Being on a mission with Zachary was not Theo's idea of a good time, and Theo was determined to stay away from Zachary. Theo rushed to get ready and then headed back to Thomas' office, "Dad," he said when he walked in. Thomas was standing at his desk, clearly writing the letter to Wrangel Island.
"What's up kiddo?" Thomas asked, looking up for a brief second.
"You should really reconsider sending Zachary out in the field on this one," He said, "He'd be much more help around here, where we know he can't get in the way of Victoria, Erelah and I's dynamic. We trained together, we know how to fight in a trio, not a quartet."
Thomas sighed, "Theodore, Zachary is an adult, I'm sure he's capable of handling himself without getting in your way."
"Okay but," Theo said, "he was raised in Idris, he doesn't know how to negotiate with Downworlders, he's gonna mess this up for us."
"I'm sure he'll let you three do all the talking," Thomas replied, "and I thought Victoria said you and Zachary were friends, wouldn't you want a friend in the field with you?"
"Victoria exaggerated." Theo responded, "If you're refusing to let Zachary stay here, then let me. I'll clean the entire Institute, and I'll make us lunch, and we can have some father-son bonding time." Theo was getting desperate now.
"You just said that you, Vic, and Erelah fight together," Thomas said, "Stop being picky and let Zachary help. Change is good sometimes son."
He thought this was a change thing? Theo thought that was an odd conclusion to come to.
"Okay dad, I hear you but—"
"Theo, get out of my office." Thomas told him, "Go check on Erelah or something. Then go do what you were told, with Zachary."
Theo sighed, "Whatever," As he walked out he turned back and said, "I'll remember this when it comes time to name your grandchild."
Thomas chuckled, "Go."
Fifteen minutes later, Theo, Erelah, Victoria, and Zachary stood outside the Institute, glamoured entirely from the mundanes. Theo had forgotten how good Zachary looked in gear, something about it just hugged the shape of his body in a flattering way. Theo felt like he looked like a block in his gear, despite many protests from Erelah who swore he looked very Shadowhunter-y.
"I don't know the city," Zachary said, "Theo where should we go?"
Annoyance flared up in Theo, there was something about hearing him say his name that made him want to punch Zachary in the face, "I don't know, Victoria you seem to know more about the Downworld than I do, where are we going?"
Victoria blushed for a brief moment, and then turned to Zachary, "There's a very small vampire clan nearby that we could check out,"
Erelah shuddered, "I don't like vampires," she said, "they give me the creeps, all that fang action is just not my thing."
Theo put his hand on her shoulder, "Don't worry." Erelah smiled at him.
Zachary nodded, folding his big arms across his chest, "Sounds like a plan, let's head out," He motioned for Victoria to walk ahead of him, "Lead the way."
Victoria nodded and started walking. Everyone followed her.
Theo and Erelah had fallen in step with each other, and Zachary taking Victoria's side. Victoria and Zachary had begun chatting animatedly. Theo knew Victoria was crushing on Zachary, and surely Zachary had noticed too. Theo thought of Zachary repeating what had happened between him and Theo with Victoria, and it made his blood boil, so he had turned to Erelah to take his mind off of things.
"So," he said, "what are we thinking for our travel year?"
Erelah laughed, "That's still a couple years away Theo,"
"So what? It's nice to have a plan." Zachary had said something that made Victoria laugh and she grabbed his bicep. He started laughing with her.
"Well, I know you want to go to Greece, and I want to see Italy," Erelah said, "so we'll definitely add those to our list, Shanghai might be nice, and of course we already agreed on Mexico City,"
"Mexico City sounds awesome," Zachary said, turning back to look at them.
Theo frowned, "I don't know about Mexico City," he said, "it sounded cool when we were younger, but now I'm not so sure. I've heard it's really bad down there. Downworlders going crazy and whatnot," Of course, Theo was lying through his teeth, but he didn't care.
Erelah mirrored his frown, "Well that's too bad, maybe it'll clear up by the time our travel year comes around,"
"Maybe," Theo replied.
"We're only about a block away," Victoria announced.
"Do you happen to know the clan leader?" Zachary asked her.
She shrugged, "I know her name is Carline but that's about it. Apparently, he's a recluse. The clan is mostly run by her second-in-command, Mathias. I've met him a couple times, he's pretty cool."
"Vic, when did you even have time to meet Downworlders?" Erelah asked innocently.
"Why does it matter?" Victoria asked, an edge in her voice, "I don't spend all my free time at the Institute like you guys do," Erelah and Theo exchanged a confused glance and shrugged.
"There it is," Victoria pointed to a small house on the corner of a street.
