Today's chapter is a very special chapter. We finally get to learn about Dantes's backstory. I hope you guys don't get bored with my backstory chapters. I've been developing Dantes's past for so long and now I'm finally ready to share it. I feel like this is my longest chapter yet. It was twenty pages on Word.

NOTE: there are characters from Lady Midnight in this chapter but it won't be bad if you didn't read it. You might not know who the character is but it shouldn't effect how you read the chapter since it's only a small part.

Also, two people chose Mandrew as Max x Andrew so that is their ship name until further notice.

Born to Endless Love Chapter Twenty-Five: Dantes Crossheart

Max age: 18, Alec age: 38

Dantes Pov- "So… why are we here" I asked not really sure what was going on. I was in a diner with Max sitting across from me in an old, torn up booth. Max shrugged smiling "I realized before that I don't really know you that well Dantes. We never go out just you and me so I wanted to give it a try."

"Why the sudden interest" I asked grabbing my glass of iced tea and taking a sip. He shrugged using his straw to spin his ice around in his glass. "Well Darius is my Parabatai and also my best friend. I owe it to him and to you to make the effort into getting to know you."

"That's kind of you to think about him but I don't think it ever bothered him that we aren't best friends. I've never been offended over you not taking interest in me" I said, putting down my glass.

Max shook his head "that's the thing Dantes, I do have an interest in you. You and Darius know everything there is to know about me yet I don't know a thing about you. I want to know about your life in Faerie and what it was like for you to suddenly start living as a Shadowhunter."

I frowned looking down at my tea "I don't know Max. My story isn't very nice; I haven't really told it to anyone but Darius. I act nice and sweet all the time but you might not like the things I really think about Shadowhunters and Downworlders."

"My opinion doesn't matter Dantes. If it's a part of you then I want to know about it. I really want the two of us to become closer and I feel like the only way we can do that is if I know your history. Please tell me."

I glanced away thinking it over before sighing and looking back at him. "Very well. I'm trusting you with my past Max. Please respect it even if I say something you don't like."

Max nodded with no hesitation "I have nothing but respect for you Dantes. Knowing about your past won't change that."

I nodded looking in his eyes before looking back at my glass. "You see, growing up I thought I was a member of the fey just like my mother and the people of the court. It wasn't until I was seven that I learned that, that couldn't be the furthest from the truth.

Past Dantes Pov- I was born in the land of Faerie to a beautiful lady of the court. Her name was Amaryllis and she was maybe the most beautiful lady in the whole land. She had golden hair that was so long it was like a train down her back. Her eyes were green as dark as the grass and her skin was like light cream.

I didn't look like my mother. I had hair the color of dark chocolate and my eyes were purple instead of green. My skin was also pale as snow which wasn't as charming.

I never really seen the difference in my mother and I though. She would always call me her little snowflake and said I was the most special person in her life.

"Mama, how come I look different from you" I asked her once when I was seven. I was sitting in her lap letting her braid my hair. At the time my hair was down to my shoulder blades since it was normal for the fey to have long hair.

She smiled down at me finishing off the braid and tying it with some string. "You my dear child look like your father. He had the same hair and skin that you do. Your eyes though are all your own."

I looked up at her frowning "how come I've never met my father? Who is he?" She frowned slightly, rubbing my head with her soft warm hands. "It's best you don't know anything about your father my little snowflake. The Seelie Queen forbid me from ever talking about him again so I can't really tell you anyway."

I frowned thinking that was a little strange "Is father a bad man?"

She glanced away from me keeping quiet for a long moment before looking back at me "he wasn't always bad… but yes Dantes he is bad now."

"Why did you give me that name? Everyone else my age has a name that has to do with nature as do you. How come you gave me a name that's so… so mundane?"

She caressed my cheek gently "you will understand everything someday Dantes. For now, I think it's best that you not worry over it. Be ignorant for as long as you can."

She made me stand up before getting up herself "you should go outside and play. I have business in the court." I watched her thinking before asking "when is the Queen going to come back? You always talk about her but I've never seen her before."

Mother said that there was something called the Dark War in the Shadowhunter world. The Queen got involved with an evil Shadowhunter and used the fey to battle with him. The Faeries were punished because of this and we were no longer part of the accords.

I've grown up during the Cold Peace. All the older Faeries complain about how the Shadowhunters won't give them any aid but I didn't remember a time when they ever did. It's always been us against them as far as I was concerned.

My mother pushed me to the door smiling "I mean it Dantes, go outside and make some friends." I looked up at her "I try mother but no one ever talks to me. They all avoid me for some reason."

Her eyes looked sad, as if she knew the reason why I was always given such grief. She leaned down kissing me on the forehead "just keep trying. I'm sure you'll find some friends soon enough."

I didn't really want to try talking to anyone but my mother said I had to so I had no choice. I kissed her cheek before leaving the house, going down to the river.

The river was where all the young fey liked to spend their time. It was surrounded by huge lavender trees so it was nice to watch the peddles gently fall into the water. Some faeries would sit and play music as well so it added to the calming atmosphere.

I walked into the river area and the moment I did all eyes were on me. That was how it was most the time when I got close to people. They all looked at me with distain like I wasn't part of them and I shouldn't be there.

I ignored the looks, making my way over to the biggest lavender tree, sitting under it and watching the river flow. I loved coming here with my mother but lately she's been way too busy with court work to spend a lot of time with me.

Two fey and one Pixie walked up to me all looking down at me smiling. "Hey, you're Dantes right? Son of lady Amaryllis" the pixie asked smiling. I nodded shocked that she was actually talking to me. No one has ever willingly come up to me before.

