Chapter 1: Hidden in the Shadows
BANG. The windows inside the London Institute's ballroom burst out and came shattering down in a cascade of broken glass. And standing among the rubble was James Herondale, a smug grin wiped across his face.
Shrieks and cries filled the room, and the Shadowhunters wore an expression of sheer horror as James aimed his pistol at the chandelier suspending from the ceiling, and fired carelessly, not paying attention to all of those around him. The chandelier exploded and fell down from the spot it was hanging off from. More broken glass filled the room, followed by more screams, as people skirted around the gigantic, broken chandelier.
"Someone, stop him!" a partygoer shouted from the crowd.
"He's raging mad!" another person yelled.
James ignored this. He hated this damn party. And he didn't even know why his parents had arranged for it. He raised his gleaming silver pistol once more and pointed towards the windows on the opposite side of the room. Before he could release the trigger, someone gripped his sleeve and pulled him back. "James," said a stern voice in warning, "put the gun down." James spun around to see his parabatai, Matthew Fairchild, facing him. Matthew's normally light and playful eyes were filled with worry and seriousness.
James lowered his gun, his eyes glinting darkly with a dangerous shine to them. "Try me," he sneered.
Before Matthew could reply, a deep, booming voice echoed in the ballroom. "James Herondale! What the hell do you think you're doing?" James knew who this was immediately, and automatically put his gun down. This was one person he could never anger no matter what the circumstances were. This is one man that nearly everyone in the room respected.
James looked up to see his father, William Herondale, storming towards him, closely followed by his mother, Tessa. While Will was absolutely enraged, his mother was frowning in disappointment, a great amount of sadness etched into her features. But he did not care what anyone thought.
He stared down at the glistening silver pistol that reflected the witchlight in the room, and then James looked over to the mess of broken shards of glass from the chandelier, and he smiled in a bitter amusement. "The glass was a bit overwhelming," he responded with a flip of his gun. "Didn't you think it was overwhelming?" Will and Tessa stood there, narrowing their eyes in disapproval. "I thought it was overwhelming," James said, more to annoy his parents than anything else.
"That's enough, James." Will cut him off with a deathly edge and glowered at his son, his jaw clenched. "What exactly were you trying to accomplish? Killing us all?"
Perhaps it was myself I was trying to kill, James thought to himself, placing a finger on his chin. James's golden eyes, which resembled the burning flame of a candle, fell on the Shadowhunters scattered across the ballroom, staring at him in absolute terror. They were all whispering among themselves in hushed murmurs. He ignored them once again.
"Everyone's dismissed," Will barked in a deadly tone. All the guests obliged, scuttering about to leave the party. And Will Herondale's wrath. Soon, it was just Will, Tessa, James, and his little sister, Lucie, left.
Will walked over to James and held out his hand. James reluctantly handed his father the silver pistol, who slung it into the belt beneath the waistcoat. "Upstairs. Drawing room. Now." Will said with no warmth to his voice. Without another glance, Will spun around on his heels with Tessa behind her husband, a nervous expression across her face. James knew there was no turning back and no other choice, so he followed them.
Will opened the room to the drawing room and held it open for everyone to enter. James didn't even look at his father as he stalked towards an armchair and flung himself onto it, burying his face in his hands.
"Jamie." He looked up, and this time it was not his father speaking, but his mother. Her tone was softer, more controlled, contrary to Will's. "We are...concerned about you. Why will you not tell us anything? This just isn't like you." And there it was again. Those five words he had been constantly hearing from his parents. James once again buried his face into his hands, feeling the need to growl in frustration.
"I told you once before, and I will repeat it once more." James took his hands off his face and his eyes shifted to meet his father's cool gaze, and returned it with just as much iciness as he could muster. "After all," he smiled cruelly, knowing the perfect way to get them both absolutely furious, "Father does seem to be getting quite forgetful these days. Must be the aging. Mother, on the other hand... Well, I can't say the same for her."
This obviously startled the both of them. For a second Will and Tessa were speechless, and moments later Tessa's eyes were suddenly glassy when looking over to her son, and then downwards as she covered her mouth with her hands. Will appeared to have noticed this, and stood up from his chair, snapping, "James Herondale—"
"No," Tessa rose from her chair as well, interrupting him and placing a hand lightly on her husband's arm. James rolled his eyes, cringing slightly at their consistent displays of affection. "It is quite all right. You needn't get upset, Will."
"Tess, something is wrong with our son," Will said, "I do not know what, but this is not the Jamie that we raised."
Tessa studied her husband long and hard before slowly nodding. "You're right," she agreed, "this is not the Jamie we know. The Jamie we brought up was given all the love and care he deserved."
"You mustn't talk of me as if I'm not here," James spoke up, narrowing his amber eyes in contempt at his parents.
