Author's Note: Hi, Melissa here. This is my first fanfiction. Please review, help me out, give me ideas for upcoming chapters. PM me if necessary. Thank you. I love you all.
Chapter One- The Meeting
"Clary this has to be done," Mother says to me. I look at myself in the mirror, smoothing out my new dress. The dress fitting my body, the fabric soft and silky against my skin. "I know, but it does not precisely mean that I want to," I say with a slight tone of attitude and sadness. "Sometimes we do not have the luxury to do the things we want to do," she replies sternly. "Sometimes we just have to do things for the greater good." I look out my window, my face blank, emotionless-just as I was shown by my mother, as I reply in all seriousness, "I know." "I never wanted this life for you," my mother says with a little quiver in her voice, but her face stern. I am still looking outside my window, watching the rain fall. Focusing on the raindrops on the window, ready to sacrifice my life for the "greater good". I know what I have to do. My mother is right, this is my duty. This has to be done, and I'm the only one that can do it. "I know," I simply repeat.
The night is dark, but the lights of the city are bright. Everything is luxurious, wealthy in this part of the town-identifying itself as the Shadowhunters' part of town. I am peering out the window from the backseat of the opulent car as we speed by one towering hotel to another, each shining bright with glamor. I compress my lips and try to slow my pounding heart, making no effect at all. The immense sacrifice that I am making overwhelms me. "Here we are, Miss. Fairchild," the driver announces as he pulls over, outside of the Traveler- the Shadowhunters' headquarters. I glance out the window at the glorious hotel building that appears to be the tallest skyscraper in the city. The Traveler was built in the Before Years, and it just oozes class and money. My stomach turns at the sight of the building, but my face remains emotionless as the chauffer opens my door and helps me out. My blood red, silk dress spills elegantly towards the pavement as I wrap my evening shawl around my shoulders. I see men glancing at me as they pass, but it does not rattle me. Tonight, I only care if I catch one certain man's eye. "Thank you," I murmur to the chauffer as I begin to walk up the front steps of the hotel. I let my hips sway side to side, just as I was taught, as I stroll inside the grand lobby of the Traveler with confidence I was implanted since the day I was born, basically.
"Welcome, Miss," the hotel greeter in a gray suit says. I notice his eyes skim me up and down-once and quickly- but I still notice. "May I help you?" I grin at him and begin to talk breathy and raspy. "Yes. I am Miss. Fairchild, here to speak with a Mr. Herondale. The man's eyes widen a bit, surprised. "Mr. H-Herondale? Jonathan Herondale?" "Yes," I reply sweetly, watching as comprehension sinks into the young man's face. "Oh." He lowers his eyes to the shiny, waxed marble floors quickly. "I see. I shall show you to the dining hall, then." He quickly begins walking, barely giving me time to view the lobby and its rose gold chandeliers and spiraling staircases and amazing décor. He walks me down a long hallway where people in wealthy clothes stroll past us, most Shadowhunters-as shown by their exquisite beauty and the swirling lines peeking from their sleeves. I take a deep breath to stabilize myself as I follow him, refusing to let myself be captivated by the fancy surroundings. The man takes me up an elevator, and then down another luxurious hall before we walk out onto a sort of balcony that overlooks a stunning dining room, filled with table-cloth covered tables and candelabras and chandeliers.
There are windows that overlook the shinning city below us, giving a perfect view and feeling of being suspended above the air. A string band plays soft music from the stage as a few people dine in the rich surroundings. This is more elegant that I have ever seen, only heard about. Although I am to act as if I am very comfortable with these things, as if I have been raised amongst the jewels and gold just like everyone else here. "This way, Miss. Fairchild," the man says quickly, jumping down the stairs. I follow him slowly, careful not to trip in my stiletto heels. We arrive at a table in the corner of the room, seated so that we have a better view than anyone, of the city and the lights below. The greeter takes my coat and pulls a chair out for me. I take a seat gracefully. "Thank you," I tell him, offering another smile that barely curves my red-painted lips. He stares a little longer than necessary at my now-exposed, sweetheart neckline of my dress. "Of course, Miss. Fairchild. Mr. Herondale will be here shortly." I nod, even though I know he will make me wait. And he does not disappoint.
I sit alone for thirty minutes, listening to the band play and staring out over the city, where in the distance I can see the dry mountains overhead, dark against the even darker sky. My hands shake slightly as I subtly wipe them against my silk dress. "Miss. Fray?" I turn and see the man, the man that must be Mr. Herondale. He is as young as I have heard, but much better liking than I expect. Even for a Shadowhunter, his gold skin-tone and tumbling golden curls are beyond attractive. He is a perfect, beautiful, angelic specimen. He focuses his enticing gold eyes with mine as he smiles a slow half smile, full of arrogance and conceit. He takes my hand and brushes his perfect lips over my knuckles, light as a feather before planting a greeting kiss. "Miss. Fairchild, actually," I correct, pulling my hand back. He smirks and takes a seat carelessly into the chair across from mine, his long legs strung out slightly. "I'm Jace Herondale."
Please review, PM me as well, with ideas or tips. I will most likely update twice a week. Thank you. I love you all.