Hi! Two chapters up in one night, wow! Then again, I do have plenty of time. So, yeah, enjoy! And please review, please!
I do NOT own the Mortal Instruments. Only Arella.
Chapter 11
Arella was awakened by the feeling of lips on her forehead, her cheeks, her neck. Feeling groggy, she opened her eyes, blinking in the half-light.
"Magnus?" she said, reaching out. Her fingertips came in contact with warm skin, silky hair, and finally a nose.
"Ow… Quit poking." It was Magnus, she recognized his voice. She smiled, blinking and squinting, trying to see in the early morning gloom. His emerald eyes sparkled as she ran her fingers through his hair, leaning in to kiss him.
"Is it time to get up yet?" she mumbled, falling back onto the pillows and smiling.
"Almost. But I figured getting up early was better than having Isabelle make good on her threat and pour water on your head. I thought waking up to me was better than that." He said with a smirk. Arella managed a tired sort of giggle, her eyes half-shut.
"But I'm still sleepy." She said with a rather childish pout. Magnus stretched his body over hers, his bare chest against her stomach making her shiver, eyes widening. His lips found hers, brushing gently before he slipped a hand behind her head and pulled her in, kissing her fiercely. Arella moaned, her hands curled against his chest, pressing her body to him, savoring in the warmth he always produced. After a moment more he retreated, breathless, wanting more but knowing they wouldn't have time.
"Are you awake now?" he asked, and she nodded, the blush spreading from her cheeks down her neck.
"Yes… Very much so." Magnus laughed, trailing the tips of his fingers along her collarbone and down her chest and stomach.
"As much as I would love to remain in bed with you all day, Idris is waiting." He said with a low purr, nipping at her earlobe and chuckling as she jumped. As if to prove his point, the door creaked open and Isabelle peered inside, a cup of water clutched in her hand.
"Damnit." She said when she saw them awake and looking at her. "I was dying to get you, warlock." Disappointed, she closed the door, and Arella burst into laughter. After a moment, she quieted, kissing him on the cheek when she caught sight of his expression.
"Come on." She said. "You know you would have laughed if she had done it to me." Magnus was still frowning, but his expression softened when she kissed along the line of his jaw, running her hands over his chest and down his torso.
"Arella… Don't tempt me, please." He said, resting a hand on her shoulder and looking at her. She smiled, and he could see a flash of the devil underneath her angelic eyes.
"Why not?" she asked, but Magnus answered for her, burying his face in her neck, kissing and biting gently.
"Because…" he said with a slight whine, still kissing her slowly. "It's been two hundred and fifty years. And even for me, that's a long time." Arella laughed, gently lifting his head and brushing her lips to his.
"Well, I hate to be the awful tease, but we need to go. As funny as I thought it would be, I really don't want Isabelle pouring ice cold water on us." She said, rolling out from underneath him and stretching. Magnus smiled, and then imitated her, his back arching, eyes closed.
"You look like a cat when you do that." She said. "It's like you're the human version of Chairman Meow." Magnus grinned, opening one green eye to peer at her.
"I prefer to think of myself as a panther. A sexy, sexy panther." He said, and Arella giggled.
"Fine then. Get up, tiger." She joked, stripping off the bandeau and striding into the bathroom. Magnus made a little noise of surprise as she threw the garment behind her and closed the door. Inside, she turned on the shower and stepped in. The hot water poured over her head and she sighed, shaking out her hair and sighing. Idris. She had only ever heard of Idris from Michael, even he sang praises of the city and the glass towers. She could hear Magnus moving around in the room, presumably putting on his usual makeup and deciding on an outfit. Maybe she should just help him. She grabbed a bottle of Magnus' shampoo; he wouldn't mind if she used it, and it made her hair soft and silky. After she rinsed she clambered out, wrapping a towel around her and opening the door. Just as she suspected. Magnus was standing in front of the bed, clad only in his black silk boxers, examining two outfits that he had laid out.
"Just pick one." She said impatiently, and he turned, face reddening as he took in her state of undress.
"It isn't that easy, love. Especially with you distracting me like that." He said, a look of mock indignation on his face. Arella smirked, peering into the back of the closet. As Isabelle had promised, there was a full set of gear in her size and a seraph blade.
"Well, hurry up. I'll be dressed in a few minutes." She said, slipping into the black pants and examining the shirt. She sighed, using the blade to slash two holes in the back of the shirt before pulling it over her head. Magnus watched as she strapped on the belt and slid the blade into its sheath. He had never seen her dressed like this, and it was distracting him from the ever so important task of selecting which outfit he was to wear. Arella impatiently pushed him aside threw the reddish shirt at him.
"Just wear it. Or Isabelle really will come in here again." She said. Magnus grumbled but decided it wasn't worth arguing about clothing with Arella, especially when she was holding a sword. As he was pulling on the pair of black jeans he had paired with the shirt there was a knock on the door and Jace peered in.
"Isabelle says to hurry up, we're leaving in five minutes. The portal's set up." He said. Arella nodded, sighing as he closed the door.
