Me: Thank you for the reviews! And thank you for showing such an interest in Celeste. She's a beloved OC of mine and the fact you find her interesting means a lot. I can't promise you will find out all about who and what she is in this story, but if you want to you can follow me as an author in preparation for when I post another story where you will.
And at AngelOfAshesAndTears- I just got your review for chapter 18 so I hope you still have no regrets as I am posting this chapter!
I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: You know
…
Chapter 20: Day Of Fun
Isabelle was too happy to wait. Going back to the Manor to sleep in theory was a good idea, but after all the adrenaline from everything that happened, not terribly practical in practice. Afternoon was only just beginning when she gave up on sleep, and she was getting dressed when a wonderful thought occurred to her. She finished hastily and wasted no time darting across the hall.
As she suspected, Clary and Jace were awake, and already gathering their stuff. Isabelle leaned against the door. ''Packing?''
''We can go home,'' Clary said. She could barely contain the grin on her face. She was so happy, so relieved. Jace was too, Isabelle could tell. ''Why wait?''
''Yes, going home, that is one option.'' Isabelle nodded sensibly. ''Go home, back to the work and drudgery of life.''
Jace raised an eyebrow at her. ''Or…?''
''Or…'' Isabelle clasped her hands. ''We say screw it to responsibilities and go to the watering hole in the woods and have- oh, what's the word?- fun.''
''You want to go swimming?''
''I want to have fun. Laugh. Enjoy ourselves. Joviality. You remember?'' Clary and Jace blinked at her. Isabelle sighed. ''It's one day. One day of being in the most beautiful city in the world and not wanting to burn it down. C'mon, we can leave tomorrow morning.''
They exchanged a look before shrugging. ''Okay,'' Clary finally consented.
'' 'Your enthusiasm… shocks me'.''
''That's another one of those quotes, isn't?'' Jace said, looking at Clary in accusation.
Clary smiled. ''Simon and I taught her everything we know.''
''Hurry up!'' Isabelle snapped her fingers at them. ''Moriah!''
Moriah came into sight from where she must've been sitting on the other side of the bed. Isabelle waved her over. ''Come on, let's go bother Alec and Magnus into staying, too.''
''Hmmm.'' Moriah followed quickly.
''I have a bathing suit you can borrow, Clary,'' Isabelle added as she and Moriah went to the door.
''I don't need it, I'll just wear a t-shirt,'' Clary replied.
''Why the hell did you bring multiple bathing suits to the Inquest in the first place?'' Jace asked.
Isabelle stuck her tongue out at him. ''I come prepared!''
…
''Thank you,'' Magnus said as the Shadowhunter who helped him make the portal walked away. Lily and Maia came closer. ''All right, one trip to New York, here you go.''
''I think I need a vacation,'' Lily mused. ''Can you make a portal to Hawaii?''
''It will cost you.''
''At this point I'd probably pay it.''
Magnus scoffed. ''And you, Maia?''
''Let's just go,'' she said, gesturing to the portal.
Magnus looked at her. ''Having second thoughts?''
Maia sighed. ''No. We did the right thing.''
''I can tell by your exuberance,'' Lily pointed out.
''I'm not the one planning to go to Hawaii.''
''In fairness, I'm always planning to go to Hawaii.''
''What is it, Maia?'' Magnus prompted.
Maia shrugged. ''Moriah is…different. She's always going to be different. She will always have demon blood. Locking her away was never a proper option- it would be unfair and hypocritical. But I don't believe for one second this is over. Clary and Jace must realize that just because the Inquest is over, that doesn't mean they are in the clear. Moriah will face what all Downworlders face. And probably more so, because there will be many Downworlders who will be as unaccepting of her as many Shadowhunters are.''
''Are you one of them?'' Magnus asked.
Maia inhaled sharply. ''I'm going to strive not to be,'' she said honestly. ''That's all anyone can do, isn't it?''
Magnus remembered his own dealing with Jonathan Morgenstern when he was filled with demon blood. He thought of what Maia had went though, watching him burn down the Praetor Lupus and holding Jorden's body. He could understand her hesitancy. He nodded.
''And without further ado,'' Lily said. She and Maia both went through the portal.
Magnus continued on his way to Lightwood Manor. He contemplated how correct Maia was. He knew what she was talking about from being a warlock, and Maia knew even more so from being not only a werewolf, but a girl of mixed race. Moriah would be hated. Her pale skin and hair would not keep people from flinching under her demon eyed gaze, or recoiling from the dark energy she gave off. There would be no avoiding such interactions.
Magnus wearily made his way to his and Alec's bedroom. He was surprised to see him taking things out of the bags rather than putting them in. ''Looking for something?''
''T-shirts for the boys.'' Alec turned to face him. ''Izzy's decided we need a 'fun' day.''
''Doing what?''
''Swimming.''
