Once everything was settled in the new location, Magnus spoke with the Shadowhunters about summoning the demon to get Clary's memories back. I was with Myron in another room while speaking quietly with him.
"I know Clary is about to get her memories back, but one of us has to send out warnings to the half-bloods in the area." I said to Myron. "Chiron also needs to be Iris Messaged, so he can warn the campers. After that he should be able to get word to the half-bloods scattered throughout the states."
I had no idea why any of our kind would want to side with a Shadowhunter. I mean, we're beings of two different cultures—two different religions—two different mythologies if you prefer. What could Dion and Alabaster gain by siding with Valentine? I had no idea, but when all of us know of this, the more minds that can look for a solution and the more people who can prepare for a fight.
"I know." Myron said. "We can't delay getting out the word. Messaging Chiron can be done here, and I think I should be the one left behind in case Magnus needs more juice for the spell."
I nodded since that made sense to me. Besides, I probably couldn't help out around here anyway. I'd probably just be pacing around driving myself crazy until the summoning was over.
"Let's go tell Dad." I said.
I headed back into the room with Myron right behind me as Magnus was dividing up the responsibilities amongst the Shadowhunters.
"Pretty boy," Magnus said. "Go get your team ready."
Jace, who automatically assumed Magnus was talking to him, stepped forward looking ready to go.
"I know what to do." He said.
Magnus slightly rolled his eyes while sticking out his arm in front of Jace, which had my brow quirking. If he wasn't talking to Jace then who…my eyes drifted over to Alec. Alec noticed my look with his brow quirking. I only grinned in response.
"I'm not talking to you." Magnus said pushing Jace back before pointing at Alec. "I'm talking to you."
Alec seemed surprised at first, but then his lips slightly twitched up. Though he tried to hide the smile when Jace looked at him in disbelief. Alec shrugged his shoulders innocently though I could see he was pleased with being called the pretty boy this time. I felt my smile grow, and considering all that's happened, I felt like I had a right to have a bit of fun.
"Jace, don't look so put out." I said as I moved to stand between the two boys. "I mean, haven't you noticed how handsome Alec is?"
Jace's eyes widened as he looked to me as I was looping my arm with Alec's arm. Isabelle was giggling off to the side as Myron was trying to hide a grin. Even Magnus was grinning. Clary was just staying quiet, but I'm sure she wasn't amused.
"You think Alec is handsome?" Jace asked.
I nodded my head because Alec is handsome, and he has really pretty blue eyes. I'm surprised he hasn't snagged himself a girlfriend or boyfriend.
"Like more than me?" Jace asked looking as if my next answer might define the fate of the world.
I bit back a chuckle as I smiled at Jace while soothingly patting his arm as his eyes bored into me.
"This isn't a competition, Jace." I said then smirked. "But I have to admit, you're rather cute when you're jealous."
The look on his face was priceless when I used words similar to what he had said when we were going to meet the Silent Brothers. I left him there stunned while walking over to Magnus who gave me a high five.
"That's my girl." He said fondly. "Speaking of my girl, I want you to stay safe while you're out there. After what's happened, I fear when those ex-friends of yours might show up for a rematch."
His words had the Shadowhunters looking towards us in confusion as Myron stood to Magnus's left. I honestly wasn't surprised Magnus, so I didn't question him as I smiled at Magnus as he cupped my face between his hands.
"I will be fine, dad." I promised him. "I'll be sure to pack more than one weapon, and I won't be caught off guard by Dion's Charm Speak ever again."
"I will be working on that." Myron cut in. "I figure if magic seals can be made to mask our scents then some can be made to make us resilient to Dion's Charm Speak. I will consult with Rhea on the subject."
Rhea, who was Myron's older half-sister, was more versed in magic than even Myron. She had magical knowledge on a global scale. She knew about the different cultures of magic and the different religions that have magic in them. She taught Myron a lot while he was away from home, and away from Magnus's teaching when he was staying at camp. Rhea has even met Magnus before, and they can spend hours talking magic to the point it puts even Myron to sleep.
"Right." I said. "The sooner we come up with something the sooner we're all safe. I'll be sure to help with the research once I get back. Try not to tear up the place while I'm gone, brother."
