Chapter 14

Clary P.O.V

We were enveloped straight in to the nucleated clusters of down worlders, some swaying their hips to the music others socialising with each other and drinking what looked from a distance thick bogey green liquid with bright purple umbrellas.

As soon as we stepped in, all attention was drawn on us. I stood straight letting them assess me as the music toned down. The top of the werewolf's ears quivered slightly. Some pixies that were serving drinks stopped. I stepped forward. 'Evening,'

Some muttered it back to me bowing their heads and setting their drinks down.

'I am looking for a man named Smiff,'

All fingers pointed in the north direction to a dark brown door with a stuck on label, the words were scratched out making it hard to tell what was on it.

I inclined my head and the music boosted up again the frequency of it shaking the small square windows on the roof of the club.

I turn to my friends. 'I am going to go see Smiff; you can wait here if you wish,'

Magnus nodded and pulled Alec away as Isabelle dragged Simon to the drinks. James stood at my side as usual leaving us left with Jace and Kirin.

They stood awkwardly side to side; I glanced at James, his expression of sour impatient.

'Tell the others that I will meet them where we parked the horses in 30 minutes time,' I tell Jace, I give him a wary look as I head off with James. Although the club was tangled with sweaty bodies, I could still feel Jace's golden eyes fixated on my back.

James strode ahead of me with quick stamina; he gave me a slight grin before allowing me to knock on the door. The thrumming of the music wasn't helping so James pulled open the door.

We were taken into a small, however spacious room, the red velvet curtains standing side to side of the vast majestic window, along with the thick coffee brown carpet. There in the middle of the sofa was a big burly man with dark skin throwing his tongue down a pixies throat. Moans were erupting out, as he trailed his hands down her side.

I flushed red but shot James a quick look. He understood as he deliberately cleared his throat.

The couple leapt from each other in surprise both very flushed, breathing hard.

'Wh-Who let you in?' The burly man asked stuttering trying to regain breath. The pixie although the circumstances looked very pleased as she adjusted her very small mini dress, her stick legs seemed to go on for miles.

'This is Clarissa Morgenstern, high council of Idris,' James introduced with authority.

I stepped forward, my chin adjusting.

The pixies eyes grew wide as she scanned me up and down, she squealed and leapt away from the man scuttling to the door and heading out. The door let in a trail of music before disappearing again.

'My apologies my queen,' the burley man said. He raised his dark eyes on me, a tattoo clearly seen trailing down his throat to where he swallowed. 'But you must understand I do require appointments made so such matters of mine will not be disturbed,' He drew out his hand to me allowing me to take it as he guided me to sit down on his leather sofas.

I turn to him. 'Such matters at this time are so frequently unimportant,' He jolts at that. 'Your name?'

'Smiff Course, my queen,'

'Smiff, I was requested here by Ella if you recall,' At that he brightens up and smiles showing a whole row of glistering white teeth that bright up his expression.

'Ella!' He exclaims chuckling. 'How is my dear?'

'Very well,' I smile but then turn serious. 'But on to the subject that matters Mr Course,'

'Yes,' he agrees reaching out to his wooden oak table that had two glasses of blue liquid, he sips it attentively watching me.

'I am looking for Sebastian Morgenstern,'

'Your brother,'

'Brother by blood, Mr Course no other such ties do we have to each other,'

'Of course, carry on,' he gestures politely. At the corner of my eye I can see James assessing the room frowning. Probably searching for something that may attack me.

I hand over a paper with the coordinates scrawled on in haste. 'This is what he gave me to find him,'

'A clue,' Smiff says as he scans the paper before setting it down.

'Yes, although that clue led us here,'

'You think I am hiding him here?' Smiff says aghast.

James stands tall, hand poised at his sword.

'No,' I exclaim. 'This is what brought us here; I was hoping you may have an idea of his round about,'

Smiff drew his bushy eyebrows together in concentration. He sipped his drink some more swallowing every last drop. I scuffed my shoes impatiently.