"Do you want to spend time with us? We were going to explore the forest of Idris" one of the male fey said watching me. He was pretty handsome. He had dark blue hair and his eyes were olive green. He was wearing some brown light pants and nothing else.

The pixie was beautiful. She was wearing a pink dress the color of cherry blossoms and she had pretty wings on her back. Pixies were the only Faeries that had wings as far as I knew.

I looked at the other Faerie who was also a boy. He had blond hair but there was dirt in it so it looked more like a light brown. His eyes were so blue they looked like the ocean. He was also wearing the pants and nothing else.

I frowned considering their invitation. Mother told me that I was never to go to Idris no matter what. She said it was dangerous there and because of the Cold Peace we weren't welcome there. "My mom said I shouldn't go there" I said nervously.

All three of them laughed before the pixie reached out for my hand "oh come on Dantes. You always listen to what your mother says?" "Um… yes" I answered honestly. It's not like I can lie anyway.

"Well you shouldn't listen to her all the time. You should live life to the fullest" the blue haired Faerie said crossing his arms. I looked at all of them hesitating before reaching up and grabbing the pixies hand.

She pulled me up onto my feet smiling "I'm Lotus, the blue haired guy is Fern and the blond is Finch."

I raised an eyebrow at that one "Fern and Finch? Those are some interesting names." Fern shrugged "our parents have strange names at well. I consider Dantes a strange name so you're really not one to talk." I nodded "you have me there."

Lotus smiled pushing me forward "come on, let's go to the Idris entrance." I looked back at her frowning "my mother said that the Shadowhunters are dangerous. What if the Shadowhunters hurt us?"

Fern smiled slightly grabbing my hand and pulling me along with him and the others "I assure you Dantes. The Shadowhunter won't hurt you."

I felt relieved by him promising that. Being fey he couldn't lie so I had to believe that what he said was true.

I followed them to the opening of Idris and I stopped in front of it starting to feel uneasy. Mother stressed that I wasn't to ever go here. If I walk out of Faerie, then I'll be going against her wishes. If the Shadowhunters caught us, we could get into a lot of trouble.

"Going to chicken out" Lotus asked smirking at me. I looked at all three of them frowning. If I don't go with them I could lose my chance at making my first ever friends. "Of course I won't chicken out" I said before running through the entrance to Idris.

They ran after me and when I looked around I was in awe. There was land stretching on for miles, the silhouette of a city at the far distance. "Wow it's so beautiful here" I said softly.

"You would think that wouldn't you" Fern asked, a ting of an edge in his voice. I looked at him confused and Lotus elbowed him in the stomach "hush Fern." She looked back at me smiling "don't mind him Dantes. Let's go explore the wood."

They ran toward the woods of Idris and I looked back at the entrance to Faerie for a moment before shaking off my guilt and running after them. The woods were beautiful, not as amazing as the woods in Faerie of course but the trees were very green and high up.

Lotus, Fern and Finch stopped in a meadow looking around before looking back at me. "Do you think this is far enough out" Finch asked smirking at me. The smirk made me feel very uncomfortable. "This is the perfect spot. Both of you grab him" Lotus said, also smirking evilly.

Both Fern and Finch rushed over, grabbing my arms and I cried out in fear, trying to pull away but they were too strong. Lotus flew over to me smiling wickedly "did you really think we would want to be your friend? Why in the world would we ever want to be friends with a filthy Nephilim?"

I frowned looking at her confused "Nephilim? I'm no Nephilim, I'm fey just like the rest of you." That made all three of them crack up laughing. "Oh that's rich, he actually thinks that he's one of us" Finch said shaking his head. "I am one of you" I pleaded, looking at all of them.

They all stopped laughing now looking serious and scary. Lotus curled her hand into a fist before slamming it into my stomach as hard as possible. I cried out from the pain, falling to my knees. Finch and Fern dropped my arms and Finch kicked me hard sending me rolling across the meadow until my body slammed against a tree trunk.

"Looks like his mommy has been keeping secrets from him" Fern said smirking. "Did she not tell you what you are or who your daddy is? She must not want to admit how ashamed she is of you."

I rolled onto my stomach trying to push myself back up but I was too weak. The three of them made their way over to me and Fern grabbed a big chunk of my hair pulling on it hard making me cry out in pain.

"You may be part fey but that's not enough to make you one of us. You were born with a Shadowhunter father. That means you don't have our blood but the blood of the Nephilim. Shadowhunter blood always beats out any other. I don't even know why you're living among the fey when none of us want you there."

"Stop it… you're wrong" I cried, tears streaming down my face.

Lotus stepped on my back hard and I could have sworn I heard a rib crack "it's true you know. No one wants you in Faerie. Your mother is the only one who does and I'm sure it's because she feel's responsible for you."

"Just shut up! My mother loves me" I yelled glaring up at them.

"Maybe she does and maybe she just got stuck with you. Did she even tell you how you were born? She fell in love with a Shadowhunter even though the Cold Peace forbade it. He fell in love with her as well but that's not the story he told the other Nephilim. When a group of Shadowhunters caught them together he lied and said Lady Amaryllis tricked him into thinking he was in love with her. She ran away before they could kill her and it seems she had you" Lotus said smirking down at me.

"I bet your father doesn't even know you exist. If he did I'm sure he would kill you. We are in the middle of the Cold Peace after all. How bad would it look to have a child who was obviously conceived around the time it began?"

I shook my head hiding my face in the dirt "you're wrong… I'm… I'm not one of them. I'm one of you. I have always been a Faerie."

"Oh yeah. Tell a lie" Fern said, crossing his arms. I looked up at him shocked "what?"

