Chapter 3: Matching Ties

"You look stunning, my dear sister."

Seraphina settled down her hairbrush and looked at her brother. He was in his usual spot in the doorway, but his face held a different look this time. This look seemed to look like awe, surprise, and a bit of hunger. That was a weird combination, especially for Jonathon.

He pushed his pale hair back from his face and she could see his Morgenstern cuff links glitter on his suit sleeves. His suit was perfectly tailored with a white button down underneath and a dark green tie.

The girl wondered if the fact that Jonathon's tie matched her dress was planned or pure coincidence.

'Probably the former' she thought silently.

Seraphina's dress was quite a sight to behold. It was sleeveless and reached just above her knees. It was tight and loose in the right places that accurately showed her curves, but still managing to look classy and sophisticated. Its dark green color made her eyes shine and complimented her hair.

"As do you." She replied with a tight smile. She turned back towards her dresser and picked up her necklace.

"Allow me" Jonathon walked over towards her and took the necklace from her. The girl picked up her hair in her one hand and her brother reached around her to place the necklace on her. He clasped the hook and moved his hands, one on each of her shoulder blades. His hands instantly cooled her skin and sent a shiver down her spine.

They were both staring at each other through their reflection in the mirror as this all happened.

She knew that in this moment they looked exactly as their parents once had; Jonathon with his pale, white blond hair, black eyes, and his powerful aura and Seraphina with her flaming, red hair, bright, green eyes, and petit frame.

Jonathon's eyes held that weird look once again. One of his hands moved from her shoulder and into her hair. He took one of her perfect curls and twisted it around his finger.

He said nothing but just kept her stare in the mirror. The girl felt her heart race as if something was about to happen.

Then abruptly Jonathon pulled back and walked to the door. He held out his arm and waited for her to take it.

When they made their way to the balcony overlooking their sitting room they could see the party fully. There sitting room was quite large and all of the furniture was removed from it, making it all larger. There were garlands of black, silver, and gold fabric hung across the large French windows, framing the dark night sky and various tables filled with h'or d'oerves and sweets. There was someone playing the small piano in one corner, along with several violinists. There was also a decent amount of people that were present in the room.

Men were dressed in black suits with ties of every color. The women wore gowns of silk and chiffon with their hair in elegant twists. Everyone appeared to be having a great time, either laughing or dancing.

The girl heard her father approach them and clear his throat loudly. Everyone abruptly stopped and stared up at the three of them. Her father stood next to her and clasped his hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him to see he was wearing a suit similar to Jonathon's, but he had a black tie on instead.

Her father wore a broad smile with perfectly aligned teeth. To anyone else it may seem he was producing a smile of genuine happiness, but Seraphina knew better than that. He was sizing up the crowd and calculating his words in order to elicit the exact response he wanted from them.

"The both of you need to be perfect tonight. Tonight is not just a birthday party, it is the start of a new beginning." He whispered through clenched teeth.

Seraphina moved her gaze to the crowd and changed her expression to one of true happiness exactly how her father had taught them too. She could see through the corner of her eye that Jonathon had a matching expression.

They must appear perfect to all of her father's followers. At least that is what they must think considering the stares they were receiving. Many of the guests were looking up at them with smiles, awe, and what appeared to be total devotion.

It confused the girl to no end. She had believed her father too at one point, but he had raised her and she had no other perspective to see. These people though, were normal shadowhunters. They had seen the world and met downworlders before. They had been given a nonbiased education and yet here they were supporting her father whole heartedly.

"Brothers and sisters, I would like to thank you all for coming tonight to my daughter's sixteenth birthday. It seems like just yesterday she was only a small child, but her she stands today maturing to be quite the strong and beautiful, young woman I have always hoped she would become."

He spoke with false sentiment and it bothered the girl a lot. She wished he would be speaking these words to her from the bottom of his heart, not to gain support.

Instead of dwelling on this fact though, the girl practiced what she learned. Faking her emotions. She looked up to her father and gave him a smile filled with love and happiness.

He looked down at her and gave her the same smile she gave him, but his eyes were telling her 'good job'. He turned behind him to a side table and pulled out two flutes of champagne, passing one to the girl and one to her brother.

"May we all congratulate her and wish her a wonderful year." He raised his glass and everyone mimicked his action. They all also spoke wished of good luck and happiness for her.

