I didn't realize how bitchy Clary is in this fic until now. Oh well. I guess that's what happens when Valentine is your father!


"Herondale?" Clary said, her eyes widening. "I thought he was your brother." The golden-haired boy, Jace, was now walking over to them, clearly intrigued by her stares.

"Adoptive brother," the boy said in a thick, Idris accent. He didn't smile with his lips, but his eyes were bright, boring into Clary. "My parents died in the war. The Lightwoods so kindly took me in."

"The war?" Jonathan asked, impressed. "Your parents fought alongside our father, then."

Jace surveyed him, glancing up and down at the older boy. He was tall and buff, with stark blonde hair and an almost cold smile. He looked familiar. "Ah, Valentine's son, then? Well, it's a pleasure to have such royalty here at the Institute." His voice was laced with heavy sarcasm. Clary rolled her eyes.

Ever since the First Mortal War, back before Clary was born, her father has been well-known by Shadowhunters everywhere. He helped to change the way the Clave acted, evolve it into a more fair system. He was the leader of the revolution, and the mention of his name always drew in attention.

"You don't like our father, do you?" Clary asked, squinting at him.

"I never said that," Jace answered before turning to his parabatai. "I'll be in my room if you need me." With that he pushed pash Clary, shouldering her purposefully, and strutted away. Clary watched him go, somewhat mesmerized before Jonathan twisted her back around.

"What's his problem?" he asked Alec.

"Nothing. That's just how Jace is," Alec said. He was watching the door where Jace had just walked through and Clary got a feeling that he felt something more than just friendliness towards Jace."Hey, Max, why don't you go see where Izzy is?" Alec asked him. The little boy nodded before running out of the training room, off to find who Clary assumed was his sister.

"So, you're parabatai," Clary said, more of a statement than a question.

Alec looked at the dark rune winding on his arm before smiling at her. "Yeah. Ever since we started training." Clary tried to imagine the tough, blonde boy and the confusing dark-haired one fighting as little boys, binding their souls to each other. She remembered here parabatai ceremony with Jonathan, when she was just 10 years old. Her older brother would have allowed her to wait, but Clary had insisted that they do it early. Not that he was complaining - Jonathan loved Clary more than any other, she was his best friend - but he had wanted what's best for her. Clary, though, puppy-eyed her way into convincing her father of letting them become parabatai. His father tensed up at the subject, having had a parabatai that had deceased, but allowed it. Valentine rarely spoke of his old parabatai. Clary assumed their was a story behind his supposed death, but she knew better than to pry. Her father was a double-edged sword. He could both hurt and help, be cruel and be kind. "As you two are," Alec notes, raising his eyebrows at their matching runes.

"Of course," Jonathan smiled. "Clary is the best fighter I know. I train with the best." He pinched her cheek like she was a little girl and Clary shooed his hand away, laughing.

"As do I," Alec said of Jace.

"I don't know. Clary could probably take him easily," Jonathan said. Clary thought about how the lion-like boy had fought so gracefully, so quickly, while training with Alec. The way he handled his seraph blade. His sharp movements. Clary wasn't too sure. "She is the best Shadowhunter at our school in Idris."

"Oh, really? I don't know how Jace would feel about that," the boy with the blue eyes smile.

"Speaking of feelings . . . How do you feel about Jace?" Clary inquired. Jonathan nudged her in the side.

Alec immediately tensed up, his eyes widening and his jaw becoming hard. He stiffened and looked angrily at Clary. "That's none of your business."

"It's obvious, Alec. I just wanted to make sure you knew that." Jonathan was looking down at her condescendingly, but she didn't care. She was naturally curious. "What's stopping you from making a move?"

"It's not that simple, Clary Morgenstern. He feels differently." Alec looked sad for just a moment before realizing what he was saying, "And I suggest that you stay out of it," Alec said, his blue eyes cold.

Before Clary could apologize, realizing her rudeness, a voice echoed down the hall. "Alec! Dinner!" A second later a tall, beautiful girl appeared in the doorway. Jonathan sucked in his breath and Clary scowled. She was dressed in a skimpy black dress with a low v cut, exposing an angelic power rune right in the center of her chest. She had on patterned tights and black leather boots, with heels taller than Clary could possibly imagine. She had a black jacket thrown over it, her dark, curling hair flowing over it. She had on bright red lipstick and her eyes, which were dark brown, were hard. Tough.

"Hey, Iz. This is, uh, Clary and Jonathan Morgenstern," Alec introduced, now void of any warmth. Clary felt bad that she had brought Jace up, but there was no going back. She'd apologize later. "This is my sister, Isabelle Lightwood."

"Pleasure to meet you," Jonathan smiled, his voice low. He was staring at her in complete awe. She looked him over then shrugged, as if she was expecting worse.

She quickly dismissed him, though, and faced her brother. "Dinner's ready, Alec. Let's go."

They all left the training room, Alec and Isabelle talking ahead of them, probably about Clary. The Morgensterns trailed behind, realizing how awkward this was going to be. A whole weekend with the mysterious boy, the angry brother, and the gorgeous mistress. Yay.

They reached the kitchen, a simple but elegant room with a long table across the back wall. Her parents were already seated, laughing with a man who must be Robert Lightwood. Jocelyn was beside him, leaning over the table to get in closer. Valentine was next to her and he was watching her lovingly. Max was sitting across from them, reading a comic book. Maryse was standing at the stove, her hair tied back in a tight bun. When they entered, she turned happily towards her kids.

"Oh, good, you've all met!" she said. Her voice was happy and warm, but Clary got the feeling she wasn't always like this. She had sharp lines on her face and her smile seemed almost unnatural. Isabelle and Alec seemed just as surprised to see their mother so joyous. "Let's all sit and eat!"

Jonathan took the seat next to his mother and Clary sat beside him. Isabelle and Alec slid into the seats across from them, next to their younger brother. Maryse placed a few dishes on the table and then took a seat beside Robert. Clary was about to start eating when somebody brushed her side, making her jump.

It was Jace, taking the seat beside her and digging into his plate, a mischievous grin on his face. Clary tried not to get too distracted.