Alec Lightwood stepped out of the old, noisy carriage that his cousin had sent for him. He thought about how long it's been since he's seen said cousin, Gabriel. If the timing was right, as it always has been, him and his dad should be at a Enclave meeting at the London's Institute. So that was where Alec was headed. Alec smiled and thanked the carriage driver and tipped him, getting his first few breaths of London's air. And he regretted it immediately. The smell of horse manure and factory smoke was strong in this part, and from what he's been told, as well as all the other parts of London.
As he walked down the busy streets, he made sure to stop and look as much of the architecture as he could. Sure, he was here for his safety. That didn't mean, however, that he couldn't have fun while he was in the city. He looked at the big clock tower, and he couldn't help but admire it's beauty. Well, before he accidentally took a whiff of air. That brought him back to the situation at hand.
As he tried to remember the way to the London Institute, he thought of all the times that his cousin had written him. They were close, practically brothers, and were hoping to be parabatai when Alec grew old enough to be into the Enclave meetings. Alec was 17, and wasn't the best offensive Shadowhunter. His parents, before they died, had trained him more in how to defend himself and loved ones and not got around to teaching him how to attack. And since Gabriel was mostly a offensive fighter, they figured they'd work well together. They planned to spar when they meet, but that would have to wait till after the meeting. Gabriel was also one of the few that knew about his ability, along with his father. He heard that this meeting was about a girl with a ability herself, and he hoped that he'd be able to meet her.
When he got to the London Institute, he saw that it looked more like a castle then it did a Church. He could see the tapestries displaying runes and stars and other things. And he saw the Angel Raziel just about everywhere. In many ways, it looked a lot like the one he lived at in America, only bigger and better looking. Of course, it smelled worse though.
When he knocked, no one came to answer the door. Guessing that they were to busy with the meeting, he pushed open the door. As he went to step in, he accidentally bumped into a girl who was hurrying to the door. He felt foolish now. Maybe he should have waited a little longer, instead of being so impatient.
"Excuse me, Miss." He said as he offered the woman his hand. When she looked up, he had to try hard to stop himself from gasping. She had a horrible scar that started from her temple and ran down to the left corner of her mouth. She looked as if she was extremely beautiful before the scar, but even with it Alec wouldn't be afraid to say she looked above average. She was slender and had hazel eyes, and had dark hair. She wore a ladies maid uniform, but it looked expensive and extravagant on her. Alec had no questions that Charlotte treated the woman well, if her clothes were anything to go by. He himself wore a pure white button down shirt and black slacks along with a grey jacket on over the shirt. "Are you OK?"
He could tell by the look on her face, that she was surprised. Probably by him not making a face at her scar. Alec knew lots of people with scars, being a Shadowhunter, and he knew that bringing attention to them sometimes had bad results. So he's simply grown used to seeing people with scars and to try to avoid said scars as much as he possibly could. "I am fine, sir. May I ask what your business is being here?" She asked and Alec was taken back by how...formal she sounded. Of course, to other people living in London she probably sounded outspoken. But to him, from someone who used to live in America, she was rather formal.
"I am here to see my cousins. Gabriel Lightwood and Gideon Lightwood. Are they in the meeting?" Alec asked, and he saw the woman nod her head politely. "Very well. Is there some place I can wait?" He asked and she nodded and turned and started walking. Alec only hesitated for a second, before following himself. Alec has always prided himself in his ability to hear other people's footsteps, something his father had taught him before he died. It may seem like a waste, but when someone tries to sneak up behind you, it's nice to know what your comrade's footsteps sound like. Because sometimes, you can't hesitate for a second on the battle field. But the woman's feet didn't make a single sound.
"Would the Library do? There are many books you can read until the meeting is over, if you wish." The woman said. Alec nodded, liking that idea. It'd be nice to see what type of books they had in the London Institute opposed to what they had in the New York one. As they passed by a room, Alec heard many people shouting about a 'Henry' and a invention he made. Alec wondered if this was the same Henry that his brother mentioned in his letters. Probably, unless there was another Henry that made horrible inventions. The door was slightly ajar, and Alec saw Gabriel look at him.