''Did I ever tell you how wonderful your sister is?'' Alec glared as Magnus clapped his hands. ''When are we leaving?''
''Everyone's just getting ready.'' Alec found some shirts and put them on the bed. ''I'll get the boys.''
Something in his manner made Magnus pause. He remembered that first night, when Alec came home in tears after meeting Moriah. ''Hey,'' he said, before Alec could pass him. ''Are you okay?''
Alec blinked at him. ''Yeah, why?''
''You don't look happy.''
''I've never found the joy most people do playing in what could in all honesty be dirty water.''
''Not about swimming.'' Magnus studied him. ''You don't look happy about Moriah.''
''Magnus-''
''Are you not? Happy, I mean?''
Alec scoffed. ''I never wanted them to take her away,'' he insisted in a low voice.
Magnus swallowed hard. ''But you don't want her in the Institute either, do you?''
Alec stared at him. And old fear rose up in Magnus, the fear he had had back when he and Alec had first started dating. That a Shadowhunter would always be thinking of his demon blood, and always be put off by it. Or worse, pretend it didn't exist, make an 'exception'. Magnus learned a long time ago he was no one's exception. ''Am I right?''
Alec shook his head. ''Don't be absurd. I know Moriah- I mean, I react not right to her all the time. But she is Jace's daughter. My parabatai's daughter. I have a duty. And that duty includes kicking anyone's ass who treats her badly, mine included. If Moriah had been taken to Trial- convicted- I would've been right by Jace's side killing anyone in his way.''
Magnus smiled. ''I don't want you to be afraid to tell me things.''
''I'm not.'' Alec touched his arm. ''Never.''
Magnus wondered if he was convinced when Alec shut down the conversation by kissing him. ''I gotta get the boys,'' he said again. ''Otherwise Izzy's going to have a fit.''
Magnus nodded. Alec exited, only to collide with Clary in the hallway. ''Oh, sorry,'' Magnus heard him say. ''Have you seen the boys?''
''Yeah, Max is playing with them.''
''Thanks.'' Alec's footsteps faded away.
Clary then entered the room. ''Magnus?''
Magnus looked at her, surprised to see the worry on her face. ''Yes?''
''Can I…talk to you?''
Magnus shrugged, gesturing her inside. She closed the door behind her. ''Yes, biscuit?''
She was wringing her hands in front of her. ''Sorry, I was wondering if…maybe, you might have some sort of…strong, non sensed by Shadowhunter, glamour…thing.''
''What?''
''Do you have maybe a spell that acts like a glamour, but Shadowhunters can't see through?'' Clary amended.
Magnus blinked. ''I might,'' he said slowly. ''Why?''
Clary bit her lip. ''Could I…use it?''
''Why?''
Her voice dropped to a whisper. ''To hide…something.''
''Hide what?'' Magnus felt like he was pulling teeth. He couldn't think of any reason for this request of Clary's, nor why she would be so…embarrassed about it.
Clary dug her nails into her wrists. ''My scars.''
''You're a Shadowhunter. Your scars are badges of honor.''
''Not these scars.''
''What-'' Magnus stopped, suddenly seeing. He looked at Clary's clasped hands, positioned in front of her stomach. ''Oh.''
''I want them hidden,'' she explained in a rush. ''Just for today. I don't want- I don't want any of them…staring.''
Magnus raised an eyebrow at her. ''I don't think they will.''
''They wouldn't mean to,'' Clary said. ''But today's supposed to be a good day. And it would be a…reminder.''
Magnus nodded. ''I can cast a spell,'' he agreed. Clary looked relieved. ''But I'd have to see. Is that alright?''
Clary froze for a second. Something about seeing her looking so hesitant and pale made the anger about the whole ordeal rise up in Magnus again. Clary nodded.
For her sake, Magnus locked the bedroom door. He waited until Clary, with trembling hands, lifted the hem of her shirt.
Magnus inhaled sharply. He was a warlock who had lived many, many years, and he had seen many, many injuries, and the scars left behind by those injuries. Most he treated without a second thought, but this…this was Clary.
He crouched down to her height to inspect the area further. It wasn't just one scar. There were several, as if whatever fairy who had experimented on her had been a butcher, and a bad one at that. He could tell by the shapes of the marks they weren't made with regular tools. ''Does it hurt?''
He asked knowing full well how she acted the first days she came back, and remembering the image of her crying in the apartment in Naranth, covered in blood. Clary gave a shake of her head. ''It's better. Just…not very nice to look at.''
''The tools they used were probably imbedded with fairy magic.'' Magnus stood up, and Clary lowered her shirt. ''Because of that, I doubt I can hide it completely.''
''A little bit is fine,'' she assured him. ''I just want to not look so…mutilated. You know, so if my shirt is wet…''
Ah, swimming. That was what brought this on. Magnus nodded. ''Alright then.''
