Hello, lovely readers! I sincerely meant to upload this chapter last week, but time just got away from me and then I was away on a camping trip over the weekend!
I particularly enjoyed writing this chapter, and I hope you enjoy reading it!
As always, I love receiving feedback and reviews :)
The vampire sprang into action in the middle of their circle, aiming an attack on Jaime. He was almost fast enough to dodge the silver dagger Dru threw from behind him, but not quite. The vampire collapsed to the floor with Dru's dagger lodged between the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, rendering him incapacitated but conscious. Thais twisted his arms behind his back, securing them tightly with silver runed handcuffs.
"By the order of the Clave, you are hereby placed under arrest for the use of encanto on mundanes for the purpose of committing a crime against mundanes, and for attacking a Shadowhunter," Thais proclaimed, tugging back the hood that covered his face.
The vampire, now bound and impaired, chuckled darkly, "By the order of the Clave, blah blah blah. You think I care about your stupid Shadowhunter laws?"
"You're lucky we didn't just kill you," Dru volunteered. "Despite your apparent death wish and all, you might find that your cooperation would better serve you in the long run."
"Spare me, Nephilim. I will say no more."
"Jaime-"
"-Already on it." He whipped out his stele and scrawled a fire message. "It won't take long for Brother Shadrach to arrive."
"A silent brother?" the vampire hissed. For all his bravado about not being afraid, he certainly looked afraid now.
"Well, we can't very well use the Gard in Alicante anymore, now can we?" Not since the Cohort declared the city as theirs and the Clave chose to exile themselves with Alec Lightwood-Bane as Consul.
Dru stepped aside with Jaime and whispered, "What do we do with the ring?"
"Solo relajate, amiga. Relax.I have a plan."
Within minutes, Brother Shadrach did indeed appear-more like materialized out of thin air, right next to Thais. Thais nearly jumped out of her skin, before Dru heard the unearthly voice of the Silent Brother in her head—in all their heads. Dru wasn't sure she would ever get used to the strange sensation of having her thoughts interrupted the way they did, nor would she ever get used to the complete creep factor that all Silents Brothers emanated. Jem—as Brother Zachariah—had been the only acception.
You have called upon the services of the Silent Brothers. What has transpired here tonight?
Dru, Thais and Jaime took turns filling in Brother Shadrach on the events of the evening, including the mysterious ring, which Jaime handed over without complaint. "We do not know who wants this ring, we are hoping some time in the holding cells of the Silent City will inspire some cooperation."
Very well, came the eerie voice of Brother Shadrach again. Details of our investigation will be provided to Jem Carstairs. Dru didn't bother arguing that the Silent Brother could just inform Kit, who technically ran everything at the Institute anyway; the Silent Brothers had their own protocols to follow, and would rarely deviate from their laws.
"Thank you for your assistance, Brother Shadrach," Jaime sketched a small bow to the robed figure, who nodded assent and departed with the shackled vampire in tow. The vampire gave a final hiss at the three of them, before disappearing.
Dru felt herself relax immediately, but rounded on Jaime in confusion, "I thought you said you had a plan? Why did you hand over the ring?"
"Chill. It's right here." He pulled the gaudy ring from his inner pocket. "I simply swapped one of my rings out for this one."
"You do realize the Silent Brothers won't be fooled right?"
"Sí, but at least it will give us some time to do some investigating of our own."
Dru sighed. She had to admit that Jaime was right, but she didn't like misleading the Silent Brothers. Thais was busy snapping a few quick pictures of the crime scene.
"We should probably get out of here. We still have to do a patrol of the area."
...
Dalton lounged on the ornate four post bed, waiting for Kit to emerge from the shower. While all the rooms in the London Institute were immaculate, Kit had possibly chosen the best one. Apparently, Kit had an inclination towards fancy things, which never ceased to surprise Dalton. Kit had replaced the previous ancient artwork in his room for a collection of Salvador Dali paintings. It piqued Dalton's ever growing curiosity about the person Kit was before becoming a Shadowhunter.
Dalton rose from the mattress and stood in front of the fireplace, studying one of the paintings. Personally, Dalton preferred the impressionist paintings of Monet over the strange surrealism of Dali. He had to admit that he liked this one though; all golden and ivory swirls in a dark walnut frame. In an obscure way, it reminded him of some of the renditions of Jonathan Shadowhunter and the angel Raziel. And of Kit's hair.
