The Oracle
He didn't sleep, instead he wandered the great house and property trying to sort out the conversation he had with Clary. He never allowed anyone to see him this vulnerable; all he could think about was going to her. He wanted to be with her, like he had never wanted to be with another person. Maybe she was right. Maybe he wasn't Valentine biological son. He longed to know the truth, but was there time?
In Clary's dreams she saw Jace walking across a sun drenched field. He was dressed all in white, his silver scars showing from under his shirt. She watched as he came closer, his downy covered wings spread as he reached for her. She could feel her feet lifting off the ground. The sensation of flying made her a bit dizzy so she buried her face in his chest. He smelled, fresh like a combination of detergent and sunshine. She slowly opened her eyes meeting his gaze. This had to be the place she belonged, in his arms, but how could she prove Jace wasn't her brother? Mangus had mentioned he was going to do some investigating. Maybe they could find an answer.
Clary got up early and took a shower to wash away the delusions from last nights dream. As she stepped out of the shower she heard a loud knock on her door. Who could be awake at this hour? She wondered as she wrapped a towel around herself and hurried to the door.
Jace greeted her with a smile, "How did you know it was me?"
"I didn't," she sounded irritated. "How could I have known you'd be banging my door down at this hour?"
"Then why did you come to the door half naked, if not for my sake?"
"I just got out of the shower."
Snapping his fingers, "Damn, I'm too late, then."
"I'm closing the door now," she replied, but he already had his foot in the room.
The corners of him mouth curled up, "I can't believe I'm about to say this but, get dressed."
She tried to shove him out the door but he was too strong. Looking around, he said, "I'll wait." Then he plopped down on her unmade bed reclining with her sketch pad in his hand. Clary grabbed her jeans and a tank top as she hurried into the bathroom to get dressed.
The sun looked like a hazy ball glowing in the sky. It was still stifling hot even in late September.
"Where are we?" Clary asked, looking around at the grass burned by the summer heat.
"I wanted to take you to the holy Nemus, it's a woodland oak grove, just on the other side of the fence." Jace raised his hand to shield his eyes. "The gate should be around here somewhere."
"What's so special about a bunch of oak trees?" Clary wondered as she stumbled behind him.
"Surely you've studied woodland folklore in school."
Every so slightly, she shook her head, "No, I don't think they covered that in the tenth grade."
"What are they teaching kids … Ah, there it is." Changing his direction he began clumping through the crackling waist high weeds. Clary continued to follow without saying a word.
She remained behind him, casting a shadow on his back as he used his stele to unlock the gate. She noticed that his shirt was plastered to his skin. She could see his muscles flexing as he unwrapped the chain. She exhaled deeply and tried to look away.
When she turned her head back to face him he was hovering over her, the corners of his lips turned up into a sly smile. He raked his hands through his damp curls, "Well come on, it's just a bit further."
Clary had to practically run to hear what Jace was saying, "The oak is a scared tree. Both witches and fairy folk believe that it is a sort of bridge between the worlds, but that's not why were here. I want to pose a question to the oracle …" His voice faded the further away he got from her.
Trying to catch her breath Clary stopped to lean against a tree. Jace swung around, grabbing her, knocking both of them to the ground. She started to scream, but he had his hand clamped down tight over her mouth. With his other hand he was signaling her to be quite. Slowly he moved his hand away from her mouth.
"What's going on?" She whispered.
"I saw someone moving over there, behind that quercus." Jace pointed to the large oak tree in the center of the grove.
Clary slowly lifted her chin up just in time to see a tall, slender figure wearing shinny red pants, a black ruffled shirt, with spiky hair circle the tree. Feeling relived that it wasn't a demon she started to stand, but Jace jerked her arm back down. "What's wrong? It's just Mangus." She hissed.
"I know, but what's he doing here?" His voice was low.
"Oh, I hadn't thought of that." She paused and then leaned toward him, "I don't even know what we're doing here."
"Sh, stay right here." And with that, he proceeded to crawl on his hands and knees through the tall grass."
Clary rolled over and looked up at the leaves blowing in the slight breeze. She must have dozed off because the next thing she knew Jace and Mangus were positioned above her. Jace's head was blocking out the sun, his golden curls glowed with light like an angles halo. She tried to capture that moment in her mind, to draw him later in her other sketch book, the one he'd never seen.
"Wake up sleepy head." Jace said as he reached a hand down to help her up. "Mangus and I have been busy while you were napping."
Clary got up on her own; ignoring Jace's hand. She greeted Mangus with a nod and turned her face toward the sky. The warmth of the sun bathing her freckled skin, "So what did I miss?" She asked to no one in particular.
"Well," Mangus began, "Jace sat in the shade while I spoke with the oracal." He cut a sideway glare at Jace. "It seems that there are some discrepancies."
"Discrepancies?" Clary asked as she whirred around, "What sort of discrepancies?"
"The oracle doesn't seem to think I'm Jocelyn's son, but he didn't say Valentine wasn't my father." Jace spoke with out looking at Mangus.
"Well, if I'm not needed here, I'll be on my way." Mangus snapped." I have a bone to pick with a certain dark haired young man who hasn't seen fit to return any of my calls."
He turned and disappeared into the thick grove of trees as if he had never been there.
"What's with him?" Clary queried as she hurried to keep up with Jace who was walking off in the opposite direction.
"Oh he's got his wand all in a tizzy because Alec won't talk to him." Jace said tiredness creeping into his voice.
"I kind of figured that, but why is he mad at you?"
A grinned crossed his face, "Haven't you guessed yet?" He had stopped and was waiting for her to catch up.
"No, what are you talking about?" Clary squinted as she tried to look up into Jace's eyes.
"Alec is in love with me. Mangus is just jealous." His tone seemed superior, like he enjoyed having everyone regard him as a treasured object.
"I don't know Jace, he looked really mad…" Clary had to yell because Jace had taken off through the field in a straight run.
"Let hurry," He called back over his shoulder, "I don't want to be out here when the sun sets, the fair folk won't be happy about us being out in their woods."
After some time Jace slowed to a walk since Clary wasn't able to keep up with his pace. Not a single word was spoken even though Clary had a hundred questions whirling around in her head. She got the feeling Jace didn't want to talk about what the oracle had said.
They made it back to the property just as the sun was setting, "Were we really out there all day?" Clary asked out of breath.
"Yeah, well some of us didn't lie around and sleep the afternoon away." Jace snapped.
"I'm sorry, did I miss something? Why are you so angry?" her words were crisp.
"I'm not mad at you," but she could hear the bitterness in his voice. He was looking off toward the garden. She followed his gaze, standing there in the garden was Sebastian, apparently waiting for their return. "Looks like he's gonna want to talk to you. I guess I'd better give him something to talk about." His voice was barely audible. Then suddenly he leaned down, parting her lips with his he began to kiss her. The kiss was soft at first, but then she felt his hand on the sides of her face grabbing at her, pulling her closer. She kissed him back eagerly, lacing her fingers in his hair. The kiss grew into something neither of them had expected. Then, just as suddenly as it had started it was over. Jace had turned and tramped off toward the house with an enormous grin. Clary was left standing there gasping for air when Sebastian appeared at her side.