Clary sighed in relief. ''Thank you, Magnus. I can pay you.''
Magnus waved his hand. ''I'll stick it on your tab.''
''I have a tab?''
''Yes. I keep one for each generation. I'm still owed some money from your ancestors back in 1899. Pay that first.''
Clary smirked. Magnus began to go get what he needed, but paused when a thought occurred to him. ''Does Jace know?''
''Yeah.''
He nodded. ''Does Moriah have any scars?''
Clary's eyes flashed. She gave a nod.
Magnus contemplated how big the Underworld could be, and how long it could take a powerful warlock to kill every creature in it. ''We'll be done in a minute,'' he promised Clary, gathering his supplies. Maia's words of 'this isn't over' rang in his ears. Of course it wasn't over. It never would be. A person didn't just move on from such a horrific event, especially not when their own body was a constant reminder.
.…
''Here she is!'' Isabelle declared happily. ''Clary! Come see!''
Clary hurried down the stairs to where Isabelle was with Moriah. She felt self conscious as she stepped into the foyer, wondering if somehow- despite Magnus' assurance- people would know she was glamoured.
Her fears were put to rest as Isabelle just gestured to Moriah standing next to her without giving Clary any strange look at all. ''Perfect fit!''
Clary smiled widely as she noticed the black sundress with white flowers Moriah was wearing. ''You look beautiful,'' she told her, taking her hands and looking her over.
''I found it in the depths of the attic upstairs,'' Isabelle reported. ''Turns out it's not just crap in those boxes.''
''Nice to know,'' Jace said as he entered from the living room. He picked Moriah up and handed her her toy bunny.
Jonathan and Max descended the stairs. ''Are Alec, Magnus, and the boys ready?'' Isabelle demanded of her brother.
Max shrugged. ''So they say.''
''I swear, making us all wait.'' She frowned. ''Where the hell is Simon?''
Simon thundered down the stairs not a moment later, nearly pushing Max over. ''I can handle structure!'' He yelped, his glasses falling off his face.
''I can see that,'' Clary noted.
Simon frowned at her as she walked past, making her worry, but it was only to stick out his tongue in response to her comment. She went on to Jonathan. ''Hey, you coming with us?''
Jonathan looked at her, and again Clary worried. ''Nope,'' he said. ''Before leaving for the Hall, Maryse and Robert said 'escorts' are coming to make sure I leave. They'll be here soon.''
''So, see you at home?''
''Yeah.''
He was still looking at her a little strangely. Clary was angry at herself for feeling so worried, and pushed the feeling down. Nobody knows, and if they did they wouldn't care. Shut up. ''What happened to Celeste?'' She asked.
''She slipped out. She'll be long gone by now.''
Clary felt a stab of sadness. ''I never got to thank her.''
''She's not big on gratitudes.''
''I see. Well, maybe if I see the Loch Ness Monster, I can put in a good word.''
''Now that she'd appreciate.''
Alec and Magnus and Rafe and Little Max all came down the stairs. Isabelle gave a dramatic sigh. ''About time,'' she scolded, sweeping little Max up in her arms. ''Your daddy takes far too long primping.''
''Hey,'' Alec whined. He gestured to Magnus. ''He takes far longer than me.''
''I don't primp.'' Magnus tossed his head. ''I style.''
''Big difference,'' Isabelle told the little boys seriously.
Rafe looked at her with big eyes. ''Really?''
''New rule.'' Alec took his five year old's hand. ''Anything Aunt Isabelle says is a lie.''
''But Paps said it.''
''Yeah,'' Magnus said.
''Anything Aunt Isabelle agrees with is a lie.''
Isabelle rolled her eyes. ''Oh, that's nice. Real nice.''
''How is that better for me?'' Magnus wanted to know.
''Hey, remember when we were leaving? Can we get back to that?'' Simon said.
''That depends,'' Jace interjected. ''Does Aunt Isabelle agree with you? In which case the answer is-'' he looked at Rafe.
''No!'' Rafe answered.
''Such a fast learner.''
''Alright, drop it,'' Alec said.
''All the implications of this rule…'' Max shook his head. ''The possibilities!''
''You know what, changed my mind.'' Alec began going to the door. ''Leaving for home! Bye now!''
''But wait!'' Rafe ran after him. ''Does Aunt Isabelle agree?''
Alec glared at all his siblings. ''You've turned him against me.''
''It was bound to happen,'' Isabelle nodded sagely.
They continued bickering and bantering as they walked out of the house. Jonathan raised an eyebrow as they left. ''I'll enjoy the quiet.''
Clary smiled. ''Bye, Jonathan.''
''See you later.''
Clary followed everyone outside. They set out for the tree line behind the house, beyond which was a field with the watering hole.
They reached the tree line and were about to push past the branches when Simon stopped. ''Uh, Clary?''