"Of course, sister," Myron said then looked to Magnus. "I can take Clary into the other room to get started."
Magnus nodded his head so Myron ushered the confused looking Clary into the next room. I heard him promising to explain things to her later as he shut the doors behind them.
"Wait, you're leaving?" Alec asked. "Why?"
I turned to look at Alec who had an almost concerned expression on his face. Looks like we really are making progress, which is good. I do see Alec as a friend, after all.
"I have to warn the half-bloods in the area that we have a few rouges prowling around." I said. "I'll also have to tell them to report if any of our kind are acting out of character. The last time we were in a situation like this we hadn't realized how many switched sides until it was nearly too late. I don't want to get caught off guard again."
That and I didn't want Valentine, who apparently likes experiments, getting the idea to cut half-bloods up. If he started torturing my people like he was the Downworlders like he did to Dot, I'd hunt him down to end him myself. However, I'd like to prevent any experimentation on half-bloods, so it's best to get the word out now.
"You're going out there alone?" Jace asked with a frown on his face. "It's not safe to go anywhere alone, and you already have a wounded shoulder. If you get jumped, you would be at a disadvantage."
"What do you want me to do?" I asked Jace. "Wait until everything is finished here? The longer I wait the more time Dion or Alabaster has to hurt one of my kind, or try to bring them to their side. I can't delay this."
Jace frowned even more though I could see in his eyes that he understood where I was coming from. However, it seemed as if he was having an eternal battle inside as his eyes flashed with an emotion I couldn't place. Jace then let out a loud sigh before turning to Magnus.
"Do you specifically need me for this spell?" He asked.
I blinked wondering what he was thinking. Did he want to come with me? But Clary needed all the people she could get helping her.
"Not necessarily." Magnus said honestly. "There only needs to by five of us for this spell. You don't have to be here for it to work."
Jace nodded his head before moving to stand in front of me. He couldn't be serious.
"Then let's go." He said looking me right in the eye.
"Are you serious?" I asked him.
"Yeah." Jace said. "I'm not letting you go alone, Mona. I'm going with you to have your back even if you don't want me too."
I frowned then looked to Magnus thinking he'd say something since I could tell he didn't like me near Jace. I don't mind having Jace around, but some of the places I needed to go weren't exactly safe. And I know Jace is strong and capable, but even veteran half-bloods can die or get maimed at one of the places I'll be visiting.
"It is probably best not to go alone." Magnus said. "Though I'd rather you go with someone else, I'm sure this Shadowhunter can keep you safe."
I groaned because I saw there was no changing anyone's mind, so I just turned on heel to leave. I didn't have time to waste. I just hope Jace doesn't get hurt during all this because I'd never forgive myself if he did.
I walked down the streets heading for the sketchier side of Brooklyn with Jace at my side. I shuddered slightly while remembering I had left my jacket back at the lair. It was practically worthless now anyway since it had a hole in it, and it was stained with blood. Though it was hard to tell through the black leather.
"Here." Jace said while shrugging off his jacket.
He placed it over my shoulders, and I nodded my thanks to him. I still wasn't happy about him tagging along since I was worried about his safety. Though I suppose there is another reason why I don't want him to see part of our world. A part we even keep from the younger half-bloods since we fear how it might influence them. Jace sighed then bumped his arm against mine to get me to look at him.
"Mona, are you really that mad at me?" Jace asked. "I just want to keep you safe."
I sighed myself while looking directly up into his eyes, so he could see my sincerity as I spoke.
"I'm not mad at you." I said honestly. "I'm just on edge with all that's going on, and I'm worried. I'm worried about what all this can mean. I'm worried about what's going to happen in the future. But I'm mostly worried about you or the others getting hurt because of some rouge half-bloods because if something did happen, I would feel responsible. And it would be my fault if I couldn't keep you from my problems."
I didn't want Jace or any of my friends hurt because they were dragged into half-blood drama. Jace placed his hand on my shoulder while looking me dead in the eye as well.
