Disclaimer: I do not own The Mortal Instruments, either the book or the artefacts themselves.
Warnings: Rated for later chapters, this chapter is T for some violence
False Idol
Chapter 2
The teacher's expression was dark when he arrived to class. He sat with a sigh and let his hand run down his face.
"The council has just informed me that there is a demon loose in Idris. It is customary for older, more experienced Shadowhunters to…remove such a creature. Against my better judgement, however, the council has decided that it would be a good training exercise for some more advanced students." The teacher's expression twists with distaste. "I do not think it is appropriate for this level, but if anyone wants to volunteer I cannot go against the wishes of the council. I strongly recommend that no one volunteers. After all they can't force you."
Luke pondered and then decided that this was a decision that he didn't want to make alone. He flicked his eyes towards his teacher and Valentine quirked an eyebrow in return. He never doubted.
"I would like to volunteer, sir," Luke said quietly.
The teacher started and gave Luke an almost pitying look. In that instant, Luke hated him for it.
"Luke, no one doubts the remarkable progress you've made but this is not something to take lightly and-"
"I will handle it." Valentine cut across the Shadowhunter.
The class started murmuring. Luke was devastated, how could Valentine undermine him like that? The teacher acquiesced, naturally. People tended not to refuse Valentine. Besides, he was the most accomplished Shadowhunter in the class. As he strode towards the exit he turned back to Luke. "Well are you coming? I need someone I can trust to watch my back."
Luke's heart swelled with pride. Everyone had heard about how Valentine trusted him. He was honoured and grabbed his weapons.
(-)
Idris was beautiful. Luke took a moment to observe his homeland. The lush flora was so soothing. Every step caused the heady smell of crushed grass to permeate the air. Rivers sparkled like silver in the distance.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Luke sighed.
"Yes. It is our reward for duties. We cannot let it be sullied. Look." Valentine gestured towards the ground.
The grass was charred and flaked beneath their feet. Luke felt righteous anger rise in his chest. How could anyone, even a demon, desecrate such beauty? They were obviously monsters.
At least he trail was easy enough to follow. Luke found himself burning with a righteous wrath that he had never fully experienced. Although loath to admit it, demons usually caused feelings of fear within him. But striding beside Valentine he felt bold and just.
Valentine held up a hand and gestured. The creature was huddled under a tree. Valentine flicked his fingers in a familiar pattern. Luke recognised the order to circle around and flank the demon.
He nodded once and began to stalk forward. Valentine circled to the right. It was inevitable that the demon would notice them. Naturally, Valentine was a better tracker and it was Luke who gave their position away. Without even noticing Valentine, the demon sprang at Luke. Ragged claws grappled him and he quickly hefted his Seraph blade to parry.
Valentine looked like an avenging angel as he struck from the right. His blade sliced deep into the demon's torso. The wound spurted red-black blood that steamed as it splattered on the grass. The demon's howl was unholy. There was a metallic shriek as claws tangled with Valentine's blade. Luke hacked at a wing and more blood fell from the ruptured veins.
Valentine slid his blade into its abdomen. Luke flinched, knowing a mortal wound by sight and also knowing how long a gut wound takes to kill. Valentine stood cold and implacable while he watched the demon twitching on the ground before him. It took a long time to still. He carefully whipped his blade clean before sheathing it. There was an unpleasant smile adorning his features.
"We did it," Luke murmured.
"Indeed. I may not have succeeded without your assistance. These beasts," Valentine gently turned the corpse with his foot, "are fouler than I had imagined."
Luke looked down. In death the demon looked more pitiful than foul. The wings were torn and bloody and the body seemed to curl protectively inward. It seemed somehow smaller, the membranous wings almost delicate.
Luke had noticed how the demon didn't burn the ground intentionally. The creature simply left ash in its wake, as if the very earth was rebelling against its presence. It didn't belong here, that much he knew. But he was pretty sure the demon had known that too. He shuddered.
Valentine laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. "It was a monster, Lucian. There was only one way this could have ended. It would have done worse to us, to our home if it had been left to its own devices."
Luke nodded, but he still felt unsettled.
Luke fell into step beside his teacher. After a pause, he broke the silence. "Thank you, Valentine, for taking me with you, for trusting me, for…"
"Lucian, you needn't thank me for such things. I trust you because you trust me and that trust is the reason I wanted you at my back today. It takes more than skill to make a good Shadowhunter."
Valentine gave Luke one of his beatific smiles. Luke's breath hitched at the sheer radiance of that expression and the stunning words of praise. The disquieting expression on Valentine's face was completely forgotten.
Valentine was so perfect. Clad in Shadowhunter gear, he epitomised the sleek deadliness of the Nephilim. His body was powerful and flawless and his grace and his dark eyes held such intensity… Luke shook his head. He had no qualms about admiring Valentine. He was his hero, after all, but he didn't like the sorts of emotions that had begun to infect his admiration.
It was almost as if he found Valentine attractive. Well of course he was attractive, he had half the girls in the school panting after him, but did he find Valentine attractive? Well yes, obviously…but no…not like that…but…He shook his head again. He was too consumed by his musings to notice that Valentine was watching him closely or the faint smile tugging at his teacher's lips.