"Tell a lie. If you can lie, then that proves that you are one of them and not one of us." They all looked down at me waiting for me to speak and I frowned wondering what I should do. I've never told a lie before, I never tried because I know I can't so there's no point."

"Come on do it. Say a lie, any lie" Finch said shoving me with his foot. I closed my eyes tight saying "The sky is red!" My eyes opened in shock after hearing myself say that. I wasn't supposed to be able to lie yet I just said the sky was red.

"We rest our case" Lotus said turning her back to me and walking away saying "put him to sleep boys." Fern grabbed a big rock to slam over my head "with pleasure." I frowned looking up at him "you lied also… you said that if I came here I wouldn't be hurt."

Fern smirked at this "my words were the Shadowhunters won't hurt you. I never said anything about us hurting you. Now sleep tight little angel" he said lifting up the rock.

I closed my eyes tight preparing for the pain but the pain never came. A voice in the distance yelled out asking them what they were doing. Fern backed up dropping the rock inches in front of my head "crap a Shadowhunter. Let's get out of here." All three of them ran away leaving me alone to fend for myself.

I panicked wondering what I should do to defend myself. I was a faerie in Idris, that was against the law and I was going to get in so much trouble.

A pair of bare feet stopped in front of me before someone got down on their knees and pulled me onto their lap. I closed my eyes tight getting ready to beg for forgiveness but the person touched my cheek gently, shushing me. "It's alright, you're safe with me."

I forced my eyes open and looked up at the man holding me. I was stunned to see pale blonde hair, tan skin, and a mix of blue and golden eyes. "The eyes of the wild hunt" I whispered softly. I glanced over at the hand touching me cheek seeing Shadowhunter runes drawn all up his skin.

I stared back up into his eyes still in shock. "Who are you? How do you have marks, yet have the eyes of the hunt?" He pulled up my arms looking them over before looking at my bruised chest frowning "I think they cracked one of your ribs. As long as you go back to Faerie it should heal fairly quickly."

"You didn't answer me" I said not going to let it drop. I was very curious on who this man was. He met my eyes again and started to rub my head "I'm just like you. I'm part fey but I'm also a Shadowhunter."

I frowned "so it's true… I'm not a faerie?" "You are in some sense but you are mostly a Shadowhunter. That blood is dominating, in your veins."

I sat up weakly, even though it hurt a lot "I don't want to be here anymore. I want to go home to my mother." He nodded picking me up carefully "I can't go into Faerie but I'm sure I can get you home safely."

I looked up at him shocked "you aren't going to force me to stay here?" He shook his head "it's your choice wither or not you want to live out your life as one of the fey. Live with cation though child, for living in Faerie with Shadowhunter blood isn't a kind fate. You will have many hardships."

"I don't care. I want to live together with my mother and that's all. I don't believe what they said about my mother only loving me out of pity. She's a kind, loving soul and I refuse to think of her as anything else. That Shadowhunter lied about her tricking him; I know he did because my mom would never do that."

He nodded walking with me through the forest "I believe you. The same thing happened to my mother as well. Shadowhunters aren't as perfect as they let themselves believe. They make up lies about the fey because they know everyone will believe them over the other."

"it's not fair. Why are we the ones being taken advantage of? And the Dark War? Why are the fey getting so badly treated when it is the Shadowhunters who started the war in the first place? It's not right."

"Not every Shadowhunter was involved in the war. Only Sebastian Morgenstern and the ones he turned evil. He turned my own father into one of them, I saw it happen. They had no control over their actions."

"Even so, not all faeries were involved with the war either. It was the queen and her court that did it so why must all of us suffer over it" I asked frowning.

He looked down at me "you are only a child. You don't have to worry yourself over such things."

We stopped in front of the entrance to Faerie and I looked up at him "if you're not allowed to enter Faerie then how will I get home? I'm in no condition to walk by myself." He shook his head no "I won't make you do that."

He laid me on the ground before grabbing an acorn and one of his blades. He used the blade to scribble writing onto it before standing up and throwing it through the entrance. I watched confused, wondering what he was doing, and a moment later a tall figure came through.

He was beautiful, with hair light blue and skin almost as pale as mine. He must have been another member of the hunt because one of his eyes were black while the other was silver. He seemed happy to see the man who helped me but the feeling didn't seem mutual.

"Mark, you called for me. You actually called for me" he said sounding delighted beyond belief. My savior, Mark, did not seem as happy. "Not for the reasons you think Kieran. This boy was brought here and beat up by some faerie children. He wanted to go home so I needed someone to take him."

Kieran's smile dropped making his pale blue hair turn to a dark blue. I have heard that there were members of fey who's hair changed depending on their mood but I've never seen it happen before.

He looked me over before frowning "you're the Shadowhunter boy Dantes, son of Lady Amaryllis." I frowned "does everyone know I'm a Shadowhunter but me?" "Most likely" Mark said, picking me up again and placing me in Kieran's arms.

Kieran looked me over before looking back at Mark frowning "is this truly the only reason you called me?" "it is" Mark said simply, avoiding eye contact with him. It was obvious that something happened between the two of them. I wonder if they were in love.

I looked away from him now looking at Mark "um… thank you for saving me." Mark smiled at me running his hand through my hair "you have to watch your back alright? The fey will be jealous of your blood. You can't trust anyone."

I nodded frowning and Kieran turned away from Mark, walking back into Faerie with me in hand.

My mother was devastated that something like that happened to me but I brushed it off like it was nothing. That's what I did for the next three years until I turned ten. I walked around faerie with my head held high, ignoring all the horrible things I would hear them say about me. Half-blood, filthy angel, disgrace. I heard all the names and learned to carry them on my back.

