Jake stepped into the main hallway of the school. He was about to round the corner when he heard a man and a woman arguing. "…exactly like her father. She has Jace's arrogance, his natural Shadowhunting skill. She's even a spitting image, only in female form," the man was saying. "I don't know if she inherited anything from her mother."
"You say this with spite. Her father was not a bad man," the woman said. "Do not let old hatreds cloud your judgment. And do not let your views of the parents reflect on the child."
"Just one parent," the man said. "Jace Herondale was not a good man. Whatever caused them to disappear was probably something he was wrapped up in. And letting his daughter stay here! With that odd silencing rune! She should be in the cells under the Silent City if you ask me."
"How can you say such a thing? She is just a girl! And a good Shadowhunter to boot. As to the silencing rune, I feel bad for the thing. Perhaps she knows something, perhaps she doesn't. Either way the Silent Brothers can figure it out. But that much happening to her and not being able to talk about it! The poor thing."
"Well, let us just agree to disagree on the matter for now Marge. We are late for out meeting."
She agreed and the two went off leaving Jake confused.
He went back to the library. He had to do research on the history on Archdemons. He sat there staring at the books in front of him, but was not reading the words. He could not stop thinking about Julia. He speculated on what the man and woman had been discussing but worried more about where Julia was now and what was happening to her. Her reaction to those men made it seem as if she knew them, and she did not seem pleased to go with them. Maybe she really did know something about what happened to her parents.
Julia shot a look to Simon as if to say, What the hell are you doing here? She started to move toward him but strong hands held her back. She knew she could wriggle her way free of them but then what would she do? It would accomplish nothing. Simon returned the glance, his expression grim. His face was gaunt and paler than usual. There were veins, very slightly, but noticeably popping out. She was confused. She thought he had somehow been taken by the others. She opened her mouth to speak momentarily forgetting that she could not speak. He shook her head slightly as if to say "No, don't say anything." He must not know that she could not anyways.
"The bloodsucker is here, as are you, to answer our questions," one of the men said. She looked at Simon again. His dark brown hair was swept to the side. The mark on his forehead was prominent. "Yes, the mark," the man said. "I bet you are wondering how we were able to get Simon here, and tied up like this. Curious thing, the mark. It only affects the person if they intend harm. The intent is more important than the action itself." Julia turned around to look at the man in bewilderment. Even if that was true, how could you tie up someone without meaning them harm? And how did they capture him in the first place? His being there only raised countless questions. The man was frowning now, "Unfortunately we have not yet been able to get any information from him. He is especially resistant to a shortage of blood. And we cannot hope to hurt him without being blown to pieces." Julia shuddered at the thought. She was angered though. Shadowhunters should not be torturing downworlders for information.
"Anyways, we wanted to show you that it would be unwise to resist us. Simon was especially difficult to catch but we are clever. We will get what we want."
"Don't say a word Julia," she heard Simon say.
"Keep quiet!" the other man said.
"Or what?" Simon said.
"Or perhaps our methods with Julia may not be so subtle," he said. Julia grew rigid. They had just threatened to harm her if Simon did not cooperate.
"Now," one of the men said leading her over to a chair parallel to Simon's but far enough away she could not touch him. "You recognized us but do you know who we are?" Julia shook her head. "I'm Damon," he said, "and this is Harvey." Damon was taller, his hair a dark brown, it was almost black. His eyes were almost so black they matched Simon's. Harvey was only a few inches taller than Julia herself. His hair was a soft brown and his eyes matched. Of the two he looked more friendly.
She did recognize the two men when she saw them. They were investigators of Shadowhunter crimes. She looked at them with distaste. She remembered them stopping by the house when she was younger, but for what she could not remember. "You were nervous when you saw us Julia. What crime have you committed?" Damon asked.
Julia pulled out her pen and paper. What are you accusing me of?
"You are being accused of nothing. We are merely investigating the disappearances of Jace and Clary Herondale, or Lightwood, whichever you would prefer to use, Isabelle Lightwood, Alec Lightwood, and several other Shadowhunters well-connected with them."
What about Magnus?
"What makes you think he is missing?" Damon asked.
Julia shrugged. He hasn't contacted me.
"And do you talk to him on a regular basis?" Harvey asked.
Only when Alec's around usually. But I think given the circumstances he would have contacted me.
"Perhaps he is missing then," Damon responded thoughtful. "We shall look into it."
"Magnus is not our concern," Harvey said.
"We will look into it," Damon repeated, his voice changing a little bit. Julia wondered if he had more authority. Whatever the case Harvey did not press the matter. "Now tell us," Damon continued, "Or rather, write for us. What happened the night your parents went missing?"
"What did you do to her?" Simon's voice cut in. He sounded angry. "Why is she writing? Why can't she speak?" She looked over at Simon. He looked ready to tear off the chains holding him down. He was probably too weak though.
"We did nothing to her, so calm yourself," Harvey said. Both men were frowning.
"She was like that when we found her," Damon said.