The door of the bathroom swung open behind him at that moment, revealing a shirtless Kit still toweling off his wet curls, ringlets turned a darkened bronze color by their dampness. Kit took Dalton's breath away every time he saw him.
"That painting is called galacidalacidesoxyribonucleicacid."
Dalton gaped at him, "What?"
"Gala-"
"No, don't torture yourself," he laughed. "What does it represent?"
"The helical structure of DNA. Jem forced me to learn about all the famous painters. I guess it worked, because this is one of my favorites," he smiled fondly. "Plus, it's the original."
Dalton found himself gaping, again, and raised his eyebrows. "And how exactly did you get your hands on the original painting?"
"I made a highly compelling agreement with the warlock who owns the museum in St. Petersburg, Florida," he said nonchalantly, as if it were an everyday occurrence. "I can be very persuasive. She couldn't resist my Herondale charm."
"You know that's not really a thing, right?"
Kit feigned mock hurt, and walked up to Dalton with all the swagger he could muster, "You care to test that theory?" he breathed. "I bet I could persuade you to do all sorts of things."
Dalton's tongue suddenly felt very dry in his mouth. He could barely resist Kit on a normal day, let alone when he talked like that, and they were alone in Kit's bedroom. He placed a hand on Kit's hip, drawing him closer still. His other hand trailed through the damp curls at the nape of his neck. "You don't need to. I'll do anything you ask me to do," he whispered, nipping at Kit's earlobe.
Kit pulled away and lifted an eyebrow mischievously, "Anything?"
"Anything."
Kit captured Dalton's mouth against his own, hot breath mingling in a desperate motion. Dalton dug his fingertips into Kit's hip, toying with the elastic waistband of his sweatpants. Kit broke contact to trail kisses along his jaw, sending shivers along his spine. He sucked gently on Dalton's ear, and Dalton somehow managed to form words that came out thick and shaky with longing, "Ask me, Kit."
Kit's breath on his ear made him feel weak at the knees, like he would collapse any moment. Kit was teasing him, making him impatient with anticipation.
Dalton ran his palms over the sculpted muscles of Kit's stomach and up to his toned chest to rest on his strong shoulders. Dalton guided him until the back of Kit's knees hit the mattress and he sat back onto the bed. Dalton laid him down and straddled him, grinding his hips just enough to make Kit squirm beneath him. Dalton removed himself from Kit and the bed, earning a grumble from the blonde.
"I will do nothing else until you ask," Dalton teased, toying with the strings on his own waistband.
"Dalton." Kit's voice was low with need. His blue eyes bore into Dalton's hazel ones, almost making Dalton give up the charade, when Kit finally spoke, "I want your mouth—"
But Dalton didn't get to find out where Kit wanted his mouth, because a rapid series of knocks sounded at the door, followed by Jaime yelling, "Get dressed and meet us in the entry in twenty minutes! We're going clubbing!"
Dalton turned to see Kit running a hand through his golden locks, "When the hell did they get back?' he muttered. He got up and went to his closet, pulling out some jeans and a black button up shirt. "Jaime will literally shank us if we don't go."
Dalton laughed. "It's okay, as long as you'll dance with me?"
A hesitant look crossed Kit's face, but then he nodded, "Okay, but to be fair, I don't think you can handle all of this." He gestured down at himself and flashed Dalton a cocky grin.
"Oh yeah?" Dalton wiggled his eyebrows. "I guess you'll just have to wait and see." With that, Dalton left Kit's room to change his own clothes.
...
Dru perched on the edge of the chair in her and Thais' conjoined bedroom, gazing glumly as Thais emerged from the bathroom in a tiny black dress that left very little to the imagination. Thais had curves in all the right places, her bronzed skin practically glowed, and she had long, slender legs that were accentuated by the strappy sparkling heels she slipped on her feet. Dru flopped backward into the chair with a huff of exasperation.
"Dru?"
Dru groaned in response, mumbling some variation of "I'm not going."
"Meu amor, what's wrong?" That was her usual term of endearment for Dru, even though their relationship had always been platonic.