"Perhaps," Will told her quietly, ignoring James, and then he huffed, "we should send him to Idris. Not for too long, just for a little while. We cannot risk him hurting anyone. Thank the Angel no one was injured today."
"Idris!" James cried, completely taken by surprise. Were they that willing to send him away? James truly believed that his parents loved him, even if he didn't show it.
Tessa hesitated, and bit down on her lip. "Maybe it would be good for him," she said reluctantly. "Perhaps it would be good for all of us."
James's mouth was hanging wide open now, but before he could say anything, Lucie Herondale sauntered around the room with a determined look. Her dress was swishing about her legs as she walked, and then stopped with her hands on her hips. Her dark blue eyes, the ones she had inherited from her father, were blazing, and her bun was beginning to loosen as strands of brown hair were falling into her face. "Don't I get any say in this?" his sister chimed in.
Will and Tessa shifted in their seats, not entirely expecting Lucie to come into the room. They looked up at their daughter, ready to listen. James could only hope that her opinion would rescue him.
Lucie looked satisfied at the attention, and began explaining her thoughts. "While sending James to Idris may be a good idea, I feel it would be best if he were to stay here at the Institute. Cordelia and I could talk to him, you know. Perhaps we can help him," Lucie suggested, giving James a subtle wink. He raised his eyebrows in confusion. Lucie and Cordelia talking to him? The idea was much better than sending him away to Idris by a long shot. But still, he wasn't a fan of Lucie's crazy idea. Though he wished his sister and Cordelia didn't have to waste their time on him. Or anyone, for that matter.
Cordelia Carstairs was his sister's parabatai, someone he would always be polite to in her company, yet not someone he usually converses with. It was weird to think that she was Uncle Brother Zachariah's cousin, though. But in the long run she was nice, James supposed. He was always a bit more shy, so he would just return to his own parabatai, Matthew Fairchild and he would try to help him with his Latin and other studies. She was pretty also, with short, bright red hair that fit her face. Although not nearly as beautiful as Grace.
Grace. That name caused so much pain for James, even just thinking about it. He had given her his entire heart, and she shattered it to bits and pieces without a second thought. He still loved her, even after what she did to him and even if she would never feel the same for him. Nobody knew about this, of course. Not even Matthew, who he trusted with his life. It was best to keep it that way.
"What do you think, Tess?" Will inquired, snapping James back to reality, his despair much stronger than it had been only moments ago. He slumped in his chair, sulking over rather depressing thoughts of Grace.
Tessa looked over to Lucie thoughtfully, briefly contemplating, and then back at her husband. "It could possibly work," she supposed, a hint of uncertainty in her tone.
"Mum," said Lucie. She was very adamant, just like her mother and father, and always made sure that when she wanted something, she got it. She was stubborn to the core.
Will stroked his chin in deep thought. "Although, Tess, our Lucie is still under the mature Shadowhunting age. She is only twelve, and even with Cordelia, I am not entirely sure if it will suffice."
Tessa glanced up at her husband and a look of understanding crossed her face.
Lucie sighed heavily in frustration. "Mum, dad, believe me, I know James better than anyone else, and it might not change anything if he were sent away. If he goes off to Idris, he may be more tempted to do what he shouldn't be doing. At least here, Cordelia and I can guide him, and keep a close eye on Jamie." He could practically see their parents giving up to Lucie, and they were putty in her hands. "And if that does not work, then we can send him to Idris."
James really did not like how his parents and his sister were arguing about the matter. He wished they would leave this alone. No, he wished they would leave him alone. James deserved nothing of their attention. Love was his damnation.
"Very well," Will said with resignation, turning to Tessa, "Lucie does have a point. Although, I think it would be wise if Matthew Fairchild is there too. He can report to us."
"What, you won't believe me?" Lucie said in exasperation, throwing her hands in the air. Herondales really did have a flair for the dramatics.
"Lucie," Tessa said in a warning voice, giving her daughter a stern look and Lucie automatically fell silent. "It is settled, then. When do you think this can start?"
Lucie's face lit up, a triumphant smile settling on her lips. She had clearly gotten what she wanted. And why? James had no idea. "Tomorrow, perchance. If that is all right with James, of course."
All heads turned to him with expectant faces, and he forced a nearly imperceptible nod, albeit half-heartedly, for he did not want to disappoint his younger sister—not when her eyes held all the hope in the world. Lucie clapped her hands together in enthusiasm.
"Then its settled," Will announced. "Cordelia, Matthew, and Lucie will begin tomorrow in helping our James with his little... problem."
James scowled and grumbled to himself about how he didn't have a problem, watching as Lucie nearly squealed with delight, but moments later asked rather bluntly, "Can I leave now?"
Will sighed and ran a hand through his hair, and replied tiredly, "Yes, you may, James." It was evident that Will knew he couldn't deny the request, especially since the matter at hand was already settled.