"You don't have to worry so much." Jace said. "Your pals got mixed up with Valentine, which means my territory. Even if you did make me stay back at Magnus's place, I'd get tangled up in your world eventually. Just like you've gotten tangled up in mine. What happens from now on, we'll face together, so you're just going to have to get used to the fact that you'll be working with me a lot now. Which I'm sure makes you happy. I mean, you get me all to yourself when the rest of the world is missing out."
He gave me a teasing wink and a grin, which had my lips turning up into a smile. How did he know what to say to make me feel better? Did he know his words make me smile? Or was he just saying what he felt? People really were too complicated sometimes to understand.
"How did I get so lucky?" I jokingly asked.
"I've asked myself that ever since that night I met you." Jace said with his voice turning soft and serious.
My heart in the most cliché manner skipped a beat at his words as he was cupping my cheek while stroking the skin with his thumb. We seem to find ourselves in this usual position or similar ones of close, intimate proximity. Sometimes I don't know how we end up like this, but it makes me feel flustered every time. I haven't completely decided if that is a bad thing yet or a good thing. And while I would love to stay this close to him a bit longer, I knew we needed to get moving.
"Jace, we still have half-bloods to talk to," I reminded him as I gently pushed him away.
Jace silently nodded his head before motioning for me to lead the way. We started going down the street again as I turned a corner down a familiar street. I grinned at the building at the end of it that looked a little run down almost like it was abandoned. There didn't seem to be any sign of life at all coming from it, but I knew there was more too it.
"Where are we?" Jace asked curiously as he looked around the eerily quiet street. "Does your friend live in a crack house?"
I chuckled while turning to look at him as I took his hand in mine since he'd need to be holding onto me when we passed through the glamor.
"You would think someone who lives in a seemingly abandoned church would know there's always more to what meets the eye." I said. "Come on, I'm sure Ria's place is still open."
I tugged him along while heading for the large building at the end of the street. Honestly it looked as if it was an abandoned old firehouse. It was two story with a garage attached, and a faded off logo on the front of the garage doors that looked like it had once said Brooklyn Fire Department with a picture in between the words that circled around it. We made it to the building, and I stopped just at the edge of the sidewalk to look at Jace.
"Prepare to be amazed." I said.
Before he could speak I stepped forward slightly meeting resistance as if an invisible, flexible wall was in front of me. However, there wasn't much resistance, so I managed to step through with Jace right behind. He frowned looking behind him with confusion in his eyes.
"What was that?" Jace asked.
"It was like the membrane of the glamour set around this building." I explained. "It's supposed to also deter humans hence why you felt that tug of resistance when trying to step closer. Ria does business mostly with the Downworlders, or people more up my alley, which is why she made a deal with a warlock to set a glamour up."
Jace looked like he wanted to ask more, but the flashing green and purple lights pulled his eyes off of me. I smiled while also turning to look at the large flashing neon sign hooked to the building. It flashed Mad Ink in green and purple colors, which illuminated the dark brick building.
"What is this place?" Jace asked.
"It's a tattoo parlor." I replied. "Mine and Myron's friend Adria Hanwell owns and runs the place. She's a daughter of Dionysus."
Jace nodded along to what I was saying before letting me pull him to the large black door upfront that had skull shaped doorknob. I reached for the door knob, but paused to look back at Jace.
"I'm warning you now," I began. "Ria's a bit…different. She went on a quest one time for her father, and…well, she didn't come back the same. Just please don't judge her too quickly."
Most people were quick to judge Ria the moment they laid eyes on her before she's even had a chance to speak. And even when people do allow her to get a few words out, they still think of her as some kind of freak.
"Okay," Jace said. "I won't judge, I promise."
I thanked him then twisted the door knob to open the door up. When I did, the bell in the front dinged to resound our entrance. There was no movement from anywhere at first, but I knew Ria would be with us shortly, so I just glanced around as some rock music played softly in the background. The place was still the same as ever. Black-and-white checkerboard tile floors. Some dark purple walls with black trim. Then the mirror ceiling that had a white chandelier sticking out from the top. There was a set up dark wooden steps heading to the upstairs area then over in the mirror ceiling was circular hole large enough for a person to slide down comfortably down the pole that came through it.
