6. Unease
Clary stood before a large glass window atop a hill which provided her with the perfect view of the city below. She could see several large glass structures, not unlike squared smooth towers dotted around, the houses below which fit the neat sections squared off by canals and the river flowing down the centre of the city. They were made of honeyed bricks and red slats atop their roofs which stood out in stark contrast to the narrow cobbled streets. Beyond the walls stretched out countless acres of forest and for a moment Clary wondered just how big Iris really was.
"Those glass structures are the demon towers that provide the wards for Alicante, the dense forestry you're eyeing up is called Brocelind forest. There is a large amount of countryside here in Idris, with family manors dotted around the countryside. I could take you to see Fairchild manor sometime if you'd like." The green-eyed boy who had been content to read his book approached her by the window, apparently disinterested with the rambling story Jace was telling Aline. A feeling of familiarity once again rose to the forefront of Clary's conscious mind and though she could see his features better in their close proximity Clary still could not understand why. "My name is Sebastian, it's nice to meet you." He extended his hand in a friendly gesture, a lopsided smile plastered on his face. His jawline and cheekbones were strong and prominent in a way that reminded Clary of Jace's features, though there was something more elegant and refined about the slope of Sebastian's nose and chin.
"Clary, but you already know that; it's nice to meet you too." She took the offered hand in a firm shake, smiling awkwardly at the mysterious boy as his eyes settled on the mark on her throat. She raised a hand to cover it, feeling uneasy at the flickering anger she noted in his eyes. It passed as quickly it came, though and Clary moved on with the conversation, hoping to distract from the awkward moment. "Alicante is more beautiful than I could have imagined, I can't wait to see more of it. So, you know where Fairchild manor is?" Clary questioned as she studied the night sky. She was certain that there were more constellations hanging brightly amidst the blended black, blue and purple hues of the sky and briefly considered asking the dark-haired boy about it, though she feared she would make a fool of herself.
"Yeah I've been around the countryside quite a lot since I came back here, I wanted to see everything. I've been excited to meet you, Aline as well I'm sure she'll try and talk to you when she's finished catching up with golden boy." He said the last two words slightly louder, throwing a teasing look at Jace over his shoulder before turning back to Clary. "We're in the Accords hall just now, once we know what's happening with your vampire friend we'll probably head home for the night. I'd say you might have to sleep on the couch but I'm sure Isabelle would be more than welcome to have you sleep in her room." He gave Clary a sly look, his forest green eyes slanted at her as he did so. Something about the way the word vampire rolled off of his tongue as if it were half dipped in acid unsettled Clary but she chose to ignore the uneasy feeling for the time being
"Sebastian! That's inappropriate!" Aline gasped, eyeing the door with a tinge of panic lacing her movements.
"Yeah watch it marker-boy, you know what could happen if you talk about things like that too loudly. How'd you figure it out so fast anyway? They've barely been close to each other since we got here." Jace's eyes fixed on Sebastian, narrowed to slits as he gazed at the boy with intense scrutiny.
"Chill, chill! I'm not trying to get anyone in trouble here I was just joking. Also, Jace, it's actually quite obvious if you pay any attention to the dopey eyes they keep giving each other." The two gazed at each other for a moment longer, the tension hanging in the air between them before they both burst into a fit of giggles.
"It is pretty obvious isn't it?" Jace guffawed, his laughter increasing at the two scathing looks directed at him.
"Well I think it's really nice, you two make a cute couple," Aline commented, her face aglow with a bright smile. For a moment Clary considered hugging her two new companions, they each seemed to have the delicate balance of joking and acceptance just right and it overwhelmed Clary how naturally kind the two appeared.
"Thanks, it's quite new though Aline so if you could keep it under wraps around the adults the would be nice." A light blush had formed in Isabelle's cheeks at the black-haired girl's compliment which captured Clary's attention, they shared a look for a moment and something in those dark eyes compelled Clary to waltz across the room and plop herself beside the dark-haired beauty. Sebastian followed, taking the book he had been reading from the cushion before making himself comfortable once again in the high backed red armchair he had been occupying previously. Behind him in the corner, Clary caught a glimpse of little Max laying on an array of pillows reading a manga she hadn't seen before. The cover sported a picture of a green-haired boy with a cute boyish face who was wearing a traditional black school uniform. The bold yellow and red writing above was enough to intrigue Clary and she made a mental note to ask the boy about this latest series at a later date.
