Author's Note: This chapter is quite lengthy. Haha 'lengthy'. Reviews are appreciated, that way I know someone's actually reading this.
Carte Blanche
Arc 1
"Stupid shadowhunters," someone says beside Clary. She turns to look at the voice that interrupted her good moment. She and Anael were walking back to the Institute, groceries in their hands, only to be blindsided by a hateful comment. And, after Clary looks the female over, she can see a fae made the comment.
"Excuse me," Anael says, stepping forward. The fae glares up at him.
"There's a demon attack going on at this very moment! And your just having a normal day! Shadowhunters could give less of a shit about us," she says, her teeth clenched together. Anael looks up and around, seeing no demons.
"Where are the demons," he says, and the woman turns around, taking off at a takes off after her. Clary follows, holding tightly to her bags, staring at the back of the fae. She had pretty pink wings... Clary shakes her head, trying to stay on target. A demon attack. Another one.
The come to an alley, where a male fae with soft green wings is standing crouched over a body. He looks up at them, distastefully looking at Anael and Clary.
"Took you guys long enough. You guy are supposed to be the demon hunters. Yet, he we are, fighting," the male says, slowly standing. The female looks down at the body on the ground, and Clary does too. The fae's eyes are closed, the chest covered in two deep cuts, deep enough that it's hard to see how bad they really are.
"Excuse me," Clary mumbles, and Anael holds up his hand to stop her from commenting further. He leans over the fallen fae, lightly touching the wounds. Blood was leaking out, gathering in a puddle on the cement.
"Where are the demons," Anael asks. The male points down the alley.
"Some went that way. We killed most of them though." The fae crosses his arms, glaring at Anael. "You guys should have come sooner. But you really don't care about our kind. Which is strange, considering that we're on the brink of war with each other. But you don't seem to care."
Anael doesn't comment. He presses down on the wound hard. The fae make sounds of protest, but after a few seconds the fae on the ground suddenly opens his eyes, gasping. He sits right up, as though his chest isn't cut open. "How do you feel," Anael asks him.
"I feel... really good," the fae says, smiling. He looks at Anael. "What did you do to me?"
"I healed you. Take it easy for the next while," Anael says, standing up and walking past the fae, whose mouths are agape. Clary follows Anael, glancing at the fae on the ground. She looks forward and smiles at the angel, who is taking off a slow jog down the street. She follows, knowing the demons will be sticking to the shade. Surely, they shouldn't have gotten far.
They walk up and down the next few blocks, but find no demons. Anael is frowning, eyes scanning the area, but they were on a near empty street with a few people minding their own business. No screams, no shouts of horror. Just peace and quiet.
"I should track that demon," Anael says, closing his eyes.
"Why didn't you do that before?"
"It takes up my energy."
After a few silent seconds, Anael takes off at a sprint. Clary follows, trying her best to keep up. He winds up and down alleys, crosses a street and nearly gets hit in the process. Soon, she loses him though, and all Clary can do is wander around at a jog, her eyes searching for him.
Clary finally finds him standing alone. He's in the middle of the street, a taxi honking at him, not moving from his position. Tall buildings are up on each side, blocking the road from the sun. She runs up to him and nudges him with her shoulder, edging him to the sidewalk.
"Find them?"
"I already killed them," Anael says. Clary thinks back to the demons who attacked her, remembering the bright white light.
"You kill them with light?"
"Heavenly fire," Anael clarifies. Clary nods, looking around and seeing no witnesses. If anything, all mundanes would see would have been a dog or cat that suddenly disappeared in a flash of light. He hesitates on the side of the street, then looks at her. "I feel weaker already."
"What do you mean," she asks him, and he shrugs, turning away.