There was a sitting area for guests with dark furniture in one of the corners then some tattooing equipment taking up a good half of the room. A large and long black curtain divided the rest of the building from the main space. It was kind of dark for my tastes, but I know this is one of the few places that Ria feels comfortable in anymore. Speaking of Ria, I could hear movement coming from upstairs.
"Be right with you." Her familiar voice called from above.
I turned to Jace to squeeze his hand while hoping he wasn't too shocked with who greeted us. As I said, Ria turned into a different person after a mission for her father went bad. Jace squeezed my hand in return as if to reassure me that he would keep his word about not judging Ria. We both then looked up when someone started sliding down the pole. Well, here she comes.
NO POV:
As Jace looked at this young woman who came sliding down the fireman's pole, his mind was trying to understand what he was looking at. When Mona said something about this woman and not to judge her, Jace was expecting to see someone missing a limb or with horrific scars. However, this woman wasn't scarred or maimed horrifically. However, she was covered in tattoos. Though Jace expected that considering she's a tattoo artist.
The large tattoo on her right arm really caught his attention. It was a full sleeve that looked like grape vines were hanging on her arm, but amongst those bunches of grapes and vines were cackling skulls. Their mouths were wide open with rotten grapes or tiny skulls spilling out with grape juice rolling off their white craniums. A few other details were added like one of the skulls had horns, and there was some kind of small staff woven amongst the vines that had what looked like a pinecone attached on one end. Then there was a snake peeking out of one of the eye sockets of one of the larger skulls.
Honestly, Jace didn't know what to make of the tattoo, but it wasn't like it was the weirdest thing about this woman. Though besides the ink all over her body, she seemed rather normal for the most part. Medium in height with a slim figure. No outstanding curves, so pretty average. Her brown hair was cut in a undercut style kind of like Magnus's hair, but hers wasn't gelled up on top. It was loose and wave, and combed over to the left side. All that was normal, but her eyes…Jace has never seen such eyes before in his entire life.
The whites of her eyes were pitch black with white veins and her irises this purplish yew. Almost like the color of the grapes on her arm. Jace knew he said he wouldn't judge, but he couldn't help, but stare. What happened to her eyes? Is this what Mona meant when she said that Ria came back different? Finally after a moment of silence the woman before them broke it by chuckling.
"Yeah, I know," She said seeming to be address Jace. "They can be a bit unnerving to look at. Especially for the first time."
She grabbed some sunglasses off the counter where most of the tattooing supplies was to place them over her eyes.
"I'm sorry." Jace said. "I didn't mean to—!"
"Stare?" Ria cut him off. "Don't worry about it. You wouldn't be the first one to do it."
Jace stood there not sure how to react, but luckily Mona saved him as she stepped forward.
"It's good to see you again, Ria." Mona said. "You seem to be doing well. Are the…episodes still bothering you?"
Episodes? Jace wondered what that was supposed to mean. By the look on Mona's face they weren't something good. Ria sighed while plopping down in the chair where her clients usually sit when she's tattooing them.
"Yeah, they happen every once and a while." Ria said. "But I just took some of my meds, so I'm lucid at the moment at least."
After she said that Jace was starting to put the pieces together. Having episodes, medication that kept her lucid. Ria must suffer from intervals of insanity. Was this the person Myron mentioned that willingly chose to risk insanity to help people? The one that had somehow mentally scarred Mona in the past to the point that she gets touchy about the subject? When seeing his curious expression, Ria opened her mouth to answer a few of the unasked questions she could have.
"If you're wondering if I'm crazy, the answer is yes." Ria said making him stiffen when she said it so bluntly. "I suffer from schizophrenia and a dash of everything else. The psychiatrist didn't know what to do with me, so I busted out of the looney bin and have been hiding out here ever since."
"Were…were you always like this?" Jace said not sure how to ask politely.
"No," Ria said shaking her head. "I didn't lose my marbles or start hearing voices in my head until I went on a quest to recover something for my dad. People were kind of fighting over it, and it was driving them bonkers. As a daughter of Dionysus, I'm immune to being affected by madness, or at least I used to be."
Ria frowned after saying this, and Jace wasn't going to push things if it was a sore subject.