'I am truly sorry my queen, but I cannot assist you as I have no whereabouts on where he could be,'

I gave an inward sigh, my mind screaming with annoyance, I clench my hands in frustration.

I stand up politely, bowing my head. 'Thank you for your time Mr Course,'

He nodded and watched as James walked with stride to open the door, he went out first and just as I followed, Smiff called me back.

I turned curious.

'My lady, with all respect. I think it would be best if you didn't trust James.'

'Why?' I ask puzzled, hand at the door.

'He is not what he seems my lady, and I am sorry,'

'Three apologies tonight is rather bewildering Mr Course,' I say and for some reason my voice is like ice.

He nodded bowing his head in regret, his shoulders slumping. I took pity. 'Goodnight Mr Course,'

James was no where to be found as I closed the heavy door behind me , all I could think of what everyone kept saying about James. Jace clearly felt troubled around him as did Christopher. I shake my head as I peel away from the dancing bodies and move to the exit. A blast of cold air runs up my spine so different from the sticky warmth inside the club.

Sure enough everyone has mounted on the horse waiting for me. I don't say anything. I just climb on and we head off silently.

Jace P.O.V

'We're stopping here for the night,' Clary's soft voice floats to us, she jumps down and hooks her horse reins to a tree trunk. 'James gets some firewood, Simon helps him,' she ordered tiredly.

I was too wrapped up in my own thoughts thinking about the club.

After Clary had gone, Kirin led me up to get some drinks. I wrapped my arms around her waist as she waited for her drink. To my surprise she wriggled her way out of my arms instead of staying in them like she normally does.

'Babe,' I stroke her face wishing it was Clary. This was all fake. False.

Kirin took her drink and gestured for me to follow her outside were it was quiet. The leaves crunched underneath our feet as the twigs from fallen trees snapped in half.

'Jace,' she says softly. She smiles. A new one. One I have never got to see her wear and to be honest she looked quite beautiful.

I moved closer. 'Kirin, babe, what's wrong?'

Kirin sighed leaning against a trunk, a drink in one hand. She sipped at it before locking eyes with mines. 'Lets be honest Jace,'

I move forward. 'I am always honest I hate liars,'

Kirin laughed.' You hate people who lie to you, but that doesn't mean you don't lie to yourself,' she sighed again her fluttering hair wiping at her face. 'What am I Jace?'

I was confused. 'A beautiful girl,'

'No I am a distraction,' whispers of the wind fluttered over us shielding us. I shivered.

My eyes rose to hers and she smiled again knowing it was true. She finished the rest of her drink and tossed her cup on the ground. 'You love Clary, why not be with her?'

'She won't let me,' I say half drained.

'Why not?' Kirin asked surprised.

'Because I hurt her, she is afraid I will hurt her again. She is afraid that I will get hurt,'

'That's because she is scared to admit she loves you,' Kirin whispered her blue eyes watching me carefully.

I look up staggered. 'Kirin,' I half beg.

She waved her hand.' I knew it was going to happen some day, after I met Clary. I knew why I was your girlfriend. And that's okay Jace,' she rubs my shoulder. 'I'd rather be with someone happy than unhappy.'

'I wasn't unhappy with you,'

Kirin shoots me a look. She crosses away from the trunk leaving me standing. I watch as she proceeds to the club. She turns around. 'Did you know I have a passion for reading and writing?'

I shakily shake my head. She sighed. 'No I didn't think you did,'

I wince as I climb off my own horse; Clary had laid her green shawl down on the dry leaves stretching her back on it, one arm hooked behind her propping her up as she stared at the clear sky. Her chest moved up and down, her arms relaxing.

Kirin had hooked her horse on a trunk. She shot me a gentle smile and moved to UN pack her rucksack that she carried.

I moved to Clary, hating myself for disturbing her peace. I sit next to her. She sits up, trails of her curls wiping in her face. 'Jace,' she breathes.

She looks around the site, the fire started roaring out ash and everyone positioned themselves to sleep. 'What's wrong?' she lowered her voice.

I close my eyes inwardly smiling. Always Clarissa. The only one thinking of others.

'How did it go?' I ask instead.

