A/N: Sooooo sorry about the late update! I will do my best to make my updates on time and a little longer.
Thank you SO much to TheEternalDaylightingRanger for being such an awesome Beta!
To all of you who have followed, favorited and commented: Thanks!
I always forget: Disclaimer: I do not own any ofthe characters just the plot.
Note: I am changing my username to BuryMeInSatin
Clary stared absentmindedly out of the cab's window, eyes darting over New York. In her lap, her small hands were clenched into fists, nails digging painfully into her soft palms. Hurry up, hurry up, hurry up! The jittery girl mentally screamed at the blonde driver. That's when she noticed that she was not even close to her destination.
"Excuse me, I think you have the address wrong, it's in Brooklyn." Clary frowned at the driver, who ignored her. "Mister, you aren't going the right way." Panic bubbled in Clary's chest. "Hello?"
Finally the boy turned, casting the petite girl a quick glance before turning back around to drive. "We're going in the right direction"
"Sorry, but I don't even recognize this street." Clary huffed.
"I said we are going in the right direction. Not the one you gave me." The blonde returned calmly, liquid tar eyes burning into her reflection.
"Let me out." Clary tried to remain calm despite the two ominous phone messages and this direction-challenged cabbie.
"No." A smirk was flashed Clary's way.
Clary rattled the cab doors handle with growing anger. "Let me out!" She nearly screeched, all her nerves and panic exploding as she desperately banged the door with clenched fists.
"Calm down, Birdy." The cool voice froze Clary mid-swing.
Seven-year-old Clary was swinging halfheartedly, kicking the wet sand under her sneakers. Simon was away with his family, and her mom was at an 'no-kids-allowed' art show which featured wine. The sun cast warm colours all around the small girl. Shivering in the autumn air, Clary wrapped her sweater tighter around her.
"Cold?" A small boy's voice startled Clary, and she turned around to see a boy around her age standing behind her, holding his coat out.
"T-Thanks." Clary smiled, donning the coat with pleasure. A cocoon of warmth surrounded her, and Clary wondered at how nice this boy was.
"Hi." The boy seemed shy all of a sudden, hands twisted nervously in front of him.
"Are you cold now?" Clary asked with concern, the boy looked awfully pale, his hair only a few shades darker than his skin.
"I'm okay."
"Where are your parents?" The small girl looked around the park, but it was just the two of them.
The boy's eyes darkened for a second. "Not here." He replied flatly.
"Oh." Clary frowned. "My mom's busy right now. And my friend's away." Her frown deepened.
"We could be friends." The boy trailed off as if expecting to be scolded.
"Sure! What's your name?"
"Jo-Sebastian."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Clary." She stuck a hand out and shook Sebastian's cold hand. "Hey, your hands are super cold." Clary handed the boy her red mittens, little bluebirds stitched onto the palms.
Seemingly surprised, the boy took them with a smile. "Thanks, Birdy."
"What did you just call me?" Clary slowly pivoted to face the driver."
The cab slowed to a stop in front of an expensive-looking condominium. The boy stepped out the yellow vehicle, and then proceeded to unlock Clary's door. She sprang out onto the street, thoroughly confused.
"Who are you and where the Hell are we?" The boy ignored her, stalking off into the building, and without another option, Clary followed.
The two ended up in a small but luxurious apartment. Apparently whoever this boy was, he was a Shadowhunter. Clary observed full-on gear as the boy slipped his coat off and lowered himself onto the plush couch. He gestured for Clary to sit down, but she refused his invitation, crossing her arms.
"Talk."
"Pushy." The boy seemed to enjoy Clary's distress, which angered her more.
"Look here, I need to get back to Brooklyn. I don't care who you are, just tell me where we are."
"No. I want to chat." He smirked then lifted himself gracefully from the couch and to a kitchen area; he selected an expensive-looking glass bottle filled with amber liquid, pouring himself a glass. Sipping slowly, he turned around the face the freckled girl behind him.
"My name is Jonathon. And I'm your brother."
Shocked, Clary covered it up with sarcasm. "Well, spare me your talk, I don't care how many cookies you and Valentine have, I am fine with my side."
Jonathan frowned. "Cookies?" Clary rolled her eyes, then remembered that her mother had told her there was another place Shadowhunters grew up in.
"Star Wars." Clary mumbled. Then she remembered what was strapped to her thigh: A dagger. Oh, I really don't want to stab him…
"Enough idle talk. Let's get to the point: I know you are covering up that you are a semi-trained Shadowhunter from those oafs at the New York Institute. I want you to train with me. You can trust that Valentine is a very...intense… teacher and can teach you more in one month that anyone you are with now."
"One thing. What have you done to my mother."
Jonathon raised a pale eyebrow, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Come train with me and you will see your mom."
Clary gritted her teeth together, hating the corner she had been backed into. In one swift movement, Clary slid the dagger from her thigh strap and angled a fluid cut to Jonathan's pale cheek. Colour flushed where Clary's knife had slashed, her brother's eyes darkened as he lifted a slender hand to the weeping crimson trail caressing his cheekbone.
"Listen Birdy, if you ever want to see your mother, you will train with me." Jonathan hissed to the slender girl in front of him. Advancing, he gripped her wrist with enough force to make the redhead drop her dagger. "You have until Friday. If yes, come to Central Park at 9:00PM.
