A/N:

Okay, I'm not dead. Just a horrible updater. I'm BACK with another chapter! So many people with reviews begging for me to update eventually started to tarnish my conscience, so here is a new and official update. I'm sorry I have slacked off, but I started high school this year, and its so much harder than I thought. But no excuses! I really hope you enjoy this new chapter! I promise I will try to update more.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Rosewood

Shadowhunter

Disclaimer) I do not own anything of the TMI series. It all belongs to the incredible Cassandra Clare. I do own Derrick and Serena as they are my OCs.

P.S.) Dear Meadow & your friends, (nowormsonthebed)

I hate ducks too.

~ER

(bonus points for whoever gets that reference. if you do, mention in the reviews and i will say the ones who did in next chapter)

Chapter 9: A Friend Returned

Serena awoke me with me with a gentle touch, her timid hands falling to her side when I swatted her away. I just wanted five more minutes before I had to return to my own personal hell. Facing my brother after our little transgression last night was going to be horrid, but I had to do it. Pulling the covers off myself, I launched my body from the ever soft mattress.

The young maid slipped a raspberry colored silk dressing robe around my shoulders, and ushered me onto the vanity stool. A few hairbrush strokes and a quick braid after, I dismissed Serena. I had a plan, and unfortunately, she could not know of it. When the door closed behind her, I locked it, chain and bolt. Shuffling to my armoire, I yanked open the doors and produced out from a jacket pocket the stele I had stolen from the old man last night. If I requested Izzy as my maid for this evening, I could easily reverse her silence rune.

I dressed quickly in a pair of dark-washed stone jeans with a gray sweater, and a pair combat boots. Stashing the forbidden stele in my jeans pocket, I walked out of my bedroom. Wandering down the halls, I tried to find a room that would suffice for a makeshift training room, but none seemed to meet my criteria of needs. Guards stood waiting outside to door to the Great Hall, and they nodded in respect as I brushed by them as I entered the hall.

As expected, Sebastian was seated high on his stupid throne. His white blonde hair was gelled to the side, and his bronze crown stood out from the darkness of his clothing. A small man dressed in red gear stood on the platform below the stairs to the throne, and by the looks of things, he was about to be thrown in the dungeon. Sebastian's face was hard, and he looked angry. Things were not going to turn out well for this man. When I neared closer, I began to hear the conversation.

"Hector Killian, son of Fredrick Killian, I sentence you to three years' incarceration in the royal prison, for your crimes of thievery and malice. Take him away." Sebastian commanded to the guards that stood next to the man. Immediately, they took him by the arms and drug him out of the room.

Sebastian noticed me when he scanned the room, and a small malicious smile crept to that disgusting face. He pushed himself from the throne, and descended the stairs. I began walking towards him, and we reached each other mid-stride. Sebastian was the first to speak.

"Wonderful, Clarissa, you are awake. I need you for a council meeting, and Derrick also wished to speak to you. He suggested that you two discuss your wedding plans. It will be the grandest event of the year. A royal wedding, how lovely it sounds." Sebastian said, like nothing had happened last night. Had he already moved past the fact that he had been a perverted asshole last night? Damn he was ruthless.

"Discuss my wedding? Why are we planning it so soon?" I asked, my teeth clenched tightly. Believe me, I loved weddings, but I didn't expect to be planning mine this year. I much preferred spring weddings. A spring wedding six years from now would be great.

"We need to have it as soon as possible, sister. It will unite common level with royal level, creating a bond that will create new alliances. I believe that this could be a political breakthrough!" Sebastian argued to me. I stepped closer, hoping to keep my next comment between the two of us.

"I thought that you wanted to strengthen the bloodline." I whispered, and then stomped on his foot. Turning I strutted away, giving myself a mental pat on the back for my amazing comeback. I headed back to my bedroom, with the hope of returning my best friend.

I pulled the string that rang the bell in the servant's quarters. Serena was cleaning the tile in the hallway, so Izzy was the only who could respond. It was time to make her speak again. When I returned her voice, she could carry the stele back to return Jace, my mother, and Alec's voices. Since Magnus, Simon, and Luke weren't Shadowhunters, a warlock must have casted an enchantment on them. I couldn't get the kinks out of that problem, but I had a solution for this one.

I heard the shuffle of footsteps and a knock on my door about five minutes later, and when I opened the door, Izzy was there. When she saw me, she bowed as protocol instructed, and I yanked her in the room. Immediately, I threw her a sketchpad and a pencil, instructing her on my plan.

"Last night at that stupid ball, I was able to steal one stele from some old guy. I have it here, but what I need you to do is sketch out the rune that can counterpart the silence rune. Then when we are done, you can perform the same procedure on Jace, my mom, and Alec. Unfortunately, I can't solve the problem for Magnus, Simon, and Luke. Please, Iz, help me." I pleaded, and Izzy shook her head in agreement. As she sketched, I bolted the door, and pushed the vanity chair under the handle for extra precautions.

"Are you ready?" I asked Izzy when she had finished. She nodded once more, and I removed the stele from my pocket. Pulling back Izzy's thick hair, I placed the tip to the base of her neck and began drawing the rune for her freedom. When I was finished, I exhaled and waited patiently as Izzy took a deep breath, and tried to speak.

"Your hair looks amazing." She said, and I squealed, and Izzy gasped. My best friend was back.

"Oh my Angel, I can speak." She realized, and drew me into a gigantic hug. We held onto each other until a voice shattered our moment.

"Clarissa, I told you I needed you for a council meeting. It was not an invitation, nor can you choose not to attend. Please dress yourself in something elegant, and please note that I forbid you from wearing anything other than skirts or dresses. Ladies should not share fashions with men." Sebastian said from the other side of the door. I groaned, but answered him.

"I have Isabelle with me right now to help me prepare. I will meet you at the entrance to the Great Hall." I agreed, and Sebastian's footsteps echoed as he walked away.

"Okay, Izzy. Take this to everyone else. Conceal it, and use it at the most discreet time possible. Tell the other's to only speak to each other and to me. Be careful, and tell Jace I love him." I whispered, and Isabelle smiled. I removed the chair and lock, and sent her on her way. I had helped one friend, and now it was up to her to save the rest. Now I had to get ready for that stupid council meeting, and preferably wearing a stupid skirt. God help me.

A/N:

Ahah, I'm done! Siyanara people, and hope you enjoy! (I spelled that right, didn't I? Remember to review!)

~Elizabeth