"There are different rules when an angel comes to Earth, depending on the circumstance. If an angel is summoned, which is a loophole that allows us to be here, then they may stay indefinitely. But when an angel comes of their own free will, the consequence is that they may become slowly weaker. Their ties to heaven slowly fade," he says, turning to walk down the street. He was showing no outside signs of weariness. "I've healed people twice today, and now I've just channeled heaven's power through a physical body. It has tired me."
"You should rest when we get back to the institute," Clary says to him. He nods, and they walk back in silence.
Clary and Anael immediately go to the study, where Robert and Jace are, as well as the newcomers. Clary grins and runs forward to hug her best friend, Simon, saying his name softly and planting a kiss on his cheek.
"You guys made it," she says happily. She moves on to hug Isabelle tightly, then gives a friendly nod at Alec, who had a bundle in his hands. Clary walks over, looking past the soft pink blanket.
"Max," she says, chuckling. The small baby warlock had dark blue skin and dark hair, and his eyes were wide open and smiling up at his new dad. Alec smiles, rocking the baby softly.
"You guys, we should all move to the dining room to talk," Robert says loudly. Everyone nods, chatting away, some people glancing at Anael with questioning eyes. Anael trails behind the group, sticking his hands in his pockets. That gesture was normal, wasn't it? The group chats, and he takes the time to analyze everyone.
Robert was ahead of the group, but Anael noticed a gaze of slight distaste when he looked at the warlock.
The boy holding the warlock had blue eyes and black hair, and he obviously didn't care about Robert's opinion. All he cared about was the bundle in his arms.
Clary was walking next to the black haired boy, chatting happily with him.
Behind those two was Jace, talking to a brown haired boy that, if Anael recalled correctly, was called Simon. So that was the boy that had helped to summon Raziel, and once had the mark of Cain on his forehead.
And the second-to-last one walking at the back was a girl. All Anael could see of her was long dark hair, a bright pink dress and red heels. She was alone, and silent.
All in all, the group seemed alright. Yet, there was a tension that Anael could feel, so he decides, rather selfishly, to scan the minds of the younger crowd in the room. A gift that some angels had, to varying levels of skill. Raziel was best at is, as the angel of mysteries, it made sense that he could pull the mysteries from someone's mind. As for Anael, as the angel of joy and pleasure associated with love, he could read the love of everyone in this room.
And what he finds is interesting.
The silent girl was in love with the brown haired boy, yet she held heavy feelings of something the opposite of love for him as well. And the brown haired boy, he had love for Clary, and love for the silent girl. Jace's feelings of love for Clary were very clear, yet he held strong camaraderie love for all the people in the room. The boy with the baby warlock was very focused on the baby, and vice versa.
Deciding that was the end of his prying, Anael retreats back into his more human senses. They had arrived at their destination anyway.
In the dining room, everyone was enjoying a drink and pizza, with Simon sharing a story.
"So, this mundane boy runs into me, and in two seconds I swung out my leg to bring him to the ground," Simon laughs. "And he just looks at me, like, 'damn, I didn't know you were an undercover cop!'"
"Try being more conspicuous, Si," Clary says, leaning back in her seat. She looks at Isabelle, who is silent and cold looking. Clary lets out a sigh.
"Come on, that's awesome," Jace says, smiling at Simon. Alec shakes his head.
"She's right, we're shadowhunters, emphasis on shadow. Not middle-of-the-day fighters who take down mundanes," Alec says.
"I refuse to be hidden. Why hide someone as good as myself from the world," Jace laughs, and Alec lightly hits his arm. Clary grins, looking at Robert, who is sitting silently and watching them with a tired look.
"Enough of the narcissism, Jace," Isabelle comments. Jace rolls his eyes, and Isabelle smirks. Clary turns to look at her.
"So, what have you been up to at the Academy," Clary asks her. She shrugs, brushing a strand of hair aside.
"Helping the newbies train, that's about it. Is anyone going to introduce our new friend," Isabelle says, turning to look at Anael. He smiles at her.
"I'm Anael."
"You a shadowhunter?"
