Okay, so I have been searching for a story like this, but I couldn't find one so I decided to write one myself. :P Go easy on me, I am a little rusty. Anyway the summary pretty much sums it up, at least as much as I wish to reveal so far. Yes, they are still shadowhunters in my story. The rating M is for possible future chapters, and for the most part I was planning on writing Clace but if I get some requests to add in some other couples I can do that as well. There might be some darker themes in this one, so beware of that if you don't like it. Umm... Yeah I think that is it, so enjoy!
Clary Fray moved to rub her arms, her hands were clammy and cold against her already goose bump covered arms. Her chains rustled slightly from the movement, the clanging sliced through the eerie silence of the room, making her ears ring. Clary glanced around at the other slaves in the room to see if any of them had woken up, not that she could really see them in the darkness of their cell. The only light came from the little bit of light that slipped from under the door in the daytime.
Currently, there was a soft, pale light underneath so Clary guessed that it was about five or six in the morning. She shivered once more, bringing her legs up to her chest and trying to scrunch up as much as she could to retain some heat. She knew that she should be asleep, but it was colder than usual that night and she just couldn't get comfortable enough on the cement floor. Of course, she should be used to it, she had been sold into slavery early in her life and she had gone from abusive master after master since so her living conditions have always been dreadful. Now here she was again, back at the slave market. Her latest master had given her up because she had always fought against him and he wanted someone more obedient. She never lasted long with any master because her pride always seemed to get her into trouble.
Slowly, her fingers glided across the ice cold metal of the shackles around her wrists and frowned. One day she would run away, one day she would be free. She would keep trying for the rest of her life if she had to. She has been making this promise to herself for several years now, but to no avail. Her eyes drooped slightly and soon enough her body seemed to accept the inevitable cold and finally let her body sink into a deep sleep.
She was awakened within a couple of hours to the all to familiar sound of the keys turning in the rusty lock and the wooden door being swung open and banged against the cellar wall. Clary was alert in seconds, her eyes flying open. She was instantly assaulted by a blind white light that filled the room, obviously it was well into the morning now. Hesitantly, she brought one trembling hand up to shield her eyes as the slave trader walked in with two gentlemen on his heels.
Buyers, she thought to herself as her face fell. As much as she didn't want to bear the thought of going to one more abusive owner, she knew that anything would be better than spending one more day in this filthy cell. She hadn't had a bath in days, her hair and skin was caked in dirt and mud and the slaves were lucky if they got fed more than once a week here. Out of the corner of her eye she watched as the other girls slowly woke up as well. They were all women in this cell and they ranged anywhere from a five year old child, to a forty year old women. All of them wore filthy rags of clothes, and each one was as bone thin and malnourished as she was. Some of them cowered away from the strangers, just as afraid as Clary was of being bought while others, quickly tried to smooth out their hair or sit up properly, eager to leave this God forsaken prison.
Her eyes shifted back over to the two men who had both walked into the center of the room and were glancing around. Clary noticed the older man first. He held himself with an air of superiority and judging by his clothing, he was of very high rank. He had short, well groomed hair and sharp brown eyes. His arms were crossed in front of his chest as he glared disdainfully around him like we were nothing but human filth. Clary internally groaned at the thought of being bought by this man, he looked just as cruel as some of her previous owners. Her emerald gaze fell on the boy behind him who looked to be a little older than her. Her eyes widened ever so slightly as she looked at the boy up and down in awe. He was also obviously very well off because of the high quality of his clothing. He wore all black from head to toe and his stance was strong and proud, if not a bit arrogant. His tight clothing revealed how well-toned his chest and arms were and his face was chiseled and tanned. Moreover, his curly golden locks and piercing amber eyes illuminated by the blinding light behind him truly made him look like an angel surrounded by a golden halo. His eyes also scanned the room but his expression was more of boredom and reluctantly more than anything else.
Clary couldn't help but stare at him, he was truly the most beautiful boy she had ever seen. She could feel her cheeks heating up in reaction to him and she quickly tilted her head down, letting her bright red hair cascade over her shoulders to hide her face. Still, she kept her gaze upwards as she continued to watch them both cautiously. In the back of her mind she felt like she had seen them before but she couldn't quite place it.