A comfortable silence fell between the gathered Nephilim, which was promptly broken by the sounds of multiple sets of footsteps coming their way. A moment later, Luke popped into the room. He looked far more tired than Clary had seen him before and she wondered idly if it was all the polotics of being in the heart of Idris once again. "They've cleared Simon to come back to the Penhallows for tonight with strict instructions for Alec to bring him to the guard by noon tomorrow so he can be sent home. It's quite late so we should be heading back now."
"At noon? But he's a vampire! He'll burn up in the sun!" Aline exclaimed, aghast at the prospect.
"It's fine, trust me. Simon has unusual gifts that a lot of people know about apparently, Aldertree knew before he even went in to question the poor boy. Magnus has gone back to New York too, Alec, before you ask." Luke sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in an attempt to ward off an oncoming headache. Clary wondered how the short, chubby man had become privy to such information. While it was true the brown-haired boy had taken it upon himself to test his abilities on more than one occasion after receiving his powers but she doubted it had been picked up by any shadowhunters in the area. "Shall we go then?" Luke asked, abruptly pulling Clary from her thoughts.
With a murmur of general consensus, the group rose from their comfortable positions and followed the tired man from the room and back down the marble staircase. Upon exiting the building, Clary felt a change in the air which felt denser and heavier. It reminded Clary of the dream she'd had of the lake but she pushed the images from her mind. She wanted to enjoy her time in this mystical place, she did not want to be plagued by possibly prophetic dreams!
Simon and Maryse were waiting for them on the long flat stone steps that framed the entrance of the hall of accords. Maryse gave them a small smile as the group approached, making sure to keep an eye on the meek-looking vampire next to her. "The house is on Princewater street, Luke. I'm sure you remember. It's not too far of a walk." Maryse remarked a hint of some significant yet unreadable emotion flickering in her blue eyes. She turned away promptly after, leading the way towards their destination for the night.
Clary found herself absorbed in the quiet city as they trekked. It was more beautiful than her mind could have imagined before her eyes saw it and she couldn't help but find herself wondering what her life might have been like had she been raised within the tall walls of Alicante.
Before long they were entering the Penhallow's quaint home. Immediately upon entering the small hallway, Sebastian and Aline made their way up the stairs and Maryse ambled through to what Clary presumed was the kitchen, where the smell of a meat-filled hearty stew wafted out from. Maryse motioned to an open door on her way past and the remainder of the group entered the room to find a large varnished dark wood dining table with several chairs each with a large ornate rose carved into the backs. They seated themselves at the table with Luke, Simon, Alec and Jace taking up one side. Max, Isabelle and Clary sat opposite them. The group stayed silent as they waited for something to happen and Clary felt undeniably awkward. It wasn't every day you just stayed at someone else's house, after all, the scenery surrounding her felt decidedly foreign and she concluded it would probably take a while for that to change.
"Sebastian and the Penhallow's have already eaten but Jia was nice enough to cook a stew for us." Maryse explained, hoisting a large steaming pot of stew up onto the table. It what comprised of a tender looking meat, dark brown broth and several vegetables not all of which Clary could identify. Her stomach heaved an almighty grumble as she eyed the stew, clearly angry at her for not having eaten yet. Maryse disappeared back into the kitchen and reappeared once more, this time holding a stack of bowls with a bundle of spoons resting inside the top one. She seated herself next to Max after placing them on the table and gestured for everyone to just take what they wanted.
Clary waited politely for everyone to take a bowl and spoon before retrieving the last remaining set. She felt eyes on her and turned to catch Maryse's approving smile, which she returned with earnest. It took a few minutes for everyone to fill their bowls with stew, the boys fighting over first dibs as if their stomachs might digest themselves. It was an amusing sight to see, though Clary found herself feeling relieved when Isabelle wordlessly took her bowl and filled it with stew.
"Oh, I think I forgot the bread," Maryse noted, placing her spoon down beside her bowl before making an attempt to get up.