"You are a total bombshell, Thais. I don't even own clothes for clubbing. I really wish you hadn't dragged me into going along." Dru had not moved from her desolate position in the chair, and covered her eyes with her forearms so that she didn't have to look at her best friend as she knelt beside the chair next to her.
"I need you with me, Dru. We will find something that you will feel amazing in. I promise." Thais pried Dru's hand away from her face and pulled her up from the seat and dragged her over to the vanity.
Dru watched doubtfully as Thais searched both of their massive suitcases, throwing various items into a pile of potentials. Dru caught a glimpse of fishnets and wanted to find a corner to hide in forever.
Thais murmured to herself as she tossed article after article of clothing in a haphazard mountain behind her, searching for the perfect thing. She pulled out a pair of laced up black leggings Dru forgot she owned; Thais had convinced her to buy them from Hot Topic one year and she had never worn them.
Thais smiled up at her. "These are perfect. Now for the right top. We need to show off your magnificent ta-ta's."
Dru groaned again. She knew she should embrace her curves—they were a part of her, but she just never felt confident when comparing herself to the majority of the other female Shadowhunters in her life. It didn't matter how many times someone told her they wished they had her curves, it never stuck.
Thais gave an exclamation of joy from her mountain, and tossed a set of clothes to Dru. "Put these on."
Dru gaped at the items in her hands. "This is a spare vest from my gear!"
"Yup. It's leather. Leather is sexy. See where I'm going with this?"
Dru shook her head in mute horror, but managed to drag herself to the bathroom. "This is never going to work."
"Hold up! Here," she tossed something red at her, and Dru saw that it was one of her bras.
"No. Absolutely, not."
"Just humor me. Please?" Thais begged, and Dru could no longer resist her friend's whims.
Dru reluctantly pulled the leggings on and was pleasantly surprised to find that they constricted in just the right places and were actually comfortable. So far, not a complete disaster. But it was the vest she was truly worried about. She slipped on the red lacy bra, shaking her head. Red was a good color on her, but that didn't mean she wanted to show the lacy red fabric off to everyone at the club. She refused to look in the mirror as she tugged the vest on over her bra, buckling the front and attempting to adjust it so the red didn't peak out as much from underneath. Other than that, it actually covered more of her skin that she was expecting.
She took a deep breath. It was the moment of truth.
Dru stepped out of the bathroom, still avoiding the mirror on the other side of the room.
Thais whistled. "Oi, mamacita. You are dressed to kill. Literally. You've got this dominatrix vibe going on, and it's fabulous," she gushed, dragging her in front of the mirror. "See for yourself."
Dru managed to open her eyes and took a moment to study the stranger in the mirror. It was definitely not something she imagined herself wearing to go out in public, but she had a difficult time finding something to dislike about the ensemble. She had to admit it; Thais was good. The red bra peaked out just enough beneath the vest that hugged her curves and accentuated the dip of her cleavage perfectly. The laced up leggings sat high up on her waist, which narrowed and flared out over her hips into what people often called an hourglass figure.
She was pleasantly surprised to find that she liked how she looked. "Okay," she breathed, and Thais wrapped her arms around her in excitement.
"Sit," she demanded. Dru obeyed, letting Thais undo the two braids tying her hair back, and watched as the brown tresses tumbled down her back and over her shoulders when Thais lightly combed them out with her fingers. She pulled a section back away from Dru's face, twisting and pinning it into place. "All done. All that's left is shoes." She rummaged through their belongings again to pulled out a strappy pair of red heels and tossed them to Dru.
Dru wobbled momentarily in them, then placed an agility rune upon her skin. It may have been cheating, but she didn't care. "Thank you, Thais."
"Always," she beamed. "We should head down."
"Hold on, there's something I want to talk to you about first." She had decided the moment she had taken a look in the mirror that it was time to face her other fear. Thais had proved to her over and over again that she knew Dru's heart better than Dru did herself.
Thais furrowed her brows slightly, "Okay."
Dru took a deep breath, then started. "We make a great duo. You have this ability to make me feel confident in myself when no one else can. You force me out of my shell. And in turn, I tame your wildness, just enough to keep you level headed. You are my best friend, Thais. And I would love it if you were also my parabatai-my warrior partner and literal BFF for life."
