Soul Outside-Antonio Pinto

Nara-E.S. Posthmus

Fire Nation-Two Steps From Hell

I landed face first in the dirt, my curls sprawling out in a massive tumbleweed above my head. I groaned as Aaron hauled me to my feet by the elbow. We'd been transported right into the middle of the forest, about a mile from the carnival. He grinned at me, slapping the dirt off the front of my jacket.

"Happened to all of us the first time we came through," he laughed. "You'll get better with practice."

"Not looking forward to it." I grumbled, rolling my shoulders back and stretching.

"Very smooth." Darren commented sarcastically, shoving against my shoulder as he passed me. I glared at the back of his head, Aaron raising an eyebrow at me.

"Not feeling very friendly today, is he?"

"When is he ever feeling friendly?"

"Don't take it personal," Aaron murmured, slinging an arm around my shoulder. "He's always been an ass."

I smiled thankfully at him as we followed behind the rest of our friends, the sky above us turning a dark navy blue as the sun set on the horizon. I heard the voices before the carnival lights even came into view, all shrieking and laughing and filling the air with joy.

"Sounds like a party." Darren breathed, staring at the wheel of bright, gleaming lights ahead of us.

"Never been on a ferris wheel before." Jace grinned, nudging his wife. She rolled her eyes at him, grasping his hand in her own.

"Married for twenty-two years and you still haven't the slightest clue of what it's like to be a Mundane."

"He's better off not knowing anyway." Darren growled, suddenly hostile. I shot him a look, Jace raising an eyebrow at him as he pushed ahead of us.

"His Father married a Mundane," Stasi said quietly, almost whispering into my ear so that only Aaron and I could hear. She kept her eyes on him, her head tilted towards us as she pulled on one of her black fingerless gloves. "Got kicked out of the Clave for it and put their entire family to shame. Darren's spent his entire life trying to prove to them that he's still good enough to be a Shadowhunter."

"Poor kid." Aaron murmured.

We followed Darren and Stasi to the gates of the carnival, the bright lights splashing numerous colors against our skin. I took a closer look at the man behind the Ticket counter, nudging Aaron to make sure I wasn't imagining things. The man, who stood a good six-foot-five, was shaved completely bald, hundreds of tattoos covering the back of his head. His broad shoulders strained against a tight black T-Shirt, a thin covering of fur running down his arms all the way to his fingers, which ended in claws. My eyes were wide.

"S'what happens when a Shadowhunter gets bitten by a werewolf and stops the transformation halfway through," Aaron whispered in my ear, grinning mischievously. "Don't get too close."

"Tickets please." The man grunted. I raised an eyebrow at Jace, who pushed past me and raised his sleeve, revealing one of the many Runes on his body. The rest of our group followed suit, leaving me there standing awkwardly.

"She's with us." Clary said softly, grabbing my hand and pulling me inside. The man stared suspiciously, and once again I was reminded of the vast difference between the Shadowhunters and I. Hazel Roberts did not belong here.

I grinned as a couple of kids rushed past me, nearly knocking Aaron over into a popcorn machine, glimmering blades bouncing along their backs.

"That young?" I asked, looking at Jace. He nodded.

"Sometimes even younger. I was nine when I started to train."

"Really? Isn't that...I mean isn't that a bit much for a kid?"

"I wasn't an ordinary kid." he grinned. I rolled my eyes.

"Oh yes, I forget, the Greatest Shadowhunter of All Time."

"It isn't me," he said quietly, slanting his eyes at me. "You'd be surprised, but it really isn't me."

"But everyone says-"

"Everyone who hasn't seen my son, says." he corrected, a light smile playing on his lips. I raised my eyebrows.

"Jamie?"

"You sound surprised."

"The only time I've ever seen him fight is when he tried to choke me."

"Try not to take it personally."

"Funny how that seems to be the only thing coming out of everyone's mouths lately."

"You're quite the little firecracker aren't you?" Jace mused, grinning. "But yes, people say that often here. That's because Jamie's got a very odd way of showing affection."

"If he ever does." I grumbled. Jace rolled his eyes.

"Jamie's got a gift that rivals that of even his Mother's he just doesn't know it."

"Do you?"

"Jamie's been fighting since the day he could walk, all honesty."

"Whatever. He tried to kill me."

"He was trying to push you to your absolute limits."

"Limits are only for people who have them."

Jace stopped dead in his tracks, a smile spread wide across his face as he watched me walk off with Aaron, Darren, and Stasi at my sides.

"Stop looking so sad," I scolded, nudging Darren. "We're here to have fun."

"This place bugs me out," he murmured softly, pulling me slightly to the side. "I hate it here, alright? Everyone looks at Lucy and I like we're some kind of orphans."