When Kieran brought me home that day my mother fell into a mess of tears. She cried over me for hours apologizing to me for not telling me about my father and what I really was. She kept repeating over and over again 'I love you, I love you, I love you' and I believed every word. She wasn't able to lie so everything she said had to be true.

Now ten, I sat at home with my mother helping her fold flowers into crowns for the new born fey that will be arriving soon. As a lady of the court it was my mother's job to welcome newborns into the world and place these crowns on their heads. I never really saw the point of the crowns but I helped her with them none the less.

I couldn't tell anyone I helped her with them because whenever someone would find out I made it they would throw it at my mother and spit venomous words about not wanting their baby to be cursed with something made by Nephilim hands.

"You're getting a lot better at this Dantes. I'm very impressed" mother said smiling at me. I smiled back at her and put the finished flower crown on her head "I made this one for you." She smiled pulling me into her arms and kissing my forehead "I'll wear it with pride. Thank you my little snowflake."

I smiled back at her and lost my smile when I heard a commotion coming from outside. Faeries were screaming and it sounded like they were running away from something. I stood up going to go to the door and see what was going on but my mother grabbed my arm stopping me "don't do that son."

I looked back at her frowning "mother somethings going on outside. Don't you hear those cries of distress? We have to go see what's going on so we can help." Just because the fey didn't like me didn't mean I would just sit by and let them all get hurt.

She shook her head pulling me over to a wall and having me sit down "There's nothing we can do Dantes, they're running from Shadowhunters." I frowned at that "but Shadowhunters aren't allowed to enter Faerie. What right do they have to be here? Besides, with the Cold Peace ending I thought we were all on better terms with them."

She shook her head "not all Shadowhunters follow the rules my dear." She stood up holding up her hand to use magic. "I'll put an illusion on you to keep you hidden. As long as you stay in this spot you should be alright. Don't move from this spot no matter what happens."

I frowned "mother, why aren't you hiding under the illusion? What if you get hurt?" She didn't answer me. She just smiled sweetly at me before leaning down and kissing my forehead "I love you very much my sweet snowflake."

She moved away from me as our front door got knocked down. Mother and I lived inside a big oak tree so it wasn't hard to break in. Four Shadowhunters walked in looking around before looking at my mother.

The man leading them frowned when he saw my mother's face. He had dark brown hair and his skin was pale, his eyes a dark brown.

"Amaryllis" he said softly, a look of being completely stunned was on his face. "Hello Richard" mother said softly, causing me to frown. How in the queens' name did she know this man?

A blond Shadowhunter smirked, nudging Richard with his elbow "isn't this the Faerie who tricked you ten years ago? Looks like we finally found the bitch. Maybe we should teach her a lesson on using Nephilim."

I gasped softly, going to stand up and run to my mothers' side but she looked back at me; her eyes saying 'stay where you are.' I frowned but nodded, doing as I was told.

Once she knew I wouldn't move she looked back at Richard looking sad "you know the truth Rich. You know I didn't use my charm to trick you into being with me. I was in love with you and I thought you were in love with me too. How easily the heart turns."

Richard glared at her though his eyes looked sad. There were feelings inside him he was trying to keep hidden. "I would never fall in love with a creature such as you. Especially not during the Cold Peace. That may be over now but I will never forget how easily the faeries turned on us

This just made my mother look even sadder "What does that say about you then? You easily turned your back on me and betrayed me. How about now? You Shadowhunters are here in our territory torturing us even though the newly formed accords forbids it. Seems our kind are not the only ones that breaks rules."

"Well too bad you won't live to rat us out" the blonde said, placing a seraph blade in Richards hand "come on Rich, show this bitch what happens when she messes with a member of the Crossheart Family."

Richard looked down at the blade in his hand thinking before grabbing my mother by the arm and pulling her close. I expected my mother to fight back but she didn't even move. She just looked deep into his eyes with a determined face. He searched her eyes too before glaring and sticking the blade right through her chest.

My eyes widened in fear as I watched my mother fall to the floor in a puddle of blood. She looked over at me, gasping for breath and I stared into her eyes in horror. She smiled sweetly at me one last time before her beautiful green eyes turned gray and glossy.

"NO" I screamed standing up and running out of my hiding spot. I flung myself on top of my mother tears streaming down my face. The Shadowhunters backed up slightly, surprised by my sudden appearance.

"Mother! Mother please wake up! You can't die mother you're all I have! Mother please wake up!" I looked up at the man called Richard, tears still rolling down my face. "How could you? She didn't do anything wrong so why did you kill her?"

Richards eyes were wide as he stared down at me. He looked completely shocked as did the other Shadowhunters beside him. "Hey… this kid looks a lot like you" the blond said looking at him frowning.

Richard lost his shocked look now just frowning down at me. He threw his blade into the air letting it flip until the blade part of it was in his hand. He lifted it up high and brought the handle down hard over my head making me pass out into darkness.

When I woke up my body felt like a hundred tons and I was sick to my stomach. I must have caught a cold and it caused me to have that horrible dream about my mother being murdered. That was the only explanation my brain could come up with. None of that could have been real.

I sighed running my hand through my face and when I opened my eyes again my body stiffened in shock. There, plain as could be was a black marking on my wrist. It looked like an eye with a swirl in the front of it. A Shadowhunter rune.

I sat up quickly, taking my other hand and rubbing at it, hoping that it was just some mud and someone was playing a sick joke on me like some liked to do. There was no way a real Shadowhunter rune would be upon my skin.

I rubbed and rubbed but it would not come off. I shook my head not giving up on getting it off of my skin. "No, no, please no. You can't be real. I don't want to be a Shadowhunter, please don't be real!"

