight (to which Isabelle thought was an irksome attitude). The only visible difference was their eyes; Alec had a deep blue ocean as his orbs while Max's was grey pearls like silver.

Even so, it was unlikely to expect anything humorous from the two; they were never really close as toddlers and the gap between Alec's ages from Max was perfectly reasonable but when time stretch on, nothing seems capable to grow on their bond.

The faint clashing and clanging of plates and utensils broke Alec's gaze from the window. It must be the maids, he thought uncaringly, knowing no one else could read his mind. That was the only pro Alec could come up with every time he felt like a blunder. Sure, his power got him through what other young teenagers at his age called 'the hell of life' which was studying but Alec had always liked the company of books and reading materials. Maybe it was easier for him to decipher information and knowledge without confusing himself that he was the top in class ever since the last two years. Or maybe it was because he could always hear his teachers' thoughts.

Alec used to feel revolted with his own power. He was after all a small child when he gained access to his mother's and father's private thoughts and hear things he shouldn't have. And it got worse when he was out on the street. Every figure that walked past his sight would whisper something in his wake without moving their lips and Alec would have to keep the secrets to his own. He'd become wiser than any of his friends in a period of time, always registering a second faster what was right to say and what wasn't. He grew tired sometimes but he would certainly have that rather than falling ill. That would be a different story.

"Alec!" Isabelle's loud and feminine voice penetrated his private space and Alec was forced to evacuate his room for breakfast. He didn't really feel like eating and sitting down with the rest of his family, especially not this morning. It was the first day to return to Alicantes', a school filled with special kids like the Lightwoods' and Alec would very much appreciate it without having to argue with Isabelle. A session almost unavoidable every time she touches on the subject of Alec's power and he, as the older one would end up resigned.

"Morning, mum." Alec greeted his mother. Maryse was in the kitchen, talking to the Head Maid of their house. The Lightwoods' was one of the well-known families in Idris, having a well-connected history with their ancestors and therefore passing down the fortunes in many forms, even powers.

Maryse turned her head at the sound of her oldest son and that same beam she'd been giving him when he'd finally utter a word before turning one was just as peaceful as Alec remembered.

"Morning, dear." She dismissed Alice and the Head Maid bowed a little in Alec's direction before leaving. Alec followed his mother to the dining room where Robert and Isabelle were patiently waiting.

"Where's Max?" Maryse asked and the owner of the name came hurtling down the stairs.

"I'm here!" Max exclaimed cheerfully and together, they took their seats at the dining table and ate breakfast.

"So dad," Isabelle begun, looking at their father and knowing everyone was of course listening, "about the thing I mentioned to you just now, you won't mind, would you?"

Their dad gave a slight glance towards his wife. "What thing?" Maryse sounded thoughtful although Alec knew what ever Isabelle was planning to do now was reduced to less than a chance.

"She's trying to get dad to lend his car." Max interrupted and Isabelle would be seething any moment soon, Alec predicted mentally.

"You don't get your license till your sixteen, Izzy." Alec told her.

"She's not driving. Meliorn is." Again, Max said too much for his own good and Alec did not dare make eye contact with his sister.

"And who might this Meliorn be?" Maryse now had her full attention to her daughter while trying to get her husband into the matter as well by kicking him softly under the table. And this was something only Alec could see.

"He's the guy who looks like a faerie!" Max told them with excitement. Alec saw some colours in Max's head when he gave his brother a short glance.

Alec sighed. "He's actually related to the faeries."

A silent moment passed between Robert and Maryse that Alec understood just fine.

"And why exactly does he need a car for?" Maryse asked-her voice still calm and her mind emptied from exasperation. Alec admired his mother for that quality.

"A friend of his is having a party downtown and he said he'd take me if he had transportation." Isabelle casually spoke. Her explanations seemed to hang in the air until-

"Who says you can go?" Max muttered under his breath and Isabelle spun in her chair.

"Shut up, Max!" She gritted through her teeth and Max smiled; he cast upon himself his faithful shield.

"Oh don't you dare-"

Robert cleared his throat and said quickly, "Leave your brother alone and I'll hand you the key." A tone of defeat was audible in the room. "Only if you behave this entire week." He added as an afterthought.

Isabelle accepted her father's words like her Christmas presents had been delivered early and said, "Thanks dad!" Max lifted his power with a smug look on his face and Maryse was still glancing at her daughter.

Sitting at the other end of the table, Alec could personally imagine how this week was going to end up. And it was after all, the first week of school.