Chapter Seven: Darkness only plays at night...
Staring down at the tiled floor that could use a coat of wax, Rachael stepped out of the grubby gas station bathroom and adjusted her back pack and entered into the lobby which was covered in colors from the packages of food and more. Standing among the clutter and color were two stunning men, both which she recognized, but only one stood out.
He was dressed in a black pin striped button up shirt with black slacks and polished black shoes. At the collar of his shirt were the etchings of runes peeping behind the dark fabric, it had looked as if someone had taken black paint and on a pure white canvas, had stroked delicate lines that cascaded along the entirety of it's surface. His cobalt blue eyes were breath taking and only complimented the chiseled face that bore them. His jet black hair, which seemed like silk, found it's resting place in front of his eyes. This man seemed like a dark prince that was so breath takingly handsome, he could cast you under his spell with just one look.
"Well, well, well! Seems like someone can't keep their eyes off of old Alec here?" Jace's voice brought her back to her senses and broke the spell she had fallen under. The back of her neck flared with heat that rose up to her face. "Ha ha, I don't blame you, I can hardly keep my eyes off of him myself." He winked at Alec and elbowed him in the arm, and in turn Alec's face was bright red from embarrassment.
He looked so lost. She didn't blame him though, he was out of his element and was obviously uncomfortable in his sudden change of garb. She was just as uncomfortable as he was, in her shirt that hung so low she felt like she was exposing herself to the world. she long for something... Familiar. But to play the part you needed to look the part.
"Oh shut it Jace, I think he looks amazing," Isabelle said defensively as she found her place next to the golden prince and then linked arms with him. "Don't you think so Rachael?" Isabelle looked at Rachael smiling.
"Of course, you look stunning Alec," She smiled at him trying to control the nervous feeling she had gotten from just looking at him. Rachael looked at the trio of beautiful people and felt some what out of place "Well guys, you ready to go?" They all three looked at her and a chorus of yes's came from their lips. "Alright then, let's head out!" Isabelle and Jace turned for the door, and Rachael walked past Alec who hadn't moved yet.
"U-uh Rachael?" Alec's voice rang through the entire gas station, it was so timid and pure she felt her heart stop. Adjusting her back pack, containing her clothes and Lemin, on her shoulder she twisted her body to where it faced him. She felt the loose fabric of her shirt move with her and the braid tickle her shoulder, and her eyes rested on him once again. Taking it all in again stole her breath away once more.
He had a pink tinge on his cheeks and he kept trying to look at her but kept glancing away nervously. No, no, no, no, no! Rachael, he likes Jace!- Her thoughts were interrupted by this dark prince's timid voice, "R-Rachael, would you hold my hand like old times. I'm not sure if you remember, but whenever one of us was scared or nervous we would hold one another's hand...I mean you don't have to if you don't want to, but at the moment I'm feeling quite nervous and could use some reassuring at the moment."
His face was now a darker tone of red now and it made her heart melt. to be honest she felt the same way at that very moment. She was just to scared to admit it. "Of course Alec. Anything for you," She held out her hand palms up and felt the slender pale fingers wrap around her own. It felt...right in some strange way, and she looked down at their entwined hands and blushed.
"Thank you," He whispered.
Ch-ding! The door opened smoothly and the cool evening air rushed inside and left goose bumps all along Rachael's skin. Isabelle looked back at the sound of the door and cast a confused look at Alec and Rachael holding hands. She shrugged it off though and continued talking with Jace.
"Well the club is just a block away so it wont take long to get there," She smiled at them, trying to keep her thoughts and the butterflies fluttering around in her stomach under control. Walking out of the parking lot the dark night sky seemed foreboding and hostile, and she griped Alec's hand tighter. Why was she so afraid? Was it because of the darkness that seemed to envelope everything that it touched? She shouldn't be afraid, but the streets seemed different... Like someone had sucked all the light and air out. Something wasn't right.
Squeezing her eyes shut she shook her head to clear out the madness and fear, reopening them she straightened her back and look straight ahead to the blinking lights on the Downworlder Club.
A line of vampires, faeries, warlocks and werewolves were lined up in front of the club all dressed in their party going attire. Oddly they were all in pairs, she dismissed it thinking at maybe there were two lines instead of one.
Taking a spot in the back of the line behind two chatty vampires, Rachael looked up at Alec who was fidgeting and glancing around his jaw was set and tense as could be. She now noticed how tight he was gripping her hand and felt the tips of her fingers going numb.
