Shadowhunter Series - A Crown of Thorns

by livinginafiction

Ava Blackthorn returns to the New York Institute 10 years after she left, unsure what to expect. Jace and the Lightwood family missed her, but so much has changed. She finds herself torn between the Shadowhunters and her ancestral home, The Seelie Court, when she's asked to become a liaison for the two communities. What life will she choose? (Eventual Jace x OC, Clace, Malec)

1. Chapter 1

Chapter 1 – A Rose with Black Thorns

I took one last drag of my cigarette, watching the smoke mingle and dance in the crisp autumn air for a moment before I stepped into the Institute. Much like the glamour on the exterior of the church, I could feel my own mask gliding on with practiced grace. Just in time - as it so happened that a man pacing in the corridor was the first to see me. He turned at the sound of my boots clicking on the smooth stone floor and I braced myself for a potentially awkward reunion. Even after 10 years, a spark of recognition burst into life the moment our eyes met. His hair, tied away from his face, was coming undone as golden strands softly brushed against his cheek when he turned to see me. Jace Herondale. The few steps between us seemed vast, as if we couldn't hear each other even if we did have the courage to speak. Jace took the first step towards me and the tension finally broke after what felt like days of silence. Much to my chagrin, tears started to well in my eyes as he walked towards me and swept me up into a tight hug.

"Ava", he whispered reverently, just as the tears began to fall.

We held each other for what easily could've been an eternity, until we both realised that the hug had gone on for a moment too long. I only noticed how much taller than me he was after we finally stepped apart. As his eyes met mine, a flicker of guilt seemed to move across the endless golden pools. Before I could ask why, a petite-looking woman barrelled around the corner and right into us. She easily could've passed as half-faerie (with her bright green eyes and short stature) but I can recognise my own. She righted herself briskly and held out her hand while smiling brightly,

"I'm Clary, I take it you're the new Shadowhunter staying here?"

"Not quite new, but yes I'm Ava Blackthorn, originally from the Los Angeles Institute", I hesitantly offered in reply, unsure as to how much Clary already knew about me. I shook her hand and glimpsed a strange expression on Jace's face in my peripheral vision. Brief introductions were made, as we started to stroll towards the centre of the Institute. The high ceilings and ornate rooms encouraged a wave of relaxation all through my usually tense frame, reminding me of simpler times. I could almost see us as children racing through the halls, chasing Jace and Isabelle through each corridor as Alec shouted after us. I was caught in the middle of remembering when we entered the library where the Lightwood siblings were waiting for us. Alec and Isabelle, so different but still somehow exactly the same, both looked so happy to see me that I thought I might still be day-dreaming. Isabelle ran up in her high-heeled boots and hugged me, while Alec wavered awkwardly behind her. She held my face in her hands as she said,

"I missed you so much Ava! You have no idea how hard it was dealing with these two idiots after you left, they were totally unbearable until Clary stumbled in here."

It came out in such a rush of syllables that I barely processed it before Jace and Alec jumped in simultaneously with a perturbed "HEY!" A giggle bubbled out of my throat, quickly becoming full-on laughter as we all sank back into our usual quips and easy conversation. All, except Clary, who seemed puzzled and unsatisfied standing alone by the door.