Evening brought a welcome chill to the early July air as Clary made her way through the streets of Brooklyn and back to the apartment she and her mother shared.
All of her Saturday had been spent at the gym. Why? Because when you are training to be a Shadowhunter, instructed by your alumni mother and her werewolf boyfriend, sometimes you have to teach yourself.
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
Clary slide her phone from her pocket, holding it up to her ear.
"Hey, Clary. What's up?" Simon Lewis, Clary's best friend, chirped.
"Nothing much, so we still on for tomorrow?"
"Ugh, I hoped you would have amnesia. Sure. Pandemonium tomorrow night."
"You're the best."
"Yup."
Clary hung up, sliding the silver key into the lock to the apartment.
Cinnamon filled the air, mixing with cloves and sugar to create a mouth-watering aroma.
Whirling around the kitchen was Jocelyn Fray, Clary's mom. Her fiery red hair pulled into a ponytail, flour dotting her freckled face.
"Clary! How was the gym?"
"Um, same as many sweaty people"
"Hm. Well, would you like a cinnamon bun?"
After nodding in response, Jocelyn handed Clary a warm gooey pastry on a plate.
"Thanks." Clary smiled, heading towards her bedroom.
Clary looked herself over in the mirror. She had pulled her fiery curls into a high ponytail and dabbed on the slightest bit of makeup. Nicely dressed, but not suspiciously so, Clary was wearing black high-waisted black shorts and a tight red tee with ribbing in the back. Not her style really, but she didn't want to be turned away at the doors of Pandemonium.
"Bye Mom! I'm going out with Simon." Clary called into their small apartment, knowing he was waiting at the the door of the building.
"Clary, wait. Where are you going?" Jocelyn looked Clary over suspiciously.
"Out with Simon. Java Jones." The lie burned in Clarys throat, but she stuck to it.
"Okay." Jocelyn still didn't look convinced. "Be back by ten. That's two hours."
"Yup. Love you mom.." Clary turned and hurried out the door then down the narrow stairs.
As she left the building, Clary saw her neighbor Madame Dorothea peaking out of her door.
"Good evening Dorothea." She smiled even though the woman gave her the creeps.
"Madame Dorothea." Replied the lady, then shut the door in Clary's face.
Well then. Clary thought with a huff.
Clary found Simon outside. He smiled when he saw her. "Ready?"
"Let's go."