"Be quiet, you're making a lot of racket" a male voice came from the door. I turned to see who it was and frowned seeing Richard standing there holding a tray of food. "What's going on? Where am I? What happened to my mother?"

He put the tray of food down on a table next to the bed before looking at me "your mother is dead; you saw me kill her so you should already know that. As for where you are, you are in Idris."

I frowned shaking my head "no. I don't want to be here; I want to go back to Faerie. Take me back there at once."

He glared at me "you have a lot of nerve telling me what to do kid. Who do you think you are talking to your father like that?"

My body went ice cold all over. "My… my father? You're my father?" He rolled his eyes at me "of course I'm your father. You have my hair and skin, not to mention you're ten years old. There's no way you aren't my son."

I looked down at my wrist again looking down at the mark frowning "what is this?" "That's a Clairvoyant rune. It's the first mark every Shadowhunter gets and since you're ten you were due for the mark."

I shook my head "No! No I don't want to be a Shadowhunter!"

He glared at me "well I don't want my only child to be a disgraceful spawn of faerie but it seems we both are out of luck. I wanted to kill you but seeing as we are still pretty low on Shadowhunters we need as many as we can get. Being what you despise is the only reason you're alive right now."

"I rather be dead" I spat, glaring at him. I didn't want to be a Shadowhunter. I have fought against it for years trying to convince the fey that I am one of them. All that fighting can't lead to nothing. How did it all end up like this?

"I want my mother." I hugged my knees hiding my face in them frowning "I want my mother right now." "Well too bad. Your mother is dead and you'll never see her again. Now get up, I have many things to teach you.

I spent my first two months as a Shadowhunter locked up in a library where I was forced to read many books about Shadowhunters and their origin. I read the codex where they talked about the birth of Shadowhunters and all the things in between. There was a section in it about faeries and it made me want to spit in my 'fathers' face. The Codex made Faeries sound like such heartless creatures when not all of us were like that.

After I was done learning everything there was to know about Shadowhunters I started to train to fight like one. In Faerie you don't start learning to fight till you're fourteen. My mother said that she would always keep me safe so she didn't want me to ever learn to fight.

My father taught me everything from throwing knives, to using blades, archery and even using a spear. My weapon of choice was the whip because it was a weapon most faeries used. Even though I liked the whip I refused to use it or any of the other weapons. I was refusing to fight like Shadowhunters which often times, made me get whipped for being disobedient.

I hated Shadowhunters. I hated everything about them. I hate the way they think they are better than everyone else. I hate the way they think they can just take advantage of Downworlders. I hate the way my father looks at me with distain because I'm not the son he wanted.

"Dantes come here" my father yelled making me sighed and stop my reading to go find him. Once I did I looked up at him frowning "what father?" "I'm having the inquisitor come over to discuss some things with me. I rather you be outside and out of the way. If I find out you tried to go back to Faerie while you are out, you will be sorry."

The first month I started living here I would dash to an entrance to faerie every chance I got. I was always caught before I could get to it and I knew that If I went back there my father would just come in and pull me right back out. That would be putting more faeries in danger and it's not like they want me there anyway. No one wants me anywhere. No one will ever want me, no one but my mother and she was gone.

"Yes father, I will stay close to the house" I sighed.

He nodded before taking the book I was holding out of my hand "no more reading. You need to go around and try to get along with the other kids your age. If other Shadowhunters don't accept you then you are as good as dead. You have to have a team to work with if you want to survive."

I looked up at him "no one will want to be my friend father. Besides, I don't want to talk to anyone." I don't want Shadowhunter friends. I don't want to have to force myself to smile for them and act like I don't hate them all.

He shoved me to the door "just go do it and don't come back until dark. I want some peace away from you." I rolled my eyes thinking the feeling was mutual before going outside.

I walked around the streets of Alicante wondering where I should begin talking to people. If I was going to talk to anyone I wasn't going to be my true self. My true self hated them and wanted them all to parish in a fire. No, I had to act like a faerie. To pretend to be weak and defenseless so when one of them tries to attack me or take advantage of me, they won't know what hit them when I strike back.

I made my way out of Alicante and over to the manors where all the important Shadowhunter families lived. If I could trick one of them into liking me then I would really feel like a true faerie.

Three boys stood by a tree down the road and I watched them wondering if I should practice my charm on them. I wasn't good at using charm to flirt, so I had to go with the shy innocent act. I honestly hated acting weak and pathetic but it was all to prove myself.

I made my way over to them making sure to look at the ground and stumble on my words. "Um… excuse me" I mumbled softly, making the three of them look at me. The boys were all very handsome. One was tall with dark black hair while another had tan brown hair. The boy in the middle was the most handsome of all. He had golden blond hair and his eyes were dark blue.

"Not again" the black hair boy groaned crossing his arms. "How many filthy Downworlders are going to come up to us?" I frowned pretending like his words hurt me when in fact I took pride in them. I wanted to come back saying 'well at least I'm not a heartless monster like you' but that would blow my innocent cover.

"I'm a Shadowhunter too. I was wondering if I could hang out with you guys." I was just starting to get used to mundane words like 'hang out' and I hoped I was using it correctly.

The brown haired one shook his head "it's that new kid that spent most of his life in Faerie. His mother was a faerie but his father recently killed her and I guess is taking him in since it's his only child."

I clenched my fist wanting to rip this guy's head off. No one talks about my mother! Especially not some Shadowhunter brat who has no right to even know about any of it.

The black haired boy laughed "I heard his mother is really the Seelie Queen." I shook my head feeling even more enraged by that comment. I hated the Seelie Queen. She was the reason the Fey were all kicked out of the accords and were forced to live so harshly. My mother may have loved her but I never will.