She groans and sinks back down. 'Terrible, he was a very annoying riddle,'

'So there is an answer?'

'No, he doesn't know where he is or he does. He confused me allot,' she rolls her eyes annoyed.

I chuckle.

'Tell me more about your dreams,' Clary locks her eyes with me, her green steady eyes reaching right into my soul.

I fiddle my hands before looking at Clary. 'They happen every night. A new dream. At first I thought it was just nightmares, the irtatzes wouldn't help. And then they started coming true,' I finish with a whisper. My hair tickling my neck as the wind swept.

Clary reaches out and squeezes my hand in comfort. I hold on. I carry on. 'I had dream on where I saw a little boy,' Clary gives a short intake of breath, she sits up. 'He had sharp cheekbones, and crystal blue eyes,'

'Christopher,' Clary said.

'I-I think so,' I tremble cold. 'I saw darkness, I head screaming but I couldn't make out the face. All I saw was a sliver ring engraved with the shape of a robin,'

Clary looked confused. 'The kidnapper?'

'Yes,' I reply tiredly. 'Everything goes hazy after that,'

Clary chews her lips thoughtfully. She scoots closer to me warmth from her knee resting on mines. 'Are you worried that these dreams or visions may come out of control?'

I think back to me always yelling out or screaming, or shaking because the dreams were so vivid so real. I would wake up sweating with balls of sweat rolling down my forehead, my shoulders trembling along with my hands clenched tightly together.

'Yes,' I hush out scanning the forest, astonished on how everyone was asleep besides Alec and Magnus who I hoped were not doing any thing gross.

Clary strokes the back of my hand, softly smiling. 'We could see my friend Morgan about it, he'd know what to do. He helped me with my powers,'

I look deep in to her emerald eyes, soft and loving. I release her hand. 'Show me,'

Clary jerked looking startled, a faint blush forming. 'Show what?'

'Your magic,' I find myself silly for asking but I was so curious.

Clary let out a soft laugh, her lips smirked. 'Magic,' she leaned back, her hands faced down in the earthy soil. She looked to the sky, head tilted, and her long red curls sinking low. Beautiful. I stare mesmerized. 'I never thought I would call it that,' she glanced at me. 'Chrissie called it my special powers,' she smiled twisting her legs a bit.

'Fine show me your powers,'

'Is that an order Jace,' Clary teases.

I raise an eyebrow. 'If you want it to be,' my tone drops suggestively.

Clary flushes, I watch as the flush from her exposed neck climbs up to her cheeks giving a beautiful natural rosy red colour. 'My powers only are used in my time of need or when I am angry,'

I look surprised. 'Oh?'

'Yeah, unfortunately I can't just play with it at any time,' Clary rolled her eyes and gave a slight yawn.

'Oh sorry,' I apologise.

'No that's okay,' she smiles and rolls over, her eyes fluttering close. 'We had a nice conversation. Good night Jace,'

'Clary,' I whisper as her breath even out. I stay awake for 30 minutes hearing the even breaths expect Simon and few snores that drew out of everyone. Kirin had propped herself on a trunk, her hair a halo around her face. Alec and Magnus are curled up together, Magnus hands protective over Alec's back. Iz has her head on Simon's chest, her hands balled up in a fist on his neck, she snuffles in to his neck and he brings her closer. James lies, eyes closed although his jaw is twitching, his ears alert along with his sword propped on the grass.

I try not to fall asleep but with the heavy sighs of bliss full sleep and the hushed breath released from their lips, I find my head falling gently on the cool grass, the dark sky closing in as my eye lids flutter closed and exhaustion sinks out in the ground below me.

As soon as my eyes close I am sped in to a different world, current pulling me past as I try and reach for something to stop me moving too quickly. Anything a railing, a branch a person.

It happened again, me watching a vision without the person knowing. I drew out a breath and opened my eyes.

I was in a room. A child's room I realized stroking the hard paper back of neatly children tales that had bright colours with funny cartoon figures. The uncomfortable looking bean bag sat in the corner of the room with toys scattered around, the walls painted in blue with posters of action figures. The room abruptly opens. I panic for a second didn't want to seem like an intruder, but remember I am invisible to the future.