"But you are orpha-"

"That's beside the point!" he hissed, swatting at me. "My point is that I hate feeling like no matter what I do I'll never be good enough for these people."

"Darren...you're one of the most amazing fighters I've ever seen, and that was only watching you train. What you can do, I could only dream of."

Darren looked up at me through his thick lashes, his skin flushing with red light as we walked past a pitching booth.

"Do you really think so?"

"I know so, dude. You're an asshole but I wouldn't lie to you."

Darren laughed, rolling his eyes at me and throwing a light punch at my shoulder. We threaded through the crowd, hay crunching beneath our boots as Jace and Clary introduced me to every living family the Clave had to offer. There was the Penhallow's, the Herondale's, the Cipriano's, the Leveienth's the Carstair's, the entire Vielcaline Clan... the amount of founding families was ending.

"Look alive," Clary whispered into my ear. "The Inquisitor is coming."

My eyes immediately snapped towards the short, burly man lumbering slowly towards us, a snow-white crop of hair topping his head. I scanned the crowd evenly, trying to look as though I hadn't seen him coming.

"Clary! My dear!" the man cheered, his voice booming joyfully. He reminded me of Santa Clause. Clary turned to him and smiled broadly, wincing slightly as he clamped a large, chubby hand onto her shoulder.

"Easy, Byron," Jace swept in charmingly, shooting the man a grin. "You're going to tear my wife's arm on."

Byron laughed loudly again, his cheeks turning pink at the apples. The man had bright blue curious eyes, heavily lidded, with a beard and mustache the same color as his curly hair. He sighed happily and rolled up the sleeves of his silked black dress robe. His light eyes met my own and he raised an eyebrow, cocking his head back.

"And who might you be?" He asked curiously, leaning in to get a better look at me. "Certainly not a Blackthorne, the hair is too unruly. Although I must say you have Julian's dark eyes, God I haven't seen that boy in ages..." he trailed off. My eyes flickered to Clary desperately. "A Pangborne perhaps? A Clearwater? Oh, don't tell me you're a Lionel, when I see your Father I'll have him by his ba-"

"She's my sister," Aaron cut in quickly, shoving past Jace to stand next to me. Byron gave him a surprised look. "Just recently discovered."

"How many affairs did your Mother have?!" Byron cried out, doing a full circle around me. "I haven't seen Lorraine in ages."

"Too many to count." Aaron grumbled, kicking at the dirt. I was grateful for the timely rescue, but something was stinging at the back at my throat. It was my fault the topic had been brought up. Standing next to Aaron, I supposed we could pass as half siblings. Same dark hair, tanned skin...as long as my "Father" had been black, we could've had the same Mother. But I still didn't want him to have to bring up his parents' marital problems in public just to save my skin.

"Lorraine's not here?" Jace asked quickly, pining for a distraction.

"Oh Heaven's no, of course not," Byron huffed, shaking his head. He leaned in to Jace, who leaned in as well to appease the man. "Ever since she was caught canoodling with that Downworlder she's been afraid to show her face in public," Anastasia went stiff beside me, and I kicked her subtly with my toe. "Not that it bothers me of course!" Byron boomed, his voice so loud that Jace nearly toppled Clary over when he jumped backwards. "I'm all for the mingling and co mingling and dingling and ringing, but you know how some families are." He pointed a chubby finger towards the Valkov's, who stood in an isolated cluster near the carousel, looking on at the crowd disapprovingly. Jace nodded as if he understood, motioning for the rest of us to leave while we still could.

Byron grabbed me by the shoulder before I could flee, demanding that he show us to the Armory Display.

"It's a collection of some of the finest weapons Heaven and Earth have ever seen," Darren whispered into my ear. "Pretend to be interested."

And I did pretend. We walked amongst the cases of glittering blades for what felt like hours, each weapon coming with an entire novel's worth of history that Byron told with such excitement you'd assume he was a child describing Christmas. I yawned, glancing around the crowd. Where was Jamie? And where was Heaven? And why did I care? My eyes trailed along the cases lazily, stopping only when a short, glittering object caught my eyes.

"What's is that?" I asked, pushing past Aaron as my insides began to hum dully. The closer I got to the case, the louder the humming grew, my muscles tingling as I pressed my hand against the glass. Byron stared down at the foot-long metal rod, taking in the intricate carvings. From one end to the other began a detailed etching of an angel, it's broad and fearsome wings spread wide across the pole as it battled with a snarling demon. Byron looked at my hand on the glass, glancing at me curiously.

"Heavenly metal," he said, obviously impressed. "One of the finest weapons in Heaven."

