Writing inspiration has been slow. Sorry.

I realized this story isn't turning out as well as I thought it would. I'm trying, but I think after this story, I'm gonna need to take a break from writing.

Anyway, I hope you like this chapter. It's short, and mostly uneventful, but I hope you like it nevertheless.

Simon took a deep breath, then exhaled it. "I can do this."

"You can do this," Isabelle repeated, trying to be supportive.

Simon took another deep breath. "Maybe I can't," he looked at Isabelle.

She rolled her eyes. "Simon-"

"You know what, I can," Simon said quickly, picking up the mug of coffee and downing the entire thing.

Isabelle's eyes widened as he slammed the mug down. "Are you okay?"

Simon was quiet for a few seconds, as if he were deciding. "Yeah. I'm great!" he smiled at Isabelle.

Isabelle smiled, too. "There. Now you can drink coffee. How does it feel?"

"Awesome."

They both turned their heads when they heard the front door open. Rainy walked in, and smiled. "Hey guys."

"Rainy," said Isabelle. She was surprised to see her daughter. "Why didn't you call? I would've made pancakes."

Rainy laughed. "Exactly the reason I didn't."

Simon laughed, but stopped when Isabelle shot him a glare.

Rainy seemed to notice the mug that sat in front of Simon. "Did you drink coffee?"

Simon nodded. "I did. And, I'm not nauseous," he smiled.

Rainy smiled. "That's great!" she came over to their dining room table, kissed them both on the cheek, and sat down. "Hey... Can I ask you guys something?" she sounded slightly more serious.

"Sure," said Simon. "What is it?"

"Well... I was wondering why Helena and I can't become parabatai."

Isabelle and Simon were silent, exchanging looks.

"What brought this on?" asked Isabelle.

"Well," Rainy hesitated. "Helena and I got into a fight, and I was just curious."

"What was the fight about?" Isabelle asked, sounding concerned.

Rainy looked at her. "Don't change the subject. I want the truth. Please. You owe that to me, don't you?"

Isabelle sighed. The reason Rainy and Helena couldn't be parabatai was because of the mission. Magnus had told her that her daughter couldn't have a parabatai, or she couldn't travel through time.

Simon looked at Isabelle questioningly.

"It... it has to do with Jeremy's secret mission," said Isabelle.

Rainy groaned. "Why do all secrets lead back to that? Why can't I know? Why is it so secret?"

Isabelle and Simon exchanged a look. Isabelle turned back to her daughter and looked at her seriously. "You can't tell anyone..." she said carefully.

Rainy leaned forward unconsciously, listening.

"Rainy, the reason it's so important is because you're going to have to go one day."

Rainy's eyes went wide. "I'm what?"

"I can't tell you more than that. Sorry."

Rainy looked at a spot on the table, as if in thought. "I have to go," she said, standing up.

"Wait," said Isabelle, but Rainy ran out the door.

Doug opened his school locker, and hung up his bag. School had been a different experience since he'd started training with Rainy. It suddenly seemed so plain, and normal. He felt like all the main characters felt in books, TV shows, and movies when they find out their world is only half the truth, and they've discovered the other half.

"Doug!" Wren ran up to him, looking breathless. "Doug, I think I'm in love," he smiled, still panting.

Doug raised an eyebrow. "... Is it Trinity from the Matrix again? Because I'm pretty sure she isn't interested-"

"No," said Wren. "It's a girl I saw on the street today. She was gorgeous!" he laughed. "A goddess of beauty."

"What's her name?" Doug asked.

Wren shrugged. "Dunno, but I intend to."

The bell rang.

"See you later," said Doug, shutting his locker.

"See ya."

This was Wren's curse. He had a weakness for pretty girls, and a poor sense of danger. This made Doug worry about him often- especially now that he knew about the shadow world. Wren went out with an immortal with pointed teeth, and he didn't even know it.

"... Wren-"

"She'll come back eventually, I know it," said Wren, intently staring at the people on the sidewalk. "I can feel it in my bones."

Doug rolled his eyes. "Why do I have to be here?"

"You don't," said Wren. "But I'd like you to be- just in case."

Doug rolled his eyes again. "Just in case the girl tries to steal your wallet while you cripple to the ground crying... again?"

Wren didn't take his eyes off the sidewalk, but his eyes narrowed. "... No, I just... okay, maybe a little."

Doug chuckled. "I think you should give it up, Wren. We've been here for two hours, and I-"

Wren stood abruptly. "There she is!" Wren started across the street.

"Wren!" Doug went after him, nearly getting hit by a taxi being driven by someone with blue skin. "Sorry," he called, finishing crossing the street.

Wren was standing in front of a girl who he was barely taller than, talking to her.

"Wren," Doug ran up and stopped when he saw who he was talking to. "Helena?"

Helena and Wren both looked at him.

"Oh," Helena said bitterly. "It's you."

"You guys know each other?" said Wren, looking back and forth between the two.

Helena ignored him. "So this is what you do in your spare time? You pick up girls?"

"No," said Doug. "At least I don't."

Wren looked at him sharply. "Doug," he hissed. Doug ignored him, too.

"Don't worry," said Helena icily. "I won't tell Rainy, though I'm sure she doesn't care. She's dated a lot of assholes. You wouldn't be the first."

"Whoa," said Doug. "What's your problem?"

"What's my problem?" Helena's voice began to get louder. "What's your problem?"

"Whoa, settle down," said Wren, obviously trying to sound cool as he held his hand up to each of them. "Now, how do you two know each other?"

"Doug wants to sleep with my cousin," Helena said bitterly.

Doug's eyes widened. "No I don't!" he turned scarlet.

"Hold it," said Wren, looking amused. "Douglas Williams, the boy who's sixteen and has never been kissed, wants to sleep with someone?" he laughed. "I don't see it."

Helena raised an eyebrow. "So you haven't tried to kiss her yet, that's something."

Doug glared at her. "What's your problem with me, Helena? You haven't liked me since we met."

"Helena," said Wren. "That's a pretty name-"

"Why do you think that is?" said Helena.

"Because I'm a mundane?" said Doug.

Wren looked at him sharply.

Helena looked offended. "No! I don't have anything again mundies," he voice had raised to a shout. "I have something against boys who break my best friend's heart!"

"HOLD. ON!" said Wren, looking at the two. "Did you guys say mundanes?"

Doug blinked. "It's nothing, Wren."

"You two don't by any chance mean Rainy Lightwood, do you?"

They both looked at him with wide eyes.

"How did you know that?" Helena asked.

Wren looked at her, then blinked for a few seconds. "... You said cousin," he put his face in his hands. "Oh, gross! I was flirting with you!"

Doug looked at him, confused. "... What?"

"Ugh!" Wren exclaimed, then looked at the sky. "Why? Why do you like to do this to me, god?! You're such a jerk!"

"Your friend's a nut case," said Helena flatly.

"I know," said Doug, mimicking her tone.

Wren looked at Doug. "Dude, that's rude."

Doug shrugged.

"Okay, so you know my mom?"

"... What about her?"

"Well..." Wren furrowed his brows. "God this is weird to say out loud. My uncle's a vampire."

Helena and Doug's eyes widened. "What?" they said in unison.

"His daughter's name is Rainy Lightwood," he said, looking back at Helena. "You're my cousin's other cousin."

What'd you think?

BTW, Wren is Wren Lewis, Rebecca's son.

Any requests? I have gotten only one, and that was to see Sizzy and Malec (Malec coming, don't worry). Anything else?

Also, I'm working on the playlist for this story. Any suggestions?

Twitter: WisterianPrince

Thanks so much! I'll update ASAP!

Wisterian Princess