London, 1902, January 1st.
The London institute was currently run by William Herondale, and his warlock wife, Tessa. Caroline knew this, because the stories of the Herondales had ran across all of England, and most of Idris. It would be a surprise if she went to a remote part of the world and they didn't know a Herondale.
Presently, the inhabitants of the London Institute, aside from the married couple, were their children: James and Lucie, and James parabatai, Matthew Fairchild. Also known as the son to the Consul, Charlotte Fairchild.
The inhabitants were currently laughing, dancing and drinking, as they welcomed in the New Year.
But why was any of this important to Caroline Montclair? She was just a 16 year old Shadowhunter, who resided in Manchester, the Manchester Institute for Shadowhunters, to be precise.
Unfortunately, things were never so simple.
London, 1902, January 2nd.
The rain in London was just as bad as it was in Manchester. There was a consistent wetness to the atmosphere, and even if it wasn't raining, one often felt that the air itself was damp with moisture. Perhaps it was all of the fog. As for Caroline, our 16 year old, she shivered in this dampness that she disliked. She wore no shoes, and her feet were bare and bloody. She wore a dark blue cloak which covered her, and allowed her to shield her head from the dampness. Her brown curls clung to her temple, which was scarred and bloody. If you could see her clearly, you would see that she had green eyes. But one of these were currently hidden by the black bruise that surrounded it. She carried a black bag over her shoulder, which contained some clothing amongst other things.
Caroline looked up, at the towering institute before her. There was no denying that this was the London Institute of Shadowhunters. But why had she chosen London to hide in? She knew of all of the owners of the institutes, but she had never met the Herondales. Their reputation, as being someone who would help anyone in need, had surpassed their name. They were the family, the saviours, she needed.
Caroline stepped up to the door, and hesitated. Now a shadowhunter could just walk into any institute, their blood would allow the door to open under the slightest touch. But Caroline didn't want to just appear. She wanted to be invited inside. So she rang the doorbell.
In the institutes dining room, the five inhabitants were currently eating their dinner. Lucie was scribbling on a piece of parchment beside her, and James was studiously ignoring his parabatai – who was charming his parents – by having his nose stuck in a book.
But when the doorbell rang, they all paused their conversation and looked up.
"Was that door?" Matthew Fairchild asked, for if someone was at the door, it could only be important.
After sharing a look with his wife, William Herondale stood up, "I'll answer it-" but before he could finish, the rest of the table also rose. "It doesn't need five people to answer the door."
"It might be an emergency." Matthew suggested, "And then you will need our whit and strength to succeed."
"Or it could be a trick," Lucie chimed in "And we wouldn't want you to fall for that."
Even though Matthew wasn't his own, it was clear that Wills charm had rubbed off on him, and he was no better arguing with these three children, than if he were arguing with himself.
Together, they made their way to the front door.
Upon opening the door, Will blinked in surprise at the young girl in front of him.
"Is this the London institute?" She asked, a northern hint to her accent. "For Shadowhunters in need?"
"Yes, I'm William Herondale, and my wife, Tessa." He ignored the prying eyes of the three children watching from the stairs.
"I'm a shadowhunter." She pulled back her sleeve to reveal he scarred runes. "And I require sanctuary, Mr Herondale." Caroline lowered her hood, "Please, within your institute."
Will stepped aside, and let the girl enter. "Please, call me Will, everyone does." He glanced at his wife, as the girl's injuries were now quite clear.
"What's your name?" Tessa asked her politely, in her American accent. "I'll get Bridget to run you a warm bath, and we'll see to those injuries."
"Injuries?" Caroline glanced down at herself. "Oh. Yes, my stele broke, and I was unable to draw an irater." As for her name, did she want to tell the truth? Did she want there to be any link to him knowing where she was? "I'm Katherine." She lied. "Katherine Moore."
"Are you in danger?" It was the dark-haired boy who spoke, and Caroline knew almost instantly that this must be James Herondale, the boy who was expelled from the Shadowhunter Academy for being part shadow. Her eyes met his, and she didn't answer at first. Caroline always felt that she was in danger, but at this moment, that wasn't imminent.
"Nothing has followed me here," she eventually said. "So you needn't be on guard."
"We can save the questions until after you are well," Tessa told her, also giving her children a look that told them to ask no more.
Will smiled brightly, "Well surely this is a time to call for the silent brothers. Oh Bridget!" he called "Call Jem, we're in dire need of a silent brother."
"Oh I don't need a-"
"-learn not to argue with it." Matthew interrupted her. "I learnt that on day one." It was no secret that Will called for his old parabatai for the slightest need, and no matter how ridiculous, brother Zachariah always came.
A short while later, Caroline was sat on a bed, wearing clean clothes, and covered in iratzes. Mr Herondale was surprisingly gentle at applying them. She now sat alone with Brother Zachariah. "I don't wish for you to search my mind." She told him. She didn't want him to know the truth about her.
I know you are not Katherine Moore, as you declared to the Herondales. The voice rang out in her ears, the silent voice of a silent brother. You are Caroline Montclair.
Caroline sighed. "Yes, I am not Katherine." She admitted. "But I don't wish for my identity to be known to the others, please."
Why? Are you in danger? The brother asked. Are you putting the people that live here in danger?
Caroline didn't answer at first. She wasn't quite sure how to. "There are people that cannot know I fled to London." She admitted. "But no one in here is in danger."
Fled? The silent brother asked. What were you running from?
"Is it impertinent that you know?" Caroline slowly lifted her head to look at him. "I just want sanctuary, that doesn't require answering all of these questions. If it is not possible, then I will travel to another institute."
Brother Zachariah rose. Your injuries are not serious, the iratzes will heal them. But you should trust the people that live here. They cannot help you if you are dishonest with them.
And with that, the silent brother left the room. Caroline was unsure if he would tell Mr Herondale that she was lying, but did it really matter if he did?
Caroline lay awake that night, every little sound disturbed her. What if it was him? But surely he would not find her so easily. Surely it was just the sounds of an old building, of an institute asleep.