Then Clary saw his hand swinging for her, too fast for her to react, Clary's vision collapsed as darkness claimed her.
"Hey! Come on, just climb down!" Eight-year-old Simon Lewis called up through thick foliage to Clary. Currently, the stubborn little girl had her head tilted up, eye on a bright red object high above. Wind aided the branches whipping her as if they were guarding the object caught at the top of the tree.
Clambering up the last few branches, Clary took her gaze hesitantly off the top of the tree. Swaying precariously among the top-most branches, Clary could skim her vision over the top of some buildings close to her.
A sudden urge to let go of the tree and jump filled the small girl, then she snapped back to reality as a strong gust almost fulfilled the desire. Clinging to the tree with a sudden burst of fear, Clary looked down. Simon was miniature, still shouting anxiously for Clary to return to solid ground. Gulping down her fear, the redhead reached up until her arm felt numb.
Grasping around, her small fingers closed around the object. Tucking the object into her pocket, Clary made her way carefully down the tall tree, yet no matter how fast she climbed the ground became farther and farther.
"Clary." A cool voice sounded from behind her. Twisting around, Clary stared into the black eyes of the boy she had met in the park. Now his eyes held no warmth.
"Jump. I'll catch you." Jonathon's eyes sparkled with mischief, knowing he held the upper hand.
"No!" Clary screamed over the increasingly violent wind, threatening to rip her from her anchor.
"Come on, I know you want to."
"Cliche much?"
Jonathan grinned, the wind swirled, forcing Clary's sweaty palms to slip.
"Fly, Birdy."
Screaming with terror, Clary felt herself sail away from the tree and...Fly? Soaring high over New York, happiness swelled in Clary's chest. Then she dropped.
Bolting up to fast, black dots swirled in Clary's vision before she slumped down. After closing her eyes for a brief second, Clary sat up, slower this time. What was with that dream? Looking around, Clary realized she was in Simon's room.
"Clary! Thank God you're awake." Simon stood over the occupant of his bed, frowning.
"Simon! How did I get here?"
"I found you here unconscious when I came back from the park." A pointed look from Simon led Clary's cheek to blush with shame. Then she remembered why she hadn't made it and was currently lying in Simon's house. All her recent events rushed out starting from what she saw at Pandemonium up to her weird encounter with her supposed brother.
After she finished her explanation, Simon blew out a sigh, eyes wide as he tried to process what Clary had just recounted.
"Simon? You look a little dazed."
"Uh, I'm fine. Just...Wow."
Clary smiled weakly. "Si...I have to go to the Institute 'cause they're probably worrying about me. I'll see you later?"
"I'll take you to the Institute."
"Simon I'll be fine." Clary reassured with careful patience. "I'm not a child."
"I know. But I don't want another psycho to attack you."
"Simon." Exasperated, Clary got up slowly from the bed and stretched her stiff muscles.
"Hey, Si, how long have I been out for?"
"Three days." Simon mumbled, getting up from the chair he had been occupying.
"What!" Clary whirled around to face her best friend. "I have to get back to the Institute now." Panicked, Clary calculated. After a quick glance at the clock-It was 3:00pm- she decided that she had six to get back to the Institute and gear up before leaving to tell Jonathan her answer.
"Thanks for everything Si. I'll call you later."
Clary bolted out of Simons room then out to his front door, when sunlight temporarily blinded her. She ran as fast as she could to the train and hopped on. Rubbing her stomach, which grumbled from lack of food, Clary looked anxiously outside.
One cab-ride later, Clary was standing in front of the New York Institute. She entered quietly, hoping the three others there were out hunting a demon. Faintly she could hear piano keys dancing, but brushed the noise off as a CD left on.
Creeping into the weapons room, Clary selected a small pouch labeled 'silver powder', and a Seraph blade. Then she realised that in order to carry these with her, she would have to change out of her Pandemonium outfit. Still warily quiet, the redhead quickly headed towards her room.
Quickly changing into Shadowhunter gear which she had found stashed in the weapons room, Clary hid her weapons, now accompanied by three other daggers, amongst her outfit. Whipping her red hair into a ponytail, Clary looked over the room.
Weapons? Check. Phone? Check. Money? Check.
Hm. I feel like I'm missing something. Re-surveilling the room, Clary frowned. Shaking it off as nerves, she turned and opened the door to leave. Only to crash into a wall of hard flesh.
Oh, no. Clary looked up, meeting with golden eyes who looked over her outfit in one sweep.
"Going somewhere?" Jace's smooth voice contained a hint of glee, watching the short girl in front of him glare as she had been caught. He tossed an object towards her.
Clary caught the apple."Yes. Now if you'll excuse me…"
"Oh, Shortcake I think you'll need some company."
"No thank you."
Jace blocked Clary's path, eyes solemn. "Clary, we all have been worried sick. You can't run away like that." The blonde laid a hand under Clary's chin, forcing her to meet his intense eyes.
"Got it?"
Breathless for a moment, Clary regained her composure and brushed past him. Walking out onto the streets of New York, Clary quickly started to Central Park; all the while Jace beside her, grumbling about women and lack of cooperation. Even though she was headed towards what wanted to make her retch, Clary couldn't get over the silly feeling in her gut.
Jace had called her Clary.
Hope you liked it!
Bai,
-Elle