"However, I guess you can say I shot my immune to hades after drinking that wine." Ria said. "It had been aging for nearly two-thousand years. It was supposed to be the oldest wine in existence, and many wanted it because it was made by the god of wine himself, which gave it magic properties. I was supposed to go and remove it from where it was left because the madness inducing waves coming off of it was turning one town upside down and sideways. Everyone was going crazy and hurting each other due to the side effects. My dad wanted to keep the wine safe in another location, but Chiron said it'd be safer if the wine was destroyed. And I did try to destroy it."
Ria chuckled almost darkly and with no humor as she remembered all the ways she tried to get rid of the wine. She tried burning the clay urn and all in fire. She tried smashing it on the ground. She tried pouring it all out to let the ground soak it up, but the magic her father put around it kept her from doing all those things.
"After trying nearly fifty different ways to get rid of it, I realized the only way to get rid of the wine was to drink it since that's what it was made for." Ria continued. "I was warned that the madness in the bottle could send anyone into the looney bin in a strait jacket with just a single drop touching their tongue. I thought I would be fine though since I'm supposed to be immune to madness. I was wrong unfortunately. I drank the entire bottle. It felt like poison at first, and like I was dying. I ended up passing out after many fits of convulsing on the ground. When I woke up, my eyes were like this."
She dropped her sunglasses down the bridge of her nose to reveal the blackness and purple irises before pushing the shades back up her nose.
"And I realized things were a lot different in my mind." Ria added. "I heard voices. I was seeing things that weren't in front of me. The entire world was a stranger to me because my mind had completely warped. If I hadn't been found by a scouting party that came looking for me, I never would have returned to camp. Unfortunately there was nothing that could be done for me. It was too late to return to the person I was once. Because once you break a person there is no fixing them."
Jace remembered Mona saying something similar to Clary when Clary said she would risk insanity to save her mom. Jace was really starting to think Ria was the one who made it where Mona gets uncomfortable around the subject of people going insane.
"But enough about me." Ria said waving her hand dismissively. "I'm sure you didn't come here to be bored with stories. Mona, come for another tattoo, or is your pretty boy Shadowhunter boyfriend getting one? Though I'm not sure if there's really any room for a decent tattoo with all those runes on his body."
Ria tilted her head seeming to contemplate where she'd even tattoo Jace as Mona was trying not to blush. Jace wasn't her boyfriend, but she felt as if trying to point that out might make her look like a freaking dork because she's sure she'd stutter. However, if she stayed silent, Jace might think that means she wants him as her boyfriend, which would be even more embarrassing.
"W…we're not dating, Ria." Mona managed to choke out. "But we are here to see you for an important reason. Something I'd like to tell all our friends in the area."
This had Ria looking to Mona curiously as the daughter of Hephaestus crossed her arms over her chest. Counting the two of them and Myron there are four other half-bloods who call the area their home. There are regular tourists especially since a certain friend of theirs started up that business. Even employed two of the others to help part-time.
"So, please tell me where Magan, Eris, and Vasilis are." Mona said. "Oh, and what rock is Zero hiding under these days?"
Jace's brow quirked at the name Zero since it seemed like an odd name to give someone. Unless it was some kind of nickname.
"You'll find Magan in the small apothecary she set up in Greenpoint." Ria said. "Eris is doing some shady business with underground gambling, and Vasilis is currently in the smuggling business."
Two out of three of their friends sounded like really shady people in Jace's opinion. Just who are they exactly? And how could someone like Mona be associated with them?
"As for Zero," Ria began with a smirk. "You'll find him where he always is."
Mona frowned obviously not looking pleased, but also looking as if she expected as much.
"The colosseum." Mona said then added sarcastically. "Great."
"And there happens to be a lot happening there tonight from what I hear. Some real heavy hitters and special guests are rumored to be there." Ria said as she stood up. "Wouldn't surprise me if two out of the previously mentioned three were there too tonight with Zero. Maybe even Magan. You know Zero sometimes asks her to look after the fighters when they get banged up."
That was true, so going there might actually bring their entire group together. And Zero would be able to get the word out to the visiting half-bloods that the area isn't safe. While Mona didn't like going to the place it seemed like the best option. So she guessed there was just no other choice.