Thais grinned, "Only if we can make that part of our official parabatai vows."
Dru laughed joyously, and realized she had been fidgeting with a vest buckle, "Is that a yes? You'll be my parabatai?"
"No…" she hummed, and Dru felt an embarrassed flush creep across her cheeks. "That's a hell yes!"
Dru knew her smile lit up her face; she could see it reflected in Thais' own gleaming brown eyes. Dru felt a tear slide down her cheek; she didn't even know she had started crying. She began laughing, and suddenly Thais was laughing with her and they were embracing each other tightly.
Dru's happiness threatened to overflow. Parabatai. She was going to have a parabatai.
...
Twenty minutes later, they had all piled out of the their uber and entered the club. Kit had been here on occasion with Jaime, which was never a dull event. Jaime led the way through the tight crowd toward the bar that separated the two rooms of the club from each other, yelling over the music that the first round was on him.
Kit gave him a thumbs up, choosing to avoid destroying his vocal chords. He glanced behind him to make sure Dru and Thais were alright, but realized he needn't have worried. Kit knew that the two girls had each others' backs. And now they were going to be parabatai. Dru had announced it to everyone before they left; and now everyone was in a celebratory mood.
Kit reached for Dalton's hand and pulled him along after Jaime. The four of them found a somewhat cleared area on the dancefloor and waited for Jaime to bring them their first celebratory round.
Kit wound his arms around Dalton's waist and pulled him closer, swaying to the melody of the music, feeling the beat of the bass pump through his body. He glanced into Dalton's face; the bright lights glowed in his eyes and cast streaks of color through his hair. Beside him, Dru and Thais were dancing together. Kit took a moment to observe the pure joy on both of their faces, particularly Dru's.
At that moment, Jaime returned with five shots between his hands, and passed them out. Kit raised his glass in the air and proclaimed a toast, "To Dru and Thais! On their decision to become parabatai." Kit laughed as he saw Dru's face scrunch up with distaste. Thais downed it a little more gracefully.
"Woo!" Jaime exclaimed, rolling his hips in time to the music. "Kit, second round is on you."
"Please make it something better tasting," Dru begged.
Kit pushed his way to the bar and ordered a round of mixed drinks. Jaime was all about the shots, while Kit preferred a drink that he could sip on. The music was deafening, but he didn't really mind it. It helped drown out the chatter in his mind—about the girl from the docks and the all too intrusive thoughts of his past.
The bartender slid him the drinks with a wink and Kit smiled slightly as he handed him payment. "Keep the change." He made his way back onto the dancefloor, taking care not to spill the five full sized drinks he managed to carry all at once.
Handing one of the drinks to Dru, he said, "Vodka cranberry. I think you'll like this one." She took a grateful sip and nodded enthusiastically. "Also, I didn't get to say this earlier. But you look phenomenal."
She smiled, "Oh, this is allll Thais. We could add personal stylist to the list of things she's great at."
They all pushed further out onto the dancefloor, closer to the stage where the DJ spun his tracks. Kit sipped at his drink and lost himself in the music, the lights, in Dalton. Jaime, Dalton and Kit took turns getting drinks for the group, and it wasn't long until Kit began to feel the effects. The lights blurred and shifted around him and his body buzzed with energy. He felt slightly unsteady on his feet, but the firm arms around his waist kept him grounded.
He glanced around. Thais started dancing with Jaime at some point, so close they might as well have been one person. Kit smirked, thinking that the two of them looked good together. He vaguely wondered how Dru felt about that. He had assumed Dru had a crush on Jaime ever since she kept him hidden in her room for a few weeks. But maybe he was completely off his rocker. He turned to find Dru also dancing with a tall, handsome mundane. Good for her.
He felt Dalton's hips grind against his own, though with a sort of disconnected, out-of-body sensation signaling that he was well and truly intoxicated. A pleasant numbing sensation had settled over his mind and he reached his arms up behind him to tangle in Dalton's hair, writhing against him in time to the beat. He felt Dalton breathe heavily against his ear, nipping at the lobe seductively.
"You were right," Dalton muttered.
"Hmmm?"
"About not being able to handle you. You're driving me crazy." Dalton's breath was hot against Kit's neck.
