SHINE
CHAPTER 2
Mom knocked on the large doors twice. Now that I know the truth, everything seems different. Lines are just a little clearer. And I've been seeing weird things, like a faery in a tree, or a man with one eye, or green skin. And this building… This building… It was in the middle of nowhere. If I didn't concentrate and look closely, it would look like were were at a line where field meets woods. Far from the outside world it felt like, yet it didn't take that long to get here. But we weren't in the woods. We were standing on the porch of a mansion. No- not a mansion. An estate. In fact, it reminded of the biltmore estate my parents and I visited on a vacation once.
The door opened and a red headed woman appeared.
"Elizabeth! To what do I owe this pleasure?" The woman said. They hugged quickly.
"I'm sorry to say this isn't a personal visit." Mom said. Then the woman turned her attention to me.
"You must be Lila. I'm Mrs. Lightwood."
"I prefer Lily."
"Then call me Clary."
"Clar-" I started to question then stopped myself.
"I told you. Everything in those books are true." Mom seemed amused.
"Anyway, if this isn't personal, what's this about, Elizabeth?"
"As you probably have figured out, she now knows. And, as I promised, I gave her a choice. I'd like you to train her."
"Of course! I'm sure Alexander will be thrilled."
"Alexander?" I spoke up.
"My son. Although I'm sure you know him more as Alex."
"Alex? What?"
"Why don't you come in?"
The inside was homey and comfortable, yet somehow still cold and living room area she led us to had leather couches, a large fireplace, and a flat screen. She motioned for us to sit.
"Your mother's right, Lily. Everything in those books are true."
"If so, then how did that all get out?"
"Well, When Jace and I got married, we decided we wanted to remember all those adventures and memories. So we wrote them down. We marked it as fantasy so no one would take a second look at the truth to them and published it." I didn't know what to say so there was a silence. Clary got up and went to the bottom of the stairs that led to a balcony overlooking the first floor. "Alexander!"
"What?" A familiar voice yelled back.
"Come here!" There were footsteps and Alex came bounding down the stairs. He looked at me and stopped in his tracks.
"So you know now." He said.
"Yeah."
"Elizabeth, have you seen our kitchen since we've redone it?"
"No, I don't think I have." They left swiftly. Alex sat down next to me on the couch.
"Thank god. I hated keeping this a secret from you."
"So this is why I've never been to your house." I joked. He smiled.
"Yeah. The Clave sent mom and dad here to take care of the Green Bay institute. Kind of a minor punishment for publishing those books."
"You were the one who got me into those books."
"Yeah, I thought at least we could talk about this that way."
"Clever."
"So now that you know, are you gonna be training?"
"Yeah."
"Sweet, I get to beat you up." I punched his shoulder and he just laughed. There was a comfortable moment of silence. "Wanna meet everyone else?"
"Everyone else?"
"Well Aunt Isabelle and Uncle Simon adopted, seeing how Simon can't have kids. And Uncle Alec and Uncle Magnus adopted, too. And there's my sisters, but you already know them. Let's go! I can show you around." He led me up the stairs into a hall.
"Maggie! C'mere!" Alex knocked-more like pounded- on a door. The door opened and a pretty girl our age with dark hair came out.
"What?"
"Lily, this is my cousin and parabatai, Maggie. Maggie, this is-"
"Lily!" She suddenly hugged me. "I've heard so much about you!"
"Umm..."
"Maggie." Alex said impatiently. She released me from the hug.
"Sorry. I've just heard so much about you it feels like we're already best friends."
"Mags! What's with all the yelling? I was trying to… read…" A boy our age come out of his room down the hall. He faded off when he saw me.
"Hi. I'm-"
"Lily, right?"
"Seems everyone knows me but I know no one."
"Doesn't have to be that way. I'm Michael. See? Now you know someone." I couldn't help but laugh.
"Well, thank you."
"Anytime." I could just about hear Alex's eye roll. I'm guessing so could Michael. He looked at Alex then me again. "You two are a cute couple." He comments casually.
"Couple?" I asked, looked at Alex.
"No, we're not dating."
"But I thought you said-"
"Nope. We're not." Alex cut him off with a look.
"My mistake."
"We all make them." I can see him shooting daggers eyes at this boy, Michael. The look quickly vanishes when he realizes I see it.
"Soo..." Michael says, quite uncomfortable. "Read any good books lately? Alex says you like reading."
"Yeah, i just finished the Mortal Instruments series… which is… ironic…" I scratched the back of my head awkwardly.
Alex laughs uncomfortably. "Yeah... kind of.. Well, maybe we should..."he looks at me pleadingly
"Go show me the rest of this place! I looks beautiful!" I offered. he looks thankfully at me.
"Sure!" We left swiftly, the awkward silence following us.
A/N: So I know it's kinda mean, but I'm gonna stop right for now :) I really hope you like it so far. If you have any suggestions for anything that should happen, tell me! I'm always open to anything, though I already have a general plan for what this story is going to be! Thanks!
