Chapter 11 – We are many
The chime on Alec's watch told him it was too late to be studying. Glancing at the picture window that framed the street and the skyline he mumbled. He needed food, bad. Wiping the sweat from his head he looked at the round table. It was covered with numerous books along with spiral notebook covered in strange characters and his untidy handwriting. Bent over a book that weighed about as much as he did the heavy oak door at the other end of the library eased opened followed by a set of heels clicking with purpose toward him. Without moving his head he looked up. Isabelle had on a dark blue tight fitted dress that barely covered her mid thigh, and a pair of high heeled boots that went up to her knees. Alec sighed and went back to work. Learning demon languages was difficult even at its easiest.
"You are going to cover for me tonight if anyone asks right?" Isabelle asked a bit briskly
When Alec didn't answer Isabelle pulled the chair out from the table he sat at. The noise sent Church running in the other direction with a hiss. Alec levelled his eyes at her. She looked as innocent as a vampire in a blood bank he thought. Wrapped in what he was going to say he didn't have enough time to react when Isabelle yanked the notebook from the table. He made a desperate move to get the book back.
Isabelle squinted and turned the paper in odd angles trying to discern what was on the paper "What in the hell is this?" her tone was confused and amused.
Alec tried again to snatch the paper out of her hands but ended up grabbing air. "If you don't give it back as soon as the front door clicks shut I will tell mom and dad exactly what you are up to every night." He tucked a strand of hair behind his ear and lunged over the table and was stopped by Isabelle's hand outstretched, palm facing him.
"Seriously, are you writing coded love letters to someone?"
Alec's blue eyes flamed toward his sister. "If you must know" He snatched the book out of her hand "Its demon language. At least one that can be written any way. I figure 'know thy enemy' and all that"
"Make the story believable. I don't need to be questioned at three in the morning" Isabelle chimed as she walked away toward the door.
After a few moments Alec watched her cross the street and head off into the darkness. He shook his head and went back to work. Maybe it wouldn't have been such a horrible idea if Isabelle had taken some cooking lessons and few less lessons in fighting and boys Alec thought as he looked at the table with a blank expression.
"You know" a familiar draw came from the shadows.
"No, but I'm sure you are going to tell me" Alec countered to the darkness never taking his eyes off the book.
Jace came out from the shadow that the shelves had made with the setting sun. He walked over to the same table Alec was at and glanced down and shrugged as he pulled the chair out directly opposite of his friend. The chair made the same noise as it did a moment ago.
"The chair says no" Alec said giving a huge grin to Jace. Jace laughed and shared the genuine smile.
"Well at least I don't look like I'm going to jump on the first thing that moves with a shout of glee" He pulled Alec's notebook toward him casually. Alec threw the pen more at the table then on the table. "So you want me to cover for you too?"
Horror flashed across Jace's face along with the tell tale glint in his eye "Nope. You can tell everyone I went to a den of iniquity to fulfil my every desire, or" he paused and smiled "you can tell them I went to for take out"
"Oh sure you both can go out and party" Alec felt Jace's laugh rumble through the table. Alec cocked his eyebrow and glared "or do whatever"
"Whomever" Jace interjected, Alec rolled his eyes
"And I'm left here to explain it all away." His voice was hushed but serious.
"Well you can come along if you want. More then enough there to suit any fetish you harbour in the inner most depths of your soul"
"Not really in the mood but thanks" Acid leaked into Alec's voice with the last word.
"I'm serious. Come along. Even if its just to drink." his voice was sincere.
Alec realized that his inability to tell anyone, except his sister was starting to cut through to his relationship with his brother, no his parabatai. They weren't suppose to be this way. But his mind was made up, he wasn't going. And he told Jace that.
With a wicked grin Jace tried to lift Alec out of the chair at first by his arm. When Alec adamantly made his point of no Jace moved his efforts to lifting his friend out of the chair by his shoulders. Alec smartly wrapped his legs around the chair. After a futile moment of struggling Jace was huffing and slightly red in the face. He picked up the paper he had been examining and laughed "'My name is legend for we are many.'"
"What! It does not say that!" Alec exclaimed as he snatched the paper out of Jace's hand.
"Oh yes it does" He sung as he closed the door to the library behind him.
This was going to be a long night Alec thought.