"That house has like three bedrooms max," Theo said, "That's where the vampires are?" The house's blue paint was peeling and the picket fence around the property looked rotted. The windows were blocked by blackout curtains and the driveway was empty. There was a "Keep Off the Grass" sign in the yard of yellowed grass.
"Well no, they live in the basement," Victoria said, "It's a very big basement."
"When I was in San Diego—"
Theo stopped listening to stupid Zachary and his stupid trip to stupid San Diego.
"Ready to do this Erelah?" He asked.
She nodded confidently, "Let's do it."
He took her hand, "We've got this."
She nodded again, "Right." Together the four of them walked up to the small gate of the house. Victoria swung it open with a loud, elongated creak. They followed the little cement pathway up to the porch and rather than knocking on the door, Victoria stamped her foot on the mat four times.
A moment later, the mail slot on the door opened and a little slip of paper fell out. Victoria picked it up and read it aloud, "It's daytime. Go away." She handed it to Zachary, who examined it for a moment.
"Does anyone have a pen?" The mail slot opened again and a pen popped out. Zachary shrugged and picked it up, "Thanks I guess." Theo didn't see what Zachary scribbled down, but he folded up the paper and slipped it, with the pen, back through the slot. Two minutes passed, and then the door swung open. There was no one behind it.
"Get inside!" A voice hissed from within the house.
"Thank you, Mathias," Victoria said as she stepped into the house and ushered the rest of them along. Theo was the last one in and shut the door behind him.
The inside of the house smelled horrible, like rotting food and death. The walls were bare, even the wallpaper had been mostly stripped. Victoria led them through a hallway into what was clearly supposed to be the living room, but there was just a rectangular oak table with various mismatched chairs. Zachary looked over his shoulder for a brief moment at Theo. Theo glared at him until he turned away. Victoria pulled her bow off her shoulder and set it against the table before taking a seat. Erelah sat next to her, and Theo next to her. Zachary unsheathed his longsword and propped it up next to Victoria's bow before sitting beside Theo. Theo scooted to the opposite end of his chair. Zachary shook his head.
The man that was apparently Mathias appeared. He was handsome enough Theo supposed. A tall man—probably around twenty-five—dressed in a jean jacket with a fluffy cotton inside. A black t-shirt underneath that and black jeans. His skin was pale, like most vampires, and his eyes were brown, like Theo's. His face was square-shaped, with a flat jaw and squared chin.
"Nice to see you again Victoria," He said, "your friend said you had a couple questions for me about demons."
Theo was surprised that Zachary had been so blunt, and even more surprised that the vampires had agreed just like that. "Yes," Victoria said, "we do. It won't take much time."
Mathias came to sit opposite the Shadowhunters at the table, "Well ask away."
"There's been an increase in demonic activity around Newark," Zachary said. Theo couldn't help but admire Zachary's authority as he spoke. "We were wondering if you knew anything about maybe a warlock summoning demons?"
Mathias thought for a moment, "No I don't think I do. Well okay, goodbye." He started to rise from his seat, but Victoria grabbed his wrist.
"Whoa hold up Mathias," Victoria said, "Come on, surely you know something."
Mathias shook his head, and shook Victoria's hand away, "Afraid not. Now get out…please." He gave them a smile that Theo suspected wasn't very genuine.
Mathias sat back down and folded his hands in front of his mouth, "Victoria, I truly know nothing about this,"
Victoria sighed in defeat, "All right," she tapped Erelah on the shoulder, "Guys let's go. Mathias is telling the truth."
"How do you know?" Zachary asked, "No offense," he glanced at Mathias, "but he seems very shady."
"Because Mathias covers his mouth when he's telling the truth for some odd reason." She motioned to Mathias who flashed his teeth with a slight annoyance. His fangs weren't out, which was a good sign.
"That doesn't seem right," Theo said.
Victoria shrugged, "Come on, I know a werewolf we—"
"Well, actually—" Mathias started, "Victoria I think it's only customary that since I helped you, you help me."
Victoria raised her eyebrow, "What's the problem?"
Mathias put his hands together, "Well you see, we have some new vampires and if tonight you could come back and just scare them into following the rules a bit better, that would be lovely."
"You want us to…intimidate your new vampires into following the Accords?"
"Have they broken the Accords already?" Zachary asked, he picked up his longsword and stuck it back in the sheath strapped to his back.
"As if he's gonna tell us that," Theo said. Zachary shot him a glance.
Mathias shook his head furiously, "Oh no, we've stopped any breach of Accords. They're just a little, uh, testy if you know what I mean." He smiled again, and Theo decided he preferred it when Mathias wasn't smiling.