"Magnus, you ready?" she said, voice shaking a bit. The warlock smiled, slipping on a pair of boots and standing up.
"Are you alright?" he asked, putting his arms around her and pressing his lips to her forehead. Arella shrugged.
"I'm a bit nervous, actually." She admitted. "What if the Clave decides to arrest me anyway? I can't help but think that they won't let me fight." Magnus grumbled something about the Clave being stupid and Arella chuckled.
"They're all bigger idiots than we thought if they refuse the help of an Angel." He said. "My Angel." She flushed, kissing him and nuzzling into his shoulder.
"We should go." She said, clasping his hand and pulling him towards the door. Magnus obliged, following her into the hallway where Clary and Jace were talking with Maryse and Isabelle.
"Arella!" Clary said, turning as they approached. "Are you ready?" Arella nodded, a light smile gracing her features.
"Yes. And very excited, actually." Maryse frowned at her.
"Excited to go to battle with thousands of powerful and blood-thirsty demons?" she said stiffly. Isabelle glared at her, but Arella shook her head.
"No. To see Idris, and Alicante of the Glass Towers. I've never been… But I feel that I will be at home there. It is the city of my father, after all." She said. Magnus kissed the top of her head, looking to Maryse, who was still glaring. Isabelle took her mother's hand and led her down the hall to the library, Clary following and gesturing for Magnus and Arella to do the same. The library was occupied by a large portal, runes etched into the walls opening the door that would lead all of them into the city of Idris. Robert Lightwood was waiting for them, brow furrowed as he noticed Arella with Magnus clinging to her arm. But the Shadowhunter refrained from commenting, turning to the portal and stepping through silently. His wife followed, pulling Isabelle behind her.
"See you on the other side." She said as she vanished. Jace took Clary by the hand, leading her to the portal and stepping through.
"You ready?" Magnus said. Arella nodded, one hand on her seraph blade as she followed the others, one foot in the portal, Magnus right behind her. There was a strange tingling sensation and a flash of light as she fell forward, closing her eyes. Everything spun, and the only clear sensation was that of Magnus' arms still around her waist. Suddenly her feet hit solid ground and she nearly fell over, catching herself just in time.
"You can open your eyes now." Magnus said from behind her, laughter evident in his voice. Arella blinked, breath catching as she took in the sight before her. They were standing on a balcony that overlooked a magnificent city, a matrix of glistening buildings. Something familiar echoed in her mind; this was an angelic city, a city of Nephilim. Isabelle chuckled at the expression on her face as she stepped to the end of the balcony, her hands on the railing.
"It's exactly as I imagined." She said, turning back to grin at Magnus and the others. The warlock chuckled, moving to stand next to her and gently kissing her cheek.
"We aren't here for sightseeing." Maryse said stiffly. "The Clave wants to see you, Arella." The angel stiffened, fear washing over her. The Clave?
"They'll execute me on the spot." She whispered, and Magnus tightened his grip on her hand.
"No." Jace said. "If you can prove your angelic blood, they'll have to let you live. Killing or imprisoning an Angel is the highest form of heresy." Magnus turned to Jace, expression stony.
"I'll go with her." He said, and Clary nodded.
"I will too. If we testify, they'll have to listen." Arella shook her head.
"But what about my mother? When they find out who she is-"
"Your father is Raziel. Angelic blood is dominant. That's all we have to say." Jace interrupted. Magnus put his arms around her, gently rocking Arella back and forth as she considered.
"Alright." She said. "I'll do it." Maryse nodded and exited the balcony through a large arch and the rest of them followed. Inside, they were greeted by two Shadowhunters, both looking grim and focused.
"We will escort you to the Clave." One of them said, pointing to Arella. She nodded, following behind them with Magnus, Clary and Jace in tow.
"Just stay calm." Magnus whispered. "I promise you, everything will be totally fine." Arella sucked in a breath, squeezing his hand as the Shadowhunters led them to a pair of ornate wooden doors, pushing them open to reveal a circular room. Inside, the Clave was seated in a circle, all staring at Arella, their expressions a mix of curiosity and disgust, maybe even hatred.
"You are Arella, the unknown being who arrived at the Institute in New York a little over a week ago?" The man seated in the middle of the room asked, eyes narrowing. Jace recognized him as the Inquisitor. Arella nodded, and Magnus could feel her trembling.
"Yes." She replied. The Inquisitor frowned, examining her and the way that Magnus had his arms around her.
"What are you?" he asked. Arella took a deep breath, lifting her chin and staring at the Inquisitor.
"I am the daughter of the Angel Raziel." She said. The Inquisitor grit his teeth.
"That is not what I asked." He said. "I asked what you are, not who your father is." Jace stepped forward, placing a hand on Arella's shoulder.
"Her parentage will matter a great deal, Inquisitor." He said.
"Jace. I am not surprised to see you. But I was under the impression that I was asking Arella the questions." The Inquisitor snapped, and Clary took his hand, pulling him away. Arella stepped forward, Magnus keeping his arms around her as she approached the Inquisitor.
"I am an Angel." She said, voice quaking. The Clave mumbled, but the Inquisitor raised a hand, silencing them.