Julia was still deciding what to do. She sat with her pen poised above the paper. She very badly wanted her parents to be found. Should she tell the Shadowhunters what she knows and let them find her parents while betraying a secret her parents had kept for years. In her mind the option was clear. There was no debate. She wanted her parents back. Although she was sure they could fend for themselves for a time, there was only so long they could hold out. The life of her parents and their friends greatly outweighed the desire to keep their secret. Yet still she hesitated. She could hear in her mind the last words her father whispered to her before running out to face him. The last words before she had been knocked unconscious: "Don't tell anyone. You're on your own, but I have faith in you. We love you Ju." She put the pen down. She knew her parents wanted it to be kept a secret, but given the circumstances…no, she told herself. Even though the Silent Brothers would be able to get the information from her anyways, she would not betray her parents now. Though she did not understand the reasoning, she had to trust them.
"Julia," Damon said, his voice threatening. "Make the right choice." She looked over at Simon again. He sat as straight as he could, his young face proud and straight. He shifted his eyes from side to side once. No.
She assumed the subtle message had not gone unnoticed, but still she refused to write.
"We do not want to resort to certain methods, but you know what happened. I am not quite sure why you will not tell us what happened, but it makes me think you know something. Perhaps you were working with whoever took your parents? Or perhaps they decided to leave the Clave?"
Julia scribbled angrily, I know nothing. I was unconscious.
"You were found unconscious, yes, but I doubt you know nothing," Harvey said.
So you will torture a girl who cannot scream and starve a vampire of blood for information?
"Let's hope it does not resort to that," Damon replied.
"Jake," someone said approaching his table in the library. Jake's head snapped up so fast he started to rub his neck.
"Hey James," he said. He ran his hand around his neck massaging it.
"You missed last class," James said. He glanced at Jake's paper. "And didn't get any of your paper done. What have you been doing all day?"
"I uh I met with the new girl. I took her for a tour. And then I came back here to work on this paper."
"Which you didn't do?"
"Exactly!" Jake responded.
"How long was this tour?" James asked laughing.
"I got back in time," Jake said. "I just lost track of time."
"Ha, well let's go to archaic symbols before you get in trouble," James responded.
Jake packed up the books and headed out with James. But his mind was still on Julia. He could not imagine anyone would affect him in this way. He had barely known her for a few hours and she already consumed his every thought.
He was able to keep his mind focused on the next lesson. And the one after that. But as the day wore on, he found himself focusing less and less. James noticed and tried to keep him focused, but he still could not. He wanted to see her again. But he did not see her the rest of the day. He managed to get some of his paper done later that night with the help of his friend Annie. Soon after he went to bed forcing himself to sleep praying that he would see her again in the morning.
Julia was returned to the school late at night with a promise that they would return for her in a few days. Despite the fact that they had not been able to get any information out of her, they had questioned her ruthlessly for hours. Yet they made no move to hurt her, and did not make any indication that they were going to call the Silent Brothers. She was confused by the whole situation. All she could hope for right now was that they did not hurt her, and that they did not take her from too many of her classes. She was already taken out of her first day, although from the sound of things she was far ahead of where she should be. But still, she was also hoping to spend more time with Jake…
As she drifted off to sleep, her mind traveled to the night her parents disappeared. They had been having a dinner party with all of their friends. She was sitting next to her dad laughing at a werewolf joke that Magnus was acting out with smoke images. Isabelle was sitting across from him showing her new boots to Aline Penhallow. Everyone else sat amused, watching Magnus, knowing that he was merely kidding and none of them really thought anything bad of werewolves. Her mom had just turned and whispered something to her dad when the doorbell had gone off. The doorman went to get the door. They all heard the doorman scream. It was a sound Julia did not think she would ever forget. Magnus's smoke vanished instantly. Everyone was immediately on their feet, weapons out. Despite the fact that they were at a dinner party, Shadowhunters never went without weapons. Julia stood strong next to her dad, a knife in her right hand, her left drawing runes on her arm. The two Shadowhunters nearest the door rushed out. Not to be left behind, her dad with his angelically swift abilities leapt onto the table and was quickly out the door. The next hour was a blur. There were demons in the house. Julia fought without thinking, but they did not seem to end. Simon was throwing himself in front of whoever he could and watching demons burst in front of him. Julia found herself in one of the extra rooms with her dad. They quickly dispatched a Behemoth demon and stood to face each other.
"Is it him dad?" Julia asked.
"I think so sweetie," he replied. She nodded.
"Don't worry. I've defeated Sebastian more than once. I can do it again." She nodded but fear gripped her stomach. "Run Ju. Get out. And when you get out of here go to the school. They can educate you."
"What about you guys?"
"We'll figure something out," he said. "Just get yourself safe. This is not your battle."
"You were my age when you were fighting battles that weren't yours," she responded.
"Jace!" a voice shouted from nearby. It was her mom's voice. Julia started to go toward it but Jace put his arm out. She was fast, but he was just as fast.
"Run Julia. Don't tell anyone. You're on your own, but I have faith in you. We love you Ju." With that he ran out of the room pulling out a seraph blade as he went. She was about to follow anyways when she heard a creak behind her. As fast as she was by the time she had turned around someone had wacked her over the head and she fell to the ground unconscious.
With her last thought being fear for her parents, Julia fell into a fitful sleep.