"Mmhmmm, hate to say I told you so, but…" he drawled, turning around and wrapping his arms around Dalton's neck. He leaned in, tracing his tongue along Dalton's jaw, ending just below his ear. "I told you so," he teased, breathless and exhilarated from the combination of alcoholanddancingandDalton. Even his thoughts were becoming a jumbled mess.
"We could find a more private spot...finish what we started earlier," Dalton purred. "After all, I never got to hear what you wanted me to do to you."
"Mmmmmm," Kit managed to mutter. "Not here."
Dalton grumbled something incoherent against his ear but kept dancing, pulling Kit tightly against him, feeling the bass and rhythm of the entrancing music vibrate through them.
Kit lost all sense of time and before he knew it, it was time to go.
"Druuuuu," Kit swayed, perching his arm around the girl's shoulder as they waited for their Uber. "Have I told you how much I love you? You're like, awesome sauce, and I don't know what I would do without you."
She flashed him a bright grin, "If this is just the alcohol talking, I'm gonna kick the crap out of you." Even drunk, Dru was a force to be reckoned with and Kit cringed away slightly.
"I promise, I would say this even sober….though maybe not in so many words, you know? You're like a sister to me."
Dru ruffled his hair affectionately. "I'm gonna hold you to that, Herondale," she slurred. "Now where's my future parabataiBFFforever?"
"I'm literally right next to you."
Kit burst into a fit of laughter. "Ooof. And I thought I was D-R-U-N-K."
"Heeeey I think our driver is here," Jaime pointed, and Kit checked his phone. It was indeed their Uber. Dru sat up front and the rest of them squished into the back seat. In fifteen minutes the driver pulled onto Fleet Street and parked in front of the Institute. The driver looked puzzled as he surveyed what was glamoured to look like an old abandoned church to mundanes.
The five of them stumbled out of the car and through the front gates. Thais was giggling at something Jaime whispered in her ear. Kit had each of his arms slung around the shoulders of Dru and Dalton, intoxicated and smiling exuberantly.
"Kit."
Dru's shaky voice brought him back to earth, and he glanced over to her. She had a stricken, horrified look on her face and she was covering her mouth. He didn't want to look, didn't want to know what caused it, but he followed her gaze anyway.
And vomited the contents of his stomach right onto the front steps of the institute.
In front of them, bound like a witch at the stake, was a naked Shadowhunter. Kit didn't have to check for a pulse to know that the man was dead; he could tell by the slump of his body, the utter lack of life. It was instantly sobering.
Jaime breathed behind him, "Dios, what…." He couldn't even finish his thought.
It was Thais who spoke calmly and assuredly, "It's the same."
"Thais, what's the same?" Dru whispered.
"The murder my mother is investigating in Rio...this is the same."
What the hell?
There was so much blood; it ran down the steps in a glistening pool. It was then that Kit realized where the blood was coming from. Some of the Shadowhunter's runes had been carved from his skin, brutally. He almost vomited again. "You're certain?"
"I'll tell you everything, but right now we need to get him down and inside the institute."
Kit, Dalton and Jaime rushed forward, hastily undoing the bindings and gently tugging the limp form to the ground. Dru held the doors open and they carried him inside. Kit contemplated the best place to put him, then decided on the infirmary until they could summon a Silent Brother. Kit pulled out his phone and dialed Jem's number. It rang a few times and then a groggy voice picked up on the other end.
"Kit? By the Angel, what time is it?"
"I'm sorry Jem. I—we need you. There's been a murder."
There was a moment of silence on the other end, "Who?"
"We don't know."
"I'll be there as soon as I can."
"Jem, I hate to ask this...but Tessa, do you think—I mean, her powers would…" he trailed off. "I'm sorry, I can't ask Tessa to involve herself in this."
"Kit, breathe. I will ask her. There is no need for you to apologize."
Kit did as he was told. He took a deep breath, willing himself to calm down. He felt a hand on his shoulder, and turned to find Dru standing there, fear in her eyes. He reached up and squeezed her hand reassuringly. He needed to be strong. Confident. The head of an institute.