Clary followed his gaze. She could a few yards away May, watching them. A lump rose in her throat. Her worry about her scars was pathetic compared to dealing with this fairy. She exchanged a look with Jace and he nodded. ''Go on ahead,'' he told Simon and the others. ''We'll catch up.''
With concerned looks they did so, leaving Clary, Jace, Moriah, and May alone.
May shifted from foot to foot. ''Fern and I slipped away earlier,'' she explained, taking a few steps closer to them. ''Thought it was best to stay out of sight.''
''I see that,'' Jace said icily.
His tone made it clear she was not to come closer. May stopped walking and bit her lip. ''I heard the news. Congratulations.''
Clary tightened her grip on Moriah's hand. She shook her head. ''I can't thank you,'' she told her honestly.
''I don't expect it.'' May shrugged. ''I hurt you both. I tired to make up for it, not be forgiven.'' She looked at Moriah. ''All that matters is she's safe.''
''Yeah.'' Jace kept his gaze narrow. ''She's safe.''
May nodded. ''Goodbye then.'' She stepped back.
Clary and Jace made to walk past. ''Hmmm,'' Moriah whined.
She stopped walking and looked at May. She didn't let go of Clary's hand, nor stepped closer to the fairy, but she outstretched her other hand to her, holding her toy bunny out. May stared at her. Moriah whined again. ''Hmmm.''
May looked at Clary and Jace for permission. At their stiff nod, she came a little closer and crouched in front of Moriah. ''Yes?''
''Hmmm,'' Moriah said again. She shook her bunny. May opened her palms and Moriah dropped the toy into her hands.
May stared at first the toy and then Moriah. ''Are you sure?''
Moriah dropped her hands and leaned back against Clary's legs. She nodded, rocking on her heels.
May looked like she wanted to cry. She clutched the toy tightly to her chest. ''Thank you.''
''Hmmm.''
May got to her feet, still staring at Moriah. ''You be a good girl.'' Moriah continued to rock. May looked at Jace and Clary. With a nod, she then departed.
Clary took a breath as she watched the fairy disappear. She hadn't considered it before, but there was only one way for the little toy she had made Moriah in the apartment to have stayed with her, and that was for someone to have taken it with her. It wasn't like Renage or Aster would have cared if Moriah had a toy. It had to have been May who made sure Moriah kept it with her through all the different locations.
Clary kissed Moriah's head. ''That was very nice of you,'' she told her. Moriah tilted her head to blink at her.
''C'mon,'' Jace said gently, taking Clary's hand. Together, they rejoined the others.
…
Isabelle had been right; they needed a day of fun. A day of playing and laughing and splashing. A day of watching Max push Alec into the water and then watching Alec retaliate, only to have all three of his siblings gang up on him. Simon tried to dunk Clary, but stopped when she managed to take him down with her.
Rafe and Little Max alternated between swimming with the help of their fathers in the deep end of the water and looking for shells and rocks in the shallow end. Magnus would dive down deep to bring them such treasures from the very bottom of the pool.
Moriah seemed to take it all in. She only went into the water by clinging to Jace or Clary, looking puzzled as to why they were doing this activity. Her favorite part came later, when they all sat by the water's edge, drying off. Rafe started a game of tag, and Moriah ran with both her cousins and was as fast as either of them, despite her height and age.
Her smiles and laughs made the knot in Clary that had festered for so long loosen completely, making her feel light. She was at complete peace when the sun started to set, and the kids, all tired out, had settled into their parents' embraces.
Moriah was curled up in Jace's arms. Unless she was a terrific faker, for the first time in a long time, she was sound asleep. Clary sat with her back against a tree, running her fingers through Jace's wet hair. He looked up at her. ''We made it.''
Clary thought of all the worry, all the plans they had made in that apartment in Naranth, all the scenarios that had run through their minds. Did they ever give themselves the luxury of imaging a peaceful time such as this? She kissed his forehead. ''We made it.''
…
''She's gone.''
''Gone?'' Robert echoed, his voice loud in the stone hallway of the holding cells. ''How could she just be gone?''
''I don't know.'' Jia sighed, looking to where Maryse was inspecting the cell. ''Anything?''
Maryse turned around once more in the room. ''No spells, no magic of any kind. And the lock was not picked.'' She looked at them both. ''Someone must've let her out.''
''No one's touched the key.''
''Then a stele.''
Robert ran a hand over his face at Maryse's implication. A stele, an unlocking rune, could have undone the cell door. Which meant Renage hadn't just escaped, but had been let out. And only Shadowhunters had steles.
They had a traitor in the city.
…
Me: Even if you've read your work a bunch of times before, always give it another read through before you post because you will discover extra conversations. I swear I don't feel like a writer so much as I feel like a reporter of all the goings on of these characters.
If you have time, please leave a review!
Happy Writing!