"No, I'm not," he says, and everyone turns to look at him.
"So, why are you here?" Alec asks him.
"I... have the sight," Anael lies. Actually, technically, it was true. Everyone nods, and Alec turns to Robert.
"Dad, is he staying with us for a while?"
"He is," Robert says, looking at Anael, crossing his arms. "In fact, I haven't had much of a word with our new friend. Anael, why don't you tell us about yourself."
"I grew up with a brother, in New York. One day, I came across a demon, which Clarissa sent back home. And Robert has gratefully offered me a room. I have taken an interest in nephilim," Anael says, placing his elbows on the table. "I wish to learn more, and see how I fit into your world."
"You just reminded me of what happened earlier," Clary says, taking her glass and sipping .She looks at the rest of the table with a nervous smile. "We ran into some angry fae earlier, they were attacked by a demon."
"Strange, the demon attack rates have been going up. Be sure to make a note of that later," Robert says, sipping at his own glass. Jace looks at Clary, grimacing.
"Are you alright?"
"Obviously, Jace," Clary says. "The fae indicated the fact that we're on the verge of war with them. Something has to be done about that."
"It will be done, the clave is discussing it," Robert responds.
"Something must be done quicker."
"And it will be, Clarissa. It's a matter of politics, and how much our races get along," Robert continues. "These kinds of things cannot be rushed."
"I just hope it'll all be settled soon," Clary sighs.
"Do you know what fae are, Anael?" Isabelle turns with a sly smile. "They are quite the creatures to interact with."
"I am well aware of all downworlders," Anael answers. Isabelle nods, and holds up her drink.
"I say we toast, to our new guest," Isabelle says, sending a wink Anael's way. He can feel her presence seem to turn toward him, taking an interest. Not knowing what else to do, he raises his own glass, smiling back at her kindly. Everyone raises their glass, says 'to Anael', and takes a sip. Anael sets his glass down, feeling the lingering taste of liquor in his mouth. Wine. Fruity. Almost sour. Cold. He can feel it going down throat, hitting his stomach.
At the end of it all, Simon and Clary leave with each to catch up. Isabelle and Alec go to their rooms. Jace stays behind with Robert and Anael having another glass.
"Anael, you must tell me more about yourself. That's an interesting name, what is it's origins?" Robert takes a long sip, eyeing Anael.
"I believe most would call it biblical," Anael replies.
"Biblical. Angelic. The irony of that, now that you're becoming more involved with our kind. Have you always had the sight?"
"No, I have no, this only happened recently," Anael responds.
"How odd," Robert comments, his expression thoughtful. He looks at Jace. "Where did you guys say you found him again?"
"Clary found in central park. She took him home, he had dinner with us, slept over. He was pretty shaken up, over that demon," Jace chuckles, grinning at Anael. The angel smiles and nods, and Robert laughs too.
"I'll say. Must have been frightening, your first encounter with a demon. I'm not sure if Clary or Jace has told you, but mundanes- people who are not shadowhunters or downworlders- have a chance at becoming one of us. The sip from the mortal cup, and if they can handle the change, then they do so. Still, we don't give the cup to older fellows," Robert says. "How old are you?
"Twenty-three," Anael responds. He could pass for twenty, or twenty-five, that he knew. Robert nods, taking a sip from his drink.
"That might be a little too old. And you would have to undergo rigorous testing before actually drinking from the cup and ascending. Still, you could always be a servant, or guard, of the institute," Robert says with a smile. "Work here, it can be a new experience."
"That will work fine," Anael says. "What would I start to do?"
"Well, I'd teach you more about our world, send a letter to the clave, ask if you're told old for the ascension. For the time being, you can remain here. Me, or even Jace and Clary, can teach you."
"That would be nice," Anael nods, looking at Jace, who was glancing at his watch. The blond looks up at both of them, smiling.