A figure of a woman and a boy come in as my eyes try to adjust in the dim darkness, the light flicks on flooding the room with bright light. With a jolt, I see Clary. Happier than before which must be the reason because she is clutching Christopher's hands and he is beaming up at her. A protective gaze looks down at him.

'sing me a song!' he demanded as he wriggled out of his clothes, his head getting stuck as he quickly tries to yank his shirt off and put on his night clothes.

Clary lets out soft laughter, helping him take it off as he quickly pulls on his nightie. 'Ask nicely,' Clary reminds him folding his clothes and puts it on a chair near his bed.

'May I have a song please,' he asks his blue eyes so big and innocent.

Clary chuckles and ruffles his hair putting him in to bed; she tucks him in as he sits up wriggling impatiently.

'Which one?'

Chrissie chews his lips and I see the adoration on her face as she watches him scrunch up his face to think. She leans on her knees at the side of the bed.

'You choose,' he decides.

Clary lets out a deep breath and starts to sing her voice a melodramatic sound electing out of her.

'Hush, little baby, don't say a word.
Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird

And if that mockingbird won't sing,
Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring

And if that diamond ring turns brass,
Papa's gonna buy you a looking glass

And if that looking glass gets broke,
Papa's gonna buy you a billy goat

And if that billy goat won't pull,
Papa's gonna buy you a cart and bull

And if that cart and bull turn over,
Papa's gonna buy you a dog named Rover

And if that dog named Rover won't bark
Papa's gonna buy you a horse and cart

And if that horse and cart fall down,
You'll still be the sweetest little baby in town.'

She smiled as his eyes dropped close, bending down to kiss his forehead and then smoothing his curls. I could see how much affection she had for the boy.

She tucked him a final time before turning. When she turned again for one more final look, she gasped a painful scared sob. I looked to see what had caused her reaction. When I saw, my heart almost fell out, my mouth gaping.

Clary's fingers were trembling. I followed her gaze to where Sebastian with a smirk pulled on his face had laid next to the sleeping Chrissie, running his hands down Chrissies curls. 'Hush little baby,' he sings his voice cold, emotionless.

Clary's face quivers, her lips trembling. 'Step away from him,' she breaks out.

'Oh dearest sister, 'Sebastian says. 'Why did you never tell me how important our Chrissie is,'

'He is not our Chrissie, he is mines. No ownership belongs to you,' she whispers.

'Why so afraid younger sister?' he asks.

He continues to stroke his curls. 'Chrissie is so very important, which begs the fact on why you didn't tell me he was the key to this terrible, terrible war,'

Clary gulps. 'You're not taking him,' she declares as she moves to the bed.

Sebastian gives a small evil smile, his eyes black. 'I never asked for your permission,'

He got up from the bed and walked casually to Clary who was shaking but venom was clear in her eyes. 'Oh hush little sister,' he soothes her, wrapping his arms around her shoulders.

Clary doesn't respond but holds up an arm as if to strike him which he neatly dodges.

'Killing your brother my dear sister,' I watch in agony as Clary flinches as he holds a sharp dagger to Clary's pulsing throat. 'Join me,' he whispers stroking her hair.

He presses the knife harder against her throat making a trickle of scarlet blood flow.

I woke up breathing hard, looking to my right seeing that Clary was no longer there. Panic laced my heart, before it slowed when I noticed her figure in the distance. The sky was bright and judging by the yawns and stretching of limbs everyone was waking up.

'What happened Jace? No golden dreams?' Simon remarked.

I snarl under my breath, my palms sweating with grass and soil stuck on it. 'None of you in it vampire. Don't get your hopes up,'

Simon rolls his eyes and moves to James where they mingle in comfortable chatter.

I clamber up, my chest hurting. I see Clary and Kirin laughing. Laughing,my eyes widen.

Kirin has her hand on Clary's shoulder and Clary is smiling upwards.

Well who would of thought?