"The Seelie Queen is not my mother" I said trying not to sound as pissed as I felt. "Who cares who your mother is. You're still part Downworlder so that means you can't hang out with us" the black hair boy said smirking.

I wasn't really sure why but seeing him and the brown hair boy smirking at me reminded me of when I was tricked by those two Faeries and the pixie. I never really ever saw those three again after that day.

"Does being part Fey mean we can't be friends?" The blond one frowned at my words but the other two just rolled their eyes like I was stupid. The joke was on them though because I didn't want to be their friend. I hated them all, I just needed to use them long enough to satisfy my father.

"Of course that's what it means" the brown hair boy said simply. "We don't want to associate with filth like you." I clenched my teeth holding in my tongue. He thinks I'm filth then what does that say about them? Who do they think they are treating me like some garbage? They didn't even know me.

"You can hang out with me" a new voice said, surprising me. It was the blond boy, and he was looking right at me.

"You're kidding right" the black haired kid asked looking at him with disbelief. The side of my mouth lifted up a little, satisfied with myself. I actually got one of them to fall for my trap. He must be a fool for trusting me.

"I'm serious. I want to be this kids friend." The blond held out his hand to me smiling "my name is Darius Rosewood. It's a pleasure to meet you."

I looked at his hand wondering if I should shake it before looking up at him, meeting his eyes. I was surprised at how entrancing they were now that I got a better look at them. They were such a dark blue that they looked like the depths of the sea.

For some reason I felt my cheek get hot as I put my hand in his, shaking it. His hand was warm like my mother's which immediately made me feel less on edge. "Dantes Crossheart" I said softly, not really used to having a last name yet.

The warmth didn't last long though as he quickly pulled his hand away and put it in his jean pocket. "um yes well… come on then. Let's go for a walk."

That suggestion made me tense up once more, going back to being on guard. He wanted me to walk with him alone in Idris? He could be planning to attack me just like those kids did when I was younger. I see his game now; he thinks he can make a fool of me. Well I'm one step ahead of him.

The brown haired boy grabbed him by the arm stopping him "dude what are you doing?" Darius looked back at him simply saying "I'm making a new friend." I'm not really sure why but the word friend made the heat return to my cheeks. 'Don't get flustered Dantes, it's obvious he's trying to trick you' I thought to myself before walking away with him.

We walked around in silence and I glanced around memorizing everything for if he left me for dead in the woods I would be able to find my way back. I was surprised when our destination turned out to be lake Lynn. I haven't been able to come see the lake yet but I heard it was bad to go in it. That is if you don't have any downworlder blood. At this rate it was more dangerous for him to be by this water than it was for me.

We both sat in the grass and he looked around nervously before looking at me "so… what was it like growing up in Faerie?"

I was surprised by the question but wasn't letting my guard down. I had to keep acting all shy so he thinks he has the advantage over me. I played with my fingers as if it was a nervous habit. "Time moves differently there so it takes some time to get used to the time here." I wasn't lying. In faerie I thought that sixteen years had passed when really it had only been ten.

He nodded "that would be a strange thing to have to get used to."

I nodded looking at him. I couldn't stop myself from searching his dark blue eyes. It really felt like I could stare at them forever and eventually find the mysteries of the sea in their depths.

"Stop looking at my burn mark" he yelled snapping me out of it. I was confused on why he was yelling at me then I finally noticed the huge burn scar over his eye. How in the Queens name did I overlook that?

"Oh um… I'm sorry but I wasn't looking at your burn. I was looking at your eyes. They're a really pretty blue." I cursed myself in my head the moment those words came out. I have spent so many years trying to always tell the truth that sometime I ended up blurting out what I'm thinking.

Darius's face got red glancing away from me "sorry… a lot of people stare at it and I'm self-conscious about it."

I nodded faking a sweet smile. It was time to stop fooling around and start laying on the charm to gain his trust. "I completely understand. People are always staring at my eyes and saying how hideous they are."

It was the truth. It's all I've been hearing since they day I was brought to this cursed place. My father even went so far as to cover my eyes with a blindfold one time so he wouldn't have to look at them.

"Your eyes are beautiful!" The boy blurted out making all of my cool leave me in seconds. My face was burning hot and I had to look away from him. It took me a moment to realize that what he said made me smile. Actually smile. I haven't smiled truly since the last time I saw my mother.

I glanced back at him now actually feeling shy and nervous. What the hell was going on?! I was supposed to be tricking him yet here I am flustered all because he called me beautiful. No one has ever called me beautiful.

I reached out gently putting the tips on my fingers on his cheek where some of the mark was formed. "If you don't mind me asking; how did you get this burn?" I was truly curious and wanted to know the story. Even in Faerie ten year olds were never injured this badly.

He glanced away from me frowning "I was horrible to a warlock and I made him mad enough to accidently burn me. It was all my fault yet he to took the rap for it."

I wasn't shocked by this at all. Of course he was a jerk to a warlock. It seems he's just as bad as all the other Shadowhunters after all. I dropped my hand from his face saying "that was nice of him to take all the blame."

He shrugged "It only happened in the first place because I used to be such a jerk." He put his hand over his eye covering up the burn frowning. "I deserve this though. This burn may be hideous but it's a reminder of who I don't want to be. I want to be better than who I used to be."

I was shocked by those words. Did he truly learn his lesson and regret hurting the warlock? I've never seeing a Shadowhunter have remorse before. I glanced away feeling myself blush again before looking at him and grabbing the hand covering his eye. I reached my free hand over to place it on his cheek. "I think your burn is beautiful. It gives you character."

There I was speaking my mind again. I don't know what it is but I feel calm around this boy. Like I could tell him everything that aches at my heart and he would take it all and bare it with me. I shouldn't be thinking that way about a Shadowhunter. As a faerie I'm not supposed to like them.