James silently rose from the armchair and sauntered out of the drawing room, without another glance at his parents.
James did not go to his room, as he originally intended. His head was crowded with thoughts, and he needed to clear his mind of everything. So, he decided to go out for a walk in the dank, London night. Without telling the members of the Institute, of course. Like father, like son.
He hadn't really put much thought into where he would be going, honestly, and yet he couldn't really bring himself to care. What had been distracting his mind was the fact that the very next day, Lucie, Cordelia, and even Matthew would most likely end up trying to probe his mind for details of 'his problem', as his father had called it.
It was not a problem. Although, it did appear to be. But it wasn't James' fault that his life had been shattered and shredded into tiny little pieces for no one to pick up. Nobody could ever heal him. Love was his destruction, and he could never believe in it. While his father had found hope in love, James had found sadness and despair in love. He envied his father. The way he looked at Tessa with pure adoration and the way his mother reciprocated... James had hoped that the same would happen. Unfortunately, hope was not reality.
James had no idea how long he had walking about London, but he had somehow ended up in Hyde Park near the Serpentine. He still had his silver pistol with him, tucked away in the waistband of his pants. He silently laughed to himself, amused by the fact that his parents had ordered a meeting revolving around this very pistol, yet neglected to take it away from him.
He paused to take in the view for a brief moment, when his eyes landed on the creature before him. A small duckling, and he was reminded of his father and how he would always make a fuss around the 'absolutely horrid monster.' James rolled his eyes, and then glanced up at the Serpentine. Though in secret, he hated ducks almost as much as his father did.
He had attempted to drown himself at this very place, and was unsuccessful. He could just barely recall a warlock whose name he had forgotten, with gold-green eyes with a slit in them, like a cat, rescuing him. James was a bit annoyed at him for that very reason. He did not ask to be saved, nor did he want to be in the first place. He would've been better off dead.
James sat down on the ground with his knees brought up. He pulled out the pistol and he tilted it, watching the reflected moon shine on its side, finding amusement and putting his focus on it, his previous thoughts almost completely forgotten.
There was a loud rustling. James knew it would be best to ignore the sound; it was probably just the wind or a duck or something, yet couldn't help but be fully aware of his surroundings. Then it came again, but this time louder. He raised the pistol, pointing it in the direction of the rustling, and shouted, "Who's there?"
No one replied. "Show yourself!" James shouted. He swore that he could wake up everything around him and send the ducks into a frenzy. With his free hand, he slid it into his waistcoat, preparing to pull out a seraph blade.
Suddenly, something came barreling out of the thicket of bushes behind James. A creature of some sorts. Not a creature. A demon.
James rolled over to his side and gripped the seraph blade in his hand, whispering sharply, "Uriel," and the blade instantly glowed, too bright for his eyes in the dark. He looked around, and a dark silhouette was presented before him, a shape he couldn't make out before it stood close enough for him to make out its features, thanks to the brightness of his blade: it was lizard-like with dark green scales covering its entire body with two mouths, one on its forehead with serrated teeth and another below with sharp fangs, in addition to a razored tail and a forked tongue with a stinger. James swallowed hard. It was an Ahiab Demon. They were blind, but lethal.
James braced himself as the demon approached him. Will had always said that James was an amazing Shadowhunter, and James could only hope that his talent would pay off. The demon was within arm's reach and opened its horrible mouth wide. James took a deep breath and lunged. He stabbed Uriel through the lower mouth, then jerked it up, cutting through the upper mouth. In a flash, the demon fell to the ground and began to disintegrate, getting sent back to whatever hellish dimension it came from.
James smiled triumphantly. However, his glory was short lived. The demon came springing back to life, and James's eyes widened in shock and a twinge of fear. Demons were never supposed to do this. He heard more rustling, and more Ahiab Demons sprung out from the bushes, at least a dozen of them flanked side by side as if in some sort of demon army. The one that James had first attacked lurched at him at an incredible speed, and with a sudden panic, James's body transformed into a shadow, leaving the demons absolutely confused. He silently thanked his mother for being a Downworlder. He took advantage of the moment, and finished the Ahiab Demon he was initially attacking, and sliced cleanly through its narrow tail, and the demon hissed at the pain. He then broke off into a run, not wanting to defeat the rest of the demons. James would have stayed behind until all the demons were slayed, but there was something unusual with these demons. Something wrong. It was as if someone had worked magic into them to make them nearly immortal. James had never seen anything like this before.
He ran down the dark shadows of the London streets, keeping down low in the shadows, blending in with his surroundings. His mind was a jumbled mess. He couldn't help but wonder why there'd be so many demons out at once, and if they were all like that. And while it made sense for them to be out at night, why Hyde Park? There weren't many demon occurrences there. And it couldn't just be a coincidence for them all to be there when he decided to go for a walk. But then, everything clicked.
James knew what was wrong. Someone was out to kill him.
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