I walked into the kitchen. Magnus was leaning on the slab while Simon fidgeted and Luke… sat looking incredibly uncomfortable. I let out an audible sigh and eyes turned towards me.
"Clary you're awake!"
"Are you-"
"Please tell me what is going on!"
Everyone looked at Simon as he grimaced. "What! Nobody was telling me anything!"
I ran my fingers through my hair and my shoulders relaxed. Perhaps, this wouldn't go as bad as I was imagining. I pulled a seat beside Simon as he stiffened up. Or… it would go worse…
Magnus handed me a potion. "Drink this."
I hesitated. Poison… I looked up to see Magnus watching me with narrowed eyes. I clenched my teeth. Bottoms up… I chugged the potion and grimaced and coughed at the horrible taste.
I handed him the vial and asked, "What happened?"
"You fainted."
Really… Did he realize how bad of a liar he was? I refrained from rolling my eyes as I turned towards Luke. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be hiding." I didn't suppress the venomous tone.
He looked down. "I can't leave Jocelyn and you."
Can't leave me… My eyes widened and I stifled a laugh. Wasn't that what he did all those years ago. What did he really want? I shook my head. "What about the clave? If you are really Valentines Parabatai, wouldn't they want to catch you?"
He nodded. "They are looking for me but there isn't much we can do with the clave. As long as you are in danger…" he looked towards Magnus and then met my eyes, "we all are in danger…"
A chill ran up my spine and I repressed a shiver. I let out a breath and rolled my shoulders. This was getting more complicated and they were still being secretive. I asked. "What do you mean by that?"
Magnus started but I interrupted, "And don't tell me you can't tell me or I'll set this house on fire."
He brows drew together. "Clary-" He paused when I raised a brow.
Silence enveloped the room and I felt the fire again. Who do they think they are? The chair scraped as I stood up and glared at him and Luke. "Come on Simon. Let's chill at the clueless club."
I walked back to the hallway and didn't turn around to see if he followed me. He ran beside me. "Whoa! You walk fast for someone so short."
I threw a halfhearted glare at him but didn't protest. I didn't have the energy to.
I pushed the door open and motioned for him to enter. I threw myself on the bed and glared at the ceiling. Simon laid beside me. "So, demons are real…"
I snorted. "Apparently."
"And I'm going to take a wild guess that the Jace guy is not really your friend…"
I met his eyes. "Yeah, I can't believe you fell for that. I mean, you are my best friend. You would have known him."
His cheeks flushed but then he glared at me. "Well, I was going out of my mind thinking you were dead so go easy on me."
I cringed and whispered, "Sorry…" I looked back at the ceiling. "I wanted to tell you but there were… are demons looking for me. My dad's a psychopath and he has kidnapped my mom. Not to mention I can set things on fire." I paused and my voice was barely above a whisper as I said, "Besides you are the only person who cares about me and I- I couldn't risk you too…"
He stiffened. "Clary you don't truly believe that-"
I cut him off with a look. It was fact, not a belief. His hand slipped into mine and I squeezed it. His thumb stroked the back of my hand and we rested there in comfortable silence.
Simon and I talked for a while… or hours… you never know with us. I couldn't help but feel guilty whenever I caught him staring at me as if to ensure I was still alive. I would tell myself that the decision was to keep him safe but I couldn't help but feel there was a part of me that expected him to leave me. I didn't want him involved in this mess but knowing that Jace had found him… I shook my head and focused on what he was saying.
"So, what are you going to do now?"
I bit my lip and let the pain ground me. "I don't know"
His eyes widened and I narrowed mine at him. "Don't look at me like that."
I jumped up and paced across the room. "Magnus and Luke are not telling me anything." I looked at him. "Jace is an asshole who only cares about proving the innocence of his family and I can't shake the feeling he knows more than we do." I paused thinking about the green-eyed boy. Gods! A name for him would be useful. Should I contact him? My heart pounded. What if… No! It didn't matter that he was a stranger and someone I shouldn't associate with. He was willing to give me answers. He would be my last resort. I'll try something else before that.
Simon pulled me from my thoughts. "Clary? You there?"
I jumped at his voice and then smiled awkwardly. "Yep."
"What were you thinking?"
I shook my head. "Lets go down for dinner."
He reluctantly agreed.
I wasn't sure what I was going to do about this but I knew I had to do something. A slow smile curled my lips as I felt a plan forming.
Dinner was awkward, not that I expected anything else. Simon and I had smirked at each other at the number of times Alec had called Magnus and how he had blushed. I thought Magnus hated Shadowhunters but clearly that didn't apply to a certain Shadowhunter.
Magnus cleared his throat. "So… I'm going to assume that the mundane is staying with us. I'll arrange him a room."
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Simon frowning at the nickname and just about to say something when I interrupted. "That won't be necessary, we'll share my room."
Everyone stared at me and I felt myself grimace at what they were implying.
Simon and I spoke together, cringing. "No! Not like that!"
We looked at each other and he nodded for me to continue. "Not like that! We are best friends; in fact, we are like siblings. So, we are going share the room. Platonically!"
I emphasized and saw Magnus relax a bit. What was his problem? Why was he acting like he actually was serious about being my guardian? What did he really want from me?
He looked at Luke and then nodded his head in agreement. "Okay," he looked up and then sternly said, "but no fooling around."
We rolled our eyes. The only thing Simon and I will fool around with would be my plan…
I paced across from the window and rubbed my arms. This will be okay. Not hard to do. I am not… normal… I could do this…
Simon adjusted his glasses. "Clary, I really don't think we should do this."