"Really" he asked softly. I couldn't help but smile at him "I can see that you are a different person now." I really could see it no matter how much I wished I couldn't. Knowing this guy was now sweet, caring, and actually liked Downworlders made it hard for me to take advantage of him. It just felt bad to do so.

He looked deep into my eyes as if in a trance and I looked back into his once again getting lost in the depths of the ocean. I felt like those eyes spoke to me. Like they looked deep into my soul and were saying 'it's alright. I know you hurt but I'm here now. You don't have to be hurting alone anymore'.

I was pulled out of my trance when Darius gasped and stood up quickly "I'm going to be late." I started up at him confused and he smiled down at me "I'm sorry Dantes but I have to go meet someone. Want to get together again tomorrow?"

The part of my that didn't want anything to do with Shadowhunters was screaming no. My brain didn't listen to that part of me though because before I knew it, I was smiling and saying "I'll be looking forward to it."

He smiled a dazzling smile back at me before walking away, heading in the direction of Alicante. I watched him go feeling my heart pounding in my chest. I put my hand on my chest trying to control the rapid beat. "What has gotten into you Dantes? You were trying to use him a second ago and now you're letting him effect you like this. We do not fall for Shadowhunters."

I looked in the direction he went, feeling my face burning. He may be a Shadowhunter but he was so dashing and sweet. He made mistakes and has learned from them, striving to become a better person. Mother always said that we should never judge people on the mistakes they make but on how they go about fixing them.

I stood up feeling my stomach fluttering on the inside with butterflies. "Darius Rosewood?" I looked ahead of me again and couldn't help but smile like a giddy little girl. "Darius Rosewood."

I spent the next Three years after meeting Darius being at his side almost every second of every day. My father and his teachings were still stressing me out but when I was around Darius I felt that all melt away instantly.

Today I turned fourteen and I was leading him through the forest wanting to take him to a certain spot. I don't know what compelled me to take him here. I never really wanted to see it again but something told me that if I brought Darius here it would make all the pain of the place go away.

"Why are we going into the woods" Darius asked looking around. He didn't ask like most Shadowhunters would have asked. With distrust and suspicion. He asked with innocent curiosity which made me feel even better about bringing him to that place.

"You'll see in a second" I said, reaching back and grabbing his hand so he won't get lost in the bushes we had to cut through. His hand was warm and soft in my own and when I glanced back at him a saw his face was flushed.

I smiled slightly, not able to help it before pulling him into the clearing of a meadow. Darius looked around in awe. "Oh wow, I never knew this was here. It's so pretty."

I nodded letting go of his hand frowning "I thought that too when I first saw it. I was only able to enjoy it for a moment though."

Darius frowned looking at me "How come?"

I walked over to the tree that was still standing at the end of the meadow. "when I was little I didn't know about my Shadowhunter blood. I thought I was just a normal Faerie like everyone else; just with a mundane sounding name. Two Fey and a Pixie tricked me into coming out here, saying they wanted to be my friend. In reality they brought me out here to beat me senseless and punish me for having Nephilim blood. I would have been killed if Mark Blackthorn hadn't intervened."

Darius frowned grabbing my hand, his eyes looked scared as if the thought of not knowing me terrified him. That thought of course was foolish. My living or dying wouldn't matter to someone as amazing as Darius. His life means the world to me, but I doubt my life is important to him.

I sat down in the grass with him before laying down with him, not taking my hand out of his. He looked at our hands looking lost in thought before looking into my eyes "it's your birthday. What do you want more than anything else in the world?"

"To see my mother" I said softly, not even taking a moment to think of anything else. There were two things I wanted more than anything. To see my mother and to have Darius love me. Both things are impossible so I try not to hope for them. My mother is dead and Darius… there are others worth Darius's time.

"I'm sorry I can't give you that" Darius said frowning. I shrugged "you can't bring back the dead so don't worry about it. I see my mother in my dreams so that will have to be good enough."

He nodded and looked at our hands again. I watched him thinking he's been acting a bit off this morning. "Are you alright? You seem… different today."

He looked into my eyes as if wondering if he should tell me what he was thinking before saying "I told my father I was gay today." I frowned looking over his face. I noticed he had some bruises and I figured they were from his father. He beats him almost every day so I've gotten used to seeing them there. I never thought he would come out to his father though.

I placed my free hand on his cheek frowning "If I was there I wouldn't have let him hurt you." I meant it. I hated every time I saw a new bruise on Darius's face. It made me want to barge into his house and choke his father to death. I could choke my father while I was at it.

Darius smiled "I see that look in your eye again. You're thinking dark things aren't you?" I glanced away blushing, feeling embarrassed. When we were twelve I finally got comfortable enough around Darius that my sweet façade cracked and I accidently showed him the horrible side of me. The side of me that hated Shadowhunters and wanted nothing to do with them.

I thought that if I showed that side of myself to Darius then I would lose him for sure. It turned out though that Darius liked the real me even better. He liked that I was able to complain to him and tell him what I really thought about people. He said it was alright as long as he was the only one that ever got to see that side of me.

For that reason, I make sure not to ever show my true colors to anyone. As far as they know, I'm a sweet harmless guy who wouldn't be able to hurt you even if I tried, when in reality I could kill you with one strike.

"So what are you going to do now that your dad knows you're gay? I'm sure by those bruises he didn't take it very well" I said watching him.

He shrugged looking up at the sky smiling "I'm going to move to New York and learn under Alec Lightwood. I want to also make things right with Max and hopefully be his friend. I just hope he forgives me."