"An Angel, you say? Then you won't mind telling us who your mother is, will you?" he said, breaking into a thin smile. Magnus growled under his breath, but Arella gripped his hand.
"My mother is… Karathas. A Queen of Hell." She said, biting her lip, willing herself not to tremble, not to show fear. There was an outburst from the members of the Clave, anger filling the room.
"That's impossible!" The Inquisitor shouted, rising from his chair. "You are a demon." The Shadowhunters behind them drew their blades, but Magnus pulled Arella back, sparks dancing at the tips of his fingers.
"No, Magnus." Arella said, prying from his grip and stepping towards the Inquisitor. "Angelic blood is dominant. You only need to cut my skin, to see my blood." All eyes were on her now, though no one moved. Seeing that no swords were driving towards her throat, she reached out a hand, holding it, palm-up, to the Inquisitor. He glared at her, steely eyed, then drew his seraph blade, pressing it against her hand.
"If you are not what you say you are, I will kill you where you stand." He said coldly. Arella smiled, a nervous laugh escaping her.
"I am what you say I am, the adamas will burn me." She said. With a look of triumph in his eyes, the Inquisitor drew the blade quickly across Arella's palm, leaving a deep gash that instantly began to drip with golden ichor. He drew back with a surprised cry as the blood spattered onto the floor, leaving stains on the fine carpet. Magnus rushed forward, but she stopped his, her uninjured hand at her chest. Without uttering a word she unclasped the top of her gear, revealing the permanent Angelic Rune inked on her skin and smearing the blood across it. Jace and Clary watched, unsurprised, as the wings formed from her back, but the Clave retreated, a few leaping from their seats.
"Can you really doubt that?" Magnus said, taking Arella by the wrist and quickly healing the wound on her palm. The Inquisitor was the first to regain his composure, clearing his throat and approaching. He had no evidence anymore, her blood had proven that she was telling the truth, and he had no way to prove that this was all an elaborate ruse. The Clave was muttering, all eyes trained on Arella and the Inquisitor. After a moment he relented, sitting back down in his chair with a reluctant sight.
"Very well. You may remain in Alicante, and are free to assist us in our battles. You are dismissed." He said, waving his hand at them. Magnus smiled, his cat-like eyes twinkling as he pulled Arella from the courtroom, his chin against her shoulder as he pressed his lips to her cheek.
"You did it. You did it." He whispered, turning to watch the door close behind them. Jace and Clary were grinning, but before Arella had a chance to thank them Magnus lifted her off the ground and kissed her, rendering her speechless.
"Magnus…" she said, flushing as he released her. He winked at her, but Arella just frowned and turned to the others. "Thank you." She said. Jace shrugged.
"I didn't really do much; I just managed to piss him off." He said, but Arella smiled.
"No, you did help. I couldn't have kept my knees from knocking if I didn't have all of you there." She looked up at Magnus, eyes shining. Maryse was standing a little ways off, watching the whole scene and looking slightly uncomfortable. Isabelle, who noticed the change in her mother's demeanor, gave her a small frown and went to Arella, patting her on the shoulder. She knew Maryse was only upset because she had half-hoped Arella would be imprisoned, not allowed to fight.
"It'll be an honor to fight beside you." She said, smiling at her. Arella turned and hugged her.
"Thank you." She said, and Isabelle returned the embrace, a surprised kind of grin on her face.
"Alright, alright, enough of this canoodling." Jace said, though he was still chuckling. "There's a hoard of demons waiting to break into the city; I suggest we start preparing." Arella pulled away, her expression determined.
"Of course." All business, she turned to Maryse. "What do we have? Greater Demons, Princes of Hell?" she asked. Maryse looked a bit surprised but turned to her anyway.
"All of them." She said, somberly. Arella grimaced. "The Clave has contacted those Downworlders who chose to fight with us in the battle against Valentine." Clary looked to her.
"Who agreed?" she asked. Maryse shrugged slightly.
"As before, we have the allegiance of the Pack and Lucian, but the others seem more reluctant. Now that there is no immediate threat to them, the Downworlders are less likely to comply. It would seem that they think it safer to continue hiding in the shadows." Jace grumbled something under his breath and Clary elbowed him in the ribs, giving him a stern look.
"What? It's true." He said, but gave up as she continued to stare at him.
"You should Mark us again." Isabelle said, looking to Clary. "It gave us an advantage last time; and we need all the help that we can get. I'm sure the Clave will agree again, there's no reason why not." Clary nodded, turning to the door and pushing it open.
"Are you really just going to walk in there?" Jace asked, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Yes." Clary replied, before slipping inside with her boyfriend close on her tail. Magnus sighed; he remembered the last time the Mark had been used. Thinking of Alec still made his heart ache like it was caught inside a vice, but when Arella noticed his expression and gripped his hand, the pain lessened. Thank God he had her; he very much doubted that he would have made it this long without her. Isabelle started off along the balcony, eventually turning into an ornate hallway and gesturing for Magnus and Arella to follow.
"Come on." She said with a slight smile. "We have a lot to do."