"Alec? Is everything alright?" He looked down at her and sighed and loosened his grip. "I'm sorry it's just I'm not used to being around garb- I mean Downworlders."
She squeezed his hand," It's alright they're just here to have a good time." She turned around to Isabelle and Jace who had separated and stood side by side. Jace seemed a relaxed but he was definitely staying in tune with his surroundings, his eyes were hard and the slight tick of his index finger showed that he was ready to pounce if provoked to. Isabelle seemed a bit more at ease than Jace, staring at some Male faeries who had just shown up.
"Seems like there's a good crowd here," Isabelle purred, lightly touching Jace's forearm. "I would exactly call it 'good'," He replied looking at her with his dark golden eyes.
"Oh, ease up I mean really let's try and have fun, there's no reason to be a Debby-Downer," she glanced almost hungrily at the faerie behind her and then turned around once again to face Jace.
"I know I'll have fun." She smirked knowingly. Well this is a side I've never seen from Isabelle...
"She does this all the time," remarked Alec who had also been listening to his little sister's nonsense. "Finally, we're at the front," He squeezed her hand and smiled down at her. She felt a tinge of heat on her cheeks, his smile was almost over bearing. His hand in hers was almost tingling. I wonder if he feels this too... Rachael thought nervously.
"Go on in." the gruff voice of the door keeper said.
"Thanks," Rachael flashed a smile at the man standing there. He stared at her for a few moments and then opened the door for the both of them. "How are you holding up Alec?" Rachael asked looking up at the dark figure beside her whom's hand she was holding.
"I'm fine," He said," I think I'm good enough to let your hand go." He smiled at her," Thanks Rach, you have no idea how much that helped."
"Yeah, no problem," she let go of his hand almost reluctantly. Rachael, he's gay! He wont like you don't get so wrapped up in this alright. She thought to herself.
They entered through the doorway into a dimly lit and smokey room strobe lights flickered crazily and the atmosphere was almost at static. The bass from the music that was playing was vibrating her breast bone and putting pressure on her chest. People were dancing crazily all around jumping to the music and getting drunk off of the energy pulsing throughout the entire building. The red walls seemed to almost glow with energy, Rachael looked through the crowd trying to find the person she hoped would be here.
Hopefully she's were she usually is... "So who are we looking for?" Alec's voice called above the now hyped up dub-step music that was playing.
"Um I think she over by the bar," she pointed to her right. "Try an stick together alright guys I don't want us to get separated I'm sure Eric knows I'm still alive and has set out some bounty on my head."
"You sure he know's you're alive?" Isabelle looked at her worriedly and touched the handle of her whip lightly. "I'm pretty positive actually. Everyone knows who Mangus Bane is, and I'm sure word got out that a Shadowhunter asked for his assistance. Just keep your guard up okay?"
They all nodded in agreement. "Good, follow me then," turning sharply she pushed her way through the crowd and dodge several elbows and fists moving blindly in the smokey air.
Finally making it to the end of the bar, Rachael scanned the seats for Arianna, a mundane who proclaims her self as a Shadowhunter. Rachael found her sitting at the bar dark hair covering the rest of her face, but it was definitely Arianna.
"Arianna!"Rachael called out to the tall sixteen year old and raised her hand. Looking up from from her drink she squinted at the form waving to her. then, as if someone had turned on a switch she got up and waved them over.
"What do we have here? Four Shadowhunters in a dump like this?" She said as the small group neared her spot. Arianna originally lived in Mexico but was moved because of her family. They hated her, her mother was always disappointed in her and her father was always drunk, he would cuss at her and beat her. She left her mundane family and went to live the life of a shadowhunter. She was definitely what you would call' rough around the edges'.
"Good to see you too Arianna,"Rachael said as she found a seat next to her. Swinging the loaded bag onto the bar counter she laid her hands on the counter palms down. "I see you've been in several fights?" Rachael asked raising an eyebrow.
"No really? I guess this bruise decided to show up on my face for on apparent reason?" She asked sarcastically. Jace snickered and ran his hand through his golden curls. "Seems like I'll have some competition." Arianna shot him a look of utter disgust, glaring at him with a light green eyes. He returned the look with a dazzling smile that caught her off guard.
Looking around Rachael spotted a vampire staring in their direction, but on eye contact walked away slowly. Something that put her definitely on edge. she gripped the hilt of Lemin tightly, feeling her muscles tense tightly.
Something here was wrong.
OMG IT"S BEEN SO FRICKIN' long HOPE YALL LIKE IT ;)
review and tell your FRIENDS :3