"There's no way he won't" I said smiling at him. He was finally going to do it. He was finally going to leave his father's rule and go do what he wants to do. I've never been more proud of him.

"You want to get away from your dad too right" he asked catching me off guard. "That's an understatement" I said looking at him. "I'm tired of being called the Fey spawn every day. He doesn't even use my name anymore."

Darius turned on his stomach looking down at me "then come with me. You and I can move into the New York Institute and train together. We will be free to live our lives however we want without being pushed around or told what to do."

I searched his eyes imagining it. Living with Darius, getting to see him in the morning and before bed. Training with him and patrolling with him at night, fighting off all our anger we have built up.

"That sounds amazing. Do you really think they will accept me there?" Darius smiled at me, running his hand through my hair. It was now short since my father chopped it off after bringing me to Idris.

"Believe me Dantes. There are two places I know that will welcome you with open arms. That's the New York Institute and the Los Angeles Institute. You will defiantly be accepted."

I nodded looking into his amazing blue eyes "I'll go where ever you go Darius. If you go to New York, then I will go too."

He smiled, looking absolutely over the moon "I wouldn't want to go without you." He sat up, making his eyes be out of my view and I pouted wanting to look at them a little longer.

"Are you still refusing to use the Nephilim weapons" he asked digging into his bag. I sat up crossing my arms. "That's right. I may be slowly warming up to the idea of being a Shadowhunter but that doesn't mean I have to use the weapons. I will not use the same kind of blade that took my mothers life."

Darius nodded "I understand that, that's why I got you this." He pulled out what looked like a long vine covered in thorns. I looked at it confused and gasped when he uncoiled it. It was a whip made out of a poisonous vine you find in Faerie.

"How… how did you get one of these" I asked taking it and looking it over. I have seen some of the Seelie knights carrying these around but I was never able to be this close to it or touch it like this.

Darius smiled "do you remember last week when I went to Los Angeles with my dad? Well I snuck away for a little bit and found the Shadow Market. I saw this weapon and knew you had to have it. A little piece of Faerie to have with you while you're hunting. Do you like it?"

I looked it over a moment longer before dropping it and wrapping my arms around Darius's neck, hugging him tight. "I love it" I said, tears forming in my eyes.

Darius smiled hugging me back "I'm glad you love it."

I pulled back but didn't let him go as I looked deep into his eyes. I loved this man. I fought against it for so long but there was no fighting it anymore. I love this man and I wish by the angel that he would love me.

Darius searched my eyes as well before leaning in, his lips stopping inches from my own. I let out a harsh breath, wanting him to kiss me so badly. I needed to know what it felt like to have his lips on mine.

I didn't get to know though because Darius pulled away, glancing away from me. "We should head back. We leave for New York in a couple days so we should pack our stuff." I watched him frowning before nodding and standing up, heading back to town with him.

Max Pov- I listened to Dante's story feeling beyond shocked at everything he told me. I have always seen him as this innocent sweet guy who needed Darius to defend him. Who knew that all that time guys flirted with him, Dantes could have kicked their asses himself.

"After that we came here, met you and you know the rest" Dantes said before finished off his tea. "I hope you don't think any less of me now that you know what I'm really like."

I quickly shook my head no "of course not. I always thought you were amazing but now I know you're ten times more amazing than I thought."

I expected Dantes to blush and glance away at my compliment. It's what he usually does when I say nice things to him. Not this time though. This time he leaned back smirking "I am pretty amazing. It's too bad not a lot of people get to see it."

I smiled happy he can finally be his real self around me. "I wouldn't tell that story to Penelope. She would be crushed if she found out that her precious cinnamon roll wasn't actually a cinnamon roll."

Dantes laughed nodding "yeah I think you're right about that. It will just be a secret between you, Darius and myself. He won't be happy that someone else knows about me now. He likes being the only one."

"He'll have to get used to sharing" I teased smiling.

"I don't have to share with anyone" Darius said standing next to our table. I jumped up in my seat, surprised by his sudden appearance. "Why are you here? I didn't tell you I we were coming here."

"Dantes texted me. He said that you asked him about his past and he asked my permission if it was okay to tell you. I thought he would need me here for moral support" he said sliding into the booth next to Dantes.

"Well he finished the story so you're a little late. How could you not tell me how awesome your boyfriend really is" I asked; smirking.

"I enjoyed being the only one who knew" he said shrugging. Dantes kissed his cheek before looking at me "so nothing I said bothered you? My hate for Shadowhunters or what I think about them?"

I shook my head no "it doesn't bother me but do you still hate Shadowhunters as much as you used to?" Dantes frowned thinking about it for a moment before shaking her head no "I hate most of them but there have been a few that made me think I shouldn't hate them without getting to know them first. I love everyone at the institute and your father. I could never hate them."

I smiled "well I'm glad they made you feel so at home. I know it was hard for you to be taken away from your homeland like that but if it makes any difference, I'm glad you and I were able to become friends."

Dantes smiled reaching across the table and putting his hand over mine "thank you Max. I'm glad I was able to become your friend as well. I do miss Faerie sometimes but when I spend time with Darius, you and our friends, it reminds me of how great my life is here."

I nodded smiling "You don't ever have to worry about us leaving you either. I'll be your friend for the rest of your days."

Dantes smirked, showing his teeth. "I'll hold you to that."

So you all know the real side of Dantes. He did a good job hiding it except them time Crystal pissed him off. It's funny to read this chapter and then go back at read Darius's backstory because you see it a lot different knowing what Dantes is really thinking while it's going on.

The next backstory chapter will be for Andrew but that won't be for a few chapters yet. I hope you guys don't mind that I do these backstory chapters. I just like developing my characters as much as possible.