"But I thought all of these were the finest weapons of Heaven. This one...it's different..."

"Yes, it is different," he agreed. "Enchanted."

"Let me guess, Angels only?"

"Only a specific angel!" he quipped, grinning. "Would you happen to have any idea as to which?"

I studied the carvings for a moment, my eyes catching on the flames that licked up from the Angel's sword.

"Nathaniel." Anastasia said warily, her eyes flickering to me.

"The Angel of Heavenly Fire." Byron mused, nodding.

"So what's the deal? What's the story?" I demanded, my fingers drumming impatiently. What was wrong with me?

"It was created from a mixture of adamas and Nathaniel's blood," Byron said gravely. "He paid a great price for this tool, a very great price..."

"What was it?"

"Part of his soul." Jace interjected harshly. I winced. To split your soul meant to sacrifice part of your angelic power, which brought you closer to falling than any Angel ever dared go.

"It's beautiful but it just looks like a metal rod." I sighed, pulling away from the case. Byron nodded.

"Few people have seen it in use."

"Why?"

"Because the blood of Nathaniel is forged into the blade," Clary said quietly. "Only a descendant of Heavenly Fire could activate it."

"Too bad we don't know any of those," Darren chimed in. I shot him a look. "It's one of our world's most prized weapons."

"I must say, though," Byron huffed, staring. "You look so very familiar! You couldn't have possibly had any relation to Maia Roberts?" I almost choked on my own spit.

"Who?!" I cried, shaking my head furiously. "No, never heard of her. Why? Who is she?"

"She was one of Luke's friends, was she not?" Byron asked, turning to Jace for an answer. Jace nodded.

"Yes, one of his pack. A werewolf."

"Never thought I'd see the day where we were sharing parties with them I dare say," Byron muttered, eying an elderly woman as an assortment of teenagers followed close behind her. "Though it has improved things quite dramatically."

"It doesn't bother you that they've got demon blood?" I shot out quickly, unable to stop the question. Byron frowned slightly.

"Depends on who you're asking, my little Brown Lady. I don't mind a bit, most of the new Council doesn't either, but like I said you'll always have the select few families who still believe in the oldest of traditions."

"And if you were to meet a hybrid of demonic and angelic blood?" Jace asked warily. "Hypothetically speaking, of course." Byron watched Jace steadily, suspicion covering his face.

"Would you happen to know of such a species, Johnathan?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "Because although I've never known such a thing to exist, you might want to be careful should you come across such a delicate creature." He blinked a few times, deep in thought before his eyes trailed back to me slowly. The Inquisitor took in a deep breath and crossed his arms across his broad chest, leaning back and lowering his eyes at me.

"We need your help, Byron. Now more than ever before." Jace said quietly, so close to the man that only a few of us could here.

"You're playing with fire Jace," Byron whispered, still watching me. "The mere temperature of her skin gives her away."

"What do we do?"

"You be careful. You be careful and you trust no one, do you understand? It's vital that you keep this as highly concealed as possible. And you," Byron turned to me, cupping my face in his hands. He shook his head slowly as he studied my face. "You are an extraordinary young woman. Don't you ever forget that. And don't you tell a soul." I nodded, my face bright red as he turned back to Jace. "Have you told Magnus Bane?"

"We've been in contact with him, yes, but he doesn't believe there's anything we can do. Her stele has been made, and-"

"My what?" I asked. Clary groaned and frowned.

"It was supposed to be a surprise," she whined. "But Jamie and his Father went and got it crafted for you, a late birthday gift if you will. He was supposed to bring it tonight, actually..."

"Speak of the Devil." Stasi said slyly, glancing at me.

Jamie waded through the crowd, the white lights making his reddish-brown hair shimmer in the night. He had a solid look on his face, a small brown package in his hands.

"Jamie! My boy!" Byron cried, nearly knocking me over and throwing his hands around Jamie's neck. Jace furrowed his brow, staring at Jamie thoroughly before whispering something into Clary's ear. Byron and Jamie chatted mindlessly as Clary gave me a weak smile. I shrugged, trying to silently tell her that I was alright.

"Happy Birthday." Jamie grumbled, shoving the package into my hands. I narrowed my eyes at him, licking my finger and pulling it through the thin paper. It tore at my touch, a small, silver box lying underneath. I handed the top of it to Aaron, who was peering over my shoulder curiously.

I gasped.

Lying inside, in a bed of white cotton, was a long, ivory stele. The body of it seemed to be carved out of cream granite, a thread of bronze and silver flames starting from the top and weaving around the stele to it's middle. I brushed my fingers over it, the stele glowing at my touch.

"It's beautiful," I whispered, pulling it out of the box. "But how the Hell do I use it?"