"It's fine, you've done so much, let me get it," Clary said quickly, raising from the table. She offered Maryse a quick smile before heading through to the kitchen. She found the plate full of modestly buttered slices of bread next to the stove and out of habit she checked to make sure nothing was hot before retrieving the plate and wandering back to the dining area. She slid the plate onto the table before falling back into her chair with a soft thump, eager to dig into the delicious meal in front of her.
After a while of relaxed chatter between the group and subtle touches exchanged between Clary and her counterpart Maryse, Max and Luke retired to get some rest leaving the remainder of the group to quietly discuss recent events and love interests. After a while, Jace and Alec disappeared upstairs with Simon tagging along with the promise of a nice couch to lay on for the night. With Isabelle's help, the two girls cleared away the aftermath of their filling dinner before they too decided to retire.
It was strange heading upstairs with Isabelle, Clary knew it had been a time since Isabelle had set foot in Idris yet she seemed completely comfortable under the Penhallow's roof and appeared to know where they would be lodging. They passed several doors with audible signs of life behind them and two completely silent doors before Isabelle came to a stop, her hand poised on the brass doorknob ready to open it.
"Jace, Alec and I used to come over here a lot, I remember the house quite well," Isabelle commented quietly, her dark eyes shining under the witchlight that lit the hallway. After a moment she opened the door and lead Clary inside.
Much to Clary's surprise the room Isabelle led her into felt considerably warmer and homier than the rest of the house. A kingsize bed sat pressed up against the far wall, a large window set into the wall above the short leather covered headboard. The sheets that covered the bed were coloured in several neutral tones, fitting with the general theme of the rest of the room. The walls were painted a soft mocha, a lighter shade than the wooden table and wardrobe that also occupied the room, creating a nice contrast.
"This isn't what I expected but I really like it," Clary commented, a grin breaking out on her face as she eyed the two bags sitting at the foot of the bed.
"It is a neat little room, isn't it. How do you think Simon's coping?" Isabelle returned, she stripped out of her jeans and made herself comfortable in the bed and Clary couldn't help but notice the slightly guarded look she sported.
"I think he'll be going mad being away from Raphael, he'll probably be hungry too. It's a good job they'll be sending him back tomorrow..." Clary trailed off, catching on to the subtle change in Isabelle's expression at her comment. "You don't think he'll get home?"
"I'm concerned, I know Jace and Luke are as well. Remember how Luke told us Aldertree already knew about Simon's daylighter abilities?" Isabelle questioned, her tone flat and serious. She turned on the small witchlight lamp that sat on the left side of the bed before settling back into her previous position and eyeing Clary with a raised brow.
Taking the hint, Clary shut off the overhead light and moved over to the bed before crawling in and situating herself beside Isabelle, her head propped up on one hand so she could face the dark-haired girl. "I remember, I thought it was strange that he would know considering I don't think any shadowhunters in New York would've picked up on it. Maybe he got the information from elsewhere?"
"It's possible but we wouldn't know who. All I know is it's a bit strange that a swarm of forsaken showed up exactly when we were set to leave and then this as well? It's too much of a coincidence if you ask me." She tucked some of the stray brown locks that had been framing her face behind her ear and stared at Clary pointedly. "I wouldn't be surprised if something goes wrong."
"But Alec is taking him up to the Gard, I'm sure we'll know if something does happen. We'd think of something to help him." Clary pointed out optimistically, though the faintest hint of a whisper passed through her mind, bringing forth the memories of waking from a dream she couldn't quite remember. She began to doubt her words, the uneasy feeling she'd been sporting all day suddenly growing immeasurably within her.
"You're right Clary, everything will be fine." Isabelle cooed, her expression softening as she reached out to lay a comforting hand over Clary's. "Anyway, it's been a long night, how about we get some rest?" She murmured, brushing her lips ever so gently over the exposed skin of Clary's forehead. Clary allowed her eyes to fall shut at the sweet gesture, saving the memory and filing it away for a time when she might truly need it.
"I love you, Isabelle," Clary whispered as the brown-eyed girl leaned over to cut out the light.
"I love you too, Clary."