Chapter 4:
"Isabelle, stop screaming and go get Maryse or Robert! Alec, pass me your stele." I slowly opened my eyes, Jace was inches away.
"Jace," my voice was croaky but I cleared it and carried on, " I need a pen and paper. The Iratze is too weak." He looked at me, smirking he said
"Now's not the time for drawing, redhead." Behind that smirk though he was worried, maybe he thought I'd hit my head and lost sanity. Although, you'd need sanity in the first place, I don't exactly think sometimes.
"Jace, just get some or I'll die!" Death didn't scare me, but I didn't want to die straight after avenging my mother. Jace jumped up and ran out the room. He returned in a matter of seconds, closing my eyes I imagined a strong healing rune. Once I had an image in my mind I drew it on the paper.
"I hate to break it to you, but that's not a rune, Clary. Have you killed the few brain cells you had?" I looked at him and rolled my eyes. 'ass'.
"Can you draw this on my back please?" Secretly the idea of his hands on my body excited me. Humour shined in his eyes.
"Top off." His smirk was so arrogant I groaned and wanted to smack the expression off of his face. I slid my top off, grateful for wearing a nice bra, I felt his eyes sweeping over me.
"Are you going to draw the rune or just stare?" I felt a mild blush on my cheeks, awkward. Rolling over so I was on my stomach I felt his hand hold my back as he dragged the stele over my back. Goose bumps rose where his hands went. Once finished, Jace traced his finger over the mark. I felt better immediately. "Thank you." I turned over and got my top to pull over my head.
"Oh. Back on so soon. I was enjoying the view." He winked. I jumped up and stretched, feeling embarrassed when I realised Jace was watching closely.
"I'll be going." I went to walk out the door but Jace pulled me into an embrace. "What're you doing!" My cheek was resting on his chest, his arms around my waist.
"Don't act like you're not enjoying it." I pushed away and looked at him, his golden eyes shining. Oh Angel, he is gorgeous. I hurried out the door drawing a rune in pen in my hand, "Strength". Strength to resist the extremely hot guy trying to get to me, so focused on drawing on my hand I bumped into someone. A firm pair of hands steadied my shoulders.
"I'm so sorry! I-I was- erm- writing? Writing! On my hand." I didn't need loads of people knowing about my "ability". I looked up and saw a beautiful pair of black eyes. Oh. This institute was full of hotties. He laughed, it was deep and seductive.
"I see. And what were you writing?" He raised an eyebrow, my cheeks turned crimson. Sussed.
"I have to go now, Speak another time, maybe." I tried to move around him but he stood right in the way.
"I'm Sebastian Verlac. You must be Clary. I see what everyone's talking about," he looked me up and down smirking, "feisty." I scowled at him, who did he think he was!
"Back off, Verlac" Jace stood behind me. I felt trapped.
"I was just introducing myself to Clary, some people have manners. I have to admit, she doesn't look like I was expecting. She is so much better..." Okay, he's creepy.
"Well, you've introduced yourself, so use these "manners" and move." I smiled innocently; he wanted to play this game. Jace snorted and I had to resist smiling. Sebastian lost his grin for a second but put it back on and stepped aside. Exaggerating by sweeping his arm, rolling my eyes I walked pass.
I was walking down one of the hallways when I heard metal crashing; I walked over to the door and looked inside. Alec and Jace we're fighting each other, Jace had the upper hand. Alec saw me but I put a finger over my lips. Jace was too cocky; Alec grinned and carried on fighting. I waited until Jace had his back to me and I wolf whistled, Jace turned around and Alec tackled him.
"No fair!" I laughed, Jace did a little pout. Alec got up and started walking over, "That's the first time I've beaten him in a while. Are you feeling better?" I sighed; I hated people asking me that. Although I had nearly died, and I liked Alec.
"Yes, I'm fine thanks." Alec looked at me suspiciously and I put my hand behind my back. Oh great, that makes it less suspicious.
"What's in your hand?" I looked at him, a confused expression on my face. "Clary, tell me. This is our home we have a right to know." I glanced at Jace, worried. But he was completely at ease.
"It's-It's just a drawing." He still didn't look convinced. I backed out the room and got outside, scrubbing to get the rune off.
"A drawing, really? That looked like a rune, although I don't think it's one..." Alec was looking at me accusingly.
"If I tell you something, do you promise not to tell anyone? Only Jace knows at the moment, though I wish he didn't." I felt like I could trust Alec, something was... reliable and reassuring in him. He nodded and I followed him into his room. "I can create runes. I-I was experimented on- and- well- I have extra a-angel blood in me, I have advantages." I stared at the wall, not wanting to see his expression. A single tear slid down my cheek, I hoped Alec hadn't noticed. He had. Unexpected, he hugged me. I felt comfortable. Most my life I had fought and fought, hidden my emotions. It was nice to get some support.
"I'm sorry, Clary. I think you should stay here for a while. Especially if Jonathan is after you, we're not so bad promise." I laughed and moved away, turning my back so I could brush away tears. By pushing my emotions aside had only made them stronger when I revealed them, bottling them up is stupid. But necessary.
"I have to go and get something from my old house; I'll be back later if that's okay?" Leaving Alec smiling and nodding I went back to my temporary room. Changing into some skinny jeans and a black top with a rainbow on and my favourite black converse, I wondered why Alec was being so nice to me.
"Clary, we're coming with you." Isabelle, I opened my door and looked at her questioningly, "we?"
"Yes, you know. Us, more than one, me, Alec, Jace and Sebastian." I looked at her with a 'you must be kidding' look. "Na-ah. No way. Not happening."
"Oh c'mon, Clary, pleeeeeeaase." I felt like I was being out of order, they'd helped me.
"Okay, but you're waiting outside in case Jonathan's inside. Alright? Good." We started walking, Isabelle slightly ahead with Alec and me between Sebastian and Jace. AWKWARD. Sebastian draped an arm around my shoulders; I looked at his wrist in disgust. Then using two fingers I picked it up and dropped it off my shoulders hoping he'd get the hint. He did, Jace took it as a challenge. His arm sneaked around my waist, holding me tight. Uh, guys.
"If you want your arm to stay attached to your body, I'd move it." I squeezed out between clenched teeth. Jace chuckled and slowly, tracing a line with his finger, slid his arm away. I got bored so I decided to jog the rest of the way.
"Clary! Where are you going!" Yelled Isabelle, I waited till she was at my side.
"I like running..." Isabelle laughed and waved my off, I carried on jogging. Feeling the need to feel the wind in my face I pushed ahead, faster and faster. People and buildings passed in a blur. My mind was only focused on the wind on my face. Then I remembered the others', I shook myself to get my brain back to reality. Isabelle, Alec, Sebastian and Jace were running toward me.
"Sorry, I got carried away." I know they'd think me a nutter, but I wasn't about to tell them the real reason, the need.
"Corr red, someone's speedy" Jace was smirking; I blushed and looked up to see my old house.
"You're all staying out here. Don't follow me." I felt a hand on my shoulder, but I pulled away and climbed up the steps. Once at the top, I climbed onto the windowsill and elbowed the glass. It shattered like rain falling from the sky. I walked inside the house, fell to my knees and let all the emotions I'd been trapping escape.