I rose from my bed around four in the morning, restless after a night of no sleep. I pulled on some thin clothes and running shows then made my way to my door.
There were a few more hours before we had to leave so I set out for a jog in the woods that were surrounding our manor house. I have always loved the forest. Spending time in it transported me somewhere else, making it possible to let all of my worries go. I often brought my sketch pad with me but capturing the beauty of it was close to impossible. There were so many things to consider. Like the light coming through the trees, the moisture dripping from the leaves, and the texture of all the different plants. A drawing wouldn't be able to capture the sounds like make the forest so great. Not the chirping birds, the rustling of animals playing in the bushes.
After a while I turned in a long loop heading back toward my house. I made it to my room and took a quick shower. I had music blasting so loud that I was surprised that my eardrums didn't burst from the pressure. It did however block my mind from forming coherent thoughts as I forced myself to sing along to the songs.
After I threw on an old shirt and tattered jeans, I grabbed my combat boots and pulled them on. On my way out the door I pulled down my travel bag. It was filled with everyday clothes, fighting gear, training clothes, and of course weapons.
As I walked down the hall toward my father and brother, I took the rubber band off my wrist and used it to pull my hair away from my face. I tried to calm my thoughts knowing that getting angry at my father would only create pain for me. I knew that he probably wouldn't even mention it.
I rounded the corner to the library and saw my father sitting at his desk. Jon was across the room, sitting on the window sill, and seemed to be glaring at our father. It startled me. I had never seen Jon do anything that would indicate that he was mad at Valentine. It only confirmed my fears off Jonathan being subjected to the same experiments that I did.
My anger took over me and for a second I thought that I was going to attack my father. I felt something wrap around my arm and looked at it. After a while my brain finally connected the hand to Jon. His eyes were giving me a warning and I slowly nodded, even angrier that he didn't agree with me.
Valentine stood up and walked over to us. He looked like he was going to say something then at the last minute just nodded and walked out the doors.
Jon and shared a look then he motioned me to the wall. I pulled out my steel and quickly drew the intricate but familiar rune. I had created it a few years ago when I was being overrun by hundreds of demons and needed a quick getaway.
I looked over at Jon, finding it weird that he hadn't said anything yet. He just shouldered his bag and then stepped through the portal. I grabbed my own bag and then followed.
I landed on my feet next to Jon and realized that he had us positioned in an alleyway. An alleyway that I vaguely recognized from the last time being here.
"Magnus lives close by," I told Jon.
He turned to me with a grin on his face, one that did not reach his eyes.
"Are we going to stay with him," I asked.
Jon nodded then hid his face from my prying eyes.
"Jon, are you-"
"Not now Clary."
"But Jon-"
"Clarisse! Just leave it, okay? You don't have to know every detail about every little thing!"
I stared at him shocked. Not once has Jon ever risen his voice when talking to me. It scared me but I simply walked around him and continued down the street to familiar flat.
I had met Magnus when I was nine. I had been on a mission for my father and got injured pretty badly. Magnus had actually found in the alley that my brother and I had landed in a few minutes ago. He healed me and let me stay at his house for the day to heal. I thought that he was the coolest person that I had ever met. I visited him every time I was in New York. And every time I came home Jon was the one who heard all of the crazy stories I had to tell about him. Magnus had become the one and only friend I had aside from my brother. If my father ever found out he would find some way to kill Magnus. Jon must have remembered all that I had told him and decided that it would be the best place to stay.
We reached the front of the building and I pushed the buzzer to his flat.
"Who is it," his bubbly sing song voice came the speaker.
I grinned while Jon's face turned to shock. Of course I had told Jon all about Magnus's over the top personality but Mags somehow always found a way to get people to underestimate his sparklyness.
"It's me Mags," I spoke through the button again.
"No way! Clare is that really you? My sweet little Clary!"
"Yes. Now let me in it is freezing!"
The entrance buzzed and we walked inside. I walked up the stairs and opened Magnus's door. I found him standing there in all his sparkling glory with his arms spread wide. I wasted no time to jump into his arms. He crushed me to him then stepped back to study me.
"Gosh you grown my little one," he exclaimed.
"It has been two years."
Magnus was wearing tight green plants and a blue shirt. He had a green scarf that matched his pants perfectly and sparkles were on every patch of his body.
"You haven't changed a bit," I told him.
"Of course not. There is nothing about me that even needs to change."
I laughed as Magnus's eyes slid over to my brother, who was still standing there and staring, like he was in shock.
"And you must be Clary's brother, Jon. It is so nice to finally meet you!"
Jon finally seemed to snap out of and nodded.
"I have heard a lot about you."
"And I have heard a lot about you," Magnus said with polite smile.
"So what brings you two lovely people here today?"
"We are doing some dirty work for our father and I was wondering if we could stay here?"
"Well of course! Anything for my little Clary."
He ruffled my hair as he walked past me to grad my bags. He led us down the hall to a small room that had three doors.
"The one on the left is Clary's, the one on the right is Jon's, and the middle one is mine. You can just make yourself at home. I have to go to some clave meeting tonight so it is all yours."
He set my bags by my door then walked back down the hall. Jon didn't say anything as he shouldered his bags and then trudged into his room, closing the door behind him. I frowned at the wood that was now in between me and my brother. What was wrong with him? He has hardly spoken a word to me all day.
After a few minutes, I sigh and walk into my room. I smile as I take it all in. Magnus had left it the same way that I had left two years ago. It had all my training equipment, a bookshelf with all my favorite books, and a nice, plush bed that I had shoved into the corner of the room. The bathroom door was still covered with pictures that I drew of my father and brother.
There was one wall that had nothing on it except for a painting. I remembered the day that I had put it there. Magnus and I had spent the whole day binge watching shows on Netflix. The painting was of us smiling at Chairman Meow, who was spread across both of our laps. You could feel the lazy, happiness just by looking at the painting.
I plopped my bag on my bed and grabbed some sweats and a tank top. After pulling them on I made my way back to the living room. I found Jon standing by the door dressed in gear.
"I am going to start my job. Don't expect me back for a few days," he says while turning towards the door.
"Jon wait-"
The door is slammed behind him. Jon has our father's temper. I know he will tell me what it is that is bothering him sometime. But I just wished I could help him now.
I make my way back to my room and crawl into my bed. I stare at the ceiling and try not to think of anything before a finally drift off into a fitful sleep.
Thank you for reading. :D