"Ok, I will see you when you get here." He hung up. He gave Dru a brief hug, then ordered everyone to various tasks. Summon the Silent Brothers, take pictures, cleanse the body, gather up any evidence on the steps, contact the Rio Institute, and on and on and on. All he wanted to do was sleep. But sleep would have to wait.
The next few hours flew by in a flurry of commotion. Jem had arrived with Tessa and baby Charlotte, Brothers Shadrach and Enoch were still busy investigating the body, Morena Pedroso sent over the inconclusive reports from the murder in Rio de Janeiro, and Kit was now poring over the papers with Jem in their study, trying in vain to figure out how the two murders were connected.
Jaime had interrupted some time ago to report on the findings from the heist, though that was low on the list of Kit's concerns at the moment. That was, until Jaime had handed him the ring they found and informed him that the Silents Brothers had a "fake" ring and would likely come around asking for it. Under normal circumstances, Kit probably would have applauded Jaime for his sleight of hand. But these were not normal circumstances and Kit was exhausted, meaning he was crabby and may or may not have called Jaime a moron before locking the ring up in the safe alongside the mysterious amulet.
Kit's brain was quickly disintegrating into mush. Words and letters blurred together on the pages before him and he realized he had reread the same sentence five times without understanding a word of it.
At that moment, Tessa walked in, carrying little Charlotte on her hip and Jem moved to be near both of them, like a magnet. The little girl gave a squeal of delight when she saw Kit and began struggling in her mother's arms. Tessa set her down with a laugh and Charlotte dashed to Kit, jumping up into his lap unceremoniously. "Hey Char-Char, I've missed you sooo much!" Kit said happily, giving her a peck on the forehead and a tickle on her belly.
She fell into a fit of toddler giggles and squirmed against him, gasping for air, "No tickles! Kitty—stop!" Kit smiled at her nickname for him. When she was learning her words, she had often confused his name with kitty, which was supposed to be for Jem's cat, Church, but was so close to the way his name sounded that she had called both of them Kitty—and it had stuck. He didn't mind one bit, though.
"Christopher," Tessa's voice sounded from the doorway. He really wasn't fond of his given name; he felt like he was in trouble anytime it was used. In this case though, he could tell Tessa said it out of concern and love. "Honey, you need sleep."
He shrugged it off, "This is more important."
She shook her head. "You are more important. You cannot be of any help to anyone if you don't get some sleep. That goes for all of you, since I hear you were all out into the wee hours of the morning, celebrating."
Kit blushed slightly. "We were," he didn't bother denying it.
"Then get some rest. You need to take care of yourself. The body will still be there and maybe there will be more answers when you wake."
Kit sighed. She was right, as usual. Besides, it wouldn't hurt to close his eyes for a bit. He retired to his bedroom and passed out, fully clothed, the moment his head hit the pillow.
...
Kit woke to the sound of knocking on his door. He glanced at his clock; it was already dinner time. "Come in," he called.
It was Dru. She looked like she had also gotten some sleep and had changed into sweatpants and a Godzilla T-shirt. "I made you a sandwich. Everyone is still pretty busy, so there was no time to make anything else."
"A sandwich sounds great. Thanks Dru." He took the plate from her and devoured it in moments. He hadn't eaten anything since before heading out on mission the night before. He finally let himself wonder how the girl was settling in at the Academy, if she had been adjusting well, or if it was as overwhelming for her as it had been for him at first at the L.A. Institute.
"Dalton filled us in about the demons at the docks." Could she read minds? "I'm glad that you called Clary and Simon. That girl was lucky you found her alive."
He didn't know why he said it but being around Dru made him feel like he could say anything. "She reminded me of myself. She didn't have a family to return to. It was the least I could do for her, to give her a chance at having a purpose in her life."
"Have you?"
"Have I what?"
"Figured out your purpose. That's part of why you left us right? To figure out who you are?"
Kit supposed that was true, though it was not a conscious part of his decision at the time. "Yes….and no."
She sighed, sitting down on the mattress next to him. "There you go again with those cryptic answers."
Maybe it was because he was tired. Or maybe he was just starting to get sick of keeping secrets. "That night…" Kit began, and saw Dru stir out of the corner of his eye. "I asked Ty not to do it. Not to bring her back. I'd told him that he could survive without her. That I would be there for him, we would get through it together. But it wasn't enough. I wasn't enough. He said there was nothing if Livvy wasn't there. I guess I fell into that category."