Victoria looked at the rest of them, "I mean, we could stop by after our patrol," she said, "if we're right about this, we'll run into some demons, then we can show up covered in ichor and really scare them."
Mathias clapped his hands, "Ooh yes!"
Theo didn't like the idea but making an enemy of the vampires wasn't the best alternative, "I-I guess," he looked at Erelah, "if the rest of you are okay with it."
"I don't see why not," Zachary said.
Erelah didn't answer. Theo wouldn't make her come anyways; her fear of vampires went all the way back to their childhood. They'd always creeped her out.
Victoria nodded, "Then it's settled, we'll be back sometime after sundown."
"Right," Zachary said. Theo didn't like that Zachary just assumed he was coming on patrol with them. Surely Theo's dad wouldn't force them to bring him along too right? Theo already knew the answer to that: Zachary was coming with them on patrol.
Victoria and the others said goodbye to Mathias and walked out of the house. From the position of the sun, Victoria figured it was about noon. She decided to forget asking the werewolf that worked at Target about the demons and turned back to Zachary, who was staring at Theo, who was talking to Erelah.
"Hey Zachary," She said, "Would you like to try the best Mexican food in Newark?"
Zachary looked at her, and shrugged, "Sure I could eat."
"You don't even like—" Theo began but then stopped, turned six shades of red, and turned back to Erelah, "Anyways, so you'll just head home after—"
"That was a long time ago Theo," Zachary said kindly, Victoria wondered how he remained so calm and patient, especially when Theo was being such a douchebag, "People change."
Theo ignored him.
"Well, let's head back to the Institute, and we'll order in."
"Tacos!" Erelah shouted, pumping her fist in the air. Theo laughed at her, making some comment about how she was like a small child, and she punched him in the arm.
Back at the Institute, they ordered take-out from their favorite Mexican place, and Theo drove the Institute's car, an old, bronze 1994 Toyota Camry, to pick the food up. When he returned, all five of them, Thomas included, gathered in the kitchen to eat. They'd already filled in Thomas about Mathias and their deal with him, which he didn't like but agreed they should go back after their patrol. Then and there he assigned Zachary to go with them on patrol, to which Theo almost immediately began protesting but Thomas shut him down quickly.
They sat around the table, eating their food. Erelah ordered several soft tacos, which she was scarfing down impressively, Theo ordered nachos, Victoria got a taco salad, and Thomas and Zachary ended up ordering the same thing, which was a large steak burrito.
"Well, I think that after lunch we should head out and try to find someone else who might be able to help us," Zachary suggested.
Erelah shook her head, "Mexican food and walking around the city without several bathrooms nearby is a bad idea,"
"Oh—" Zachary's eyes grew a little.
"Erelah's lactose intolerant and will be dying in a few minutes," Victoria explained, "but however many times we try to convince her not to eat dairy, she never listens."
"I'm a Shadowhunter Victoria, I literally slay demons. An upset stomach is nothing I can't handle."
"CURSE YOU CHEESE!" Erelah shouted from her bedroom. Victoria could hear her from through the walls. She didn't know where Theo or Zachary were, but she was busy anyway. She sat on her bed with a notebook and a pen, making a list of potential Downworlders she could see at the Complex. Tonight was an even night, so it'd be full of vampires rather than werewolves. Most of Mathias's clan would be there tonight, and if Mathias didn't know anything she doubted the clan members would. She'd ask Fane about it of course, because he seemed to know every Downworlder in America and would drag Victoria around some nights introducing her to random Downworlders that she'd never see again. Her list was already growing too long, so she turned to a page, scribbled something down, and grabbed her stele.
The fire message blazed up and vanished, sent off to its recipient. She didn't know whether she'd get a response or not but hoped for the best. Victoria wanted this whole thing cleared up soon before anyone questioned Fane Voss and he revealed their deal. She wasn't sure what the punishment for selling your blood was, but she didn't want to think about it.
Victoria closed her notebook and tossed her stele back into her nightstand and stood up.
"I swear to god I am never eating cheese again!" Erelah cried. Victoria rolled her eyes and reached for her doorknob.
When Theo was angry, he tended to find himself in the training room. Somehow, in less than twenty-four hours of being around, Zachary had wormed his way into the finely knit dynamic of the Newark Institute. He was coming on missions, and now invading their patrol. It all seemed outrageous, and Theo really wished Zachary would just go home to Alicante and never come back. And get hit by a bus on the way. Maybe two busses. And an airplane.
He pulled the door to the training room and—
"Goddammit," He swore, "You're just everywhere aren't you?"
Zachary, a sword in his hand, stopped mid-motion, and looked at him, "I'm sorry?"
