First Interaction – Jocelyn – 1987

Papers flew and snickers erupted as I tripped over a jutted-out chair leg and fell to my knees. Quickly, I collected my papers, high color flooding my face, and tried to ignore everyone who was laughing at me. I reached for a notebook that was sitting by a black shoe, but the owner of the shoe bent down to retrieve it for me. A pale hand was thrust in front of me, notebook in its grasp. Knowing who the hand belonged to but still wanting to see, I looked up into Valentine Morgenstern's face.

"Thanks," I mumbled, taking the notebook from Valentine and shoving it into my bag, along with the assorted papers that my fall had sent flying.

"My pleasure," said Valentine. His voice was hypnotic and persuasive; I could see why he had so many friends. He extended his hand out to me, and I took it, using it to pull myself up. "Take care of yourself, Jocelyn Fairchild." Then he was gone, leaving me slightly confused and dazed.

When school let out for the day, I went to find my best friend, Lucian Graymark. Luke and I had been best friends as far back as I could remember, and Luke knew everything about me there was to know. He probably knew me better than I knew myself. "Luke!" I cried, finding him in the crowd. I shoved a few people aside and reached Luke.

He grinned, face lighting up, when he saw me. "Hi, Jocelyn!" he said cheerfully. "What's up?"

"You'll never believe who talked to me," I spilled. I wasn't sure how Luke would react to this news. Neither Luke nor I had ever been part of Valentine's trusted group, though neither of us condemned that group either. They were all people we'd known since we were children: Maryse Trueblood, Robert Lightwood, Hodge Starkweather, Michael Wayland. But secretly, I thought it was a little stupid. Maryse, Robert, Hodge, and Michael all hero-worshipped Valentine, like some fan club.

"Who?" Luke asked curiously.

"Valentine Morgenstern," I revealed. "I tripped over a chair, because I'm a klutz like that, and I dropped a notebook, and Valentine got it for me and said, 'Take care of yourself, Jocelyn Fairchild.' What is that supposed to mean?"

Luke's face flickered from a hard edge to thoughtfulness. "Sounds ominous," he told me. "Makes it sound like he's some sort of murderer."

"Valentine? A murderer?" I looked at Luke incredulously. "You've got to be kidding me."

"I am, relax," laughed Luke. "What kind of weirdo says that to a girl, though? 'Take care of yourself.' Admit it, it is creepy."

"A little bit, but—"

"You admit it! I win!" cheered Luke. I smacked him across the shoulder, and Luke rubbed the spot theatrically. "Jesus, you hit hard for a girl!" I whacked him again, this time for adding "for a girl."

Luke and I, like everyone else, lived on campus. They were schooled at the Jonathan Shadowhunter Institute, or just the JSI, named for the very first Shadowhunter, the man the angel Raziel had given the Mortal Cup to. The JSI was located in the capital city of Idris, Alicante, and we had been sent there when we were thirteen to study Shadowhunting. The JSI was like a boarding school for in-training Nephilim.

Luke and I split when Luke said he had to go study for their runes history test in his room. I felt horrible for him—I knew he struggled. He couldn't learn quickly like I could, he couldn't stand the touch of the stele. It must be awful for him, I thought. I wished I knew how to make him feel better. But emotional issues weren't my strong point, and so it was awkward, on that front at least.

I didn't know where to go next, so I headed back to my room, too. I was more natural at Shadowhunting than Luke, so I required less studying, but it couldn't hurt to study some. My roommate, Madeleine Morgenstern, was there already. Madeleine was Valentine's younger sister, but she completely abhorred her brother. She said that underneath that perfect, handsome exterior was a murderer, a horrible man. I thought that Madeleine was perhaps being a little bit melodramatic. How could a seventeen-year-old boy be a murderer? But I liked Madeleine well enough, and the two of them got along.

"Hi, Jocelyn." Madeleine barely looked up from her book. She was studying for the runes history test, too.

"Everyone's studying for runes history," I noted, wondering if I should get out my book now or procrastinate and cram tomorrow morning.

"It's going to be killer," Madeleine replied, glancing up at me. Madeleine had the same silver-blonde hair as Valentine, but while Valentine's eyes were a striking black, Madeleine's were a soothing hazel. "We have to know, like, thirty runes off the top of our heads."

"Crap," I grumbled. I flopped down onto my bed, reaching for my bag and pulling out my runes history textbook and notebook. With a short jolt, I realized that it was my runes history notebook that Valentine had retrieved for my. Come on, Jocelyn, I thought harshly, you have better things to do than pine after some popular boy. Guys like Valentine don't go for girls like you. I immersed myself in runes history, trying to ignore the world around my.

****

First Interaction – Luke – 1987

I tried to memorize runes' names and symbols, cram them into my head, but it seemed impossible. Everything seemed impossible, to my great dismay. I had to pass this test, or else I was pretty much screwed over. My roommate, Jonathan Brokenstar, was still out somewhere, which was probably best. I didn't want him to see me struggle.

There came three short raps at the door, sending my heart pounding erratically. It wasn't Jonathan, because he had a key. I curiously swung the door open. And stood face to face with Valentine Morgenstern.

I couldn't help it. I was completely shocked. I blurted, "Valentine Morgenstern?" in a deeply incredulous tone.

Valentine laughed once, a low, breathy sound. "Hello, Lucian." I blinked, raising my eyebrows in surprise. Not only was Valentine Morgenstern at my door, he knew my name, too.

"Um, it's Luke, actually," I corrected quickly.

"I will call you Lucian. The name suits you," Valentine insisted. He was big, broad-shouldered and muscled, with hair so pale blonde it was nearly white.

"Lucian works," I agreed. I resisted the urge to ask, "What the hell are you doing here?" Instead, I rocked back onto his heels and waited for Valentine to answer my unspoken question.

"You need some help in runes history, correct?" Valentine asked in a clipped tone.

I flushed. It was embarrassing that even Valentine knew how badly I was doing in school. But since Valentine had asked, I assumed that he was offering help. "Yes," I answered. "I do, actually."

"Well, Lucian," Valentine's lips curved up, "I am exactly the right man to help you."