Dru was silent for a long time, so long that Kit wasn't even sure she was going to speak. "So that's why you left," she stated.
He nodded, "There's more, but I'm not ready to talk about it. I'm not sure I'll ever be."
Dru wrapped her arms around him supportively. "I can't speak for my brother; he never told me any of this. But...do you really think he meant that?"
"He was never one to say things he didn't mean."
"I know. But Livvy was his twin, Kit. That loss is unlike anything else. He may not have realized what he said or understood how you perceived it."
"It doesn't matter."
"Can I tell you something? About after you left?"
"I think it's better if you don't."
Dru considered him for a moment, looked like she would speak anyway, then decided against it. "Maybe another time, then." He smiled gratefully at her. "Did you mean what you said last night?"
He racked his brain, trying to even remember the events before returning to find the dead Shadowhunter on their front steps .
"About me being like a sister to you?"
"Oh, that!" Kit laughed. "Of course I meant that, Dru."
She beamed at him, and it lit up her entire face. "Speaking of sisters….Charlotte is absolutely adorable."
"I know, right?" Kit gushed.
...
Tessa and Jem were waiting for Kit in the study, enjoying a rare quiet moment together. Tessa sat on Jem's lap in front of the fireplace and the portrait of William Herondale. Jem toyed absent-mindedly with Tessa's hair, and she hummed at the tenderness with which he touched her; always kind, always gentle. That was her Jem.
Light footsteps sounded in the doorway, and Tessa turned her head to find Kit, looking much better than he had earlier in the afternoon when he was sleep deprived.
"Oh," he made a surprised face when he glanced across the room.
Tessa started to get up. "Don't worry, you didn't interrupt anything, Kit."
He smiled, "No, it's not that. We have a visitor among us. Quite a cocky bastard too."
Jem and Tessa both gaped at him. "Will? Will's here?"
"Yes," Kit laughed, looking off to their right. "Although I wish you could both see him, and spare me the torture of watching him pine after both of you."
Tessa glanced over at Jem, holding his hand tightly. She knew how hard it was for him to not be able to see his former parabatai. The ache in her heart, knowing he was there in the room with them, with only Kit being able to see him, was almost too much for her. Kit's voice snapped her out of her reverie.
"He wants me to tell you that there isn't a day that goes by that he doesn't think about you or wish that he could be here with you. He says that Charlotte is the spitting image of you, Tessa and he is happy you and Jem have built this beautiful life together."
Tears were flowing freely down Tessa's face, buried in Jem's shoulder. She could feel his trembling with the tears she knew streaked down his cheeks too.
She heard Kit's voice break, "Will also says that he's proud of both of you...for always taking care of us troublesome Herondales." Kit paused, wiping a tear that escaped down his own cheek, "Thank you, Will. That means a lot to me."
Tessa felt Kit wrap his arms around them after a few moments of quiet. It wasn't often that he initiated affection towards them, though he accepted it readily when they did. "He loves you both, so much. But he is here for another reason."
Tessa unlatched herself from Jem and Kit, looking at him expectantly.
"He says, 'don't ask how' but he knows the name of the dead Shadowhunter." Then, with a glance to her right, at Will, Kit smirked, "If you were alive, I'd say we could make a drinking game out of all the stupid decisions we've made."
"Kit!"
"Will, don't encourage him!"
Ignoring them completely, Kit relayed the name, "Tristan Delacroix." Tessa watched as Kit grabbed the case files and scrawled the name on a piece of paper, clipping it to the inside of the folder. "Thank you, Will.
Tessa followed Kit's movements with her steely gray eyes. Pride bloomed in her chest as she observed the way he held himself; more confident than he was the last time she saw him a few months ago. Staying at the institute had clearly been good for him, though she missed having him in Devon.
"Is he still here?" Jem's voice came out in a whisper beside her.
Kit shook his head. "It's not something he has much control over, you know? He came to relay this information and stayed as long as he could. To see the two of you."
At that moment, Tessa felt Jem shift beside her. They had stood from their chair at some point, she wasn't sure when. Jem quickly left the room, and she knew he just needed a moment to be alone.
She approached Kit at the desk. "You're doing a great job here."