It would have been quite touching except for the fact that she did not know most of the people in the room. She could see a few familiar people, such as Mrs. Cartwright, but most of the faces were new to her.

She wondered briefly if Jonathon had met them before.

Her father had started to ramble on about the future of shadowhunting and how the revolution was coming soon, but the girl tuned him out. She was so sick of this.

After several minutes though, she heard cheering and yells of approval. Everyone below her looked excited and ready for a battle. They all raised their glasses and said something brief in Latin. The girl muttered along with them and took a sip of the bubbly liquid along with them all.

It had been several hours now and the party was still in full swing. The girl had spent most of the night by herself. She had met some new people who appeared honored to meet her, but after a few minutes of small talk she politely excused herself.

Currently she sat on a chair in the corner of the room observing the party. There were many people dancing and several people were off to the sides chatting or enjoying a snack.

She spotted her father speaking to a younger couple who seemed to be eagerly awaiting the words that came out of his mouth.

'New recruits'

The girl sighed and felt someone come to stand beside her. She looked over, expecting to see her brother, but it wasn't him. It was a boy, one who looked really familiar. He had slightly waved chestnut hair and calm blue eyes. The girl could see that he was quite fit by the way his physique fit perfectly in his suit and he wore a dark green tie. She thought that this was quite odd considering this tie, like Jonathon's had matched her tie perfectly.

"It's your party and yet here you are alone." He spoke his words in a calm matter, but she could hear the confusion in his voice. "I would expect someone like you to be the perfect hostess speaking to everyone and showing off that beautiful smile of yours."

The girl blushed. This boy was quite attractive and had managed to insult her and pay her a compliment at the same time.

He had a slight smile and seemed to be awaiting a response.

"Well I tend to contradict the popular opinion." She spoke back trying to keep her voice neutral. Her heart was racing and she could swear that the boy could hear it.

"Surely there must be someone here you want to talk to."

"Everyone here wants to discuss the same things. I do not know how many times I can discuss the revolution or how my brother and I look just like our parents. I can only repeat the same things so many times."

His smile grew as if amused by her answer.

"Well you are quite interesting girl, Seraphina, now aren't you?"

The girl gave him a confused look before hearing her father approaching once again.

"Ah I see you have met Zachary Cartwright, Seraphina." He looked at her and then quickly at the boy. "Has he been well to you?"

So that is why he looked so familiar. His mother was her old tutor.

"Of course, ever the gentlemen."

Her father smiled at her and then at him. "That is very good. Why don't you two dance."

Zachary held out his hand to her and she accepted it. They moved onto the dance floor and moved to the sound of violin and the piano.

The girl was singing quietly to herself as she sat on her bed and brushed out her hair. She was in such a good mood and had not been in the longest time.

It was about two in the morning and the house was finally quiet. Her father and brother had left immediately after the party to Moscow and had barely said a goodbye. The girl did not mind though, she had other things on her mind.

Zachary had been quite the charmer and had been made the night bearable. He had made her smile and had caused her stomach to feel all knotty during several points in the evening. It was not an unpleasant feeling, but one she received every time she thought of him.

He had made her feel carefree and protected even. He was absolutely amazing in her eyes.

The girl wondered if this is what a crush was. She had never had one before considering the only people close to her age that she knew were her brother and Simon.

'Simon would know though!'

She could not wait to tell Simon all about him. Jonathon would not understand and even if he did he would not care. Simon though would be happy for her. After all she was always happy to hear about his conquests.

It was decided that she would visit him tomorrow. She had not seen him in such a long time and missed him terribly. Her father and brother were gone until next week and no one else would be here except a few servants who would be cleaning. They would never notice her disappearance though.

The girl immediately became excited over her upcoming adventure. She would be able to act as herself and discover more of New York City.

They could go out to lunch or see a movie. How mundane she must sound to any other shadowhunter.

She was in such a great mood though that she didn't care. She was so happy she felt like dancing.

That was it!

She wanted to go to that fun place she went once before with Simon. She could tell it was not his favorite but she enjoyed it so much. She loved seeing all the mundanes there together, dancing, and without a worry in the world.

She had even seen her first demon there.

'What was it called?'

It was on the tip of her tongue, but she just could not recall it. Then out of nowhere it appeared to her just like one of her runes in her mind.

Pandemonium Club.


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