"Wait! Alec! Alec, come in here!" Both Alec and Sophie stopped, and Alec walked into the room.
So this is what a Enclave meeting is like. He thought. There were three girls. One was taller and had powder white colored hair that was wove like a crown on the top of her hair. She looked older, maybe in her sixties or seventies. The other girl was younger, looking around 21 with cat like eyes and dark colored hair. The men all sat strong and proud, not showing any signs of weakness even when they were sitting by themselves.
Gabriel had green eyes, and a watchful expression. His cousin didn't seem to miss a single thing that happened around him. He had sharp and regular features, including his nose and ears. He was smiling at him as if Alec was the solution to the biggest problem ever.
Gabriel's father, Benedict Lightwood, sat the proudest and strongest of them all. His back was perfectly erect and he looked as if he knew everything. He looked exactly like his son, just a older version of him. Alec also noticed one of the Institute's owners, Charlotte if he remembered correctly. Charlotte was a very pretty woman. Gabriel had told him this in a letter before, although he never went into specifics. Both her hair and eye color were dark brown, and the way she held herself was as if she knew this was where she belonged and she wasn't going to let anyone else tell her otherwise. Alec had met many women who walked around and acted as if they were nothing more then servants to the men around them. It was nice to see a woman being strong.
Despite being a Shadowhunter, Alec had never met another. He's only recently started fighting demons. His parents and him were more on the political fights, although Alec didn't mind doing physical fighting either. Mind or body, Alec didn't go down easily.
"What is the meaning of you calling this boy in here, Gabriel?" The older, and more royal looking, woman said as she sneered at Alec. Alec immediately decided that he didn't like this woman. He knows her type. Girls who'd do anything for money and think they are above everyone else because they have money. But how long will she have it?
"My meaning is, that he can be of service. This is Alec Lightwood. My uncle and Aunt have died, and he's to be living here until we can find out what to do with him. Anyways, I think he should accompany Tessa and Will to the party, if Will is going and not me." This caused a round of gasp from everyone, except for Benedict. "Will is young, and he lacks experience. While Alec is roughly the same age, he is a defense style fighter. If we send him in with Tessa and Will, he might be able to protect the two if anything goes wrong."
Alec looks around, wondering what the hell they were all talking about. What party? "Well...it does seem perfectly logical if you think about it." Charlotte said, and Alec could see that all the other members agreed. Now Alec wished he knew what they were agreeing on.
"I'm sorry Alec, you must be confused." Benedict said. "We have come across a Downworlder who has a unique ability, yet we have no idea what race she is. She can shift into any person, apparently, as long as she has a object that's connected to said person. We are using her and her ability to get into a party, by shifting into Camille Belcourt, where we are afraid that Downworlders, Vampires in particular, are torturing and killing humans. And it's also been noted, but not proven, that a contact has said that de Quincy runs all of this." Alec frowned at the last bit of information.
"Isn't de Quincy our ally? Is this contact reliable? Does he or she have personal motives?" Alec asked, and he could tell by the looks on some of their faces that they expected him to be a little more immature.
"Well...of course they probably have personal motives. All Downworlders do. However, I think it's best we send you in and help investigate this. They will be meeting with a man, a warlock, who has great power both politically and physically. Now, how would we get you in there." Benedict said and Alec already had a answer.
"Easy. I'm going to be her 'partner'." At all the blank stares, Alec grinned. "Her business partner. Being a informant, she can't keep all the information to herself. Not only that, but how would she know what's going on in both human and non-human? She'd need a human partner." Everyone in the room seemed shocked, once again except for Alec's cousins, by his plan.
"Then you will accompany them. Now, I suggest you get ready. This party is bound to be one to remember, cousin." Gabriel said, and Alec nodded before turning around and leaving, making sure to close the door behind him.
So this is my first TMI or TID fanfiction. Don't be brutal! hehe. Anyways, feel free to leave a comment or review! The more reviews, the faster I'll get started on the next chapter.
Jayciefer.