"Will said the same thing."
She chuckled, and replied fondly, "He would know, he was the head of the institute when we were married."
"Did he ever second guess himself?"
"Would he be human if he didn't?"
Kit let that thought settle over him for a moment. "I suppose not."
"Kit, whatever bad choices you have made in your life….they don't define you. I hope you know that." She rested her hand affectionately on his shoulder. "Jem and I love you, and we will always do our best to guide you."
Kit smiled up at her warmly, a motion that lit up his face and almost made him look like that scrawny fifteen year old boy again, though she could tell that he was much happier than he was three years ago when he came to live with them.
"This is what you want, right?"
"What, to be the head of the London Institute?" He laughed. "If you had asked me that three years ago I might have told you to go...never mind. The point is," he corrected himself, remembering that he was talking to Tessa, "this is something I never knew I could want, because Johnny never allowed me to even entertain the idea of being a Shadowhunter."
Tessa felt a stab of anger towards Kit's father for hiding him away from his birthright, but at the same time, she might have done the same thing if it protected him from those who would want him dead. As it was, he was protected for now. As long as he was careful.
She rubbed her hand over his back soothingly. "You were meant for this life. With or without your Faerie magic."
"Have you learned anything new?"
Tessa thought about all the research she had done over the previous three years, trying to help Kit figure out his magical abilities, trying to teach him to wield it or channel it in some way. They had learned early on that his powers only manifested when he was highly emotional; which, in the first few months had been often, then less and less, as he grew more mature.
She shook her head. "I wish I could tell you more, but your magic is not like mine."
"It's okay, Tessa. You've done more than enough for me."
Tessa reached out again to ruffle his golden curls. "I'll leave you be then. I need to find Jem."
"I'm sorry," Kit blurted. "I know it's not easy for either of you when Will shows up, and only I can see him."
"No, it's not easy. But in a way, it's a comfort to know that he's still watching out for us. You don't need to worry about how we feel though. It may hurt; but it is also a blessing to be able to hear him through you." She saw Kit sigh, realized that he had indeed been worried about her and Jem. "You have so much love and light in you, Christopher. Don't be afraid to let down those walls of yours. People are full of surprises."
...
Kit had been kicked out of the study at around eight in the evening. Jem said he needed to make phone calls and take care of personal business. Kit retired to the library with everyone else and all the case papers they had accumulated. Dru and Jaime had gone out earlier to print copies of the evidence from Tristan Delacroix's corpse, reminding Kit that he needed to talk to Jem about getting a computer and a printer for the institute. He hadn't exactly spoken it aloud, but he aimed to bridge the gap between Shadowhunter tradition and mundane technology.
They had everything spread out across a long table, witchlights burned in the lamps around the room, casting an eerie but relaxing glow over everyone. Dalton sat next to him, their knees brushing against each other under the table. He was busy staring at the pictures. Thais was flirting casually with Jaime, Dru kept casting them withering glances, though he also noted a spark that danced in her eyes seeing them together.
"Hey," Kit whispered, "Are they a thing now?"
Dru laughed quietly, "No, but they sure act like it."
"Do tell her to be careful. Jaime is...well, Jaime. And Jaime does whatever he wants. I just don't want to see her get hurt."
"Eh, she can take care of herself," she said confidently, but her undertone was slightly weary. "Hey, you know what would go great with all this research?"
Kit took one look at her and knew.
"Pizza," they said at the same time.
Yes, delicious, calorie loaded carbs. "I'll order online." Kit pulled his phone from his pocket and ordered two large pizzas from the closest late night delivery place, then bent over the papers again, making notes when he came across similarities between the cases. So far the only things in common were the removal of the Voyance and Angelic Power runes and the fact that both were Academy ascendants. It was hardly enough to go off of.
Kit was so absorbed in his notes that he barely registered the ringing of the doorbell. Dru whacked him, "I think our pizza is here."
"Oh, right. I'll be right back."
Kit rushed into the entryway and yanked the front door open, ready to inhale the pizza. He was hungrier than he thought.
But when he looked out onto the steps, it was not the pizza delivery guy who stood there gazing just past his shoulder into the grand hallway.
Time stopped and Kit's heart nearly ceased beating in his chest.
Ty.