"Could you at least pretend that you're not a complete idiot?" Jamie shot acidly, Byron looking at him worriedly. I glared at him.

"Could you at least pretend you're not a complete assho-"

"Easy now," Jamie grinned. "It's not polite for a lady to swear." I was about to tell him where I was ready to politely shove my stele, but we were interrupted as a large roar filled the air, the sound of lasers filling our ears. Everyone's head snapped up to the sky at once where a large, bright blue line tore through the black night sky and pulsated like a heartbeat. The line grew larger and larger, forming a wide circle before hoards of black smoke poured out of it, people dressed in blood red emerging and leaping through the air, landing menacingly on the ground. Everyone stood in awe as we watched our attackers, the people in the crowd struck silent until finally, somewhere, a voice emerged.

"It's the Purified Ones!"

Everything happened at once. People started shrieking. Kids started crying. Jamie gripped my arm, tugging me through the crowd with his parents and our friends in tow. Byron was red in the face, every Shadowhunter available immediately forming a tight circle of security around him, weapons gleaming against the bright blue light of the Portal above.

"How the Hell did they get here?!" Jamie demanded, yanking a Seraph blade from his back, one hand still gripping me. I pulled free of him and he shot me a look.

"They're here for the armory." Xavier breathed, looking panicked. "That's the only reason they'd be here."

"Not the only reason." Jace growled, staring at me as he unsheathed a large bronze sword from his side. Clary held a dagger up at her face, poised to strike at anyone who came within arm's reach.

"Get her out of here, now!" Jamie demanded, shoving me towards Aaron as Darren disappeared into the crowd, already fighting. The Purified Ones and their demons were advancing on the crowd, hissing and snarling. I whirled on Jamie, pulling a sword from his belt.

"I'm not leaving!"

"Are you stupid?!"

"I'M NOT LEAVING YOU ALL HERE TO FIGHT!"

Jamie opened his mouth to argue but never got the chance, because the second he drew his breath, the blade of a Circassian dagger flew dangerously close to his face. I whirled, raising my blade up to meet the soldier's just as he brought it down to my throat. Aaron tore the soldier off of me, swinging his axe at another as it rounded the corner on us. There was blood everywhere, Shadowhunters exploding into action at the drop of a hat. I tackled a soldier as he advanced on Jamie from behind, Jamie whirling and staring at me in disbelief as I slid my blade across it's throat, red matter spewing against the front of my blouse.

Jamie ripped me to my feet, yanking me out of the way just as another soldier dove to where I'd been laying. He stomped on the side of the soldier's face, digging his blade into his spine and twisting until a sickening snap filled the air.

"Duck!" I did as I was told, Darren swinging his Morning Star over my head, the spikes landing into the chest of another soldier.

"Leave, now!" Jamie pleaded, turning and meeting the claws of a demon. It snarled at him, lunging for his throat, it's talons clawing at every bit of exposed skin the boy had. There was no leaving. It wasn't an option. Not while Jamie was here.

I jumped onto the demon's back, the mucus of it's skin burning my arm as I shoved my dagger through the back of it's skull. We landed in a heap on the ground as Anastasia was thrown into one of the armory cases, glass raining down around me. I scrambled to my feet, pulling her by the collar of her jacket as the demon swung at her furiously. Stasi rolled, tearing Elephant from where she'd dropped it in the hay and arcing it widely behind her, slicing at the demon's chest.

"I thought Jamie told you to leave!" Stasi yelled, her voice barely audible over the screams of the people.

"When have I ever listened to Jamie?" I countered, pulling her to her feet and disappearing into the crowd again.

We fought our way through the endless sea of people, blood and gore splattering us everywhere as we went, bodies of Shadowhunters and Purified Soldiers alike strewn about the ground.

"Take this!" Lucy cried, appearing from the thick bodies and shoving a tub of thick jelly into my arms.

"What?"

"Take it and set it off, it's witch hazel, it blinds them!" She gave no other explanation as she turned back to the demons around us. I stared absent-mindedly for a moment, watching her spin on her heel and catching a Soldier with her other in the jaw. She brought one of her blades down across the lining of his shoulders, the Soldier crying out and dropping to his knees just in time for her to spin again and cut him clean across the neck. I jumped as his head rolled towards my feet.

"Go!" she commanded, pulling a seraph blade from her belt and shoving it into mine. "Go now!"

I shoved my way through the crowd, dodging blade upon blade with a dagger in one hand and witch hazel in another. The field was too crowded. If I was going to blind the demons, I'd have to get to high enough ground where they'd all see it. I looked up against the sky, searching for the highest possible ground, my heart skipping a beat when I'd finally found it. Ferris Wheel.