I glared at him. "This is the only way Simon." I sighed. "Besides, we won't be alone."
He scoffed, "I'm not exactly sure if this Izzy character is trustworthy, Clary and that Jace…"
"I know. I don't trust them either but I do know that right now they are my only chance at getting some idea about what the hell is going on in my life."
His eyes widened. "Ok…"
I rolled my eyes. Maybe I should have done this alone. "You know, I'll go alone-"
"No! Fine! I'm coming." He moved towards the window. Shit. No. I pulled him back.
"What now, Clary-"
"Quiet," I hissed. "Magnus has some magic thingy in place. We have to work it out first."
"How do we do that?"
I looked away and mumbled, "I don't know."
"What!"
"I don't know."
"YOU DON'T-"
"Will you be quiet!"
"You don't know! Now please tell me Clary, you at least know where to find your friends!"
"They are not my friends!"
"So, you don't have that planned either!"
"Oh, shut up. I have his number. I was planning to call him."
He grimaced. "You think he would help you."
"No, he won't. But I know he will use me."
I dialed his number.
"He's dangerous Clary."
"Everyone I know is dangerous."
His brows furrowed but before he could question further, Jace picked up.
"Clary? Is everything okay? What happened? Where's-"
"Jeez, let me speak, will you." I rolled my eyes but my heart felt a twinge. I ignored it. "Everything is fine and dandy except I-I need your help."
My face flushed and I groaned internally as I choked on those words.
"You do?"
I pinched my nose bridge. "I need you to get me out of Magnus' house and I'll tell you something about Valentine in exchange."
I think he called my bullshit cause he went silent for a moment.
"Clary now is not the time for- Oh shit! By the angel!"
I stiffened as my heart thundered. "Jace, what happened?"
"Clary, I've got to go-"
"Get him!" Someone from the background yelled.
Oh no. What did he get himself into? Before I could say anything else, the line went dead.
JACE POV
A hood covered my face as I swiftly walked through the crowd of this wretched place. A hand grabbed my forearm as I heard Isabelle hiss. "Would you wait for me? My heels will break if we keep walking this fast."
I rolled my eyes but slowed down regardless. She knew her way around the market and I needed her. Pissing her off could wait. I kept my stare at the path ahead and didn't need to turn my head to know the stares we were receiving.
No eye contact… I remembered Isabelle's warning. My eye caught the stall that we were searching for when a body slammed into me. The figure hissed and then scurried after muttering an apology… or a curse at me, my mind was elsewhere.
"Jace Wayland."
I sighed. "Yes. Isabelle."
She rubbed her temples, a gesture that made her look like Maryse and then snorted. That made me look at her. "What happened?"
She stifled a smirk, or at least tried to. "You were just mugged."
My brows furrowed. "What? No."
"That girl that just bumped into you…"
I cocked my head when it clicked. My eyes widened as I searched the pockets of my vest. All the weapons were there. What did she steal? My hand reached the pocket of my pants and found it empty. Damn it. My wallet. I looked back where the girl had disappeared and found just a bustling crowd. I sighed and started to follow Izzy.
Forget about the wallet, I just hoped I would leave with my dignity intact.
The bell clanged as the door shut behind us. A loud sigh sounded and I turned to find an elderly man scowling at Izzy as he put his cigarette out.
He pointed at her with a finger. "You said you would leave me alone."
Izzy gave him an unimpressed one over and rolled her eyes. "I've said that a lot, I'd think you should know better by now."
His scowl deepened and I stifled a laugh. Criminals weren't supposed to be entertaining. "What do you want now, I have told you everything I know, there's nothing more."
My eyes narrowed. "I think you can tell me more about Jocelyn."
He rolled his eyes and lit another cigarette. "What part of I told you everything don't you get?"
I stepped forward ready to grab him when light flashed at the corner of my eye. I blinked and looked towards the window and stiffened at the sight of silver hair. The silhouette vanished as soon as I blinked and I walked in its direction. Izzy followed me.
"What is it Jace?"
I met her eyes as understanding seeped into my mind. I gasped.
"Look, I have to go. You go back to the institute and I'll be back soon."
Her eyes flashed. "No! -"
I didn't let her finish as I fled the shop in search of my father. I narrowed my eyes and searched the crowd. Where did he go? I couldn't believe, I didn't recognize him. There was no one there. I groaned as I looked back at the way I came from. Izzy was going to kill me. My phone rang. Not now. I pulled it out and Clary's name flashed at the screen. My throat went dry and I think I stopped breathing. Was she okay? Why was she calling? I picked up.
"Clary? Is everything okay? What happened? Where's-"
"Jeez, let me speak, will you."
I let out a breath. I could practically feel her rolling her eyes. She will kill me before Izzy ever has a chance to.
"Everything is fine and dandy except I-I need your help."
I smirked when she stuttered at the last bit.
"You do?"
"I need you to get me out of Magnus' house and I'll tell you something about Valentine in exchange."
I paused. She wasn't going to tell me anything. She didn't know anything. She wanted to know what was happening. I sighed and rubbed at my eyes. She was safe with the warlock. I wouldn't take her out of there but I'd have to tell her about Valentine sooner than I thought or she'll do something stupid in search of information.
"Clary now is not the time for-"
I looked around when I realized the entire street had gone silent. They were staring at me. No, they were staring at the rune on my hand.
I muttered a curse.
"Jace, what happened?"
"Clary, I've got to go-"
"Get him!"
I hung up and ran.