"I hate to do this, but it's getting late. I want to see Clary," Jace says. Both the angel and Robert nod. Jace gets up and starts walking, pausing by Anael.
"Are you coming, Anael?"
"I think I'll sit here and chat with Robert," Anael says. Jace pauses, nods, then leaves the room. The angel sips from his glass, noting that the more he drinks, the less harsh the taste is. He really was enjoying this. "Robert, how long have you worked here?"
"A long time... almost twenty years."
"Do you enjoy it?"
"Well, yes. It's nice, being in charge of something. Especially when it comes to the welfare of the people we're trying to protect," Robert nods, sipping from his drink. Anael nods, deciding to read the man. He was a decent looking guy, dark hair with gray showing on the side. A few lines on his face, Anael would have to say they were worry lines. A nice suit. But what he read about the guy was strange. It was... sadness. He felt love in him, certainly, but distant. Like he was pushing something aside.
"Do you have a wife, Robert," Anael asks quietly. The man blinks, leaning away.
"Why, yes. For now, at least."
"Why 'for now'?"
"We're getting divorced," Robert says dryly. Anael feels his heart from, the corners of his mouth turn down.
"That's truly terrible. What happened?"
"It's a long story," Robert says, smiling. The grin doesn't reach his eyes. Robert looks away, to the side, and Anael stares silently.
"Tell me more, Robert," Anael says. He manipulates the conversation, trying to leach some of his angelic power out, sending feelings of calm to the man. Robert looks back at him, frowning.
"It just... didn't work out."
"On your part, or hers," Anael says, trying to mentally coax the truth out.
"Both. Hers. No..." Robert suddenly becomes silent, looking down at the table. In a matter of seconds he looks like he suddenly ages a couple years. The imaginary weight on his shoulders was obvious. "It was mine."
"What exactly did you do?"
"I... well, I had an affair," Robert laughs suddenly, his face lighting up. Anael swallows, understanding this man probably has difficulty dealing with emotion, if he was laughing. "But it wasn't all my fault. After the circle was destroyed, she become so cold, so cruel, very strict with the children. The warmth disappeared from her."
"The circle," Anael breathes out. He knew about that group, heard of it in heaven, of the man Valentine who was trying to overthrow the shadowhunter government, the man who summoned Ithuriel and tortured him. Anael didn't spend much time with Ithuriel, but still, he was like family. Like blood. Anael feels anger creep up in him, but he pushes it aside, knowing it has no use here.
"She was unloving. So I... drifted away from her. I found that love in someone else," Robert mumbles, and he downs the rest of his glass. "I'm talking too much."
"No, by all means, let it out," Anael says quickly. "When one doesn't feel love, it's only natural to try and seek it in other people. All beings crave love, even the divine ones."
"Alright," Robert sighs deeply, rubbing his forehead. He stares at Anael with an awkward smile. "I've told you way too much."
"You've told me way too little," Anael replies. He remembers earlier, the looks Robert was giving little Max. "Do you like Max? The warlock?"
"I don't hate him."
"But you don't like him."
"You see, it's not my fault," Robert says, sitting back up. "I'm a shadowhunter. We were raised to show animosity toward warlocks, regardless if their babies."
"But, as a human made by god, you were created to love all beings," Anael argues back. "Love all beings."
"I guess. If you believe in god."
"You don't believe in god? Yet, you, a nephilim made by Raziel, sit here before me?"
"Well, I have never seen the angel in person, like my children have. How can I be so sure?"
"Just look around and you'll see the miracles of god," Anael presses on, leaning forward. "You live on a rock floating in outer space, around a ball of fire, with another rock that moves the ocean, and everything you need to live is here, easily accessible to you, and you don't believe in god?"
"You seem like a hardcore Christian," Robert counters back. Anael leans back in his seat, sighing.
"If you ever saw an angel, would your opinion change, Robert?"
"Anael, if I ever saw an angel, I think I could believe in just about anything again," Robert replies.