The slave trader cleared his throat to break through the thick silence as he came up next to the two men with a greedy grin plastered upon his face. He was a short, stout man with squinty brown eyes and greasy, slicked back hair. "So, just what can I do for you today your majesties?" He asked with a slight bow. Clary's eyes went wide with realization as her answer seemed to smack her right in the face. Of course, this was the ruler of Idris, this was King Robert Lightwood and that must be their adoptive son Prince Jace Wayland. She had heard about him from other slaves, his parents had been king and queen of a neighboring kingdom. He was the soul heir to the thrown but he was too young to take his place as king. Therefore, when his parents were murdered, the Lightwoods, being their closest friends, took the prince and the kingdom under their control until he was ready.
The king smirked at the man and patted Jace on the head fondly. "My son here has just turned seventeen and he will soon need to take over the throne of his country. He has been training and taking lessons everyday, therefore, I think we need to find him a personal slave to tend to his needs at all times." He spoke proudly of him, as if he was his real son.
"Ah I see, excellent idea my lord!" The trader gushed out as he began to motion to some of the girls, praising them and assuring them what good workers they were. Clary continued to watch Jace, tuning out the mindless babble of the king and the trader. He boy looked bored and annoyed as he glanced over the girls in the room, he seemed opposed to his father's idea but he was forced into it nonetheless. Most of the young girls in the room were looking at Jace with hopeful grins, giggling slightly to themselves. It made Clary sick to her stomach. It was true that he was quite handsome but what were they expecting? For a future king to fall in love with a lowly slave girl? No matter how attractive he was, Clary was sure that he would turn out to be just like the rest of her owners.
Jace's eyes turned to her next and her gaze connected with his. She refused to slow weakness or embarassment like the other girls, her green eyes bored into his golden ones, unyielding and strong. His eyes seemed to flicker in amusement as a smirk graced his perfect lips. He took a few steps towards her and she kept her eyes locked on him, challenging him from her position on the floor. His father noticed his movements and turned away from the trader as he came up behind Jace.
Clary could feel his eyes glance over her, judging her like buyers always did. "Interesting hair color on this one, but a little skinny isn't she? Even for a slave I mean." He commented quietly. Jace didn't reply as he continued to stare her down, almost as if he was waiting for her to look away first.
The trader came up between them, breaking the staring battle apart, waving his hands in front of him. "Oh no, no my lords. This one is trouble, I have a much better selection of girls. She always manages to get thrown back here because no one wants her. She is stubborn and a lot of her masters had to whip her to do anything. Now this one over here -" He started off as he motioned to a girl next to Clary.
"I'll take her." Jace spoke up for the first time since entering the room, his words were silky and smooth as they rolled off of his tongue. The trader looked just as taken aback as Clary was. Who would want a slave who didn't obey them? Clary couldn't help but wonder as her eyes reconnected with Jace's.
The trader seemed to hesitate, not quite sure what to say to him when the King spoke up, "Ahem, did you hear my son?" His eyes flashed at him in anger.
The trader winced as if he had been slapped in the face and shakily reached for the ring of keys on his hip. "Of course your highness, as you wish." He mumbled out as he unlocked her cuffs and pulled her up roughly by her bruise and scar covered arm. Clary winced slightly but refused to cry out. She didn't want to show any weakness in the presence of her newest master. She wanted to make sure that he knew he couldn't break he so easily. The trader and the King walked out of the room ahead of them, discussing paperwork and payment as Jace stood in front of Clary, still watching her carefully. His eyes flickered to hers once more as he tilted his chin up and crossed his arms in authority.
"Tell me your name." He demanded.
Clar remained silent for a moment, she knew that she had to be obedient at least until she was out of here and she could find someway to escape from this life of slavery once and for all. "Clary, Clary Fray." She manged to croak out, her voice still dry and harsh from sleeping.
"I see, well from now on Clary, you belong to me." His smirk widened on his face as he turned away from her and followed his father out of the room. Clary internally groaned and followed him out of the room. Just what did this boy have in store for Clary?
Okay, so what did you guys think of the first chapter? I know it is a tad bit short and lame but I didn't want to write too much if no one wanted me to continue. The next chapter is already pretty much written, so if you liked it, let me know and I will post it right away! I would just like 4 reviews to let me know that it didn't completely suck and that I should keep going. So let me know, and thanks for reading! ~Nikki~