Theo sighed and turned around to leave, "Whatever, I'll go to my room, unless you plan on invading that space too."
"Wait, Hyacinthus, don't leave." Zachary was jogging towards Theo now. Theo stopped and turned around. Zachary came to stand dangerously close to him, and he had to remind himself not to breathe through his nose. Zachary always smelled really good.
"Spar with me," Zachary said, the ends of his mouth quirked up a little, "show me that you don't need me, and I'll leave."
Theo didn't answer, instead, he threw a punch. Part of him didn't believe that Zachary would actually leave, but the idea of besting Zachary was good enough to drive him.
Zachary blocked it with his forearm, "I'm pretty sure that was cheating," He stepped back, putting a little distance between them.
"Don't stand so close next time," Theo retorted and kicked his leg up towards Zachary's chin. Without hesitation, Zachary grabbed Theo's ankle and twisted his leg. Theo flipped over and landed on his stomach. Zachary was already putting him in a full-body lock. Zachary was chuckling while Theo struggled to break out free. Finally, Theo reached around and tickled Zachary in the ribs. He flinched and started laughing, releasing Theo. Theo scrambled to his feet and moved away.
"Okay, that was definitely cheating," Zachary said, rubbing his ribcage.
Theo rolled his eyes and focused on working a strategy in his head. He moved in and jabbed at Zachary's ribs. Zachary moved stepped forwards, tanking the blow, and locked his ankle behind Theo's foot, and swept his feet out from under him. Theo grabbed a fistful of Zachary's shirt as he fell, and Zachary fell down on top of him. Zachary's eyes were shimmering and looked more like silver than gray. Theo couldn't pull his own eyes away. He made the mistake of breathing and smelled Zachary, his favorite scent. He smelled a lot like Idris. Mountains, clean water, the Brocelind forest, and leather. They laid there like that for more than a moment, and Zachary was the one to break the eye contact and roll off of Theo.
Theo blinked and rolled back and upwards onto his feet. Zachary wiped his forehead and flexed his fingers, bouncing from one foot to the other. Zachary's body tensed and he dashed forward, bringing a fury of strikes with him. Theo was blocking them, one by one.
Do I really want Zachary to leave? He asked himself for just a brief moment. He got two replies. A yes and a no. Now he wasn't sure. He didn't want Zachary there, for obvious reasons. Zachary was a liar, a cheater, and had torn out Theo's heart. But at the same time, albeit more subtly, Theo really wanted Zachary there in the Institute, and on missions, and on patrol. He shook his head and stepped away from Zachary. Then he spun around and walked out.
"Wait!" Zachary called after him, "What's wrong? Where are you going?"
Theo didn't stop, he ran straight down the hall and out the doors of the Institute.
Erelah, Victoria and Zachary were all sitting around Erelah's room. Zachary had burst in a couple hours beforehand, claiming that Theo had literally run straight out of the Institute and drove off. Erelah had asked what they'd been doing, and Zachary told her how they'd been sparring and then he'd just left. Victoria came in shortly after Zachary and sat with them while they waited.
Erelah had sent him a fire message:
Zachary says you ran away?
His response was written on a napkin:
Driving.
She'd left him alone after that.
"Are you sure we shouldn't track him?" Zachary asked. He was sitting cross-legged on the floor with his back to the wall, "He's been gone for three hours,"
Erelah shook her head, "Theo needs space, so we're going to give it to him,"
"Also I'm afraid of Theo's room," Victoria said with a shudder.
Zachary's eyebrow quirked up, "Why? Because he's a boy?"
"A horny teenage boy," She said, "the most terrifying of creatures."
Zachary looked at the ground, "I just wish I knew what was wrong,"
Victoria folded her arms, "I do wonder what's the deal between you two," she said, leaning on the back of the chair by Erelah's desk.
Zachary shrugged, "I don't know why Theo suddenly hates me," he said, "we were on great terms when you guys left Idris, and we spoke through fire message a little as well."
"You didn't see each other when he went to Idris back in February?" Erelah asked.
Zachary shook his head, "I didn't even know he came to Idris."
Victoria shrugged, "Theo does odd things sometimes," she said, "for example that sword of his, we all know damn well he didn't find it in a store in Alicante, but he's still sticking to that story, even years later."
Erelah jumped to his defense, "Maybe he really did find it in a store," She said, "Clary found the sword she killed Sebastian with in a store."
Victoria ignored this, "Well, we've got to patrol in a few hours, if Theo isn't back in two hours, we'll go find him,"
Zachary sighed with relief, "Right."
Erelah shrugged, "If you say so,"